The highway curved through the misty outskirts of the city, the road nearly deserted as Rani's car glided smoothly through the pale morning light. Her eyes were fixed ahead, her mind restless with thoughts of Gauri and Vihaan. After everything that's happened, the Kotharis deserve some peace, she thought, pressing her foot gently on the accelerator.
But peace was a luxury fate refused to give.
Without warning, a figure stumbled onto the road — right into her path.
Rani gasped, slamming her foot on the brake. Tires screeched, the car swerved sideways, and came to a jerking halt just inches away from the fallen woman.
Heart pounding, Rani rushed out of the car. "Hey! Are you alright?" she cried, running to the motionless figure sprawled on the asphalt.
As she knelt beside her, Rani froze. The woman's face… familiar. Fragile. Once radiant, now pale and hollow.
"Adrija?" Rani whispered in disbelief. "Adrija, is that you?"
The young woman stirred, slowly opening her eyes. Her lips trembled into a faint smile. "Rani…" she murmured weakly. "It's been so long…"
Rani held her hand, helping her sit up. "Where have you been? Everyone's been searching for you! You just vanished, Adrija. What happened?"
Adrija lowered her gaze, hiding the faint glint of red that flickered in her eyes. "I'll tell you everything… later," she said softly. "For now, I… I just want to rest."
Rani's worry deepened, but her kind heart overpowered her suspicion. "Of course. Come with me. I'm on my way to the Kothari mansion — everyone's gathered there. You can tell them yourself."
Adrija hesitated for a moment, then smiled — a slow, almost chilling curve of her lips. "The Kothari mansion…" she repeated under her breath. "Yes, that's exactly where I need to go."
Rani opened the car door for her. "Come, sit. You look exhausted."
As Adrija slid into the seat, she turned her face toward the window, hiding the subtle shimmer of her daayan mark beneath her hair. The faint echo of Mohini's voice whispered through her mind — Earn their trust. Strike when the moment is right.
And as Rani started the car again, completely unaware, Adrija's lips curled into a dark smirk.
Soon, dear sister… soon you'll learn what happens when the daayan blood runs in the family.
The sun hung high above Pratham Brisk, its golden rays struggling to pierce through the dense canopy of towering, twisted trees. The air shimmered faintly with heat and energy — a warning that this land wasn't meant for mortals.
Sarvansh walked ahead, his steps soundless against the forest floor. Behind him, Kesar followed weakly, still recovering from the shock of everything that had happened. Her wrists bore faint bruises, remnants of the thugs' cruelty, and her eyes darted around nervously at the strange symbols carved on the bark of ancient trees.
When they reached a clearing, Sarvansh turned to her. His eyes, a deep and dangerous hue, glowed faintly — not from light, but from something far older.
Kesar hesitated. "Why did you save me?" she asked softly. "And… what are you?"
For a moment, Sarvansh didn't answer. He looked away, his expression unreadable as a gust of wind stirred the dust around them.
Finally, his voice broke the silence. "I am the son of a daayan," he said calmly. "Born of darkness and blood. My mother's curse runs through my veins — but I am not her."
Kesar froze, her breath catching in her throat. "The son of a daayan?" she whispered, stepping back instinctively.
Sarvansh's gaze softened, though his tone remained resolute. "You don't have to fear me, Kesar. I saved you because you're different… like me, I'm a Sarvansh. You carry the fire of Agni Paanchi within you — and only here, in Pratham Brisk, will you learn what you truly are."
Kesar's eyes widened in disbelief. "Sarvansh? What are you saying?"
Sarvansh extended his hand to her, his voice dropping to a vow. "You have my word — I'll protect you. Whatever the world calls us — witch, monster, curse — we are not their words. We are what we choose to be."
Meanwhile, miles away inside the dark cave, Gauri and Yug faced terror of their own. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the massive serpent uncoiled, its golden scales glinting in the dim light. Its eyes opened — twin embers of fury fixing directly on them.
Gauri whispered, her pulse quickening, "Yug… run."
But the snake's hiss echoed through the cave before they could move — the hunt had begun.
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