Beyond Great Darkness – Chapter 3

Disclaimer- Just lost the bid to claim ownership. So, Naagin 5 still belongs to Balaji Telefilms, Colors TV….yeda yeda…well, you all know the rest of it….(If not refer Chapter 1 for full disclaimer.)

Author’s Note– Pandits and babas of the show happen to know everything but don’t tell Bani anything. In my story they will do their job which is helping and guiding Naag-naagins as and when required.

Beta reading by Shesha485.

(Link for Chapter 2- https://www.tellyupdates.com/beyond-great-darkness-chapter-2/  )

Chapter 3 –The Adrika.

Bani and Meera reach the naag temple. The first bow down to Lord Shiva and then take blessings from Panditain and Sapera baba.

Bani- “You called us here Panditain?”

Panditain – “Yes, aadinaagin, I wanted to talk to you about the…..’thing’ that you asked me to find out about” She says with a glance towards Meera.

Bani- “Meera di is my sister and she has my full trust. You can speak freely in front of her.”

Panditain – “Okay. You had us researching on ways to destroy Markaat permanently. I think I might have found a way.”

Bani- “How?”

Panditain – “The Adrika Dagger.” She shows them the book which has a sketch of the dagger. The handle was like a head of a snake and when the dagger was put in its scabbard, it looked like two snakes entwining each other.

Bani- “Please wait Panditainji. I think we should include Veeranshu in this.” She calls up Veer after a nod from Panditain. “Hello Veeranshu.”

Veer- “Are you fine Bani? Did anything happen?”

Bani- “No Veeranshu, everything is fine. Panditain ji says she has found a way to permanently get rid of Markaat and I wanted you to hear about it as well. She has just told us about a dagger. I will now put the call on speaker. Panditainji please continue.”

Panditain – “So the Adrika Dagger. This dagger can be only used by females. Even a touch of the dagger can be harmful for males. The descriptions in the ancient texts leads us to believe that this dagger was made by the Druhyu tribe in around 1700-1500 BCE. It belonged to the matriarch of that tribe. The Romans described it in detail, even though they didn’t actually capture it during the battle with her. It was retrieved by one of her daughters and it made the rounds of priestesses who served several different gods and goddesses for centuries.  There are a lot of claims about where she got the dagger.”

Sapera baba continued, “Some insist that it was a gift from Gods, some say that the Druhyu were excellent blacksmiths and they made it themselves. Its history is hazy for some time in the next few years before it came in the hands of Panchali, the princess of Panchal Kingdom. It is believed that Panchali used the dagger for her protection in the years of Vanvas and 13th year of Agyatvas.

Panditain- “Later, in King Janamejaya’s Sarpa Satra (Snake Sacrifice), the dagger was offered as a peace offering between King Janamejaya and Takshak, the then leader of the naagvansh. It was promised that the dagger will be available to the Naagins for help in the times of great peril. Since then it has always appeared to the deserving Naagins”, she paused while they took that in.

Sapera baba -“So continuing with the timeline, it was then seen in the hands of Madravati. Madravati was a warrior queen fighting for the lives of her people against the invaders. Saying that she was wielding a dagger given by Gods might have seemed a lot more impressive than just saying it was man-made”

“But the spells… making it dangerous for a man to even touch…it doesn’t seem like the work of a tribe.” Meera objected, she liked the idea of it being from a gift of Gods and didn’t like to hear conflicting theories.

“They could have been applied later – when her husband died and the other kings invaded her land. Madravati was flogged and her daughters raped. She may have been in the mood to have the dagger she carried cursed against men by a local priestess.” Veer answered reasonably.

“A few centuries of priestesses renewing the spells and adding their own layers of female magic to it would make for an impressive weapon.” Bani added

Sapera baba- “We might never know the true origins of it. The Druhyus are considered to have been real, as far as in the middle-east – so it’s possible – but we don’t know. These are just assumptions and joining the stories based on what little information we can get through various texts and historical records.”

Panditain continued. “Anyways, that was in the sixth century. It disappeared from view – although some have theories, and it reappeared in the hands of Berengaria – King Rishyasringa’s wife. It was thought to have been given to her by her mother, who was a rather strong priestess herself, since Berengaria was to accompany King Rishyasringa to in wars. There’s no evidence she ever used it, though. Berengaria retired to their family palace after Rishyasringa died.

I can bore you with lineage, but it was handed down to grand-daughters and great-grand-daughters. We then lost sight of it until 15th century and then it re-appears – although it isn’t clear if it’s our dagger. Several historians insist it was the Adrika dagger – but we don’t have a real description and there is no tale of anyone doing anything…. magical or awe-inspiring with a dagger.”

“Historians do tend to drag the most exciting thing into their accounts possible.” Bani commented.

Veer- “But where is this dagger write now and how do we get it?”

Panditain- “Well about that….I have no idea.”

Bani, Veer and Meera- “What!!!??”

Sapera baba-“The texts say that as per the Sarpa Satra treaty, it will be available to a deserving Naagin when required however the texts do not mention where it is or how to obtain it. I have asked for books from other temples also to see if we can find out about its location”

Bani- “Isn’t it risky? Putting out our plans in open like this? We don’t want our plans to reach unwanted ears.

Sapera baba- “Don’t worry Aadinaagin, we have been discreet in asking about it. Also I wanted to tell you this as soon as possible so that we can start working on the elements.”

Meera- “What elements?”

Panditain-“ For that dagger to work, it will need blessing of the five elements.”

Veer- “Which 5 elements?”

Panditain – “Five elements on which the universe is created. They are Wind, Water, Fire, Earth and Metal. Generally all 5 are not required to use Adrika and it can be used with fewer elements as well but Markaat has been blessed by Lord Shiva himself and to kill a being as powerful as her you will need all 5 elements.”

Sapera baba – But you will have to be careful Aadi naagin because if the 5 elements are merged then the dagger will have the power to kill you as well if it falls in her hands. ”

Veer- “They we will not use the dagger. I am not risking your life Bani.”

Bani- “My life will be in danger as long as Markaat remains here Veeranshu. And our both families will be danger as well. I will have to face her one day and I would like it to be as soon as possible before she harms us anymore.”

Veer- “We can try a safer way for it though. I would prefer you finding a way in which you are not in at least 20 feet radius of distance from her”

Bani- “Wish things were that easy. Right now we have a way, at least let’s prepare for that we can look for alternatives in the meantime. Okay bye Veeranshu. I’ll come home and talk to you.” She cuts the call. “We will also take you leave now Panditain ji. Please let me know if you find something else on the Adrika dagger or its location.” They bow to Lord Shiva and Panditain and Sapera baba and leave for home.

Same day evening, In Tapish’s Room

A knock is heard on the door.

“It’s me, Meera. Can I come in?”

“Ofcourse Meera you don’t need to ask. You are always welcomed.”

“Thank you. So how was your day at office?”

“It was good but tiring.  Lots of work was pending since I went to office after quite few days, courtesy of my younger brother. You know the one who likes to get in trouble always, get kidnapped to the moon and stuff like that…? Yeah, the same one.”

Meera couldn’t help but let a few chuckles slip her lips. Tapish smiled seeing his Meera smile.

“Anyways tell me about your day, Meera.”

The mood grew somber as she told him about all they had learnt at the temple today.

“Who are you and where is my Meera?” Tapish asks with a serious expression on his face.

“What!!??”

“I leave her alone for one day and my calm and shy Meera is making battle plans.” He explained with a laugh.

“You…you…” She smacks him on his arm as they both dissolve into laughter.

“Anyways I came here to call you for dinner. I think Bani is right you Singhania men always distract us with your talks.”
“I think you Sharma women are easily distracted because of our charming personalities.” Tapish answered as they both moved out of the room for dinner.

Author’s Note- I am disappointed with such low reviews in the previous chapter. If you people are not liking the story then please tell me and I will discontinue it. If not then please please comment, even if it is just a single word or an emoticon. (But I would love long comments if possible.)

The dagger and its history are completely made up and there is no mention of it in our ancient texts as far as I know. Some names and places used in this chapter are from Indian mythology but it was used for creative purposes and not meant to offend anybody.

I know this chapter seems to be a bit of information dump but it had to be done in one go. It was not possible for me to split it up but I hope my readers will enjoy it nevertheless.

Also my fellow writers will agree on how much effort goes in creating a legend like this completely from bare bones and I really hope you guys will tell me what you think of it.

A note from Jai Mathur- Your author is still my hostage and I allowed her to write this chapter as I wanted to know what happens next, but more comments means I allow her more time to write.

Author’s says- Please Help!