At the Kothari Mansion — Vihaan's Room
The storm outside mirrored the storm inside Vihaan's heart. Candles flickered against the cool marble walls as he stood by the window, lost in thought. Yug entered quietly, worry etched on his face.
"Bhai," Yug began softly, "why did you let Gauri go alone?"
Vihaan turned, eyes shadowed with guilt and conflict. "Because… this isn't just about bravery, Yug. It's about destiny."
He walked toward his desk and spread out an ancient scroll across the table. The ink shimmered faintly, revealing intricate drawings — a vast underwater labyrinth guarded by a monstrous figure.
"Mohini didn't just hide the Maan Kalash," Vihaan said grimly. "She placed it in the underwater treasury of Makasuur — the ancient guardian of pride. Anyone who enters his domain without permission... dies."
Yug's eyes widened. "And Gauri's down there right now?"
"Yes," Vihaan whispered, gripping the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white. "Every second she spends there brings her closer to his wrath."
From the shadows, Vikram and Yug exchanged uneasy looks. Vihaan's voice shifted — colder, darker.
"And Sarvansh…" he muttered, a faint sneer curling his lip, "…he's enjoying this, isn't he?"
A low, mocking laughter echoed faintly — not from anyone in the room, but from within him.
"Don't fight it, Vihaan," came Sarvansh's voice in his mind. "Let her die. The Kalash will return to me — and you'll be free."
Vihaan clutched his head, trembling. "No! I won't let you win!"
Yug placed a hand on his shoulder. "Bhai, listen to me — you're stronger than him."
Vihaan took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Then let's hope Gauri is too."
---
Underwater — The Treasury of Makasuur
Darkness pressed in from all sides as Gauri swam through the cold, endless depths. Her saree floated like a trail of light behind her, and her lungs burned with each passing second.
Strange carvings glowed faintly on the submerged walls, leading her deeper into the labyrinth. The water pulsed with an eerie rhythm — almost like a heartbeat.
She could feel it — his presence. The guardian slept somewhere beyond these waters.
Finally, she reached a vast chamber lit by the shimmer of golden light. There, resting upon a stone pedestal, was the Maan Kalash. It radiated a soft, divine aura that drew her closer.
Gauri whispered a prayer. "Mahadev… give me strength."
She reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed the vessel. But just as she lifted it, a loud clang echoed through the chamber — her bracelet had struck the stone floor.
The sound reverberated through the water.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Then—
A low rumble shook the ground. Two enormous eyes, glowing like molten lava, snapped open in the shadows ahead.
Makasuur had awakened.
The water churned violently as his serpentine form began to uncoil from the darkness, scales glinting with gold and black fire.
Gauri's heart pounded, her grip tightening on the Kalash. "Bholenath… protect me," she whispered, as the monstrous guardian's roar shattered the silence of the deep.
Underwater — The Treasury of Makasuur
The chamber pulsed with an eerie stillness. Gauri's fingers brushed the glowing Maan Kalash, its divine hum echoing through her bones. Relief flickered across her face — she had found it.
But fate had other plans.
As she turned, her silver locket — the one Vihaan had once tied around her neck — slipped free and drifted downward, striking the stone floor with a faint clink.
The sound rippled through the water like thunder.
Gauri froze. Then… the ancient carvings on the walls began to glow blood-red. From the depths of the shadows, two enormous eyes opened, burning like molten fire.
Makasuur had awakened.
A roar trembled through the treasury as the monstrous guardian uncoiled — part serpent, part beast, his voice echoing through the dark waters.
"Who dares disturb my slumber?"
Gauri's heart pounded. Clutching the Maan Kalash tightly, she whispered, "Forgive me, protector… I only seek what was stolen."
But Makasuur's roar only grew louder. The water churned violently as he lunged toward her. Gauri darted away, weaving through the ruins with every ounce of her strength.
"Bholenath, guide me," she prayed breathlessly, her hair flowing like dark silk behind her.
The temple's currents lashed like whips, yet she didn't stop. The golden vessel glowed brighter, as if protecting her. Makasuur's claws grazed her dupatta — but missed.
With one last burst of strength, Gauri shot upward toward the surface, breaking through the water with a gasp just as Makasuur's roar faded below.
She had escaped — but only barely.
---
At the Kothari Mansion — Vihaan's Room
At that very moment, Vihaan convulsed, clutching his chest as an invisible force rippled through him. The lamp beside his bed shattered.
"Bhai!" Yug shouted, rushing forward to steady him.
Vihaan's eyes flickered — first their warm brown, then an ominous crimson glow. He struggled to speak through the pain. "Yug… listen to me," he rasped. "If… if I don't return… promise me—you'll keep Gauri safe. Send her… far away."
"Bhai, what are you saying?" Yug's voice broke.
The family — Veena, Sharda, and Urvashi — rushed in, alarmed.
"Vihaan!" Veena cried, holding his face in trembling hands.
He forced a weak smile. "Ma… forgive me for everything. I'll be fine. Just… take care of Gauri."
But before anyone could respond, his body stiffened. The veins along his neck darkened — his breath grew ragged.
Yug's voice shook. "No… no, Bhai, fight it—"
And then, his voice changed. Deeper. Colder.
Sarvansh's smirk twisted across Vihaan's face. "You think he can fight me?"
The family staggered back as the air in the room turned heavy, electric.
"Where is she?" Sarvansh demanded, his voice laced with fury. "Where is Gauri?"
Sharda tried to remain calm. "We… we don't know. She—she went out—"
But Sarvansh's patience snapped. With a flick of his hand, Urvashi was lifted off the ground, gasping for air. "Tell me where she is," he snarled. "Now!"
"Stop!" Veena cried, tears streaming down her face. "She went to find the Maan Kalash! Please… don't hurt her!"
For a split second, Sarvansh froze. Shock flickered in his crimson eyes — then turned to rage.
"She went to him…" he hissed. "To Makasuur."
He released Urvashi, who fell into Sharda's arms, coughing. The air around Sarvansh darkened as his power flared violently.
"This changes everything," he whispered, a cruel smile forming. "If she lives… she'll bring it back. And when she does… she'll bring me back with it."
The family watched in silent horror as Sarvansh's laughter echoed through the mansion — dark, knowing, unstoppable.
---
To be continued…