The night air carried the faint scent of smoke and blood. Shyra's hurried footsteps echoed in the dark corridors of the demon citadel. Her breath trembled, but she didn't dare stop. When she finally reached the throne hall, she collapsed on her knees.
"Lord…" she gasped, forehead touching the cold stone floor. "Karnal is dead. The girl… she awakened the Scarlet Aura."
The hall fell silent.
A deep, resonant chuckle reverberated from the towering throne at the end of the chamber. Shadows writhed around the massive figure seated there—the Lord Ghost Demon.
"So… finally," his voice slithered, equal parts rage and delight. "That cursed bloodline still exists."
Shyra lifted her head, trembling. His eyes glowed a crimson that could pierce through souls.
"The Scarlet will rise again," the Lord whispered, then suddenly roared, the ground shaking beneath his fury. "And this time, it will be mine!"
The twisted excitement in his tone made Shyra shudder. Somewhere deep inside, she knew: the girl's fate had just been sealed.
---
Akira's Departure
Meanwhile, on the bloodstained streets near Borivali Café, Akira stood with his blade sheathed, watching Rehan and Ishita. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried the weight of choices made long ago.
"I'll head to the Japanese President," he said firmly. "If this Scarlet Bloodline has awakened, the world's balance will break. We need alliances."
Ishita looked at him nervously. "You're… leaving?"
Akira gave her a faint smile. "Our paths will cross again. Until then, survive."
With those words, he vanished into the misty Mumbai night, leaving only the sound of his footsteps fading away.
---
Safehouse in the Outskirts
Rehan guided Ishita silently through dimly lit lanes, until the noise of the city dulled. The safehouse stood on the Borivali outskirts—an unremarkable building camouflaged among abandoned warehouses.
Inside, the atmosphere was quiet, almost suffocating. Rehan looked at Ishita, whose face was pale with exhaustion.
"You should rest," he said softly. "Tomorrow… I'll explain everything."
"But—" she started, only for Rehan to shake his head.
"Not tonight. You need strength for what's coming."
He left her in a small room with a blanket and old cot. As he walked away into the shadows, Ishita clutched the blanket tightly.
Her thoughts screamed at her: What is happening to me?
---
The News Spreads
Morning arrived with chaos.
Every news channel was flashing the same headline:
"Borivali Café Massacre – Unidentified Powers Unleashed in Mumbai."
TV anchors spoke with grave urgency:
"Last night, multiple people were killed in a mysterious explosion at Borivali Café. Witnesses report seeing flashes of red light and shadowy figures. The government has yet to confirm if this was a terrorist attack…"
Clips of the destroyed café played on loop. Crowds gathered outside police barricades, murmuring in fear.
On social media, hashtags exploded: #BorivaliMassacre #ScarletLight #DemonOrHuman
At home, Ishita stared at the TV in disbelief. The café where she had been mere hours ago was now etched into the nation's nightmare.
Her hands trembled. This is because of me…
---
A Normal Day at College
But the world doesn't pause for personal chaos. By noon, Ishita found herself sitting in her college classroom, surrounded by the hum of ordinary chatter. Students gossiped about the Borivali news, but nobody suspected her.
Rehan sat two rows away, head bent over his notebook, calm as ever.
At lunch break, Ishita cornered him.
"You said you'd tell me everything," she whispered urgently.
Rehan glanced around, then replied, "Not here. Meet me at Borivali Park. Six o'clock."
The certainty in his tone left no room for argument.
---
The Truth About the Bloodline
Evening descended. The park was quiet, a cool breeze swaying the trees. Ishita walked nervously until she spotted Rehan standing under a lamppost, arms crossed.
He didn't waste time.
"Ishita… you carry the Scarlet Bloodline."
Her heart skipped. "What…?"
"The Scarlet Bloodline traces back to the Ghost Demon himself. His cursed descendants manifest an aura unlike any other—scarlet, uncontrollable, and feared."
Ishita shook her head violently.
"No. That can't be true. I'm just… normal!"
Rehan's gaze was firm, almost pitying.
"Four before you were born. Two boys, two girls. All killed before they could awaken fully. You're the fifth. And the last."
Her knees weakened. She stumbled back, gripping the bench behind her.
"I'm connected… to demons?"
"Yes." Rehan's voice was steady. "But that doesn't define you. You can still choose."
---
The Secret Chamber
Rehan led her deeper into the park, then through a hidden path that descended underground. Stone walls lined the tunnel, faintly glowing with carved sigils.
"This is a training chamber," Rehan explained. "Here, your aura won't attract enemies. Here, you'll learn control."
He stood before her.
"Now… summon it. The power you fear."
Ishita hesitated. Her heartbeat roared in her ears. Closing her eyes, she focused.
At first, nothing. Then—a flicker of crimson light erupted around her palms, wild and unstable. The air grew heavy, her breath short.
"I… I can't…!"
"You can." Rehan's hand tightened on her shoulder. "Don't fight it. Shape it."
The flicker grew, crackling red sparks swirling around her. For the first time, she saw it—her true self, reflected in that glow.
---
Training Begins
Hours passed as Rehan guided her:
Focusing breath to stabilize aura flicker.
Channeling energy into controlled bursts.
Understanding teleportation—visualizing a space and bending aura to reach it.
Ishita collapsed to her knees, sweating, but her aura no longer lashed violently. It shimmered faintly, like a candle flame refusing to die.
Rehan allowed himself a rare smile.
"You did well. This is just the beginning."
---
The Lord's Command
Far away, in the demon citadel, the Lord Ghost Demon stood atop his obsidian tower, gazing at the blood-red moon. His generals kneeled before him.
"The Scarlet girl lives," he declared. His voice thundered across the hall.
"She is the key. Scarlet will not fall this time—it will rule under me."
He raised his clawed hand, aura flooding the chamber.
"Find her. Kill her before she awakens fully. Her power… belongs to me."
The generals roared in unison. The hunt had begun.