The cry of the wolves echoed deep inside
the forests of Sahyamudi. Moopan and the tribe bid farewell to Neeli, Chennans
daughter. Nariyan visibly seemed upset. He was in love with Neeli, but he never
got a chance to tell her. He wished to kill Akaleyan and save Neeli but he was
helpless, Akaleyan acquired powers through long years of rituals and
sacrifices. Nariyan walked with Neeli, both did not talk to each other. Tears
were flowing out of Neeli’s eyes. Her end was determined, decided.
Akaleyan saw the light of the fire torch.
He saw Neeli walking with Nariyan to his cave.
“Did I ask you to come with her”, he roared
at Nariyan.
“It was quiet dark”, Nariyan answered with
a trembling voice.
“Don’t you dare to look back, now run”
“Akaleyan, please don’t kill her”. He fell
into his feet expecting some mercy from him.
“Thuu” in reply Akaleyan spitted on his
face. “Get lost you moron, otherwise I will have to do two sacrifices today”.
Nariyan went back. Akaleyan looked at the
girl. She was gorgeous, dark but she reflects the wild beauty of Nature. Her
face was round and her eyes resembled those of a Doe.
The interior of the cave was filled with
lights and in the ground large pictures (Kalam) were drawn which represent
millions of Devas. He believed all his powers were given by these. His major
deity was Thrikaleya Bhairavan. Years
he had spend in worshipping him and another three more offering on Amavasi day
with a virgin woman will help to get rest of his powers.
Akaleyan called Neeli in and asked her to
be prepared for the offering. He handed over a red silk cloth and asked her to
wear it. He went to the water falls near the cave, he recited the spells aloud.
He removed his last attire from the body and took the chill shower all over. The
cold water seems to have induced pain in his nerves. He screamed out of pain
and still he continued reciting the spells for the black magic He came back into
the cave, the tattoos seemed to be reflecting on the lights which were burning.
Neeli wore the silk dress over her body.
Akaleyan walked towards her, she was shocked by the appearance of him. Her
sound seems to have stuck in the throat She tried screaming, but in vain.
Akaleyan came close to her, for the first time she saw a complete man. She felt
like she was losing every bit of courage she carried on till now. Akalyan took
some water from the pot which was kept near the Homa and poured it on her face.
She felt as though a caged bird was flew away from her head. She behaved as a
robot who acts on the instructions of Akaleyan. Akaleyan gave her a rope to tie
his hands. He took the animal fat along with the spells he poured it into the
Homa Kunda.
He untied her silk cloth from her body
using his teeth. He bit her hands and dragged her towards the Homa Kunda. His
hands were tied, Neeli could have run from that place, but she realized something
is stopping her. She was not able to do anything which she wishes.
Akaleyan noticed the curves of Neeli. It
was like a river which flows smooth. He admired his choice, he approached her
and kissed her deep in her mouth. Both of them crossed their legs and with an
overflow of energy he entered into her. They moved in a tone of his spells and
finally when they met its end. She crawled out of pain and love and everything was
finished.
Akaleyan ordered her to untie his hands and
then he dragged Neeli towards Homa Kunda. He took a sharp iron metal which he
pierced into her index finger. He then pressed the hand on top of the Homa
Kunda and extracted a drop of blood and put it into it. Homa Kunda burned
fiercer as if to destroy the whole mankind.
“You can go now” Akaleyan ordered Neeli.
“Where will I go, even if I go my community
won’t accept me anymore? I need to stay here with you. I have summoned myself
to you”
“No, I am playing with Fire, Leave”
She walked out the cave, she never knew
where she is heading to??