Urvi's eyes narrowed, her gaze calculating as she said, "In terms of power, you'll defeat me instantly. So, I'm not prepared to take that chance."
With a swift motion, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small pouch containing a strange, glowing powder. "Pataal Keetki," she whispered, her voice dripping with malice.
As she poured the powder over Mihir, he felt a sudden, searing sensation. His skin began to turn a deep shade of green, and he felt his powers waning. Urvi's smile was triumphant as she said, "This Pataal Keetki, weakness of all dark forces... just one contact, and your powers fade instantly. You become fragile, vulnerable."
Mihir's transformation was rapid, his body reverting back to its human form. He stumbled, falling to his knees as he gazed at his hands in horror. They were turning green, his skin taking on a sickly, diseased hue. He looked up at Urvi, his eyes filled with shock and anger. "What have you done?" he growled, his voice weak and trembling.
As the rain continued to pour down, Sahir and Teju slowly broke their hug, their eyes locking onto each other's. Teju tried to speak, her voice shaking slightly as she attempted to point out Sunehri's location. "S-Sunehri... she..."
But her words trailed off as she realized Sunehri was nowhere to be seen. Panic set in, her eyes scanning the deserted highway frantically. "Where... where did she go?" Teju's voice rose, her anxiety palpable.
Sahir's calm presence was a balm to her frazzled nerves. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he spoke softly, "It's okay, Teju. I'm here. You're safe."
Teju's hands instinctively grasped Sahir's, her fingers intertwining with his. They stood there, close together, the rain pounding against them. The intimacy of the moment was undeniable, their bodies swaying slightly as they stood there, lost in each other's eyes.
*In the Jungle, behind the Farmhouse*
As the rain poured down on him, Mihir's body began to writhe in agony. The Pataal Keetki's effects were taking hold, draining his strength and leaving him weak and helpless. He fell to the ground, half-conscious, his vision blurring.
Urvi's smirk grew wider as she gazed down at Mihir's struggling form. She reached out a hand, intent on binding him with her magic. But just as her fingers were about to touch him, a hand shot out from nowhere, grasping her wrist and holding it firm.
Urvi's eyes snapped up, shocked, to find Maira standing beside her, her gaze fierce and unyielding. "Don't touch him," Maira warned, her voice low and deadly.
Urvi's eyes narrowed, her face twisted in surprise and anger. "And who are you to intervene?" she spat, trying to shake off Maira's grip. But Maira's hold was like a vice, unyielding and unrelenting.
Maira's eyes flashed with determination as she declared, "I'm Mihir's protector." Her words were firm, her voice unwavering.
With a swift motion, Maira shoved Urvi back, her strength surprising. Urvi stumbled, her eyes widening in shock and anger. "You dare to touch me?" she spat, her voice venomous.
Maira stood her ground, her gaze locked onto Urvi's. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep Mihir safe," she said, her voice firm and resolute.
Urvi's face twisted with rage, her eyes blazing with fury. She seemed to be weighing her options, her mind racing with calculations. For a moment, the two women stood frozen, the air thick with tension.
Urvi's lips curled into a sneer as she taunted Maira. "Can an ordinary girl like you stand in my way?" she said, her voice dripping with disdain.
With a sudden movement, Urvi began to sing a hypnotic song, her voice weaving a spell of enchantment. The melody was haunting, the rhythm mesmerizing, and Maira's eyes began to glaze over.
But just as Maira seemed about to succumb to the hypnosis, the locket she wore around her neck began to glow with a faint, pulsing light. The light enveloped Maira, protecting her from the hypnotic spell.
Urvi's eyes widened in shock as she realized her magic wasn't working. She took a step back, her face twisted in surprise and anger. "What kind of protection do you have?" she spat, her voice venomous.
Maira's gaze remained steady, her eyes locked onto Urvi's. She seemed unaffected by the attempted hypnosis, her determination and resolve only growing stronger.
*In the Jungle, behind the Farmhouse*
Maira's voice was firm and confident as she said, "You were wrong when you said that I'm a weak, ordinary girl. Because I'm not."
Urvi's eyes narrowed, her face twisted in confusion and anger. "Who the heck are you?" she spat, her voice laced with venom.
Maira's gaze locked onto Urvi's, her eyes flashing with determination. "Reevavanshi," she declared, her voice ringing out across the jungle. "Witch hunter."
Urvi's face went white, her eyes wide with shock. She took a step back, her mouth hanging open in stunned silence. The word "Reevavanshi" seemed to have a profound effect on her, and for a moment, she seemed frozen in fear.
As the rain drops fell on Maira, she stretched her hands sideways, revealing ten vials of holy potion, five in each hand. Her eyes blazed with determination as she boldly charged at Urvi.
With a swift motion, Maira started running around Urvi, throwing the vials of holy potion at her. The potions shattered on impact, releasing their contents and enveloping Urvi in a cloud of sacred liquid.
Urvi let out a pained cry as she felt a burning sensation wash over her. She stumbled, her eyes widening in agony as the holy potion seemed to sear her skin. With a final cry, she fell to the ground, writhing in pain.
Maira stood over her, her chest heaving with exertion. The rain continued to pour down around them, but Maira's gaze remained fixed on Urvi, her eyes flashing with triumph.
*At the Highway*
Sahir helped Teju into his car, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, as he rummaged through his car for something to help her dry off.
He pulled out a towel and handed it to her. "Here, use this to dry your face," he said, his eyes gentle.
Teju took the towel, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thanks," she said, smiling weakly as she began to pat her face dry.
As she dried her face, Sahir noticed that the towel was probably the only thing he had in the car that could serve the purpose, but he was glad he could help. "Feeling better?" he asked, his voice soft.
Teju nodded, her smile growing a little stronger. "Yeah, thanks to you," she said, her voice filled with appreciation.
Teju's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "How do you always manage to come and save me whenever I'm in trouble?"
Sahir's expression turned thoughtful, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Maybe it's fate," he said, his voice low and contemplative. "Or maybe it's just coincidence. Or something else entirely."
He paused, his gaze drifting off into the distance for a moment before returning to Teju's face. "Whatever it is, I'm just glad I could be there for you," he said, his voice sincere.
Teju's eyes lingered on his face, a mix of emotions swirling in her expression. She seemed to be searching for something in his words, something beyond the simple explanation.
*In the Jungle, behind the Farmhouse*
Maira poured golden sand around Urvi, trapping her in a circle of sacred earth. Urvi's eyes blazed with fury as she glared up at Maira.
"Mohana will not spare you," Urvi spat, her voice venomous. "She'll make you pay for this."
Maira's expression turned grim as she recalled her grandmother Kailashi's words. She remembered the pain and anguish in her grandmother's eyes as she told her about Mohana's brutal past.
"Mohana killed my parents," Maira said, her voice low and deadly. "She took everything from me. And now, I'm going to take everything from her."
Maira's eyes flashed with determination. "I don't fear Mohana," she declared. "If she dares to face me, I'll show her no mercy. I won't spare her."
Maira rushed to Mihir's side, her heart racing with concern. She knelt down beside him, gently taking his semi-conscious form into her arms.
As the rain poured down on them, Maira could see the green hue spreading across Mihir's skin, a sign of the Pataal Keetki's dark magic taking hold. She held him close, her touch warm and reassuring.
"I won't let any harm befall you, Mihir," she whispered, her voice soft and gentle. "You're safe with me. I'll protect you, no matter what."
Maira's words were a promise, a vow to keep Mihir safe from the darkness that threatened to consume him. As she held him close, she felt a surge of determination and strength, ready to face whatever lay ahead.