The Kotharis rushed into the grand hallway, Vihaan half-supporting his mother while Gauri guided the others. Their footsteps echoed through the marble corridors as the growls behind them grew louder and closer.
"Quick—the lift!" Yug shouted, pointing ahead.
They stumbled into the lift lobby, hearts pounding, and Vihaan jabbed the button repeatedly. The light flickered… but the doors refused to open.
"It's not working!" Charvi gasped.
Vihaan cursed under his breath. "Power's been cut. We'll have to take the stairs!"
They turned sharply toward the stairwell, but as soon as they flung open the door—
"Oh no… look!" Shyom's voice trembled.
The staircase was already swarming with the venom bearers—faces pale, veins blackened, teeth bared as they shuffled upward in an unnatural rhythm. Their inhuman growls reverberated through the concrete shaft.
Everyone froze in horror.
"Go back!" Urvashi cried. "They're coming this way!"
But before panic could spread, Vihaan stepped forward, eyes blazing red.
"Not while I'm here."
He raised both hands, his bracelet gleaming like molten fire. The air around him shimmered as a surge of crimson energy exploded outward, freezing the venom bearers mid-step—suspended in the air, limbs twitching helplessly as if trapped in invisible chains.
"Now! Hurry!" Vihaan yelled, his voice straining under the effort. "Go! My power won't hold them for long!"
Gauri and Yug quickly mobilized everyone, helping Dadi and Veena move faster down the corridor while Sharda held Urvashi's hand. Charvi clung close to Yug, her eyes wide in fear.
Vihaan's breath grew heavy, the glow around his hands flickering. As soon as the last family member rushed past him, he released the spell, the suspended creatures crashing back to the stairs with bone-snapping thuds.
He ran, catching up with the others, pushing the glass doors open—
And froze.
Outside the resort, the open grounds were crawling with hundreds of venom bearers. They stood at the gate, their blackened eyes glinting under the morning sun. More were spilling out from behind cars, trees, and even from the resort's side entrance.
Gauri's hand flew to her mouth. "Devi Maa…"
Dadi whispered shakily, "We're surrounded."
Yug blinked in disbelief. "I didn't even know this resort had so many guests!"
The sound of growls grew louder, surrounding them like an approaching storm.
Vihaan's jaw tightened, his eyes sweeping the perimeter. "Stay close," he ordered firmly, moving slightly in front of the family. "We're not dying here."
The family drew in together instinctively—united, terrified, but standing as one.
Somewhere in the distance, hidden in the forest shadows, Naashak watched—the faint melody of his mouth organ echoing once again as the venom bearers advanced.
The venom bearers began closing in, their growls thick and guttural, their feet dragging against the earth. The air itself felt poisoned — heavy with decay and dread.
"Think, Sharda bhabhi!" Urvashi shouted, clutching Dadi protectively. "You said you met that mystical woman on your pilgrimage! There must be some way to stop these monsters!"
Sharda pressed her trembling fingers to her temple, trying to force her mind to remember. Her breath came in ragged bursts. "Wait… wait, she said something…"
"Quickly,Bade Ma!" Vihaan barked, his hands already glowing with crimson fire.
Then Sharda's eyes widened, the memory slamming into her. "Water!" she cried out.
Everyone turned to her, stunned.
"Water?" Yug repeated, disbelieving.
"Yes!" Sharda gasped. "The woman told me—venom bearers are cursed with black fire in their veins. It burns them from within. Only pure water can extinguish it!"
Vihaan looked up, scanning the advancing horde. "They're coming too fast!"
He clenched his fists, the air around him rippling as he shot upward into the sky, his crimson aura flaring like a storm. With a fierce shout, he unleashed a shockwave that blasted the front line of venom bearers backward, their bodies slamming into each other in a twisted heap.
He landed beside Gauri with a heavy thud, dust swirling around them. "That won't hold them for long!"
Gauri's mind raced, then her eyes lit up. "The pool!" she said suddenly. "We have to get to the poolside! I have an idea!"
Without another second wasted, she grabbed Vihaan's hand and started running. "Everyone, come on! Follow us!"
The Kotharis sprinted through the resort pathways, their hurried footsteps echoing under the eerie silence between growls. Urvashi kept glancing behind, her heart pounding as she saw the venom bearers crawling back to their feet, their soulless eyes fixed on them once more.
"Faster!" Vihaan urged, half-dragging Veena as they neared the open pool area.
The sunlight shimmered over the water, calm and blue — a deceptive peace before the storm.
Gauri turned to face the others, her divine ring already glowing fiercely on her finger. "This is it," she said breathlessly. "If Sharda Maa is right, then we'll turn their own curse against them."
The distant chorus of growls grew louder — they were coming.