The dense jungle loomed darker as the three young disciples moved forward. Twigs snapped underfoot, and the cries of unseen birds echoed above. Suddenly, a boy slipped and fell flat on the ground.
It was Ansh.
He scrambled up, glaring furiously. "You pushed me!"
Vijay scoffed. "Don't blame me for your clumsiness. You slipped because you jump around like a monkey. Now stop acting like a fool and follow us quietly."
Ansh clenched his fists. "You—"
"Enough!" Ashwini's voice cracked like thunder. She shot both boys a glare so sharp that even the forest seemed to fall silent. Her eyes narrowed at Ansh, burning with deadly fire.
On Ansh's shoulder, Daav—who had been perched comfortably—fluttered away instantly, abandoning him as though sensing doom.
"It all started because of you," Ashwini hissed. "If anything happens, like the last time…"
She snapped a dry branch from the ground and broke it cleanly into two. The sound echoed ominously. Both Ansh and Vijay gulped in unison. Even Daav, hovering at a safe distance, dared not come closer.
"Do you understand?" Her voice was low but terrifying.
Ansh shivered at her fiery gaze and quickly nodded. Only when Ashwini smirked in satisfaction and turned forward did he breathe again. Vijay followed silently, while Daav cautiously returned to Ansh's shoulder.
"You traitor," Ansh muttered. Daav only blinked innocently.
---
Soon, they reached the clearing where the thieving monkey had once stolen Ansh's locket.
"Daav… this is the place," Ansh whispered, his expression suddenly serious.
Daav narrowed his glowing eyes, scanning the canopy.
"This time we catch him, no matter what," Ansh declared.
Daav's feathers bristled, and he gave a sharp eagle-like cry.
Just then, a familiar shadow leapt from the trees. The same monkey landed before them, screeching.
"There you are, thief!" Ansh shouted.
The monkey darted away, but Daav streaked forward, forcing it into a clumsy fall. Ansh lunged, trying to grab it, but the monkey bounded up a tree.
"Daav, don't let him run!" Ansh cried, racing after it.
"Ansh, wait, you idiot!" Vijay yelled.
But before he could finish, Ashwini's voice snapped from behind: "Catch that monkey!"
Vijay blinked in shock. Wasn't she the one warning us a moment ago? Yet Ashwini bolted after Ansh without hesitation. Grumbling, Vijay followed.
---
Branches whipped past as the chase thundered through the jungle. Daav swooped in, seizing a thick stick in his claws. With a swift strike, he knocked the monkey from midair. It tumbled to the ground with a screech.
Ansh pounced, pinning it down. "Hahaha! Where will you run now? Good job, Daav!"
The bird fluttered in triumph, landing proudly on Ansh's shoulder.
But before he could celebrate further, Ashwini's icy voice cut through the jungle.
"You stupid creature."
Ansh froze. Her earlier warning flashed in his mind. Slowly, he turned. Daav, sensing danger, abandoned him once more and flapped nervously away.
"You traitor!" Ansh groaned.
To his surprise, Ashwini strode past him without a glance. Confused, Ansh turned. Her eyes were locked on the trembling monkey.
"It was you," she whispered, voice low and dangerous. "Because of you, all of this started. Now… let's settle the score."
The monkey whimpered, tears welling in its eyes.
Ansh's chest tightened. He quickly placed a hand on Ashwini's shoulder. "Ashwini, I know he caused trouble… but he's just an animal. Innocent. We can't be too harsh."
Ashwini's jaw clenched. For a moment, it seemed she might strike both of them.
But before she could reply, Daav screeched frantically, circling overhead.
"Daav, not now!" Ansh snapped. "I'm busy—"
Then came a chilling sound.
Screeches. Dozens of them.
The trees shook violently. Shadows moved in the canopy—dozens of glowing eyes watching from above.
Vijay's face paled. "That monkey… it called its tribe."
From every direction, cries rose like war drums. Branches bent under their numbers. Teeth flashed, claws scraped bark.
"Run!" Vijay bellowed, bolting the opposite way.
The jungle exploded into chaos as the Monkey Tribe descended.