Lakhey: The Beast of Kathmandu

Title: Lakhey: The Beast of Kathmandu

Universe: NFU – Nepali Folklore Universe

Setting: 1700s Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, scattered Newar villages

PROLOGUE

Dark clouds over the Kathmandu Valley. The sound of ढोल (ḍhol = drum) echoes. Flames flicker around a ritual circle as an old धामी (dhāmī = shaman) chants.

धामी (Dhāmī):

“यो माटोमा धेरै राक्षसहरू निदाएका छन्। तर जब मान्छेहरूले आफ्नो धर्म बिर्सन्छन्... तिनीहरू भोकाएर उठ्छन्।”

("Many demons sleep in this soil. But when humans forget their faith... they awaken hungry.")

A masked figure dances, embodying the Lakhey — wild hair, red face, fangs. Children shiver. The screen shifts: the masked dance dissolves into a real monster stalking through foggy forest.

ACT I – THE VILLAGE AND FEAR

Kathmandu Valley, 1700s. Terraced fields, temples, chautari (resting platforms under trees).

Narration (Voice-over):

"In those days, when Malla kings ruled, the nights belonged not only to gods, but to demons of folklore. Among them — the Lakhey, eater of flesh."

Scene 1 – Village Life

In Patan’s outskirts, villagers harvest rice.

MC Introduction:

Our main character, Arjun, mid-20s, wiry, scarred, a former soldier from a local राजा (rājā = king)'s guard. He now tends fields with his दाजु (dāju = elder brother) and आमै (āmāi = mother).

Mother (आमै):

“अर्जुन, आज बेलुकी नगरमा नजानू। सुनेको छु—राक्षसले फेरि मान्छे खाएको छ।”

("Arjun, do not go to the town tonight. I heard—the demon has eaten again.")

Arjun:

“आमा, म डराउँदिनँ। यो गाउँलाई जोगाउने जिम्मा मेरो हो।”

("Mother, I am not afraid. It is my duty to protect this village.")

Scene 2 – The Attack

Night falls. The Lakhey roars in the distance. Drums beat frantically.

Villagers rush to hide, chanting,

“देउता बचाऊ! देउता बचाऊ!”

("Gods, save us!")

Through mist, the Lakhey appears — red hair like fire, claws dripping blood. It drags a man screaming into the shadows.

Arjun watches, frozen. The fear is real.

ACT II – THE JOURNEY & TRIALS

Scene 3 – The Council

At the temple courtyard, the village elders gather. Butter lamps flicker.

Elder:

“Lakheyले हाम्रो गाउँलाई शाप दिएको छ। धामी बिना, हामी केही गर्न सक्दैनौं।”

("The Lakhey has cursed our village. Without the shaman, we can do nothing.")

A traveling धामी (dhāmī) named Bidur steps forward. His eyes carry both wisdom and madness.

Bidur:

“यो राक्षस सामान्य होइन। यसलाई हराउन—रुद्राक्ष (rudrākṣa = sacred bead) र मन्त्र (mantra) चाहिन्छ। तर को लड्ने?”

("This demon is no ordinary beast. To defeat it — one needs sacred beads and mantra. But who will fight?")

Everyone looks at Arjun.

Arjun:

“म। मेरो आमाले भनेको थियो—धैर्यवानले मात्र गाउँ जोगाउँछ।”

("Me. My mother always said—only the brave can protect the village.")

Scene 4 – Ritual Preparation

Bidur paints Arjun’s forehead with sindoor (vermillion). He gives him a khukuri (curved blade).

Bidur:

“यो खुकुरी देवताले आशीर्वाद दिनुभएको हो। तर सम्झ—धैर्य र विश्वास बिना, धातुले मात्र केही गर्दैन।”

("This khukuri is blessed by the gods. But remember—without courage and faith, metal alone is useless.")

They chant:

“ॐ हुम फट्!”

Scene 5 – The Journey into the Forest

Arjun treks into the dense jungle. He carries a torch. Strange cries echo. He sees bones hanging from trees. The Lakhey is near.

Flashback: Arjun remembers his little दिदी (didī = elder sister), killed by a beast years ago. His fear turns into rage.

ACT III – THE CONFRONTATION

Scene 6 – First Clash

The Lakhey charges. Hair flies like a storm, fangs gleaming. Arjun slashes with his khukuri. Sparks fly, but the Lakhey barely bleeds.

Lakhey (roaring in Nepali):

“तिमी मान्छे—मेरो भोक रोकिन्न!”

("You human—my hunger will not end!")

The ground shakes. Arjun is thrown into a tree.

Scene 7 – The Mantra Power

Bidur arrives, beating the ढोल (ḍhol). The sound weakens the demon.

Bidur:

“अर्जुन! मन्त्र पढ!”

("Arjun! Recite the mantra!")

Arjun, bleeding, chants shakily:

“ॐ हुम हुम फट्! देउता बचाऊ!”

("Om Hum Hum Phat! Gods, protect us!")

The Lakhey shrieks as his body burns with unseen fire.

Scene 8 – The Final Strike

Arjun leaps, planting the rudrākṣa beads into the Lakhey’s chest, then drives his khukuri deep.

Arjun (screaming):

“यो गाउँलाई अझ रगत चाहिँदैन!”

("This village needs no more blood!")

The Lakhey explodes in fire and ash. The forest grows silent.

EPILOGUE

Back at the village, villagers light lamps in celebration.

Mother (आमै), weeping with relief:

“मेरा छोराले गाउँ जोगायो।”

("My son has saved the village.")

Narration (Voice-over):

"And so, in the year of shadows, one man stood against the hunger of demons. But in Nepal’s soil... many more still sleep, waiting."

Final shot: a cave deep in the mountains. Dozens of red eyes open in darkness.

TEXT ON SCREEN:

“NFU – Nepali Folklore Universe continues…”

Arjun

LAkheyy

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