The mansion stood shrouded in moonlit silence, its broken chandeliers casting ghostly reflections across the marbled floor. Gauri stepped into the grand hall — the same spot where Laila had buried Chandni beneath the earth's cursed seal. The air still reeked of burnt incense and betrayal.
Gauri's eyes glistened as she whispered, "Forgive me, Chandni… for not trusting you when I should have."
She knelt on the cold floor, pressing her palm to the ground. Her voice trembled but carried divine power as she cried —
"Jai Devi Maa!"
In one swift motion, Gauri took off her divine ring and hurled it into the air. The ring spun rapidly, glowing a blinding blue — and with a resonant hum, it transformed into a tidal chakram. The spinning weapon sliced through the marble, releasing a surge of water and light.
A thunderous crack echoed through the mansion. The ground split open, and from within the fissure, a brilliant wave erupted — followed by a glowing figure rising in the midst of swirling mist and water.
Chandni — pale, fierce, and divine — emerged, her chains breaking into dust as moonlight enveloped her.
Gauri stumbled back, overwhelmed by relief and awe. "Chandni…" she breathed.
Chandni opened her eyes, the same silver glow flickering within them. "You freed me," she said softly.
Tears welled in Gauri's eyes as she clasped her hands together. "I'm sorry. I didn't believe you. I trusted the wrong sister."
Chandni stepped closer and placed a hand over Gauri's heart. "No, Gauri. It's not your fault. Laila's deceit was crafted by darkness itself. You saw what she wanted you to see."
Their hands joined, the divine and lunar energies surrounding them in a luminous halo — two forces finally united.
---
The Red Moon Fort
Far away, beneath the blood-red glow of the lunar eclipse, Vihaan landed before the towering gates of the Red Moon Fort. The castle loomed like a scar upon the earth, its walls pulsing faintly with cursed energy.
He entered cautiously, eyes glowing faintly red as he whispered an incantation for protection. Inside, torches flickered against the stone walls, revealing a chilling sight —
His entire family, bound and gagged.
Veena, Sharda, Dadi, Yug, Shyom — even Raani and Urvashi, recently freed from their icy prison — all sat tied together, their eyes wide with terror.
"Family…" Vihaan breathed, sprinting toward them. "Don't worry, I'm here!"
But as soon as he stepped into the circle, the ground beneath him shuddered. A metallic clank rang out — and before he could react, a massive glowing cage dropped from above, sealing around him with crackling energy.
Vihaan slammed his hands against the bars, his magic flaring in red sparks — but the cage didn't budge. His family shook their heads desperately, muffled cries warning him —
It was a trap.
Vihaan's eyes blazed with fury. "Laila! Show yourself!" he roared, the fort trembling with his voice.
But only laughter echoed through the halls — cold, mocking, and triumphant.
---
Back at the Mansion
Meanwhile, Gauri helped Chandni to her feet. The storm outside had begun to rage once more, lightning flashing through the windows.
"We don't have time," Chandni said urgently, looking toward the horizon. "The eclipse is nearing its peak. Laila's power will be unstoppable soon."
Gauri nodded firmly. "Then we'll stop her — together."
And as thunder rolled across the sky, the two women — once divided by deceit — stood side by side, ready to face the darkness that awaited them.
The Red Moon Fort pulsed like a living heart beneath the eclipse, its crimson glow seeping into every corner of the chamber where Vihaan stood trapped within the shimmering cage of light. The air smelled of ash and blood — the scent of magic gone rotten.
The muffled cries of his family filled the hall. Veena, Dadi, Yug, Raani, and Shyom struggled against their binds, while Sharda sat frozen in disbelief, tears threatening to spill from her wide, fearful eyes.
Then — a soft, mocking laughter echoed through the fort.
From the shadows, Laila emerged — her crimson gown glinting like liquid moonlight, her expression proud and cruel.
"Well, well, Vihaan Kothari," she said, her voice dripping with taunting sweetness. "You came all this way… only to walk straight into your doom. How poetic."
Vihaan's red eyes burned with restrained fury. "You…" he hissed. "You're not working alone, are you?"
Laila's smile widened. "Oh, clever as always. No, I'm not."
Her heels clicked sharply on the stone floor as she circled the cage. "It's time you meet the one who planned all this with me… the one who knows you better than you think."
A figure stepped out of the darkness — tall, confident, eyes glowing faintly amber under the blood moon.
Veer.
For a moment, Vihaan couldn't breathe. His cousin. His own blood. Sharda's son.
"Veer…" Vihaan whispered, disbelief etching every word. "You? You were with her?"
Veer smirked, folding his arms. "Surprised, brother?"
The word brother stung more than any blade could.
Vihaan's grip tightened around the bars of his cage. "Why, Veer? Why are you doing this? You're trying to destroy your own family!"
"Because," Veer said coldly, "I am Naashak."
The declaration thundered through the hall. The torches flickered. Laila smiled proudly beside him.
Sharda gasped, a choked sob escaping her lips. "No… no, that can't be true. My son can't be—"
Veer snapped his fingers. The gags vanished from everyone's mouths, releasing a wave of horrified cries.
"Veer!" Sharda cried out, trembling. "Listen to me, beta! You've lost your way. Don't turn against your family. Vihaan is your brother!"
"Shut up!,what Brother?" Veer's tone hardened into pure venom. He stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Don't you ever call him that again."
The words sliced through Sharda like a blade.
Shyom stood, his voice shaking with anger. "How can you talk to your own mother like that? You've gone mad, Veer!"
"Mad?" Veer sneered. "No. Enlightened. I've seen what true power feels like. And power doesn't come from family… or love… or blood. It comes from domination."
He turned toward Vihaan, his smirk returning — crueler now. "I cut every tie that made me weak. Every relationship, every emotion. I only serve one bond now — power itself."
"Veer!" Vihaan roared, slamming his palm against the bars — but the metal surged with red electricity. A violent shock rippled through him, making his body convulse.
"Vihaan!" Gauri's voice wasn't there to reach him — only his family's horrified screams filled the hall.
"Stop it!" Sharda cried, trying to move forward, only for Laila to push her back with a flick of her wrist.
Laila chuckled darkly, watching Vihaan writhe in pain. "Look at him, Veer… the great king of evil, reduced to nothing. Just as you wanted."
Veer tilted his head, his expression disturbingly calm. "It's only the beginning, Laila. When the eclipse reaches its peak, his power will be mine… and the Kotharis will burn with him."
The cage dimmed, and Vihaan slumped against the bars, breathing hard — fury and disbelief flickering in his red eyes.
He looked up at Veer, voice trembling with rage. "You'll regret this, Veer. Whatever darkness you've chosen… it'll consume you too, don't harm the family just to get power."
Veer smiled faintly. "Let it. As long as it destroys you first."
The eclipse light intensified, painting the fort blood-red. The family's cries echoed across the ancient walls, as Laila and Veer stood together — two shadows against a dying moo