Murugan Ropes in Kratos

• The moment Kratos stepped out of the portal, he was assaulted with a sight that was all too familiar, and one which he definitely wasn't ready to experience.
  • A horde of people are prostrated all around him.
  • For a moment he believes that they are all worshipping him. But looking around, he notices that they are actually doing so to Murugan.
  • He quickly brushes away the discomfort and walks up to Murugan. He grabs the boy and pulls him towards the open portal.
  • Murugan resists.
• "Come, boy. We are leaving," Kratos says.
  • Murugan hesitates and while stuttering, responds, "I-I can't. Valli refuses to leave."
  • Kratos looks at the girl who is also amongst the prostrating people, beside her parents.
  • The reason for the girl's apprehension is evident.
• "That is her decision, then," Kratos declares. "We are leaving."
  • "I can't leave her, Guruji," Murugan protests. "They'll... they'll-"
  • "So you will stay and protect them? Fight for them?!" Kratos interrogated angrily. "How exactly are you going to do that? Do you even know the strength of the army you will be facing?"
  • He then grabs Murugan by his shoulder and jolts him, "Think, boy!"
• Murugan understands, but his heart is set and his wavering expression is enough to make Kratos realise that there is no rescuing this situation. Murugan has committed, and so must Kratos.
• At this moment, Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna step out of the portal.
  • One of the prostrating villagers proclaims, "The Lord has brought forth Divine Warriors from Kailasha! We are saved!"
  • Murugan quickly corrects them, "T-They aren't Divine Warriors. This is my Guru," he explains while gesturing to Kratos with both hands. "And they-" before he can introduce the other two, he is interrupted.
  • "Lord Murugan's Guru!" The villagers proclaim and prostrate themselves again.
• At that moment, one of the villagers starts to chant:
  • Oṃ Bhasmato Jīvasraṣṭre Namaḥ
    Oṃ Bhūmikvathanakrodhāya Namaḥ
    ...
  • This causes others to look at him in confusion.
  • "The Lord's Guru is the Gramadevata of Bhasmodbhavapur," the villager quickly explained.
  • "You mean the One Who Vanquished Rakhtabhija?" Another inquired in shock. His eyes then scanned Kratos more carefully, before they widened in recognition.
  • "The One that Births Life from the Ashes!"
  • "The One with Rage that Boils the Earth!"
  • "I thought they had two additional blades with chains-" A child muttered. The voice was immediately overlaid with a pained wail as the kid's mother spanked him audibly.
• Kratos is shocked to see this. Mainly because of the recognition he is receiving, followed by the reverence.
  • "They seem to recognise you, Guruji," Murugan comments in confusion. "No, that's not it. They are worshipping you! I thought you weren't from these lands?"
  • Kratos lets out a growl. that was primarily carrying discomfort, with a hint of irritation.
  • "There is a town a few days southwards from here," Vibhishana explains. "It is a beautiful town, surrounded by lush greenery and farmlands as far as the eye can see. The town wasn't always like that. It used to be a village without much to its name, in fact, it didn't even have a name. Until one day, it fell along Rakhtabhija's path of carnage. The Rakshasa that could not be killed as long as a drop of blood remained - each drop that touched the earth birthed a new iteration of his own - would have destroyed the village, along with everything else if not for the intervention of a brave warrior."
  • At that moment, Vibhishana's eyes widened in realisation. "I knew I recognised Guruji from somewhere. To think that I was standing in the presence of such a valiant and powerful individual, it fills me with great honour."
• Murugan tries to pry the full story out of the brothers, but is stopped by Kratos who pulls him aside and asks, "What is your plan?"
  • Murugan bites his lips with anxiousness. "I cannot overuse my divine weapons," he admitted. "I asked my mount to scout forward, and the approaching army's strength is beyond my individual capacity. Do you think with our powers combined, we could defeat them?"
  • Kratos snorted and said, "Do not think like a warrior. Think like a general."
  • Murugan is confused. "What does that mean?"
  • "A warrior thinks in terms of individual strength. When he is given a problem, his first thought is to see if he can punch through it. But a general knows to leverage all the resources at his disposal," Kratos hints while gesturing towards the prostrating and chattering crowd.
  • "There are barely enough fighters amongst them, Guruji," Murugan argues. "And besided. They are not as strong as the seasoned warriors of the approaching army!"
  • Kratos let out a gust through his nose in irritation. "You are not ready for this, boy. I advise that you leave this instance!"
  • But Murugan remains unswayed.
• After a long internal debate, Kratos lets out a short yet booming growl before centring his emotions.
  • He walks before the crowd of people and yells, "You have two options: Flee and maybe live to see another day, or stay and fight, and most definitely perish. Choose now!"
  • The crowd flinches. The kids start to whimper and the women quickly try to calm them down.
  • The leader, who happens to be Valli's father, walks forward and looks at Kratos with a firm resolve, "This is our village. Without it, there is nowhere else for us to go. Our kind are not welcome amongst those 'civilised people'. Even if we leave, and 'maybe live to see another day', this circumstance will repeat itself inevitably. So-" he looks around and sees everyone agreeing with his stance with a faint nod, "-we wish to fight and 'most definitely' perish, my lord. Either the enemy dies, or we all die."
  • The women of the village nod and each of them reveal a sharp dagger they own (hinting that they are ready to take their lives if things reach that far).
• "Good," Kratos declared. "That leaves only one feasible outcome for us - complete victory. Nothing less is acceptable."

Faceless Makes his Boon

• Faceless could not stop his body from jittering with excitement as he walked alongside the river Ganga, through the dark forest.
  • He kept Lord Ganesh's instructions in mind and ignored all the eerie and inhuman sounds echoing from all around him. Sometimes the voices would call to him, with the sound of his parents or even Lord Shiva himself, calling him in. But his willpower was strong. He kept his focus and walked forward.
  • His purpose was clear today. He would request Mahadev to grant him his boon so that he could join Lord Murugan in his quest.
  • But what exactly would he ask as his boon? This question kept gnawing away at Faceless' mind continuously.
• Lost in his thoughts, Faceless did not realise that he was deviating away from the river. He was stepping closer and closer towards the dense and dark shrubbery of the forest.
  • At this moment a spectre bursts out of the forest and collides with him, dispersing immediately into a dense mist.
• As Faceless comes out of his stupor, he looks around him and he sees a vision.
  • (This section requires more imagery since all these visions are being shown around him).
  • It is his Kindom of Lanka. It is prosperous and wonderous. His control has extended beyond the island and has extended accross all of Bhuloka as well. His kingdom has become a true Empire.
  • None can stand the power of his Empire's might. No human, at least. Because Faceless knows that he has already transcended humanity.
  • But he realises that Bhuloka just isn't enough. Yet the moment he looks afar into Svarga and Patala, he realises that he just isn't strong enough. He may be beyond-human, but he is still inferior compared to the Devas and Asuras.
  • To defeat them, he needs to be... more.
• Faceless kept trudging onwards unwitting, but his feet collided against a protruding rock, which immediately brought a rush of clarity.
  • He realised that he had deviated.
  • He quickly waved away the mist and returned to the river, following it upstream.
  • This time, he remained vigilant. Ensuring that he remained attached to the river's bank.
  • After a long while, the shrubbery dispersed slightly, revealing a large moss-covered stone archway through which the river flowed out. That was his destination.
• But as he took a step forward, a figure appeared from the shadows.
  • What he saw first were just two, crimson-red, malevolent dots that quick turned clear as a large bull stepped out. It was much larger than any he had seen before in his life.
  • Faceless did not need another moment to realise who he was standing before.
  • He immediately averted his gaze, disallowing himself from observing the figure any further, and collapsed in to the ground.
• "Oh, great Nandi!" He bellowed. (He praises the bull and expresses his reverence.)
• The Bull walks forward, its footsteps causing the earth to tremor.
  • Faceless feels the Bull in front of him as its hit breath rolls over the back of his neck.
  • Then a tap brushes over his head, he realises it is a hoof - the beast had blessed him.
  • He could barely contain his emotions, but he dared not stand up.
• The Bull walks around him, and Faceless waits until he could feel the hooffalls no more.
• After that, he gets up and continues his walk along the river.
• Past the archway is a plateau. The river wraps around the plateau, but Faceless notices that white particulates float out of the river and make their way up the plateau, from where he can hear the sound of drum and rhythmic foot falls. He realises immediately that the Lord is up there.
• He climbs up the plateau and is awed to see Mahadev performing.
  • (this section requires more description about the dance and how Faceless is able to appreciate it).
  • As a learned artist himself, Faceless is truly able to appreciate the dance.
  • The longer he looks, he realises that the lord is leaving after-images, each performing a dance of their own. With every blink he is able to go between them. There are an endless amount of after-images, each performing their very own dance, each telling a different story.
  • After sitting through a few in their entirety, he realises that the lord is actually performing the story of a person's life from birth to death. Each life is different. Each experience is different. Some are filled with happiness, some are mired with tragedy. Each blink brought a new range of emotions. It was a transcendental performance, truly.
  • Faceless realised that this opportunity was singular. He would not be able to witness such a divine performance again in his lifetime. He did not wish to miss a single moment. Alas, his only regret was that he only had one pair of eyes. If only he had more...
• Faceless did not realise how long the performance lasted. All he could say that however long it was, it wasn't enough. But it would be selfish and disrespectful for him to expect the Lord to perform for him alone.
• The lord had finished and approached him. His skin was caked completely in ash, with only his lush, pink lips revealed through adding a bit of colour to his monochrome appearance.
  • The lips moved, "So. It appears that you have decided on what it is that you want."
• Faceless ponders for a moment, but he is still stumped, "If the Lord could offer some guidance. I am unable make a decision."
  • "What's the hurry, then?" The Lord asked back.
  • "I wish to join Lord Murugan in his quest," Faceless respond. "For that I would need to leave Kailasha. That would mean the boon the Lord offered would be void."
  • "Then it seems that you have a decision to make," The Lord commented offhandedly. "Not one I can assist you in, though. I can't tell you what you want. Only you know what you want. What do you want?"
  • "I want...-" Faceless muttered with a strained expression.
  • "I often find that thinking less and going with one's gut tends to get the answer faster," the Lord advised.
  • "I want immortality!" Faceless blurted out, following the Lord's advise.
  • The Lord sucked in a long breath while squinting, "Immortality has many shapes and forms. Your soul could be immortal. Your physical vessel would perish, but the soul wouldn't leave Bhuloka and would immediately inhabit another vessel, thus perpetuating you over multiple generations. Or you, in your current form and soul, could never perish. You would die, but would be resurrected immediately after."
  • "When it comes to boons," the Lord continued, "the more specific you are, the stronger it tends to be. So what kind of immortality is it that you want?"
  • Faceless ponders for a moment. Immortality sounded great on paper. But it was incomplete. There was a better formulation.
  • "I wish to be undefeatable and unkillable by the following species-" and Faceless started to list out every single creature, species and race in existence. HIs vast knowledge did not miss a single one. Every thing ever created by Lord Brahma flew out of his mouth without a stutter, pause or uncertainty.
  • After a long moment, Faceless had finished. The lord nodded and said, "You missed one."
  • Faceless let out a smile that was genuine outwardly, but a tinge of pride eked out unconsciously, "They are no threat to me."
• The Lord closed his eyes, raised his right palm, and said, "So be, it - Tathastu!"

Preparation - Prelude to War

• Desperation is a powerful drug. It is what turns a cornered prey into a (something). Desperation was a powerful motivator. And its effect was evident in the way these villagers behaved.
• The first thing Kratos did was separate those with the ability to wield and/or swing a weapon from those without. The latter included the elderly and the kids.
• The plan is as follows:
  • Kratos intends to split up the attacking army or redirect them. Facing them head on is foolish.
  • He intends to use the elderly and kinds as decoys distraction to force the attacking army to veer in their direction.
    • Before he sends them off, he tells the oldest and slowest amongst the retreating figures what he expects of them. That they will for sure die.
    • They do not argue or protest. They understand that it is all part of a grand strategem.
    • They voluntarily hand over the kids to the younger amongst them who can walk faster.
  • Once the army either splits or veers that way, they will employ guerrilla tactics with the tribal villagers who are more accustomed to these forests to pick the opponents off in groups.
  • As for Kratos and Murugan, they will perform more shock type attacks to take out the leaders using air superiority with the peacock mount.
• Kratos warns Murugan for the final time, asking him if he is ready for a slaughter.
• Right as Murugan is about to answer, another portal opens up, and Faceless steps out through it.
• He looks around and approaches his brothers, Kratos and Murugan.
  • "I apologise for the delay, my Lords," he says with a respectful bow.
• Kratos turns to Murugan and ask, "Can your bird carry all of us."
  • Murugan smirks and says, that won't be a problem. He snaps and the peacock lands beside them. He rotates his arms causing a spectral mandala to form and descend on his bird, causing it to grow in size.

The Enemy

• Now the scene will shift to the enemy's perspective.
• First we describe the army. These are barbarians from the north. They are disorderly and brutish. We need to create that imagery. I envision then to look like the Amburi tribals from Baahubali movie. Though I don't want their skin to be comically black (that just looks racist).
• They have a lot of beasts that are clearly not tamed by forced into service. They have elephants, bulls, and even some wild animals, all forced into service and perpetually angry.
• The army is without a set formation.
• They are currently resting overnight with campfires everywhere.
• At the centre of the impromptu camp is a large throne make out of a large elephant skull. On the throne sits a large man (some description). He carries a mace with bones and metals spikes. The throne is carried by a horde of emaciated slaves. This is his war chariot.
• He is eating. But the slave serving him drops his food due to weakness. He looks at the man, reveals a bloody smile and grabs his neck and snaps it in one swift motion. he then picks the corpse and tosses it to his subordinate who swiftly send a stake through the man and put him above a large spit nearby where already other corpses (human and animals) are being roasted.
• At that moment, one of his subordinates came running and panting.
  • "We found a group running out of the forest that way," he said in their basic language that was a mix of clicks and grunt, while pointing in a far off direction.
  • "They looked old, but there were a few tasty kids in there too," he added while licking his lips.
• A smile bloomed on the chieftain's face once again. He raised a fist, extended a finger, and twirled it. That was enough for the horde to understand. A small group formed with one of his lieutenants in the lead. They mounted their bulls and rode off in the direction.