Chapter 8: The Escape
Nandini staggered backward, her breaths shallow and ragged. A thin line of blood dripped from her lips, a stark reminder of the old wounds. She clutched her side, her vision blurring. Each breath was a struggle, and her mind raced to find a solution. "I can't keep this up... not for long." She coughed, the taste of blood thick on her tongue. "If I call for more guards, the Kings will recognize Raghav's power... they'll want him. I can't let them have him."
Realizing she was at a disadvantage, Nandini's eyes narrowed with fury, her hatred for Raghav and Karan burning deep within her gaze. *Not yet...* she thought. *I'm not finished. *
Karan, sensing her weakening resolve, wasted no time. From the folds of his robes, he pulled out a glowing scroll. His fingers moved quickly as he chanted an incantation, the words ancient and powerful. With a sharp flick, the scroll unfurled, and a shimmering portal appeared, swirling with ethereal light.
"We're leaving," Karan's voice cut through the tension, firm and commanding.
Raghav hesitated, his thoughts tangled in confusion, but Karan's determined expression left no room for argument. "Trust me, Raghav. We have to go—*now.*"
Nandini, her lips curling in bitterness, spat out her words with venom. "Go ahead. Run for now. But this isn't over." Her voice wavered, filled with anger and something deeper—regret.
Without another moment to waste, Raghav grabbed Sakshi's hand. Together, they stepped into the glowing portal, leaving Nandini and her hatred behind, at least for now.
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Ghost Realm – The Dark Forest
The trio landed in the midst of a dense, fog-covered forest. The air was thick and cold, filled with the distant whispers of lost souls. The towering trees stood ominous, their twisted branches reaching toward the heavens like skeletal fingers. The ground was uneven, shrouded in mist, and the eerie quiet was punctuated only by the faint murmur of the wind.
Raghav tightened his grip on Sakshi's hand, looking around in bewilderment. "What is this place? And more importantly, who am I? Why does Nandini claim I'm connected to her?"
His voice carried a mix of frustration and confusion, the questions heavy on his heart.
Karan sighed deeply, his face etched with weariness and guilt. "I owe you the truth, Raghav. But this isn't the time or place. The ghost realm is dangerous—we need to keep moving."
Raghav, still tense, stepped forward. "No, Karan. You can't keep dodging this. I deserve answers. You owe me that much."
Karan's expression softened with regret. "I know, and I'll explain everything. But not here. Not while we're still vulnerable." His eyes flickered toward the surrounding fog, wary of what lurked within. "And opening another portal back to the human realm requires far more energy than I have right now."
Raghav glared at him, the weight of betrayal and confusion in his eyes. "You're a god, aren't you? You lied about being human and about your friends."
Karan nodded, his voice low. "I didn't lie about everything. I came here with my comrades—gods, like me. We were sent by the Emperor of Gods to investigate the disturbances in the ghost realm. But I've lost contact with them." He paused, his eyes darkening. "And I didn't tell you about your past because... I thought it was unnecessary. But now..."
Raghav's grip on his sword tightened. "Now, you don't have a choice."
Before Karan could resp
ond, the forest suddenly grew eerily quiet. The air thickened, and a low growl echoed through the mist. Sakshi, who had been quiet, clutched Raghav's arm tighter, her eyes wide with fear.
"I knew you would come for me, Raghav," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It feels like only a week ago we were planning our wedding... and now..." Her voice broke, tears filling her eyes.
Raghav's heart clenched. "I'm sorry, Sakshi. I never wanted to drag you into this."
A sudden, bone-chilling roar interrupted their conversation. Karan's eyes darted around, his voice a sharp whisper. "Stay quiet." He motioned for them to lower their voices.
Emerging from the fog, a group of monstrous creatures, twisted and grotesque, began to close in. Their glowing eyes fixed on the group, their mouths dripping with dark, viscous saliva.
Raghav's body moved on instinct. Drawing his sword, he positioned himself between Sakshi and the approaching beasts. "Stay behind me," he muttered, his voice low and steady.
The creatures lunged. Raghav met them head-on, his sword flashing through the air in swift, deadly arcs. Each swing felt more fluid than the last, his body moving in perfect harmony with the blade, as if it were an extension of himself. The sword, the one gifted to him by the old man, seemed to pulse with a newfound energy, its radiance growing with each strike.
But as the battle raged, Sakshi, overwhelmed by fear, fainted. Raghav caught her just before she hit the ground.
"Karan, she's out cold!" Raghav shouted, his voice edged with panic as the creatures continued to circle them.
Karan quickly cast a protective barrier around her, his hands glowing with divine energy. "Lay her under that tree," he commanded, urgency in his voice. "The barrier will keep her safe."
Raghav carefully placed Sakshi down beneath the ancient tree, its twisted branches casting eerie shadows over her. He stood, his eyes blazing with a new determination. The creatures, sensing the shift in his energy, hesitated, their primal instincts warning them of the danger.
Karan, watching Raghav, frowned in thought. *If he stays in this realm any longer, his powers will awaken sooner than expected... I can't let that happen. I need to get them out—before it's too late.*
Raghav turned back to face the monsters, his gaze cold and unrelenting. The weight of his sword felt lighter in his hands now, the power within it flowing through him like a current. His strikes were faster, more precise, each one cutting through the beasts with deadly accuracy.
Karan, casting one final spell to repel the remaining creatures, looked at Raghav with growing concern. The power radiating from him was undeniable. *He's stronger than I thought… If he remembers who he really is before we leave this realm...*
The fog swirled around them, thicker and more oppressive than before. The monsters retreated, disappearing into the mist, but the danger wasn't over. Not yet.
As the last of the creatures vanished, Karan approached Raghav, his expression serious. "We need to find a way back to the human realm, Raghav. And soon. Your power... it's awakening faster than I anticipated. If we don't leave this place soon, it'll be too late."
Raghav, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath, nodded. "Then let's find a way out of here. Before it's too late for all of us."