"Mahishasur… have you found anything about that boy?"
A heavy, monstrous voice echoed through the air.
At the peak of a terrifying fortress in the realm of demons, a grotesque creature stood overlooking the burning land below. His body was blood-red, covered in snake-like markings that twisted across his skin. His eyes were sharp and curved like a serpent's, and his tongue—split from the middle—slithered out again and again, just like a snake's.
A crown made of bones rested on his head.
His hands were folded behind his back as he stood there, silent yet imposing, watching the demon realm beneath him.
The moment he spoke, Mahishasur stepped forward, bowing his head in respect.
"Maharaj Takshak… I apologize," he said carefully. "But based on the information we've gathered, it may take some time to find that boy."
Hearing this, Takshak turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing as they fell on Mahishasur.
"Hm…" he murmured. "Time… is exactly what we don't have."
He slowly looked back at the burning horizon, his voice growing heavier with each word.
"After centuries… we finally have an opportunity. A chance where the demon race can rise—not beneath the earth… but above it."
His tone darkened.
"A chance to rule."
He spread his arms slightly, as if claiming the world already.
"This is the age of Kaliyug. An age meant for beings like us. If anyone deserves to rule the earth… it is the demons."
His voice hardened with anger.
"And yet… we've been trapped here. In this hell. For centuries."
His fists clenched.
"But not anymore."
He turned back toward Mahishasur, his eyes burning with ambition.
"For the first time in ages, the perfect moment stands before us. There are no gods walking the earth… no ancient warriors… no great kings… no powerful masters."
He stepped closer.
"Tell me, Mahishasur… when has there ever been a better time to conquer the earth?"
For a moment, silence filled the space.
Then Mahishasur spoke, his tone firm—but laced with doubt.
"But Maharaj… we tried to invade the earth centuries ago as well. There were no gods then… no kings… no warriors… and yet we failed."
His jaw tightened.
"Those demigods… they crushed us. I don't understand… what makes this time any different? What makes you so sure we can win?"
Takshak looked at him…
And then—he smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
"Mahishasur… back then, those cunning demigods had the support of the Demon King himself."
His voice turned cold.
"This time… they don't."
He began pacing slowly.
"Back then, we rushed into war without thought. But this time…"
He stopped.
"…we are prepared."
A dark pride filled his voice.
"The preparations we've made… I doubt even history has seen anything like it."
He turned sharply, his gaze piercing.
"And as for the reason… tell me something."
His voice dropped, almost mocking.
"How does it feel… living for centuries on this rotting, burning land? This lava-filled wasteland?"
He gestured around them.
"No proper food. No resources. No life."
Then he pointed upward.
"While above… on earth… even in the Serpent Realm… every species lives in comfort."
His words dripped with bitterness.
"They have rich clothes… delicious food… grand buildings… a world worth living in… and beautiful women."
His expression twisted with anger.
"Since the beginning of our existence… demons have only faced injustice."
His voice rose.
"Animals, humans, gods, messengers, demigods—every single race has always been given more than us!"
He stepped closer to Mahishasur.
"Don't you see it? Don't you feel it? The demon race has suffered since the very beginning!"
His eyes burned with rage now.
"Why do you think Guru Shukracharya has always fought the Trinity? Those deceitful gods?"
His voice thundered.
"Because from the very start… what rightfully belonged to us was never given to us!"
He took a deep breath, but the anger didn't fade.
"Whether it's resources… power… or respect—everything was taken from us through deception!"
Mahishasur listened carefully.
Every word… every emotion… felt real.
And yet… he hesitated.
"But Maharaj…" he said slowly, "when the realms were divided… it was we who accepted the underworld as our home. Then where is the injustice in that?"
The moment those words left his mouth—
Takshak's expression changed.
Rage exploded across his face.
"Shame on you, Mahishasur!" he roared.
His voice echoed like thunder across the fortress.
"Have you forgotten our history?"
He stepped forward, fury blazing in his eyes.
"Have you forgotten what happened when Kumbhakarna—the brother of Ravana—performed intense penance for Lord Brahma?"
His voice sharpened.
"When Brahma was finally pleased… the gods deceived him!"
He pointed a finger in the air.
"They placed Goddess Saraswati on his tongue… and twisted his words—so instead of asking for power and immortality… he asked for eternal sleep!"
His jaw clenched.
"They fear us, Mahishasur! They know our power can shake their thrones!"
He didn't stop there.
"And the greatest injustice of all—Samudra Manthan!"
His voice turned colder.
"They begged us to help them churn the ocean. Promised that everything obtained would be shared equally."
He laughed bitterly.
"And what did we ask for? Just the nectar of immortality."
His eyes darkened.
"But what happened?"
"Gold, jewels, Kamadhenu—even Goddess Lakshmi herself—all went to the gods!"
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"And when it was time to divide the nectar…"
He looked straight into Mahishasur's eyes.
"They betrayed us again."
"They manipulated Lord Vishnu… and cheated us."
Silence.
"Now tell me, Mahishasur…" he said slowly,
"Do you still not see the injustice?"
Mahishasur stood there—silent.
But now… there was no doubt left in his eyes.
Only fire.
He stepped forward, his chest swelling with pride and fury.
"Maharaj… forgive me for doubting you," he said loudly. "I will lead the demon army with full strength!"
His voice echoed with determination.
"We will defeat those demigods… and every warrior that stands against us!"
He raised his head high.
"This time… the earth will belong to the demons!"
Takshak smiled faintly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I never doubted your strength, Mahishasur."
Mahishasur nodded firmly.
"Do not worry, Maharaj. I will find that boy… and lay his head at your feet."
Hearing that, Takshak turned his gaze toward the sky, his expression growing serious again.
"Hm… try your best to find him," he said calmly.
Then his voice turned colder.
"But don't be disappointed if you don't."
He paused.
"I don't think that boy even knows about his powers yet."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"And even if he does…"
He looked back at Mahishasur.
"…he's alone."
His eyes gleamed with confidence.
"He won't be able to do anything."
Then his tone shifted—commanding, ruthless.
"But along with that… awaken as many dangerous demons as you can."
His voice echoed like a war drum.
"They've slept long enough."
A dark smile spread across his face.
"Now… it's time to rule."