Sahir's hands crackled with residual blue energy as Agni Daayan crashed into the far wall, her fiery form denting the marble. For a moment, the room held its breath-
Then she *vanished*.
Not even embers remained. The air itself stilled, heavy with unseen menace.
**"Where-?"** Uma began, her voice taut.
A searing *whoosh* cut her off-a fireball erupting from thin air, aimed straight for Sahir's back. He spun, barely deflecting it, but then another came. And another.
From every direction, flames materialized, trapping the Kashyaps in a tightening noose of heat.
Sahir's jaw set.
***Snap.***
His fingers struck like a gavel, and the world-**stopped**.
Fireballs hung motionless mid-air. Dust particles froze in scattered sunlight. Even the mansion's crumbling cracks halted mid-split.
Only the Kashyaps remained untouched, time itself bending to Sahir's will.
Sahir gave a sharp nod to his family-a silent signal they understood instantly.
Like a well-rehearsed dance, they moved. Uma, Kailashi, and Sapna each pulled small pouches from hidden folds in their clothing, scattering **white powder** across the floor in intricate patterns. The substance glowed faintly as it settled, forming a sprawling, geometric ward.
Mihir, still leaning against the doorway, flicked his wrist-his own pouch landing dead-center of the design.
Then, just as swiftly, they returned to their positions.
Sahir exhaled.
***Time resumed.***
The fireballs surged forward-only to **sputter** mid-air, their flames snuffing out as they crossed the powdered barrier. The invisible Agni Daayan *hissed*, her form flickering into visibility just long enough to reveal her shock.
**"Reeva Rakshak Churna,"**kailashi said coldly. **"Ancient guardian powder. Burns hotter than any fire-*when ignited*."**
With a snap of Sahir's fingers, the powder **erupted** in a flash of white flames-not destroying, but *revealing*, searing away illusions.
Agni Daayan stood bare before them, her fiery form now outlined in crackling white embers.
**"Now,"** Sahir said, stepping forward. **"Let's end this."**
Sahir's hands blazed with sapphire energy as he thrust them forward, releasing a concentrated beam of raw, celestial power. The magic struck Agni Daayan square in the chest, piercing through her fiery form like a blade through smoke.
For a moment, she stood frozen, her molten eyes widening in disbelief. Then-
**CRACK.**
Her body shattered like glass, fracturing into a thousand shards of dying embers. The flames that had once raged around her flickered weakly before dissolving into ash, carried away by an unfelt wind.
Silence fell over the Kashyap mansion.
Sahir lowered his hands, the glow in his veins fading. His breath came heavy, but his voice was steady. **"It's done."**
Moti baa,Uma and sapna let out a shuddering exhale, their hands pressed to their mouth. Kailashi nodded grimly, relieved.
The Daayan Vriksh shuddered, its bark splitting as the last remnants of the Daavansh's presence dissolved into the air. The forest seemed to exhale, the oppressive darkness lifting just slightly-enough for a sliver of moonlight to break through the twisted branches.
Maira collapsed to her knees, her breath ragged, the Rishdhanush slipping from her fingers. The adrenaline that had kept her standing drained away, leaving only exhaustion-and a fragile, trembling relief.
**"You've saved him... for now."**
The Daavansh's voice echoed, bodiless, a final taunt lingering in the wind. **"But what comes next will swallow you both whole."**
Then-silence.
Maira didn't have the strength to respond. She simply bowed her head, her shoulders shaking.
**"Maira!"**
Teju's voice cut through the stillness, followed by the crunch of hurried footsteps. Maira looked up just in time to see Teju skid to her side, her star-mark glowing faintly in the dim light.
**"It's over,"** Maira whispered, her voice hoarse but triumphant. **"The Daavansh... he's gone."**
Teju didn't hesitate. She threw her arms around Maira, pulling her into a fierce hug. **"I knew you'd do it,"** she muttered into her shoulder.
Maira clung to her, the weight of the battle-and the Daavansh's ominous warning-pressing down on her. But for this moment, she let herself breathe.
They'd won.
For now.
Next scene
The creak of the staircase drew Uma's attention first. She turned-and there he was.
Mihir stood at the foot of the stairs, his posture straight, his eyes clear. The pallor of sickness had faded, replaced by warm, living color. For a moment, the room held its breath.
**"Mihir!"** Uma gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
The family whirled as one.
Sapna was the first to move. She crossed the room in a heartbeat, her arms wrapping around her son with a force that nearly knocked him off balance. Mihir chuckled-a sound so *normal*, so *alive*-and hugged her back just as tightly.
**"My son,"** Sapna whispered, her voice thick with tears.
Sahir stepped forward next. The brothers locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. Then, without a word, Sahir pulled Mihir into a firm embrace. Mihir hesitated only a second before returning it, his grip just as strong.
Kailashi observed from a distance, her sharp eyes softened by relief. **"Took you long enough,"** she muttered, but the pride in her voice was unmistakable.
Mihir smirked. **"Miss me, *chachi *?"**
Uma swatted his arm, laughing through her tears. **"Don't push your luck."**
Mihir's gaze swept over the gathered family, his brow furrowing. **"Where's Maira?"**
Sahir adjusted his glasses, his voice steady but laced with tension. **"To save you, she and Teju went after the Daavansh. To kill him."**
Mihir's jaw clenched. **"God damn it. Why does my PA-"** He caught himself, swallowing the rest of the sentence. *Why does she always throw herself into danger for me?*
He stormed toward the door, his heart pounding-only to freeze as it swung open.
There they stood.
Maira, battered but triumphant, her clothes torn and her skin marred with fresh wounds. Beside her, Teju looked equally exhausted but unharmed, her star-mark flickering faintly.
The family erupted into relieved cheers, but Mihir barely heard them. His eyes locked onto Maira's, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them.
They moved toward each other, steps measured, emotions held carefully in check.
*Why do you risk your life for me?* Mihir thought, his chest tight.
Maira met his gaze, her own thoughts echoing back as if she'd heard him: *I don't know. But I'll always do what it takes to ensure you're fine.*
His fingers brushed the deepest cut on her arm-a wound he *knew* had come from his own darkness. **"That bastard part of me did this to you,"** he murmured, his voice rough.
Maira smirked, though her eyes softened. **"Of course he did. But then I taught him a lesson."**
Mihir chuckled, the sound tinged with disbelief, and let his healing magic flow over her injuries, the gashes sealing under his touch.
Nearby, Sahir pulled Teju into a quick hug. **"You okay?"**
**"Always,"** Teju replied, though she leaned into the embrace just a second longer than usual.
The Kashyap mansion, for the first time in what felt like forever, was whole again.
The joyous reunion was interrupted by the squeak of suitcase wheels on marble. All heads turned as a young woman in a cropped leather jacket and paint-splattered jeans strode in, her silver nose ring glinting under the chandelier.
**"Did I miss the dramatic family near-death experience or is this the afterparty?"** Tia Kashyap announced, dropping her luggage with a thud.
**"TIA!"** Uma rushed forward first, cupping her daughter's face. **"Your semester doesn't end till next month!"**
**"Cancelled my exams when Moti baa messaged about *bhaiya's* demonic crisis,"** Tia quipped, winking at the newlyweds.
Turning to Maira and Teju, Tia folded her hands in a playful *namaste*. **"Finally meeting my legendary *bhabhis*! Maira *bhabhi*, Teju *bhabhi* - sorry it took a demon attack and near-death experience to get me here."**
**"Anyway!"** Tia continued, unzipping her suitcase to reveal boxes of *gulal*. **"I came early for Holi. Figured we'd need the colors after all this darkness."**
Before Tia could continue her teasing, two pairs of hands shot out in perfect synchronization-Sahir and Mihir each grabbing one of her ears, their movements so coordinated it was clear they'd done this a hundred times before.
**"OW! Okay, okay-!"** Tia yelped, bending awkwardly between them as the brothers held firm.
**"Five months,"** Sahir said coolly, his glasses glinting. **"Not a single call."**
**"And yet you show up *now* like some Bollywood heroine making a grand entrance?"** Mihir added, twisting her ear just enough to make her yelp again.
Tia flailed, batting at their arms. **"I was *studying*! And-and I sent *memes* in the family group!"**
**"Memes don't count,"** the brothers said in unison.
Maira bit her lip to keep from laughing, while Teju openly grinned. Even Kailashi's stern expression softened slightly.
Sapna finally took pity, swatting both sons away. **"Enough! She's home now."**
Rubbing her reddened ears, Tia stuck her tongue out at her brothers-then immediately ducked behind Uma when they both took a threatening step forward.
"Maa! Save me!"
The room erupted into laughter, the sound warm and bright-a stark contrast to the shadows they'd just survived.
PRECAP:
Holi Ka Mahasangam
The scene opens on a vibrant Holi set, where Maira, dressed in a white lehenga already splashed with color, grins mischievously beside Mihir, who looks annoyed as she smears pink gulal on his cheek.
Maira says, "This Holi, it's not just about colors... it's going to be a mahasangam!"
Cut to Teju and Sahir, who are surprisingly color-free, until Teju suddenly chucks a water balloon at Sahir's face. Sahir's stunned expression is caught as he retaliates with a handful of blue powder.
Teju laughs, "The color of love, the color of rivalry... everything will mix in this special episode!"
Fast cuts reveal shadowy glimpses of cameos: a familiar warrior woman twirling a sword under colored water, a pair of star-crossed lovers laughing as they dodge paint balloons, and a mysterious figure watching from the rooftops - could it be Mohana in disguise?
Mihir's voiceover turns dramatic, "But beware... some colors that won't wash off will be of blood."
The scene freezes with the entire Kashyap family mid-color fight, Tia leaping into the air with a bucket of purple gulal,
HOLI KA MAHASANGAM !