: The Witch's Trial
The forest was dense and heavy with mist, the trees standing tall like silent sentinels. Every step Neervrah took was careful, yet curious, drawn by the melodic voice that floated on the air. Agnivrat followed closely behind, a living shadow of fire and resolve, every flicker of his aura warning of the danger ahead.
Neer paused for a moment, closing his eyes and letting the voice guide him. It was hypnotic, sweet, almost unbearably beautiful. His heartbeat quickened—not out of fear, but a strange fascination. Agni's eyes narrowed as he noticed Neer's gaze softening, his usual sharp focus replaced with a delicate vulnerability.
"Neer… control yourself," Agni whispered, his voice firm yet gentle. "It's a trap. Do not let the charm take hold."
Neer smiled faintly over his shoulder. "I know, Agni… but it feels… different this time. I don't understand…"
The two advanced deeper until the source of the voice revealed herself. Beneath the heavy boughs of an ancient tree stood a young woman—her beauty was ethereal, her eyes like dark pools drawing Neer in. Her smile was a trap, her presence intoxicating.
Agni's voice cracked the tense silence. "Stop! Who are you? What have you done to Neer? Speak! What do you want?"
The woman laughed, a sound that rippled like silk over steel. "Oh, my luck has turned! Not one, but two young men have wandered into my hands. This one… I shall make my companion… how handsome… how tempting he is."
Agni's grip on his sword tightened. Fire licked the edges of his palms. "How dare you! I will not allow this!" With a swift motion, he hurled his blade toward her.
The woman's hand rose, stopping it effortlessly. She smirked and spun, sending the sword flying back toward Agni's feet. "You cannot defeat me, boy. I am a Daayan… a witch! And you… are nothing but a mortal."
Agni's focus sharpened. Without a word, he ran toward Neer, who was frozen, mesmerized. "Neer! Snap out of it! I'm here… I've come to protect you!"
The Daayan's laughter rang out, echoing through the trees. "You can try all you want, mortal. He belongs to me now. No shout, no plea, will change that."
Agnivrat lunged at her again. The clash of steel against shadow filled the forest—the fire of Agni against the dark magic of the witch. Spells collided with flames, each strike sending echoes of power through the trees. But no matter how hard Agni fought, the Daayan remained ahead, mocking, untouchable.
Minutes stretched, tension thick in the air. Neer's eyes were locked on Agni's every movement, his breaths shallow, a mixture of fear and awe at the fire burning in his friend's hands.
Finally, the Daayan's voice sliced through the forest, dripping with arrogance. "Now you understand? You cannot defeat me! I am a Daayan… and you… you are merely a man."
Agni's chest heaved. Sweat mingled with ash, but his resolve was unshakable. "Fine… I may not be able to destroy you completely yet, but let him go!"
The Daayan's eyes flickered, amused. "And what will you give me in exchange?"
Agni's gaze did not waver. "If you value him… take me instead. Let him go. I will serve, I will endure… just release him."
The witch's lips curved into a dark smile. She muttered an incantation under her breath. Neer's eyes glowed briefly, consciousness returning as the charm on him broke. At that moment, Neer moved silently, his own sword flashing, slicing through the Daayan's long braid.
"Ah! My braid!" she screamed, fury and pain in her voice. Her true form now revealed—white hair scorched black at the tips, skin burned and twisted, hunched over with a malevolent aura.
Agnivrat's fire roared to life, cascading in a wave toward her. Flames danced over his sword as he advanced, chanting mantras. "Justice… will be done!"
The Daayan shrieked, fire clashing with dark magic, bending the very air around them. Neer's eyes were wide, but he stood firm, drawing strength from Agni's presence.
Once the Daayan was subdued, Agni grabbed Neer's arm, concern flashing across his face. "Are you alright, Neer? Did she harm you?"
Neer only smiled faintly, his gaze locked on Agni's. "I'm fine… thanks to you."
Agnivrat exhaled, fire dimming slightly. "Do not look at me like that… if something happened to you, Gurudev would hold me responsible. That is all."
The Daayan's voice softened, almost human now. "You… have freed me… Agnivrat, Neervrah… I am grateful."
Agni's eyes narrowed. "How… how did a human become this… monster?"
Her story spilled forth, trembling but full of bitterness. She had once been a normal girl, happy with her family, until tragedy struck. Her father died, and her mother and grandmother cast her out. Forced to live with cruel relatives, her mother died under their neglect. Years of abuse and manipulation followed. Arranged marriage, betrayal, and false accusations led to her being hunted, tortured, and abandoned in the forest. It was there a mysterious woman found her, teaching her dark magic, and turning her into a Daayan.
Tears glimmered in Neer's eyes. "We… we are sorry for your suffering… what happened to you was cruel… unfair. But now… now you are free from it."
The Daayan's form softened, light returning to her eyes. Slowly, she began to dissolve into the air, her tormented spirit finally finding peace.
Neer stood still, exhaling slowly, his hand brushing a stray lock of Agni's hair as their shoulders almost touched. Agni's gaze lingered longer than necessary, fire still faintly dancing at his fingertips, warmth radiating between them. For a moment, words were unnecessary just the silent acknowledgment of survival, trust, and unspoken care.
"Neer… come. Let's move before more trouble finds us," Agni murmured, hand resting briefly on Neer's arm.
Neer smiled softly, letting the warmth of Agni's presence ground him. "I'm right here… always."
They turned back toward the forest path, leaving behind the echoes of the Daayan's cries, the twisted trees, and the shadows that once held so much pain. But in the mist and silence, a whisper lingered another danger, another shadow waiting to test them both.
The fire between Agni and Neer was not just of elements now it was the flame of connection, trust, and shared trials. And deep in the dark corners of the forest, unseen eyes watched, waiting for the next move.
---
As they walked, a chilling voice floated through the fog, soft, melodic, yet deadly:
"You freed her… but what of the others? The forest has many secrets… and one of them walks closer than you think."
Neer shivered, glancing at Agni. "Did you hear that?"
Agnivrat's jaw tightened, flames flickering around his hands. "Yes… and I don't like it. Stay close."
Somewhere ahead, in the shadows, the next trial awaited… darker, deadlier, and closer than ever.