Introduction Scene

• The three brothers sit on tenterhooks around Shiva as he is eating alongside Ganesh and Murugan. While Parvathy has served them, they do not touch the food on their leaves.
• Shiva halts midway as he bringing the food up to his mouth.
  • He gives them a stern look and asks, "Is the food not up to your tastes?"
  • "N-No!" The eldest brother stutters while shaking his hand. "It smells absolutely... divine. It's just that-"
  • "If you are more accustomed to meat, you can speak freely," without waiting for them to respond, Shiva spoke loudly, "Parvathy! Our guests want meat."
  • "W-What?! NO!" The three brother's yelled in unison causing Ganesh to flinch out of his eating stupor. They coughed in unison and the eldest clarified, "My Lord," he said with a humble bow, "We are just in awe to be in the presence of You and Your Family."
  • "Well-" Shiva mumbled while delivering the roll of rice in his palm into his mouth. After swallowing it, he said, "Let's hold out on the awe and reverence once you've finished eating. Neither my wife nor I are particularly fond of wasting food."
• The brothers bobbed their heads like chickens and pecked at their food with renewed vigour. The largest of the brothers, practically inhaled the food on his leaf, stunning Ganesh. The two exchanged a look before the elephant headed lad revealed a playful smirk and the two entered an impromptu contest.
• The youngest brother ate at a measured pace, while his eldest brother was jumping awkwardly between a ravenous inhalation and respectful pace. It was evident that the man was drained off energy and his body was begging for sustenance, but he was actively fighting against it.
• At that moment, their Hostess walked in carrying a earthen pot with a lid. She placed it in front of the three brothers, who had stopped eating like a coordinated band and lowered their head, averting their gazes lest they looked at the goddess' face directly.
  • The Goddess removed the lid and a heavenly smell of a melodic blend of spices accentuated with the sharp note of garlic invaded their taste buds.
  • With a salivating gaze they inspected the contents of the pot and were shocked to see multiple chunks of juicy red meat in it.
  • "Murugan's Guru is an unapologetic carnivore," Shiva explained.
  • "It is deer meat," Parvathy explained as she served the brothers.
• "My Lord," the eldest spoke in a low voice. "This is... excessive. We are undeserving!"
  • "You all are guests here," Shiva interjected. "Atithi Devo Bhava."
  • The statement was edging towards a warning, and so they swallowed any following objections and simply ate their food.
• When the largest brother finished the dishes, their Hostess exited the kitchen with another serving. The food was practically endless, and the famished brothers ate to their hearts content.
• Once finished, the youngest brother stood up to assist in clearing up the dishes, but was halted by Shiva, "The kitchen is my wife's purview. Even I am not allowed inside without her approval."
  • "We are unworthy of having the Goddess clean up after us-" The youngest reasoned.
  • But a stern look from Shiva shut him up.
• "So," Shiva started. "I have heard of your achievement," he addressed the eldest brother. "Swimming upstream from the mouth of Ganga to its source."
  • The eldest revealed a wry grin, at least he tried since he had no lips. But was stunned to hear the Lord's following words, "Why would you do something so stupid?"
  • "I-I was expressing me devotion to the Lord," the eldest mumbled.
  • "I fail to see how swimming up a river proves devotion," Shiva mumbled.
  • "People do crazier things, my Lord," the eldest reasoned. "I had to stand out."
  • "Yes, and it really freaks me out," Shiva responded with a chuckle. "Nonetheless, you have achieved your goal. I am equally impressed by your devotion. What is it that you desire?"
  • The eldest looked away in shame and said, "I apologise, my Lord. But I failed. I could not swim up to the source of Ganga."
  • Shiva quirked his brow and said, "I don't see it that way. Do you think its a simple feat to ascend Kailasha and enter my abode? If it were, there would be a horde of mortals roaming these plains."
  • The eldest stumbled for a response, "But it isn't unheard of. Lord Parashurama achieved the feat. And I am certain Lord Murugan's Guru has achieved it as well."
  • Shiva let out an uproarious laugh and stood up. "Your basis of comparison is flawed. Do not ask me why? That knowledge isn't for me to demystify, but for you to find out yourself. Stay as long as you wish, the offer will remain open for that duration. Though be aware that the flow of time in my realm is... irregular."
• The brothers exchange a glance and when they turned back the Lord had disappeared.
  • "He does that," Lord Ganesh explained. "But don't worry, he is quite easy to seek."

Interaction Scene

• The three brothers sit on the groud in front of a banyan tree, facing Lord Ganesh and Lord Brahma's head as they played on the ashtapada board.
  • "How wonderful, we have an audience today," Lord Brahma said with an amused quirk in his voice. "Maybe this will motivate you to win?"
  • "I doubt it," Lord Ganesh said while scratching his tusk. "Oh, this one is tough..." he mumbled.
  • "If I may be so bold," the youngest spoke up, "You could move the Mantri-"
  • "No," the eldest interjected. "That would be a certain defeat in three moves."
  • The youngest pondered on it for a few minutes before conceding, "I don't see it..."
  • "Well," the eldest continued. He extended a finger and recreated the board on the dirt and replicated the move, "If the Mantri moves to capture the Gaja, then it would be conceded to the Sainik. Then Lord Ganesh is left with one of two options..."
  • The eldest proceeded to explain the tree of possible outcomes, which, as he had predicted, all ended in Lord Ganesh's defeat within three moves.
  • "That was well reasoned," Lord Brahma lauded. "I don't believe we've been introduced."
  • "My Lord," the eldest expressed with a humble bow. "These are my brothers. Vibhishana," he gestured to the youngest, "and Kumbhakarna," he gestured to the largest.
  • "And you are?" Lord Brahma probed. "I am... Faceless," the eldest answered.
  • "Well, Faceless, do you think you can salvage this game?" Lord Brahma suggested playfully.
  • "I wouldn't want to be presumptuous," Faceless deflected.
  • "Enough with the tiresome gestures," Lord Brahma's head exhorted. "Can you do it or not?"
  • "I can try," Faceless offered before taking over for Lord Ganesh.
• The game is picked up from where it was left out.
  • Faceless plays the game better than Lord Ganesh, but he is still not a match for Lord Brahma.
  • And although the game goes on for longer, it ends in his defeat.
  • "That was exhilarating," Lord Brahma commended. "You were quite close. If not for Ganesh's folly in the early game, the victory could have been yours."
  • Faceless waves his hand humbly and concedes his seat to Lord Ganesh who immediately interjects the gesture, "You two continue, I will take brother Kumbhakarna to do something he may enjoy more."
  • The brothers look to their largest and notice that he'd nodded off to sleep amidst the game. Ganesh walks up to the sleeping giant and nudges him awake. "Come, come. Mother has cooked up some snacks you may find interesting." The brother groggily follows Lord Ganesh as he leads him away.
• Vibhishana and Faceless play together against Lord Brahma.
  • In the middle of the game, Faceless asks, "If it isn't too presumptuous to ask... How did Lord Brahma lose his head?"
  • Lord Brahma chuckles and answers, "Its a long and convoluted story," he admits. "To keep it simple, I have entered into an agreement with Kratos - that would be Murugan's Guru. I give him a good night's sleep, and he shows me around the world I have created."
  • "Why does Lord Brahma need an envoy to roam their birthed realm?" Vibhishana probed.
  • Lord Brahma lets out a sigh and explains the history leading up to his imprisonment.
• By this time, Murugan and Kratos return. Murugan is far worse of the wear compared to the usual and Kratos is walking with a lot more irritation in his gait as usual.
  • "What did I miss?" Lord Brahma's head asked. Kratos did not answer and picked up the head and attached it to his waist.
  • "He was distracted," Kratos chided. "He made a lot of silly errors."
  • He turned to Murugan who flinched at his Guru's piercing gaze, "When you are once again serious about learning, come find me."
• Murugan observes Kratos' retreating figure and kicks a stone in disappointment.
  • "What troubles you, my lord?" Faceless asked the teenaged god.
  • Murugan returned an evaluating scowl before walking away.

Murugan and Ganesh

• Ganesh stood atop Kumbhakarna's shoulder as he grabbed a pot hidden deep inside the Kitchen's larder. The duo tip-toed out afterwards. It was an amusing sight for a third-party observer, seeing two large entities walking like that.
• Ganesh directed Kumbhakarna to his study and opened the pot, revealing fried sweet cakes.
  • "This is Malpua," Ganesh explained while he lapped the saliva oozing out the sides of his lips. He brought one to his lips and took a small bite, relishing it for a moment. "Try it!" He offered, moving the pot towards Kumbhakarna.
  • The man reached into the pot and picked up another. He tossed it straight into his mouth and bit down, but was shocked when all he bit into was plain air.
  • He opened his eyes and noticed the sweet cake hovering a few inches away from him with shimmering particulates suspending it in midair.
  • "Some things you have to savour slowly," Ganesh explained before depositing the Malpua into Kumbhakarna's palm. The giant followed Ganesh's instructions and took a small bite, savouring the sweet like the elephant-headed lad.
• At that moment, the door slides open and Murugan steps in. He immediately proceeds to unburden his thoughts, but halts midway when he notices an additional guest.
  • "What's gotten you so riled up today?" Ganesh probed jocularly. "Did you get into a tiff with your Guru?"
  • Murugan observed the giant probingly, who was still lost in the taste of the Malpua.
  • Murugan coughed and said, "The fault was mine. I was too distracted today."
• Ganesh handed the pot of Malpua to Kumbhakarna and inched closer to Murugan.
  • "Speak, then. What worm has settled in your mind, which has distracted you from your most favourite thing in life?" Ganesh asked.
  • Noticing the awkwardness in Murugan's behaviour, the elephant-headed lad's eyes started to widen as a realisation started to dawn on him.
  • "It's a girl, isn't it!" Ganesh exclaimed, causing Murugan's head to dart in shock. "What? No!" He denied involuntarily.
• Ganesh patted Murugan's shoulder and assuaged the boy.
  • "You don't need to be so defensive," Ganesh said calmly. "Attraction between man and woman is nothing to be ashamed of."
  • "I'm not a man yet!" Murugan defended.
  • "Just because Mother calls you her 'Sweet Child' doesn't really mean that you are one," Ganesh chided light-heartedly. "Have you taken a look at yourself. My dearest brother you are grown, mature... and virile."
  • Murugan's cheeks reddened at the scandalous statement as he pushed Ganesh away and scooted into a corner.
• Ganesh edged closer and asked, "So who's the girl?"
  • Murugan tried to shoo his brother, but the boy had a vice grip around his elbow.
  • After some back and forth, Murugan relented, "Her name his Valli."
  • "That's the girl you doused in blood and gore!" Ganesh responded with a snap of his finger. "How did you manage to turn about that mess?"
  • "I apologised, like you said, and well... We share a lot in common," Murugan expressed with a gentle and faraway gaze.
• "So something must have happened to have distracted you," Ganesh probed. "Did you two get into a fight?"
  • Murugan shook his head and his brows furrowed with light anxiety.
  • "There is word of a war in the horizon," Murugan explained. "Her village happens to be close to the affected regions and I worry that she and her people might get drawn in unwittingly."
  • "That is troublesome," Ganesh admitted. "So what do you plan to do?"
• Murugan shrugged and said, "What is it that I CAN do?"
  • Ganesh chimed in, "Proactive, protective measures. Wait-"
  • He sifted through his cupboards and retrieved a dusty jade locket. He picked up a pin and pricked Murugan's finger, causing the teenager to flinch slightly. He then dripped the blood onto the jade locket, causing it to turn crimson.
  • "Give this to her. If she is ever in trouble, ask her to break the locket and it will automatically summon you to her location," Ganesh explained while handing the item to Murugan.
• Murugan held the locket as though it was the greatest of divine weapons and rushed out.
  • "Oh, young love, how beautiful," Ganesh expressed with a warm smile. He turned around to face his guest and nearly let out a chuckle when he noticed that the pot was completely empty and the man had fallen asleep.

Murugan and Kratos

• This will be in third person still but from Kratos' perspective.
• Kratos calls Murugan in to the shed where he is staying for a talk.
• He talks about why Murugan is so distracted.
• Murugan explains the situation to Kratos.
• Kratos is disappointed. He feel indulging in such romantic whims is a detrimental distraction. Attachment is weakness.
  • Referring back to his experience with his wife and daughter.
  • And also Pandora.
• Murugan disagrees. He says having someone you care about makes you stronger. Makes you want to grow more capable to protect them.
• At this point Brahma also chimes in and agrees with Kratos.
• But Murugan is adamant. He says that this is what his father believes, and it is what he believes as well.
• With that said, Murugan leaves.

The Call

• Kratos is awoken from his sleep by frantic knocks and calls. He awakens and sees that it is Ganesh calling out for him.
• Ganesh is flustered and anxious. He rushes in and explains that Murugan has disappeared. That he's be called.
• Kratos does not fully understand.
• [SCENE CUT]
• Murugan is out by the plains practising with his spear, fighting against virtual enemies in his mind.
  • He is distracted, though, and seems to be making silly mistakes.
  • His mind keeps slipping back to the last interaction with Valli.
• As he handed Valli the Jade locket and explains to her its purpose:
  • "If you're in trouble. Break this and I will be there to take you to a safe place."
  • Valli holds the locket but her gaze is adamant. "I cannot leave my family. My people."
  • "Valli, you don't understand, there is a war brewing. The village could be caught amidst it. It is dangerous to be here," Murugan pleaded.
  • "You don't understand!" Valli snapped back. "Even if I survive. How can I live with myself knowing that I abandoned all the people I love. Maybe for you, all this doesn't matter. But for me it does."
  • Murugan furrowed his brows. This was certainly a dilemma.
• Back in present, as he was practising, he wondered what he could do. Could he save them all? He couldn't just evacuate them all into Kailasha. His father would be furious.
  • "What to do... What to do?" He mumbled.
• At that moment, something jerked from within him. Before he could figure out what it was, he was whisked away from Kailasha and deposited unceremoniously at the centre of Valli's village.
• He stood before them all, on a platform in the middle of the middle of the village, and the first thing he heard was this:
  • "This is Lord Murugan, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. He will protect us!" Valli yelled.
  • The villager's eyes widened as the disbelief started to dissipate.
  • They all collapsed in awe and prostrated themselves before him.
  • Murugan's gaze landed on Valli, and what he saw was an intense panic.
  • 'They're coming,' she mouthed.
• [SCENE CUT END]
• Ganesh and the three brothers were present when they witnessed Murugan disappear in a flash. Ganesh was quick on the uptake, so after a moment of panic he immediately beelined towards Kratos' residence with the brothers in tow.
• "What do you expect me to do?" Kratos asked. "Can you not bring him back?"
• Ganesh grabbed his ears in worry and said, "I cannot just interfere willy nilly. Look, he isn't going to be in any danger. If things go that far, father or mother will interfere. But in doing so, they would open up another pot of worms... Gods cannot interfere in Bhuloka at such grand scales."
• "Murugan is a god, and yet he interferes," Kratos retorted.
• "That is a grey area-" Ganesh snapped back. He then quickly shook his head and pleaded, "I implore you to please help my brother."
• "What do you expect me to do?" Kratos repeated.
• Ganesh quickly performed a set of mudras, summoning a large mirror-like manifestation before him. The rippling manifestation settled and proceeded to display a scene.
  • It was that of a large horde of men. (Some description to elucidate the scale of this roving army). There are beasts amidst this as well. Uncoordinated.
  • "These are Northern Barbarians!" Faceless expressed. "Brutal. Unforgiving. They do not follow any code of war. They kill without restraint. After every conflict, they kill all the opposing men, elderly and children, and take all fertile women as..." He did not have to finish that sentence.
• "What do you expect me to do?" Kratos asked for the last time.
• "Anything!" Ganesh yelled. "Bring him back safely. That is all I ask."
• "Fine," Kratos declared after some thought. He returned to his bedside and attached the head to his waist. "Send me there."
• Ganesh quickly summoned a portal the same way he summoned the mirror-like manifestation. Just as Kratos was about to walk through, Faceless cut in.
  • "I shall come as well," Faceless declared.
  • Kratos did not respond and walked through.
  • Right as Faceless was about to follow, Ganesh stopped him, "If you leave you will be forfeiting father's boon. Do not take this decision lightly. Opportunities like this are rare."
  • Faceless halted and thought for a moment. He then turned to his two brothers and said, "You follow the warrior. Help them out in anyway that you can. I shall join you quickly."
• Faceless turned to Ganesh and said, "Please take me to the Lord."