The wind stilled.
The backyard, moments ago a battleground of fury and light, now lay bathed in an eerie calm. The moon emerged timidly from behind the clouds, casting its silver glow over the soaked earth.
Gauri hovered for a fleeting moment, her divine aura fading like the last ember of a dying flame. Then, with a faint gasp, her body went limp. The ethereal wings of ice dissolved into mist as she collapsed to the ground.
"Gauri!" Vihaan cried, stumbling forward, his strength returning just enough to catch her before she touched the earth. He gathered her in his arms, rain still clinging to her hair, her face pale yet peaceful.
Charvi fell to her knees beside them. "Didi! Didi, open your eyes!" she pleaded, brushing wet strands from Gauri's face.
Veena pressed her trembling palms together, tears of relief and fear blending with the rain on her cheeks.
Urvashi and Shyom knelt beside Vihaan, while Dadi and Sharda held each other, their eyes fixed on Gauri's still form.
"She fought with the power of a goddess," Sharda whispered softly, "but even divine vessels have limits."
Vihaan held Gauri closer, resting her head against his chest. "She saved me… she saved us all," he murmured, his voice breaking. "Please, just open your eyes, Gauri… please."
The family surrounded them, forming a circle of love and prayer, their voices trembling as they whispered invocations to the Goddess who had chosen Gauri.
---
Meanwhile, at the banks of the River Ganges...
The sacred waters rippled with light.
Pratham Vanshi stood with folded hands beside the flickering flames of the ritual pyres, his eyes reflecting the divine glow that rose from the depths of the river. The women who had been aiding the sacred ritual watched in awe as a luminous symbol of the Jalpanchi formed upon the water's surface—a sign of victory, a sign of balance restored.
Pratham bowed deeply, his voice breaking with reverence.
"Devi Maa… your chosen one has fulfilled her destiny. The witch Kamini has fallen."
The river answered with a serene wave, its glow fading back into calm ripples. The sky above the Ganges cleared completely, revealing a full moon shining brighter than it had in ages.
Pratham looked toward the distant horizon—the direction of the Kothari mansion—and whispered,
"May the Goddess protect her vessel, for her journey is far from over."
Five days had passed since the blood moon vanished and the witch Kamini turned to nothing but frost and ashes.
Peace had slowly returned to the Kothari Mansion, where incense once again filled the air and the bells of the temple rang with gratitude instead of fear.
The family stood before the radiant idol of Devi Maa, the light of the diyas dancing across their tear-streaked faces.
"We thank you, Devi Maa," Dadi whispered, her palms trembling in prayer. "For sending your Jalpanchi, your chosen protector, to guard this family from the curse of darkness."
Veena placed a garland of jasmine at the goddess's feet, her eyes glistening. "Protect her now, Maa. Our Gauri risked everything for us—she became the light that burned the darkness. Please… give her that light back."
Their voices rose together, a hymn of devotion and desperation echoing through the marble hall.
---
In Vihaan's Room…
The storm had ended, but inside the mansion, silence reigned.
Gauri lay motionless upon the bed, her skin pale yet glowing faintly, as if touched by divine frost.
Beside her stood Pratham Vanshi, the serene and powerful guardian priestess of the Pratham Vansh. Her silver bangles jingled softly as she moved her hand above Gauri's forehead, eyes closed in deep concentration.
A faint aura of blue shimmered under her palm—then dimmed.
Pratham Vanshi opened her eyes, her expression grave yet compassionate.
"She's alive," she said gently, turning to the anxious faces around her. "But her spirit has entered a sacred slumber. Gauri has overused her powers as the Jalpanchi. Her body rests here—but her soul is traveling through the realm of the divine."
Charvi gasped, tears streaking her cheeks. "Then how long will it take? When will she wake up?"
Pratham Vanshi bowed her head. "That, child, depends not on time… but on faith. Only when her heart is called by love stronger than destiny itself—will she return."
Veena broke down, clutching her daughter-in-law's cold hand.
"Gauri saved us all," she sobbed. "Why must she suffer now?"
Vihaan, standing still at the edge of the bed, clenched his fists. His eyes never left Gauri's peaceful face.
"She risked her life to save me… to save this family. And now—" his voice cracked, "now it's my turn to save her."
He rose abruptly, wiping his tears with determination.
"If faith can bring her back, then I'll make the Goddess listen."
Turning to the family, he said firmly, "My Gauri will wake up. Devi Maa will have to hear me."
Without another word, Vihaan walked out, his steps echoing down the corridor toward the temple of the mansion, where flickering diyas awaited him—and perhaps, a miracle.