The jungle air was heavy with the buzz of insects and the rustle of leaves. Ansh darted between the roots, Daav swooping overhead, sparks flicking from his wings. Behind him, Ashwini and Vijay followed reluctantly.
"Ansh, slow down!" Ashwini barked. "We're not here to start another war with monkeys!"
Ansh turned with a mischievous grin. "Don't worry, Ashwini. This time, I've got a plan. Trust me!"
"That's what you said yesterday," Vijay muttered, pushing aside a vine. "And we nearly became monkey stew."
Daav chirped proudly, as though seconding Ansh's confidence.
Ashwini finally caught up, striding past Ansh and blocking his path. Her eyes were sharp, her tone firm. "I'm taking the lead. If you go charging in, we'll end up surrounded again."
Ansh pouted but said nothing, falling in line as she moved ahead. Vijay shot him a pointed look that clearly said, listen to her or else.
Minutes later, the familiar screech echoed through the canopy. The monkey appeared on a branch, baring its teeth mockingly at Ansh.
"There you are, thief!" Ansh shouted, fists shaking. "Today, you pay for humiliating me!"
The monkey screeched again and hopped from branch to branch, teasing them.
Ashwini narrowed her eyes. "No chasing this time. We trap it."
Vijay nodded, already weaving air currents into thin, sharp blades. "I'll cut off its escape routes."
Ashwini spread her hands, roots stirring under the soil. "I'll snare its landing points."
Ansh smirked. "And Daav and I will finish the job."
Daav's feathers bristled, sparks flying.
The plan began. Ashwini's roots crept silently across the ground, weaving into a net beneath the branches. Vijay slashed the air, wind currents forming invisible walls on either side of the clearing.
Meanwhile, Ansh and Daav worked together, piling rocks, branches, and leaves into makeshift traps.
"Alright, Daav. If it tries to run, you set this one on fire," Ansh whispered, pointing to a pile of dried twigs.
Daav chirped and nodded, his eyes glowing faintly.
The monkey danced above them, unaware of the trap closing in. Finally, Ansh shouted, "NOW!"
Ashwini's roots snapped upward, coiling around the monkey's legs. It shrieked and thrashed, but the roots held tight. Vijay's wind blades sliced the branches around it, cutting off escape.
Daav swooped in, snatching a piece of cloth from Ansh's hand, and together they stuffed it into the monkey's mouth before it could screech out a call.
The monkey wriggled furiously, muffled cries escaping.
"Got you!" Ansh cheered, jumping up and down. "Revenge! Victory! Haha!"
Vijay facepalmed. "We caught one monkey, not an empire. Stop celebrating."
The three gathered around the bound creature.
"Alright," Ansh said, crouching low, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Where's your treasure stash? Take us to it, or…" He widened his eyes dramatically. "We'll let Daav roast your tail feathers!"
Daav puffed out his chest and let a tiny flame curl from his beak for effect.
But the monkey only stared at him, unamused.
"Why isn't he scared?!" Ansh groaned. "Daav, show him again!"
Daav repeated the act — flame, puff, smoke. The monkey blinked.
Vijay crossed his arms. "He's not buying it. Probably because you look ridiculous."
Ansh scowled. "Oh yeah? You try then!"
Ashwini, already impatient, stepped forward. Her aura flared, eyes narrowing dangerously as roots twitched at her feet. She didn't even speak — just glared.
The monkey froze. Its eyes widened, and with a muffled whimper, it nodded frantically.
"See?" Ashwini said coldly. "That's how you scare something."
Ansh gulped. "Remind me never to be on your bad side."
The monkey led them deeper into the forest, its bound arms gesturing frantically as it hopped forward. Daav hovered above, watching suspiciously.
They came to a shadowed cave hidden behind layers of hanging vines. Inside, a strange collection glimmered faintly.
Ansh's eyes widened. "Whoa… look at this!"
The cave was littered with trinkets — shiny bangles, beads, broken ornaments, and scraps of colorful cloth. Clearly stolen from travelers, villagers, and perhaps even other beasts.
Vijay sighed. "It's just junk."
"Not junk!" Ansh argued, grabbing a dented bracelet and putting it on. "It's treasure! He's been hoarding this like a king!"
Daav picked up a shiny chain in his beak, fluttering happily.
Ashwini shook her head, muttering, "Boys and their nonsense." Still, she pocketed a silver bead, her lips twitching in the faintest smile.
"Alright," Vijay said firmly, "we've seen enough. Let's go before its tribe finds us again."
They dragged the monkey to the edge of the forest. Ansh untied the roots while Vijay kept a wind blade ready just in case. Ashwini pulled the cloth from its mouth.
The moment it was free, the monkey leapt onto a branch and screeched loudly. The forest exploded with echoes as dozens of voices answered back.
Ansh's face drained of color. "Oh no. Not again."
Daav screeched in panic.
"RUN, DAAV!" Ansh yelled, bolting.
"RUN, ANSH!" Vijay shouted, following.
Ashwini groaned but dashed after them, roots whipping up behind her to slow the monkeys.
The screeches grew louder, branches shaking as the Monkey Tribe gathered once more. But the three disciples sprinted with all their strength, Daav leading them in frantic zigzags.
At last, the trees thinned. They burst out of the forest into open air, collapsing onto the grass, panting hard.
"We… made it," Vijay gasped, clutching his knees.
Ashwini shot Ansh a deadly glare. "Never. Again."
Ansh flopped onto the ground, laughing breathlessly. "But come on… admit it. That was fun."
Daav landed proudly on his chest, chain still clutched in his beak, chirping in triumph.
Vijay groaned, covering his face. "One day, you'll really get us killed."
Ansh grinned at the sky. "Maybe… but not today."
From the forest behind them, faint screeches echoed, angry and frustrated. But for now, they were safe.
And Ansh was already dreaming of what he'd do with his new "treasures."