Part 2 of Chapter 2

Dhruva: The Warrior of the North Pole Star

The First Hero of Dharmicverse

Chapter 2: Battle of Rajamahendravaram, Dowleswaram Barrage - Part 2

Scene: The cold vacuum of space, where the five great Asura generals – Mahasura, Ugrasura, Timiranetra, Vijaya Asura, and Hiranyasura – floated alongside their formidable army of thirty thousand, their gazes fixed on the distant blue marble of Earth.

Mahasura, his hulking form radiating a palpable sense of dark power, suddenly paused, his eyes narrowing. "Do you feel that?" His voice, a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the void, broke the silent anticipation. "One of the dharmic warriors! Right there!" He pointed a massive, clawed finger towards the swirling blues and greens of the Indian subcontinent, focusing on Andhra Pradesh.

A collective ripple of dark energy pulsed through the assembled Asura generals as they, too, momentarily sensed a faint but distinct surge of divine energy. But just as quickly as it had appeared, the connection vanished.

Mahasura’s brow furrowed in frustration. "He stopped using his divine energy! We found him… but we lost him. However," his voice hardened, "as our lord, Adharma Purusha, commanded, we must eliminate these dharmic warriors first to conquer the entire world. And one of them is in this land! In Andhra! How to pinpoint him now? We are close, but not precisely."

Ugrasura, a towering figure radiating raw, untamed fury, his eyes burning like molten gold, spoke, his voice a guttural snarl. "Why not make him come to us?"

Mahasura turned his gaze towards Ugrasura, a flicker of intrigue in his dark eyes. "How?"

Ugrasura grinned, a terrifying display of sharp, jagged teeth. "We attack a city. A significant one. He will undoubtedly come to protect it. And when he arrives," his massive fists clenched, "I will end his life with my own hands!"

Mahasura considered this, a slow nod of agreement forming. "Let's go then."

Ugrasura’s fiery gaze snapped towards Mahasura. "Where do you think you are going? I am the one who will end his life and conquer the city! I am the most powerful general of our lord! I was born from his very anger!"

Mahasura’s imposing form straightened, a regal air about him even amidst the vast emptiness of space. "And I was born from his glory. But alright," he conceded, a hint of cunning in his voice. "We shall not attack all at once. We will go in turns, allowing each of us to achieve glory. Do you all agree?"

Timiranetra, his eyes like twin pools of endless night, Vijaya Asura, radiating a subtle aura of triumph, and Hiranyasura, whose very presence seemed to shimmer with a dark, corrupted wealth, all nodded their assent.

Ugrasura’s impatience was palpable. He turned to Mahasura. "I am going first!"

Mahasura inclined his massive head. "Alright then. And where are you planning to attack?"

Ugrasura’s lips curled into a wide, predatory smile. "Rajamahendravaram! With five thousand war chariots and Asura army. I don't need thirty thousand. Five thousand is enough to conquer and to destroy this… dharmic warrior!"

Mahasura raised a questioning brow. "Rajamahendravaram? Why that city?"

Ugrasura’s voice dripped with a cruel satisfaction. "Because it is the heart of Andhra! The cultural capital! Because it was the first capital of several Telugu kingdoms, ruled by the Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra in the 11th century AD. Remains of 11th-century palaces and forts still exist, whispering of a glorious past.

Birthplace of Telugu Literature! Rajamahendravaram is acclaimed as the birthplace of Telugu literature. Rajaraja Narendra’s court was a center of learning. Most notably, he commissioned his court poet Nannayya to translate the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata into Telugu! The beginning of their precious literature! Nannayya, revered as their Adi Kavi! Their Andhra Mahabharatam remains a classic! And the city has multiple great temples all over the city! This city is the jewel of Andhra! To pluck it out will not only please Lord Adharma Purusha with its conquest but also with the potential destruction of this meddling dharmic warrior!"

Scene shifts: Rajamahendravaram, a vibrant city nestled along the majestic Godavari River. The scene opens with sweeping views of the wide, flowing river, the impressive structure of the Dowleswaram Barrage built by Sir Arthur Cotton stretching across the water, and the Kovvur-Rajahmundry Bridge, a testament to human engineering, arching across the landscape. The Havelock Bridge stood as a silent sentinel of a bygone era.

The city bustled with life. People went about their daily routines, auto-rickshaws zipped through the streets, and the air was filled with the sounds of commerce and everyday conversations. Numerous ancient and colorful temples dotted the landscape, particularly along the sacred banks of the Godavari.

Suddenly, an unnatural darkness began to creep across the sky. The bright sunlight was slowly swallowed by ominous, swirling clouds that seemed to materialize out of nowhere. A tear in the fabric of reality ripped open above the city – a crimson portal, pulsing with malevolent energy.

From the swirling vortex emerged Ugrasura, astride his fearsome, bone-chilling Vimana, followed by five thousand Asura warriors mounted on their grotesque, flying war chariots. The air crackled with dark energy as they descended.

Sirens wailed as police vehicles converged on the scene, their lights flashing uselessly against the encroaching darkness. People on the streets screamed, their initial confusion turning into sheer terror as they scrambled to flee the otherworldly invaders.

A police officer, holding a loudspeaker, his face pale with disbelief and fear, shouted into the device, his voice trembling slightly. "Who the hell are you?! What are you?!"

Ugrasura, his eyes blazing with demonic fury, fixed his gaze on the tiny figure below. His voice, amplified by dark magic, boomed across the city like the roar of a thousand storms. "I am Ugrasura! The great general of Lord Adharma Purusha! We have returned from Rasatalam to conquer this world once more, as we did in Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dvapara Yuga! And now, this is Kali Yuga! Our age! So you damn humans… surrender! Or Face the might of the Asura army!"

The police officer exchanged horrified glances with his colleagues. "Asuras…" he and the other policemen whispered, the ancient name sending shivers down their spines.

But despite their fear, a sense of duty prevailed. The officer raised his loudspeaker again, his voice gaining a semblance of resolve. "We don't care who you are or what you are! We will not surrender!" He barked an order into his radio. "Fire!"

Immediately, the assembled police officers opened fire on the descending Asura horde. Bullets rained towards the flying chariots, but they sparked harmlessly against an invisible barrier of dark energy that surrounded the invaders – the Asuramaya power, controlled by Ugrasura.

Ugrasura let out a guttural laugh, a sound that promised only destruction. "Attack!" he roared, and the five thousand Asura warriors descended upon Rajamahendravaram like a swarm of nightmarish locusts.

Scene: Bhargava's modest living room. Kmk lay still on the floor, his chest rising and falling shallowly. Bhargava, his face etched with worry, knelt beside him.

Suddenly, Bhargava's attention was drawn to the flickering television screen. News footage displayed chaotic scenes of destruction in Rajamahendravaram – overturned vehicles, panicked crowds, and glimpses of monstrous figures wreaking havoc. The news anchor's voice was grave. "...reports confirm the unbelievable... these are indeed the Asuras of legend, returned to conquer our world!"

Kmk and Bhargava stared at the screen, stunned into silence. The reality of the previous night's encounter crashed down upon them.

"Asuras..." Kmk finally whispered, his voice hoarse. "So... what Dhruva said... they are the enemies of dharma?"

Bhargava nodded grimly. "Of course, they are the enemies! And Kmk... it's your time! You have to save dharma from adharma!"

Kmk looked at his friend, confusion clouding his pain-filled eyes. "What are you trying to say, Bhargava?"

"You have to go there! You have to save the city!" Bhargava urged, his voice filled with desperate conviction.

"Do you want me to die, Bhargava?!" Kmk exclaimed, fear gripping his heart. "I can't! I'm scared!"

"Scared?!" Bhargava's voice rose. "Scared of what? You are the dharmic warrior, aren't you? The one who is going to become a leader, the one who will lead the warriors of dharma?!" He gestured towards the horrifying images on the television. "Look at them, Kmk! They are fighting even though they don't have any powers!"

Kmk's gaze shifted back to the screen. He saw policemen bravely confronting the monstrous Asuras, even civilians caught in the crossfire attempting to defend their homes and families.

"You are the chosen one, Kmk!" Bhargava insisted, his eyes pleading. "You have the powers to save them! It's your fate!"

A new resolve flickered in Kmk's eyes, fueled by the images of ordinary people showing extraordinary courage. "Yes... you're right. They are fighting even though it seems impossible... to save innocent people and their city."

He took a deep breath, a sense of grim determination settling upon him. "Alright, I'm going. But if I come back alive, then as you said, I am the chosen one. But if I die... then reveal this secret of my powers. Tell everyone proudly that your friend died fighting to save innocent people!"

Kmk closed his eyes, and the familiar mantra began to flow from his lips. "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!..." The air around him began to shimmer, and a brilliant white and blue light erupted from his body, like a rising flame. His simple clothes dissolved, replaced by a suit of shining blue and white, adorned with golden armlets gleaming on his wrists.

"Wooow, Kmk! You can... transform!" Bhargava gasped, his eyes wide with awe.

With a powerful surge of energy, Kmk shot upwards, breaking through the roof and soaring into the sky.

Scene shifts: Rajamahendravaram, now a scene of chaos and destruction. Asura warriors rampaged through the streets, their grotesque forms and terrifying weapons sowing fear and devastation. Ugrasura, hovering on his Vimana, felt the familiar surge of divine energy once more, stronger this time.

His eyes narrowed as he spotted a figure streaking towards them from the sky, a brilliant aura of blue and white surrounding it. The Asura warriors halted their attack, instinctively retreating towards their general.

"The dharmic warrior! Finally arrived!" Ugrasura roared, a mixture of anticipation and arrogance in his voice.

The brilliant light descended, and Kmk landed amidst the chaos, his voice ringing out with newfound authority. "Enough! You damn Asuras! If you want this city, you'll have to end my life first!"

Ugrasura scoffed. "You are just a boy! And those Devas and your precious Lord Vishnu chose you as their warrior?! Alright then, boy, tell me your name!"

"I am Dhruva," Kmk declared, his voice resonating with power. "And I am your end!"

Ugrasura gestured to his waiting army. "Attack!"

The flying war chariots surged forward, hurtling towards Kmk. With surprising agility and strength, Kmk intercepted the lead chariot, grabbing it mid-air and hurling it into the oncoming ranks, causing a destructive collision.

Suddenly, Kmk found himself surrounded by the remaining war chariots, Asura warriors closing in from all sides. Focusing his energy, he unleashed a barrage of glowing energy balls, each one striking a chariot with explosive force, tearing through their dark hulls and sending Asuras tumbling from the sky.

Ugrasura, observing from above, signaled six chariots to flank Kmk from behind. As Kmk was occupied with the frontal assault, the Asuras in the six chariots fired a volley of enchanted arrows, each trailing a thick, black chain. The arrows struck Kmk directly in his shoulders, arms, and back, the chains snaking around his limbs, yanking him upwards into the mid-air. The remaining chariots closed in, effectively trapping him.

Ugrasura sneered, looking up at the ensnared figure. "So, Dhruva. I expected more from you! More power, more strength! But you…?"

Kmk, his face contorted in pain and fury, glared down at Ugrasura, blood dripping from a gash on his forehead and staining his blue and white suit. "Do I look like I'm joking with you?!"

With a sudden burst of raw power, Kmk began to spin rapidly. The chains tautened, and the six chariots caught in his whirlwind motion were violently pulled inwards, crashing into each other in a shower of sparks and twisted metal.

Ugrasura, momentarily stunned, roared an order. "Don't go near him! Attack him with all your spears and arrows at once! From afar!"

The remaining Asura warriors unleashed a furious volley of projectiles. Kmk, weakened by the initial attack, began to chant desperately, "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!..." A shimmering, golden barrier materialized around him, deflecting the incoming barrage.

"Enough with your god Narayana!" Ugrasura bellowed, summoning a massive, black spear crackling with dark energy. He hurled it at Kmk. The Asura spear pierced through the golden barrier, and Kmk was struck by multiple arrows and spears, plummeting downwards to crash into the churning waters of the Godavari River.

"The dharmic warrior is gone!" Ugrasura declared triumphantly.

Scene shifts: Deep beneath the surface of the Godavari River, Kmk's inner voice echoed, a desperate plea. "O Mother Godavari, save your children and this city!"

Suddenly, with a powerful surge, Kmk burst out of the water, shouting, "Govinda! Govinda!" A brilliant, incandescent light erupted from his body once more, and the divine energy surrounding him began to coalesce, transforming into a multitude of celestial weapons – swords of pure light, glowing tridents, spinning chakras.

The entire Asura army, including a stunned Ugrasura, watched in disbelief as the divine weapons, like a swarm of luminous insects, hurtled towards them, tearing through war chariots and felling Asura warriors with swift precision.

"This is impossible!" Ugrasura roared. "He can create weapons with his energy! I didn't see that coming!"

At that very moment, the roar of jet engines filled the sky. Indian Air Force fighter jets arrived on the scene, unleashing a barrage of missiles upon the remaining Asura army.

"Where did they come from?!" Ugrasura exclaimed in disbelief.

Kmk, hovering above the water, his eyes blazing with righteous fury, retorted, "What did you say about us humans, Asura? Think about that again!"

Ugrasura, enraged, pointed towards the massive Dowleswaram Barrage. "Dhruva! You will pay for this! If I cannot take the city, I will flood it! Remaining soldiers! To the Dowleswaram Barrage! Destroy it now!"

Ugrasura and his remaining forces, numbering only a handful, sped towards the barrage. But before they could reach it, Kmk's divine weapons obliterated the last of the Asura chariots, leaving only Ugrasura on his damaged Vimana. Kmk, propelled by divine energy, followed swiftly.

Ugrasura, realizing his Vimana was about to crash into the barrage, leaped off. But before the war machine could collide with the crucial structure, Kmk slammed into it, crushing it in mid-air in a shower of sparks and debris.

"I have had enough of you, Dhruva!" Ugrasura bellowed, summoning a massive, iron Gada (mace) crackling with dark energy. He charged towards Kmk, who materialized his own radiant, golden Gada.

The clash of the two weapons echoed across the battlefield. Kmk, still weakened from his earlier injuries, took several heavy blows, but he retaliated with fierce strikes of his own. The Gada-yudha, a battle of brute force and divine energy, raged for what seemed like hours.

Finally, with a powerful overhead swing, Ugrasura sent Kmk crashing onto the concrete of the Dowleswaram Barrage. Seizing the opportunity, Ugrasura summoned a dark energy bow and launched a volley of wicked arrows at the barrage, aiming to shatter its foundations and unleash the fury of the Godavari upon the city.

But Kmk, despite the pain, rose to his feet. He summoned his own celestial bow and a quiver of glowing arrows, intercepting Ugrasura's attack with precise counters. Each collision of divine and Asura arrows resulted in miniature explosions of light and dark energy.

Enraged, Ugrasura unleashed a furious barrage, but Kmk met every arrow with his own. In a final, desperate move, Kmk loosed a single, pure white arrow. It streaked through the air, striking Ugrasura's bow and shattering it into dust.

Both warriors, exhausted and weakened, stood panting on the barrage.

"What happened?" Kmk gasped, a wry smile on his bloodied lips. "How does it feel to be defeated by a human, Asura?"

Ugrasura roared in unadulterated fury. "You think I have lost, Dhruva?! I am not finished! You want to see my full power?! If you can become powerful by chanting, then so can I!"

Ugrasura threw his head back and bellowed, "O Lord Adharma Purusha! Grant me all your strength to destroy your enemies!" A wave of dark energy, drawn from every act of malice and suffering in the world, coalesced around Ugrasura, flowing into his being.

With a terrifying roar, Ugrasura transformed. His body swelled to immense proportions, sprouting six arms, each wielding a different grotesque weapon. Kmk stared in stunned disbelief.

"You might be wondering where this energy came from, little warrior?" Ugrasura's voice boomed, now a monstrous echo. "This energy comes from you humans! You immoral, unethical fools who commit sins for fleeting moments of pleasure, causing endless suffering! You are our power source! You fools don't even realize you are destroying yourselves! Now face the destruction born of your own bad karma!"

Kmk suddenly began to laugh, a sound that surprised even himself.

Ugrasura, taken aback, roared, "Why the hell are you laughing?! Don't you understand? You are going to die! The city, the villages… all will be destroyed if I shatter this barrage!"

Kmk simply pointed upwards. "No. Just look at the sky."

Ugrasura, confused, followed Kmk's gaze. The sky was dark, the sun long set, and the first stars were beginning to appear.

"What's so funny about that?!" Ugrasura demanded.

Kmk's eyes locked onto the brightest star in the north. "He told me that he would be my power source." He raised his hand, pointing towards the North Pole Star. "Dhruva! Give me your power to protect dharma!"

A beam of pure, celestial light descended from the Dhruva Nakshatram, piercing the darkness and striking Kmk's body. A surge of unimaginable power coursed through him.

"Let's end this now," Kmk said, his voice now filled with the cold authority of the cosmos. He unleashed the raw, divine energy directly at Ugrasura's monstrous form.

Ugrasura roared in agony as the celestial energy engulfed him, tearing through his amplified form. With a final, ear-splitting scream, the existence of Ugrasura was utterly wiped out.

Silence descended upon Rajamahendravaram. The dark clouds dissipated, and the stars shone brightly. Kmk, drained but victorious, collapsed onto the barrage. Suddenly, a wave of warmth enveloped him, and he felt himself being pulled away.

Scene shifts: Kmk found himself standing in front of Bhargava's house. Bhargava rushed towards him, his face a mixture of relief and concern. Kmk stumbled and fell, his body aching from his injuries and blood loss.

"Kmk! Please wake up! What do I do?!" Bhargava cried, kneeling beside his unconscious friend.

Suddenly, Kmk's entire body began to glow with a soft, golden light. Moments later, he stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He sat up, feeling strangely refreshed. All his injuries were gone.

He saw Bhargava sitting beside him, his face etched with awe. "Kmk... you're the chosen one! A light came from your body... all your injuries are gone!"

Bhargava then pointed towards the television, which was now broadcasting live news coverage of the battle. "You were on TV, Kmk!" 

"Did... did my face get recorded?" Kmk asked, a sudden wave of concern washing over him.

Bhargava replied. "Don't worry, the footage is blurry. Your identity is safe. But look what they're calling you now!"

The screen displayed a news ticker: "Hero of Andhra: Dhruva Saves Rajamahendravaram!"

Bhargava turned to Kmk, his eyes shining with pride. "You are the chosen one, the dharmic warrior! Your powers are incredible! How were you able to summon all those divine weapons at once?"

Kmk shook his head, still trying to process everything. "I... I don't know. It just happened. But... I've become a hero?" His gaze was fixed on the glowing words on Bhargava's television screen.

Scene shifts: Space, aboard the Vimanas of Mahasura and the remaining Asura generals. Mahasura turned to Timiranetra, Vijaya Asura, and Hiranyasura , his expression grim. "Ugrasura and the entire five thousand strong army... wiped out! By that dharmic warrior! Don't you all think... he is far more powerful than we anticipated?"

A collective nod of agreement rippled through the assembled Asura generals. The gravity of the situation had finally sunk in.

End of Chapter 2 - Part 2