Have you ever heard a curse so old,
even the gods pretend to forget it?
I have.
They call me the old one. The watchers of the Island think I'm just a legend…an old ancient turtle, but I remember everything.
Long before kingdoms carved names into stone, before lovers carved names into each other's hearts, before the poison was born- there was the churn.
The Samudra Manthan, the churning of the sacred sea,one of the most powerful and symbolic myths of Hindu mythology.
Gods and Demons ,called Devas and Asuras came together for the churning of the cosmic ocean by spinning the mountain Mandara by using the ancient serpent Vasuki as a rope. And there was me, Kurma, the giant ancient turtle supporting the mountain on my back.
Nectar (Amrit) and poison,
Immortality and ruin,
Kamdhenu and the moon- all divine treasures spilled from the depths, each carrying immense power. But not all gifts were claimed by the heavens
And what they never noticed….was what slipped away….
As one drop of the sacred Nectar touched the frothing waves, a hidden vortex formed in the heart of the ocean . From the swirling force, a secret island rose - Akalora. It wasn't drawn by the maps, not spoken of in scriptures. The Gods called it " the heart of the cosmic sea".
The island was blessed and cursed- because while it was formed from the milk of the creation, it also carried the trace of Halahal poison. To protect it the God splashed a drop of the sacred Nectar and created a balance: only those born of sky and sea-of love and power, could truly awaken its gifts.
The island grew flesh and foam, wind and water.
The Lost Treasure: the soul of the Island
At the center of the Island lay a crystal heart, said to be a shard of the Kaustubha gem, gifted by lord Vishnu himself. It pulses only for the one who truly understands both love and sacrifice.
It chooses the ruler of Akalora by itself. After every 15 years, this sacred temple of Kaustubha gem Opens its gates. This is the biggest event on this island. The heir of the throne must step before it. If it glows, they are accepted. If not- it cracks a little more.
If it breaks, the ocean will reclaim the island, taking the tiniest hint of life with itself.
Children here are born with special gifts.
Some could breathe underwater, feeling the pulse of the ocean in their veins. They can talk to sea creatures -they are called the Vanyari, known to be the descendents of God Vishnu's Matsya Avatar
Some grew wings inheriting the essence of the ancient Garuda, were called the skyborns.
For centuries, both of them have been bound by a prohibition of never blending the two races together. It was created after a post betrayal- that almost tore them apart.
"The skies and the seas may dance, but must never blend."
They called themselves Akarans, the forgotten children of the churning.
But do they know the full truth? With those gifts came something else- something unspoken, something that no one ever understood.
What's the difference between a gift and a curse ?
Between choice and date ?
Between Love and duty?
The Gods turned away. The demons too. But I stayed, guarding the sacred gem, listening to the pulse of a new land. I have lived through tides of peace, waves of war, and the hush before heartbreak. I have watched kings rise, and wings break, and truth slip like pearls into the dark.
And now, the pages of history started to riffle and it is ready to write a new one.
What will happen when love blooms in this sacred island?
Will that love survive all the odds?
Is there anything deeper than love and duty ?
Do you want to come with me and watch a new chapter unfold?