Moonlight streamed through the towering windows, painting the hall in long, spectral shadows. Mohana hovered near the center, her red eyes blazing with a hunger that spanned centuries. Her long braid writhed like a living serpent, twisting and whipping through the air as though it had a mind of its own. The family huddled together, frozen with a mix of fear and disbelief.
Mohana's lips curved into a cruel, deliberate smile. Her voice was low, venomous, almost a hiss. "You all wonder… why I married your precious Rajeev, don't you?"
Bani Dadi's sobs caught in her throat. "Why… why would you do that?"
Mohana's gaze swept the room, finally resting on the child in Vedshree's arms. "To give birth to a son… a half-demon. My Daavansh."
Vedshree's fingers tightened around Arnav. Her heart pounded violently. "A… half-demon? What… what are you saying?"
Her voice sharpened, cutting through the tension like steel. "If a witch sacrifices her Daavansh son… she is promoted to an Ekaayan Daayan—the most powerful witch of all ages. One whose name echoes through centuries… unstoppable, immortal."
Suman's gasp echoed in the hall. She stepped back, horror etched across her face. "You… you were going to sacrifice him?"
Vedshree shook violently, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pressed Arnav closer. "You… you monster… my baby…" she whispered, voice breaking.
Mohana's smile widened, cold and merciless. "Of course. A witch does not love. A witch does not nurture. A witch… kills."
Arnav stirred in Vedshree's arms, tiny fists curling instinctively as though sensing the malevolent intent radiating from the centuries-old witch.
Suddenly, Mohana's braid lashed through the air, coiling like a black whip toward Vedshree. Vedshree closed her eyes instinctively, paralyzed by fear for a brief, terrible moment.
Time seemed to stretch. The dark energy along the braid thrummed in the air, alive and lethal.
Then—a sharp whistle tore through the night. A dagger streaked across the hall, gleaming in the moonlight. It sliced through Mohana's braid, the dark strands recoiling as she let out a strangled cry. She fell to the marble floor with a heavy thud, weakened but far from defeated.
Vedshree opened her eyes, staring in disbelief. Her heart pounded, yet she held Arnav tightly, feeling a sliver of hope.
From the shadows, Divya stepped forward, dagger in hand, eyes fierce and unwavering. Behind her, Avinash emerged, crossbow ready, his stance protective, commanding.
"Step back," Divya said firmly, voice sharp, cutting through the tension. "We've come for the child—and to end this before more harm is done."
Mohana groaned, struggling to rise, her red eyes blazing with fury. "You… you think you can stop me?!" she spat, voice rasping.
Divya's dagger shimmered faintly in the moonlight, the edges dusted with Saarpmani. "Not tonight, Mohana," she said quietly, her eyes locked on the centuries-old witch. "This ends now—before you take another life."
Mohana hissed, hands scrabbling against the floor, braid twitching like a wounded serpent. "I… I am eternal… no one… no one…"
But the hall was no longer hers. Vedshree stood firm, clutching Arnav, Suman flanking her, and the two Reevavanshi warriors ready. The centuries of darkness in Mohana were checked, at least for now—but her fury promised the storm was far from over.
The wind howled outside, and faint, ghostly whispers threaded through the hall, chilling every bone in their bodies:
Daakini… Pishachini… Sarvashini… Bhoot pret Kalashini… Nazar ki daayan ki… Sarvashini Barbaadini… Daayan ki Sarvashini… Daakini… Hai Daakini…
Mohana lay on the floor, breathing ragged, red eyes burning with hatred and unfulfilled ambition. Vedshree's hands trembled slightly as she pressed Arnav closer. For now, the child was safe.
But Mohana's lips curled into a dark, whispered smile, promising the family that this battle had only begun.
Mohana struggled to her feet, her red eyes blazing with fury. Her long braid twitched violently, lashing against the marble floor. The centuries-old witch let out a guttural hiss, her voice echoing through the hall.
"I am eternal… no one can stop me!" Mohana shrieked, her black nails scraping the floor as she prepared to strike.
But before she could make a move, a lasso of gleaming silver light shot across the hall from Avinash's hands, wrapping around her waist and yanking her backward. The witch snarled, thrashing violently, but the binding held her in place.
To be continued…