The Kothari mansion was tense, the silence of its grand hall broken only by the uneven breaths of those gathered. Vihaan, Gauri, Charvi, and Yug entered with somber expressions, their presence drawing Dadi, Veena, Urvashi, Shyom, and Sharda closer together.
"Kamini's statue has gone missing," Vihaan announced gravely. His voice echoed through the marble chamber. "We found traces of her presence in the cave… but the statue itself has vanished."
Dadi's face turned pale, her hands trembling as she clutched her rosary. Veena and Urvashi exchanged nervous glances, both their faces lined with dread. Shyom's jaw clenched, his tone sharp. "We need to recover that statue quickly. If Kamini awakens without it…" His words trailed off, the weight of the unfinished sentence heavy in the air.
Sharda, who had remained silent until now, pressed her palms together. "This cannot be taken lightly. Kamini's awakening would bring catastrophe not just upon us, but upon the entire clan."
The fear among them was palpable, each word laced with urgency.
"Could it be…" Veena whispered, her voice trembling, "…that the statue was destroyed?"
Vihaan shook his head firmly. "No. That isn't possible. Someone took it deliberately—it was stolen."
The hall went quiet, the implication crashing over them like thunder. Shyom's eyes darkened. "If that's true, it means Kamini has help. Someone is aiding her."
Gauri's heart thudded in her chest. Her voice came out tight, almost a whisper. "But who? Who among us would do such a thing?"
The family looked at one another, unease etched in every face. Suspicion lingered in the room, but no one dared to speak it aloud.
Midnight fell, the mansion cloaked in moonlight. Behind the sprawling estate, near an ancient well shrouded in shadows, a figure moved stealthily. The air stirred, thickening, and from the darkness Kamini's spectral form materialized—her beauty both alluring and terrifying, her eyes gleaming with malice.
"Well done, my loyal one," Kamini's voice curled like smoke, smooth yet venomous. "Hiding my statue was a clever move."
The figure stepped forward into the pale silver glow. It was Gauri.
Gauri's lips moved stiffly, her voice monotone, devoid of her usual warmth. "I am yours, Kamini. You have taken control of me."
Kamini's laughter was low and triumphant. "Yes. And now, you will obey. You will tear the Kotharis apart from within. Their downfall will come not from me, but from the one they love the most."
"I'll do as you say," Gauri answered hollowly.
Kamini stepped closer, her eyes glimmering with cruel fire. "When the time comes, you'll play a crucial role in my awakening. And you will be rewarded."
"I am yours," Gauri murmured again. "Whatever it takes."
Kamini's smirk deepened. She raised her hand, stroking the air as if tightening invisible chains around Gauri's soul. "Everyone believed you were their hope… their protector. But now, you belong to me."
Her laughter broke the stillness of noon, manic and echoing, carrying far across the grounds.
---
FLASHBACK – Inside the Cave
Darkness had swallowed the cavern. Gauri, trembling, stood before Kamini's twisted statue, her heart racing. Suddenly, a cold breeze swept through, and a pair of hands—shadows solidifying into flesh—clutched her shoulders.
"Don't be afraid…" Kamini's voice hissed in her ear, velvet and venomous.
Gauri tried to scream, but her breath caught. Her vision blurred as Kamini's eyes glowed, boring into hers like a serpent hypnotizing prey. The spirit's whisper coiled around her mind, binding tighter and tighter until her gaze grew vacant.
"Hide my statue," Kamini commanded softly, planting the order deep within Gauri's mind.
Without resistance, Gauri obeyed. She dragged the grotesque idol into a hidden chamber of stone, concealing it from sight.
Then, as Vihaan, Yug, and Charvi approached, Kamini whispered again. "Now fall… make them believe it was an accident."
Her lips moved numbly. "Yes."
And with that, Gauri let out a piercing scream, throwing herself into the hidden pit below, The trio rushing to her aid, never suspecting the truth.
Back in the present, Kamini's laughter rang sharp and unholy near the well. Her words twisted with triumph:
"They trusted you because you were their anchor… their chosen one. And now, their anchor will drag them into the abyss."
Her voice turned into a shriek of wicked joy as Gauri, expression empty, turned and walked back toward the mansion, a puppet on invisible strings.
Kothari Mansion
Vihaan slipped into the room, his arms wrapping around Gauri's waist from behind. But as he pulled her close, he felt a subtle tension in her body.
"Hey, are you okay?" Vihaan asked, his voice low with concern.
Gauri's response was casual, almost too casual. "Of course, I'm fine."
Vihaan's instincts told him otherwise, but he didn't press the issue, instead choosing to hold her closer. Yet, the feeling of something being off lingered.
Suddenly, screams echoed from downstairs. Vihaan and Gauri rushed down, Vihaan's heart sinking as he saw a dark fog swirling around his mom, Veena.
With a swift motion, Vihaan loosened his bracelet and unleashed a blast of magic, dispelling the fog. Veena crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Everyone rushed to her side, panic etched on their faces. Veena's skin was turning blue, and she was struggling to breathe.
Shyom's voice was laced with urgency. "We need to call Pratham Vanshi. She's the only one who can tell us how to save Veena."
Vihaan's face set in determination. "We don't have time for that. What if something happens to Mom before Pratham Vanshi reaches here?"
Without hesitation, Vihaan scooped Veena into his arms. "I'm taking her to Pratham Vanshi's place. It's faster."
Dadi's voice was firm. "Gauri, go with Vihaan. They need to hurry."
Sharda stepped forward, her hands trembling as she touched Veena's arm. "Her pulse is fading… please, Vihaan, don't waste another second."
Vihaan's face was etched with worry as he carried his mom. "We need to get her to Pratham Vanshi, now!"
Gauri, however, seemed almost detached, her expression calm as she trailed behind Vihaan.
As they put Veena in the car, Vihaan turned to Gauri. "Let's go, we have to hurry."
Gauri nodded, her eyes fixed on Veena's pale face, but her tone was almost casual. "Yeah, sure."
Vihaan shot her a concerned glance. "Gauri, are you okay? You seem… distant."
Gauri shrugged, her expression unreadable. "I'm fine. Let's just get your mom to Pratham Vanshi."
Sharda clasped Dadi's hand as they watched the car speed away. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Something's not right with Gauri… I felt it in her eyes."
Dadi's expression grew grave, but she stayed silent, praying for Veena's survival.