The decision of the marriage did not sit well with Keechakan and his son.
Driven by hatred, Keechakan's son—Mauryan—limped forward, using a staff to support his injured leg.With a sword in hand, he rushed toward Alli, aiming to behead her.
"Amma!" Ponni screamed.
Alli closed her eyes, trembling, tears streaming down her face—
But the next moment…
A head rolled across the ground.
Blood splattered.
Rudran stood beside her.
No—It wasn't him.
It was Kaaladhiran.
With his own hands, he had severed Mauryan's head.
Seeing his son dead, Keechakan charged forward in rage—
Only for his head to meet the same fate.
It fell to the ground.
"Traitors do not deserve to live," Kaaladhiran declared coldly.
Soon after—
The wedding was conducted in grand celebration.
Rudran and Ponni were united.
After the ceremony, they prepared to leave for the Gandharva Kingdom.
They received blessings from Kaaladhiran,and then from Alli.
Rudran turned to her.
"You should come with us."
Alli looked confused.
"If you stay here, separated from Ponni… how will you live?" he continued."She will suffer. And I… I have no one there. Come with us. Be a mother not just to her—but to me as well."
Alli's eyes filled with tears.
She embraced them tightly.
Even Kaaladhiran, for a moment, was shaken.
But then he spoke—
"Someone must remain… to guide them."
He looked at Alli.
"Go. Live happily."
The three of them left for the Gandharva Kingdom.
Their arrival was met with grand celebration.
People cheered.Flowers rained down.
Inside the palace, the sages awaited them.
They received their blessings.
Then—
They were told to seek the blessings of the clan deity.
A doubt arose among the people.
"But… this is not their clan deity. This belongs to Raktadev. Ratrangasan only conquered this land in war—"
The sage raised his hand.
"People… there is a truth you must know."
Silence fell.
"Ratrangasan… was not an outsider."
"He belonged to this very royal bloodline."
Gasps echoed.
"Due to a conspiracy by Raktadev's father, he was cast away into the river as a child. He survived… and grew up in the Preta Kingdom."
"And one day—he returned… and reclaimed his own land through war."
"This truth… he learned only two days before his death."
After that—
Rudran and Ponni were taken to the temple.
They offered their prayers.
Then—
Alli went to Ariyan's grave.
Standing before it, she broke down.
Rudran and Ponni stood beside her… silently.
War preparations began.
Rudran turned to the minister.
"Train the soldiers in the Chakravyuha formation."
"Send word to the Preta Kingdom as well. Their warriors must learn it too."
Just then—
A soldier approached.
"The sage wishes to see you."
Rudran immediately went.
"Reverence, Sage."
The sage looked at him calmly.
"The reason I called you… is your father's sword."
"You must learn to wield it."
"The power within it… will help you face what is coming."
Rudran went to the highest chamber of the palace.
There—
The sword awaited.
It shone with an otherworldly glow.
As he reached for it—
A burst of light erupted.
The moment his hand touched it—
The light vanished.
Silence.
Then—
A surge of power rushed into his body.
His eyes turned crimson… just like Ratrangasan's.
Darkness coiled around the blade.
Rudran could feel it—
An immense… terrifying power.
He trained.
Mastered it.
Brought it under control.
Unleashed new forms of attack.
But doubts remained.
He returned to the sage.
"Sage… whose sword is this?"
"Why did it choose my father… and now me?"
"And Agomi… what is it?"
"Why has it chosen us?"
The sage smiled faintly.
"Rudra… time will answer your questions."
"You are not yet ready."
Rudran walked away… lost in thought.
That night—
Ponni approached him.
"You will win this war. I believe in you."
"But… promise me something."
"Return alive."
"No matter what… don't leave me."
Rudran smiled.
"I promise."
The next day—
A message arrived.
From Ranadev Billa.
"Surrender."
"Submit yourselves… and your kingdom."
"Or I will turn your land into a graveyard."
A spy arrived soon after.
"My lord… Ranadev's army is three times larger than ours."
"He possesses terrifying power."
"With a single strike… he can kill hundreds."
"He has no formations… no strategy."
"He breaks the enemy's formation… invades… and massacres the people."
Rudran understood.
This was no ordinary enemy.
Preparations were completed.
Both kingdoms united.
The armies gathered.
War formations were set at the border.
Kaaladhiran arrived with his forces.
Then—
Like a swarm of ants…
A massive army approached.
Ranadev Billa had arrived.
The war began.
Rudran's formations struck first.
Ranadev's forces suffered heavy losses.
On one side—
Kaaladhiran slaughtered countless enemies.
On the other—
Rudran stood unstoppable.
No one could even get close to him.
He was…
Ratrangasan reborn.
Then—
Ranadev stepped in.
With a single strike—
Dozens fell.
Fear spread.
The battlefield trembled.
And then—
His true cruelty was revealed.
He had captured the people of the Preta Kingdom.
Using them as hostages.
The Preta warriors froze.
Kaaladhiran stopped.
"What do you want?" Kaaladhiran roared.
"Release my people!"
Ranadev smiled.
"I want nothing."
"Except your life."
"Drink this poison."
"Do that… and I will spare them."
A vial was placed before him.
Without hesitation—
Kaaladhiran drank it.
But Ranadev laughed.
"Don't die so soon…"
"You still have something to see."
Before his eyes—
Every captive was slaughtered.
Heads fell.
Blood flooded the ground.
Kaaladhiran's eyes burned with rage.
But…
His life slipped away.
In betrayal.
Ranadev turned.
Toward Rudran.
Rudran saw everything.
Felt everything.
His blood boiled.
His heart burned.
With a roar—
He charged forward.
Ranadev moved toward him.
And when they clashed—
It felt like the world itself was breaking.