Chaos reigned in the palace. Servants and guards scurried through the halls, driven by the advisor's commanding voice.
"Bring the best doctors and healers from Patal Loka, no matter where they are! And gather every herb available in the garden!" he barked, his face twisted in desperation. His gaze fell on the female servants, who hesitated in fear. "If you don't hurry, I'll have all your heads!"
A guard rushed in, panting heavily. "Sir! The prince is calling for you!"
The advisor wasted no time, rushing into Rudra's chamber. The air inside was heavy, suffused with tension. Rudra lay on the grand bed, pale and drenched in sweat, his breaths ragged.
"You should rest! You're in no condition to speak," the advisor pleaded, his tone uncharacteristically soft.
Rudra ignored him. His voice, though weak and broken by violent coughs, carried a chilling conviction. "Some are born with everything... some with nothing..." He paused, his chest heaving. "And some fools give it all up."
The advisor stiffened as Rudra's words gained strength.
"Everyone acts on their own will," Rudra continued, his eyes gleaming with both pain and fury. "Yet only we are punished. Why? Because we are demons? Because we are perfect? Humans commit atrocities in the name of their gods and beliefs. Gods—mighty, invincible gods—lose and resort to trickery. They rely on their devotees' love just to feel anything."
Rudra coughed violently, blood staining his lips, but his voice refused to falter.
"I thought I knew every being's limitations. I thought my strength was enough to bend anyone to my will. I crushed armies with my bare hands, fought five prime gods at once. Yet... it was nothing before him." His voice broke, a haunted look in his eyes. "That view... I saw. That view. Now, I know what we must do."
The advisor knelt beside him, his expression resolute. "Even if you command us to walk through fire or face death itself, we will endure for you, our prince. We will wait for the day you rise again as our idol king."
Rudra's lips curved into a faint smirk despite his pain. "You've got some nerve, calling me an idiot." He coughed again, his strength fading rapidly. "We'll be patient. Let the gods' era pass. Then... we'll act. No matter how long it takes. Wake me when the time comes."
The healer stepped forward, trembling. "It's a miracle he's still alive. But if I were to guess... he will be in a coma for one yuga."
The advisor exhaled deeply, his gaze heavy with determination. "Miracles happen when you surrender to destiny. Dreams come true when you fight against it."
He strode to the balcony, where a million demons awaited his command, their crimson eyes fixed on him.
Facing the crowd, he raised his voice. "No explanation is needed. This is the prince's will. Will you obey?"
The demons roared in unison. "Yes, we will!"
The advisor's lips curled into a menacing grin. "Then behead yourselves."
Without hesitation, the demons complied, their heads falling in a synchronized thud. Blood pooled across the palace grounds, and an eerie silence blanketed the air.
The advisor surveyed the gruesome scene with satisfaction. "How sweet," he murmured, a sinister grin spreading across his face.