The five-headed Shesh Naagin that had flared behind Mahnoor's head moments ago seemed to retreat back inside her, its enormous presence vanishing as if it had never existed. The moment left an eerie stillness between them, but Rudra knew they couldn't linger any longer. He had to take Mahnoor to Naaglok—the realm of the serpents. Whatever had happened, his parents, the Naag Raja and Naag Rani, needed to know.
Without a word, Rudra pulled Mahnoor to her feet. She clutched the thin red shawl tighter around herself, her mind still reeling from the painful transformation and the mysterious appearance of the serpent. Her legs wobbled slightly, and she leaned on Rudra for support. He nodded, his grip tightening around her waist, a silent assurance that he wouldn't let her fall. With a wave of his hand, the portal to Naaglok shimmered into view. A soft light enveloped them, and in an instant, they were gone from the human realm.
When they arrived in Naaglok, the atmosphere was far different from the secrecy of their hidden chambers. The air was thick with whispers as they walked through the dimly lit pathways of the royal city. Mahnoor felt the weight of hundreds of eyes on her as the snake people murmured amongst themselves. Her shawl barely covered her, and the sensation of her vulnerability in this strange land gnawed at her nerves.
"Who is she?" a voice whispered.
"She's human," another hissed.
"No, look at her closely—there's something more."
Rudra ignored the voices, his jaw clenched as he led her straight to the royal mehal, the grand palace that loomed over the rest of Naaglok. The stone serpents carved into the pillars seemed to watch their every move. Mahnoor kept her head down, heart pounding in her chest. She didn't belong here, not like this, half-naked and in a realm of creatures who could smell the human blood in her veins.
As they approached the royal chamber, two enormous golden doors swung open, revealing the lavish room where the Naag Raja and Naag Rani resided. The walls were adorned with shimmering scales of precious gems, and the air was heavy with power. Rudra's parents, the rulers of Naaglok, sat on their thrones, their serpentine eyes watching their son closely as he entered.
Rudra didn't waste time with formalities. He stood before them, holding Mahnoor close by his side, and spoke in a voice filled with urgency. "Mother, Father, I need to speak with you. Something has happened... something I don't understand."
The Naag Rani was the first to respond, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed Mahnoor. "Is this the human you've been keeping company with?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a whip. "You brought a human into our realm?"
The Naag Raja leaned forward in his throne, his expression darkening. "Rudra, have you forgotten the laws of our kind? What you've done is forbidden."
Rudra held his ground. "I know the law, Father. But this... this is different. Mahnoor isn't just a human. Something happened with the nagmani, and I need answers."
The Naag Rani rose from her seat, her eyes glowing with authority. She circled Mahnoor, inspecting her carefully. "And what is it that you don't understand, Rudra? That you allowed yourself to be tempted by a mere mortal? You've brought shame to our bloodline."
Before Rudra could respond, Mahnoor, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. Her voice was steady, though she trembled under the weight of their gaze. "My name is Mahnoor, daughter of Mahveen and Dayan."
At the mention of her mother's name, both the Naag Raja and Naag Rani froze, their expressions transforming from anger to shock.
"Mahveen?" the Naag Rani whispered, disbelief coloring her tone. "We remember her well. She was one of us... a naagin."
The Naag Raja's voice was grave as he spoke, piecing together the truth. "Mahveen married the human Dayan, defying the ancient laws of our kind. She was punished for her betrayal, stripped of her naagin form and condemned to live as a human. But you..." His gaze turned to Mahnoor, sharp and calculating. "You are the child of that union."
The Naag Rani stepped closer to Mahnoor, her eyes now filled with something other than disdain. "Not every forbidden union results in death, Rudra. Mahveen was spared, but her powers were sealed, leaving her a human. Mahnoor was dormant... until now."
Mahnoor's mind raced, her body trembling. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The Naag Rani turned to her son, her tone now softer but still heavy with authority. "Rudra, you thought you had chosen a human mate, but you were drawn to her because of the nagmani. It wasn't just lust that drove you to her—it was fate. Mahnoor is the Shesh Naagin. She was never fully human. Her true form has awakened because of the nagmani inside her."
Rudra's face was a mask of shock. "I... I didn't know."
The Naag Raja sighed heavily. "You didn't just mate with a human, Rudra. You have sown your seed in the Shesh Naagin, the protector of royal bloodlines. Your bond with her is far greater than you understand."
Mahnoor stared at them in disbelief. Her hands instinctively moved to her stomach, where the dull ache still lingered from earlier. She wasn't just human. She was something far more powerful, far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.
As the weight of the revelation settled over her, Mahnoor suddenly became aware of her appearance—the flimsy shawl draped loosely over her body, barely offering her any decency. She cleared her throat, her voice steady but tinged with irritation. "Can I at least get some decent clothes? I've been covering myself with this shawl for too long now."
The Naag Rani's lips curved into a rare smile, a hint of amusement breaking through the tense atmosphere. "Of course, child. Come along." She gestured for Mahnoor to follow her. "You may choose whatever you like."
Mahnoor hesitated for a moment, still reeling from everything she had just learned. But the prospect of clothes—real clothes—was too tempting to resist. With a final glance at Rudra, who was still standing there, stunned into silence, she followed the Naag Rani out of the room.
As they walked down the lavish corridors, Mahnoor's thoughts swirled. She was the Shesh Naagin, not just a human. Rudra had been drawn to her because of that, not merely because of lust or rebellion. And now... now she was bound to him in ways she had yet to comprehend.
But one thing was clear—her life, as she had known it, was over.
And in this new world, she would need more than just clothes to survive. She would need power.