They say demigods walk into snares only to shield others, but seeking to save her, he left her unguarded.
~~~~~
Stanzin's steps falter, his movements losing rhythm as the curse fights back, pressing against him like a storm.
He can no longer hold against the curse. His body quake, ribs straining as if they might splinter apart. A sharp dizziness seizes him and he collapses to his knees. He vomits blood.
KaanKuwar rushes to him, crouching low. "Stanzin….are you holding on?"
Shaamvi watches with a hollow certainty—he cannot win this fight. His light is too thin against the darkness.
Stanzin raises his bloodstained face, tears trembling in his eyes. "I am sorry," he whispers. Shaamvi nods, her own voice breaking. "It's okay."
KaanKuwar steadies Stanzin, half-carrying him inside. He lowers him onto the couch, his eyes catching the raw cuts across his feet, the swelling at his ankles, the bruises from each pounding step. He handles Stanzin a cup of water before kneeling beside him. Without a word, KaanKuwar cups Stanzin's trembling hands between his own.He closes his eyes as if folding the world away.
Through his ragged breath, Stanzin murmurs, "What are you doing to me?"
KaanKuwar opens his eyes, but doesn't reply.
"I know you're not human. No need to hide." Stanzin says.
He inhales slow, deep—then sees at Stanzin with a steady calm. "I'm going to heal you," he says simply.
KaanKuwar again closes his eyes. A surge of warmth begins to flow, fire threading from his palms into Stanzin's body. The heat spreads up to his arm, flooding through his chest, reaching every broken part. The tearing ache in his ribs ease, the pounding pain dissolves, and his body begin to feel whole again.
Stanzin lets his hands fall away, astonished. KaanKuwar watches him "Are you feeling better?" he asks.
"Yes," Stanzin breathes, a faint smile tugging his lips. "Thank you."
Shaamvi stays within the circle, her body still, her mind storming. The curse coils around her thoughts—who could have cast something so dark that even Stanzin could not break it? She is in guilt, she brought him into this, made him bleed for her. Anger, sorrow, disappointment, and fury all twist together, choking her breath.
When KaanKuwar steps outside, he sees her still seated in the circle, her face shadowed with grief. "There's no use sitting here anymore," he says gently. "Stand up."
"I know." Her voice breaks, helpless. "Because of me, Stanzin had to bear this cruel energy."
"Don't worry," KaanKuwar replies. "I've healed him."
Shaamvi lifts her eyes, a fragile half-smile curving her lips. "I knew you would."
She begins to rise to her feet, but just then, KaanKuwar senses it—the same black evil butterfly , the shapeshifter circling above the house.
"Go inside," he tells Shaamvi, his voice urgent.
In a flash, he leaps onto the roof. The butterfly hovers in front of him, he reaches to seize it, but it darts away. A sharp chase begins—her wings flicker, his movements follow like lightning. She veers forward, and KaanKuwar pursues without pause .
Then suddenly The butterfly halts midair, twisting, then folds into a dark shadow. From its shape bursts an echoing laugh.
"Why are you laughing?" KaanKuwar growls, fury seething.
The shadow laughs harder, louder.
KaanKuwar thrusts his palm forward. A streak of electric energy binds the figure, wrapping it in a crackling chain. The shapeshifter writhes, but gives no words, no sound but the struggle.
Only when does he realize—he has been pulled far from Shaamvi's home.
KaanKuwar's chest sinks with sudden dread. He sees the distance behind him, the trap he's walked into.
"No…" he breathes, realizing too late.