A few minutes earlier…
In front of Mohit, Cetana's twisted, undead body strained against the invisible magical grip of the fairy's power. The small winged creature hovered in the air, light shimmering faintly as it fought to keep her restrained.
Ketaki stepped cautiously closer to Mohit and the bound half-elf. "So… what do we do with this woman?" she asked, her voice tense.
Mohit's eyes narrowed. "Why not find a way to kill her?"
Ketaki looked at Mohit, here he said again in worry voice, "As you can see, this woman wanted to kill us right here on this spot."
Cetana's lips curled into a deranged grin. Her eyes were wild, and her voice dripped with madness. "You think you can kill me? You can't hold me. You can't stop me. I am… uncontrollable. An undead body that will never rest and feels no pain."
Her body twisted unnaturally, bones cracking as she forced one arm free from the binding of Madhav's unconscious skill. The sound was sickening—like splintering wood.
The fairy darted toward Ketaki, frantically signaling. Ketaki's eyes widened. "Mohit—my fairy friend can't hold her much longer!" she said, her voice almost breaking with tension.
Mohit stiffened, panic flashing in his eyes. "Then what do we—"
Before he could finish, Cetana tore free from the fairy's magic entirely. Her movements turned eerily fluid, almost like a dance, and then she advanced toward them with a slow, predatory grace.
Her smile was sharp and full of malice. "Today," she hissed, "you'll see the true power of a half-elf who is now a zombie."
Mohit swallowed hard, trying to mask his fear. "I've seen zombies in movies and horror dramas. They eat humans."
Cetana chuckled, a dark smile on her face. "Oh, don't worry... I'll eat both of you, but slowly. Without pain—at first."
Mohit and Ketaki instinctively stepped back as Cetana advanced, her movements disturbingly smooth and deliberate.
Ketaki quickly began casting a magical spell. The glowing energy circle hit Cetana's undead body, and plants appeared around her, attempting to capture her. But Cetana's expression didn't change. Though one of her hands was unconscious, she used her other hand with zombie-like physical strength to break free. As she emerged from the plant jail, Ketaki's reaction changed for a little. Cetana laughed as she observed that the magic energy did no harm to her, only fading harmlessly against her skin with no effect. Here she became excited and said this children was no match for me. Its showed that I am greatest here , as always with this word Cetana started moving towards Mohit and ketaki.
As Ketaki saw her coming like a crazy run, she muttered, "She's not slowing down."
Mohit's think for little his expression hardened. "Move aside," he said. "Now let me handle this."
He closed his eyes briefly, summoning his skill—Control Nature Surrounding Creature.
A deep, resonant hum filled the air, followed by an echoing voice that seemed to come from the very ground itself. The forest stirred. Shapes emerged from the shadows—creatures of varying sizes and forms, each radiating an otherworldly presence.
For the first time, Cetana froze and stopped moving. She paused to think. Her eyes widened in disbelief. This human… using her own magic skill power.
Shock twisted into fury. She thought, So what if this boy is using my power? He can't control these magical forest creatures. Without a word, she lunged forward—ignoring the surrounding beasts—heading straight for Mohit and ketaki. Her intent was clear: kill him first.
Cetana showed no fear. She pressed forward as if the threats around her meant nothing.
Then, without warning, swarms of fire-moths—tiny and large alike—filled the air, their glowing wings igniting sparks. They swirled in a fiery storm, surrounding Cetana in a blazing circle.
She paused, her eyes narrowing. "I don't know how you learned to control creatures, human," she spat, glaring at Mohit, "but believe me—these things cannot stop or kill my undead body."
The fire moths ignited the ground, and flames roared to life around her. Cetana screamed as fire licked at her skin, but she continued to push forward. The trees shook as Vanaspati Vanaras—monkey-like creatures with fur made of living vines and leaves—leapt from branch to branch, shrieking, their cries echoing through the forest.
Ketaki, with a shocked by looking at so many plant monkey surrounding them , asked Mohit, "Can you explain how you're doing that?"
Mohit turned his head slightly break his serious tone. "Oh, that? I got this power from this elf lady before when she died there."
Ketaki, confused, said, "Wait, she's an elf. And why is she saying she's a half-elf?" Suddenly, she shook her head, forcing herself out of her thoughts.
Suddenly, a massive rock-serpent slithered out from beneath the earth and coiled tightly around Cetana's legs, anchoring her in place. The fire blazed hotter, devouring the air and scorching her flesh. She writhed and pulled with inhuman strength, but the creatures held her down.
Mohit raised his fists, giving a signal to the creatures to stop. In that moment, they ceased their attack. The fire-moths flickered and vanished, leaving behind a charred, smoking figure.
Ketaki stepped forward cautiously, her eyes wide , In serious voice "Cetana... she's still alive. Her body is totally burned, and injuries have appeared but also she don't want to die," she whispered in horror.
Mohit's jaw tightened. "Why won't she die with peace ?.....
With a guttural snarl, Cetana raised one burned, twisted arm. "Look at me!" she shouted. "You can't kill me!" She reached toward Mohit with relentless hunger.
Then suddenly—the forest itself fell silent. The air grew heavy and cold, the atmosphere shifting. From the shadows, a majestic stag emerged, its body cloaked in darkness yet crowned with radiant antlers. It was a Chhaya Mriga (Shadow Deer), and its horns glowed with a divine light, like the touch of an angel.
Before Cetana could strike on Mohit, a surge of thunder descended from the heavens, channeling through the stag's horns. The bolt struck Cetana with a deafening crack.
For an instant, her scream tore through the night—then her body crumbled into ash, scattering across the ground.
Mohit and Ketaki stared at the clearing in stunned silence, the shadow-deer standing solemnly before them, its glowing eyes reflecting the storm. Suddenly, the deer ran deep into the forest.
Meanwhile, Ankur rode upon the Crocotta as they followed the Elven captain and his two companions. The pair were cloaked in green armor, faces hidden beneath hoods, silver-thistle blades glinting faintly at their sides. One was a young elf girl, the other an elf boy—both silent, moving like shadows through the forest.
The Captain Elven spoke with a satisfied tone.
"We must make our way straight to the Forest Elves' capital. I cannot believe my fortune—at last, I hold this cursed golden coin."
Both companions bowed slightly, their voices steady.
"Understood, Captain. We'll find a safe route to the capital," one of the companions replied with a respectful tone.
But before they could move farther, a chilling lady voice rang out from behind them.
"Where are you going? Stop there… I will go with you."
The group froze between forest way . The captain's eyes widened , he try to look around and said "That voice… Cetana , it's her voice! Did you hear it?" he asked in disbelief, turning slowly toward the sound. "I think She is coming this way…"
Here both companions try to look around because they also hear that voice.
Suddenly, a beast creature leapt from the between dark forest —a dog or wolf -like creature which jump towards them that landed with a thunderous crash, claws sinking into the soil.
The captain staggered back in confusion, his gaze darting between the monstrous creature and its rider, here both companions come on protective position. Captain elven said in angry and serious voice " Wait… you low level black shadow tribe elf ! You're the one who destroyed her items shop show room! Where is she?"
Before he could demand more, the elf boy stepped forward, placing himself between the captain and the snarling Crocotta. His voice, though trembling with caution, held a new strength. "Captain, be careful!
This is no ordinary beast. Look closely—a dog's body, a lion's tail… and a voice that can mimic anyone it chooses and i think that voice we all listen few minutes ago is not real , save only the animals. This is a Crocotta—an predator, dangerous beyond measure." The elf girl watched, listening intently to her companion's warning.
The elf boy's voice was steady, though his eyes betrayed unease. "Captain… our magic is useless against this creature. The Crocotta cannot be bound by our spells."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his sword hand tense but calm, his eyes locked on the creature.
The captain turned swiftly to the elf girl. "Guard what matters most," he commanded. "Both of you—be cautious."
The elf girl's voice, soft yet unwavering, answered from beneath her hood.
"Captain, for now you not able to see my face, for it is veiled—but believe me if my face is uncover you can see confidence in my face when I say this: we came prepared. We can handle this creature or dog whatever it is."
But even as her words lingered in the air, the captain replied, "This creature is a rare . we can't find this creature in this forest normally.
Its like unique beast."
"You are right, Captain," the elf boy said. "At first I am thinking that I will kill this crocotta at a risk of my life but suddenly after hearing your wards i believe that , I can handle this without killing it , here elf girl companion said
"I also want to help you in this fight,"
The elf boy shook his head. "No you stay here and protect the captain."
He turned his attention back to the battle raging around us, his eyes fixed on the approaching Crocotta. The captain, an elven woman with a serious expression, looked at him with a mix of concern and admiration.
"Don't worry," the elf boy said, meeting her gaze. "I know this fight won't be simple, but I will try my best thinking i have something special for this creature." He move towards crocotta with unnatural speed. From within his armor, he drew a weapon but not a blade, it's a weapon from the outside of forest— and that was a gun, gleaming faintly in the forest's light. He raised it, aiming at the Crocotta.
Ankur, seated upon the beast, saw the intent in the elf boy's eyes. With a small flick of his hand, he gave the signal.
The Crocotta's movement was a blur—one swipe of its massive front leg, faster than the eye could follow.
A sickening silence fell.
The elf boy's head spun free from his shoulders, blood gushing from his neck. His body collapsed to the earth, rolling and tumbling across the forest floor five… six times before it came to rest, lifeless. The gun clattered beside him, unfired.
The captain and the elf girl stood frozen, their breaths caught in their throats, their eyes wide with horror.
Both captain elven and elf girl companion
One question echoed in of their minds, unspoken but heavy in the air.
The elf girl stood frozen, her eyes widening in horror as she watched her companion's lifeless body slump to the ground—his head severed in an instant.
Her thoughts whirled in disbelief. Impossible… he was a trained warrior, a professional fighter… and now… he doesn't even have his head.
The captain's voice broke through the silence, sharp and furious.
"I warned you to be careful! Now look—your partner lies dead before us!"
From atop the monstrous Crocotta, Ankur dismounted, his boots pressing into the earth with calm defiance.
"What is this? Do I sense sorrow?" Ankur mocked, his gaze lingering on the shaken elf girl.
The captain's eyes burned with rage but thinking it's not good time to argue , it's better to get out of this place. "Hey Black-shadow elf, step aside! I will forgive what you have done to my companion—once so ."
Ankur's lips curled into a smile. "Forgiveness? I never asked for yours,"
The captain's jaw tightened. "Have you forgotten, shadow-tribe rat, what I did , oh I mean to say.... what captain elven and his group forest elves done to your people in the past? If not, ask your elders—they will tell you of my great deeds."
Ankur's voice grew darker, heavy with hatred. "I don't need to ask. I already know the truth… I know what you did to my tribe." He clenched his hand into a tight fist.
The captain sneered. "Then there is nothing more to say. You and I end this here." He cast a sharp glance at his remaining companion. The elf girl understood without a word. With a flash, she rushed forward, her cloak snapping behind her, the silver light of Elven magic swirling at her fingertips.
Ankur raised his hand—not to attack, but to signal the Crocotta. "Do not interfere," he commanded.
The Crocotta lowered its head, obeying its master.
The forest air crackled as the elf girl's magic ignited, weaving deadly spells. Ankur stepped into the clash without fear, his energy clashing with her power. Steel rang, sparks flew, and the ground itself shook under the weight of their combat.
During their fight, the elf girl said to Ankur, "If you think you can defeat me without using that creature, you are mistaken. We warriors are always prepared to kill or die, so surrender now."
Ankur replied with a jest, "Don't worry, I am a warrior as well. Killing and dying are habits your people taught mine. You say you are prepared to die? Good. I came prepared to kill."