Yug and Sharda hurriedly pulled the chains tighter, anchoring them around the marble pillars on either side of the hall. The metal sizzled faintly as it touched the sacred carvings etched into the stone — sealing the barrier.
"Hold it steady!" Yug said, tightening the knot. "This should keep them from breaking through for now."
Charvi helped Dadi to her feet, steadying her trembling hands. "Dadi, are you alright?" she asked softly, brushing dust from her saree.
Dadi nodded weakly, her voice faint but firm. "I'll be fine, beta… I've seen many storms, but this one—" she glanced at the bound walkers writhing a few feet away "—this one feels darker."
Before she could say more, Sharda turned sharply toward Veer, her anger barely restrained.
"Veer!" she snapped. "What was that? Why didn't you help her?"
Veer blinked, feigning shock. "I—I was petrified, Ma. I didn't know what to do—"
"Enough!" Sharda's voice echoed across the hall like a whip. "Everyone here is petrified! But fear doesn't make us cowards!" She pointed toward Charvi, who still held Dadi protectively. "Look at her — she's barely nineteen! She isn't even related to mummy ji by blood, yet she didn't think twice before saving her! And you—she's your Dadi, Veer! You should've gone to her first!"
The family fell silent. Veer lowered his gaze, pretending remorse, though deep within, a flicker of irritation burned in his eyes.
Veena quickly stepped in, placing a gentle hand on Sharda's shoulder. "Sharda bhabhi, bas… calm down. Veer isn't used to this. He's been away from home for so long — he doesn't know how to face… all this."
Sharda exhaled sharply but said nothing, her jaw still tight with disappointment.
Veer seized the moment, his tone low and apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ma. I really am. It all happened so fast."
Yug glanced at him suspiciously but said nothing. He checked the glowing chains again, making sure they held strong.
Sharda turned to the family, her voice steady but filled with resolve. "We can't afford to lose focus now. Gauri and Vihaan are out there, risking everything to save us. The least we can do is hold this fort together."
Dadi clasped her trembling hands in prayer. "May Devi Maa give them strength," she murmured.
As the others nodded and began reinforcing the barricade, Veer stepped back into the shadows, his lips curling faintly.
Keep holding your fort, he thought darkly, until the walls crumble from within.
The forest loomed like a shadowed labyrinth — ancient trees rising high, their roots twisted like serpents. The air was damp and heavy, and the moonlight struggled to pierce the thick canopy above.
Gauri and Vihaan moved cautiously along the narrow path, their footsteps muffled by leaves. The silence was unnerving — too still, too expectant.
Then came the sound.
A guttural growl.
Low. Deep. Hungry.
Vihaan's eyes flicked toward Gauri's. She didn't speak, but the tension in her grip said enough — something was here.
The growl echoed again, this time closer. Birds scattered from a branch above — and before either could react, a massive shadow leapt from the treetop.
Raktbeej.
He landed with a thud that shook the ground, his eyes glowing crimson in the moonlight, his body rippling with dark veins. His laughter was like a beast's roar.
"So… the Kothari descendants dare step into my forest."
He lunged.
Both Gauri and Vihaan rolled apart in opposite directions, his claws slicing through the air between them. The tree behind them split where his hand struck, sap spilling like blood.
Vihaan straightened, jaw tight. He reached for the bracelet on his wrist and ripped it off. Instantly, a surge of crimson aura pulsed around him — his nails elongating into claw-like blades, his eyes blazing red.
Raktbeej sneered. "Ah, the half-blood bares his fangs."
Before he could move again, Vihaan thrust his hand forward, sending a burst of crimson energy straight into Raktbeej's chest. The demon staggered back, snarling as blood oozed from the wound — thick and black.
He laughed, even as it dripped. "You fool… my blood is my army."
The droplets began to fall —
But before they could touch the ground, they froze. Suspended mid-air, glistening like rubies caught in ice.
Gauri stood with her palm outstretched, a faint blue aura glowing around her. "You can only multiply when your blood hits the ground," she said, her voice cold yet steady. "But we're not giving you that chance."
She smiled faintly at Vihaan, and he smirked back, their energies swirling in unison — crimson and azure, light and flame.
Raktbeej's grin faltered. "Clever… but not enough to stop me."
He roared, the trees shaking around them as shadows began to crawl across the forest floor — his power rising again.
Gauri and Vihaan stood side by side, ready for the next strike.
The real battle had just begun.