Immortals of Meluha

‘What the hell was that?’ cried Shiva, alert now.
‘Someone is using daivi astras!’
‘What? What are daivi astras?’
A clearly stunned Sati spoke agitatedly, ‘Divine weapons! But Lord Rudra destroyed all the
daivi astras! Nobody has access to them anymore!’
Shiva was completely alert by now, his battle instincts primed. ‘Sati, get ready. Wear your
armour. Bind your weapons.’
Sati responded swiftly. Shiva slipped on his armour, coupled his shield to it and tied his
sword to his waist. He slipped on his quiver smoothly and picked up his bow. Noting that Sati
was ready, he kicked the door open. Taman and eight other guards had their swords drawn,
ready to defend their Neelkanth against any attack.
‘My Lord, you should wait inside,’ said Taman. ‘We will hold the attackers here.’
Shiva stared hard at Taman, his eyes frowning at Taman’s well–intentioned words. Taman
immediately stepped aside. ‘I am sorry, my Lord. We will follow you.’
Before Shiva could react, they heard footsteps rushing in their hallway. Shiva immediately
drew his sword. He strained his ears to assess the threat.
Four footsteps. Just two men to attack a royal hallway! This didn’t make sense.
One pair of footsteps dragged slightly. The terrorist was clearly a large man using
considerable willpower to make his feet move faster than his girth allowed.
‘Stand down, soldiers,’ ordered Shiva suddenly. ‘They are friends.’
Nandi and Veerbhadra emerged around the corner, running hard, with their swords at the
ready.
‘Are you alright, my Lord?’ asked Nandi, admirably not out of breath.
‘Yes. We are all safe. Did the two of you face any attacks?’
‘No,’ answered Veerbhadra, frowning. ‘What the hell is going on?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Shiva. ‘But we’re going to find out.’
‘Where’s Krittika?’ asked Sati.
‘Safe in her room,’ answered Veerbhadra. ‘There are five soldiers with her. The room is
barred from the inside.’
Sati nodded, before turning to Shiva. ‘What now?’
‘I want to check on the Emperor first. Everybody, files of two. Keep your shields up for
cover. Sati at my side. Nandi in the middle. Taman, Veerbhadra, at the rear. Don’t light any
torches. We know the way. Our enemies don’t.’
The platoon moved with considerable speed and stealth, mindful of possible surprise attacks
from the terrorists. Shiva was troubled by what he had heard. Or rather, what he didn’t. Apart
from the repeated explosions, there was absolutely no other sound from the palace. No
screams of terror. No sound of panicked footsteps. No clash of steel. Nothing. Either the
terrorists had not begun their real attack as yet. Or, Shiva was late and the attack was already
over. Shiva frowned as a third alternative occurred to him. Maybe there were no terrorists in
the palace itself. Maybe the attack was being mounted from a distance, with the daivi astras
that Sati spoke of.
Shiva’s platoon reached Daksha’s chambers to find his guards at the door tense and ready
for battle.
‘Where is the Emperor?’ asked Shiva.
‘He is inside, my Lord,’ said the royal guard captain, recognising the Neelkanth’s silhouette