The kings walked back with great enthusiasm. The guards at the gate loudly announced the arrival of the ruler, saying three times, "The Great King Parantakan is arriving!"
Parantakan, with his majestic strength and lion-like gait, walked forward and took his seat on the royal throne. As soon as he sat, he looked at the three men before him and asked,
"You have come from the Chola kingdom, haven't you? Are you Cholas?"
Lorentz immediately stepped forward and replied,
"Yes, Your Majesty, we are from the Chola land. A deadly plague has spread across our country, and we have come here to obtain the medicinal herbs and medical knowledge needed to cure it."
Parantakan nodded and said, "Very well. You shall be taken care of properly," and ordered his men to offer them rest and hospitality.
That night, the three of them stayed in their chamber. As they looked around, one of them asked,
"What kind of place is this? Such a vast and magnificent empire — how long has it existed? Even the outside world doesn't seem to know about it."
Later, they called one of the palace guards and asked, "What is the name of this kingdom?"
The guard replied, "This empire is called Amaravati," and left immediately. The three were confused but curious.
The next morning, they were taken to the palace gardens. The gentle breeze carried the fragrance of countless flowers, and the beauty of the surroundings was mesmerizing. The fruits and flowers there were unlike anything they had ever seen — exotic, vibrant, and heavenly. The entire place was spotless and pure, and it felt as if they had entered paradise itself.
As they explored around the palace, they noticed a single area surrounded by high walls and heavily guarded soldiers. No one was allowed near it. Curious, they asked each other what it could be but decided to move on.
Suddenly, a guard hurried toward them and whispered,
"You must go secretly to the temple on the other side. Inside, there is a small cave — someone is waiting there to meet you. Go quickly."
The three followed the directions and entered the cave, where a man was already waiting. His name was Andhanan.
He greeted them and said,
"I know why you have come here. You entered this island with the help of Irulmuni and under the guidance of Elaravan. But this island is not what you think it is. The people here will not easily help you save that boy. Before you can do anything, you must first understand and separate yourselves from this city."
He continued,
"This city's name is Amaravati. It was not built by humans but by the gods themselves. The one who created it was Theventhiran, the divine ruler of all gods, Lord Indra himself. This city was built entirely of gold, gems, and precious stones. Rambha and other celestial beings once danced to divine music here — it was the very dwelling place of the gods.
You were allowed to enter this sacred city for a reason — everything happens here with purpose, and that purpose will reveal itself to you soon."
He went on,
"The ruler of this land now is King Parantakan, a mighty warrior descended from Lord Indra's own bloodline. He possesses divine powers — mastery over water, fire, wind, and many more elements.
The people who live here are known as the Sentinels. The outsiders believe this island is just a myth, but it is, in truth, a hidden realm connected to the Sentinel lands — invisible to the outside world. The Sentinels live here under divine command, devoted to both the gods and King Parantakan.
They are not mere guardians of the city — their ancestors once received blessings directly from the gods. Long ago, when the Chola emperor Theventhiran Rajaraja Cholan met Indra himself, Indra offered him a boon. Rajaraja Cholan asked that his people — the Cholas — be granted permission to enter this divine city whenever they sought knowledge or healing.
Thus, the gods wrote a sacred decree — a divine scripture known as the Thevasasanam. It stated that any Chola bearing the tiger emblem on his back must be granted entry into Amaravati, and that the Cholas were to be regarded not as mortals but as divine beings themselves.
It is also said that the path to heaven — Sorgaloga — begins from this very city of Amaravati. Those who walk this path with purity shall ascend easily to the divine realm.
However, remember this — the people of Amaravati are skilled in medicine and healing beyond imagination, but they will not help anyone outside their realm easily.
You have come here seeking to save that Chola boy. The key to his life lies in a single ancient manuscript — a sacred book containing all the divine medical secrets of this land. It is hidden safely somewhere within this city, protected by powerful magical forces.
Be cautious while you stay in this city. As time passes, you will begin to understand the mysteries of Amaravati."
After saying this, Andhanan slowly vanished into the shadows, leaving the three men stunned.