The doors of the Pratap Singh mansion burst open with a thunderous crack, the curtains whipping back as if fleeing from the force that entered. Mohana stormed inside, her eyes burning with rage, her braid snapping behind her like a living serpent. Shadows spilled across the floor with every step she took.
But she froze.
Because instead of panic and chaos, she found the entire family standing in a firm line—calm, steady, waiting.
And at the very front stood Yuvaan.
Not shaken. Not grieving. Not broken.
But confident… almost amused.
Mohana's lips curled. "How dare you," she hissed, her voice echoing through the hall. "How dare all of you trick Maha Daayan Mohana!"
Yuvaan took one slow step forward. His jaw was set, his eyes sharp, and a wicked smirk tugged at his lips—the kind of dangerous swagger he hadn't worn since his days ruling Kaalvansh. The air around him shifted, charged with a villainous confidence that did not require magic to be lethal.
"Tsk tsk tsk…" he clicked his tongue, shaking his head with exaggerated disappointment. "You call yourself the great witch… blah blah blah…" He flicked his fingers dismissively. "But look at you—fooled so easily."
Mohana stiffened, startled by his boldness.
"I actually thought you were smart," Yuvaan continued, his smile widening into a taunting blade. "Turns out you're a very big disappointment."
Gasps rippled among the family, but no one stepped forward. They trusted him.
Yuvaan leaned slightly to the side, hands in his pockets.
"And honestly? Thank you. You gave me the perfect chance to outwit you."
His gaze sharpened into a deadly glint.
"Flop witch."
Mohana roared, her fury crackling like a storm. "How dare you speak to me like—"
Her braid shot forward with lightning speed, aiming straight for Yuvaan's throat.
But he didn't flinch.
His hand rose casually—and he caught her braid mid-air.
Firm. Unshaken. Effortless.
Mohana's eyes widened in disbelief.
Yuvaan tilted his head, his grip tightening just enough to show he wasn't afraid.
"I might not have powers right now," he said softly, dangerously. "But don't forget who I was."
He stepped closer, pulling her braid down slightly, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"I was once the King of Kaalvansh," he reminded her, his voice dripping with authority. "And dear Aunt…"
His smile returned—slow, dark, confident.
"Don't mess with me."
The room vibrated with the weight of the warning. Even without magic, Yuvaan stood like a ruler—fearless, infuriatingly bold, completely in control.
And for the first time in centuries, Mohana… hesitated.
Yuvaan's fingers loosened, and he flung Mohana's braid aside as if discarding something filthy. The braid recoiled like a wounded serpent, snapping back toward its mistress.
Mohana steadied herself, her eyes burning with venom.
"So much attitude," she sneered, her lips curling into a wicked smile. "All because you think you have safely sent Kiara and your unborn brat away."
Her voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"But I promise you, Yuvaan… I will find your child. I will." Her eyes glinted, full of a darkness that could curdle blood. "And when I do, I will kill that child—yours and that Jishwa girl's—right in front of all of you."
She took a step closer, her presence thick with malice.
"And after that… I will kill each of you one by one. Slowly. Painfully. For daring to defy me."
Silence fell.
Yuvaan's smirk faded into something harder—sharp, carved, dangerous.
"Well, I love the threat," he murmured, voice low, controlled, almost amused. "Very dramatic."
He started walking toward her, each step deliberate… unhurried… predatory.
"But let me tell you something, Mohana."
She involuntarily stepped back.
"This," Yuvaan said, spreading his arms slightly, "is my house."
Another slow step.
"My family."
Mohana kept backing away, the confidence in her eyes flickering.
"And under my watch," he continued, his voice dropping to a deadly softness,
"you will not harm a single member of my family."
He stopped right in front of her, their faces inches apart.
His gaze locked with hers—fire against ice.
"And I will not tolerate your threats."
A brief pause, breath thick between them.
"So… get out."
His words echoed in the hall like thunder.
For a moment, neither moved. Their heartbeats seemed to reverberate in the air—his steady, hers boiling. It was an eyelock soaked in pure hatred and unshakeable will.
Then—
Footsteps.
The family came to stand beside Yuvaan one by one, forming a united front.
Angad crossed his arms. "You heard my brother. Please see yourself out."
Susheela tilted her head, her tone dripping with disdain. "I don't think she has any self-respect. Otherwise she would have left the moment she was kicked out before."
Vikram stepped forward slightly. "Self-respect? She has never learned it. That's why she keeps coming here uninvited."
Mohana's face twisted with pure, uncontrollable rage.
"I will kill you all," she whispered, shaking with fury. "Very soon."
Yuvaan exhaled softly, almost bored.
"If you are done…" He reached for the door. "Goodbye."
He shut it.
Right in her face.
Hard.
Outside, Mohana trembled, her hands curling into fists, her braid lashing the air like a furious beast.
"I will destroy them," she hissed. "All of them. I only let them live because they will lead me to Kiara. Otherwise… they would have been ashes by now."
Her eyes glowed, her wrath boiling over into the night.
The war had officially begun.