The fire within the launch tower finally triggered the initial explosion. The three Pashupatiastras shot out of their pods, the two that were directed at the Tamra and Swarna platforms taking off just a few milliseconds after the third. That was because the target of the third missile, the Rajat platform, was farther away.

Shiva kept kicking his horse as it galloped faster and faster. He was just a few seconds away from the safety line. The missiles flew in a great arc, leaving a trail of fire behind them. Seconds later, they began their simultaneous descent into the city, like giant harbingers of absolute destruction.

‘S-H-I-V-A!’

Shiva could have sworn he heard the voice that he loved beyond all reason. But it couldn’t have been for real. He kept riding on.

The Pashupatiastra missiles were descending rapidly.

‘S-H-I-V-A! S-H-I-V-A!’

Shiva looked back.

A bloodied and mutilated Sati was running after him. Her left hand was spewing blood in bursts, in tune with each beat of her pounding heart. Two massive wounds on her abdomen gaped open as blood streamed out from them in a torrent. Her left eye was gouged out. Her burn scar seemed like it was on fire once again. She was struggling desperately, but she kept running towards Shiva.

‘S-H-I-V-A! HELP ME! DON’T LEAVE ME!’

An army of soldiers chased Sati, holding bloodied swords aloft. Each warrior was the exact likeness of Daksha. The area between Shiva’s brows began throbbing even more desperately. The fire within was struggling to burst through.

‘SATI!’ screamed Shiva, as he pulled the reins of his horse. He was not going to lose her again.

The horse balked at Shiva’s anxious command and refused to slow down.

‘SATI!’

Shiva desperately yanked at the reins. But the horse had a mind of its own. He was not going to either slow down or turn. The beast could sense the stench of death behind it.

Shiva pulled both his feet out of the stirrups and jumped to the ground, the speed of his fall making him lurch dangerously. He rolled quickly and was up on his feet in a flash.

‘SATI!’

The horse kept galloping ahead towards the safety line as Shiva turned around, drew his sword and ran to protect the mirage of his wife.

‘Baba!’ shouted Ganesh. ‘Come back!’

The blackish-red mark at the centre of Shiva’s forehead burst open and blood spewed out. He ran desperately towards his wife, roaring at the army of Dakshas who chased her.

‘LEAVE HER ALONE, YOU BASTARDS! FIGHT ME!’