The Daavansh's slow, mocking applause echoed through the grand hall. **"Bravo, Sahir Kashyap,"** he sneered, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement. **"What an inspiring little speech. It's going to be *so* interesting when your own darkness finally rears its head."**
He waved a hand dismissively, shadows coiling around his fingers. **"But enough sentimentality. Let's get to business."** His grin turned razor-sharp. **"You've all caused my mother *so* much distress. I can't possibly leave without returning the favor."**
Kailashi stepped forward, her voice like cracking ice. **"Begone, demon! Your *mother* is the one who brought nothing but suffering to this family!"**
The Daavansh chuckled, the sound dripping with dark amusement. **"Oh, Oldie... I'm not a *demon*."** His form rippled, black mist swirling around him as his voice deepened into something monstrous. **"I'm the *devil*."**
With a flick of his wrist, three seething orbs of black magic materialized beside him, pulsing with malevolent energy. **"And the devil? He only brings-"**
**"Destruction?"**
A new voice cut through the room-light, almost *bored*.
The Daavansh barely had time to turn before a golden forcefield erupted between him and the Kashyaps, his black magic orbs shattering against it like glass.
Shock flashed across his face.
Behind him, standing in the arched doorway with her backpack still slung over one shoulder and her college books tucked under her arm, was **Teju**.
Her outstretched hand glowed with celestial light, the star mark on her palm blazing like a miniature sun. She tilted her head, unimpressed. **"Yeah, no. Try again."**
The Kashyaps broke into relieved smiles. Even Mihir, still leaning heavily on Maira, managed a weak smirk.
The Daavansh's eyes narrowed. **"You,"** he hissed.
**"A Daavansh might know destruction,"** Teju said, stepping forward to stand between her family and the seething shadow. Her star-marked palm still glowed, casting golden light across the marble floor. **"But a Bishwa? knows how to protect people *from* that destruction."**
She raised her chin, her voice steady despite the dark energy crackling in the air. **"And I *will* protect my family from yours."**
The Daavansh's crimson eyes narrowed, his form flickering like a dying flame. **"You think a half-trained Bishwa can stop me?"** he sneered, shadows writhing around him like serpents. **"Mohana's blood runs deeper than your borrowed light."**
Teju didn't flinch. **"Funny. Because from where I'm standing?"** She flexed her fingers, and the star mark blazed brighter, forcing the Daavansh to recoil. **"Your 'unstoppable' darkness just got *blocked* by a college student with a physics exam tomorrow."**
Behind her, Sahir let out a quiet snort. Even Mihir, still pale and weakened, managed a faint smirk.
The Daavansh's lips peeled back in a snarl-but for the first time, there was hesitation in his stance. Teju's power wasn't just light. It was *certainty*. The unshakable kind that came from knowing exactly who you were fighting for.
And the Kashyaps? They were *hers*.
The Daavansh smirked, languidly lowering himself onto the ruined sofa as if settling in for a pleasant chat. He crossed his legs, shadows curling around him like a throne. **"Well,"** he mused, **"how *exactly* do you plan to stop the destruction that's already coming?"**
Sahir's eyes narrowed. **"What are you talking about?"**
**"Oh?"** The Daavansh feigned surprise, a hand pressed to his chest. **"My bad. You all don't *know*?"** His grin widened, slow and venomous. **"Your precious Mihir is dying. He has... oh, let's say twenty-four hours left. Tops."**
Silence.
Then-
**"WHAT?!"** Maira's voice cracked through the room like a whip.
The Daavansh tilted his head, savoring their horror. **"It's simple, really. Only one of us can live. The other must die."** His gaze slid to Mihir, who was now gripping the back of an armchair for support, his breathing ragged. **"And judging by his condition? Well. I like my odds."**
**"SHUT UP!"** Sapna's scream was raw, furious. She shoved past Kailashi, her tear-streaked face blazing with maternal fury. **"Don't you *dare* speak such filth about my son!"**
The Daavansh merely chuckled, unfazed. **"Deny it all you want, *Mother Kashyap*. But the clock is ticking."** He rose smoothly, his form beginning to dissolve into smoke. **"Twenty-four hours. Then either he kills me..."** His crimson eyes locked onto Mihir's. **"Or I kill him."**
With a final, mocking bow, he vanished-leaving behind only the echo of his laughter and a family frozen in terror.
Maira held Mihir closer, her hands flying to his face. **"Look at me. *Look at me.* Is it true?"**
Mihir didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
The truth was written in the sweat on his brow, the tremor in his hands and soon he passes out.
The air in Bandhap Cave was thick with the scent of damp earth and old blood. Chains, etched with fading runes, coiled around Mohana's wrists, their magic the only thing keeping her imprisoned. Yet, as the Daavansh materialized from the shadows, her lips curled into a smile sharp enough to draw blood.
**"At last,"** she breathed, her voice like rusted nails dragged over stone. **"My son. My *freedom*."**
The Daavansh bowed, his crimson eyes glinting in the dim light. **"Not yet, Mother,"** he murmured, straightening. **"Mihir still draws breath. Only his death will secure your release."**
Mohana's laughter echoed off the cavern walls, a sound that made even the darkness shudder. **"Oh, my darling, do not trouble yourself with *how* he dies."** She strained against her chains, her matted hair falling over her face as she leaned forward. **"When the time comes, you will know. And then-"** Her grin widened, revealing blackened teeth. **"You will go to the Darkest Forest. Find the Daayan Vriksh. And when the moon bleeds, you will offer your blood to its roots."**
The Daavansh's smirk was a slow, wicked thing. **"And then?"**
Mohana's eyes burned with centuries of malice. **"Then, my love, the world will remember why they fear ekaayan mahadaayan mohana."**