Vishakha asks, "How many did Prabhas Bhai win?"
Kapil, smiling, replies, **"One day, Trainer Dipendra told me about a time when he was returning from the Kapalik region. He saw an 11-year-old boy using a stick to drive away two wild dogs.
The trainer approached the boy to check on him. The boy was frightened and pointed in a direction where a dangerous animal had killed 15 people.
The trainer brought the boy back with him. The boy first learned from Maguni Sir and later from Trainer Ashok the Shadow Technique."**
**"This was our Prabhas, who participated in the training at the age of 19, winning 64 out of 65 matches. In the final match, he fought with all his might but was severely injured. Due to the injuries, Prabhas couldn't compete in further matches.
At the age of 20, in his second training session, Prabhas won all 106 out of 106 matches, breaking my record. He has been with me for the past three months,"** Kapil explained.
Vishakha said to Kapil, "I also have to pass this training."
Kapil shook his head and replied, "You don't need to. You have the Fire Lotus, and the trainer wants this fact to remain a secret from outsiders."
But someone was overhearing their conversation.
After walking for a while, it started raining unexpectedly. They spotted a house nearby.
Kapil said, "We should seek shelter in that house."
Prabhas responded, "Brother, this unseasonal rain and a house in the middle of the jungle don't feel right to me."
Sourabh said, "Whatever it is, we can only find out by going inside the house."
The four of them reached the house and knocked on the door. An elderly woman opened it.
Kapil politely requested shelter in her house. The old woman gestured for them to come inside.
The four of them followed her in. The old woman asked, "Where are you coming from, and where are you going?"
Sourabh replied, "We are headed to Shahpur City."
The old woman said, "Alright, sit here. I'll make some tea," and went into another room. The four of them sat on a mat, waiting.
After some time, the old woman came back with a kettle of tea. As she poured tea into their cups, she said, "This tea will quickly refresh your body. I've mixed several medicinal herbs in it."
The old woman then went back into the room.
Kapil took a sip of the tea and remarked, "This tea is truly wonderful."
Suddenly, the sound of horses neighing came from outside. Prabhas placed his cup on the floor and said, "I'll go check," before stepping out of the house.
When Prabhas went outside, he noticed that the rain had stopped, and midday had strangely turned into night, as if someone were controlling day and night. He ran back inside, only to be shocked by what he saw.
Inside the house, a tree had grown. Kapil, Sourabh, and Vishakha were all unconscious, hanging from the tree. Its branches were coiling around their bodies, tightening their grip.
The old woman looked at Prabhas and sneered, "So, you're still not unconscious?"
Prabhas drew his sword and said, "So this is all your doing!"
The old woman's appearance began to change. She transformed into a witch and started laughing loudly.
The witch's laughter created an atmosphere of fear, making Prabhas's hair stand on end.
Prabhas muttered, "Sword Shadow Technique, Ordinary Style, 3rd Form: Ice Breaking Blade Cut."
Ice blade shadows formed around Prabhas's sword, and with the speed of the wind, he severed the witch's head. But the witch's head instantly grew back as if nothing had happened.
The witch extended her fingernails to a length of 2 feet and immediately attacked Prabhas.
Prabhas's sword clashed with the nails, producing a sound like metal colliding. Using his agility, Prabhas barely managed to dodge the witch's attacks. In their fierce battle, they destroyed the house entirely within moments.
Prabhas then charged another shadow technique, "Basic Style, 12th Form: Sword Clapping Expansion." A powerful shockwave emerged, throwing the witch out of the house and reducing the remaining walls to rubble.
The tree's branches, which had ensnared the three others, held them tightly. After some time, Kapil regained consciousness. The branches had bound him so tightly that he couldn't move.
Meanwhile, Prabhas appeared to be weakening in front of the witch.
Attacking once again, Prabhas shouted, "Basic Style, 1st Form: Shadow Assault." The shadow of his sword sliced off the witch's fingernails.
But the witch's nails grew back instantly.
Kapil shouted, "Prabhas, free me! You can't defeat her alone!"
Prabhas responded, "Ordinary Style, 7th Form: Stone Breaking Cut."
This attack left the witch's body severely injured, with her bones visible. Prabhas noticed a black energy source in her chest. Seeing an opening, Prabhas rushed toward Kapil.
But the witch was faster than Prabhas. She attacked him with her claws, striking hard. Prabhas was thrown far away, landing with a deep wound on his back. His screams of pain echoed. Hearing his agonizing cries, Sourabh and Vishakha also regained consciousness.
Seeing Prabhas in this state, Kapil was filled with rage but remained helpless to act.
Prabhas quickly drank a healing potion, and his wounds began to close slowly. However, his condition was still critical.
Prabhas staggered to his feet and said, "Ordinary Style, 5th Form: Shadow Stone Cut."
Shadows surrounded his sword, and with this attack, he threw the witch 20 meters away.
He moved forward to free Kapil.
The witch suddenly appeared in front of him and attacked with her claws. Prabhas raised his sword to defend himself, but the claws collided with the blade, sending Prabhas flying backward once again.
Prabhas somehow managed to stand up and said, "Basic Style, 8th Form: Shadow Wheel Strike."
A wheel-like shadow emerged from his sword, cutting through the witch's claws and neck before passing through.
However, the witch regenerated her claws and head almost instantly.
Prabhas lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, his eyes slowly closing.
The witch burst into loud, sinister laughter.