Meera's Grandfather said the battle was over, a servant approached and offered him a towel to wipe his sweat.
Madhav stood in the center of the training ground, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his breath. The remnants of his shattered spear lay scattered around him, a testament to the intensity of the duel.
Grandfather Kamal, breaking a sweat, approached with a calm demeanor.
"You're a good fighter, young man," Grandfather Kamal remarked, accepting a towel from a nearby attendant. "But I believe this match has reached its conclusion."
Observing from the sidelines, Mohit turned to Meera and Yash, his curiosity evident. "Why did your grandfather stop the fight so abruptly? It seemed like they were just getting started."
Meera, with a knowing smile, began walking towards the center of the field, motioning for Mohit to follow.
Yash chuckled softly, clapping a hand on Madhav's shoulder as they approached. "Impressive moves out there. You're the first person I've seen come so close to landing a hit on Grandfather."
Still catching his breath, Madhav raised his right hand, inspecting it closely. "But... I didn't actually touch him, did I?"
Suddenly Meera said, "Look at your hand properly." When Madhav did, he saw a red, burned mark on his right hand, where his grandfather had gripped it during the fight.
"The intense energy of Chairman's defensive maneuver," and whenever we see battle " Chairman took this fight lightly. If our grandfather had become serious, you wouldn't have been able to stand before us then." Said by Yash.
Here madhav reply "I already knew that. Even from the beginning of our battle, Meera's grandfather wasn't fighting me at full power."
Madhav turned to Yash with a curious look. "By the way, who are you exactly? I only noticed you when the fight had already started. Do you work here?"
Yash smirked, with an air of confidence. "No, no. I'm not just anyone. I'm the grandson of Chairman Kamal and Meera's cousin brother."
Madhav raised an eyebrow. "So, he is the Meera's brother , that she told us before."
Before Yash could answer, Grandfather Kamal clapped his hands together, his voice steady yet commanding. "Enough standing around. Let's go to the hall. It's time to eat, rest, and talk."
Yash grinned, turning to Madhav. "You heard the chairman. Let's go before he decides to throw us into another battle ."and he move towards hall way by smiling.
As they began walking, Mohit came up beside Madhav, patting his shoulder. "That was incredible, man. I don't think I've ever seen a fight like that. Here madhav said thanks.
Meera, walking ahead, glanced back at them. "Enough chit-chat. Let's get to the hall. I'll treat your burn with medicine.
With that, the group moved down the hallway, the echoes of their footsteps fading as they left the battlefield behind.
Madhav, Mohit, Meera, and Yash entered the grand hall, they settled into the plush sofas and chairs. The room was elegant, with high ceilings and intricate chandeliers casting a warm glow. A servant arrived promptly, setting down glasses of water before stepping back.
A moment later, Grandfather Kamal walked in, his presence commanding yet calm. He took a seat near Madhav and looked at the group with keen eyes. "Now," he said, his voice steady, "tell me—what help do you need?"
Madhav and Mohit both started speaking at the same time, their words overlapping in urgency. Grandfather Kamal raised a hand. "Stop. One person at a time."
Madhav turned to Mohit. "Let me explain," he said before facing Meera's grandfather. "Sir, our friend is in the hospital. Someone gave him a dangerous drug, and now he's in a coma. We need your help to bring him back—to get him back on his feet."
Yash, who had been lounging with one leg crossed over the other, smirked. "Sounds like your friend has some enemies. Someone really wanted to take him down."
Meera, who had been silent until now, she said brother please don't say that, clenched her fists, her expression a mix of frustration and guilt. "This is my fault," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I leaked the information without realizing it… I was just following my mother's instructions. I had no idea my mistake would lead to Raj ending up like this."
Grandfather Kamal's He let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Your mother… I've never liked her ways. She has always gone against me, no matter what. And I suspect this is yet another reason why my relationship with my son—your father—is strained."
With silent reaction grandfather leaned forward, his sharp eyes fixed on Meera. "Tell me everything," he said, his voice firm yet patient. "From the beginning—what instructions did your mother give you?"
Meera hesitated for a moment, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress. A wave of guilt washed over her, but she knew she couldn't hide the truth any longer. Taking a deep breath, she began to speak.
"Before I came to Bhopal to study, my mother somehow got information about a book—Two Choices—kept in the college library. She told me that this book had details related to the cursed coin. That's why she sent me to study there, not just for my education but to find out everything I could."
Grandfather Kamal listened intently, his expression unreadable and Mohit, madhav and yash silently listening all things.
Meera continued, her voice softer now.
"After I joined college, I tried searching for the book. But, the book's condition wasn't as good as I'd remembered, and a few pages at the end were missing. I tried to find those missing pages, but it was no use."but
before I could find pages...something happened. Madhav got the cursed coin."
She glanced at Madhav, guilt flickering in her eyes. "From that moment, he was different. He kept thinking about the coin, obsessed with understanding it. And it wasn't just that—I could feel his fear. Sometimes, when I was near him, I could almost hear it. That terrifying, haunting voice that echoed in his mind…"
Madhav's fingers tightened into fists as he remembered the ghostly whispers that had tormented him.
Grandfather sighed deeply, his gaze heavy with understanding.
A tense silence followed, broken only when Yash exhaled sharply. "Well," he said, leaning back with a smirk, "this just keeps getting more interesting."
Mohit, who had been quiet until now, shook his head. "Interesting? Our friend is fighting for his life!"
Yash raised a hand. "Relax. I didn't mean it that way." He turned to grandfather. "Chairman , you know something about this coin, don't you?"
Grandfather Kamal didn't answer immediately. But before Grandfather Kamal could say anything, Meera quickly interrupted, her voice filled with concern. "Grandfather, please, at least give Madhav some medicine for his hand. That burn happened because of you."
Grandfather finally glanced at Madhav's injured hand, the deep red burn still visible from their battle. But before he could respond, Madhav shook his head. "I'm fine," he insisted. "Right now, I'm not important. We need to focus on what's happening with Raj and the cursed coin."
But grandfather wasn't having it. "No," he said firmly. "First, you take treatment."
Then, without turning his head, he addressed the silent figure standing in the backside for security reason—a man who had remained still throughout the entire conversation, his presence almost forgotten. "My friend," Grandfather Kamal called out, "please treat this boy. Normal medicine won't work on him properly because of my power effect. Do something."
The moment he spoke, the air around the silent figure shifted. A strange, glowing magical energy surrounded him, swirling like a mist. Then, right before their eyes, his form began to change. His legs elongated, twisting into something else entirely. A powerful body took shape, hooves clicking against the marble floor, a long, muscular torso rising above them.
Madhav, Mohit, and Meera all stared, frozen in disbelief.
The man—no, the being—was now fully transformed into a centaur. Half-man, half-horse, standing tall with an air of ancient wisdom and power.
Mohit's mouth fell open. He elbowed Madhav, eyes wide. "Bro, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
Madhav barely managed to nod. "Yep… totally the same."
Meera was speechless, thinking about centaurs are creatures that live in groups and dislike humans. Why is one here?
And then Yash—who had been watching their reactions with barely concealed amusement—finally burst into laughter. "Hah! You should see your faces! Absolutely priceless!"
The centaur, unfazed by the shock, stepped forward, his deep voice calm and steady. "Hold out your hand, young one. I will heal you."
Madhav, still stunned, slowly extended his injured hand. The centaur placed a firm yet gentle grip on it, and a magical light and soothing warmth spread through Madhav's palm. The red burn mark and the burning pain faded almost instantly, replaced by a deep sense of relief."
Madhav flexed his fingers, astonished. "It… it doesn't hurt anymore."
The centaur gave a small nod. "You are strong, but you still have much to learn."
Madhav curiosity burning in his eyes. "Back when we first arrived here, I tried talking to you, but you didn't respond. Why?"
The centaur chuckled, his deep voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Ah, that the problem. In my human form, I cannot able to speak." It's magic problem.
Grandfather Kamal let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Beni, that's exactly why I always tell you not to reveal yourself too soon in front of new people." Centaur reply I don't like this name. Meera's Grandfather smile little bit.
Meera suddenly gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "Wait… Beni Uncle? You—?"
The centaur nodded, his expression warm. "Yes, Meera. It's been a long time, hasn't it? You've grown so much. I still remember when you were just a tiny child—I could hold your entire body in one hand."
On the other side of the room, Mohit glanced at Madhav, raising an eyebrow and giving him a silent signal, as if to ask, What is happening right now?
Madhav smirked slightly and whispered, "Just wait and watch."
Meera, still in disbelief, stepped forward. "Beni Uncle… I've always heard wonderful stories about you as a warrior, and that you used to visit and play with me when I was a child." Again she asked with curiosity, "If you've been with us for so long, why haven't you come to meet us?"
Centaur smiled knowingly. "Because I haven't been here from long time. I only learned a few days ago that someone's trying to kill my brother, Kamal. That's why I'm here now, in front of you."
Mohit looked at the centaur said "So… you and Meera's grandfather are brothers?"
the centaur, nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes, but not by blood. Kamal's mother raised me as her own son. That's why I have always considered him my brother."
Grandfather Kamal smiled knowingly. "Okay.. okay, Now that the treatment is done and other matters are settled, shall we continue our discussion?"
His gaze shifted toward Madhav, his expression turning serious. "Do you have the cursed coin with you now?"
Madhav nodded. "Yes, I have it." He reached into his pocket and took out a small, ancient-looking box. Placing it on the table in front of everyone, he exhaled sharply. "Because of this cursed coin… my brother, Purav, died right in front of me."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Grandfather Kamal's face darkened with sorrow. "You are not the first victim of this cursed coin," he said, his voice heavy with experience. "Many others have suffered before you. Some are still alive, carrying the burden of its curse. Others… were not so fortunate."
Mohit leaned forward, his face tense. "What do you mean?"
Grandfather paused, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, then said, "Oh, yes. You and all will understand soon ." He turned to Yash. "Go and bring that girl here. Bring her before us."
A cruel smile spread across Yash's face. "Now, the fun begins," he murmured, before replying, "Okay, Chairman."
Meera asked, "Which girl are you talking about, Grandfather? The guest you mentioned earlier?"
Grandfather waved a dismissive hand. "No, no, that's another matter entirely." He glanced at his watch. "We have plenty of time before the guest arrives."
Yash and two other servants seized the girl, dragging her roughly infront of Grandfather and the others.
Mohit, Madhav, and Meera stared at the girl—a nurse, her uniform torn and disheveled, her wrists bound as she struggled against the grip of the servants. Bruises marred her skin, and her breath came in ragged gasps.
Mohit stepped forward, his voice sharp. "Sir, what is this? Why is she being treated like this?"
Madhav's eyes narrowed. "She looks like she's been through enough. Release her."
The girl let out a bitter laugh despite her state. "Oh, how noble. But if you have any sense, you'll let me go right now, or you'll all be in far bigger trouble than you realize."
A heavy thud echoed through the hall as Centaur Beni stepped forward. His deep, commanding voice sent a chill through the air. "This girl did not come here to heal. She came to kill."