Dwandv:: The Battle for the Gate Read online

  DWANDV

  THE BATTLE FOR THE GATE

  DINKAR GOSWAMI

  Copyright © 2021 Dinkar Goswami

  ISBN: 9789387780873

  ____________________________________________________

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author. Scanning, reprinting or photocopying of the book is strictly prohibited. If you would like permission to use material from this book, please write to [email protected]. Thank you for supporting author’s rights.

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author. Any likeness to the artwork on the cover is created by the designer hired for the cover designing of the book. It is purely based on the imagination of the designer and similarity with any person, dead or alive, is merely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  The piracy of the book or any part thereof is a crime. Sale of this book without the front cover is strictly prohibited. Please report any and all copies without the original cover, whether in electronic form, scanned or photocopies at [email protected]. Do not accept any copies without the original cover as that may also be a violation of the author’s copyright.

  ____________________________________________________

  2021-02-15 “Dwandv: The Battle for the Gate”

  by Dinkar Goswami.

  Website: www.dwandv.com

  Publishing facilitation: Brand Inspire (OPC) Pvt. Ltd

  Typeset, Printing and Cover Facilitation: Brand Inspire (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

  Brand Inspire (OPC) Pvt. Limited is solely responsible and liable for their logo, typeset, cover, printing and publishing facilitation. Any queries or legal issues regarding their logo, cover and typeset must be directed to them at [email protected] and the author takes no responsibility for them.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  In the journey of conceiving the idea of this novel, to bringing it to the final form, there are a handful of people whom I would like to thank.

  My parents – my mother and father – for their love and support.

  To my children for their inspiration.

  To my brother Divyanshu and his wife Sushmita for their encouragement.

  To my editors and creative team for giving the current form to the book.

  INDEX

  Prologue

  1

  Chapter 1: Metamorphosis

  6

  Chapter 2: Voyage

  11

  Chapter 3: Primer

  21

  Chapter 4: Party

  36

  Chapter 5: Choice

  47

  Chapter 6: Acceptance

  50

  Chapter 7: Ascent

  57

  Chapter 8: Betrayal

  65

  Chapter 9: Cavern

  73

  Chapter 10: Ashram

  80

  Chapter 11: Insight

  92

  Chapter 12: Paragon

  99

  Chapter 13: K2

  104

  Chapter 14: Affliction

  119

  Chapter 15: Bubba

  122

  Chapter 16: Purge

  132

  Chapter 17: Frustration

  140

  Chapter 18: Ability

  143

  Chapter 19: Return

  146

  Chapter 20: Revelation

  153

  Chapter 21: Eye

  162

  Chapter 22: Citadel

  165

  Chapter 23: Vision

  171

  Chapter 24: Tipping

  175

  Chapter 25: Getaway

  179

  Chapter 26: Edict

  186

  Chapter 27: Awe

  192

  Chapter 28: Contact

  198

  Chapter 29: Dread

  201

  Chapter 30: Forest

  208

  Chapter 31: Unease

  213

  Chapter 32: Karce

  217

  Chapter 33: Sadhu

  228

  Chapter 34: Attack

  236

  Chapter 35: Defense

  240

  Chapter 36: Immortal

  246

  Chapter 37: Fear

  254

  Chapter 38: Gateways

  258

  Chapter 39: Accord

  262

  Chapter 40: Respite

  270

  Chapter 41: Encounter

  277

  Chapter 42: Implication

  283

  Chapter 43: Ploy

  289

  Chapter 44: Realization

  299

  Chapter 45: Airavata

  304

  Chapter 46: Dejection

  310

  PROLOGUE

  Many, many eons ago, a galactic civilization of Deva flourished on a beautiful world called Inderlok. Capable of harnessing galaxies, Deva possessed great martial prowess. However, they did not abuse their power. Pleased with their benign nature, the mighty celestial Shiv adjudged Deva worthy of receiving an enigmatic Vital Knowledge, that he alone possessed. Those Deva that were able to master this Vital Knowledge could attain immortality and manifest unparalleled cosmic powers called siddhi. Acutely aware of the intrinsically consuming nature of siddhi, Shiv initially elected to bestow a limited amount of Vital Knowledge upon Deva.

  The mastery of this limited Vital Knowledge was enough to vastly increase the lifespan of Deva. Able to manifest certain siddhi, these Deva became powerful siddha. Shiv was pleased to see that the siddha Deva used siddhi virtuously, for the benefit of mortals and to nurture life. Wherever these Deva went, they alleviated mortal beings and protected them. In turn, mortals welcomed Deva and revered them as powerful and benevolent immortals.

  However, with the passing of time, some siddha Deva began hankering for more than just reverence. This group of Deva believed that those who revered them should also serve them and be subject to their will. Aggrandizing themselves, they proclaimed that they were Asura, meaning Divine. To be seen as unequivocally deific, Asura sought superiority over Deva. Thus, sole possession of complete Vital Knowledge became a paramount obsession of Asura. Not wanting to confront Shiv directly, Asura set out on a quest to discover siddhi on worlds that Shiv frequented. They believed that amongst these worlds lay the cradle of Vital Knowledge, and they had to find it before Deva. The seed for a never-ending confrontation between brethren was sown.

  The ugly head of war reared, its roar resonating through the cosmos. This cosmic war between Asura and Deva came to be known as the Great War. Beginning at Inderlok, the Great War raged on many worlds, wreaking havoc. Finally, by around 11,000 BC the Asura conch bellowed their arrival on Earth, darkening the skies above. The destruction and devastation upon Shiv’s beloved blue world was catastrophic. Earth became a world in dire peril, its dominant species on the verge of extinction. Deva realized that the Great War had to abate, however, they faced a dilemma. They had to cease hostilities, but could only do so when Asura gave up their quest.

  Conflicted, Deva sought counsel of Shiv. Upon counsel, Deva spread word that Shiv was infuriated by the devastation caused by Asura and Deva, and he considered both unworthy of further Vital Knowledge. Taking sole custody of the complete Vital Knowledge, Shiv had decided to leave Earth and recluse himself from the unworthy.

  Deva knew that Asura wou
ld not dare confront Shiv, even if they found him. Apart from being a mighty celestial, Shiv held Halahala in his blue throat. Halahala was a terrifying lethal contagion capable of destroying anything, including the Asura universe. With Shiv gone, Deva abruptly ceased hostilities and left for Inderlok.

  The ploy worked. Upon the cessation of hostilities, Asura saw a decimated planet in ruin, its primitive human inhabitants on the brink of extinction. They also saw that Shiv, as well as the Deva, had left Earth unprotected, and Shiv could not be traced. Asura concluded that Earth could not have been the cradle of Vital Knowledge, as they had believed. Earth was thus declared a world of no further interest to Asura.

  The quest for the Vital Knowledge was suspended, and Asura returned to their newly adopted home world Nicaea. At Nicaea, the Asura Cosmic Council decreed that Nicaea be primed for an unassailable role in the cosmos. Using the technology they had garnered from Inderlok and elsewhere, Asura created symbiosis between technology and siddhi, which vastly enhanced their power. The Council decided that they would use siddhi, along with the technology they possessed, to expand the Asura dominion well beyond their own galaxy. ‘Annihilate or subjugate’ became the new motto of Asura. World after world crumbled before the Asura incessant desire for material opulence and cosmic dominance.

  As millennia went by two Asura, Rahu and Ketu, learned that Shiv was seen on Earth again. They began suspecting that Shiv was overseeing the regeneration of the tiny blue world. Once again, Earth became of interest to Asura. They began searching for specific electromagnetic auratic waves called EARE, which were generated by abuse of siddhi.

  Rahu and Ketu’s suspicions were not entirely flawed. Though most Deva had left Earth, Shiv had selected a handful of immortal Deva and asked them to remain on Earth. Shiv had entrusted the complete Vital Knowledge to these untainted souls, along with a caveat forbidding them from using siddhi whilst they were on Earth. The gift of Vital Knowledge also bound these ancient Deva to Earth until they bestowed Vital Knowledge upon worthy beings who possessed a pure and indomitable spirit. For the sacrifice of these ancients, Shiv offered all Deva his protection against the Asura. Shiv also asked the Deva who were leaving for Inderlok to create an ashram made out of galactic technology that could move to wherever these ancients wished. This technological marvel created by the Deva would become the abode of the ancients. The ashram shielded its occupants and provided them with everything they needed to fulfill the task Shiv had mandated.

  Whilst the Asura pursued their cosmic ambition elsewhere, an extraordinary evolution took place on Earth. In what was but a cosmic blink of an eye, Earth’s human inhabitants recovered from the brink of extinction and reached for the stars. The ancients deemed this an appropriate time to fulfill Shiv’s mandate and move on to serve Shiv beyond Earth. They successfully passed on Vital Knowledge to select beings, the super masters who inherited the ashram from the ancients. These masters also inherited the mandate of Shiv to bestow Vital Knowledge further, just as it had been bestowed upon them.

  While departing to serve Shiv, the ancients left a stark revelation implanted in the ashram. This revelation was in three parts.

  THE WARNING

  A siddha corrupted by siddhi, with power consumed,

  A raging war may be resumed.

  Controls shall be released and commandments shattered,

  Earth, and other worlds, may be tattered.

  The Prophecy

  A vessel must be protected,

  A gift must be accepted.

  Mighty stars must align,

  To herald a Maha Yodha divine.

  The Supreme Warrior.

  The Condition

  Siddhi must be restrained,

  The Maha Yodha must be trained.

  An immortal must be uncovered,

  A doorway must be discovered.

  Chapter 1

  METAMORPHOSIS

  Himalayas, many decades ago.

  A dejected young man called Bubba wandered the foothills of Himalayas, seeking salvation. Begging for alms, he roamed aimlessly, barely surviving. One day he came across a burial mound, atop which sat a man smoking pot. The man had long matted hair, scruffy beard and mustache. He wore nothing but a dirty loincloth. Bubba recognized the man as an aghori, an ascetic conjurer that participated in eerie rituals. Bubba looked at him intrigued, and asked, “Why are you sitting atop this burial mound?

  “It is my guru’s burial mound. He had told me to wait for him until he could revive himself and come out of the earth again,” said the aghori.

  “How long have you been waiting?” asked a curious Bubba. “About a year,” the aghori spoke expressionlessly.

  “And you actually believe he will reappear...by returning from the dead!?”

  “Any time now.” The aghori puffed on his pipe, not bothering to look at Bubba.

  “May I wait with you to witness this miracle?”

  “As you please. But do not move, or you will miss the magnificent moment.”

  Bubba sat down on the ground facing the mound. “I think I will wait here,” he said.

  Hours turned into days, and the aghori and Bubba waited. As time passed, Bubba exhausted his measly food supply. His lanky frame began to shrivel till he was but a bag of bones. But even in his weakened state, Bubba felt compelled to wait.

  On a dark foreboding morning, rumbling clouds awoke Bubba. With an effort, he opened his eyes. He saw that the aghori atop the mound was gone, leaving him alone. Abandoned and distressed, Bubba felt he was going to die, and his heart filled with despair. His life force ebbing, Bubba felt a desperate need for prayer. Frantically, he beseeched the aghori guru buried in the mound to come out and save him.

  The earth atop the mound moved and shifted. A claw like hand broke free, and a hairless shriveled old man clambered out of the earth, breaking free of his confinement. With a hawkish face and a body covered with dirt, the old man looked around. His fierce eyes, embedded deep in his skull, fell upon the dying Bubba below. Crouching like an animal ready to pounce, the old man’s eyes narrowed and a ghastly grin appeared on his face.

  Suddenly the sky thundered and lightning struck the mound, peeving the old man. Riled, he jumped up and down on all fours, shaking his head and taunting the clouds. Getting no response he roared ferociously, challenging the lightning to strike again.

  Predictably the clouds thundered and lightning struck the old man with a deafening crack. Opening a huge mouth, he greedily consumed the energy from the strike, his head lighting up momentarily. Crackling and sizzling, he leapt from the mound, landing beside Bubba with a thud. Bending over the petrified Bubba, he moved his head side to side, sniffing loudly.

  Unexpectedly, the old man’s demeanor changed and he gently helped Bubba sit up in a lotus position. Putting a crackling palm above Bubba’s head, he transferred energy from the strike onto Bubba. Bubba shook, and his eyes rolled up till less than half his iris were visible. Abruptly, the old man removed his hand from Bubba’s head and pressed his thumb between Bubba’s eyebrows, triggering a metamorphosis.

  Bubba’s perineum contracted, squeezed upward into his body and his digestive organs were sucked up into his relaxed diaphragm that had caved into his chest cavity. Bubba’s digestive organs shifted till his already shrunken abdominal cavity almost touched his spine.

  Finally, his chin dropped below his throat, touching the top of his sternum, and his head leaned forward. Bubba was decisively held in a super energy lock called Maha Bandha. The old man whispered a forbidden mantra into Bubba’s ear and told him to recite the mantra in his mind, over and over again.

  Bubba complied. Locked in the Maha Bandha, he recited the mantra repeatedly, his eyes now closed. The metamorphosis commenced, and Bubba began to feel strength return to his weakened body. Energy from the earth, the sun, and the air was sucked into his being, rejuvenating him. Feeling extraordinarily energetic, Bubba obsessively continued to recite the mantra. His ego began to swell, elated by the energy and power gush
ing through him.

  While Bubba gained strength, the old man withered and decayed until his body turned into dust. What remained was an apparition. The ghost floated in front of an unperturbed Bubba, who briefly opened his eyes. Seeing the apparition Bubba inhaled deeply, causing the air in front of him to whirl gently. The apparition was whisked into the gently swirling air and drawn into Bubba’s nostrils till it was gone. Bubba closed his eyes, his face momentarily a euphoric visage as he reveled in the power he felt, having cannibalized his mentor. Bubba continued to recite the mantra, empowered by consuming his savior. He continued to sit in the Maha Bandha, stealthily absorbing nothing but raw energy from the elements around him.