Week 5 Storytelling: Viradha

      The leaves rustled as the wind carried itself through the trees. The sun started to set and a cold chill spread through the forest. But this didn't bother Macy or Josh at all. They were content with just each other, happily chatting away about their days and their plans for the week. Suddenly, out of no where, a giant shadow cast over Josh and he felt a strong swift fist to his jaw. Josh's past army instincts kicked in within seconds as he tried to flip the man over and pin down whoever it was that had ambushed him. Uncommonly though, whoever he was fighting with knew everyone of his tricks. No matter which way Josh turned, this person was there, deflecting and throwing back every technique and move that Josh had practiced during his 32 years in the army. Macy's screams became weaker and weaker as Josh felt himself growing weary and felt his body giving in. 
      Josh's eyes opened and the first thing he tasted was a metal-like substance between his teeth. He tried to lift himself up and felt his body completely tense up and resist. He swiveled his head around and saw the moon peeping through the trees and EVERYTHING just hit him at once. Where was Macy?! Who had taken her? Why had they been ambushed? What in the world had he ever done to deserve this? And what had MACY ever done?! Josh scrambled around in his pocket and felt his tiny little phone. Quietly thanking God in head, Josh picked up his phone and called his best friend and trustee, Derek. Derek quickly located Josh and reached there in no time. Derek had said on the phone that someone had already contacted him and he knew exactly where Macy was being held. Josh and Derek drove straight to the address that was given to them and found Macy tied up in a chair. She seemed unharmed, just confused. 
      Out of the corner of his eye Josh caught someone else standing by the door. As the man walked out of the shadow, Josh realized that it was no one other than Hyun, the man who had killed his very own brother during World War II.. Rage quickly clouded Josh's head and all he could think about was killing Hyun and taking revenge for his poor brother who was currently laying in his grave. Hyun had left 3 children father-less and a beautiful wife, husband-less. Josh's anger blinded him and he flung himself at Hyun twisting the knife that Hyun was holding straight into Hyun's own stomach. It didn't even hit him that Hyun was just standing there, not even fighting back, till Hyun fell to floor covered in stab wounds and dripping in blood. Hyun mustered the last amount of energy he had, looked into Josh's eyes, whispered "Thank you," then quietly passed away.  
      A bright light suddenly shown down on Hyun and a deep voice bellowed from the background, "Thank you Oh kind Josh. This was Hyun's dying wish and he thanks you for releasing him from this gruesome world and into the boundless grounds of Heaven. He felt like you were the only one that had the right to end his life because he had ended your brother's."

Viradha, the demon, who actually turns out to be Tumburu

(Image Information: Viradha)

Author's Note: This story is based off of the tale of Viradha, the demon who captured Sita. Viradha had been cursed and was told that the only way his curse would be broken and that he could join the love of his life in heaven, would be if Rama took his life. So Viradha planned this giant scheme that caused Lakshmana and Rama to chase after him and end his life. This broke his curse and it turns out that Viradha wasn't who he was thought out to be. Viradha was actually a ghandarva named Tumburu.

Bibliography: Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.