Kaalika-The Rise of Rakthbeej
- Poonam Desai
- Jan 10
- 5 min read
Kaalika-The Rise of Rakthbeej
Poonam Desai
Author
In the previous chapters, we saw Hiranya Kashyap and his aide Swarbhanu discover the resurrection stone at Kalimath. DSP Sharvari is sent to Joshimath to investigate a cold case and interrogate Dhaigham, a man who was missing for 10 years after a mysterious accident and missing precious stones. In the meantime, Hiranya summons Raktbeej’s soul and traces Dilan, Benroy’s son. Swarbhanu kills Manohar, and Dilan escapes. Sharvari and Kasar begin a hunt for Dilan, meanwhile Dilan hears his inner voice at the Kalpavriksha in Joshimath and follows a path to the Nav Durga temple at Nandadevi.(Note- the Nav Durga temple and Mahuli are fictional places). Hiranya and his men are headed to Nanda devi forest reserve. Swarbhanu is sure Dilan is a Mahasimha. Their paths converge and they are all moving towards Nandadevi. Whilst Dhaigham explains the history of the temple to Sharvari and Kasar Hiranya and his men close in. Despite the best efforts of Sharvari and team Hiranya and his men escape. Dilan bears the weight of the defeat. Hiranya raises the demon and Sharvari has her first encounter with Raktbeej in her dream. Raktbeej’s arrival tosses the world in chaos and Sharvari and Dilan gear up for a battle.
Chapter 12
Hiranya’s office was full of activity. There calls for aid from all over India. With Lord Raktbeej’s rebirth, all his followers and resources were now at his disposal.
He had control over everything. The calamity, the rescue, and the treatment were all at his mercy. What he awaited now was a call from the government.
Because that was the centre of control and power. Once the government was on its knees, he would have control over the entire nation.
“Power is an addictive thing,” he whispered and smiled to himself.
Swarbhanu entered his cabin and updated him on information within the government ranks.
“But Saaheb, if we are creating the chaos why help the government?” Hiranya sighed. Swarbhanu though a trusted aide, wasn’t the sharpest arrow.
“Bhanu not every war is won by Brute force. Today’s Raktbeej will not fight on the battlefield.
He will spread into the ranks of society. Every person we plant becomes a new Raktbeej, debilitating the economy, destroying public trust and finally causing the fall of democracy.”
Swarbhanu scratched his head.
“I still don’t follow.”
Hiranya squeezed his shoulder and said, “Bhanu your job is to implement the task not understand its philosophy. Now go arrange a meeting with the Head of NDMA, Mr. Raghav Sinha.”
Swarbhanu nodded and left.
In the National Disaster Management Authority office every analyst was working to map the crisis and to come up with a plan. But it was like they were drowning.
Before they could get hold of one situation a new one erupted. Among this chaos, they received a mysterious call from Bija financials.
“Hello, I am calling from the Ceo’s office of Bija Financial. We would like to connect with the team leader for aid in the ongoing crisis.”
The clerk on call immediately transferred it to the main office. Mr. Raghav Sinha, the Prime minister’s trusted aide, who was bent over a computer screen monitoring the situation in Joshimath. He picked the call.
“Sir, a call from the CEO’s office, Bija financial. They say they can assist in the ongoing crisis.”
Raghav Sinha thought for moment. It was a very rare case that a financial company reached out for providing aid. “Patch them through,” he finally said.
Hiranya picked the line and spoke, “Mr. Sinha how have you been. Myself, Hiranya Kashyap, I am the CEO of Bija financials.”
“Mr. Kashyap I don’t really have the time for exchanging pleasantries. What can I do for you?”
“Mr.Sinha I hear you are experiencing several difficult situations across the country. I am sure your department is struggling to resolve them.
Have the source of contamination in Mumbai and Ahmedabad been identified? Or have you managed evacuate the workers in the Dhauliganga tunnel?”
Raghav Sinha was silent for a moment. The man on the other end had a mocking tone. As if he was sitting and watching the fun.
Hiranya continued, “ I am sure you don’t want the Hyderabad hostage situation to repeat in Bangalore.”
His fists tightened. “Are you threatening us Mr. Kashyap?” Raghav Sinha gritted.
“No no Mr. Sinha, on the contrary I want to help the government solve this crisis. But again I am a business man, I will look for benefits before investing.”
“Mr. Kashyap, the government does not deal with people who coerce or threaten. If you are a genuine then we may consider your help.”
“Mr. Sinha you haven’t seen coercion yet. Let me prove my worth. Switch to the Joshimath area.”
Raghav Sinha walked to his monitor. The reporters in the area were looking at a rescue helicopter which landed with latest specialized rescue and stabilization gear.
They bored passages for the water to drain and used Rock bolts to anchor into the surrounding rock mass to "knit" fractured rock together.
Shotcrete Equipment was used to secure the raw walls. The people within were helped out and flown to nearby hospitals.
“Sinha Sir look,” the analyst handling the media coverages called out.
Fresh updates are coming from the Isckon temple in Bengaluru.
Few armed men have laid siege in this location. Several devotees are in the temple at this hour. There has been a stampede and shots were fired after which this incident came to light…..”
Raghav Sinha loosened his tie and sat on a chair. Putting the phone to his ear he said,
“What do you want Mr. Kashyap. What is the meaning of all this.”
“Nothing much Mr Sinha. I want an audience with the PM in the next 24 hours and then we can discuss this further,”
Raghav Sinha rushed top the PMO after the call. As he waited for the PM, a feeling of dread crept up his neck. He had been the best at disaster management, hostage negotiation and never had he experience such loss of control.
“Mr. Sinha the PM will see you now.”
PM’s PA ushered him into the chambers.
“Yes Sinhaji, you asked for an urgent meeting.”
“Sir you are well aware of the ongoing crisis. But today I wanted to update you on a phone call we received from Bija Financials…”
The PM listened with rapt attention as Raghav Sinha filled him in. After careful discussion, the PM said,
“Call DIG Pandey. I believe he has more knowledge about this Hiranya Kashyap and may be able to help us.”
Raghav Sinha nodded and headed back.
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