Aarohi's breath came in uneven gasps as Veer pulled her through the dark, endless paths of the Shadow Realm.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Veer didn't answer.
Ahead of them, a massive palace slowly emerged from the shadows—dark, towering, and silent. Its walls seemed alive, whispering secrets of the past.
Aarohi felt something strange.
Not fear.
But… familiarity.
"I've seen this place before…" she whispered, confused.
Veer finally stopped at the grand entrance.
The doors creaked open on their own, as if expecting her.
"That's because," Veer said quietly, "you belong here."
Her heart clenched.
"No… I don't…"
But deep inside, something was already breaking.
They stepped inside.
The air was heavy. Cold. Watching.
At the end of a long hall stood a throne.
And someone was sitting on it.
A man.
Still. Silent. Powerful.
"Stay behind me," Veer muttered, but Aarohi didn't move.
She couldn't.
Her eyes were locked on him.
The man slowly opened his eyes.
Dark. Deep. Endless.
Aarohi's heart skipped.
Why… do I feel like I know him?
He stood up.
Each step he took echoed like thunder in the silent hall.
"Aarohi…" he spoke her name softly.
Her body froze.
"How do you know my name?" she whispered.
He stopped just a few steps away.
For a moment, there was no king. No power.
Only… pain.
"You've grown," he said, his voice breaking ever so slightly.
Aarohi's chest tightened.
"Who… are you?" she asked, almost afraid of the answer.
The man raised his hand slowly... and
placed it over her head.
The moment he touched her—
Memories exploded in her mind.
A child laughing.
A warm embrace.
A voice calling her "princess"…
Aarohi staggered back, tears filling her eyes.
"No… this isn't real…"
The man's eyes softened.
"It is."
Silence shattered the air.
And then—
"I am your father."
Everything stopped.
Aarohi shook her head violently, tears falling now.
"No! My parents… they're in the human world! You're lying!"
Pain flickered across his face.
"They were never your real family."
Her world broke in that instant.
"Then why?" she cried. "WHY would you send me away?!"
The Shadow King closed his eyes for a moment.
As if the answer hurt him too.
"To protect you."
Aarohi's voice cracked. "From what?"
When he opened his eyes again…
They were filled with something darker than shadows.
"From me." 👁️🔥