'So, you're one of them'

She heard a voice from behind and gulped in nervousness. Turning around, her eyes widened in shock. Bheem stood there glaring at her angrily.

Sumitra :- Please listen....

Bheem :- Stop it! Not a single word, I heard whatever you both talked about.

Sumitra :- That isn't....

Bheem :- I said shut UP! you will only answer my questions and I expect a direct answer, no pleadings or explanations, I've caught you red handed and you very well know that.

She hung down her head and took a deep breath to prepare herself for questions.

Bheem :- So who are you and who is your brother ?

Sumitra :- I.... I am Hidimba, sister of Hidimb, present king of rakshas.

Bheem :- Why did he tell you to bring us here ?

Hidimba :- We are rakshas, humans those who enter the forest and get lost become our food. When he saw you all wandering in his territory, he sent me to bring you all to our place and....

Bheem :- And ? And what ?

Hidimba :- (hesistating) Have a grand feast.

Bheem clenched his mace tightly as his eyes began turning red.

Bheem :- You mean trap and kill us all, what does he think of himself, no one can harm my family untill I am alive.

Hidimba :- That's why, you all should leave the forest with first rays of sun...

Bheem :- Just be quiet, I said no more explanation.



Hidimba :- Please believe me, bhrata Hidimb is very strong, he'll certainly kill you all.

Bheem :- (chuckles) Oh!

Hidimba :- It is our tradition, whosoever kills the king, becomes new king. Due to this, many tried to kill him but all failed. Please, I'm telling the truth, I will show you all the way to get out safely.

Bheem sighs and thinks for a moment.

Bheem :- Your brother, he told you to bring us to him, will he not get offended, what was the trouble this creature was talking about.

Hidimba :- You need not worry about me, I will accept the punishment willingly.

Bheem :- No need of that, since we've entered this forest already, I'll make it safe for all beings.

Hidimba :- (confused) What ?

Bheem :- Yes, tommorow you will take me to his place and I'll see how powerful he is.

Hidimba :- This is not a good idea...

Bheem :- I've believed you enough, now you will do what I will ask you to do so, tomorrow first thing you will do is to tell your truth to mata and seek forgiveness. Is that clear ?

Hidimba just noded, not able to think of any reply.

Bheem :- Now get going before any other creature catches us conversing.

She noded and started walking back, as Bheem followed behind. ----------------------------------------------------------- Next day, Sun rose with usual splendor and lighting the dark sky to blue.

Hastinapur flag fluttered at the topmost point, spreading it glory in all directions.

In Bhisma's chamber, Krishna stood by the railings in balcony, having an overview of nearby construction site, while Bhisma and Vidur kept wondering why is he here.

Krishna :- (smiling) You must be guessing what this Krishna is doing in Hastinapur, and that too, all of a sudden.

Bhisma :- If you already know everything Vasudev, why don't you spread some light on this.

Krishna :- I didn't came here to just exchange sympathies or enjoy hospitality.

Vidur :- No one had expected sudden turn of events, but they're trying to move on eventually.

Krishna :- We only know and believe what we see or hear, but the question is, is that real ?

Vidur glanced at Bhisma with a surprised face, who had same expressions.

Krishna :- Actually I came here to get something which I'll be requiring in future.



Bhisma :- Requiring in future ? What is it ?

Krishna :- For that I need to know where bhrata Karn's room is.

Vidur thought for a moment, then noded and gestured to follow. All three went out closing the door behind.

Krishna moved the curtain and entered the chamber as flying dust traced the path of morning sunlight. He glanced around to see weapons kept everywhere.

Bhisma :- Karn is fond of weapons, he used to spend most of his time practicing, rest you can guess seeing the view.

Krishna shook his head smiling at 'is' instead of 'was'. Near the wall next to bathroom was kept Pandu's bow on a table, covered with red cloth.

Moving towards the balcony, his lips curved into a heavenly smile. On a raised platform, next to wall, kept a Shivling, beautifully decorated and made to wear an orange angvastra. Aside it was kept the divine Pinak, on a table, huge bluish brown bow with a black string began glowing as he approached near.

Vidur :- His favourite Pinak dhanush, he said that devrishi Narad gave it to him and that only some special people can lift it up.

Running his fingers on the perfect curves, he gripped it tightly and lifted it like a feather. He then opened the knot on string, releasing the tension, allowing the bow to rest in his right hand. Krishna then touched it to his forehead and turned to see two people, who looked equally shocked and surprised.

Krishna :- (chuckles) Guess I too am one of those special people.

Bhisma :- This is what you came here for ?

Krishna noded with a smile.

Vidur and Bhisma glanced at each other and sighed, none able to think of anything.

Krishna :- Well, my work's done now, and I should get going.

Vidur :- What do you mean going ? You arrived yesterday only Vasudev.

Krishna :- I am a now a king kakashree, and you very well know that. I too have my responsibilities and besides, there are many more thing to be dealt with.

Bhisma :- Okay, I will get the preparations done for your departure.

They exited the room as curtains fluttered in light breeze. ----------------------------------------------------------- 9 people stood in front of a cave like opening.

Karn :- So you mean to say rakshas live inside this cave, ain't it too small to accommodate whole kingdom.

Hidimba :- It's just an illusion, other side is a completely different world. Please, I am telling you all if they catch you, all of you will be sacrificed to bhagwan Vrikodar.

Bheem :- We didn't ask for your suggestion, no going back, now it's either me or him.

Karn sighed and looked at Kunti.

Kunti :- Don't look at me, why will I worry when Bheemsen is with you all.

All noded to each other and walked towards the light coming from other side.

'Hail bhagwan Vrikodar'

Chants were heard again and again, as if some ritual is being performed. The view inside widened their eyes, clear blue sky could be seen above their heads, in front of them was a temple with countless rakshas singing some song and dancing.

A giant rakshas did the aarti of an image carved on stone wall, while they were trying to guess what was going on, he turned around and passed an evil smile.



Hidimb :- (laughs) Excellent my dear sister, excellent, you bought us a grand meal today. Now rakshason, what are you all waiting for, start the preparations for meal.

All the rakshas ran towards them carrying weapons but Hidimba came in front. She knelt down and joined her hands.

Hidimba :- Bhratashree, I beg you, please let them go, please....

Hidimb :- Stay out of this Hidimba, I've been warning you many times, don't make me do anything you don't want me to.

One of the rakshas came out of crowd.

Rakshas :- Maharaj, you don't know that your sister has fallen in love with this man carrying mace.

Hidimb :- What ? Is that true Hidimba ?

She looked down unable to bear his gaze.

Hidimb :- Look at me, is that true ?

Hidimba :- Bhrata.... I....

Hidimb :- Just answer me, is that true.

She just noded, looking down as a couple tears rolled out from her eyes.



Bheem clenched his fist tightly and glared at him.

Hidimb :- Did you forget that you're a rakshasi, that these humans are merely our food, did you forget our bhagwan Vrikodar.

A laughter broke out in the air, all turned to see Karn, Arjun, Nakul and Sahdev laughing.

Karn :- Look Bheem, they have even started worshipping you, I think it's the time to give them some prasad.

Hidimb :- Laugh however you want to, because after that we will please our bhagwan giving your sacrifice.

Bheem :- ENOUGH!

Bheem's roar made shivers run down their spine. He points at Hidimb.

Bheem :- You, enough talking, show me what you've got in that filthy body of yours, and if you have any last wish, say it out, cuz I'll not leave you alive to see the next sunrise.

Hidimb fumed in anger and picked up his mace, both started walking towards each other. Just then Hidimba came in between, facing her brother.

Hidimba :- Please bhrata, you don't have to do this, please stop.

Hidimb :- (angrily) Step aside you foolish girl....

Bheem :- HEY!

Bheem's voice shut him down completely, he then looked at Hidimba, who was quietly sobbing, her head hung down.

Bheem :- Hidimba.

She slowly turned around.

Bheem :- Step aside, and don't worry, nothing will happen to me.

She glanced at his face with teary eyes and walked aside as both warriors circled around, exchanging death glares. Fight started with a loud clashing of maces, Hidimb was no doubt extremely powerful but his strength was overshadowed in front of Bheem, both fought vigorously to gain upper hand. Hidimb tried his best but all his attacks were blocked by Bheem, whose power seemed to have no end, now he launched a straight attack but his mace shattered into pieces with just a punch from Bheem.

After a few hrs of wrestling, he was now exhausted, at this point, Bheem caught both his legs and thrust half of his body inside the ground.



He roared angrily at other rakshas, who immediately threw their weapons and knelt down.

'Hail Maharaj Bheemsen'

All said at once, brothers exchanged glances, Kunti went to Hidimba, who sat near a corner, crying silently. Hidimba hugged her and cried letting the tears flow out freely. Bheem looked down at Hidimb's body and felt bad for her, kept his mace down and walked away. ----------------------------------------------------------- Radha collected dried clothes in the courtyard as sun was slowly going down, spreading orange colour on evening sky. After the news of Varnavrat incident, she had turned to be a walking corpse. She just did her household chores, nothing else mattered to her anymore, hearing about death of her dearest son had sucked out the soul from her body.

As she folded a dhoti, her eyes noticed an arrow, that stuck on the wall above entrance, some sort of parchment was attached to it. Using a stool, she pulled it out, and opened the parchment of dried leaves sewen together, it read,

"Radha maa, it's me Vasu, how are you mata, I hope you're fine. No need to worry, I along with my brothers and mother have safely escaped fire and have now decided to spend a short vacation being away from this world. I know you must be troubling pitashree and Shivangi by being careless, so please stop that and let them look after you. How are others, I hope they're also fine, please don't tell anyone about us being alive, mata dosen't wants anyone to know that. And one last thing, please don't forget to talk to Amrit, please don't let him go in the wrong path. Miss you a lot Radha maa, hope to see you soon"

Her lips curved in a soft smile, she caressed the letter and hugged it to her bosom, a couple tears left her eyes as she felt like getting her soul back. Wiping the tears, she hid the letter in pile of clothes and went inside. ----------------------------------------------------------- 'Why are you leaving Maharaj, are you angry on us ? Did we do something wrong ?'

Rakshas fell at Bheem's feet, who made an irritated face. Karn and Yudhisthir looked exhaperated, Arjun and Nakul snickered, Sahdev was trying to get some premonition while Awantika just sat enjoying the drama.

Bheem :- No, I'm not angry, it's that we were just passing by, we didn't came here to rule over you.

Rakshas :- If that's the case, then why did you kill our Bhupati ? Didn't you knew about our tradition, that whosoever kill the present Bhupati becomes next one and he has to marry daughter or sister of previous king.

Another Rakshas :- (joining his hands) If this dosen't happen, we won't have any Bhupati at all.

Bheem looked at his elder brothers, who shook their heads and sighed.

Hidimba sat near temple stairs, lost in her thoughts, she looked up as a hand rested on her shoulder, Kunti smiled at her and sat beside.

Kunti :- Putri, I know Bheem and Karn are little hot heads but don't worry, they will not let anything bad happen to your praja.

Hidimba :- What about me mata ? What about our tradition ? I've already accepted your son as our Bhupati and my husband whole heartedly. We may not look like humans but our feelings are same, our emotions are same, we too love each other.

Kunti :- But putri, a rakshasi and a human....



Hidimba :- Maharishi Vishrava was also married to rakshasi Keshki.

Kunti :- And they had a son named Ravan.

Hidimba :- Didn't they had Vibhishan too, mata. I promise you mata, I'll raise my son to be like him, please try to understand my love.

Kunti :- You're not only a woman but also present leader of rakshas, will you be able to leave your praja, because we won't be able to spend our remaining life among rakshas, how do you expect us to ? (caressing her head) It's best if you forget him, appoint a worthy rakshas as your king and look after your praja.

Hidimba :- (joining her hands) Just for a little while mata, if I can be your son's wife, I'll spend rest of my life with those memories. Just for sometime, untill our first child is born, I will declare him or her as king or queen of rakshas. After that child is born, I'll not ask any of you to stay any longer, I promise you this mata, I promise you this, please accept my love, I beg you...

She began crying again, Kunti made her sit, wiping her tears.

Kunti :- Shh putri. (cupping her cheek) my putra is so lucky to get such a selfless wife, welcome to our family putri.

Hidimba smiled happily and hugged her. They got up and went to others, after the dispute was settled, it was decided that to be couple would be married tommorow. Bheem could finally see a smile on Hidimba's face and an unknown relief made him feel lighter. Next day all the preparations were completed and both them got married between singing and teasings.



Bheem was declared new king of rakshas after marriage. ----------------------------------------------------------- Future Glimpse :-

Ground began to tremble, creating ripples in a puddle of blood, as the two giant chariots approached each other. Dark lightening clouds covered the battlefield, chilly winds spreading fear as a few droplets fell from sky, signalling an awaiting storm.

Both the armies stopped fighting and just observed the two maharathis staring at each other with fire in eyes.

Warriors, who were able to withstand the utter destruction since last 17 days had now gathered and watched with anticipation as the most awaited confrontation of this war finally stood at its doorstep.

Devs, gandharvs, asurs, rakshas, yaksh, rishis and chiravjivs came there to watch the deadliest fight of this yug as two brothers were about to take one on another. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

How was the future glimpse, this will be the atmosphere during the most important moment of my book, Amrit - Karn final fight on day 18.

Let me clear one thing, in my book, the war will last for 19 days as there were many events to be covered, I have added about two dozen more villans in the story. Hope you don't have any problem with it.

Do you want me to make Amrit a complete villan or a tragic hero.

Hold your breaths tight, Suchitra's son in next chapter, whom do you think he will resemble more ? Karn or Suchitra ?

I will try to update soon as I can.

Why do you think Krishna took Pinak with him ? Correct guess deserves a question to be answered.

Target of my previous chapter is also hanging still, so please complete that too.

Target :- 71 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.