Centaur Beni turned his attention gaze toward Madhav, his bow still loosely gripped in one hand, the bloodied sword in the other.
"Well?" Beni asked, his voice deep and grave. "You look as if you're not quite happy I killed this criminal human."
Madhav stood silent for a moment, his eyes locked on the lifeless form of Sunil, sprawled in his own blood, the echoes of his final breath still lingering in the broken shop building. Then he nodded.
"I'm not sad for him," Madhav replied, his voice calm but firm. "He deserved what he got. You gave him justice." His brows furrowed. "But something strange just happened to me... As I came near his dead body, I... I've gained a new skill—Storage Space."
Centaur Beni blinked, then broke into a rare grin. "Ha! That's a big deal. Madhav you got this person magical skill power. That's wonderful.
He said, "I can see that, Madhav, your body is now more muscular and athletic."
Here, madhav rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers. "Yep I can feel it… My body feels different now—more warrior. Stronger. Like I've finally now more connected to my own skill."
Centaur Beni studied him with a warrior eyes. You've grown. Physically, and… something deeper." He gestured with his blade. "Your aura is clearer now. "By the way, how many magical skills do you have now?"
Madhav thought for a moment, then replied, "I believe I have four in total:
1) Unconsciousness Skill
2) Fire and Freeze Resistance Skill
3) Master Combat Arts Skill
4) Storage Space Skill"
As the words settled, Madhav's eyes fell upon a sword lying near Sunil's body, covered with dust and partially hidden under a broken wall—its hilt familiar. A memory stirred. That was Zahir's sword. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and reached out his hand. With a focused breath, he activated his new ability.
The blade shimmered—and vanished into the void of his storage space.
A soft hum echoed in his mind. Control. Ownership.
Just then, Zahir stumbled forward slowly, his face pale, eyes glazed with shock. His limbs trembled as he dragged his battered body to Sunil's side. He collapsed to his knees.
"Sunil… SUNIL! Please open your eyes!" he screamed, voice ragged, hands clutching his lifeless friend. "What happened—what did you do to him?!"
His cries cracked the silence, madness lacing every word. He shook the corpse, blood soaking his palms, fear and grief mixing into a storm of panic. His breath came in gasps, his eyes unfocused, flicking from Madhav to Beni the Centaur.
Then he froze.
Zahir's gaze shifted—past them—behind them.
For a fleeting instant, in the curling mist of death and magic, two figures shimmered into view beside Madhav and Beni the Centaur—dark energy auras, humanoid yet faceless, smiling at the sight of Zahir's helpless face, Here Zahir also clearly saw them smiling. Cold and spectral, like specters carved from shadow.
Result, Zahir's already broken mind snapped.
With a guttural cry, he turned and ran—bolted into the forest, crashing through undergrowth with blind desperation, no sense of direction, only a primal urge to flee.
"ZAHIR!" Madhav shouted, taking a step to follow.
But Beni placed a steady hand on his shoulder. "Let him go."
Madhav looked at him, uncertain.
"He's lost his mind," the centaur said solemnly. "His mental health not in good condition. He's not a threat anymore."
Madhav let out a breath, nodding slowly.
As Madhav observed, he couldn't find Mohit.
"Mohit!" Madhav suddenly called out, his voice sharp and urgent. "MOHIT! Where are you?!"
No reply came.
Only silence.
Madhav moved to search among the dust and broken parts of the building.
From the broken parts and dust of what once was the wonderful shop, Meera emerged. Her robes were torn, streaked with ash, but her eyes gleamed with excitement. She held something heavy and glinting under her arm.
"Madhav! Uncle Beni!" she shouted, waving them over. "Look at this—this metal ore—it's not ordinary! It's magical… I think it's truly a special ore!"
Madhav and Centaur Beni approached her through the debris-strewn floor, the scent of burnt wood and scorched magic still thick in the air. Just then, the ground trembled.
From a swirl of broken stone and ash, the golem—battered and limping—rose one last time. But as others could see, the golem was now severely damaged and in poor condition.
But Ketaki was already there. She emerged without warning, with a powerful magical presence. Madhav and Beni the Centaur both understood that today Ketaki would destroy this golem once and for all. Her cloak billowed with stored energy, her hands wreathed in spiraling green and silver light. With one final surge, she unleashed her spell. Nature twisted through air and stone, vines shimmering with mana, and her Illusionary Nature Magic burst through the golem's weakened core.
The creature let out a groaning metallic cry before crumbling into stillness.
Ketaki stepped out from the smoke, her breath labored but her eyes sharp. "It's done," she said, brushing dust from her arms.
Madhav gave her a silent nod of thanks. "Your hard fight is over now," he said. "I can feel, Ketaki, that you're a little satisfied."
"But not fully," Ketaki replied. "I want more fights like this, and I want to show my magic power to those three humans who attacked our village."
"Don't worry," Beni the Centaur said. "One died by my hand, and the second human's mental condition isn't good. Only the third is left; soon he will also get proper judgment."
After listening to Centaur Beni's words, Madhav then turned towards Meera. She was crouched beside a strange cluster of magical metal ore, softly pulsing with a blue-red aura. Beside the magical metal ore lay a few rings.
Meera's voice was quieter now, filled with wonder. "This… This could yield wonderful items in the future, if we use this magical ore-metal. Or something greater. Something we can't ignore."
But Madhav wasn't listening—not fully. In his mind, he was worried about his friend Mohit.
His eyes were scanning the horizon. "That's wonderful, Meera," Madhav said in a slightly worried voice, "but what's important now is, 'Where is Mohit?'"
Meera looked up, confused. She could see Madhav's tension, so she replied, "Oh… right. I saw him. Just a moment ago. He… went out that way."
Madhav's jaw tightened.
Still, Madhav moved closer to the magical metal ore. "We'll find him. But first—this metal needs to be preserved. It's not a good idea to leave it exposed to others."
He lifted his hand, focusing on his skill, and his Storage Space activated.
A ripple of energy formed in the air—the shimmering portal of his Storage Space skill. The void opened like a tear in reality, humming with arcane gravity.
Because of storage space skill. First, the rings floating in the air near the magical metal ore were drawn by the Storage Space's attractive force and pulled into the void. Then, the magical metal ore also followed, drawn into the void like light consumed by a black hole.
Meera watched, stunned into silence. "That… was incredible," she whispered.
Madhav nodded. "It's a new skill. Still getting used to it."
The portal shimmered once more—and closed, vanishing into still air.
Madhav's thoughts were preoccupied; one friend was in the hospital, and another was missing, i need to find Mohit fastly, if he get in any problem. So he said,
"Let's go," he said firmly. "We need to find Mohit."
Beni the Centaur, standing tall with his longbow slung across his back, nodded. "Aye. But don't forget about Ankur. If something happens to him—if he needs backup—he's alone out there."
Ketaki moved closer to Madhav, her expression confident. She said "Ankur's strong. He can take care of himself."
But the Centaur's voice turned low and wary. "Strength isn't everything. One wrong turn and one trap too deep for problem. the forest can change its face in moments. We can't afford to take chances."
Meera, still brushing dust from her tunic, spoke up. "He's right. We can't ignore Ankur."
For a moment, Madhav fell silent, his gaze distant, thinking. Then he straightened. "Then we divide. Two teams. Four of us—two will go after Mohit, two will follow Ankur's trail. We'll cover more ground and waste less time."
Ketaki stepped forward. "I'll go with you," she said, looking at Madhav. "My fairy can help track Mohit easily. They remember his scent…."
Centaur Beni snorted softly. "And I can follow the Crocotta's trail. That beast leaves a path like a comet through the woods."
Meera gave a quick nod, studying Madhav's face. She thought to herself. Then she said, "Then it's settled. Madhav, you go with Ketaki and find Mohit. Uncle Beni and I will head after Ankur. We'll regroup when we find them both."
Madhav met Meera's gaze, his voice steady. "Be careful. Stay sharp." Ketaki then added to Meera, "My fairies remember your scent, so we will find you easily wherever you are."
Centaur tightened the strap of his bow. Ready to leave, Meera and Centaur moved towards the direction where the footprints led. Deep footprints etched into the damp forest floor. The shadows of the trees stretched long around them as they vanished into the green.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the woods, Madhav and Ketaki moved quietly, guided by the flickering light of the tracking fairy. The small glowing creature flitted between trees and sunlit rays, weaving between low branches and glancing back to make sure its companions followed.
Farther ahead, hidden by layers of moss and trees, Mohit crept silently. His breath was steady, his footsteps practiced. He trailed Ravin and Cetana from a distance, keeping to the shadows of the trees to hide his presence. His eyes were locked on their backs, never blinking, his instincts alert to every movement.
Between the gnarled trees, Ravin pushed aside , allowing Cetana to pass first. "Where exactly are we going, Miss Cetana?" he asked, voice low, careful.
She didn't stop walking, but her tone was calm and cool. "Somewhere safe. Away from burning shops and buildings, and black shadow elves." Then, without turning, she added, "Tell me, Ravin… what do you think? What will happened to your two friends? they'll survive?"
Ravin scoffed. "They're not my friends. Just liabilities. Whether they live or die means nothing to me. What matters is that the job gets done. That's all."
At that, Cetana halted. Slowly, she turned, her golden eyes sharp with interest as she studied his face—searching for deceit. A small, wicked smile curved her lips.
"My, my," she said with amusement. "Another merciless soul. Cold. Unattached." She stepped closer, her voice dropping like silk across thorns. "I like that."
"But I have another question," Cetana said. Ravin nodded. "Ask." Cetana continued, "If you failed in your job task, or, perhaps, didn't secure that coin, then what will happened to you?"
Ravin hummed thoughtfully, then he said with confidence, "Then it costs me my life. My teacher ordered me to be utterly loyal to Deva; if he wants anything, I can do anything—i will take a life or die."
Cetana was impressed by Ravin's words. "So, you're following your teacher's orders, good," she said. "By the way, you haven't given a proper introduction of your respected teacher."
Ravin's face lit with a faint sense of pride, as if relishing the opportunity to speak about his mentor. But just as he parted his lips, suddenly Cetana raised a single hand—a silent signal. Her fingers spread like a whisper of warning.
"Not now," she said calmly, but firmly.
Ravin blinked in surprise. "What happened?"
Her sharp eyes scanned the dense shadows between the trees. The air had shifted. "We're being followed," she murmured. "Someone's keeping an eye on us from a distance…" Ravin asked, "How do you know?" Then Cetana said, "I can feel him. He's trying to stay hidden."
She raised her voice then, her tone cutting cleanly through the woods. "Hey—whoever you are—step out now, or I promise you... if I have to come looking, it won't end well for you."
There was silence. No rustling. No movement. Only the hush of wind curling through branches.
Then Cetana's eyes narrowed. "So be it."
She activated her skill, a power that allow and give her to control animals, birds, and mythical magical creatures, her fingers forming gestures in midair.
She then called out, "who ever creatures present in my surroundings, or near me, come out! I need your help."
Suddenly, the ground rumbled in answer. From beneath the layers of dust and soil, two monstrous forms began to emerge—the Shila Sarpa, Rock Serpents of the forest. Their enormous bodies were encrusted with stone-like scales, blending seamlessly into the terrain as if they were part of the mountain itself. With every shift of their bodies, pebbles rolled and small cracks split the earth.
Their golden eyes glowed like molten ore as they slithered forward, shaking the forest floor with their passage.
Hidden behind a thick cluster of boulders and trees, Here suddenly Mohit felt the tremors first—then saw the massive forms winding their way toward him, the earth breaking around their paths. He try to moved back instinctively to a safer place, but he realized the serpents had already surrounded him, he totally get surprised to see speed of this serpent, his hands ready for defense—yet he quickly realized they weren't attacking.
Instead, they coiled around him without striking—watching, hissing softly, their eyes never blinking. She hadn't given the order to kill, which was why the serpents hadn't hurt him.
Mohit could feel it then—a clear command: Let us go towards that lady.
Two serpents moved parallel to Mohit, forming a path.
Through the trees, not far ahead, as Mohit neared Cetana, she stood still. Her voice echoed, soft but commanding:
"You've followed long enough. Now speak your intent."
Mohit stepped forward slowly, surrounded by the two stone- serpents, his eyes locked with hers. Then he cast Ravin a challenging look.
Ravin let out a cold chuckle, his eyes gleaming with mockery. "Hey, idiot," he sneered. "Didn't expect to see you alive here infront of me . Honestly, I thought you will die there only. But maybe," he grinned wickedly, drawing his crossbow, "you just want to die here, by my hands instead?"
Across the clearing, Mohit stepped forward, his voice steady, his gaze unwavering. "What you did to me… I haven't forgotten. That pain still burns in my hand. Still haunts my memory."
"Oh?" Ravin said, dramatically clutching his chest. "What a brave little speech. I'm so touched. So, you came here to take revenge for what I did to you?"
"You can say that," Mohit replied.
But Cetana observed the scene and interrupted, her voice slicing through their exchange like the crack of a whip. "Enough. If this is your enemy, finish it. Quickly. We don't have time to waste."
Ravin's grin returned. "Don't worry, Miss. I'll wrap this up fast. Then we can go."
But Mohit tilted his head and smirked. "Going somewhere? You two?" He scoffed, his tone full of sarcasm. "And, Auntie, maybe sit down. This might take a while."
For a heartbeat, silence fell.
Cetana's eyes flared with fury. "What did you just call me?"
"Auntie," Mohit repeated, with exaggerated slowness, his expression mocking. "So what you think, you're not older than me? Or should I add grumpy too?"
Ravin looked at Cetana's face, then hissed, "You crossed the line." He lifted his crossbow and took aim. "You die now. He move towards near Mohit."
But Mohit didn't flinch. "You think I came all this way without a plan?"
In one swift motion, he drew a dagger from behind his back and swung it through the air with a sharp arc. The blade shimmered with ethereal blue light, releasing a power that could freeze ice and snow. The forest held its breath.
Cetana's eyes widened in instant recognition. That dagger was a gift made for Navya's son—she knew it. Her expression snapped to alarm. "No—! How did he get that dagger?"
She quickly raised a hand, giving a swift command to kill that human. The two Shila Sarpa surged forward, their stone-scaled bodies coiling to strike Mohit. They move near to attack. But it was too late.
A burst of freezing magic exploded from the dagger's edge.
Boom!.... Ice magic surrounded Mohit.
The earth beneath Mohit's feet turned slick with ice. Fractals of frost spiderwebbed out across the clearing, and pillars and mountain of ice erupted, encasing the trees, the grass, even the air in a biting chill.
The two serpents were caught under by Mohit's ice magic dagger attack, and the frost crawled over their scales, freezing their rock-hard skin into brittle stone, rendering them both unable to move.
Here Ravin staggered back, trying to dodge it, but his limbs locked with creeping frost. Ice clung to his crossbow and his left hand, numbing his fingers. Ravin was totally shocked by what had just happened. How could this weak person wield such power? I am superior to him! he thought.
Mohit stood at the center of the storm, the frozen mist swirling around him like a cloak of vengeance. His voice was calm and resolute:
"Now, how do you feel? Enjoyed my attack or not?"