The golden glow of the bells faded across the horizon as Gauri and Vihaan stood beneath the sacred arch of Paanchgiri.
The mist around them shimmered faintly, and for a moment, peace wrapped around them like a blessing.
Gauri smiled tearfully. "We did it, Vihaan… we saved them."
Vihaan smiled back, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We did, Gauri. Together."
They held each other close, the faint chime of the bells echoing behind them like a promise of hope.
---
Scene: At the Kothari Mansion
The family slowly stepped out of the protective circle. The air was still again, calm and pure.
Veena let out a shaky sigh. "It's over… thank the heavens, it's finally over."
Charvi and Raani helped the guests to their feet while Shyom and Urvashi guided them toward the courtyard. Everyone looked drained but relieved.
Veer stepped forward, his tone polite. "You all take care of the guests inside. I'll see the others out."
Dadi nodded, leaning on Charvi. "Good, beta. Make sure everyone gets home safely."
Veer smiled faintly, a hint of darkness flickering in his eyes. "Of course, Dadi."
He turned, walking the last few guests through the grand doors, speaking gently as they left. "Please take care. The danger has passed."
When the final guest disappeared beyond the gate, Veer turned back toward the mansion. The smile on his face slowly curved into something cold and sinister.
"Vihaan… Gauri… you saved the guests," he said softly, his voice filled with malice. "But how will you save your family from what's coming next?"
He raised his hands to the sky, chanting in a low, ancient language.
The wind howled. Clouds twisted above the mansion, and suddenly the moon turned crimson — a crescent of red fire descending through the clouds. Its eerie light washed over the mansion, painting everything in blood-like glow.
Inside, the floor shook violently. Dadi clutched Veena's arm. "What's happening? Why is the house shaking?"
Sharda shouted, trying to steady herself. "The ground… it's moving!"
Urvashi screamed as the marble floor cracked beneath her feet, and diyas shattered into sparks.
Charvi clung to Raani's hand. "The mansion—it's sinking!"
The chandeliers swung wildly, their glass reflecting the red moonlight. Dust fell from the ceiling. Outside, Veer watched with a cruel smile as the great Kothari mansion began to sink slowly into the ground, swallowed by darkness.
"Let's see if light can still survive," he said coldly. "Once it's buried beneath my night."
The red glow still shimmered faintly in the afternoon sky when headlights cut through the dusty air.
Gauri and Vihaan's car raced down the winding hill road toward the mansion, the engine roaring with urgency.
As they neared the estate, a horrifying emptiness spread before them. The Kothari mansion — their home, their memories — was gone.
Only a sunken pit, shattered pillars, and drifting plumes of dust remained.
Gauri's voice cracked in disbelief. "Vihaan… the house—where is the house?"
Vihaan's breath caught in his throat. "No… no, this can't be…" He slammed the brakes, the car jerking to a halt before the ruined gate.
Veer was already there — kneeling before the sunken ground, covered in dust, pretending to sob helplessly.
"Veer!" Gauri ran toward him, her steps stumbling. "What happened here?"
Veer lifted his tear-streaked face. "I–I don't know! The house started shaking… I heard screams and before I could do anything, it—it sank into the ground! Everyone was inside!"
Gauri gasped, tears spilling down her cheeks. "No… not Dadi… not Charvi…"
Vihaan stared at the wreckage in horror, his mind spinning. He fell to his knees, his voice trembling.
"Ma… Dadi… Uncle Shyom… Aunt Urvashi… Aunt Sharda… Yug, Raani… Charvi…" His voice broke completely. "They were all here… my family!"
He grabbed the earth in his hands, the dirt crumbling through his trembling fingers as tears fell to the ground. "I promised to protect them… I wasn't here when they needed me…"
Gauri knelt beside him, sobbing. "Charvi… my little sister… she was just with me before Diwali. I should've never left them.."
She buried her face against Vihaan's shoulder, both of them breaking down in each other's arms. The sunlight glimmered through the dust, turning their tears to gold, but the world around them felt cold and hollow.
Vihaan clutched Gauri tightly. "They can't be gone… not them…"
Gauri shook her head, crying harder. "Why would fate do this? Why?"
Behind them, Veer lowered his head again, pretending to wipe his tears — but a faint, sinister smile curled on his lips. His eyes glimmered with dark satisfaction as he watched the two crumble in grief.
The red crescent still lingered faintly in the sky above the ruins, pulsing softly — like a dark promise.
The sound of distant temple bells echoed through the valley — haunting, mournful.
Vihaan's cries filled the silence, echoing across the hills.
And beneath the earth, something ancient stirred.
To be continued…