Sharma Residence – Ritual Chamber
The sun had barely risen, but inside the ritual chamber of the modern Sharma residence, the air crackled with ancient energy. The sleek, contemporary room had been transformed—brass lamps burned with sacred ghee, red and gold cloths covered the floor, and an intricate mandala of fire symbols glowed faintly beneath a large copper bowl.
Kailashi sat cross-legged at the center, her weathered hands moving with practiced precision as she arranged rare herbs, crystals, and sacred powders around the bowl. Maira, dressed now in a simple white kurta, knelt beside her, holding tightly to Mihir's black hair strand.
"Are you ready, child?" Kailashi asked, her voice steady but grave.
Maira nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Kailashi took the strand from her and placed it in the copper bowl. "This is the key to binding the weapon to Mihir's essence. We will forge the Agni-Astra through the Reevavanshi ritual—a weapon of pure celestial fire. But know this, Maira… this path is dangerous. If our focus falters even once, the Daavansh will sense us, and the ritual will fail."
Maira's jaw tightened. "Then we won't falter."
Kailashi gave a small approving nod and began chanting in the ancient Reevavanshi tongue, her voice low and rhythmic. Maira joined in, her hands trembling at first but growing steadier with each word.
The copper bowl began to heat, glowing orange as the herbs combusted without flame. The black hair writhed as if alive before disintegrating into shimmering ash. The ash swirled upwards, forming the outline of a flaming bow and arrow in mid-air.
Suddenly, the house lights flickered, and a low, guttural caw echoed faintly through the walls.
Maira's eyes darted up. "Nani—something's here."
Kailashi didn't stop chanting, her voice rising in intensity. "Ignore it. Stay with me. Focus on the fire."
But outside, on a nearby rooftop, Mihir stood with the black crow on his arm, eyes glowing crimson. A smirk tugged at his lips.
"So… they dare try to create my end? Let them. I'll burn their hope before it's born."
He raised his hand, dark energy crackling in his palm, ready to strike.
Kashyap Mansion – Main Hall
The air inside the mansion had grown heavier, darker, as the demonic wedding ritual began. The wedding pavilion pulsed with black energy, its pillars covered in writhing dark symbols. Ruby stood beside Sahir, holding his hand, her lips curved into a cruel smile as a dark priest—a creature with hollow eyes and skeletal hands—chanted in an inhuman tongue.
The Kashyap family huddled together, fear etched on their faces.
Inside the magical cage, Teju knelt with her hands clasped tightly, whispering a prayer through trembling lips:
"Bhagwan… if you truly exist, show me a sign… help me save him… help me save my family…"
Just then, Tia, the youngest cousin, tried to shift closer to Uma for comfort but accidentally bumped into an urn of holy water that had been left by the temple earlier. The urn toppled over with a crash, spilling its contents across the marble floor.
The moment the water touched the base of the magical cage, the dark runes on it sizzled and began to burn with pure light.
Teju's eyes widened in realization. She quickly looked at Tia, trying not to draw attention from Mihir or Sahir. She subtly gestured to the glowing water and then to the temple.
Tia's eyes lit up with understanding. Holy water.
The demonic wedding preparations intensified, the entire mansion now a grotesque display of black garlands, crimson flames flickering from sconces, and an ominous chanting echoing from nowhere. At the center of it all, Sahir and Ruby descended the grand staircase dressed entirely in black—Sahir in an intricately embroidered sherwani laced with silver runes, Ruby in a gown of shadow-like fabric that shimmered like oil.
Uma's face paled as she clutched Moti Baa's hand.
"I feel hopeless," Uma whispered, her voice trembling.
From inside the glowing magical cage, Teju raised her chin defiantly.
"Don't lose hope," she declared, her voice ringing across the hall. "This marriage will not happen. Not while I'm alive."
Sahir's dark-blue eyes flickered toward her, indifferent, while Ruby smirked coldly.
Teju's gaze shifted to Tia, who stood silently at the edge of the hall, eyes darting around as if calculating. Tia caught Teju's look and gave the faintest of nods.
---
Later, as the demonic priest began chanting in a guttural, unearthly tongue, Tia slipped quietly into the side corridor leading to the small temple in the mansion. She filled a brass kalash with holy water, her hands steady despite the weight of fear pressing on her chest.
"Stay strong, Bhabhi," she whispered to herself. "I won't let them win."
She returned swiftly, staying low behind pillars, and reached the cage. The magical bars shimmered with a dark, pulsating energy. Teju's eyes widened when she saw the kalash.
"Do it," Teju mouthed.
Tia knelt beside the cage and carefully poured the holy water around its base. As soon as the first drops hit the ground, the dark magic sizzled violently, smoke rising where the water met the cursed barrier. The cage trembled.
"Keep going!" Teju urged in a low voice.
Tia worked quickly, tracing a full circle around the cage. The glow intensified—brilliant gold light flaring up to combat the darkness. The runes binding Teju shattered one by one with sharp cracks.
Finally, with a blinding flash, the cage dissolved into nothingness.
Teju stumbled forward, free at last. She caught Tia's shoulders, eyes blazing with gratitude.
"You did it. You're braver than half this family combined."
Tia allowed herself a small, determined smile.
"Now let's stop this wedding."
Sharma Residence
The front door exploded inward, shards of wood flying across the floor. A dark wind swept into the room as Mihir stepped inside, his crimson eyes glowing with malice, a sinister smirk playing on his lips.
"Did you really think you could hide from me, Maira?" he said, his voice deep and resonant with power.
A sharp click answered him.
At the center of the room stood Kailashi, a crossbow raised steadily at his chest. Her eyes were calm but unyielding, her stance firm.
"One more step, Daavansh," she warned, "and this bolt will pierce through more than your flesh."
Mihir's gaze lingered on her, curiosity flickering beneath his arrogance.
"Interesting… a mortal with courage. Do you really believe you can stop me?"
"I don't need to stop you," Kailashi replied coldly. "I only need to keep you here long enough."
Flashback – Moments Earlier
In the ritual chamber upstairs, Maira worked tirelessly over a sacred altar, inscribing symbols into the wooden frame of the Agni Astra. Her hands trembled, not from fear, but from determination.
"Nani," she had said moments ago, her voice low but steady, "if he finds us here—"
Kailashi had placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"You stay focused on creating the Agni Astra. It's the only weapon that can end this darkness. Leave Mihir to me."
Maira had looked up at her, eyes glistening.
"Please… be careful."
---
Present
Mihir tilted his head slightly, watching Kailashi without blinking.
"Brave words… for someone who is about to die."
Kailashi's finger hovered over the trigger.
"Try me, Daavansh."