The sun dipped low over the campus, painting the sky in hues of rose and amber. Students poured out through the college gates, laughing, calling goodbyes, engines starting and bikes revving — all noise fading behind the silent tension brewing between Yuvaan and Kiara.
She was walking ahead, heels clicking sharply against the pavement, refusing to even glance his way.
"Kiara," Yuvaan called, catching up, his tone soft but firm. "You've been ignoring me since morning."
She didn't stop. "Oh, have I?" she said coolly. "Then maybe you should go back to your Aish. She'd love the attention."
Yuvaan frowned. "Aish?"
Kiara turned, her eyes sparking. "Or whichever sugar baby you're texting these days. I'm sure you've got a list saved somewhere."
Yuvaan couldn't help it — he chuckled, which only deepened the glare on her face.
"You think this is funny?" she snapped.
He leaned against the car, folding his arms. "A little. You get jealous, Mrs. Warlock, and it's adorable."
Kiara huffed, turning away. "Please. I'm not jealous. I just don't share cars with liars."
She started walking toward the main gate, trying to hail a cab. Every taxi that passed was already full.
Behind her, Yuvaan's car rolled slowly forward, keeping pace. "You done throwing a tantrum?" he called out, amused.
Kiara spun around. "Go home, Yuvaan."
He got out, shutting the door with deliberate calm. "It's getting dark, Kiara. Stop being stubborn and get in."
"Do one thing," she shot back. "Call Aish — or any of your ex-girlfriends. Take them home."
She turned to storm off, but then — her feet lifted off the ground. "Yuvaan!" she gasped, flailing as she began levitating, her hair swaying with the invisible energy that wrapped around her.
Yuvaan grinned up at her. "Still want to walk?"
"Put me down right now!" she shouted. "Stop using your dark magic on me, Yuvaan! Don't forget, my father and brother are Reeva Hunters — and I'm one too!"
Yuvaan raised a brow, smirking. "Really? Tell me, Mrs. Hunter — ever even shot an arrow?"
"I could if I wanted to!" she snapped. "And for your information, no boy has ever messed with me in college because I know karate."
He laughed. "You? Karate? You can barely lift your own handbag, Kiara."
Her jaw dropped. "Excuse me?!"
He grinned wider. "I mean, you're more of a 'shopping and selfies' warrior, not exactly 'karate chop' material."
"Yuvaan, put me down or I'll—"
He waved a hand — and she floated gently into the passenger seat of his car. The door slammed shut with a soft click as he got in beside her.
She crossed her arms, fuming. "You might carry me into your car, but I'm not talking to you."
Yuvaan smiled, turning the key in the ignition. "That's okay," he said, eyes glinting. "Your silence is still music to me."
Kiara glared out the window, muttering, "Unbelievable…"
And as the car rolled into the dusky road, neither noticed the faint crescent of the moon glowing in daylight above — watching, waiting, as fate quietly stitched their bond tighter than either realized.
---
The night had fallen — calm, hushed, deceptive. The car glided along the winding road that cut through the forest outskirts, the headlights slicing through a light veil of mist. Yuvaan drove in silence, while Kiara, still sulking, sat with her arms folded, pretending to scroll through her phone.
But deep within the shadows of the trees, something watched them. Yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness — a hulking beast crouched low, its breath steaming in the cold air. Its claws dug into the earth, following their trail like a predator tracking its prey.
---
Scene – The Cave of Answers
Far away, beneath the mountains, the Cave of Answers echoed with the thunder of a sacred waterfall. Ancient carvings glowed faintly as Vikram and Varun stood before the shimmering cascade — the Waterfall Oracle.
The rippling water began to speak in a voice both divine and foreboding.
"The balance of light and dark trembles… Kiara's love may alter the destiny of the one reborn as Kaal — she may draw him from the abyss of shadow into the light of salvation."
Vikram's eyes widened in disbelief. "Then… there is hope?"
"Hope comes at a price," the waterfall whispered. "For the very forces that created darkness will seek to extinguish her light. Every dark soul loyal to Kaal shall rise to eradicate her — before her love can save him."
Varun exchanged a grim look with his father. "Then we must protect her — at any cost."
Vikram clenched his fists, determination replacing the sorrow in his eyes. "Yes. For if Kiara falls… so does the world."
---
Scene – The Roadside
Back on the highway, Yuvaan's brow furrowed as a chill ran down his spine. Something felt… wrong.
He slowed the car and finally stopped in the middle of the road.
Kiara frowned. "What now? Did you forget how to drive?"
"Stay inside," he said sharply, his tone uncharacteristically serious.
Before she could protest, the doors clicked — locked. Yuvaan stepped out, scanning the trees as the air grew unnaturally still.
"Yuvaan, what are you doing?" Kiara called from inside. "This isn't funny—"
He ignored her, moving toward the forest edge. His eyes darkened, irises flickering with faint golden fire as he listened. A branch cracked behind him — he spun — but saw only mist.
And then, a loud thud echoed.
Yuvaan turned sharply — his expression froze.
The car — with Kiara inside — was sinking into the ground, swallowed by a dark, shifting shadow beneath the road.
"Kiara!" he shouted, running toward it.
Inside, Kiara screamed, banging on the windows as the car tilted forward, half-buried in the black void that had opened beneath it. Her eyes widened in terror.
"Yuvaan!"
The ground swallowed the last of the car — and silence returned.
Yuvaan stood there, frozen in shock, his heart pounding as the wind whispered around him. The faint moonlight flickered… as though even the heavens had turned their gaze away.
To be continued… 🌙