"Garuda! Garuda! Garuda!"
Devi Lakshmi's lotus-like eyes shimmered like twin stars, her radiant face lifted slightly, her divine skin luminous in the soft glow of Vaikuntha. She gazed at the boundless heavens, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it resonated through the vastness of space, carrying itself across unseen realms.
Above, in the endless sky of Vaikuntha,
Beyond a thousand golden gates, past drifting clouds as white as milk!
A lone figure sat cross-legged upon a billowing cloud, wings folded behind his back in solemn meditation.
The moment Devi Lakshmi's voice reached the heavens, a pair of piercing golden eyes flashed open, sharp as an unsheathed blade, cutting through the celestial silence.
Hnn…!
Garuda's face was both regal and fierce, his expression unwavering. His hands pressed together in reverence as he slowly rose, his towering form exuding power.
"My Devi called me."
His wings trembled, then burst into motion. A single, mighty beat sent a shockwave through the air, scattering the clouds beneath him. Like a storm-born gale, he shot forward, soaring with divine swiftness, tearing through the heavens as his form blurred into streaks of gold and crimson.
Hnn…!
Moments later!
A shadow descended, cool winds rushing in its wake.
Devi Lakshmi smiled gently, her gaze warm as Garuda knelt before her.
"Pranāma, O Devi."
Garuda's voice was steady, his devotion unwavering. He folded his hands and lowered his head in reverence, his heart filled with joy at standing before the Goddess of Fortune.
Devi Lakshmi's smile deepened, her radiant eyes gleaming.
"Garuda, I have a task for you. One that concerns Narayana."
At these words, Garuda's expression sharpened. A matter regarding the Lord?
Without hesitation, he pressed his folded hands against his forehead.
"Devi, speak your will!"
"Go to Svarga. Summon Indra and Surya."
For the first time, Garuda hesitated. He blinked once, his sharp mind processing the request.
Indra… and Surya?
"Mother… why?" he asked carefully.
Devi Lakshmi's voice was soothing, yet firm.
"Nath seems to be troubled by what transpired with Madhu and Kaitabha. I wish to call upon those who may ease his heart."
"Indra is the protector of the Vedas, a warrior of dharma. He will know how to counsel him. Surya is a father to Yama, Yamuna, and Shani. His presence, too, will bring clarity."
Garuda listened intently, each word settling in his mind. The reasoning was flawless, the logic sound, but…
Indra? The self-assured King of Svarga?
Garuda exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling with measured breaths. The proud eagle feared nothing—nothing. With a final nod, he spread his great wings.
"As you command, Devi. I shall return with them at once!"
And with that, Garuda ascended, piercing the heavens like a blazing comet.
"Mother! Do not worry. I will bring them here without fail!"
Garuda pressed his hands together, his golden eyes flashing with resolve. His jaw tightened, determination surging through his mighty frame. For the sake of his Lord, for the will of the Devi, failure was not an option.
Hnn…!
In an instant, his wings burst into motion. The air cracked as he shot forward, his form blurring into a streak of gold and black.
The waves of the Kshira Sagara churned violently beneath him, parting in his wake. The force of his ascent left ripples that danced across the sacred waters, shimmering under the ethereal glow of Vaikuntha.
He was fast—unbelievably fast.
The vastness of the cosmos folded around him as he traversed layers of space in mere moments, piercing through the dark expanse of the void.
And then—
Light.
Warm and radiant, golden brilliance bathed his form. Garuda narrowed his sharp eyes as he crossed into the sacred skies of Svarga.
A moment of stillness.
He hovered in the boundless heavens, deep in thought. His wings trembled lightly, catching the divine currents of air.
"Surya first."
He made his decision.
With a single, powerful stroke of his wings, he propelled himself forward, the sheer force of his movement sending cyclones spiraling in his wake. His golden feathers gleamed, catching the sunlight as he raced toward his destination—
The Sun Temple.
Suryaloka – Svarga
Golden light spilled across the vast temple grounds, reflecting off the towering pillars and intricately carved domes. The entire temple radiated warmth, its divine luminance extending across Svarga like a celestial beacon.
But something was wrong.
Garuda's keen gaze flickered downward as he approached the temple's entrance. A commotion.
The Gandharvas and Apsaras were hurrying out in an uncoordinated line, their expressions troubled, their movements frantic.
What now? His sharp vision cut through the radiant temple barriers, peering directly inside.
And then—
"Father! Big brother is ignoring me again!"
A soft yet distressed voice rang out.
There, sitting beside her mother, was Yami, her face flushed, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She curled into herself, seeking comfort, while her mother, Sanjana, held her close, gently stroking her back.
"Do not worry, Yami," Sanjana murmured, her voice tender. "Your father will speak to Yama. He will not remain distant forever."
She offered her daughter a reassuring smile, though her gaze held the weight of uncertainty.
Yami lowered her head, her voice small.
"I don't understand why he avoids me. We were born together."
Sanjana's fingers paused, her touch stilling for a breath before continuing their tender rhythm. Her gaze drifted toward the distant sky, as if searching for something not yet born.
"One day, my child… this bond you share with your brother, this longing in your heart. It may become more than sorrow. It may become sacred. A bond so pure that the world remembers it, year after year, in your name."
Silence.
Across the chamber, Surya stood with his forehead pressed against a golden pillar, his broad shoulders tense. His hand tightened around the pillar's surface, his expression unreadable but heavy with thought.
Garuda narrowed his eyes.
This guy… looks completely lost. He exhaled, a mix of amusement and exasperation flickering across his features.
"Tch… Seriously?" he muttered under his breath.
And this is the one I'm supposed to escort to Vaikuntha?
For a fleeting moment, he considered his options. But no—he had given his word. And once Garuda set his mind to something, there was no turning back.
With a firm nod, he stepped forward.
His presence was immediately noted. The temple attendants bowed deeply before him, and within moments, word of his arrival rippled through the Sun Temple like wildfire.
And then, Surya emerged.
Golden silk draped over his strong frame, his radiant aura brighter than the dawn itself. His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he stepped forward, descending from the temple entrance with brisk, eager strides.
"Pranāma, Garuda!"
His voice carried warmth, his expression one of genuine joy. Surya's steps were swift, his energy unwavering as he approached.
Garuda inclined his head respectfully, clasping his hands together. "Pranāma, Surya."
Then, his expression turned serious.
"I come bearing a message from the Devi Lakshmi."
Surya's golden eyes sharpened. "It concerns Narayana himself."
The air grew still.
Garuda took a steady breath before continuing, his tone firm. "The matter of Madhu and Kaitabha has weighed heavily upon Him. Devi Lakshmi seeks your presence, yours and the King of Svarga's, to come to Vaikuntha. She believes your words will ease His heart."
Surya's eyes flickered with understanding.
There was no hesitation.
"Then we must not delay." Hearing this, Surya's eyes brightened.
He lifted his head high, a confident smile playing on his lips as he spoke. "Then you have sought the right one, Garuda. I have experience as a father, after all. I must help resolve the Lord's troubles. With the radiance of the sun, I shall melt away His sorrows."
His voice carried both warmth and certainty.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned his gaze behind him, his expression flickering with unease. "Come, let us find Indra at once!"
Garuda watched him for a moment, his sharp golden eyes narrowing slightly.
Something felt... off.
"Surya Deva," he began, his voice measured. "Is your child... well?"
Surya's stride slowed ever so slightly.
Garuda suppressed a sigh, resisting the urge to shake his head. He wasn't one to pry, but this was his Devi's mission—and beyond that, his eldest brother was still under Surya's rule. He had to tread carefully.
A pause.
Surya was silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then, he exhaled lightly.
"Well enough…"
His voice was neither firm nor hesitant, just contemplative.
"Nasatya and Dasra are kind to me. And as for Yama…" Surya mused, his tone trailing slightly. "Between us, there is a respect, a bond between a dutiful father and a filial son."
He left the rest unspoken.
Garuda caught the subtle weight in his words but chose not to press further. There were some matters even the sun could not fully illuminate.
"Very well," Garuda said finally, drawing in a steady breath. "Then let us go find the King of Svarga."
A beat of silence passed before he glanced at Surya, his voice edged with curiosity.
"Do you know where he is?"
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