Chapter 411 - 379: Spy In Egypt Pantheon... News Of Refusal...

(A/N):

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

-------------------------------------------------

At that, Shiva reached for his trident and tapped its base lightly against the stone floor.

"Then let us speak with him."

The air before the three gods shimmered.

A moment later, a small circular formation of light appeared between them, its surface rippling like water disturbed by a falling drop.

Symbols unfamiliar to most inhabitants of their own divine domains flickered across the luminous surface, forming an intricate pattern before the image of a distant desert landscape began to emerge.

Golden dunes stretched beneath a brilliant sun, while a magnificent temple rose in the distance, its towering columns decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Beyond it, a river wound through the landscape, nourishing a green stretch of fertile land surrounded by the vast desert.

The image shifted slightly before settling upon a man standing within a secluded chamber of the temple.

The man wore garments suited to the region and carried himself with the composure of someone accustomed to moving unnoticed among powerful beings.

He had been waiting for the contact, and the moment the image of Mount Kailash became visible, he straightened and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu."

"Rise,"

Vishnu said pleasantly.

"We have contacted you because an individual from our realm may soon be visiting yours. We would like to discuss a few matters before his arrival."

The agent’s expression changed slightly.

"An individual from your realm, my lord? May I ask who?"

"His name is Devara,"

Shiva answered calmly.

"He is a king from our domain, and he has promised to retrieve an artefact known as the Forty-Two Stars Bracelet for Goddess Alakshmi. Based upon the description he provided, we believe the artefact may be located somewhere within the realm governed by your pantheon."

The agent became noticeably more attentive.

"The Forty-Two Stars Bracelet,"

he repeated, as though testing the name against his own knowledge.

"I cannot immediately confirm its location, my lord. There are numerous sacred objects scattered throughout the Egyptian divine territories, and some are kept beyond the reach of ordinary mortals. Others are preserved within temples or guarded by beings who answer directly to the Netjeru."

"We expected as much," Brahma replied.

"That is why we contacted you before Devara begins his journey. We do not want him arriving without understanding the political and divine circumstances surrounding the artefact."

Vishnu leaned forward slightly.

"Tell us what you can about the present situation among the Netjeru. We are particularly interested in their current relationships, any disputes that might affect a visitor seeking an ancient artefact, and the individuals who would need to be approached if the bracelet is to be retrieved legitimately."

The agent took a moment to gather his thoughts.

"The Egyptian divine realm has its own complex hierarchy, my lord. Ra’s authority carries considerable weight, while Osiris, Isis, Horus, Set, Thoth, Anubis, and the other Netjeru each possess their own responsibilities, territories, and interests."

"Their relationships are not always peaceful, and certain objects associated with ancient rites may carry meanings that outsiders would not immediately recognise."

He paused before continuing.

"If the bracelet is indeed connected to the Forty-Two divine powers, its significance may extend beyond its material value."

"Before your king attempts to retrieve it, I would strongly recommend determining who currently possesses it, why it is being kept, and whether its removal would affect any existing divine arrangement."

Shiva nodded slowly.

"That is a sensible precaution. Devara is not going there to claim another pantheon’s treasures for himself. He intends to help Alakshmi, and we would prefer that his efforts do not inadvertently create a conflict between our realms."

"Understood, Lord Shiva," the agent replied.

"I shall investigate the bracelet’s whereabouts and gather information about the relevant Netjeru. If I discover anything that could complicate Devara’s visit, I will report it immediately."

"Do so," Brahma instructed.

"But exercise discretion. We do not wish to create unnecessary suspicion by making inquiries too openly. Devara’s arrival should not be interpreted as a political manoeuvre by our pantheon."

The agent bowed once more.

"As you command."

The luminous formation began to fade, and the desert landscape gradually disappeared, leaving the three gods seated together upon Mount Kailash once more.

For a while, none of them spoke.

Then Vishnu glanced towards Shiva with a knowing smile.

Shiva merely picked up his trident and settled back against his seat, the faint amusement on his face making it clear that he had no intention of helping Brahma resolve the mystery.

Beyond Mount Kailash, the countless worlds of the multiverse continued along their separate paths, each governed by its own divine laws and ancient traditions.

Somewhere among them lay the realm of the Netjeru, a place Devara would eventually have to visit to fulfil the promise he had made to Alakshmi.

The preparations had begun, and this time, even the Trimurtis intended to ensure that their adventurous son entered unfamiliar territory with at least some idea of what awaited him.

Bhulok...

Meanwhile, back in Bhulok, the news of what had happened at the borders of Trivenivrata was beginning to spread across the kingdoms, carried by merchants, travelling ascetics, messengers, and spies who moved between royal courts with information that could prove more valuable than gold.

For several days, the rulers who had already encountered the Ashvamedha horse had been struggling to determine their next course of action, and the arrival of the horse had placed them in an unenviable position.

Some had allowed it to pass because they lacked the military strength to challenge the kingdom that had sent it, while others had reluctantly acknowledged its claim to supremacy, knowing perfectly well that refusing would invite war.

There were even kings who had considered capturing the horse but abandoned the idea after learning how many soldiers accompanied the royal procession, leaving them to swallow their pride and watch helplessly as the animal crossed their territories.

The situation had become particularly troublesome for smaller kingdoms whose rulers possessed neither the military strength nor the political influence to stand against a powerful empire.

Although they retained their crowns and governed their own people, the passage of the Ashvamedha horse was a reminder that their independence could be challenged whenever a stronger king decided to expand his influence.

Every ruler understood the significance of the ritual. An Ashvamedha was not merely a religious ceremony or a display of royal wealth.

It was a declaration that the king performing the sacrifice possessed the strength to demand recognition from other rulers, and anyone who stopped the horse was effectively challenging that claim.

If the challenge succeeded, the opposing king could preserve his sovereignty. If it failed, he risked losing not only his pride but also his kingdom.

It was therefore hardly surprising that the news from Trivenivrata attracted considerable attention.

"Are you certain that the horse was stopped?"

asked one king, leaning forward in his throne as his chief minister repeated the report brought by a messenger.

"Not delayed because of some accident, not frightened by the soldiers, but deliberately stopped by the order of King Devara himself?"

"That is what our informants have confirmed, Maharaja," the minister replied.

"The horse crossed into Trivenivrata’s territory, where the border guards restrained it under the supervision of Dronacharya. The banner bearing the bull emblem was cut down and allowed to fall into the river. King Devara has since ordered that the animal be kept safely under guard."

The king remained silent for several moments, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne.

He had spent the previous night listening to his generals explain why challenging the Ashvamedha procession would be disastrous, and he had eventually agreed to let the horse continue.

It had been a bitter decision, one he had justified to himself as a necessary sacrifice to protect his subjects from war, but the news from Trivenivrata had reopened the question he had tried so hard to put aside.

"Then Devara has done what we were afraid to do," he murmured.

"Your Majesty, Trivenivrata is not like our kingdom," the minister cautioned.

"Its army is formidable, and its king has the support of warriors whose names alone are enough to discourage an invasion. Bhishma, Dronacharya, Karna and Ashwatthama are among those who stand beside him. We cannot compare our strength with theirs."

"I am aware of that,"

the king answered, his expression hardening.

"But that is precisely the point, is it not? If every smaller kingdom waits until it possesses enough soldiers to challenge an empire by itself, then we shall remain at the mercy of whoever has the largest army."

"Today, the horse passes through our land. Tomorrow, the king who sent it may demand tribute, soldiers, or even our children as hostages to ensure our obedience. What will we do then? Bow again and tell ourselves that we have preserved our people?"

*******************************

(Author note:)

I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea’s.

-->

Don’t forget to review guys...