Manithan Vaanam

As the sun begins to set and the ominous comet slowly centers itself, the Raasa's court convenes. The brazen doors to the throne room opens, and in walks the petitioners: Reshinila (Nila), Kittu, and Bhavannan. They walk towards the center of the room, and wait dutifully for the arrival of the royals. Simultaneously, the accused standing on trial, Aadharshanaa (Aadhi) and Leeneshwari (Shwari), are led out of the underground dungeons, and are placed and uncuffed at the top right of the throne room. After the pews fill, and everyone situates themselves, the announcer declares the imminent arrival of Raasa Murugeshwara and Raani Vanathi. They both stride in, Vanathi holding the newly born Murugeshwara twins, and soon after, Murugeshwara proclaims the names of his sons; Harjun and Prabhathan. Rigorous applause follows, and then the announcer declares the start of the council.

The council begins immediately with Bhavannan volunteering himself as the first petitioner. He presents his intention to find Anjan and asks that Murugeshwara might grant him an audience with him; Murugeshwara admonishes Bhavannan for the request, finding Bhavannan foolish and naive. Yet, Murugeshwara decides it entertaining to invite Bhavannan to a royal dinner. Bhavannan is followed by Nila, who explains that she is relinquishing the deed to her homestead. Murugeshwara questions the satisfaction of the home, and Nila responds kindly, explaining how her circumstances have necessitated a move. At this, Murugeshwara is contented, and moves forward towards the last meeting. Kittu steps forward and respectfully asks for the forgiveness of the kingdom on behalf of his nephew, Vaari, and asks if his release is possible. Murugeshwara discloses the thaalis that Vaari had snatched off of women's necks, and how, for this crime, the punishment is a fine of 25 gold pieces and permanent banishment from the lands of the Maaveeranam Kingdom. The council meetings conclude, and the trials begin.

The accused, once separate, now joined, stand on trial for the forgery of identity scrolls. Murugeshwara scrutinizes and questions the apparent twins about the reasons of their crime. Shwari politely regards the Raasa's questions and claims that she and her twin, Aadhi, wanted to live a life anew, and to do so, the forgery of the Jaadhi specifically was necessary. The twins perform an extraordinary display of fake tears and heartfelt words, seemingly softening Murugeshwara's heart, but not Vanathi's. A staredown with Vanathi commences, and as she whispers to Murugeshwara what the verdict of the trial should be, the announcer interrupts and claims that a man is demanding an immediate meeting: a man by the name of Venkataram Manjunath.

Venkataram strides in, black robes flowing endlessly and a scowl upon his face. He reaches the center of the room and Murugeshwara demands to know the reason for this interruption. Venkataram proceeds to apologize, but when he is asked his purpose, he responds with the threat of regicide and a small hooded figure immediately rappels from the roof and jumps upon Murugeshwara's back, slitting his throat in front of the whole room. The comet centers itself and burns brightly as blood flows from his throat, his body falls, and immediate chaos ensues. Throats are slit in the pews, and Venkataram, after cursing his daughter Aadhi, flees from the room through a secret passage, taking Vanathi and the infant twins with him. The five manithan left suddenly combat the remaining Neithal assailants, and after the near deaths of Aadhi and Nila, the crew decide to run, locking the throne doors behind them and trapping the assailants within.

The group flees towards the palace courtyard, and whilst they talk about the next steps to take, Vanathi cries out towards them and falls to the ground, bleeding from an arrow piercing her back. Shwari and Aadhi sprint to her first, but Vanathi, in hateful scorn, demands the presence of another. Bhavannan moves forward, and Vanathi tasks him—and, in extension, all—with the safe passage of her sons to the city of Kaverinaadu. She places the infants in Bhavannan's arms and proceeds to limp into the blazing palace: the act of self-immolation. After this upsetting scene, Nila dashes towards the royal stables; everyone follows in pursuit and mounts their yaans, beginning the journey down the mountain side. They have a rather slow journey down, with Aadhi and Shwari targeting insults at Bhavannan—Bhavannan fires back, and also eventually persuades Nila to help the twins on the promise that he will help recover Nila's paati's body. They reach the end of the road and see the city of Keya aflame, charging their yaans through the fiery pits to reach the gates. The identity of Kittu, still known to the guards, leads them to open the gates for the group, and they sprint until they reach a cliffside where they watch the desecration of Keya.