Charvi quickly arranges the lentils, rice, and vermillion as instructed. Her hands tremble, but her focus is unwavering. The faint golden light from the bird still shimmers on her palm, guiding her movements.
She chants softly, drawing a wide sacred circle around the family. The glow of the vermillion line ignites, swirling into a luminous barrier.
"Everyone—inside the circle, now!" Sharda commands.
The family rushes in — Dadi clutching Veena's hand, Urvashi holding Raani close, Yug pulling Charvi in.
Only Veer hesitates, staring at the radiant boundary. His jaw tightens as the holy energy flickers before him. For a moment, something almost serpentine glows behind his eyes.
"Veer!" Sharda shouts. "Come inside!"
He forces a smile, hiding his unease. "Of course, Ma."
The moment he steps through the divine barrier, pain sears through his veins. His smile falters. He clutches his arm, feeling as though invisible flames are crawling under his skin.
The circle burns against the darkness he harbors.
He masks the agony with a forced grin, standing still as the others pray, whispering to himself, Soon this light will fade… and so will they.
The chains outside rattle violently, the walkers shrieking as they're held back by the sacred glow.
---
In the dense forest, dawn begins to break. A golden hue paints the trees, piercing through the fog.
Raktbeej snarls, his form dark and massive, his voice shaking the earth. "No sun, no god can save you!"
But Gauri steps forward — wounded, fearless, and radiant in the rising light. Her lips begin to move, soft at first, then fierce and unwavering—
"Jai Maa Kali, Jai Maa Kali…"
Her voice echoes like thunder across the hills as she recites the Kali Chalisa, her words wrapping the air in divine power.
The ground trembles. Wind howls through the trees. Vihaan, bloodied but unbroken, forces himself to stand beside her, awe and devotion gleaming in his crimson eyes.
The first rays of sunlight touch Gauri's face — and suddenly, her aura bursts forth in a surge of blinding brilliance.
Her clothes transform into flowing black and red silks that shimmer with cosmic light. Around her neck glows a garland of fire, and from her brow, a third eye blazes open. In her hand manifests a golden Trident, pulsing with celestial energy.
Raktbeej staggers back, fear flashing for the first time. "Impossible… the form of Kali herself!"
Vihaan steps forward, placing a firm hand around her waist — steadying her, exalting her. Together, they stand as light and shadow bound in divine unity.
Gauri lifts the Trident high, her voice thunderous—
"Your tyranny ends here, Raktbeej!"
In one swift motion, she drives the Trident through his head.
The ground splits open. A scream reverberates through the valley as Raktbeej's form disintegrates into dust, his blood evaporating in the divine light.
As silence returns, petals of light rain down from the sky. The forest, once dark and cursed, glows in tranquil gold.
Gauri slowly descends, her form returning to her mortal self — exhausted yet divine in aura. Vihaan catches her gently, holding her close as the last rays of dawn embrace them.
The forest is still. The scent of burnt ash lingers where Raktbeej once stood. Gauri, breathing heavily, looks around — the air now shimmering with calm divinity instead of darkness.
Vihaan walks toward her, his crimson eyes softening back to their natural hue. "It's over," he whispers.
Gauri nods weakly, the adrenaline fading. "For now…"
Before she can say more, Vihaan pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly. The warmth of his embrace radiates with healing energy — his magic intertwining with hers. A faint glow surrounds them both as their wounds slowly close, the cuts vanishing, and the bruises fading into nothingness.
Gauri sighs in relief, her head resting against his chest. "You shouldn't have taken that hit for me."
Vihaan smiles faintly. "You'd have done the same."
A gentle breeze blows through the trees, carrying the whispers of victory. The divine light around them fades, leaving behind serenity.
---
Back at the mansion, the situation grows dire. The walkers snarl and push, their combined force shattering the last of the enchanted chains. Shards of glowing metal scatter across the floor.
Urvashi gasps. "They're free!"
But before the monsters can reach the family, they collide with an invisible wall — the sacred circle shining brighter than before. The impact throws them backward, their bodies thrashing in confusion as if an unseen divine power repels them.
Charvi clasps her hands together, eyes closed in prayer. "The circle is working!"
Dadi's voice trembles, "Maa Durga is with us…"
Everyone exhales in relief — everyone except Veer.
Standing slightly apart, Veer's expression darkens as he watches the creatures struggle outside the protective shield. His lips curl into a mocking smile.
(thinking) "My family is indeed stubborn… and harder to break than I imagined."
His eyes flicker with a sinister gleam. "But if I can't destroy them with fear…" he whispers under his breath, "…then I'll destroy them from within."
He turns slightly, his smirk sharpening as he stares into the flickering shadows cast by the holy light.
"Let's see how long this false peace lasts."
The walkers screech again, slamming against the barrier — but the shield holds firm, glowing like a divine flame in the darkness.
---