The air in the hall grew thick, heavy, as if it were holding its breath. Mohana's human guise had completely faltered. The Saarpmani dust combined with the full moon forced the centuries-old witch to reveal herself fully. Her burning red eyes blazed in the silver light, the long braid whipping wildly around her as though alive.
With a sudden, terrifying motion, Mohana leapt back against the wall, her body clinging effortlessly like a gecko. Her black nails dug into the plaster as she began climbing, her hair flying around her in dark waves that whipped the air. The family stumbled backward, hearts pounding, instinctively huddling together in fear.
Bani Dadi's frail voice broke through the chaos, trembling and raw with grief. "No… no… my son… Rajeev…" she cried, wringing her hands. Tears streamed down her face. "You… you killed him!"
Vanraj's face went pale. He stared at Mohana, disbelief written across every line. "How… how is this possible?" he stammered.
Sanjeev, frozen in shock, finally found his voice. "Mohana… what… what are you?!"
Mohana's lips curved into a chilling, slow smile. She tilted her head, letting her red eyes scan the room like a predator surveying its prey. "I am Mohana… the Maha Daayan," she declared, her voice low, commanding, and laced with centuries of malice. "And yes… I killed Rajeev."
The words struck the family like a physical blow. Suman took a step forward, but her feet felt rooted to the floor. "Why… why would you do this?" she whispered, horror and disbelief mingling in her voice.
Mohana's gaze swept over them, every inch of her radiating deadly power. "To prolong my life… to grow stronger… that is how witches survive, how we dominate. Do not think for a moment that your fragile human hearts can comprehend what centuries of darkness teach us."
Arnav stirred in Vedshree's arms, sensing the intensity in the room. Vedshree tightened her grip, her jaw set, trying to steady herself and the child despite the fear curling through her chest.
The faint, unseen chant of the daayan wove through the room, a ghostly, dissonant music that made the shadows seem alive:
Daakini… Pishachini… Sarvashini… Bhoot pret Kalashini… Nazar ki daayan ki… Sarvashini Barbaadini… Daayan ki Sarvashini… Daakini… Hai Daakini…
The family clung together, their breaths caught in their throats. The silver moonlight illuminated Mohana's red eyes, black nails, and whip-like braid, and the burning marks from the dust traced along her skin, a visible reminder of the power now uncontrollable.
Mohana tilted her head, laughing softly, a sound that made the walls themselves seem to shiver. "You cannot hide from me. I am beyond your understanding. I am eternal… I am power incarnate… I am the darkness you cannot escape."
Bani Dadi sank to her knees, sobbing, clutching at her sari. "No… my son… my Rajeev…"
Vedshree stepped forward, her voice steady despite the terror gripping her chest. "You may be powerful, Mohana… but you will never touch him," she said, holding Arnav closer.
Mohana's lips twisted in fury. She pressed herself tighter against the wall, preparing to strike, her long braid lashing like a living weapon. "You… think you can stop me? Foolish mortals… tonight, you will witness the true power of a Maha Daayan!"
The hall seemed to pulse with energy, the shadows stretching unnaturally, reacting to Mohana's unleashed power. Every corner shimmered faintly from the Saarpmani dust, forcing her form to remain partially revealed.
The family shrank together, frozen in fear, as Mohana's red eyes swept over them. The night had finally revealed the full horror of the centuries-old witch they had welcomed into their home.
To be continued…