Agnira, wrapped in her invisible sheet, glided soundlessly through the grand corridor. Without a whisper of air, she came to a halt just behind Shaurya.
Leaning close to his ear, her voice was barely a breath — smooth, commanding, and laced with urgency.
"Don't move. It's me. Just listen — no reaction."
Shurya gave a side eye look.
Her words lingered like a secret spell. "You remember your promise, right? It's time to pay it off. "
"I need your Royal Library access card. I don't have much time, so if you understand, tap your finger three times."
He didn't flinch or turn around — only lifted his hand slightly and tapped his finger thrice, calm and deliberate....
Shaurya turned to his elder brother with an easy grin.
"Bhai, do you know who my new friend is? The young mistress of the White Peacock Clan."
Rudra raised an eyebrow. "And why are you telling me this?"
"So that you can handle things here while I take a little stroll with my friend," Shaurya replied, voice teasing yet composed.
Rudra sighed. "Still the same childish tricks."
Shaurya smirked, already turning to leave. "Don't worry, bhai. I'll be back before your ceremony starts."
–––
Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, Lyra stood with that familiar mischievous smile curving her lips — her gaze fixed on her mysterious, handsome rival.
The crowd sensed the tension, curiosity sparking in their eyes.
With a swift spin of her heel, Lyra darted across the ring, her pink, hypnotic eyes flickering with magic as she began circling Ayush like a hunting flame.
Her movement was fluid — fast, unpredictable, entrancing.
Ayush's inner thoughts:
(Not again—hypnosis? These girls are getting seriously dangerous. )
He shut his eyes tight to resist the spell, he shut out her illusions and tuned in to the rhythm of sound, the rush of air, the faint scrape of her boots.
The moment he sensed her behind him, he twisted sharply, catching her wrist before her clawed nails could strike. She hissed and countered, slashing forward —but Ayush spun on his heel, deflecting her blow with his forearm and using her momentum to push her back.
The arena gasped as Lyra stumbled, only to land gracefully, eyes glinting with thrill. Sparks of raw energy danced between them — the fight had just begun.
Lyra's nails slashed through the air — a storm of shimmering blades.
When the first strike missed, she hissed in frustration and unleashed her fastest technique — hundreds of razor-sharp nails spinning toward Ayush like a deadly hailstorm.
Ayush twirled his brush calmly and painted a swift, elegant stroke midair.
A glowing crimson fan materialized in his hand.
With a smirk, he opened it and swirled it once.
The wind from the fan curved her incoming attacks, turning her poisoned nails back toward her, spinning harmlessly in midair.
"Sorry for the disappointment, miss," Ayush said, his tone mocking yet smooth. "Your poisonous nails aren't sharp enough."
Lyra's eyes flared. "Oh really? Then what do you think of my voice?"
With that, she screamed — a piercing, sonic shriek that shattered the air itself.
The arena trembled. People clutched their ears, grimacing in pain.
The leaders merely snapped their fingers, creating silent barriers of magic.
Ayush winced, trying to block his ears with one hand.
"Did you by any chance ally with a family of bats? " he muttered under his breath, sarcastic as ever.
He flicked his brush again — a few quick strokes — and a long red rope appeared, glowing faintly.
Leaping forward, he spun through the air, wrapping the rope around her — sealing her mouth and binding her arms.
The arena fell silent. Peace, at last.
Lyra struggled, clawing at the restraint, but her nails couldn't cut through it.
(Her thoughts- His movements aren't wild — they're planned.
Every step I take, he's already one ahead. Tricky bastard.)
Ayush chuckled, amused. "This cloth may not be divine… but it doesn't tear without my permission."
For a moment, he thought he'd won — until the air darkened.
A crimson aura surged from Lyra's body as nine fiery red tails erupted behind her.
With a deafening burst of energy, the rope shattered into a million glowing fragments.
The audience gasped. Even the leaders leaned forward.
Ayush grinned wider. "Now this is getting scarier."
Lyra dashed forward, her tails whipping through the air, clashing with Ayush's orange sigil-light. He deflected, dodging, running across the arena floor as lightning and charm magic collided.
Ayush's inner thoughts:
(This fox… she must be from my grandfather's era. Save yourself, Ayush, before she turns you into a corpse.)
"Stop running and face me!" she shouted, fury in her tone.
Ayush laughed over his shoulder. "Anger doesn't suit you, miss. Love does. Try talking sweetly instead!"
The crowd erupted in laughter; even the leaders smirked.
Lyra growled, her voice lowering again into that manipulative, hypnotic tone.
"Oh, you want sweet? Then stop running… come here. Rest for a while."
Her eyes glowed pink.
And in the blink of an eye — she was right in front of him.
So close he could see her pupils flicker with charm energy.
But Ayush only smiled — and held up a mirror he had secretly painted.
For a split second, their eyes met through the reflection — her spell hit the glass, then snapped back into her own gaze.
The pink aura struck her own eyes.
Lyra froze midair — her body stiffened, her face blank.
(Her mind racing - The mirror in his hand… when did he—?!
Damn it. I underestimated him. )
A moment later, she stood motionless, like a living statue, her expression empty, her movements puppet-like.
"Miss, what happened? Did you fall asleep standing up?" Ayush asked, pretending to be innocent — his tone playful, eyes gleaming beneath the mask.
The entire arena fell silent. Audience and leaders alike leaned forward, curious, whispering among themselves about what had just happened so suddenly.
Away from the arena, inside the palace, Shaurya led Inara through the golden corridors.
"Where are we exactly? You said we'd find Agnira here — where is she?" Inara asked, her tone curious yet cautious.
Before Shaurya could reply, a flash of mirror-like light brushed across their faces. He pointed toward a corner.
"There," he said quietly.
Both turned — and from the shimmer of an invisible sheet, Agnira stepped out, her presence commanding.
"Whoa," Inara whispered, eyes wide. "You've got always amazing tricks up your sleeve."
Agnira stretched out her hand. "Give me the royal library badge."
Shaurya took it out, smirking slightly. "Here. But even with this, you might find it difficult alone."
"What are you trying to say?" she asked coldly.
"You said you're short on time," Shaurya replied. "So… we'll help you."
Moments later, to the guards, it seemed as if Shaurya was entering the Royal Library alone — unaware that Agnira and Inara moved beside him, hidden under the invisible sheet.
Inside, Inara whispered mischievously, "This thing is amazing… they can't even see us!"
Then, teasingly, she waved at one of the guards.
Agnira quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. "They can't see us," she murmured, "but they can hear us."
The guards turned, briefly alert — but finding nothing, returned to their post.
Shaurya placed the badge on the gate's golden lock. The massive doors opened with a hum of ancient wind, revealing a breathtaking sight —
a vast library that looked like the universe itself: floating books orbiting in glowing circles, constellations carved into the ceilings, sections arranged like galaxies.
The door shut behind them with a rush of air. Agnira and Inara appeared beside Shaurya once again.
Shaurya looked around, proudly. "The Royal Library — one of the most beautiful places ever built."
Agnira scoffed lightly. "Beautiful, … let's see is it useful? "
She tilted her head. "Come out, you too."
Both Shaurya and Inara turned sharply — confused by her words. "Who are you talking to?"
Just then, Ayush stepped out, pulling off his own invisibility sheet with a grin.
"Whoa—what the—?!" Inara gasped, stumbling back in surprise
Agnira's expression didn't change — she had sensed him long before he appeared.
"Hello, young lady," Ayush greeted, still smiling.
Agnira glared, pressing her dagger to his throat. "He's with us," she told the others. "And there's no need to worry." looking him with threating eyes.
Ayush chuckled nervously, then pulled out a crystal orb.
"See? I came back victorious."
Agnira remove her dragger from his neck .
Inara glanced around, overwhelmed. "This place is enormous. With so many books — how will we ever find what we need?"
Ayush smirked, glancing at Agnira. "It's not that hard. What you're looking for won't be lying among ordinary books."
Shaurya frowned. "You mean there's a secret room? Then how do we reach it?"
Ayush extended his hand. "Like this."
He made a small cut on his palm, twisted his fingers in a spiral motion, and murmured a spell. Drops of blood burst into red sparks.
Inara's eyes widened. "A blood-relation spell…"
Ayush nodded. "Exactly. Wherever the royal bloodline has touched — red marks will appear."
They began searching the glowing red spots around the library. Suddenly, Agnira's gaze caught on a pool reflecting starlight, where a faint blood mark gleamed — shaped like a lion's paw.
"Here," she said.
Shaurya stepped forward, shifting briefly into his spiritual white lion form, and placed his paw upon the mark.
The floor trembled — and with a deep rumble, a hidden passage began to open.
Beyond it, the path descended into darkness, books floating midair in the wind like silent sentinels.
"A secret chamber," Agnira whispered.
Shaurya stretched out his hand; the floating books froze mid-motion. One of them slowly turned, its cover glowing as it spoke in a deep, ancient voice—
"At last… someone seeking answers."
Agnira stepped forward, her stance firm and eyes unwavering.
"I want answers — But do you even have the answers I'm looking for?"
The book let out a low, sinister laugh.
"You shall have your answers… but tell me, Are you ready to pay the price?"
To Be Continued…