DISCLAIMER: All characters in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to those who are living or dead is purely co-incidental. The characters of this story have not been created to hurt the sentiments of any community.
============================I had written this story for a story writing competition but I had to edit it and cut it short due to word limit. But on my blog, I decide the word limit. Hence, here I publish the full version of this story which I intend to continue as a series.
============================Treta Yug – 7292 BC:
The battle of Lanka was about to end. The army of monkeys led by Sugreev and bears by Jaambvanth was destroying the demon army lead by Ravan.
Kalush, the only vampire soldier in demon army who had a human appearance and good looks unlike demons but a cruel heart was seeing himself on the losing side. Destruction of Lanka was hurting him.
Killing all the monkeys around him, he threw his sword and walked towards the sea shore that was away from battle-field.
With tears in eyes, he saw the sea waves. His ears that could hear any sound in this world could hear the over joyous cheers and the chants of “Jai Shri Ram” in the monkey army. He realized that Lord Ram had killed Ravan.
Looking at the sea and the bridge called Ram-Sethu, Kalush thought, “I was born 3000 years ago and I was destined to be a king! I am alive because I am yet to fulfill my destiny! Ravan snatched Lanka from Kuber and established a demon kingdom! Joining the army of Ravan, I fought my first battle for him at Alkapuri against Kuber‘s army! That is when I had the vision of having my own Vampire Kingdom in Lanka! But now Lanka has been destroyed! The arson of Lanka by Hanuman had burnt my dream! My vision!”
Suddenly, Kalush heard the familiar voice of his elder brother Alwar, “There is nothing for you in Lanka, Kalush! Please come home now!”
Kalush turned and was surprised to see his younger sister Ragini with Alwar.
Looking at his siblings, Kalush said, “When Hanuman destroyed Ashok Vatika, I wanted to impress Ravan by defeating Hanuman, rise to ranks and one day overthrow Ravan! But Jambumaali and Aksh Kumar got the chance! When Ravan kicked Vibheeshan, I hoped that one day I would kick Ravan like that! When Ram and Lakshman killed Kumbhkaran and Meghnaad, I hoped that Ram and Ravan would kill each other in war! I would kill Vibheeshan to become king! But Ram killed Ravan! Vibheeshan is all set to be the king that I wanted to be! Having studied so much knowledge in diverse fields over centuries, I am learned! I am fluent in Sanskrit and Tamil!”
Ragini said, “Being a king is not everything! In the end, everyone needs happiness! No joy is bigger than family! Please come home! We are family!”
Just then, Kalush heard the sound of a boat hitting the sea shore. He turned and saw ten men coming out of the boat with some folded tents. His vampire senses told him that those men were werewolves.
Hiding behind rocks, Kalush, Alwar and Ragini heard Avibhuj, the leader of werewolves saying, “My brothers! Ram, the prince of Kosala is here to rescue his wife Sita who was abducted by Ravan! Now that Ravan is dead, Ram will return to Ayodhya with Sita soon! King Sugreev and King Jambvanth were here to help Ram and soon they will also return to their kingdoms once Vibheeshan becomes the king! Ram‘s army for hire has destroyed more than 90% demon army of Lanka! So we don‘t need army! We should not allow Vibheeshan to strengthen his position as king! Once, Ram, monkeys and bears leave, we have to attack the palace, kill Vibheeshan, declare ourselves as rulers, call our army and family and after that, establish a werewolf kingdom in Lanka! After that, if Ram wants good relations with Lanka, he will send his ambassador to our royal court and receive ours in his!”
Kalush had seen enough. Taking a high jump, he literally flew into the sky and kicked Avibhuj on the face. Kalush and his clan were one of the oldest vampire clans in the world. They were among unique vampires that had the ability to walk in the sun. Hence, every werewolf recognized Kalush. They were shocked to see him.
However, Avibhuj was not an ordinary werewolf. His clan was also one of the earliest werewolf clans in the world. They had the ability to turn at will, use their wolf powers in human form and retain their human intellect in their wolf form. Even in his human form, Avibhuj was a skilled warrior with extraordinary physical strength. Kalush and Avibhuj exchanged blows. Both of them had witnessed various battles between vampires and werewolves over various centuries. Their punches and kicks had no end. Avibhuj had the freedom to use his transformation power to turn into a four legged wolf or a two-legged wolf-man.
Strangling Avibhuj, Kalush said, “Lanka could not be mine but it will not be yours either!” Avibhuj turned into his wolf-man form, his throat getting free in the process from Kalush‘s grip by becoming larger. He punched Kalush. As Kalush fall, Avibhuj‘s brother Taraksh and friend Aranyashvan grabbed Kalush. They started scratching and biting him. Seeing this, Alwar and Ragini rushed towards wolves. Seeing them, Avibhuj shouted, “Brothers! We have to leave! More soldiers needed for three vampires! Run!”
All wolves got back into boat and started rowing it. Looking at Kalush, Avibhuj shouted, “Another day Kalush! This is not over!”
In the boat, werewolf Shvak asked Avibhuj, “Are we coming back with soldiers?” Avibhuj replied, “Not now! Kalush‘s presence in Lanka shows that after death of Ravan, he is planning a vampire kingdom in Lanka! We need to plan properly!”
Meanwhile, Kalush was also in a boat sitting with Ragini. Alwar was rowing the boat. Ragini asked Alwar, “What are we going to do if Sursa shows up in the middle of the sea?” Kalush replied, “I always wanted to fight Hanuman! But never got the chance! When I fight Sursa, then Hanuman will see there is someone as powerful as him!” Kalush called out, “Come out Sursa!”
To distract Kalush, Ragini said, “Kalp has been bitten by werewolves! We fed him with blood of animals and birds! In forest, we did not have any home! A kind-hearted man Yavakri and his wife Sushila gave us shelter!”
After an eight hours journey, the vampires reached a sea shore. They reached the cottage of Yavakri after a ten minutes walk. They found Sushila crying over an unconscious Yavakri who had been bitten by a snake. Looking at vampire siblings, she said, “A snake has bitten my husband! Please do something to save his life!”
Kalush decided to heal Yavakri. He bit his own wrist and dropped his blood in Yavakri‘s mouth. Yavakri got cured due to the miraculous power of vampire blood. Sushila was thankful to Kalush.
That night, Kalush was alone when Yavakri and Sushila were sleeping inside the cottage. Alwar and Ragini were busy guarding the cottage. Suddenly, Lord Shiva appeared in front of Kalush and appreciated him for saving Yavakri‘s life. Kalush expressed his desire to have his empire. Lord Shiva granted his wish saying, “Being a vampire king is your destiny!” Shiva gave him a glimpse of future, where Kalush saw the events of Mahabharata, battles of Dracula, British rule in India and his fight with werewolves in Kaliyug.
Seeing that, Kalush said, “My vision is not dead! It is alive! It will come true!”
THE BEGINNING
Art by Amit Kumar
NEXT PART: Vladivostok