The Realm of the Pratham Vansh
Far beyond mortal reach, in a celestial realm bathed in shimmering starlight, stood the ancient citadel of the Pratham Vansh — the first bloodline of divine women. The air pulsed with sacred energy, the marble floors reflecting hues of moonstone and sapphire.
Inside the great hall, the Pratham Vanshi, regal and serene in her flowing silver robes, stood before an ancient flame that rippled with visions of the mortal world. Around her, the other women of the Vansh gathered, their faces lit by the trembling glow of the eclipse moon that burned within the fire's reflection.
The Pratham Vanshi's expression darkened. "The signs are clear," she murmured, her voice echoing like divine thunder. "Jalpanchi is in grave danger."
One of the women gasped. "The moon's light… it has turned red. The eclipse has begun!"
"Yes," said the Pratham Vanshi, her gaze unwavering. "And if Jalpanchi — Gauri — touches that cursed light, her soul will be consumed before dawn."
Without hesitation, she lifted her hands. A radiant orb of white energy gathered between her palms, transforming into a pure white bird with wings made of divine mist.
"Go," the Pratham Vanshi commanded softly, her voice both a prayer and an order. "Fly to my granddaughter Charvi. Tell her — Jalpanchi must not touch the eclipse moon… or she will die."
The bird bowed its head, its eyes gleaming with light, and soared upward, disappearing into the celestial skies.
The other women turned to her, anxious. "What if we're too late, Pratham Vanshi?"
The elder's eyes burned with resolve. "Then we will not wait for fate to decide. We have failed to see this new enemy haunting the Kotharis… but no longer."
She turned toward the shimmering gates of light at the end of the hall. "We must journey to the Mystical Forest of Answers. Only there can we uncover the truth behind this shadow."
The women bowed and followed her — their divine forms vanishing in streaks of silver light as the celestial realm trembled with urgency.
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The Kothari Mansion
Back on earth, the corridors of the Kothari mansion were dim and silent, the crimson tint of the eclipse moon seeping through the windows.
Charvi walked alone, her heart heavy, her thoughts circling around one name — Gauri.
"I hope she'll be fine," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible above the whispering wind. "Please, Devi Maa, protect her…"
Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around her from behind. Startled, Charvi turned slightly, only to find Yug, his eyes soft and steady.
"Hey," he said gently. "Don't let fear win."
Charvi exhaled, her worry spilling out. "Yug… I can feel something bad. Something dark. Gauri Didi is strong, yes, but this… this feels different."
Yug placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "My sister-in-law isn't weak — and neither is your sister. She carries the strength of the divine, Charvi. Don't forget that."
His words, calm yet firm, melted the tension in her heart. Charvi turned fully to face him, her eyes glistening. "You always know what to say."
He smiled faintly. "Because I know how much she means to you. And to all of us."
Charvi's lips trembled into a relieved smile, and before she could stop herself, she hugged him tightly. Yug closed his eyes, holding her close, the flicker of the eclipse light painting their silhouettes in a soft red glow.
For that fleeting moment — amidst fear and shadows — their hearts found calm in each other's warmth.
The night had grown eerily silent. The crimson eclipse moon hung over the Kothari mansion like an omen, bathing the halls in a haunting glow.
Charvi and Yug were still standing close, their hearts slowly steadying after their moment of comfort, when a sudden rush of wind stirred through the corridor. The curtains fluttered violently, and a faint silvery shimmer spiraled through the air.
Charvi blinked. "Did you feel that?"
Before Yug could respond, a radiant white bird descended from the ceiling in a whirl of glowing feathers. Its light was soft but divine — enough to make the shadows around them retreat. The bird circled them once, then landed gently on Charvi's palm.
Charvi's eyes widened. "This… this isn't an ordinary bird."
The creature's eyes gleamed like drops of moonlight. Then, in a voice that was neither human nor entirely divine, it spoke — clear and echoing inside Charvi's mind.
"Charvi… the eclipse moon is cursed. Jalpanchi must not touch it, or she will die."
Charvi's breath caught in her throat. "No…"
Yug, equally stunned, stepped closer. "What did it say?"
She turned to him, her voice trembling. "It's from the Pratham Vanshi… my grandmother. She says Gauri Didi — Jalpanchi — must not touch the eclipse moon or she'll die!"
For a heartbeat, both stood frozen. Then realization struck, and panic coursed through them like lightning.
"Vihaan!" Yug shouted, already breaking into a run.
"Jiju!" Charvi cried, following him as they raced down the corridor.
Their footsteps echoed through the mansion as they burst into the main hall. The rest of the family — Vihaan, Sharda, Veena, and Dadi — turned in alarm.
"What happened?" Vihaan demanded, stepping forward. "Charvi, Yug — why are you shouting?"
Charvi, breathless, held out her trembling hands where faint feathers from the divine bird still glowed. "The message… from my grandmother. She said Gauri Didi is in danger. If she touches the eclipse moon… she'll die!"
The room fell into stunned silence. The faint rumble of thunder outside echoed her words, as if the heavens themselves confirmed the warning.
Veena clasped her hands in fear. "Oh, Mahadev protect her…"
Vihaan's face hardened, eyes burning with resolve. "Then we can't waste another second."
He turned toward the door, the moonlight falling across his determined face.
"I am bringing her back. I won't let anything happen to Gauri."
And as the wind howled through the mansion, the eclipse's red glow deepened — as if time itself was counting down to Gauri's fate.
To be continued…