Rain lashed against the palace spires as if the heavens themselves had awakened with fury. Thunder rolled across the sky like drums of war, and the twins stood before Vrinda, their eyes demanding answers.
Avantika's voice trembled, but held fire within, "Ma… what curse? What truth have you buried for all these years?"
Vrinda, soaked in rain and silence, finally spoke, her voice barely louder than the storm.
"Your father was no ordinary man. He was the Guardian of Tatva — the only being who could channel all five elements… until he broke the ancient pact."
Devsena clenched her fists. "You told us he died in war!"
Vrinda nodded painfully. "He did. But not before leaving behind a storm of prophecy that chained both of you to your elements."
She opened the scroll once more — this time revealing a blood-red sigil with an ancient oath inscribed beneath.
The Prophecy's Oath:
"When fire meets water, and echoes awaken,
Daughters of storm shall be forsaken.
Yet if united their vow remains,
Tatva shall rise, or be lost in flames."
Avantika whispered, "A vow…?"
Vrinda nodded. "You must take the Stormbound Oath — a pact of balance. If you refuse, your powers will spiral. One of you will fall. The other… will be the cause."
A sudden crack of lightning blinded the room — and when it faded, an ancient dagger lay before the twins on a stone pedestal. Its hilt shimmered with sapphire and ruby — water and fire.
The Oath Begins
"Place your palms on the blade," Vrinda said. "Let the elements witness your vow."
Avantika and Devsena looked at each other — both afraid, both uncertain, yet bound by something unspoken. Slowly, they stepped forward.
As their hands touched the dagger, a shockwave surged through the air — the rain paused, the flames dimmed, the lake outside glowed.
They spoke in unison:
"By fire and water, we vow to protect the balance.
To fight together, never against.
To seek the truth — and face the storm,
As one."
The blade glowed. Symbols etched into their palms — one of flame, one of tide — shimmered and locked like puzzle pieces.
But just then — the sky screamed.
A shadowed figure emerged from the storm clouds, floating above the temple like a harbinger of doom.
"You broke the seal," it hissed.
"Now the War of Tatvas begins."
Vrinda fell to her knees.
The dagger cracked in two.
The Stormbound Oath had awakened something ancient… and angry.