Final Chapter 40 The Oath of Vengeance
The first light of morning had not yet touched the windowpane when Aarav's eyes snapped open. His sleep had broken before the harsh cry of his alarm as if his very soul knew this day would be anything but ordinary. A low persistent thrumming sat in his chest a strange alloy of dread and a desperate clawing hope.
He rose moving through his morning routine with mechanical precision. The cold water of the shower woke his body but did nothing for the disquiet in his mind. Dressed he went directly to his father's room. The door was ajar. He pushed it gently open.
Papa.
The room was empty. The bed was made the sheets taut without a crease as if it had not been slept in at all. But Aarav's gaze was drawn to a glint on top of the wardrobe. The golden katar. The very one Bhaskar had used to strike Kiyan the one that had siphoned his strength. Its hilt was intricately carved and the blade though cleaned bore a faint stubborn brownish stain perhaps a trace of Kiyan's silver blood.
His feet carried him forward of their own volition. He reached out hesitated then touched the cold metal. It was unnaturally cool under his fingertips. A jolt like a static shock but deeper ran up his arm.
A voice called from outside. Aarav. Aarav where are you beta.
Aarav pulled his hand back as if burned and left the room. In the dining area a scene of domestic normalcy was laid out. Pushpa Didi had made a special breakfast soft buttered parathas spiced potatoes fresh yogurt with cream.
Bhaskar was smiling but the smile did not reach his eyes. Come Aarav. Look your favourite breakfast. Come eat.
Aarav sat down silently and began to eat but his focus was elsewhere. His hands trembled slightly a drop of yogurt spilling from his spoon.
Arushi noticed. What is wrong Aarav. You are so quiet. Did something happen.
No Didi. Nothing happened Aarav said quickly.
Bhaskar placed a hand on his back. What is it Aarav. You are very quiet today.
Aarav looked up. It is nothing Papa. Just thinking about yesterday that is all
Bhaskar cut him off his voice taking on a forced hearty tone. Aarav forget all that. It is all part of a Devanshik (a divinely blessed one who wields divine power) life. Now eat your breakfast in peace. And you were saying you had to go to college today for some work. A strange tight expression crossed Bhaskar's face. And perhaps to meet Kiyan.
Aarav met his father's gaze. Papa let go of your anger now and enjoy your favourite breakfast.
Arushi chimed in Yes Papa eat.
Aarav managed a small smile. Papa I am done. I am leaving now to meet Kiyan and finish my college work.
Bhaskar nodded. Alright beta. But come back before dark.
Okay Papa.
Arushi waved. Take care.
I will Didi. Aarav forced another smile. Can I go now.
Arushi laughed. Yes yes. Go on.
Aarav left the smile dropping from his face the moment he turned. He got on his bike the engine's growl a welcome distraction. As he rode a fragile narrative built in his mind. The hard part is over. Now things will be okay. I can go to Kiyan without fear. The only danger is from that Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force). If only she would just stay away. But whatever comes between us I will handle it. He focused on the immediate goal college then the black Andhkaar Guha (dark cave) in the forest. I will just talk to him. Properly. Everything will be fine.
He reached the college gates. Nayan and Karishma were there.
You two together Aarav asked a ghost of his old teasing self surfacing.
Karishma raised an eyebrow. Yes why. Got a problem.
Aarav laughed the sound too bright. Yeah I am jealous of you guys. You are a couple now and I am all alone.
Nayan chuckled clapping his shoulder. Alone. What about your partner Kiyan
Karishma cut in quickly Nayan really. Aarav means his partner is far away. She is probably around somewhere if you would just look.
Aarav's laugh was brittle. Yeah that is it. I will definitely look.
They walked into campus. Nayan asked quieter now Kiyan did not come today. Did he tell you anything Aarav.
No man he did not tell me anything.
Alright.
Aarav's mind churned. Is Kiyan not healed yet. After yesterday's attack is he okay. Or is he in some deeper trouble. I need to go see him. I will submit my assignment and then head out.
Nayan nudged him. What is up Aarav. Lost in thought. Dreaming of your partner.
Aarav ran a hand through his hair a sheepish grin plastered on his face. Oh you. Have you gone mad. I was not thinking about anyone. But the grin felt like a mask straining at the seams.
Karishma broke the moment. Alright fine. Let us just get our assignments done and meet outside. She walked away. Nayan followed soon after.
Aarav stood alone for a moment. I am coming Kiyan. Just a little while longer.
He submitted his work and met Nayan and Karishma outside the gates.
Let us go guys Aarav said the false cheer back in his voice.
Yes Karishma took a step and her sandal slipped. Her foot twisted awkwardly and she cried out falling to the ground.
Aarav and Nayan rushed to help her up. Karishma are you okay Nayan fretted.
Ah my foot. It really hurts.
Let us get you to a doctor Aarav said the urgency genuine now.
Nayan shook his head. No it is fine. I will take her. You go you must be getting late.
Aarav hesitated then nodded. Okay. Take care. He walked away leaving his friends behind. The pull towards the forest was a physical force now.
Deep in the woods Kiyan stood outside the black Andhkaar Guha calling into the shadows. Mother. Where are you. Mother. He strained his ears picking up a faint rhythmic sound like a distant hammering. He began to move towards it. Then he saw a figure approaching through the trees.
Aarav.
A wave of pure unadulterated relief washed over Kiyan. He started forward a real smile breaking through his anxiety. Aarav. You came.
Aarav was smiling too a wide welcoming smile. Kiyan. Yes I came to you.
Kiyan quickened his pace. Aarav were you coming to me. I was about to come find you.
He was steps away when he saw it. Beside Aarav half hidden in the ferns lay a figure. His mother.
Kiyan's blood turned to ice. He rushed forward dropping to his knees beside her. She was writhing in silent agony her golden eyes wide with pain. She tried to speak his name to point but only a pained gasp escaped her lips.
Mother. What happened. How how did this His hands hovered over her unsure where to touch where the wounds were.
Her trembling hand lifted one finger extending not towards her own injuries but pointedly accusingly at Aarav.
Kiyan's head snapped up.
Aarav was still smiling. And in his right hand held loosely as if it were the most natural thing in the world was the golden katar. The blade was dark and wet.
That is the dagger. The one his father used on me. No this cannot be happening.
Aarav Kiyan's voice was a shattered thing. What have you done. Why did you do this. You tried to kill my mother.
His hands shook violently. Tears not of silver but of hot human salt spilled from his eyes carving tracks through the dust on his face.
Aarav took a step closer his smile softening into something like gentle reasoning. What else was I to do Kiyan. She was keeping you from me. She forced my hand. I tried to reason with her but she would not listen. I had to finish it.
Kiyan could only stare his world collapsing inward.
Kiyan do not cry Aarav continued his voice a soothing murmur. I am here for you. Yes we will be together now. No one can keep friends apart. I have almost taken care of this Chhayagrasini. She will be gone soon and then the thorn in our path will be removed forever.
Rage cold and absolute exploded in Kiyan's chest. He looked up at Aarav the boy who had taught him to live who had held him in a cave who had forgiven him. The face was the same but the eyes the eyes held a fanatical possessive light he had never seen before.
Shut up Kiyan roared the sound tearing from his throat. Get away from me. You tried to kill my mother so you could have me to yourself. I hate you. Aarav get out of here or I will end you.
Aarav's smile finally faltered replaced by a frown of pained misunderstanding. He took another step reaching out to place a hand on Kiyan's trembling shoulder. Kiyan I only removed the obstacle from our path. And you misunderstand me. She is just a Chhayagrasini. And for her you are telling me to leave.
Kiyan violently shrugged off the touch shoving Aarav back with a surge of strength. She is not just a Chhayagrasini. She is my mother. Get out of here. Go. Or nothing will save you from me. Aarav leave and never come back into my life.
Aarav's face hardened. The last vestige of the boy Kiyan knew vanished replaced by the cold visage of a zealot who saw the world in absolutes. Fine Kiyan. As you wish. But you will come back to me. I know you will. He turned on his heel and stalked away disappearing into the trees without a backward glance.
Kiyan watched him go until the last rustle of leaves faded. Then his strength gave out. He gathered his mother's limp pain wracked form into his arms and carried her back to the black Andhkaar Guha. He laid her on the cool stone his hands glowing with a frantic golden light as he tried to heal the vicious wounds. But where the katar had struck the flesh was poisoned resistant. The restorative water he splashed on it sizzled against the tainted injury and his own hands burned where they touched the corrupted edges.
He worked tears streaming down his face unabated. Mother you were right he sobbed the words a raw confession. All humans are the same. I did not listen to you Mother. Forgive me. Aarav he was just like the rest of them. Forgive me. He cried until his voice was hoarse then looked up at the cave's dark ceiling his grief crystallizing into something hard and sharp.
AARAV he screamed the name no longer a plea but a curse a vow thrown into the void. I WILL NOT LET YOU GO.
Aarav arrived home on his bike. His clothes were dirt stained a dark damp patch visible on his sleeve.
Arushi was at the door. Your clothes they are so dirty. And is that blood.
Aarav brushed past her his movements jerky. It is nothing Didi. Just a small cut. It is nothing.
A cut. Where.
Not on me it was Karishma. The lie was swift automatic. He went straight to his room and shut the door.
Arushi stared after him a knot of worry tightening in her stomach before turning back to her chores.
Inside his room Aarav tossed and turned on his bed sleep impossible. He got up poured a glass of water from the jug and drank it in one frantic gulp. His body was slick with a cold sweat. He turned the fan on high and lay back down his eyes fixed on the ceiling. They held a strange glassy sheen.
He tried to smile but the expression cracked and fell away. A single hot tear escaped the corner of his eye soaking into the pillow without a sound. He whispered into the humming silence his voice so low it was almost inaudible even to himself
No one will stop us now Kiyan. No one.
Outside the city in the deep heart of the forest within the darkness of the black Andhkaar Guha Kiyan cradled his mother's cooling body. Silver tears fell from his golden eyes in an endless stream pooling on the stone floor into a small shimmering rivulet. The last warmth was leaching from her form.
Slowly he raised his head. The grief in his eyes was gone burned away replaced by a void of black absolute rage. He stared in the direction Aarav had gone and a promise slipped from his lips poisoning the air
You will pay for what you have done Aarav. For every drop of blood. For every tear. I will not let you go. Never.
Two lovers now two enemies. One mistook possession for victory the other saw only betrayal. One's triumph had carved a hollow cave in his own heart the other's sorrow had taken root as a seed of apocalypse.
The night deepened. The distance between them was no longer measured in miles but in a chasm of shattered trust and blood oaths a gap that perhaps could never be bridged again.
Their story had not ended.
It had merely twisted into a new more terrible chapter. A chapter written in blood lit by golden fury and shadowed by the ghost of a love that had curdled into the darkest kind of hate. The dance was over. The war had begun.
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