The crack in the ground widened with a deafening roar, and suddenly a molten glow surged up from the depths. Lava bubbled and hissed, spilling heat so intense that Gauri flinched back, shielding her face with her hand.
Everyone froze in horror. The molten river writhed like a living serpent, cutting off their path.
Yug's voice trembled, "L–lava… in the middle of this forest?!"
Vihaan's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing with fury.
"I was right," he growled. "Kamini is behind all of this. She thinks she can stop us…" He stepped forward, his aura pulsing as power surged through him. "But what she doesn't know is—I'm not leaving here without breaking her statue."
He stretched his hand sideways, his eyes burning crimson. His nails lengthened into sharp, deadly talons as his voice thundered, "Sinsa!"
With that roar, Vihaan thrust his hand forward. Energy crackled through the air, striking across the molten chasm. The lava hissed angrily as a glowing bridge of red stone and shimmering light materialized, stretching across the deadly river.
Charvi and Yug gaped in awe, while Gauri's eyes shone with a mix of fear and pride. Vihaan turned to them, his voice steady and commanding.
"Let's move. Kamini may have filled this forest with traps, but her tricks end here."
Yug's eyes went wide as he stared at the glowing bridge stretching across the lava. His throat bobbed as he stammered,
"B–Bhaiya… d–don't tell me we're actually going to walk on that stone bridge?"
Vihaan smirked, folding his arms.
"Walk? No. We're going to fly across. And you, Yug… you're going first."
Charvi clapped her hand over her mouth to hide a giggle, and even Gauri chuckled under her breath.
"W–what?!" Yug's voice cracked. "Me first? But Bhaiya, what if—what if we fall? Our… our remains won't even be found in that lava!"
Vihaan arched a brow, his voice calm but edged with mischief.
"Then do you want to stay back here in this scary forest… alone… while the rest of us cross?"
Yug's eyes darted nervously around the twisted trees and eerie shadows. Strange growls echoed faintly from the distance. He gulped.
"I–I'm not scared of this forest! Not at all!" He puffed his chest out, though his trembling hands betrayed him. "But… I can't leave you all alone either, so… I'll come along."
Charvi leaned toward Gauri, giggling. "Coward," she whispered just loud enough for Yug to hear.
Yug spun around, indignant. "I am not a coward! In fact—" he straightened up, trying to look heroic—"I can cross this bridge first if I want. Easily!"
Gauri folded her arms, Charvi raised an eyebrow, and both shared an amused smile as Yug boasted louder.
Vihaan, lips twitching at his younger brother's antics, nodded. "As you wish. Go on then."
Yug blinked, his bravado slipping. "R–really, Bhaiya?"
"Of course," Vihaan replied coolly, gesturing toward the bridge. "Come on. Show us your bravery."
Yug forced a nervous laugh, stepping hesitantly toward the glowing edge. "O–of course I'll go… just watch me…"
Yug squeezed his eyes shut, whispering a hurried prayer under his breath.
"Bhagwan, please… just let me cross this bridge. Don't let me fall. My reputation is at stake!"
He stepped cautiously onto the glowing stone bridge, each footfall making the lava below hiss and roar. Behind him, Charvi and Gauri watched with wide eyes, while Vihaan observed calmly, his crimson gaze sharp.
Halfway across, a terrible sound echoed from the cave ahead. Caw! Caw! Caw!
Suddenly, a black swarm of crows burst out of the shadows, flapping wildly toward him.
"AAAHH!" Yug shrieked, arms flailing as he ducked and stumbled, trying to dodge their wings and claws. The bridge trembled under his shaky feet, and in his panic, he lost his balance.
"YUG!" Charvi shouted, horrified.
He squeezed his eyes shut, convinced he was plummeting into the lava. This is it… I'm done for!
But instead of searing heat, he felt… nothing. His body hovered in midair, weightless, as though the universe had paused for him. Slowly, Yug cracked one eye open—then both widened in disbelief.
He was floating above the bridge, a shimmering red aura wrapping around him.
He turned his head and saw Vihaan at the other side, hand stretched forward, eyes glowing crimson as his magic held Yug suspended.
"Relax, Yug," Vihaan said dryly, his voice echoing over the roaring lava. "I won't let you fall. You talk too much to die so easily."
Charvi and Gauri both sighed in relief, though Charvi couldn't resist smirking.
"See? Coward and clumsy," she teased.
Yug scowled as Vihaan gently lowered him back onto the bridge.
"I wasn't scared! I was just… testing Bhaiya's magic reflexes!" he declared proudly, brushing himself off.
Gauri chuckled, shaking her head, while Vihaan smirked faintly.
"Then test no more. Now keep walking."
With his pride barely intact, Yug straightened his shoulders and continued forward, muttering to himself while the others followed.