Veer stretches his hand sideways, a storm of dark daggers spiraling into existence around him like shadows with blades.
With a cruel grin, he flings them toward Gauri — each dagger hissing through the air with venomous speed.
Before they can reach her, Vihaan slides in front of her, grabbing the moon sword and slashing in a rapid spin. Clang! Clang! Clang! The daggers burst into black smoke midair, their echoes fading into the red eclipse light.
"Not so easy," Vihaan growls, standing guard before Gauri.
Furious, Veer snarls — but Gauri's eyes blaze with oceanic fury. She hurls her tidal chakram, and it slices through the air like a comet, striking Veer across the face.
A glowing slash mark appears — but within seconds, it sews itself back together, leaving not a trace.
"Still think you can hurt me?" Veer mocks, his voice echoing with demonic distortion.
Gauri doesn't answer. Her palms shimmer with blue light as streams of water spiral out, forming tentacles that whip toward him. They strike from all sides, smashing through the ground and pillars.
Veer is engulfed in a spray of silver water — but then, from within the torrent, his shadow rises again, dripping yet unbroken.
He brushes off the water, smirking. "You'll have to do better than that, Jalpanchi."
Across the blood-red battleground of the moon fort, Laila and Chandni's staffs collided, moonlight and shadow swirling violently. Sparks blazed like falling stars, painting the floor in streaks of silver and crimson. Chandni fought fiercely, but Laila — now fully charged by the eclipse — was faster, stronger, darker.
Laila struck Chandni hard, sending her sprawling across the stone floor.
"Still pretending to be the righteous one?" she spat. "You were never my equal, dear sister."
Chandni gritted her teeth and rose again, her hands trembling on her staff. "Maybe not," she said, "but I'll always stand for what's right — and you'll always fall for your greed."
Laila screamed in fury and launched a barrage of moon bolts, each one exploding in blinding flares.
From behind, the Kothari family watched in horror. Vihaan, barely steady on his feet, gripped his sword, ready to step in, but Gauri held his arm. "She's holding her own," she whispered, though worry trembled in her voice.
Laila's attack grew merciless, driving Chandni to the edge of the dais. One final blow sent Chandni to her knees, her staff slipping from her hand. Laila raised her weapon for the finishing strike.
Before anyone could move, Charvi suddenly thrust her hand forward, her eyes glowing with silvery light.
"No!"
A storm of silver butterflies erupted from her palm, swirling around Laila in a glittering cyclone. The wings flashed like shards of moonlight, blinding Laila and breaking her focus.
"What is this magic?!" Laila cried, slashing at the air.
In that split second, Chandni seized her fallen staff, spun, and struck Laila straight through the heart of her power orb.
A radiant shockwave burst outward — Laila screamed, the eclipse glow flickering violently as she fell backward, collapsing to the floor.
The family gasped. Gauri turned to Charvi, awed. Vihaan smiled faintly through exhaustion.
Chandni stepped forward, panting but triumphant. She looked at Charvi and said softly, "You've done it. The power within you has awakened — the gift of your bloodline."
The entire fort trembled as Laila's body collapsed, her moonlight fading into dull ash. Chandni stepped back, panting, her staff still faintly glowing. The family's relief was short-lived.
A furious roar echoed across the hall — low at first, then rising into a thunderous bellow that made the ground quake.
Everyone turned.
Veer's face twisted with rage, his eyes burning a hellish red.
"You killed her!" he shouted, his voice layered with an inhuman growl. "You took from me what was mine!"
"Veer, stop this madness!" Sharda cried out, tears streaking her face.
But it was too late.
Veer's body began to contort — bones cracking, muscles tearing. His scream turned into a monstrous howl as dark energy erupted from his chest. His shadow stretched across the walls, growing larger and darker until it engulfed the moonlight itself.
"By the heavens…" whispered Veena, trembling.
Before their horrified eyes, Veer transformed — his lower half morphing into that of a giant centaur-like creature, hooves striking the ground with thunderous force. Two massive horns curled from his head, and his back sprouted blackened, skeletal wings that dripped with shadow. His entire form radiated fury and corruption — the true face of a Naashak beast.
Shyom stepped back in shock. "That… that isn't human anymore!"
With a guttural snarl, Veer raised his hooved leg high and brought it crashing down toward Gauri and Vihaan.
"Die together like the cursed lovers you are!" he roared.
At the last instant, Vihaan grabbed Gauri's hand, pulling her into a roll across the marble floor. The massive hoof slammed down where they had stood a second before, cracking the ground and sending a shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet.
Dust and stone flew. Chandni shielded the family behind a magical barrier while Charvi helped Veena up.
Vihaan and Gauri stood again, panting, their faces streaked with sweat and ash.
Gauri looked up at the monstrous figure towering above them and said, breathless, "So this… is what a Naashak truly is."
Vihaan's grip tightened on his moon sword. "Then we end this… together."