Aarohi stood frozen.
Her mind refused to accept what she had just heard.
"I don't belong here…" she said, shaking her head. "You're wrong."
The boy watched her quietly, as if he already knew she wouldn't believe him.
"My name is Veer," he said finally. "And I don't say things without proof."
Aarohi crossed her arms, trying to hide the fear rising inside her. "Then prove it."
For a moment, Veer didn't move.
Then slowly, he stepped closer.
"Don't panic," he said.
Before she could react, his hand gently lifted toward her face. Aarohi flinched, but something about his expression made her stop.
His fingers hovered near her eyes.
And suddenly—
A faint glow appeared.
Aarohi gasped.
A strange symbol began to form in her reflection… right in her eyes. Dark, elegant lines, glowing like shadows alive within her.
"What… is that?" her voice trembled.
Veer's expression turned serious.
"That," he said, "is the Shadow Mark."
Aarohi stepped back, her breathing uneven.
"No… this can't be real…"
"It is," Veer replied. "And not just any mark."
He paused, as if choosing his next words carefully.
"Yours is royal."
The word hit her like a shock.
"Royal?" she repeated.
Veer nodded. "In this realm, only the bloodline of the Shadow King carries that kind of mark."
Aarohi's vision blurred for a second. "No… I'm just a normal girl…"
"You were made to believe that," Veer said quietly.
Silence fell between them.
The air grew heavier.
Then, in the distance…
A deep, echoing sound filled the realm.
A roar.
Not human. Not animal.
Something powerful.
Veer's expression changed instantly.
"They've sensed you," he muttered.
"Who?" Aarohi asked, panic rising again.
Veer grabbed her wrist.
"No time to explain. If they find you first… you won't survive."
"Wait—what do you mean—"
"Run!"
And before she could ask anything else—
They disappeared into the shadows.
But somewhere, hidden in the darkness…
Ancient eyes had already awakened.
Watching her.
Waiting. 👁️🔥