Agneer Volume 3
Chapter 1 Five Days of Blood
Five days.
Five endless and blood soaked days.
Veeraghati had become a vast crematorium.
Where there was once lush green grass, there were now mounds of black ash and earth drenched in blood. The air was thick with the stench of burning flesh and toxic fumes. The sky was overcast but lightning no longer cracked. Only a cold black drizzle fell as if the heavens themselves were weeping silently over this carnage.
Andhak was dead.
His dark energy had dissolved into the air but the price of victory was so horrific that even its taste felt like poison.
Four loved ones were now just memories.
Dharaya and Vayansh lay close to each other. Their faces bore an expression of final peace as if they knew they would depart together. Prakash and Sheetal had their hands tightly clasped in each other's fists. Their eyes were closed and sweat and ash were caked on their foreheads. Their bodies still smoldered from the black wounds inflicted by Andhak as if not even death could separate them.
Everyone stood together like a shattered family.
Agni and Neer were in the center. The space between them was still warm as if their energies of fire and water were still intertwined. Aakshansh stood with Kalpit and Vedika. Vedika had her fingers dug into Aakshansh arm as if she feared that if she let go he too would vanish. Aksh and Kalpit looked at each other and their eyes clearly reflected shock and exhaustion.
Apart from them all Nirag lay unconscious in Anvay lap.
Anvay hands rested on Nirag head as if he still wanted to caress him. Anvay eyes were red and dried tear tracks stained his cheeks but fresh tears flowed continuously. He had lost his mother and father. Agni stood beside him with one hand on Anvay shoulder patting him gently.
Calm down son. Agni voice was heavy and broken. Everything will be alright.
Neer moved forward and sat down beside Vedika. He ran his hand through Vedika hair. Vedika rested her head on Neer shoulder and began to cry again.
The scene was so quiet that the pain was audible.
Just then a tear fell from Anvay eye and it landed directly on Nirag cheek.
Nirag eyelids fluttered.
Slowly his eyes opened. Blurry at first and then clear. He found himself in Anvay lap. Anvay tears were falling on his face. He looked up. Agni. Neer. Aakshansh. Vedika. Aksh. Kalpit. Everyone gaze was fixed on him.
Nirag slowly raised a hand. His fingers touched Anvay wet cheeks and he wiped the tears away.
Anvay looked at him and burst into sobs.
Nirag. Mother. Father. They are gone.
Nirag hugged him. He placed one hand on his back and the other on his head.
Calm down Anvay. Calm down.
But his voice held no tenderness. Only an emptiness.
Then Nirag got up. He walked towards the pond in Veeraghati. He picked up a broken metal cup and filled it with water before coming back. He stood before Anvay.
Anvay reached out his hand.
Nirag pulled the cup back.
And he laughed.
This laugh was cold and hollow like the sound of wind rattling inside a dead tree.
What did you think. He said while smiling. That I would give you water.
The air froze.
Aakshansh stepped forward and his face was filled with disbelief.
Nirag. What are you saying. Anvay lost his parents today.
So what. Nirag laugh grew. What favor did he do for me in that.
Anvay eyes held no anger. There was only a deep and unbearable pain. He kept looking at Nirag as if he was unable to comprehend that this was the same person for whom he had risked his life.
Neer came forward swiftly.
Nirag. Do you know what you are saying.
Aakshansh folded his hands.
Acharya. Let me explain to him.
Nirag turned his head sharply. His eyes suddenly turned completely black as if no trace of light remained. Flames of black energy began to emanate from his body and crackle in the air. He raised his hand and gave just one flick.
Aakshansh head separated from his torso.
Time stood still.
Vedika breath stopped. Her eyes widened. Then a scream escaped her lips. It was so shrill that it quivered in the air. She ran to Aakshansh and collapsed near his torso. She clutched his blood soaked clothes and shook him.
Aakshansh. No. NO.
Nirag was laughing and it was a laughter that was utterly harrowing.
Agni ran to Nirag.
Nirag. What have you done.
Vedika looked up. Her eyes were now swollen and red but they held no tears. Only fire. She rose slowly and her hands spread out in the air. Stones around her began to levitate and the earth trembled.
NIRAG. Her voice was a mixture of pain and fury.
She thrust her hand forward. A shower of stones hurtled towards Nirag.
Nirag created a black shield like barrier in front of him made from his own dark energy. The stones shattered to dust upon impact.
Vedika breathing quickened. Tears streamed down her face but her expression was one of rage.
Neer shouted. Vedika. Stop. Calm down.
But Vedika did not listen. She extended her hand towards the mountain of Veeraghati. The massive peak standing in the distance shook and then rose into the air. It was a gigantic mountain of black stone moving directly towards Nirag.
NIRAG. Agni and Neer screamed in unison.
The mountain crashed down upon Nirag. A colossal cloud of dust rose and the ground shook.
But then from within the dust cloud a blast of black energy erupted. The mountain was pulverized. And from its rubble emerged Nirag and he was levitating in the air. He tossed his sword Sheetaakshi into the air. The sword flew in a straight line and it plunged directly into Vedika stomach.
Vedika eyes widened. She looked down and then up at Nirag. Her lips moved but no words came out. She collapsed slowly near Aakshansh body. Her hand reached out towards Aakshansh hand and it was almost touching it. Then her eyes closed.
Nirag stood in the air laughing.
Thought you could challenge me did you.
Aksh and Kalpit looked at each other. Without a word they drew their swords and attacked Nirag together.
Nirag flicked his hand. He lifted both of them into the air. Grabbing their throats with both hands he slammed them hard onto the ground. Their bodies hit the earth with the sound of bones snapping.
Neer breathing became ragged. Tears and fury swirled in his eyes. He rose into the air and rings of water formed around him.
NIRAG. His voice thundered.
He sent whirlpools of water. Nirag fell to the ground.
Agni tried to grab Neer hand.
Neer do not do this. Calm down.
But Neer did not listen. He lifted Nirag into the air and slammed him down again. A sword fight erupted between them. The energies of fire and water clashed and clouds of steam billowed.
Neer defeated Nirag. Nirag fell to the ground and blood flowed from his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes.
Pitashree. Forgive me. I have sinned.
Neer anger subsided for a moment. He descended and went to Nirag and lifted him.
Son. What have you done. Why did you kill them all.
Nirag looked into his eyes. Then with a swift flash he plunged his sword into Neer back.
Neer eyes widened. He touched his stomach and saw his hand covered in blood.
Nirag. Son. You did this. Why.
He collapsed onto his knees.
Agni came running.
NEER. NO. You cannot leave me.
He lifted Neer into his arms but Neer eyes were already closed.
Agni looked up. His eyes now held no tears. Only fire. Flames began to emanate from his body and the air grew hot.
Nirag. His voice became guttural. What have you done.
Nirag was smiling and he was covered in blood.
Tauji. It is your turn now.
Agni hurled a fireball. Nirag body began to burn but he stood up again because his wounds were healing.
Agni moved with lightning speed and he struck at Nirag neck. The neck was severed. But in a moment it reattached.
WHY. Agni screamed and his voice was breaking.
Why Nirag. Why did you kill them all.
Nirag did not answer. He stretched out his hand and bonds of black energy shackled Agni. Agni struggled but he was too exhausted. Nirag moved forward slowly and drove his sword into Agni stomach.
Agni eyes widened. He looked towards Neer body and then at Nirag.
You are not my son.
He collapsed near Neer body. His eyes began to close and the last tears streamed down his cheeks.
Nirag pulled out his sword. He looked around. Death was everywhere. Dharaya. Vayansh. Prakash. Sheetal. Aakshansh. Vedika. Aksh. Kalpit. Neer. Agni. All of them were finished.
He raised his head and began to laugh. It was a laugh that echoed back from the mountains. He was celebrating his victory.
But his eyes held no celebration. Only a deep and empty darkness.
The plains of Veeraghati were now completely silent. Only Nirag laughter echoed in the air mingling with the sound of rain dripping from the black clouds.
© 2026 Aaryaveda. All rights reserved.
Do not copy or repost without permission.