They say a demigod's worth is measured in battles won, but when the second strike fell, it was in the promise he made—to never leave her side.
~~~~~
His eyes dart around, searching desperately for something to hold the writhing shadow. A Plastic bottle nearby caught his gaze. He snatches it up, forces the shapeshifter inside with a swift binding, and seals it tight. Without wasting a breath, he bolts towards Shaamvi's house.
Every step pounds like thunder. His demigod strength sends him leaping across walls and rooftops.
The earth itself seems to tremble beneath his speed. His chest burns, not from exhaustion but from urgency.
Shaamvi. He must reach her.
But then he feels it—like a spear of ice slicing through the air. The second strike of the Five-Fold Spell. It crackles with dark intent, hovering above her home, arrowing straight for her.
"No—" His voice rips through the wind as he pushes his body harder, faster.
He throws the door open—just in time to see it.
The curse slams into Shaamvi before his very eyes.
Her back arches violently as the blow explodes through her body. She gasps but no sound escapes, as if her breath has been stolen. She feels as if her ribs are now broken in hundred pieces, her brain is fractured, her body freezes in place like a statue carved in terror.
KaanKuwar lunges forward, catching her before she falls.
"Sorry…sorry, Shaamvi…" His words tremble, but she lies limp in his arms, mouth parted, eyes wide and unblinking—still, too still.
Stanzin bursts into the room, horror in his face. "What's happening?"
"The second strike….of the curse just hit her." KaanKuwar's voice is rough, heavy.
"Oh my god…" Stanzin stumbles closer as they lay her carefully on the bed.
Her body doesn't respond. Not even a blink. KaanKuwar kneels beside her, rubbing her palms with frantic tenderness, trying to coax warmth into her frozen frame.
Stanzin glares at him, his voice cracking. "where were you? Weren't you supposed to protect her?"
Wordlessly, KaanKuwar pulls out the bottle and shoves it into his hands.
"What is this?" Stanzin stares.
"A shapeshifter. A spy of whoever cursed her. It lured me away. I chased it…. too far. It was a trap. And while I was gone, the curser struck again." His jaw tightens.
Stanzin whispers in disbelief, "A shapeshifter spy?"
"Heal her—the way you healed me," Stanzin pleads.
"It's not a wound," KaanKuwar says tightly, eyes still fixed on Shaamvi. "It's not just dark energy—it's a curse. Written in her very name. My powers can't erase it. I can only ease the pain a little, but I have done it before, the curse would have been immuned from my powers." He answers.
"Who in the world is the curser…" Stanzin says, concerned.
"We'll find out," KaanKuwar mutters darkly. "For now—bring me bamboo, neem leaves, banana leaves and fresh river water."
"What?"
"And Kusha grass too, Hurry."
"Do you know how too…?"
"I know a method to minimise the effect" he admits, eyes never leaving Shaamvi's face, "I am not sure if it will work, but We have to try."
Stanzin, rushes out, leaving KaanKuwar alone with her.
He boils water quickly. Soaking cloth in the heat, he presses it gently to her forehead, again and again, changing it as it cools. His other hand—rubbing her palms, wrapping her cold fingers in his warmth.
He press his hand against her cheek.
"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have left you alone. I couldn't protect you today." His voice cracks.
"You trusted me, and today I wasn't there for you . But I swear I won't leave you now, not even for a breath, maybe you wouldn't like it, me being with you every second and bothering you." a faint, broken chuckle slips past his lips, "but I'll be here. I'll make everything right. Just trust me a little longer."
Shaamvi cannot move, but she can still hear , see and feel everything. Though her lips cannot move, though her eyes remain unblinking, she hears him. She feels the warmth of the cloth he presses on her head, she feels the way he rubs her palms again and again. She feels and hears his every word.
And in the silence of her mind, she answers him, I trust you.
Even if everything goes wrong, and you couldn't make things alright, even if you cannot fix this curse… just stay with me, just….stay with me and don't leave….even…for a breath.