Defeating the Chieftain

• It took a while for Murugan to digest the reality of what had just transpired.
  • Within this moment, the Chieftain had already begun his attack.
  • The movements were crude. It was clear that the man had only reigned superior due to his brute strength and gift. Underneath all that he was nothing short of a tactless monkey.
  • Needless to say, it didn't require excessive thinking for Murugan to dodge the attacks. His instincts could handle it.
• Once he came back to it, Murugan parries the attack and returns with a measured punch to the Butcher's gut.
  • The punch hit skin and Murugan felt the entire momentum being dissipated. The Butcher revealed a sly grin before swinging his mace for an attack.
  • Murugan tested again with a sideways strike of his spear. The spear hit skin and didn't bounce.
  • Next he tried a stab. This was also easily dissipated by the man's skin.
• Murugan continued to test the waters by trying a myriad of attack types. He tried heavy to light hits, stabs, strikes, slashes. Ultimately, he realised that the man's power could dissipate any attack.
• This was irksome, Murugan realised. But it did not dismay or waylay (is this the right word?) him.
  • He harkened back to his Guru's earlier teachings. The fundamental of any confrontation is realising that nothing that is living is truly unkillable.
  • "Everything that breathes, can be killed," Kratos had declared. "If it appears impossible, it is only because you haven't found that right opportunity."
• And so, Murugan believed that given time, the opportunity would present itself. And it sort of did.
  • Unlike Murugan, the Butcher's endurance reserves weren't so vast. As time progressed, the man started to breathe heavily as he tried to keep up with Murugan.
  • Murugan, once again, tried to attack with his spear. He went for a high jab, but the Butcher dodged it just in time. Luckily, the tip of the spear swiped past the Butcher's jutting tongue (while he was trying to breath through his mouth).
  • The man growled and spat out a dollop of blood. Murugan observed this and things started to click into place in his mind.
  • A realization dawned on him.
• Letting out a chuckle, Murugan pulled his spear close and from its centre, he slid his cupped palms over the shaft. In doing so, the solid, metal rot started to sway like it was made of a particularly elastic kind of wood.
• He jiggled the spear, and after gauging its elastic behaviour, he snorted in satisfaction.
• He started to attack again. But due to the elastic spear shaft, the attacks did not follow the expected trajectory most of the time. He could not manoeuvre the strikes around the Butcher's guard.
  • These attacks were disarming for the man, since he could not properly compute them.
  • He started to grow agitated.
• After three consecutive strikes passing dangerously close to his eyes, the leader jumped back to create distance, raised his mace and bellowed angrily.
  • In that instant, Murugan used his feet to kick up a fist sized rock. Then with the blunt end of his shaft, he whacked the rock, sending it straight towards the leader's agape mouth.
  • The rock lodged itself in his mouth, the momentum sending it in and causing his jaw to lock up.
• The leader's eyes widened. As he released his mace to pull out the rock, Murugan had already sent a spear hurtling his way.
  • The velocity of this spear was low, so the Butcher could grab it easily.
  • But that was the cue, and Murugan triggered the spear's explosion.
  • The spear was caught right next to his mouth, and the detonation caused the rock to shatter, sending fragments all over his mouth's soft tissue.
• The leader bellowed in pain. Which was another mistake, and Murugan twisted his elastic spear and sent it into the man's mouth.
  • Before the Butcher realised what had happened, the spear detonated.
• A hard snap followed by a squelching explosion resounded as brain matter and skull fragments exploded out of the back of the Butcher's head.
• The body collapsed after a minute as the rest of the systems realised that the brain had been turned to mush.
• The explosion, though localised, resounded accross the battlefield causing a silence to descend.
  • The barbarians realised that their leader had been gruesomely decapitated.
  • This was enough to send them into a fearful frenzy.
  • This uncoordination was enough to allow his Guru and companions and the villagers to annihilate the army.
• And with that, the tide of barbarians had been completely squashed. The villagers, or at least those that remained, were saved.

Murugan confronts Shiva

• "Murugan had walked this path before. Many times. He'd gotten used to the eerie spectral calls all around him, attempting to way lay him. But today in particular, the walk felt heavier."
  • Murugan is following Ganga through the forest that leads to the plateau where Shiva performs.
  • His mind is still stuck back to how his father had answered the Butcher's prayers and granted the man the boon.
  • Why would he do that? Murugan had to know.
• Did Murugan fear his father?
  • Certainly, to Murugan his father was a lot different from what most people across the realms knew him to be.
  • He was a lot different from what his own brother (Ganesh) knew him to be.
  • His father never raised his voice. His father never raised his hand. His father seldom frowned. His father would joke often.
  • This was not the image the rest of the world envisioned when his father's name was brought up.
  • Maybe it was the dissociation between the myth surrounding his father and his father's actual behaviour that induced a kind of fear (or was it respect?) in Murugan.
  • Knowing that hidden within that amicable persona was a volcano that could very easily destroy existence itself was horrifying.
  • And Murugan did not want to be the cause for the eruption.
• However, Murugan's resolve superceded his fear. Because this confrontation wasn't about besmirching or dressing down (a better word) his father. It was just to ask one question: why?
• Luckily, he had arrived just as his father had finished his performance. Shiva was cleansing himself in the pool behind the plateau: at the source of Ganga.
• "Was your quest successful?" His father asked while submerged up to his waist.
• "it was," Murugan replied.
• Shiva laughed and ascended from the pool. He picked up his trident and rubbed Murugan's head affectionately, "Good lad," he commended. "Come, it is time for lunch."
• As he was about to leave, Murugan spoke in a voice that was low (almost inaudible) but amidst the serenity it echoed from all around him.
  • "F-Father," Murugan started. He wanted to continue, but at this moment, his fear (or respect) had overtaken his resolve.
  • "Empty your gut, son," His father said with a chuckle. "You need to make space for food, or else your mother will be very, very disappointed."
• That was the straw.
  • "Why did you grant that horrible, horrible man the boon, father?" Murugan blurted out rapidly. His eyes were now bloodshot and his expression was alternating rapidly between anger and fear.
• There was a tense silence as his father crossed his arms and looked deep into Murugan's eyes. As it progressed, a sense of awkwardness started to creep in.
• "H-He was a bad man, father," Murugan said hesitantly. "He hurt a lot of people. He was cruel! And yet, when he prayed to you and asked you for power, you granted it to him. Why would you do that?"
• "I did that," his father said while approaching him, "because he was sincere. In his heart, I could feel his devotion. He was worshipping me in the truest sense of the word."
• "But he was using the powers you granted him for evil!" Murugan argued. "You can't tell me that you didn't know what kind of man he was!"
• "It doesn't matter to me what kind of person he is," his father retorted while shaking his head. "The who or what matters little. What matters is that when you call my name and worship me, you do so with an open heart and complete honesty. If there is even a shred of falsehood, subterfuge or an ulterior motive in your thoughts then it isn't worship. It is a means to an end. And I don't like being the means to an end."
• "Even if the worshipper is evil at heart? That isn't right. Even a cruellest of monsters can worship you with utmost devotion and then just turn around and exploit the power granted to them to hurt others," Murugan defended.
• "And then amongst the people affected by that monster, there will be someone who will worship me with devotion rivalling the monster's and they will get what they rightfully deserve," his father continued. "Son, you need to understand. People worship a higher power because they want the courage and strength to overcome a difficulty in their lives that they believe they cannot do on their own. It is up to you how you act on this expectation. You can be selective, and respond to only those YOU deem worthy, or you can be consistent and respond to those worshippers that actually mean it when they call out your name and seek support."
• "Ultimately, judgement is a matter of perspective and precedent," his father expressed. "It isn't fair. It can never be fair. The way you judge someone is bound by your experience and thus your perspective towards life. Standing where you are, you can very easily label people as good or evil and not think twice. But you forget that this judgement only holds true from where you stand. And as a god - as a being with power well beyond the imaginations of any mortal - it is not fair for you to foist judgement on those in the lower realms. You don't know what life they've lived and what experiences have shaped their personality. "
• "I..." Murugan stumbled. "I don't know... It just doesn't sit right with me."
• His father revealed a gentle smile and placed his arm over Murugan's shoulder. As he urged Murugan to walk onwards, he spoke, "Let me tell you a little secret- well, calling it a secret isn't right since its sort of understood in an unspoken way. Any power gained through external means is always temporal. It is destined to leave you at some point in time. Of all the people that have worshipped me with true devotion and gained a boon, none that have wished for greater power have lived long enough to reap the fruits of their labour."
• "Be that as it may, the process leading up to their downfall is strewn with the lives of many innocents," Murugan muttered.
• "That is the nature of Karma, son," Shiva expressed with finality. "For there to be a consequence, one needs to act. It is an unfortunate truth."
• "Doesn't it affect you?" Murugan asked. "Granting these powers has GOT to accumulate a lot of negativity."
• His father revealed a sly smile. "Because I do not judge, and because I am fair, the consequences of the actions of my devotees does not carry over to me. And besides," he said while gesturing to the ash covered plateau behind them, "my duties are punishment enough for whatever negativity I may accumulate."
  • Murugan understands this truth. That his father wasn't truly unbound by Karma. To liberate the souls from the mortal realms, his father has to live through their entire lives. Every day, his father drowns in the sorrows and regrets of those that have passed away.
  • It made sense to him why is father was known to be such a rage-filled person. Considering the negativity his father has to shoulder, such a psychological response is understandable.
  • The fact that his father was so tranquil and light-hearted nowadays was admirable, even. It raised Murugan's perception of his father by tenfold in his heart.
• "Come now, let's put all this unpleasant talk to bed," his father said, redirecting the conversation. "We don't want to face the could wrath of your mother by being late."
• "Mother never gets angry," Murugan muttered.
• "Yes... well you aren't the one sleeping is the same bed as her at night," his father muttered back.

Faceless leaves with his Brothers

• Faceless and his brothers are packing up and preparing to leave Kailasha.
• Ganesh is the one who escorts them down the mountain atop his mount. The rat has enlarged to the size of a large buffalo able to carry Faceless, the large brother of his and his youngest brother.
• As they arrive at the base of the mountain, he thanks Faceless for supporting Murugan.
• He then looks at Faceless' face, or lack thereof, and places his palm against his cheek while resting his thumb at the middle of his forehead:
  • A gentle light blooms at the point of contact of the thumb, and Faceless' eyes widen as information starts to flow directly into his mind.
• After Ganesh ceases contact, Faceless collapses onto his knees and professes his gratitude for the gift.
• A sparkling sheen flashes in front of his face before it solidifies back into his original face.
• Ganesh says, "It was your choice to slice off your face. For that you will need to face the consequences. However, for your assistance, I grant you the ability to alter the way you appear to others. You may not have one true face, but you can now outwardly wear many."
• Seeing this, Vibhishana jokingly said, "Now that you can wear many faces, brother, I believe the name Dashanana feels more apt."
• Faceless shakes his head and says, "I have already, voluntarily cast that away. I cannot take it back," then with a serene expression he added, "But it matters not what name I give myself. Those with ambition and accomplishments are granted a name by the populace - the name you are known by. That is what I yearn to achieve once again."
• Having said that, the brothers prostrated before Ganesh one last time and left on their way back to their kingdom.

Murugan expresses his desire to marry Valli to Ganesh

• Ganesh held back a chuckle as he observed anxiousness visibly emanating from Murugan.
  • His younger brother was seated cross-legged in front of him in silence. Or at least a version of it, given how his legs were bobbing rhythmically nervously.
  • Ganesh was reading a roll of parchment, hence why his brother was waiting patiently for him to finish.
  • Truthfully, Ganesh had finished the parchment a while back. He was just acting like he was reading it because he enjoyed Murugan's anxious behaviour.
• After a while, as Murugan reached the tipping point, Ganesh decided to stop teasing.
  • "Its hard to focus with you shaking your legs like a woodpecker assaulting a tree's trunk," Ganesh expressed. "What brings you here to my study, brother?"
• Murugan let out a breath of relief and asked, "Have you considered marriage?"
  • Ganesh sputtered and choked on his saliva.
  • Amidst a coughing fit he asked, "Where is this question coming from?!"
• "Its been quite some time. And you are old enough for it," Murugan reasoned. "Don't you feel lonely?"
  • Ganesh shrugged, "Not really..."
  • (What could be some reasons for Ganesh's bachelorhood?)
• "Why are you really asking me this?" Ganesh asked with his brows furrowed.
  • "See, its like this..." Murugan muttered. "It is inauspicious for the younger member of the family to get married if the elders are unmarried."
  • "Parivedana," Ganesh summarised. "I am aware of this, yes."
  • A beat passes, and the realisation strikes Ganesh like an anvil, "You intend to marry this girl?!"
• Seeing Murugan's shy expression, Ganesh bursts out into laughter.
  • "If that's all that is troubling you, do not worry. I will sort things out," Ganesh declared as he stood up and left.

Ganesh expresses his desire to marry to his Family

• Ganesh declares in front of his family as they are dining that he has decided to get married.
• There is silence as even Shiva's eyes widen in shock. Parvathy drops the metal bucket of Sambar, causing it to spill.
• Shiva asks with hesitance who the lucky woman is. But Parvathy interjects and asks the same question plus:
  • What are they like?
  • Have they met before?
  • Who are their parents?
• Ganesh calmly halts his mother and tells everyone that its actually not one but two (doesn't specify that it is women). He then says that he will introduce them to the family tomorrow.
• Parvathy wants to continue the interrogation but a gentle signal from Shiva causes her to pause.
• The next day, Ganesh guides the family through the plains of Kailasha to an area near the forest at the centre. There he brings them close to two plants that are about his height.
• He points at one and says, "This is Buddhi," and then the next "This is Siddhi."
• Shiva involuntarily palms his face, Parvathy's lips twitches, Murugan chokes on his own saliva.
• Parvathy breaks the silence with a firm admonishment, "Do you think this is a joke?!"
• Ganesh shakes his head and says, "I could not find anyone who appeals to me, mother-"
• "You could have asked! We would have found a nice girl from a nice family-"
• "While I have complete faith in your abilities, mother. Who would want to live with a man who looks like this?" Ganesh says with a chuckle while gesturing to himself. Shiva reacts by looking down and balling his palms into a fist in guilt. Parvathy is also distressed to hear this. "And even if you did find one, what kind of life would she have?"
  • "There are many who find you attractive, dear-"
  • Ganesh returned a look that questioned the veracity of that claim, which cause Parvathy's admission to peter off.
• "Nonetheless, I didn't wish to be alone. So I decided that these two fine specimen would do just fine as my lifelong companions," Ganesh continued gesturing to the two plants. "I have consulted the astrological starts and determined that tomorrow serves as the most auspicious of times for a wondrous occassion as matrimony. It will be a quaint ceremony - only the immediate family is invited. I hope you all can make it."
• The family hums in unison.
• Ganesh claps his hand and proceeds to leave, but he suddenly stops and says, "Oh, and Murugan here has a girl he likes and wishes to marry. We can visit her family after my marriage."
• Parvathy's head jerks towards Murugan in shock while Shiva reveals a knowing smile.