CAGED

Agony and despise... Krurasura's neurons were infiltrated with intense hatred for the demigods. Why not, his Kingdom was reduced to ashes infront his eyes.

War with the Devas costed more than he had ever thought. His family, people, throne; and most importantly his ego and honour. Oh if he was the god of all worlds, he would burn down everything right then!

But today was not his day. He promised himself to wait until he can hit back- with full fledged siddhis, powers, army and luck. As he was devising some plan to initiate the downfall of the Devas, he noticed a bird enter his cave. Not much to his surprise, it miraculously transfigured into his Guru- Shukracharya.

Krura didn't know if he was happy or ashamed to meet his Guru. Nevertheless he stood up, payed respectful obeisances and sighed deeply. He knew how the dialogue between them was going to be. The Guru would point out mistakes, like everytime. And Krura would listen in grief and admit them, like everytime.

But Shukracharya was not here to make his favourite student feel worse. It was the Guru's defeat as well. Shukracharya was grief-stricken too but he knew the reason for this labefaction.

He also knew that the demon clan would never fight righteously, even if he would preach them war ethics a hundred times more. The Guru was tired but also felt humiliated and had developed intense vexation for the Devas. How dare they burn down the entire kingdom of demons? Such audacity!

Hence Shukracharya said, "Dear one, we will fight back..." And an evil grin on his student's face didn't let him complete his consoling sentence. Maybe the demon king alrealy had a plan in mind.

The Guru said, "Krura, what is it? I am here to take you back.... to your kinsmen. They need you, they won't settle until they know you are alive. Let's go back, rebuild our kingdom and pacify our people. Let's regain your siddhis, gain power, build an army and this time...."

"... And this time, there is no chance mighty Krura will lose!" Krurasura again cut his Guru in between. He sure had some nefarious plan, Shukracharya thought and prayed that it would not be very unethical.

"Okay Krura, what is it that you must convey to me?"

"Acharya, do you remember once in my childhood, you held a contest among demons and Devas. You were in a fued with the Guru of the Devas- Brihaspati. I was your pride. You boasted quite a lot about me, " Krurasura's eyes glittered as they would everytime when he was too ambitious.

"And?" asked the Guru.

"You expected me to win... and I did. You seemed contented and proud as Brihaspati's students couldn't beat me. You praised my prowess with tears in eyes and out of your affection, you beseeched me to ask for a boon!"

Shukracharya was breathing heavily now. He knew where this was going and how was it going to end.

"And Acharya, since I was way too young to ask for anything, I asked you to save the boon for some time later." The demon king seemed happy at the decision he had made as a child.

"Acharya, I need you to present me the boon right away!" Krurasura demanded.

"Krura, right now we must reach your home. Your people need you!" requested the Guru.

"Home, I have none. I will burn down the abode of the Devas before I return to mine. This is my pledge and I am up for it, Acharya."

Shukracharya sighed. The demon king could never be controlled or convinced when vulnerability surrounds him. He was helpless.

"Go on, I promise to present the boon. But I expect you not to ask for something that is beyond my purview." Shukracharya felt miserable in fear of the future. He was sure Krura's obstinacy would again cost him so much.

With a wicked smirk the demon king finally asked, "I wish to be born on Earth, as a heir to the biggest and most powerful dynasty of the Earth!"

Shukracharya was hysterical. Out of all boons, why would he ask to be born on Bhuloka? He could not help asking for the reason behind such a boon. It seemed foolish to the Guru.

Krurasura closed his eyes and grinned viciously for one last time.