Chapter 7
The eastern hills were shrouded in mist, their jagged peaks cutting into the pale light of the early morning. Ajit tightened the straps on his gear as he stood at the base of the trail leading to the ruins. His snake sense buzzed faintly, a low hum that seemed to resonate with the eerie stillness of the landscape.
Rajesh climbed out of the van, his laptop bag slung over one shoulder. He adjusted his glasses, squinting at the trail ahead. “I still think we should’ve brought backup. You know, someone who’s not me.”
Ajit smirked faintly, glancing at him. “You’re the backup.”
“Fantastic,” Rajesh muttered. “Just what I wanted on a Tuesday—hiking into ancient ruins with Nagaman.”
The light humor faded quickly as both men turned their attention to the path ahead. The air felt heavy, almost oppressive, and the faint tremors beneath their feet had grown more frequent as they approached the hills.
“You’re sure this is the place?” Ajit asked, his voice low.
Rajesh nodded, pulling up a map on his tablet. “Based on the seismic activity and what little we’ve dug up about the Nagamani, yeah. If something’s waking up, it’s here.”
Ajit exhaled sharply, his eyes scanning the trail. “Stay close. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”
The hike was grueling, the trail winding steeply through dense undergrowth and uneven rock. Rajesh stumbled several times, cursing under his breath, while Ajit moved with practiced ease, his enhanced agility keeping him balanced.
As they climbed higher, the ruins began to emerge from the mist—a sprawling complex of crumbling stone structures, half-buried by centuries of dirt and vegetation. Strange carvings adorned the remaining walls, their intricate patterns depicting serpents intertwined with humanoid figures.
Rajesh stopped, his breath hitching. “This is… something else.”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed more insistently now, the energy in the air growing thicker with each step. He approached one of the carvings, his fingers brushing over the weathered stone. The image showed a figure holding a glowing gem, surrounded by coiled serpents.
“The Nagamani,” Ajit murmured.
Rajesh peered over his shoulder, his eyes widening. “These carvings—this is some next-level ancient mythology. But why would Prakash care about this?”
Ajit turned, his expression grim. “Because it’s not mythology. It’s real.”
Before Rajesh could respond, the ground beneath their feet shuddered violently. Both men staggered, Rajesh grabbing onto a nearby tree for support.
“Seismic activity’s spiking,” Rajesh said, his voice tight. “This is bad. Really bad.”
Ajit scanned the ruins, his enhanced vision picking up faint glimmers of movement in the shadows. “We’re not alone.”
Rajesh froze, his eyes darting nervously. “Please tell me it’s just the wind.”
Ajit shook his head, his muscles tensing. “Stay behind me.”
From the far side of the ruins, a low, guttural hiss echoed, followed by the unmistakable sound of stone grinding against stone. The mist parted slightly, revealing a figure emerging from the shadows.
It was humanoid but grotesquely twisted, its body covered in scales and its eyes glowing faintly with a sickly green light. The creature moved with an unnatural fluidity, its limbs too long and its posture hunched.
“What the hell is that?” Rajesh whispered, backing away.
Ajit’s fists clenched, venom pooling at his fingertips. “Trouble.”
The creature’s head snapped toward them, its glowing eyes locking onto Ajit. It let out a shrill, unearthly cry before lunging forward with terrifying speed.
Ajit pushed Rajesh aside, stepping into the creature’s path. His snake sense guided him as he ducked under its outstretched claws and countered with a venom-coated punch to its midsection.
The creature recoiled, hissing in pain as the venom burned through its scales. It recovered quickly, slashing at Ajit with razor-sharp claws. Ajit dodged, his enhanced reflexes keeping him one step ahead.
“Rajesh, find cover!” Ajit shouted, blocking another strike with his forearm.
Rajesh scrambled behind a crumbling wall, peeking out just enough to watch the fight. “Don’t die, okay? I’m not cut out for hero stuff!”
Ajit smirked faintly, sidestepping the creature’s next attack and landing a powerful kick to its chest. The force of the blow sent the creature crashing into a nearby pillar, which crumbled on impact.
But the creature wasn’t finished. It rose slowly, its glowing eyes narrowing as it let out another ear-piercing screech.
More movement stirred in the shadows.
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed sharply, warning him of the new threat. He turned just in time to see two more creatures emerging from the ruins, their twisted forms eerily similar to the first.
“Rajesh,” Ajit called out, his voice steady despite the rising tension. “We’ve got company.”
Rajesh peeked out from his hiding spot, his face pale. “More? Are you kidding me?”
Ajit squared his shoulders, his venom glowing faintly in the dim light. “Stay down. I’ll handle this.”
The creatures advanced, their movements synchronized and unnervingly fluid. Ajit’s muscles tensed, his snake sense buzzing like an alarm.
This wasn’t just a fight. It was a warning.
Something ancient was stirring beneath the ruins, and these creatures were only the beginning.
Ajit’s body moved instinctively as the creatures lunged toward him, their claws slicing through the misty air. His snake sense buzzed relentlessly, guiding his every step. He twisted, sidestepped, and countered with a venom-coated strike, each motion fluid and precise.
The first creature hissed as Ajit’s fist connected with its jaw, sending it staggering backward. Its glowing green eyes burned with rage as it recovered, crouching low like a predator preparing to pounce.
The second creature was faster. It darted to Ajit’s left, slashing with elongated claws that caught the edge of his jacket. Ajit rolled away, narrowly avoiding the full brunt of the attack.
“They’re learning,” he muttered under his breath, his gaze darting between the three creatures.
From behind the crumbling wall, Rajesh’s panicked voice broke through the tension. “Learning what? How to make me lose my mind?”
“Stay down!” Ajit snapped, blocking a swipe from the third creature with his forearm. The impact sent a jolt of pain through him, but he gritted his teeth and retaliated with a kick to the creature’s midsection.
The creature let out a guttural growl, its movements fluid yet unnervingly mechanical. It darted back into the shadows, its glowing eyes the only visible sign of its presence.
Ajit straightened, his breathing steady but his senses on high alert. The creatures circled him, their coordination tightening as though they were guided by a single, unseen force.
“What are these things?” Rajesh called out, his voice trembling.
“Something that shouldn’t exist,” Ajit replied, his tone grim.
The first creature lunged again, but this time, Ajit was ready. He ducked low, grabbing a broken piece of stone from the ground and slamming it into the creature’s knee. The sharp crack of bone—or something like it—echoed through the ruins.
The creature shrieked, collapsing onto one leg as Ajit drove a venom-coated punch into its exposed chest. The venom hissed on contact, and the creature convulsed before crumpling to the ground, its glowing eyes dimming.
“One down,” Ajit muttered, turning to face the remaining two.
But the brief victory was cut short as the other two creatures attacked in unison. One swung at Ajit’s head, forcing him to duck, while the other aimed for his legs. Ajit leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding the pincer attack.
He landed in a crouch, his muscles coiled like a spring. Before the creatures could recover, he lunged forward, targeting the second creature with a venomous strike to its throat. The blow connected, and the creature reeled, clutching at the sizzling wound.
The third creature took advantage of the momentary distraction, its claws slashing across Ajit’s side. He hissed in pain, stumbling back as blood seeped through the tear in his jacket.
“Ajit!” Rajesh shouted, his voice filled with panic.
“I’m fine,” Ajit said through gritted teeth, his eyes never leaving the creatures.
The second creature crumpled, its body spasming before going still. The third remained, its glowing eyes locked onto Ajit with an almost intelligent intensity.
It crouched low, its claws flexing as it prepared to strike. Ajit tightened his stance, his snake sense buzzing sharply.
“Come on,” he said under his breath, his venom pooling at his fingertips.
The creature lunged, its movements faster and more erratic than before. Ajit dodged the first swipe, countering with a punch to its ribs. The creature snarled, its claws raking across his forearm in retaliation.
Ajit winced but didn’t relent. He grabbed the creature by the wrist, twisting its arm with enough force to dislocate the joint. The creature howled, its glowing eyes dimming slightly as it stumbled.
Seizing the opportunity, Ajit delivered a final venom-coated punch to the creature’s chest. The venom burned through its flesh, and the creature collapsed with a guttural cry, its body convulsing before falling still.
The ruins fell silent, the faint hum of Ajit’s snake sense the only sound. He stood over the bodies of the fallen creatures, his chest heaving as the adrenaline coursing through him began to fade.
“Are they… gone?” Rajesh asked, cautiously emerging from behind the wall.
“For now,” Ajit said, his voice steady despite the pain in his side.
Rajesh approached slowly, his gaze darting nervously between the lifeless creatures. “What the hell were those things? They look like something out of a nightmare.”
Ajit shook his head, his brow furrowed. “I don’t know. But they’re connected to the Nagamani. That much is clear.”
Rajesh swallowed hard, his eyes lingering on the glowing green residue left behind by the creatures. “Whatever this is, it’s not just ancient mythology. This is real. And it’s dangerous.”
Ajit nodded, his gaze shifting to the crumbling ruins around them. “We need to figure out what’s buried here—and fast. If Prakash was right about the Nagamani being a signal…”
Rajesh finished the thought, his voice barely above a whisper. “Then something bigger is on its way.”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed faintly, a warning of the danger yet to come. He turned toward the deeper part of the ruins, where the carvings grew more intricate and the tremors beneath their feet more pronounced.
“This isn’t over,” he said, his tone resolute. “Not by a long shot.”
The ruins grew darker as Ajit and Rajesh ventured deeper, the faint glow of the carvings on the walls casting eerie patterns across the stone floor. Every step echoed through the hollow corridors, the sound amplified by the stillness around them.
Rajesh clutched his tablet tightly, his eyes darting nervously between the shifting shadows. “Are you sure about this?” he asked, his voice a whisper.
“No,” Ajit replied, his snake sense buzzing faintly. “But we don’t have a choice.”
The tremors beneath their feet had grown stronger, the vibrations now rhythmic, almost like a heartbeat. The air was heavy with an unexplainable pressure, making it harder to breathe.
“This place feels alive,” Rajesh murmured, trailing his fingers over one of the carvings. The serpent motifs seemed to move under his touch, their patterns shifting imperceptibly.
Ajit stopped abruptly, holding out an arm to halt Rajesh. His snake sense flared sharply, the warning unmistakable.
“What is it?” Rajesh asked, freezing in place.
“We’re not alone,” Ajit said, his voice low.
From the shadows ahead, a guttural growl echoed, deep and resonant. It was followed by the sound of stone grinding against stone, growing louder with each passing second.
Rajesh swallowed hard. “Please tell me it’s another statue coming to life. Statues I can handle.”
Ajit’s eyes narrowed as a figure emerged from the darkness. It was massive, easily twice the size of the creatures they had fought earlier. Its serpentine body coiled and uncoiled with unsettling grace, its upper torso vaguely humanoid but covered in glistening black scales. Two glowing green eyes burned like embers, locked onto Ajit with an intelligence that sent a chill down his spine.
“That’s no statue,” Ajit said, his fists clenching as venom pooled at his fingertips.
The creature hissed, its voice low and rumbling. “You do not belong here, intruder.”
Rajesh took an instinctive step back, his grip on the tablet tightening. “It talks. Great. That’s exactly what I needed today.”
Ajit didn’t flinch, his gaze fixed on the creature. “Who are you?”
The serpent-creature tilted its head, its green eyes narrowing. “I am Kaliya, guardian of the threshold. The Nagamani’s signal has awakened me, and I will not allow you to desecrate this sacred ground.”
Ajit took a step forward, his voice steady. “We didn’t come here to desecrate anything. But the Nagamani’s power is dangerous—it’s already caused destruction in the wrong hands.”
Kaliya’s gaze flickered, its coils shifting restlessly. “You speak of the one who seeks to merge flesh and machine. His presence has polluted these grounds.”
“Prakash,” Ajit said, his jaw tightening. “Then you know why we’re here. If we don’t stop him, he’ll destroy everything.”
Kaliya hissed, the sound echoing through the chamber. “The Nagamani is no longer in his possession. Its power has been dispersed, but the damage has already been done. The door has been opened.”
Rajesh stepped closer, his fear momentarily overtaken by curiosity. “What door? What’s coming through?”
Kaliya’s eyes burned brighter, its voice taking on a reverent tone. “The Asura. Ancient beings who once walked this earth. Their slumber is ending.”
Ajit’s snake sense buzzed even louder, the vibrations almost painful. “Then help us stop them.”
Kaliya let out a low, rumbling laugh. “You are brave, Nagaman, but you do not understand the forces at play. The Asura cannot be stopped by mortal hands.”
Ajit stepped closer, his voice firm. “Maybe not. But I’ll fight them anyway.”
For a moment, Kaliya was silent, its glowing eyes studying Ajit intently. Then it inclined its head slightly. “Very well. I will allow you to pass. But beware, Nagaman—the path ahead is fraught with peril. The Asura will not take kindly to your interference.”
Ajit nodded. “Thanks for the warning.”
Kaliya’s coils shifted, revealing a narrow passageway carved into the stone. The glow of the carvings intensified, illuminating the path with an otherworldly light.
“Follow this passage,” Kaliya said. “It will lead you to the heart of the ruins. But tread carefully. The Asura are awakening, and they will not be merciful.”
Ajit glanced at Rajesh, who looked like he was debating whether to faint or run. “Stay close,” Ajit said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Rajesh nodded shakily, clutching his tablet like a lifeline. “Right. Close. Got it.”
As they stepped into the passage, Kaliya’s voice echoed behind them. “Remember, Nagaman—the serpent’s strength lies not in its venom, but in its wisdom. Use both wisely.”
The passage grew darker as they moved deeper, the glow of the carvings their only guide. The rhythmic tremors beneath their feet grew stronger, the vibrations now unmistakably alive.
Rajesh’s voice broke the silence, his tone a mix of fear and awe. “So… we’re walking into the lair of ancient beings who want to destroy the world. Just another Tuesday, right?”
Ajit smirked faintly, his eyes scanning the path ahead. “You’re catching on.”
But even as he spoke, his snake sense flared again, a sharp warning of the dangers still to come.
The Asura were waking. And this was only the beginning.
The narrow passage twisted and turned like the body of a coiled serpent, the glow of the carvings casting shifting shadows that seemed to slither along the walls. Each step echoed ominously, and the tremors beneath Ajit and Rajesh’s feet grew stronger, their rhythm eerily similar to a heartbeat.
Rajesh trailed close behind Ajit, his voice a whisper. “Is it just me, or does this place feel like it’s alive?”
“It’s not just you,” Ajit replied, his voice low but steady. His snake sense was buzzing constantly now, not with the sharpness of immediate danger but with the persistent hum of something vast and unknowable stirring beneath the surface.
Ahead, the passage opened into a vast chamber. The ceiling stretched high into the darkness, and the walls were covered in intricate carvings of serpents and humanoid figures locked in eternal battle. At the center of the room was a massive stone platform, its surface etched with glowing symbols that pulsed faintly, as if breathing.
Rajesh stopped in his tracks, staring at the platform. “That… does not look friendly.”
Ajit stepped forward cautiously, his eyes scanning the room. The energy here was almost suffocating, a dense, invisible force that pressed down on his senses. He climbed onto the platform, his hand brushing over the symbols. They were warm to the touch, alive with an energy that thrummed beneath his fingers.
“This is it,” Ajit said, his voice reverent. “This is the heart of the ruins.”
Rajesh approached slowly, his tablet in hand. “The carvings on the walls—they’re telling a story.”
Ajit turned, following Rajesh’s gaze. The carvings depicted a serpent figure, its body coiled around a glowing gem—the Nagamani. Surrounding the serpent were humanoid figures with elongated limbs and monstrous features.
“The serpent is holding them back,” Rajesh said, pointing to the scene. “It’s like it’s guarding the Nagamani against those things.”
“The Asura,” Ajit murmured, his gaze lingering on the humanoid figures.
Rajesh nodded. “If the Nagamani was a key, it makes sense. This place isn’t just a tomb—it’s a lock. And it looks like someone’s started turning the key.”
Ajit’s snake sense flared sharply, pulling his attention back to the platform. The symbols beneath his hand glowed brighter, their pulsing rhythm quickening.
“Rajesh, step back,” Ajit warned.
Before Rajesh could respond, the ground beneath the platform trembled violently. A low rumble echoed through the chamber, and the symbols erupted with light, bathing the room in a brilliant glow.
Rajesh stumbled backward, shielding his eyes. “What the hell is happening?”
Ajit didn’t move, his body tensed as the energy surged through the platform. He could feel it now—the power of the Nagamani, raw and untamed, resonating with something deep beneath the ruins.
The rumbling grew louder, and cracks began to spiderweb across the walls. From the darkness above, a guttural roar reverberated, shaking the chamber to its core.
Ajit’s snake sense screamed at him, and he turned just in time to see the massive stone doors at the far end of the room begin to open. Beyond them, an inky black void pulsed with faint green light, and the silhouette of something enormous began to emerge.
“Rajesh, run!” Ajit shouted, leaping off the platform.
Rajesh hesitated for only a moment before bolting toward the passage they had come from. Ajit followed, his enhanced reflexes carrying him across the trembling ground as chunks of stone fell from the ceiling.
The roar grew louder, and the glow from the chamber intensified, casting monstrous shadows on the walls. Ajit risked a glance over his shoulder and froze.
A figure stepped out of the void, towering and grotesque. Its body was a horrifying blend of flesh and shadow, its limbs unnaturally elongated and its glowing green eyes burning with malevolent intelligence. Behind it, the void pulsed like a living thing, its edges rippling as more figures began to emerge.
“The Asura,” Ajit whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
The lead figure raised a clawed hand, and the air itself seemed to vibrate with its presence. With a single motion, it slammed its hand into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling through the chamber.
Ajit braced himself, the force nearly knocking him off his feet. He grabbed Rajesh’s arm, pulling him toward the exit.
“We need to move!” Ajit shouted, his voice cutting through the cacophony.
Rajesh nodded frantically, his face pale as he stumbled alongside Ajit. The passage ahead was collapsing, chunks of stone falling around them as the ruins shook violently.
Ajit’s snake sense guided him through the chaos, his movements precise as he dodged falling debris and navigated the crumbling path.
“Almost there!” Rajesh shouted, his voice filled with a mix of panic and determination.
They reached the mouth of the passage just as a massive chunk of stone fell, blocking the way behind them. The roar of the Asura echoed through the ruins, muffled now but no less terrifying.
Outside, the misty dawn had given way to harsh sunlight, the peaceful landscape now marred by the tremors still rippling through the ground. Ajit and Rajesh collapsed onto the grass, gasping for breath.
Rajesh turned to Ajit, his face a mask of disbelief. “Tell me we just imagined that.”
Ajit didn’t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the ruins. His snake sense had quieted slightly, but the warning lingered in the back of his mind—a constant reminder of the danger still looming.
“We didn’t imagine it,” Ajit said finally, his voice steady. “The Asura are awake.”
Rajesh’s shoulders slumped, and he let out a shaky breath. “What do we do now?”
Ajit stood, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the horizon. “We stop them. Whatever it takes.”
The ruins behind them groaned and shifted, the sound of collapsing stone echoing through the hills as Ajit and Rajesh stood at the edge of the clearing. The sunlight felt harsh against their skin after the eerie glow of the chamber, but it did little to chase away the dread that hung in the air.
Rajesh leaned against a boulder, his tablet clutched tightly to his chest. His hands trembled slightly, and his voice was unsteady as he spoke. “Okay… So, just to recap—we woke up ancient beings that want to end the world. Any bright ideas?”
Ajit ignored the sarcasm, his eyes fixed on the ruins. His snake sense buzzed faintly, not with the sharpness of immediate danger but with the ominous hum of something vast and unknowable moving beneath the earth.
“They’re not fully free yet,” Ajit said, his voice firm. “That chamber—it was only a threshold. They’re still trapped on the other side.”
Rajesh blinked at him, his face a mix of disbelief and hope. “So… we still have time? We can stop this?”
Ajit turned to him, his expression grim. “Maybe. But we need to figure out how.”
Rajesh groaned, sliding down the boulder to sit on the ground. “Great. I’ll just whip up an anti-Asura manual while you save the day. No pressure.”
Ajit knelt beside him, his tone softening. “Rajesh, you’re the reason we’re still alive. I need you focused. Can you do that?”
Rajesh exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. “Yeah, yeah. I’m focused. Totally focused.” He pulled out his tablet, tapping furiously at the screen. “Alright. First things first—we need more information. If the Nagamani was a signal, there’s got to be something in these ruins that can tell us how to shut it down.”
Ajit glanced back at the ruins, his jaw tightening. “Going back in isn’t an option. Not with those things awake.”
Rajesh nodded. “Then we search remotely. The carvings we saw—the story they told—it’s gotta connect to something. Maybe there’s more information in ancient texts or local folklore.”
Ajit stood, his gaze shifting to the distant horizon. “We need to warn people. If the Asura break through, Imphal will be the first to fall.”
Rajesh frowned, his hands pausing over the tablet. “And how do you plan to do that? Call a press conference? ‘Hi, I’m Nagaman, and I accidentally unleashed ancient god-monsters’? That’ll go over great.”
Ajit’s lips twitched into a faint smirk, but it faded quickly. “We’ll warn the people who need to know. Quietly. Starting with the ones who can help.”
Rajesh sighed, standing and dusting himself off. “Alright. What’s the plan, fearless leader?”
Ajit’s snake sense flared faintly, pushing him to urgency. “We head back to the city. Prakash knew about this. If he’s telling the truth, he’s still our best shot at stopping them.”
Rajesh froze, his face paling. “Prakash? The guy who almost killed you? You want to ask him for help?”
Ajit nodded. “He doesn’t have a choice. He’s just as trapped in this as we are.”
The drive back to Imphal was tense, the quiet broken only by the sound of the van’s engine and the occasional beep of Rajesh’s tablet. The tremors had lessened, but Ajit’s snake sense remained sharp, a constant reminder that the danger hadn’t passed.
Rajesh tapped at his screen, pulling up files and data as they neared the outskirts of the city. “I’m cross-referencing everything I can find on the Nagamani and the Asura. There’s not much, but…” He hesitated, his brow furrowing.
“But what?” Ajit asked, his eyes on the road.
Rajesh swallowed hard. “The legends talk about an awakening, but they’re vague on what happens next. Some say the Asura return to destroy the world. Others say they’re here to remake it. Either way, it’s not good.”
Ajit tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “Then we make sure they don’t get the chance.”
As they entered the city, Ajit’s earpiece crackled to life. “Prakash is secure,” came the voice of a private security contact Rajesh had arranged. “He hasn’t moved since you left him, but he’s awake. Barely.”
“Good,” Ajit replied. “We’re on our way.”
Rajesh turned to him, his voice hesitant. “You really think he’ll help us?”
Ajit’s gaze hardened. “If he doesn’t, he’ll wish he had.”
The safehouse was quiet when they arrived, the dim light casting long shadows across the room. Prakash was still bound to the chair, his mechanical arms shattered and sparking faintly. His head lifted slowly as Ajit entered, his glowing eyes narrowing.
“You survived,” Prakash rasped, his voice weak but laced with venom. “How… predictable.”
Ajit stepped closer, his voice cold. “The Asura are waking up. You’re going to tell me how to stop them.”
Prakash chuckled weakly, his smile cruel. “Stop them? You don’t stop gods, Nagaman. You worship them.”
Ajit’s fist clenched, venom pooling at his fingertips. “Try again.”
Prakash’s smile faded, replaced by a flicker of something else. Fear.
“They cannot be stopped,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But… they can be contained.”
Ajit leaned in, his gaze intense. “How?”
Prakash’s eyes burned brighter, the glow casting eerie shadows across his face. “You’ll need the Nagamani’s power. What’s left of it.”
Rajesh stepped forward, his voice sharp. “What do you mean, ‘what’s left’?”
Prakash’s smile returned, twisted and faintly triumphant. “The Nagamani was shattered, but its essence remains. Fragments. Scattered. If you can find them… you might have a chance.”
Ajit straightened, his mind racing. “Where are these fragments?”
Prakash chuckled again, his head lolling back. “That’s for you to figure out. But be warned, Nagaman… The Asura will not wait.”
Ajit turned to Rajesh, his voice steady. “Get me everything we can find on the fragments. Locations, connections—anything.”
Rajesh nodded, already pulling up files on his tablet.
Ajit turned back to Prakash, his fists clenching. “You’ve set this in motion. If you’re lying—”
“I’m not,” Prakash interrupted, his smile faint. “And you’ll see soon enough.”
Ajit stepped back, his snake sense buzzing faintly as a new urgency settled over him. The Asura were awake, and the fragments of the Nagamani were their only hope of survival.
The fight was far from over.