Forests, much like villages, had memories.
Vrindavan remembered.
It remembered the way the river had bowed.
It remembered the laughter of children echoing through its groves.
It remembered Krishna.
And when danger came again—
It did not wait for him to act.
The first sign was the silence.
Birdsong ceased abruptly one afternoon, replaced by an unnatural stillness that pressed against the ears. Leaves stopped rustling. Even the wind seemed to hesitate.
Krishna paused mid-butter theft.
Within his awareness—
Hostile Presence Detected.
Designation: Vyomasura.
Threat Level: Infiltration Specialist.
Intent: Abduction.
The system chimed, unimpressed.
«Another one?
Creativity Score: Low.
Disguise Attempt: Shepherd Child.»
Krishna glanced up.
Among the group of cowherd boys playing nearby, one figure moved… slightly wrong. His laughter was delayed. His steps didn't match the rhythm of the others.
Vyomasura.
Trying something new.
Krishna smiled faintly.
Let's see how far Vrindavan has come.
Vyomasura began his plan quietly, leading a few children toward a dense part of the forest under the pretense of a "new game."
Radha noticed immediately.
"Where are you taking them?" she asked sharply.
Vyomasura stiffened. "They wanted to play hide-and-seek."
"No," Radha said flatly. "They didn't."
Krishna watched, amused.
The forest stirred.
Roots shifted beneath the soil.
Branches creaked.
Vyomasura felt it.
He tried to flee.
The ground rose.
Not violently—purposefully.
Roots wrapped around his ankles, tripping him. Vines lashed out, binding his arms. Trees leaned inward, blocking every escape path.
Vyomasura screamed as his disguise shattered, revealing his demonic form.
Children gasped but did not panic.
The forest held him suspended, upside down, like an offering.
Krishna walked over casually, hands behind his back.
"See?" he said to Radha. "It listens now."
Radha stared at the bound demon. "…I'm not sure how I feel about that."
The system chimed dryly.
«Threat Neutralized by Environmental Autonomy.
Krishna Intervention Level: Minimal.
Achievement Unlocked: 'Delegation.'»
Krishna clapped lightly.
"Good forest," he said.
The vines tightened.
Vyomasura wailed. "Mercy! I didn't even attack!"
Krishna tilted his head. "You were going to."
"That counts."
He snapped his fingers.
The forest compressed.
Vyomasura ceased to exist.
The children blinked.
Then—
"Did you see that root trip him?"
"I think the tree pushed him!"
Laughter followed.
No fear.
No trauma.
Yashoda arrived moments later, breathless.
"What happened?"
Radha answered calmly. "The forest handled it."
Yashoda stared at the trees.
"…Of course it did."
That night, Vrindavan slept peacefully.
No demons approached.
Animals patrolled.
Trees leaned protectively.
The river flowed alert.
Krishna lay beside Radha on a hill, staring at the stars.
"You taught it," she said quietly.
"I reminded it," he replied.
She smiled. "Good. That means you don't have to do everything."
Krishna laughed softly.
The system updated one last time before sleep.
«Territorial Defense Network Established.
Protection Level: High.
Dharma Stability: Excellent.»
Far away, in Mathura, Kamsa received news.
"A demon… defeated by trees?"
He laughed hysterically.
Then stopped.
Nothing about this was funny anymore.
--chapter 18 ended--