CHAPTER 15 (GANDHARVA) First Story

It was inevitable that the simmering hostilities between the two warring tribes would boil over.

Gandharva had evolved into a lean, mean killing machine. She went on to become the leader of her tribe and never got married. Her rule was respected by all and the tribe bowed to her supreme leadership.

“There can only be one leader in all of the Great Plains!” she boldly declared.

Like a massive swarm of locusts, the tribe swept and conquered the tribes encompassing the Great Plains. This onslaught was chiefly responsible for uniting the different tribes. Yet, Gandharva was also seeking out Yaksa but to no avail. She even ordered an emissary to find him but Yaksa had seemed to vanished into thin air.

Gandharva was slowly losing her desire to conquer the rest of the Great Plains. One day, she received a startling message from Deva. He was offering an alliance that would not only overcome the highlands but the rest of the continent also.

The central area of the continent was plagued by the cataclysmic wars between the Deva, Nachal, Asura and the united tribe of Kimnara. Many were at a loss as to why they were fighting when they should channel their resources to ward off the Mara’s. The conflict created by their varying allegiance to different gods were simply too hard to overcome.

Gandharva wasn’t a bit interested with Deva’s offer. She was more concerned with finding Yaksa. One day, her emissary told her that Yaksa was sighted. It was learned that he was saving some of the small tribes from the Maras. This startling revelation prompted her to march her army to the central part of the continent.

CHAPTER 16 (GANDHARVA) Second Story

The outcome of the war was far from reaching a decisive turning point. Former enemies became friends and vice versa. It was a state of bedlam threatening to reach epic proportions. Still, Gandharva persisted on tracking Yaksa. Rumors were spreading that he was uniting the smaller tribes.

Suddenly, a disturbing news reached Gandharva. A man wearing a skull necklace and resembling Yaksa was spotted leading a rebellion. This time, Gandharva was sure he had her man.

Ghandarva and her army left despite of the suggestion of Deva that he meet first with Yaksa. The rebel army of Yaksa was believed to be heading towards the position of Gandharva.

The two armies were headed towards a collision course in the central portion of Mandara in a few days. Gandharva was sure that one of them will not survive this impending clash. She was also confident that Yaksa wouldn’t run away from her this time.

After thoroughly inspecting her army, Gandharva sent a messenger to speak to Yaksa. The messenger returned with news of Yaksa’s acceptance of the request. That same night, the leaders of the warring tribes were about to come face to face after a long time.

Gandharva was the first to arrive and she waited near the bonfire. Yaksa walked in afterwards, feeling uneasy with the sudden rush of emotions. Gandharva then spoke without looking at Yaksa:

“How could you be so stupid Yaksa?”

Yaksa was completely frozen by the coldness of her words. He was about to leave when she spoke again:

“You never knew that I was a woman all along?

Yaksa stood there motionless and speechless. Gandharva’s shoulder was starting to tremble from all the pent-up emotions inside.

“Why did you just run away like that? I searched for you everywhere and conquered the Great Plains in the hope of having you back. I would have easily forgiven you if you only had the guts to apologize.

Torrents of tears were now streaming down from her face.

“Now everything’s out of our control. There’s no turning back from the battle ahead”. She said.

Yaksa suddenly embraced Gandharva which completely took her by surprise.

“I’m very sorry Gandharva”.

He said as he took her in his arms while trying to comfort her.

“After this madness is over, let’s return to the Great Plains and start anew”.

She was sobbing as she nodded her agreement. Yaksa then gazed up to the night sky.

“We will be together again in the Great Plains, raising cattle and building a better tomorrow.

In the stellar night sky, his vision of the Great Plains appeared. The utopian ideal  that would never become a reality.

The following day, the two ill-fated lovers stood in the forefront of their respective armies. Both armies were on the warpath in the center of the Mandara highland. Almost simultaneously, the massive armies of Asura, Rakshasa and Deva were on their way towards the Mandara highlands. The warring factions were determined to gain supremacy over the Mantra world. The final clash that will decide the fate of mankind was about to erupt.

Like predators waiting to pounce, the Maras were silently waiting for the onset of the hostilities. Their insidious plot would be made easier by the folly and weakness of the humans.

An eerie silence reverberated throughout the battlefield. The howl of the wind was the only mute witness to the carnage that would transpire.

Suddenly, Deva raised his hand a signal to his tribe to attack. The leaders of the other tribes followed suit and the great war was underway.

Until, to everyone’s amazement, a loud, mystical voice echoed out a call:

“Stop!” A mysterious voiced echoed.