It had been 13 days since the fateful night at Varanavat and they started their journey towards Matsya.

It became harder day by day. As they reached deeper into the forest barefoot. The little water they carried, had finished soon. Luckily they found a waterfall and restored. Bheem found some fruit trees and that lasted a few days. But now, hunger, exhaustion and thirst was getting impossible to ignore for Drisana and Kunti.

The Pandavs were tired too, but not as much as those two. Most of the times, Bheem carried Kunti in spite of her protests. Arjun and Nakul offered Drisana the same and she would have gladly accepted if not for her pride. Instead she found a stick to use as support. Kunti followed her soon after.

The forest had grown denser and impassable. Even at daytime, they could barely see the sky. It was hard to follow a path. Pandavs were worried about losing way. Bheem had to cut through trees few times to make way.

Kunti stumbled and would have fallen if not for Bheem. They decided to rest then. As they sat under a banyan tree, Bheem wanted to go in search of food and water.

"No, putra. This forest doesn't seem right to me. Don't leave alone. " Kunti protested.

"Don't worry, mata. I'll come back soon. Till then you get some rest." Bheem assured her.

"I'll also come with you." Sahdev said.

"No, anuj. You stay here." Refused Bheem.

"Take Sahdev with you Bheem." Yudhisthir said.

Bheem nodded and left with Sahdev. As they rested, it wasn't soon before Kunti and Drisana fell asleep. Arjun and Nakul followed after with Yudhisthir watching over them.

Bheem and Sahdev roamed around almost four miles before finding a lake. There were also some fruit trees around in this part of the forest. They washed themselves in the lake, drank some water and started to collect fruits from different trees when they heard a crying sound.

"Bhrata, have you heard that?" asked Sahdev looking at Bheem.

"Yes, Sahdev. Sounds like someone is crying." Bheem nodded.

"But who can that possibly be?" Sahdev wondered.

"Let's see." Saying so Bheem started to go to the direction of the sound with Sahdev following.

After coming a little distance, they found a woman sitting under a tree alone and crying softly. Bheem and Sahdev went to her.

"Who are you, devi? And why are you crying, sitting here alone?"asked Sahdev.

"My name is Kaalaka. Because of my dark skin, my husband left me in this forest alone saying that I'm a demoness and my place is with them only." The woman said crying miserably.

"How can he do this? You have no fault if god made your skin dark. I'll talk to your husband." Bheem said while Sahdev looked alarmed.

"Bhrata Bheem, you can talk later to her husband. Right now, we'll have to go back and leave this forest area immediately with everyone." Sahdev said to Bheem.

"Why?" Bheem asked confused.

"Haven't you heard her? Her husband left saying her place is with demons. That means there are demons in this part of the forest and their power increases after sunset. We'll have to leave this forest before sunset." Sahdev said hurriedly.

"You're right, Sahdev. We'll have to leave. But what about this devi? We can't leave her alone here." Bheem said getting his urgency.

"There are more humans?" Interrupted Kaalaka with curiosity.

"Yes. Our Mata, brothers and sister are with us." Bheem replied. Sahdev looked at her thoughtfully. She wasn't crying anymore and looked nervous.

"You also come with us. You shouldn't be alone in this forest." Bheem offered her which she quickly agreed to.

After that they collected enough fruits and water and went back.

One pair of eyes was watching them from one treetop. He was the Rakshasa (demon) king, Hidimb, one cannibal with frightening appearance.

Kaalaka was looking back towards the tree nervously. She was the sister of Hidimb, called Hidimba, a Rakshasa woman herself. Her brother ruled cruelly over the Rakshasa clan. He had even killed her husband Raahosh who opposed him when she was pregnant with her son.

When he saw Bheem and Sahdev, his mouth watered thinking of human flesh and blood. So, he sent Hidimba to bring them to him, threatening her with her son.

Hidimba had no choice but to obey him, but she didn't want to kill innocent humans. Rakshasa clan sacrificed and ate humans. But it was forbidden to harm humans without any reason in her clan. They mostly stayed away from humans, hunting animals instead. But not Hidimb.

She thought about her son. When a Rakshasa child was born, the male protector of that child gave him his blood, thus unlocking that child's Maya and adulthood.

Because of her husband's death, her childs' Maya was still locked and Hidimb was using that helpless child to make Hidimba do his bidding.

Hidimba in the disguise of Kaalaka reached at the banyan tree with Bheem and Sahdev.

Everyone was awake and waiting for their return. Looking at Kaalaka, Kunti asked who she was. Bheem and Sahdev told them everything. Kunti was sympathetic to her and quickly gave her assurance. They decided to leave after eating. Kaalaka also joined them.

Drisana was looking at Kaalaka carefully and thinking of what was happening. As she remembered, Hidimba fell in love with Bheem and to entice him, took the disguise of a beautiful maiden. But Kaalaka didn't looked like she was here to entice him and her story was also different.

Drisana looked at Bheem then. Maybe his idea of beauty was different than the stories. But no, Bheem was concentrating only at his food, as usual. Something was wrong. Should she warn the Pandavs?

She looked at Sahdev and Arjun glancing at each other. They had also realised something was amiss. Drisana caught Arjun's eyes and through gestures warned him of Kaalaka. Understanding her, Arjun became more alert.

After eating, they all started to walk when Kaalaka stopped them saying she knew a short root to get out of the forest fast.

"You said your husband left you here. If you knew how to get out of this forest, then why were you sitting around instead of getting out of here?" Arjun asked.

"Actually, I have nowhere to go. That's why I thought it'd be better if Rakshasa will eat me." Kaalaka replied nervously.

"Oh, and how do you know the roots through the forest so well, even when we don't?" Asked Sahdev.

"Because she lives here only, don't you?" Drisana thought to tell them the truth not trusting Hidimba. Purochans attack was also not expected, so she didn't expect Hidimba to side with them.

Yudhisthir and Nakul caught her meaning with Sahdev and Arjun. Only Kunti and Bheem were confused.

"Meaning?"asked Bheem.

Before Drisana could answer, Hidimb appeared. Jumping from a treetop in front of them. Pandavs immediately surrounded Kunti and Drisana.

"Meaning is she's a Rakshasi who wants to show us the path to this Rakshasa's stomach." Drisana replied finally.

"Very good. You humans appear to be intelligent. I'll enjoy eating you greatly." Hidimb said.

"Let them go Hidimb. They seem to be good humans. You can't kill them without a reason." Hidimba tried to stop him even knowing it'd be fruitless.

"They're in my territory and I'm hungry. That's reason enough for me." Hidimb said to her.

"You want to eat us? Fine. But first, confront me and I will send you to your death." Bheem said angrily.

"You want to fight me human? Okay. I'll drink your blood first then kill the rest."said Hidimb.

Bheem and Hidimb charged towards each other. Bheem dragged him away from them. At a safe distance, he continued to fight the demon while his brothers, Kunti, Drisana and Hidimba watched.

Hidimb was no match comparing to Bheem's brute strength. Soon Bheem finished him off and came back to them. Looking at Hidimba angrily, he said,

"Your brother is dead. Now it's your turn Rakshasi."

"Don't kill me. I was forced by my brother to do so. He killed my husband and forced me to do his bidding by threatening my sons life. By killing him, you've not only saved your life but freed me also." Hidimba begged kneeling before him.

"You can't kill her Bheem. Even though she's a Rakshasi, she's a female. It's against kshatriya dharm (righteousness). She's not threatening us. Let her go." Yudhisthir said.

"Thank you all. I'll never forget this. I have a last request to you." Hidimba said looking at Bheem.

"See this. Now she wants to make a request." Bheem said annoyed.

"I'm helpless. In Rakshasa clan, when a child is born, the male protector of the child gives his blood to that child to unlock his Maya and adulthood. My brother killed my husband and captured my son. As you killed him and freed us, you're the current male protector of us." Hidimba explained.

Bheem looked shockingly to his brothers.

"Now what rubbish is this?"

"Please, help me. I'll safely take you out of this forest after. I give you my word." Hidimba was pleading.

The forest would take longer than one month to pass. But with Hidimba's powers, she can take them outside in hours. Bheem knew how difficult this journey was for his mata and Drisana. He looked at Yudhisthir.

Yudhisthir was thinking the same but it wasn't his decision to take.

"Okay. Bring your son to me, but if you try anything to harm my family even after giving oath, I won't hesitate to kill you." Bheem said finally making up his mind.

Hidimba nodded gratefully and after sometime brought her son. Looking a last time towards his family, Bheem made a cut in his hand and touched the blood to the child's mouth. Instantly, the child grew up into a young male. He touched Bheem's feet and asked for a name. As in Rakshasa clan, the child's name was given by the male too. After some confusing moments, Bheem gave him the name Ghatotkacha. After that Hidimba and Ghatotkacha took them out of the forest and showed them the path of a nearby village. They were also given the clothes of ascetics.

"You and your family has done a big favour to us. We'll always be in your debt. From now on, we'll be devoted to you." Hidimba said to Bheem.

"Whenever you need me, just think of my name and I'll be in front of you." Ghatotkacha promised.

With that Hidimba and Ghatotkacha left northwards.

The Pandavs, Kunti and Drisana started towards an unknown path.

Drisana was now sure the same events that she'd read about was not going to be followed. But why this change and what was ahead remained to be seen.