The air turned icy as the shadow raised her hand from midair, her form floating above the ground like a dark wraith. Vihaan's body was snatched from the floor like a ragdoll, hurled upward into the roof with a sickening crack before crashing back down. The impact sent a shockwave through the hall, rattling the lamps and shattering clay pots.
"Vihaan!" Gauri's anguished cry tore through the chaos as she staggered to her feet. Her limbs shook, but she pushed forward, determination blazing in her eyes.
The shadow sneered from above, her hand flicking downward. A vase ripped itself free from a nearby pedestal and shot toward Gauri.
The heavy object struck her temple.
"Ah—!" Gauri gasped, her body crumpling to the floor as darkness consumed her.
Vihaan's eyes widened, his breath ragged as fury ignited within him. His veins burned with rage, eclipsing the pain of his wounds. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping down his brow.
"You dared…" he whispered hoarsely, his trembling fingers reaching for the silver bracelet on his wrist. With one pull, he ripped it free.
The ground shook. Dark winds whipped around him as his aura flared to life. The family staggered back, shielding their faces from the force. Vihaan raised his hand, power pulsing in his palm.
But nothing happened.
The energy fizzled, dissolving into the air.
His eyes widened in disbelief. "No… this isn't possible."
A cold, mocking laugh echoed from above. The shadow hovered in the air, her voice sharp as daggers. "Your powers cannot work in front of me, Vihaan."
Vihaan's chest heaved. "Who are you?"
The shadow leaned forward from her floating form, her presence pressing down on them like an iron weight. "I am punishing you… for failing to recognize me."
Veena stumbled forward, her saree disheveled, tears spilling down her face as she clutched Vihaan's arm. "Please… whoever you are, stop this! He's my son… tell us why you're harming him."
The shadow's head tilted, her floating figure trembling with restrained fury. "Don't you remember me, Veena? I promised to return… twenty-five years ago."
Veena's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened, her heart pounding with recognition. It can't be… Her lips trembled, but she swallowed her words, refusing to voice the truth.
Vihaan's voice thundered, even through his pain. "I don't care who you are. If you dare harm my family, I will—"
The shadow screamed.
The sound was unbearable, tearing through the hall like a thousand blades. Glass shattered, ears rang, and the family collapsed to their knees, clutching their heads in agony.
Vihaan screamed as his body was lifted into the air once again. This time, strange glowing claw marks tore across his chest and arms, ripping through his flesh as if unseen hands were shredding him apart. His cries of pain shook the walls.
"Vihaan!" Gauri's eyes fluttered open at the sound, her head pounding. She gasped in horror, crawling toward him with tears streaming down her face.
"No! Stop this! Please!" Veena cried, her feet staggering toward the temple. She grabbed a matchstick, her trembling hands trying desperately to light the sacred lamp. Again and again she tried, her sobs choking her. But the flame died each time, refusing to ignite.
"No…" Veena whispered, before she dropped the matchbox and rushed back to her son. "Vihaan!"
Her scream mingled with Gauri's as the unthinkable happened.
Three glowing arrows materialized in the air behind the hovering shadow and, with deadly precision, shot straight into Vihaan's back.
"Vihaaan!" Gauri's shriek shook the hall as Vihaan's body convulsed, blood spilling down his kurta. Dadi collapsed with a sob, while Yug and Raani clutched each other, their voices breaking as they cried out for their brother.
The sacred celebration of Janmashtami had turned into a nightmarish battlefield, with Vihaan's blood staining the floor beneath the Lord's idol, while the shadow floated high above them like a goddess of vengeance.