In the vision, Bhrigu ruled a land called Mritani, where the soil remembered blood and the rivers forgetfulness. Bhrigu built statues of himself in every market square and called his power the earth's own heartbeat. Worship flowed toward his name, and in time that worship, like a dead river, stopped reaching the places that needed it most. People began to bow not from reverence but from fear. In the hush of palace nights, the queen—Anahita—would place her palm against the window and watch for wonders she could no longer see.
They entered.