Chapter 3: The Unfulfilled Dream of a Divine Warrior

Dhruva: The Warrior of the North Pole Star

The First Hero of Dharmicverse

Chapter 3: The Unfulfilled Dream of a Divine Warrior

The television screen flickered with vibrant images of a figure in shining blue and white, battling shadowy, monstrous beings. A news anchor's voice boomed through the speakers. "Dhruva, the Divine Star! The new hero of Andhra and India! He single-handedly defeated the seemingly insurmountable army of Asuras in the Battle of Rajamahendravaram! And as these incredible images show, his valiant efforts have continued, thwarting numerous Asura incursions across the land!"

A montage of scenes flashed across the screen: Dhruva, a blur of motion and light, striking down grotesque Asuras in various locations – a bustling marketplace, a serene temple courtyard, a quiet rural road. The anchor continued, his tone filled with awe and relief. "He is the only divine protector we have, the unwavering shield against this terrifying Asura resurgence. Dhruva, the Divine Star! A beacon of hope for Andhra, for India, for the entire world!"

Scene shifts: Chintalaplli village, Kandregula vari meraka, within the familiar confines of Kmk's house. Kmk jolted awake in his bed, his chest heaving, a cold sweat clinging to his skin. The remnants of a disturbing nightmare clung to the edges of his consciousness, leaving his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs.

He sat up, trying to shake off the lingering unease, when a strange voice, soft yet distinct, echoed in his mind, calling his name. "Kmk..." He instinctively pressed his hands to his head, a wave of disorientation washing over him.

Scene shifts: The dusty village road. Kmk rode his scooter, the familiar rumble of the engine a stark contrast to the turmoil within him. As he made his way towards Bhargava's house, snippets of conversations drifted through the air. Everywhere he went, the talk was the same – Dhruva.

"...did you see him on TV last night? He looked like a god!"

"...those poor people in Rajamahendravaram, they say it was like something out of the puranas..."

"...Dhruva, thank god for him. Who knows what would have happened without him..."

Kmk felt a strange disconnect. They were talking about him, yet not him. They spoke of a divine warrior, a hero, while he still felt like just Kmk, a young man grappling with a power he barely understood.

Scene shifts: Bhargava's house. Kmk sat opposite Bhargava, the television still murmuring in the background, now showing replays of Dhruva's heroic feats.

"Did you see the TV, Kmk?" Bhargava exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "Every news channel! From Rajamahendravaram, Andhra, to India, to the entire world – they're all talking about you! About Dhruva, the divine warrior!"

Kmk sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "They're not talking about me, Bhargava. They're talking about Dhruva, the Divine Star. Not Kmk."

Bhargava waved his hand dismissively. "Anyway, Kmk, you've become famous nowadays as Dhruva! So happy about it, bro!" He clapped Kmk on the shoulder, a wide grin on his face.

"And I didn't ask for this fame," Kmk muttered, the weight of his newfound responsibility pressing down on him.

Suddenly, the strange voice echoed in his mind again, clearer this time, insistent. "Kmk!..."

Kmk’s head snapped up, his eyes wide. "Bhargava... do you hear that voice?"

Bhargava frowned, tilting his head. "What voice, Kmk? I don't hear anything."

"I've been hearing it since I woke up this morning," Kmk said, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach. "It keeps calling my name."

Just then, the sound of raised voices drifted from outside. Lakshmi, their neighbor, stormed out of her house, her face flushed with anger. Her boyfriend followed close behind, his attempts at placation only fueling her fury.

"What is this now?" Kmk murmured, distracted from the mysterious voice.

Bhargava peered out the window. "Looks like a fight to me!"

The argument escalated, harsh words exchanged, and then, with a frustrated roar of his motorcycle engine, Lakshmi's boyfriend sped away, leaving her standing in the middle of the road, tears welling in her eyes.

"Kmk," Bhargava said, turning back with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Maybe this is your chance! Why don't you..."

Kmk cut him off, shaking his head vehemently. "And what, bro? I don't want to get into a new problem while I already have a huge Asura-sized problem! I just can't." With that, Kmk stood up abruptly. "I need to go, Bhargava." He strode out of the house and onto his scooter, kicking the engine to life.

Bhargava watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. "If you won't do anything, Kmk... then I will!"

Scene shifts: The next morning at Kmk's house. Bhargava arrived and greeted Kmk's parents, who informed him that Kmk was on the patio after his morning prayers. Bhargava found Kmk sitting on a chair, gazing at the swaying coconut trees against the backdrop of a beautiful blue sky, the rising sun casting a golden glow, and the melodious chirping of birds filling the air.

"Good morning, Kmk!" Bhargava greeted cheerfully.

Kmk didn't turn back immediately but replied, "Hi, Bhargava. Come and look at this! How beautiful, don't you think?"

Then Bhargava replied, "Yes, it is beautiful. But she will be even more beautiful."

Kmk turned his head, his eyes widening in surprise, his breath catching in his throat. Standing there was Lakshmi.

"Miss... Miss Lakshmi!" Kmk stammered, utterly taken aback.

"Hi, Kmk," Lakshmi replied with a gentle smile.

Kmk, still in shock, managed a weak, "H... hi." He then turned to Bhargava, his voice a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "What is this, Bhargava?! You brought Miss Lakshmi to my house?!"

Then Lakshmi interjected, "Your friend Bhargava told me everything. But tell me, Kmk... since when have you been..."

"Sin... since two years," Kmk mumbled, his gaze momentarily flicking towards Bhargava, who was subtly beginning to back away.

Then Kmk exclaimed, "Oray!! Oray Bhargava!! Where do you think you're going?! Don't just leave! What will others think?!"

Lakshmi chuckled softly, and Kmk, meeting her eyes, couldn't help but smile in return. "I... I always wanted... to talk to... you," he confessed, his voice still a little unsteady.

Scene shifts: A few minutes later, after talking with Kmk, Lakshmi left. Bhargava, who had been observing them from a distance, approached Kmk, a curious expression on his face.

"So, what did you both talk about?" Bhargava asked eagerly. "And what did she say?"

Kmk shook his head, still slightly dazed. "Bhargava, I literally couldn't say anything properly in front of her, and I am still in confusion. Is this a dream or reality?"

"Just tell me what she told you!" Bhargava pressed.

Kmk replied, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice, "She said she wants to come out to a restaurant tomorrow to talk more and to know more about me!"

Bhargava raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Like a date?"

"Bro! What?! She's twenty-six, and I'm just nineteen! And she just asked me, and I'm just...! But it's not... I am the dharmic warrior! How can you even suggest that?!" Kmk protested, though a faint blush colored his cheeks.

Bhargava placed a hand on Kmk's shoulder. "Kmk, you shouldn't only focus on saving others. You deserve to have a life too!"

Kmk didn't say anything in return but stood silently, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him.

Scene shifts: The next morning at a local restaurant. Kmk and Lakshmi sat opposite each other, a comfortable yet slightly nervous atmosphere between them.

Lakshmi broke the silence, her gaze earnest. "Why didn't you ever tell me anything all these years?"

Kmk replied sadly, "How could I, Miss Lakshmi? How could I when that man was always with you every time? And I thought you would be angry, and I also thought about my family's name and reputation, and what your parents and the villagers would think. And the age gap... those a lot of things came to my mind."

Then she placed her hand on his and smiled.

Scene shifts: Three months passed, and Lakshmi would come to meet and talk with Kmk whenever Kmk came to Bhargava's house. They even went to a movie together. Kmk's life had changed. The fulfillment he hadn't had when the whole world talked about him, he felt that fulfillment now. One evening at Bhargava's house, Kmk came to Bhargava and said, "Bhargava, my life looks so happy now. On one hand, saving the world from Asuras, and on the other, spending time talking with her in your house every time. But... can I have this?"

Bhargava smiled knowingly. "This is what was missing, don't you think? From your life. You have divine powers, but you didn't have happiness. That is why you felt unfulfilled. You look really happy now, don't you agree?!"

Kmk replied, a genuine smile finally gracing his lips, "Yes, you are right!"

Days passed, and Lakshmi even introduced Kmk to her parents. One evening, Lakshmi called Kmk and asked him to come to her house. When he arrived, she was already waiting for him, a soft smile gracing her lips. Then she asked, her voice gentle yet direct, "Will you marry me?!"

Kmk was stunned by the suddenness of the proposal. "What?" he managed to utter, his mind reeling.

She continued, her eyes sparkling, "Don't worry, my parents have agreed."

"What? Marrying you? Are you saying the truth?!" Kmk asked, his voice filled with disbelief and a burgeoning joy.

"Yes!" she replied, her smile widening.

Just then, Bhargava emerged from behind her, a wide grin on his face. "Well, well, looks like we've got some good news for you, Kmk!"

Then Lakshmi's expression turned slightly serious. "But... you have to stop one thing. For your own safety, for us."

"Stop what?" Kmk asked, a flicker of unease in his heart.

"Stop being Dhruva! Stop being a divine warrior!" she declared, her voice firm.

"What? How do you know I have powers?" Kmk exclaimed, bewildered.

Bhargava stepped forward. "I told her, Kmk. And Miss Lakshmi is right. Don't be Dhruva anymore. Don't risk your life anymore. Remember you almost died after the battle of Rajamahendravaram! This isn't worth it! Give up your power source, and let's break it! Live a happy life with Miss Lakshmi. Just you and her. No more wars with Asuras, no more dharma versus adharma!"

"What are you saying, Bhargava?!" Kmk retorted, his voice rising in disbelief. "You were the one who told me to go and save the innocent people of Rajamahendravaram! Remember? You told me that was my fate, my destiny! And you promised me you'd never tell this truth to anyone!"

Bhargava's expression hardened. "Yes, and I am the one saying to stop it now!"

Lakshmi stepped closer, her hand reaching for his. "Just give me the power source, Kmk, and let's break it!"

"Yes, give her the power source!" Bhargava echoed, his eyes pleading.

"What the hell are you talking about, Bhargava?!" Kmk shouted, his confusion turning to anger. "There is no such thing as a power source 'thing'! My power is directly connected and comes from Dhruva and Lord Vishnu himself! And the main source is Bhakti (Devotion) to Lord Vishnu! Not anything I can just give!"

"Bhakti, ha?" Lakshmi sneered, her gentle demeanor vanishing. "Then why don't you just stop that?!"

Kmk stared at her, his heart sinking. "What are you saying?"

"Stop that, or you will lose me forever!" Lakshmi threatened, her eyes cold.

"What?!" Kmk exclaimed, his voice filled with anguish. "I can't stop it! I can't! Never!"

Then, in a horrifying instant, both Lakshmi's and Bhargava's eyes turned a chilling shade of red. Lakshmi swiftly pulled a dagger from seemingly nowhere and plunged it deep into Kmk's chest.

Kmk gasped, a strangled cry escaping his lips. Stunned and shocked, tears welled in his eyes, mingling with the blood blossoming on his chest. Lakshmi and Bhargava erupted in cruel laughter, their faces twisted in malevolent glee.

Suddenly, the idyllic scene shattered. The warm evening air turned cold, the cozy house dissolved into a chaotic swirl of fire and destruction. Kmk found himself standing in the middle of Amalapuram's New Clock Tower center, flames licking at the surrounding buildings, the air thick with smoke and the stench of burning debris. The figure in front of him was no longer Lakshmi but the grotesque Asura Timiranetra, one of the five generals. Bhargava lay injured and unconscious on the road nearby.

Timiranetra, the dagger still dripping crimson, attacked Kmk relentlessly, the sharp blade tearing through his flesh. Badly injured and disoriented, Kmk could only stumble backward.

"You should have said yes!" Timiranetra hissed, his voice a venomous rasp. "And you should have taken your Lakshmi by force! Then what would have been the difference between a dharmic warrior and an Asura?" Blood trickled from Kmk's mouth as he choked out the words.

Timiranetra kicked Kmk with brutal force, sending him flying. He slammed into the New Clock Tower before collapsing onto the road in a heap.

"The dharmic warrior is dead," Timiranetra sneered, though a hint of disappointment laced his voice. "But it was too easy! I expected a fight!" With a final, contemptuous glance at Kmk's broken form, Timiranetra turned and strode back towards a swirling, dark portal that had opened in the sky. His remaining Asura army followed, melting back into the otherworldly abyss.

Groaning, Bhargava slowly pushed himself up, his eyes widening in horror as he saw Kmk lying motionless on the ground. "Kmk!" he cried, scrambling towards his friend.

Kmk stirred, his eyes fluttering open, confusion clouding his pain-filled gaze. "What... what is happening here? Why are we in Amalapuram's New Clock Tower center?"

Bhargava's voice was strained. "Don't you remember?"

Flashback:

Kmk and Bhargava were riding towards Amalapuram on their scooter.

"So, it's that important to go to Amalapuram?" Bhargava asked, the wind whipping through his hair.

"Yes!" Kmk replied, his voice urgent. "We have to get there fast, but I don't know how!"

Bhargava grinned. "Why don't you use your powers?"

"You're right!" Kmk exclaimed, a realization dawning on him. Focusing his divine energy, the scooter surged forward with incredible speed, blurring the landscape around them. They arrived in Amalapuram in a matter of minutes. "You're right, Bhargava! I should use my powers for my important things too!"

At that moment, the four remaining Asura generals in space sensed the sudden surge of Kmk's divine energy. Timiranetra's eyes narrowed with vengeful intent. "Mahasura, brothers! I will go and get revenge for our Ugrasura!"

As Kmk and Bhargava reached the Amalapuram clock tower center, a dark portal ripped open above them. An Asura army, led by Timiranetra on his fearsome Vimana, descended upon the city. Kmk slammed the scooter to a halt, a look of grim determination on his face. He transformed into his Asura-slaying form – the blue and white suit, the prominent Thirunamam emblazoned on his forehead, the middle and back of his suit. Summoning his divine sword, he launched a swift counter-attack, cutting down over twenty Asuras in mere moments. Then, spotting Timiranetra, Kmk hurled his glowing sword at the Asura general. But the blade stopped abruptly in mid-air, held by an unseen force. With a malevolent grin, Timiranetra conjured a dark energy ball and hurled it at Kmk, striking him squarely on the forehead. Kmk's eyes rolled back, turning completely black, and the flashback ended.

Scene shifts back to the present:

"So... it was all an illusion!" Kmk gasped, the horrifying realization washing over him.

Bhargava nodded grimly. "I called your name many times, but you didn't respond. You were just frozen there until he attacked you!"

A brilliant divine light emanated from Kmk once more, and in the blink of an eye, they were both teleported back to Bhargava's house, Kmk's injuries miraculously healed. Bhargava stared at him in astonishment. "Kmk! You know how to teleport too?!"

"No!" Kmk replied, shaking his head in confusion. "I don't know! It just happened! But... I only wish what I saw in that illusion became true." His gaze drifted towards Lakshmi's house, and he saw her and her boyfriend walking inside, their arms intertwined. Tears welled in Kmk's eyes. "This is unfair!" he choked out, slamming his fist into the ground. The earth cracked and shattered beneath his blow. He fell to his knees, repeating in a broken whisper, "It's not fair... it'

Bhargava, utterly bewildered by Kmk's sudden shift in emotions, knelt beside him, his voice filled with concern. "Kmk? What's wrong? Why are you crying like this?"

Chapter ends.