The battlefield reeked of ash and blood. Dust still hung in the air where fallen foes lay, but the clash of steel and breathless shouts had not ceased.
Kartik, chest heaving, swung the black trident in a wide arc, felling two cloaked assailants lunging from the rubble.
Each movement felt heavier than the last. His divine eye, once blazing like a miniature sun upon his chest, now glowed faintly—its once-pure light flickering like an oil lamp near its end.
Sweat mixed with blood that trickled from the corner of his lips. Kartik felt it in his bones: the power raging within him was too vast, too raw for a body yet untempered by mastery.
Hold on… just a little longer… he urged himself, vision swimming.
A shadow struck from behind; he twisted, trident catching the blade mid-flight, sparks leaping.
Pain flared through his side, forcing a stagger. Another cloaked enemy darted in, dagger aimed at his throat.
"Enough!" Kartik roared, the divine eye flaring dimly. His shout, backed by what divine will remained, blasted the attacker back, cloak whipping like a torn banner.
Kartik planted the trident's haft into the ground to steady himself, blood dripping onto cracked stone.
"Kartik!" Ranthak's voice cracked through the haze. He rushed forward, fists raised to guard him from another strike.
His eyes widened, seeing the divine eye fully open but pulsing weakly. "Your glow… it's fading," he whispered, awe mingled with fear.
"I know," Kartik rasped, chest rising raggedly. "My body… can't hold this power for long. But I can't fall yet."
Agastyan joined them, robes torn, gaze sharp. "Even the awakened eye has limits, Kartik. Let us shield you, regroup, and—"
Before he could finish, the air thickened, heavy as wet stone. The ground itself seemed to shudder.
A crushing presence descended, choking the wind. Loose stones trembled; the sky dimmed further as unnatural darkness pooled like living ink.
From swirling shadows stepped a towering figure, each stride as deliberate as doom. Dark flames coiled around his shoulders, whispering curses older than memory.
Varunaas.
His gaze swept the battlefield—past Kraan and Nishaara's fallen forms, past shattered bones—until his eyes, alive with black fire, locked onto Kartik.
"So… this is the child who dares challenge the will of Asuravana," Varunaas rumbled, voice deep as a
funeral drum. His black trident, scarred from forgotten wars, hummed with malice.
Then, his gaze hardened further. "What have you done to my friends?"
For a heartbeat, something human flashed behind Varunaas's wrath: anger laced with genuine grief for
Kraan and Nishaara. Memories of countless battles fought beside them, of silent vows shared in the shadows.
Sweat beaded on Kartik's brow. His legs weak, pain clawing through every muscle. Yet when Varunaas met his gaze, something within refused to bend.
Agastyan called out, voice cracking, "Kartik! You're bleeding! You'll die if you keep fighting—"
Ranthak stepped closer, staff raised defensively, "We can fight at your side! Let us stand with you!"
Kartik shook his head, vision steadying for a single, sharp moment. "No. This fight… is mine."
Even the dimly glowing divine eye seemed to pulse in agreement, as though Lord Shiva himself watched.
Varunaas's grin twisted cruelly. "Then come, child of the divine eye. Show me if your faith can stand against black fire."
Kartik tightened his grip on the trident, ignoring fresh blood running from his lips. Lord Shiva… will surely protect us.
Varunaas moved first—a black inferno erupted from his palm, sweeping the battlefield in roaring fury.
Stones cracked, dust turned to glass.
Kartik hurled himself aside, rolling across scorched earth, divine eye flashing. The trident's tip flared as Kartik swung, slicing through the firestorm. Steam hissed where divine light clashed with cursed flame.
But each swing felt slower than the last. His chest seized, lungs screaming for air. Not yet…!
Behind him, Kartik caught a glimpse of Ranthak's mouth moving in silent prayer, Agastyan gripping prayer beads so tight his knuckles whitened.
Varunaas advanced, every footstep shaking the ground. "Feel despair!" he roared, bringing his black fire crashing down.
Kartik met the blow head-on. Metal clashed; a shockwave exploded outward, bending air and cracking stone.
Kartik skidded back, boots carving furrows in the earth.
Pain thundered through his arms, but he forced himself upright. His divine eye flickered, sputtering like a dying ember.
I must endure… for them…
Varunaas charged again, hands sweeping in a vicious arc. Kartik ducked low, divine energy burning through weakened limbs as he vaulted over Varunaas's shoulder. Mid-air, he slashed downward, trailing a streak of fading light.
Varunaas roared, black flames spiraling upward to meet him. Sparks and shadows rained like dying stars when the forces collided.
Kartik hit the ground hard, rolling to break the fall. His chest burned, every breath sharp as broken glass.
I'm not ready, fear whispered. This power… it's tearing me apart…
Yet deep within, another voice rose, steady and ancient as stone: Then become ready. Not for yourself—
but for them.
He staggered to his feet, blood staining the ground. The divine eye glowed faintly, trembling but alive.
Varunaas raised his hand high. "Enough games!" Black flames coiled, forming a spear of pure cursed fire.
Kartik met his gaze, time slowing. He thought of everyone counting on him. Lord Shiva… even if it costs me everything…
Varunaas hurled the spear. The ground split beneath it, dark fire screaming toward Kartik.
Kartik thrust his trident forward, divine light bursting in desperate defiance. Darkness and light clashed in a blinding eruption.
Dust rose like a pillar, shadows fleeing the battlefield's edge.
When the light faded, Kartik still stood— shaking, blood dripping down his chest and arm. The divine eye glowed, faint but resolute.
Varunaas, smoke rising from scorched armor, stared back, eyes narrowed.
A single thought flickered through his mind, unspoken: How can a boy stand against such darkness…?
Far beyond the clash, Maayak—hidden by perfect illusion—crept through broken pillars. For an instant, even he hesitated, glimpsing the divine light that had dared to defy black fire.
But ambition silenced awe. His breath stilled; footfalls became shadows themselves.
Ahead, ancient doors etched with prayers lay ajar. Beyond them waited the sacred chamber—and the power to change the world.
Invisible and smiling coldly, Maayak slipped into the darkness.
Note - Thank you guys for reading till here. There are lot of mysteries pending ahead so add the book to your library.