[OS] The Dark Secrets of History; CHAPTER 2 UPDATED PAGE 2

Prologue: A Glimpse Into the Past

Two beautiful women sat, cross legged on the cold hard floor, next to each other, their eyes fixated with love and devotion on their Ishtadev, the great God of the Nagas, the Shiva-Linga that rested in the temple of Shiva. The birds chirped joyfully as the sun gradually broke through the shiny waters of Lake Gandhamadana and made its ascent towards the sky. As light filled the dark temple room, lit only by candle, the two Naagins offered their pranams towards the Shiva-Linga and stood up. It was finally day; now they got to hear the full truth.

Ritik Raheja paced back and forth outside the Shiv-Mandir, his head perspiring with tension. He had figured out that his beloved wife Shivanya was a Naagin, whose mission was to destroy the killers of her family. He understood her anger and sympathized with her, but he stood at the cross-road. A part of him felt that Shivanya, who easily could understand and figure out whatever perplexed him, already knew that he was no stranger to her identity; but another part of him felt that perhaps she was still that innocent Shivanya from their first meeting who stumbled clumsily working as a waitress. He heard some rustling and he looked up. Shivanya and Sesha walked side by side, their faces filled with levels of worry. As Shivanya walked past Ritik, she stopped and stared at him for a minute, lost in his deep brown eyes.

"I'm going to learn the truth of my past Ritik. You are welcome to come." She said softly, looking down.

Ritik smiled and touched her chin, lifting it until he could see her beautiful oval shaped face. "I'm not coming to judge you Shivanya, I'm coming to support you. I didn't marry you blindly, I married you because from the moment we met I knew I could trust you."

Shivanya didn't return the smile immediately. Only after she looked down and walked a few paces did she give a soft smile that only Sesha could see. Seeing a smile on Shivanya's face also brought a smile on Sesha face, a smile only Shivanya could see.

Ritik followed the two women silently, giving them their moment of peace. He followed them deep into a dark cave, lit with a torch every 20 or 30 steps. Suddenly he stumbled forward, tripping on a large rock, only to have his hand caught by Shivanya's. He looked up and faintly saw what appeared to be a smile. They continued walking, except this time, Ritik's hand was firmly grasped by Shivanya's as she gently dragged, no - pulled, nay - lead him to their destination.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived in a small, warm room where an old, blind man sat cross legged. He had on dirty white ragged garments that complimented his white locks of hair and his white beard.

"Come Shivanya, Sesha. My blessings onto both of you." The old man paused. "You brought your husband with you putri Shivanya?"

"Yes Guruji; this is my husband - Ritik Raheja."

"Raheja." Guruji said softly. "Then this story will be useful for you as well."

Ritik stepped forward and with folded hands, he greeted the wise seer. "Namaste Guruji."

Taking a deep breath, Guruji Yogiraj raised his right hand, giving him a blessing, "May you always stay affixed to the path of satya (truth)."

Ritik's eyebrows raised, astonished by the peculiar blessing. Nonetheless, he smiled and accepted it.

"Now come and sit my children; it is time I narrate to you the saga of the SadaShiva Dynasty" Guruji said.

Chapter 1 -- Daybreak of History

"It is time I narrate to you the saga of the SadaShiva Dynasty." Yogiraj Guruji started. "Not far from here is a mansion, a haveli, now owned by the Rahejas. But before that, it was the home of the benevolents rulers of this land - the SadaShivas. The Shiv-Mandir that you just came from was built 500 years ago by the founder of the Dynasty, one of the greatest Shiva bhaktas that time and history has ever known."

"Before that time, this land once thrived with people, beauty, and riches. But by some misfortune, the pleasant hearts of the people were targeted by vile and poisonous creatures who dreamt of conquering the land. They robbed the treasure-like innocence of the people and banished them for eternity. This poison-filled land gradually became afflicted with various diseases, desolate of life, and a desert. Eaten up by darkness, anyone who ventured through this land would never make it out, that is until SadaShiva came."

"SadaShiva was a righteous warrior. He had heard about the calamity and immediately set forth to attack the Khyusarins with all his might but as fate would have it, he failed. Taken prisoner, he was tortured beyond one's imagination - injected with poison, only to recover from it close to the end by another poison that acted both as an antidote and poison. This continuous cycle of poison weakened the poor king and when the Khyusarins felt complete with joy and satisfaction, they threw him outside the kingdom lines."

"This is where your ancestors come in Shivanya, Sesha." Guruji said, a smile emerging on his face.

Sesha nodded, tears starting to form around her beautiful blue orbs of mysticism. Shivanya knew her parents, she knew her purpose in life but Sesha was different. She had no identity beyond Shivanya's revenge and being a Naagin. She lived for Shivanya without knowing how she was related to her. Crossing her heart and calling out to Bolenath, Shiva Shankar, she silently prayed that Guruji will enlighten her with her identity.

"Naags and Naagins have a life cycle very different from humans." Guruji began, his voice deep and calm. "The human years fly by on the wheels of time rapidly. But Naags and Naagins are different. Their life is longer than a human. When a human reaches the age of 50, he is considered old and fragile. 50 years as a Naag is when he reaches his prime."

Ritik's jaws dropped. He looked to Shivanya, a sly grin on his face, but seeing her serious face he stopped and looked at Guruji once more.

"Anyway, SadaShiva asked for guidance from his gurudev who lead him to Naag-Bhavan, where Naags lived and enjoyed together. SadaShiva asked for help from these Naags, but none were willing to go. He begged, he implored, he offered everything in his possession, but none of the Nagas stirred. Crestfallen, he decided that he would build an army himself and once again attack."

"This selfless motivation shook the heart of an elderly Naag - Naagbhushana, your great grandfather Shivanya. He stood up and addressed the assembly and joined the king in his request, but still none of the Nagas wanted to give up their life of joy. Seeing his father rejected, your grandfather stood up, his eye reddened by rage. He thumped his chest and declared that he and his brothers will help SadaShiva and free his cursed land."

"A few years later, the war had finally ended and the land was slowly starting to return to its original self - rich and luscious. SadaShiva, who had become great friends with your grandfather, Pasupathi, asked him for whatever he wanted as a thank you."