The mansion stood wrapped in uneasy silence. Faint echoes of growls and whispers drifted through the dark corridors. Inside the hall, Gauri gripped the iron bars of her magical cage, helpless as the infection spread among her family. Her powers were sealed, but her spirit refused to break.
Across the room, Yug, Charvi, Veena, and a weak Urvashi quietly moved toward the back corridor, helping each other through the dimly lit hallway. The others followed, every step cautious, every breath trembling.
Just as the last of them reached the door—
Bang!
The heavy door slammed shut on its own, locking itself with a shimmer of black energy.
Vihaan stood there, his crimson eyes glowing like burning embers.
"Running away, Mummy?" he said, voice dripping with mockery.
Veena froze. "Vihaan… please. Don't do this."
He smirked coldly. "You always protected me, Mummy. Always stood between me and my darkness. But look at you now—" he stepped closer, voice low and venomous— "you failed."
"Beta," she whispered, tears trembling in her eyes, "this isn't you—"
"It's Sarvansh!" he thundered. "Vihaan is gone!"
Before Veena could respond, Sharda, her eyes blackened from the infection, let out a guttural cry and lunged at Veena with a corrupted arrow.
"Bade maa!" Yug shouted, rushing forward. He and Charvi grabbed Sharda's arms, trying to restrain her as she snarled like a beast, her strength unnatural.
Gauri watched in horror. Her fingers brushed her pocket—and she remembered the key.
She had snatched it from Vihaan's pocket earlier when he'd leaned too close, lost in his own arrogance.
"Bholenath… give me courage," she whispered, pulling it out.
She slipped the key into the lock. With a trembling twist—click!—the cage opened.
Quietly, she stepped out and darted toward the temple. The divine aura within shimmered softly. Gauri reached for the sacred urn, filled with holy ashes of Lord Bholenath.
Behind her, Vihaan's mocking voice echoed, "Still trying, are you? Your Jalpanchi powers are sealed, Gauri. You're powerless."
She turned to face him, clutching the urn tightly. "Powerless?" she said calmly. "Only those who've lost faith are powerless."
He laughed darkly. "Sarvansh is winning, Jalpanchi. You're already fading."
Gauri stepped into the hall again. "Not today."
With fierce determination, she hurled the ashes into the air. They burst into a glowing storm of silver light, spreading like fire across the mansion. The ashes settled upon everyone — Sharda screamed as the darkness fled from her eyes, Dadi gasped as her infection vanished, and even Urvashi, partially consumed by shadow, was freed, falling weakly into Yug's arms.
The curse broke. The air cleared. The mansion exhaled.
Yug turned to Gauri, voice shaking. "You did it… Gauri."
But before anyone could take a breath of relief, an ominous laugh echoed through the hall — soft, haunting, and cruel.
"Did you really think it would be that easy?"
A cold wind blew through the temple lamps, snuffing out their flames. Darkness coiled into form — Mohini emerged, her crimson sari fluttering like smoke, her eyes burning with malice.
"Such foolish bravery," she said, smirking. "You think ashes can defeat me?"
With a snap of her fingers, Yug rose into the air, choking as invisible energy gripped his throat. His feet kicked helplessly above the floor.
"Yug!" Charvi screamed, rushing forward, but Mohini's power shoved her back.
"Mohini, please!" Gauri shouted. "Let him go!"
Mohini's smirk widened. "Begging suits you, Jalpanchi. But if you truly wish to save him…" she tilted her head mockingly. "Bow before me. Accept me as your mother-in-law."
The family gasped in disbelief.
Gauri's heart pounded. Her pride shattered — but her love for her family was greater than her pain. Slowly, she fell to her knees.
"I accept you," she said softly, her voice trembling. "As my mother-in-law."
Mohini's eyes gleamed with victory. "Say it louder."
"I accept you as my mother-in-law!" Gauri cried, her tears glistening. "I've lost hope of winning Vihaan back. He's not mine anymore — he's yours. But please, spare my family."
Mohini's laugh echoed like thunder. "You'll forever live under my shadow, Jalpanchi — beneath my feet!"
She flung Yug to the ground. He coughed, gasping for breath as Charvi helped him.
"Vihaan," Mohini said, turning coldly. "Throw her out."
Gauri's eyes widened. "No… Vihaan… you can't—"
His expression was unreadable, eyes red as blood. "I told you, Gauri," he said softly, "Vihaan is gone."
He grabbed her wrist, dragging her toward the door.
"Vihaan, please!" she cried. "You can fight her! I know you can!"
For a moment — just a heartbeat — his grip hesitated. The faintest flicker of pain crossed his face.
But Mohini's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "Do it!"
And that was enough. His hand tightened again.
With one fierce push, he threw Gauri out of the mansion. She stumbled onto the cold marble steps, her tears mixing with the wind.
The doors slammed shut behind her.
Still kneeling outside, she whispered into the night, her voice breaking,
"You can lock me out, Sarvansh… but you can't silence my faith. One day, I'll bring my Vihaan back."
The night answered with silence — and the faint flicker of temple bells within.