**Setting: The next day, archery practice**
Acharya Shatrunjaya entered the arena.
"Today, we practice archery. Take your bows and aim at the wooden targets. Your shot must hit
the center. No distractions."
**All students:**
As you command, Acharya."
Agni's arrow missed the target.
**Acharya Shatrunjaya (sternly):**
"Not like that, Agni. Listen, students! A hunter's focus must be solely on the target, nothing
else."
He demonstrated, hitting the target's center perfectly.
Neer pulled his bowstring too hard, breaking the target.
**Acharya Shatrunjaya:**
"Neer, control your anger! You hit the target, but under anger's sway. True victory comes when
power is directed rightly. Dharaaya, steady your hands. Don't let thoughts overpower you. Be
calm and focused like Akarsh."
Dharaaya steadied herself, resisting her feelings for Vayansh, and hit the target accurately.
**Neelima (smiling):**
"Well done, Dharaaya. Keep your mind in control."
**Dharaaya (softly):**
"You know everything, Neelima. No matter how much I hide, I can't control my thoughts. I can't
hide my love for Vayansh."
**Acharya Shatrunjaya:**
"Focus on your practice, children. Your target is your greatest duty."
Later, Acharya stopped Dharaaya to discuss Vayansh, but Guru Vishrayan interrupted, sending
her away to continue her practice. In private, he warned Acharya Shatrunjaya not to discuss
Vayansh with Dharaaya, hinting at a curse and destiny tied to their powers that could alter the
course of creation.
Acharya Shatrunjaya asked in a trembling voice, "But Gurudev, the secret of that curse...?"
A profound, pained concern flashed in Guru Vishrayan's eyes. He looked at the ground as if the answers were buried there.
"That curse is not just about Dharaaya and Vayansh. It is tied to the destiny of this entire gurukul. The clash of Agni and Neer's powers... Dharaaya's love... they are all threads of the same prophecy." His voice dropped to a terrifying gravity, "And if these threads snap, the balance of creation itself will be undone forever."