Upon reaching the town, Puru flew straight to the hawker market. The streets leading to the market with littered with people, confused and enquiring. Few among the crowd spotted the demon flying across the sky, heading towards them. The confusion turned into full-blown chaos, as shrieks erupted, with some starting to flee. Puru, however, noted the flags and banners in gold, blue, and orange, from above and decided to land right beside where the royal convoys had arrived with help.
Soon as his feet touched the ground, an old commanding officer walked up to him.
"Demon, what is your purpose here?" The man carried an air of authority; his balding forehead had a natural gleam of wisdom.
"Regards." Puru joined his hands and gave a slight nod. "I am Lord Puru, son of Kuru. I was tasked by Lord Arya to protect the people of this land from a devastating flood."
"My apologies, Lord Puru." The old man bowed to the Demon God. "I am Lord Commander of the Central Kingdom of Shaktiprastha, Abhiram. Sage Mahathi informed us of the impending doom. Two other kingdoms have joined me here to see to it that the people of the East delivered to safety."
"We do not have much time, then, Commander Abhiram." Puru informed, voice full of concern. "The waters of Lake Loktak have risen and have taken the valley. The village nearby has been wiped out. Hundreds have perished. Lord Gajanan is guiding the survivors to a sheltered area."
A murmur of alarm rose from the gathering upon hearing the grim news.
The commander instructed the crowd. "THEN, YOU MUST ALL IMMEDIATELY TAKE THE WAGONS AND HEAD WEST." He, then, turned to Puru. "Unless my lord has a different strategy."
Puru's jaws hardened. The commander's plan would likely fall short, but they had no alternative.
"The tide is frozen for now." Commander Abhiram raised a brow at Puru's words. "But it will melt any moment. The wagons must leave immediately, driven like wind, and must not stop until the mountains of the east disappear in the horizon."
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"You heard what the Demon Lord said, people. Pack up the wagons. Women and children first. NOW! Leave all your belongings here. Come on, lads. LET US SAVE THE EAST."
Lord Commander Abhiram took charge of the rescue efforts, his men promptly filling the wagons. The able-bodied men of the town hung back. Puru sifted through the crowd with a quick gaze, hopeful eyes searching for the girl who warmed his bed the night before. Disappointed, he joined the emissaries in setting off the vehicles. The wagons left in a hurry, rolling off on the town road, creaking loudly as they gained momentum. The scene was one step away from turning chaotic. People thronged in front of the wagons, leaving little ground to plant the feet on. The wagons were tightly jammed, slowing them as they drove down the road.
It soon became clear there were not enough wagons to rescue all the townspeople. The passengers caught wind of that, and the panic grew. The men pushed and elbowed through the crowd to get their wives and children into the wagon. The women, too, began to shove at each other as they dragged their young ones into the rides. Minor scuffles broke out as the royal men struggled to control the restless mob.
Puru started to walk towards one of the disorderly wagons, when the Commander grasped him by the elbow.
"Young lord, sometimes we need to let the people decide." The man and the god exchanged a look of understanding. "We have graver matters to worry about. The tidal wave, how long will it hold? Old as I may be, I am not ready to die yet, not in this grim little town. No offence, Officer Rana." The commander called out to a young man standing nearby, shouting orders to the wagons.
"None taken, Commander." The young man turned back to his task at hand.
"I will have to fly back and see to it. The ocean's water is only rising, so is the lake's. I can freeze it once more, but oceans are not easy to tame. My powers would not keep them at bay for too long, not even with help from Lord Gajanan. Do you wield the Tantric power, my lord?"
"Damned. Ask me to slay the entire army and I will. But these blessed hands do not carry even one magical nerve, neither do my men. How I wish our prince and the great master were here!"
"Then, my path is clear. Staring into the ocean's face and see nothing but Lord Arya's disappointment." The demon smiled faintly. "And not to worry, my lord. If the ice breaks, I will be here in time to rescue you." The commander gave him a resigned nod.
And just as Puru turned, a distant rumbling filled the town. Puru instinctively knew what it was.
"RUN, EVERYONE, RUN! ROLL THE WAGONS, DRIVE TEHM HARD. THE REST, USE YOUR FEET!" The Lord Commander did not waste seconds and shouted several orders to the crowd, sensing the imminent catastrophe.
Puru shot up in the air and dashed towards the oncoming tide. As he flew, he spotted Lord Gajanan in the distance and beckoned him. The two lords tore through the clouds to reach the relentless and tumultuous ocean water. It was at earshot distance from where the townsfolk had gathered.
Not losing a second, they held out their hands touching the turbulent surface of the water, and their lips began to chant magical verses. The surface of the water crystallized, staggering the tide once more, slowing it down. But this time, the water body seemed too great. The ice crystals began to crack almost immediately as the two gods felt the power of the great tide growing under their hands.
"Lord help the people of the town." Lord Gajanan whispered a prayer.