A Vow Beneath Burning Skies
Garud's fists trembled.
The moment the word "demon" left Karan's lips—
Something inside Garud snapped.
A pressure exploded outward.
The air around him distorted.
Ash and dust were blown away as if pushed by an invisible storm.
The flames nearby bent away from him.
Karan felt it instantly.
His breath caught.
"Garud…" he whispered.
"Calm down."
But Garud's eyes had changed.
A faint divine glow flickered within them.
The Demon's Message
Karan forced himself to speak, fear and urgency mixed in his voice.
"Garud… listen to me."
Garud turned slowly.
"The demon…" Karan continued, struggling to sit up,
"He said something before leaving."
Garud's aura pulsed.
"Speak."
Karan swallowed.
"He said—
'Tell Shiva's son… his mother, his father, and your parents are alive.'"
Garud froze.
Alive…
Karan continued, his voice shaking.
"He said—
'If you want to see them alive, come and get them.'"
The divine aura around Garud erupted violently—
Then vanished.
Silence fell.
The Promise
Garud slowly lowered his head.
When he spoke, his voice was calm—
Too calm.
"I will go."
Karan's eyes widened.
"Garud—!"
Garud clenched his fists.
"I will find them."
"I will bring them back."
"And I will kill every demon who stands in my way."
Karan grabbed Garud's arm with what little strength he had left.
"No!"
"That's exactly what they want!"
Garud looked at him.
Karan forced himself to continue.
"They won't hurt them yet.
They're using them as bait."
Garud remained silent.
"Garud…" Karan said softly,
"We are still weak."
Those words hurt more than any wound.
"If you go now," Karan continued,
"You'll die."
Garud closed his eyes.
For a moment—
He remembered his mother's smile.
His father's calloused hands.
The quiet warmth of home.
Hatred Tempered by Resolve
Garud opened his eyes again.
This time, there was no rage—
Only resolve.
"You're right," he said.
Karan exhaled in relief.
Garud slowly raised his head and looked toward the dark horizon.
"But hear me well…"
The ground beneath his feet cracked.
"Those demons…"
His voice carried weight.
"Just wait."
The air trembled.
"I will grow stronger."
"I will surpass fear."
"And when I come for you—"
His eyes burned with divine cold.
"I will erase your very existence."