"Vihaan?" Gauri whispered in shock. "Why did you stop me? Laila sent me here… she said I had to take a piece of the moon to save our family!"
Vihaan's jaw tightened. "Because she lied, Gauri. Pratham Vanshi sent a message — the eclipse moon is cursed. If you touched it, you would've died instantly."
Gauri froze, her eyes widening. "What? Then… why would Laila send me here knowing that?"
Vihaan's voice dropped low. "That's what I've been asking myself…"
The realization dawned on both of them — cold and cutting.
They looked at each other, horror dawning in their eyes.
"It was never Chandni," Gauri whispered. "It was Laila…"
"Yes," Vihaan said darkly. "Laila is the attacker."
The night wind howled as if echoing their dread. Vihaan turned sharply, his expression hardening.
"We have to go home now, Gauri. If Laila deceived you, the family might already be in danger."
Without wasting another second, Vihaan held her hand tightly, and both took off — vanishing into the fog, their silhouettes merging with the night.
---
The Mystic Forest of Answers
Deep within the Mystic Forest, Pratham Vanshi and the sacred women finally halted before a massive tree stump glowing faintly with silver energy — the one marked with a Trident by Charvi.
"This is the one," Pratham Vanshi said, her voice trembling with divine weight.
She raised her hands, channeling her power. Silver energy rippled through the roots, and ancient whispers filled the air.
"Oh sacred tree of the forgotten ages," she intoned, "reveal to us who threatens the descendants of light… who is the new enemy of Gauri and Vihaan?"
The bark cracked and glowed — letters slowly carved themselves into the wood.
N A A S H A K.
Pratham Vanshi's eyes widened as she read it aloud. "Naashak."
Charvi frowned, confused. "What's a Naashak?"
"Destroyers," Pratham Vanshi explained gravely. "They were once Reevavanshis — witch hunters chosen by God to destroy evil. But some of them strayed from the light. They discovered a forbidden art… the power to absorb the abilities of the dark beings they killed. In their greed, they defied the divine laws."
The air thickened with the weight of her words as she continued, "The Gods cursed them — stripped them of sanctity and cast them out. Since then, the Naashaks became enemies to both the Reevavanshis and the Daayan Vansh. Neither sacred nor profane… only destroyers."
Charvi's eyes darkened with unease. "But what do they want with our family?"
Pratham Vanshi turned to the glowing trunk. "Let the tree show us…"
Silver light spiraled upward, forming the image of a hooded figure cloaked in black mist. The figure's presence emanated danger, power, and malice.
Charvi's breath caught — the vision struck her like lightning. She had seen that figure before… at the resort.
As the figure lifted its hood, the fog parted — revealing a familiar face beneath.
Charvi gasped, stumbling back. "Veer?!"
The forest fell silent. Even the wind dared not move.
Charvi's memories raced — every attack, every shadow, every near-death moment flashing before her eyes.
The venom bearers… the walkers… the crescent moon that crushed the mansion… all of it.
"He was behind everything," she whispered. "Veer is the Naashak."
Pratham Vanshi's face hardened. "Then his goal is clear," she said solemnly. "He wants to destroy Vihaan — the son of the serpent witch queen, Kamini. The last heir of Sarvansh."
The sacred women exchanged horrified glances. The divine and the cursed had collided once again…
and the battle line had been drawn.
The night was eerily still when Gauri and Vihaan landed before the Kothari Mansion. The once radiant home stood cloaked in silence, its corridors dimly lit by flickering lamps.
"Dadi? Bade Maa? Yug? Charvi?" Gauri's voice echoed through the hallways, trembling with growing dread.
Vihaan called out too, his sharp eyes scanning the corners. "Shyom? Maa? Anyone there?"
But the only answer was the faint creak of the wind passing through the broken window panes. The air inside felt hollow… lifeless.
Gauri's steps faltered. "They're gone… everyone's gone…" she whispered, her throat tightening. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she sank to her knees. "This is my fault, Vihaan. I trusted Laila. I believed her lies even when you warned me."
Vihaan crouched beside her, cupping her face gently. "Gauri, no," he said softly, his voice trembling with emotion. "You only wanted to protect the family. You were fighting from your heart — and that's never wrong."
Gauri shook her head, sobbing quietly. "But my heart led me into her trap… and now our family is paying the price."
Vihaan pulled her into his arms, holding her close. For a moment, the world fell silent around them — just their heartbeats, two souls clinging to each other in the ruins of their hope.
"Whatever Laila has done," Vihaan whispered, "we'll undo it. Together."
Just then, the candles flickered violently — and a glowing vision appeared before them.
It was Laila — her laughter sharp as shattered glass, her eyes gleaming with triumph.
"So…" she drawled mockingly, "you finally discovered my truth, Vihaan."
Gauri gasped, stepping back. Vihaan's eyes glowed red in fury. "Where is my family, Laila?"
Laila smiled wickedly. "They're safe — for now. With me. At the Moon Fort. But if you want to save them… come get them yourself."
Her image wavered, the laughter echoing through the halls until it vanished into smoke.
For a long moment, Vihaan and Gauri stood frozen — then Vihaan clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "We're going to the Moon Fort. No more running. No more trust misplaced."
Gauri nodded, wiping her tears. But before they could leave, she turned to him with quiet resolve.
"Vihaan… go ahead. You need to reach them fast. I have to fix a mistake first."
Vihaan looked at her, conflicted. "Gauri…"
She stepped closer, resting her hand on his cheek. "I'll meet you there. I promise."
He searched her eyes — and then, wordlessly, he pulled her close and kissed her.
It was a kiss of pain and promise — a vow to find each other again no matter what darkness awaited.
When they finally parted, Gauri whispered, "For our family."
Vihaan nodded. "For us."
And with that, he disappeared into the stormy night — while Gauri turned back toward the shadows, ready to face the truth she had once refused to see.