Captain Elven's eyes burned with madness as he roared, "I need no one! I will kill you myself!"
His magic flared, twisting the very forest around him. Trees bent unnaturally, their roots tearing free of the soil. Shards of hardened earth spun in the air like blades, waiting for his command.
But before he could strike, a sharp whistle cut through the storm. An arrow flashed out of the light in air , piercing true.
Thwack!
Captain Elven staggered, staring in disbelief as blood streamed down his hand. His index and middle fingers had been severed clean off. Rage twisted his face, but he controlled himself, his eyes fixed on Ankur. Before he could unleash his fury, another arrow found its mark, burying itself deep into his thigh.
This time, he cried out—raw pain breaking through his arrogance. His magic faltered, and the storm of rock and wood shuddered, weakening.
Ankur's eyes narrowed as he lowered his guard, watching his enemy stumble. "Not my doing…" he thought, his gaze flicking toward the treeline. The sound of hooves echoed, and a tall centaur emerged from the forest, galloping forward with a bow still raised. Behind him, a young woman sprinted through the undergrowth, her voice carrying across the clearing.
"Wait for me! You really think you can face him alone?!" Mera yelled.
Mera came running from behind, her breath ragged and her chest heaving as she stopped in front of Ankur.
Ankur frowned. "Why are you two here? And where are your other human friends… and my sister?"
Mera, still catching her breath, looked at him urgently. "Ankur… did you get the coin?"
Ankur's expression hardened. "No. I didn't come for the coin. I came to kill this elf. That coin… it doesn't matter to me anymore." He stepped closer, his eyes sharp. "Answer me first. Where are the others?"
Before Mera could speak again, the centaur—Beni—took a step forward, his presence towering and fierce.
"They are safe," Beni rumbled, his deep voice carrying like thunder. "They will come soon enough. But first…" His eyes locked on the staggering figure of Captain Elven. "…we must deal with a far greater problem, and we have to take that coin from him."
Beni moved toward captain Elven, lowered his bow, and stomped a hoof into the ground, the earth trembling beneath him. He shouted in a bold, commanding voice, "Forest elf! Return the cursed coin—now. Or face me in battle. I don't want this to get worse. Just surrender."
The clearing fell silent, the rain hissing on the broken earth, as all eyes turned to the wounded Captain Elven.
Meanwhile, Madhav returned to Mohit and Ketaki, learning that Cetana had died in the fight and her body had already crumbled to dust.
Ketaki's eyes lingered for a moment on the spot where Cetana had been before she turned to Madhav. "What about Ravin? What happened to him?"
Madhav's expression grew grim as he spoke in a low, somber voice. "I killed him... with the help of that sword."
Mohit let out a slow breath. "Since everything's settled here, we shouldn't waste any more time. I don't know if Mera or Uncle Beni need our help, but we should go to them before it's too late."
Ketaki nodded sharply. "They went for my brother's sake. If they are in danger, we can't stand here doing nothing. I'm ready."
Madhav's brow furrowed. "But if we just walk or run, we'll be too late." He looked at Mohit, a sudden flicker of hope in his eyes. "Why are you smiling? Do you have an idea?"
A grin crept across Mohit's face. "I was waiting for you to ask that." He raised his hand, his energy flaring, and the ground trembled. From the cracked earth, a massive stone serpent emerged, its body twisting and glimmering with faint veins of light.
Madhav staggered back in shock. "What in the—? When did you get this kind of power?" His voice was filled with awe and suspicion.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you on the way, don't worry," Mohit replied.
His eyes narrowed. "Wait Mohit... are you saying me ... you're planning for us to ride that?"
Here mohit smirked. "Exactly. Quicker than running, don't you think?"
Than Ketaki's face lit with excitement, her eyes gleaming. "This is incredible. Let's do it!"
Madhav, however, hesitated. He stared up at the serpent's towering form, a knot of unease twisting in his chest. Ketaki noticed and arched an eyebrow. "What's the matter, Madhav? Don't tell me you're afraid to ride it." Her voice was a playful challenge.
He straightened his back, forcing a confident smile. "Afraid? Me? No chance. I'm... I'm completely excited."----------
As Captain Elven staggered, blood dripping from his wounded hand—two fingers already severed—and another cruel wound pierced his leg, he tried to rise. But the agony and loss of blood forced him back to the ground.
From across the clearing, a thunderous voice came:
"Return the cursed coin, Elven!" Centaur Beni's tone shook the air. "Or face me in battle."
When captain elven turned his head with effort. Through his blurred vision, he saw them—the centaur, the elf warrior Ankur of the Black Shadow tribe, and a young woman standing beside him. Three against one.
His chest heaved. I cannot defeat them. Not in this condition. Not with this much blood lost.
The thought filled him with the bitter taste of despair. And in that moment, a memory flashed in his mind.
He stood again in the grand chamber with Minister Fingol, continuing the conversation from their last meeting. The minister's voice was calm but carried an iron weight.
"Elven, listen well. If the day ever comes when you believe your enemy is too powerful, when your body fails and the fight seems unwinnable—remember this." Old man Fingol's eyes glowed with conviction. "Remember how our great king saved you and your family. You had nothing—not even a grain of food—and yet he gave you life, honor, and purpose."
Elven's younger self had bowed low, his voice steady despite the trembling in his heart. "I know, my lord. I have never forgotten. For the king and for this kingdom, I will gladly take other's life or I will even sacrifice myself if needed."
Fingol's lips curved into a proud and sorrowful smile.
The memory shattered as Elven blinked back to the present. His wounds throbbed, his vision swam, but his resolve flickered faintly in his chest like a dying flame refusing to go out.
Suddenly, Captain Elven let out a chilling laugh—a hollow, twisted sound that echoed through the forest like the cackle of a madman.
Centaur Beni, Mera, and Ankur froze, their eyes narrowing.
Here elven's lips curled as he rasped, "Whatever happens next—whatever destruction spreads to this forest, to your people, to every land beyond—remember this… it will all be because of you."
Than ankur's fists clenched, his anger boiling over. He looked at Centaur Beni, his voice sharp and filled with fury. Hey centaur "Enough of this madness! Just kill him now—or I will."
But before either could act, Meera stepped forward, raising her hand in warning. "Wait. Don't move. The coin is more important than his life. Please i request you stay here. Ankur inhaled deeply, his voice low and strained. "I don't care. You can't understand the kind of pain running through my blood, my mind, and my heart. I have to kill that elf at any cost."
Meera's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to say? That you won't listen to me because I'm not from your tribe, but if Ketaki said the same thing, you would listen to her or not?"
Ankur's eyes were cold here he shout with pain voice, " i don't know , maybe I'd listen to her, and maybe I wouldn't. It depends on me. I can't just stand here and watch that elf alive, he is the elf responsible for killing my tribe."
"You can't understand the situation But please wait for few minutes we need that golden curse coin it's important " Mera retorted, her voice filled with anger. "Uncle Beni and I are trying to make sure things don't get even worse!"
Here Ankur looked at her carefully suddenly his anger level gone down, a sudden realization crossing his face , here he think little bit than he said "Did someone ever tell you that you look cute when you get angry?"
Meera went completely silent, her eyes wide with shock. "What...?" she stammered.
Her words had barely left her lips from other side when Captain Elven, grinning through blood and pain, pulled the cursed coin from his robes with his left hand.
And then—in a single, horrifying motion—he shoved the coin into his mouth.
As Centaur Beni's seen his eyes widened in shock. "No—wait! Don't do that!" he roared, charging forward.
Here Ankur, equally stunned, sprang after him, his voice trembling with rage. "You fool! What have you done?"
Meera, caught off guard, turned just in time to see it happen. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart sinking into dread. "No… he wouldn't…"
But it was too late.
As Captain Elven swallowed the coin.
For an instant, time seemed to stop.
The ground quaked violently. A colossal wave of energy erupted from his body, rippling through the forest like a storm. Trees bent and snapped, the very air screamed with power. The shockwave hurled Beni, Ankur, Meera—and even the Crocotta—far into the air before slamming them against the earth ground.
Three of him try to stand here ankur said I said before only kill-kill that elf but you all don't listen to me. Centaur said if I try to killing him at first time than also, he will try or do same thing which he done now.
Here ankur by looking at Centaur, he said that from the beginning only in my deep heart feeling is there ' i don't trust centaur like creature. As Centaur listen ankur word's , he look at ankur in angry face. Here crocotta also came just behind of ankur.
Here Meera said by shout don't fight, wait you two first look what happened to that elf who had that coin. They both stop .
As the dust settled, all eyes turned back to Elven.
But what stood there was no longer the elf they had fought.
His body trembled, engulfed in a dark, pulsating aura. His eyes gleamed with an unnatural light, his expression twisted beyond recognition.
Then came a voice totally different—not entirely his own, echoing from somewhere evil and cruel within him.
"Ah… so it seems I walk again. A new body, not human this time." His lips curled into a wicked smile. "Oh Yes… I remember this form. An elf, a creature crafted long ago by my design and i created it. Beautiful… but weak. Still…" He flexed his bloodied hand, his aura flaring. "…it will serve… for now."
Here Centaur Beni's expression darkened as the aura around Captain Elven grew heavier. His voice rumbled with dread. "This is not good for us..."
Meera narrowed her eyes, her tone uneasy. "Something's different about him. That elf… he no longer looks the same."
With a thunderous gallop, Beni charged forward, bow in hand. "Stand back! I will handle this!"
Ankur stepped forward, his voice sharp. "Wait—I'll fight beside you."
But the moment Beni's focus faltered at Ankur's words, Captain Elven vanished. He reappeared behind the centaur, a creeping, ghostly aura clinging to him.
"Behind you!" Ankur roared, releasing a surge of magic.
Bolts of electric thunder arced across the battlefield, striking Elven directly—yet the cursed elf walked through them unfazed, not a single mark upon his flesh.
Centaur Beni steadied himself, drawing his bow with swift precision. Arrows streaked through the air one after another, each tipped with glowing magic. But Captain Elven danced between them with terrifying grace, slipping closer as though the storm of arrows were nothing more than falling leaves.
In a sudden blur, he caught two arrows mid-flight with his mutilated right hand—three fingers were still enough for his unnatural strength. His grin was feral. "I think… your turn is over."
Centaur Beni's eyes burned with defiance. "I don't think so."
Before Elven could crush the arrows, Ankur leapt from behind, his blade gleaming with conjured fire, a weapon he had been saving for this very moment.
Elven's evil smile widened. "Good. Struggle more."
And so the battlefield ignited.
Captain Elven unleashed torrents of raw magic. Stone spears, ten times more powerful than before, tore from the earth. Twisted roots lashed like serpents, and shards of black flame scorched the ground.
Ankur answered with elemental fury, thunder and fire swirling through his strikes. Beni loosed arrow after arrow, each blessed with magic, his hooves pounding the earth as he circled the cursed elf.
Yet no matter their efforts, Captain Elven's power surged higher. Their attacks scarred the ground and tore through trees, but he endured, his aura swelling darker and more horrifying.
Blow after blow, spell after spell—the fight was slipping from their grasp.
And still, Captain Elven laughed.
He sneered, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. "You are all the same to me… fragile playthings. But at least you bring me a little entertainment."
With that words, Centaur Beni get totally angry charged headlong, unleashing his full combat strength and said , "we are not playthings and we all who ever living in this forest have there self-respect. " His hooves struck the ground like thunder, each blow aimed to shatter bone. Elven met him with equal ferocity, their clash echoing through the forest like steel against stone. They fought like two professional warriors, a brutal and stunning exchange.
Ankur's eyes lit with excitement as he watched their brutal exchange. His fists clenched, his warrior spirit burning. Here he said "What a wonderful fight."
He glanced toward Mera, who stood at the edge of the battlefield, her face etched with worry.
"You're afraid," Ankur said, his voice steady, "but listen to me. This time—don't join the fight."
Mera shook her head, her tone urgent. "No… I can't stand aside while you both fight. I want to join you. I want to prove my courage."
Ankur stepped closer, his voice low but firm. "I told you once to stay back. This time, I ask you—look at me. Watch me fight. See the courage of a true warrior."
Her eyes widened at his words, caught between fear and awe.
Ankur's gaze hardened, his voice rising with conviction. "I don't fight only for myself. I fight for all of us. I've learned a few combat styles from Madhav, and I've used others before. Now… watch me. I will show you what true strength is."
Mera's lips parted, her breath trembling, but no words came. A thought ran through her mind: Is he trying to show off in front of me?
No.. no I am only overthink but in middle of battle his thoughts changing like a bullet train. I can't able to hear him.
Suddenly Centaur Beni struck the ground with a heavy crash, struggling to rise, his body trembling from the last exchange. Captain Elven turned, his aura twisting like a storm.
Ankur looked at the centaur, then raised his hand, giving a sharp signal. The Crocotta padded forward, its fanged grin wide and hungry. It mimicked a human voice, "Hey… are you hungry? I don't care—because I am."
Before the beast could leap, Captain Elven unleashed a single burst of magic. A blade of energy ripped through the air, slicing the Crocotta clean in half. Blood splattered the ground like rain.
Ankur and Mera were speechless, rooted to their spots. Ankur froze, lost in a sudden rush of memories—a flash of a dream where he was with the Crocotta. He broke free of the vision with a shout, like a child, and tears streamed down his face.
Captain Elven grabbed what remained of that creature crocotta by the neck and flung it aside like a ragged toy.
Here Ankur with pain, his chest tightening, then rage exploded in his eyes. "You—!" he roared, charging forward with all his power.
Captain Elven only smirked. "Goodbye. I'm bored." He raised his hand. A deadly line of searing energy burst forth, carving the earth into a smoking trench and burning through trees as if they were paper.
At the last instant, Mera shoved Ankur aside, taking his place in the path of destruction. The ground split, the forest howled, and flames rose behind her.
Captain Elven paused, studying her with sudden interest. "Hmm… did you just read my mind? Oh, yes…" His lips twisted into a cruel grin. "That's your power, a mind reading skill something like that, isn't it? A very creative skill if you use it properly. Truth is I created that skill… and many more."
His eyes sharpened, his tone dropping into a deadly whisper like horror tone . "Let's fight."
Ankur leapt from behind, fury burning in his voice. "You killed my pet Crocotta! Fight with me—man to man!"
He hurled his fist forward, blazing with magic and the power of thunder. But the Cursed Elf caught the strike effortlessly, almost lazily, then drove his own punch into Ankur's chest. The impact hurled Ankur through the trees, shattering their trunks in a straight line until he lay broken in the dirt.
The Cursed Elf sneered, his voice echoing with unnatural depth. "Pathetic… trying to command the one who created you."
Meera's breath hitched in fear. She glared at him, her voice trembling but defiant. "That coin… you are the cursed coin, aren't you?"
The Cursed Elf's grin split wider, inhuman. "Do you doubt it?"
And then it began—eyes blinking open all across his flesh, mouths stretching from his shoulders, chest, throat, legs, and hands. In a chorus of whispers and screams, they spoke as one with a devilish smile:
"Yes… I am the cursed coin. I am demon and fear of horror. So… let's fight."
The air turned cold...