Gauri knelt before the goddess in the ancient portrait, her hands trembling as candlelight flickered across the painted frame. Her eyes were drawn to the ring on the goddess's finger — a striking mirror of the one she now wore. A memory flared in her mind: on the day of her birthday, she had heard the portrait whisper "Jalpanchi", and when she had approached, the ring had fallen from the frame onto the floor.
Could this be… a divine ring? she wondered, heart pounding.
Meanwhile, Vihaan prowled the mansion, following the faintly glowing mystical tail. It twisted and turned through corridors and rooms, trying to mislead him, its serpentine movements teasing and frustrating him.
From down the hallway, Yug and Charvi spotted Gauri. Charvi's voice rang out urgently. "Gauri Didi! Listen to us! Kamini is a dangerous witch — she's using you!"
Gauri's heart thudded. I can't… I have to protect him… She clenched the ring tightly, and in a flash, the world around Charvi and Yug seemed to slow. Even she flinched at the raw surge of power she had just unleashed, unsure how she had done it.
A sinister black smoke snaked into her thoughts, whispering with venomous desire: "Bring me Vihaan's blood…"
Shaking, Gauri bolted for the kitchen, her hands trembling as she gripped a knife. The room blurred around her, her senses straining. But Vihaan's eyes caught her reflection in a mirror.
"Gauri… stop!" he called, voice sharp yet edged with anguish.
She spun, knife raised, and in the struggle with vihaan, her clothes slipped slightly. Vihaan's eyes widened in alarm. "Gauri! I… I'm sorry!" He quickly fixed her garment, heart hammering as their eyes met — fear, guilt, and something unspoken passing between them.
Before she could react further, Yug and Charvi regained their senses, breaking free from the ring's slowed-time effect. Their eyes widened in shock at the faint shimmer surrounding the ring on Gauri's finger.
"Jiju the ring sister is wearing has magical powers, jiju take it from her!" Charvi demanded, voice trembling with awe and fear.
The other family members comes there hearing the commotion.
Guilt slammed into Gauri with full force. She glanced at Vihaan, at the family, at the ones who had always trusted her. But the black smoke's whispers clawed at her mind, demanding obedience. With a trembling hand, she froze Vihaan mid-step with the ring's power, then Yug and Charvi and so does the rest family members.
Her lips moved silently, a whispered apology to herself and him, as she pricked Vihaan's finger and collected his blood into the small vial. Her heart twisted painfully. This is the only way… to gain Kamini's trust… to protect him…
And then, like a shadow slipping through a crack, she left.
Vihaan staggered back, blood oozing from the wound, his eyes blazing with fury and worry. He looked to his family. "She's still out there. We have to find her… before the moon turns red."
Veena's hand gripped his arm, her face pale with fear. "Vihaan… please… be careful."
The Kothari household fell into tense silence. Every heart was heavy with dread, every mind racing with the knowledge that Kamini's shadow now loomed over them once more.
As the crimson moon ascended into the night sky, its eerie light bathed the Kothari mansion in a blood-red glow. Gauri crept toward the old well in the backyard, her heart pounding as the shadows deepened.
There, looming in the moonlight, Kamini's statue emerged from the darkness, her presence suffocating, regal, and terrifying. The air thickened with malevolent energy as her eyes glowed like coals.
> "Give me his blood, Gauri," Kamini's voice hissed, curling around Gauri's mind like smoke.
Gauri's hands trembled as she held a vial of fake blood, attempting to deceive the witch. "Here… take this," she murmured, her voice wavering.
Kamini paused, her glowing eyes narrowing. A faint smile twisted her face. "You dare trick me?" Her voice slithered through the night, sharp and venomous. The fake blood fizzled, smoke curling as it revealed its illusion.
Gauri's heart skipped a beat. Panic surged, but before Kamini could strike, a strong presence anchored her. Vihaan appeared, his eyes burning with fury, catching Gauri before she could fall. "I won't let her touch you," he growled, his body emanating power that crackled against the witch's darkness.
Kamini's voice softened, venomous yet laced with false affection. "My son…"
Vihaan's jaw tightened. "I am not your son!" he roared, stepping protectively in front of Gauri. His fists glowed with red energy as he declared, "I will destroy your idol, even if it costs me everything."
Gauri's eyes filled with tears. "Vihaan… please! Stop! You don't understand! I… I've been pretending, all this time—just to gain her trust!"
Vihaan's gaze never wavered. "I won't live under her shadow. Not anymore."
From the shadows of the garden, the rest of the Kothari family arrived. Dadi's hands shook with holy water, Veena's face was pale but resolute,Urvashi clutched shyom's arm, and Sharda held her forehead, muttering prayers. Yug and Charvi emerged behind them, panting from their hurried chase.
"Vihaan!" Sharda called. "Be careful!"
Ignoring the pleas, Vihaan raised his hand and struck the statue with all his strength. The idol cracked, a jagged line splitting across its malevolent face. But as his blood dripped onto the marble, Kamini's eyes blazed with renewed life—then narrowed in fury.
"Foolish boy!" she shrieked, realizing the blood was false. Her voice echoed like shards of glass, laced with rage. Shadows whipped around her, twisting into serpentine forms, reaching hungrily toward Gauri and Vihaan.
The Kothari family stood frozen, horror-struck, as the darkness surged, threatening to engulf them. Vihaan's defiance had awakened something far more sinister than anyone had anticipated.
Gauri gripped Vihaan's arm, her face pale and wet with tears. "I… I had no choice,I wanted to prevent this from happening as your blood was the key to her freedom," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Vihaan's eyes softened only for a moment before hardening again. "No matter what is going to happen,we will stop her. Together."
Above them, the blood moon glowed, casting its scarlet light on a battle that was only just beginning.