Chapter 32 The Truth of Birth the Poison and the Trap
The darkness of the cave was no longer just darkness.
It was breathing.
The patches of green moss clinging to the walls were now giving off a faint blue glow like some poisonous heart beating in the stone. The air reeked of old bones. The sharp smell of burned herbs. And above everything else a coldness that sank straight into the marrow and drained away every trace of warmth from inside.
Kiyan was on his knees.
The blood flowing from his back had slowed now. A thick black stream spreading across the floor into a small dark pool. With every breath his chest rose and fell but the movement was so weak it felt like breathing had become nothing more than a habit his body was too tired to break.
His hands were trembling.
No.
They were not trembling.
They could not even move.
He tried once. Just to lift his fingers. Not even a twitch answered him.
The pain was no longer only in his back. It had spread through his entire body now. A slow constant burning. Like someone had poured molten lead into his veins.
And yet his eyes did not close.
He was looking at his mother.
Nishi the Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force) stood beside the Agni Kund (sacred fire pit). Her braid was no longer whipping through the air. It hung still now. Like a black dead serpent.
You are so innocent my son. Her voice came through the dim air. Soft. Sweet. Almost like a lullaby.
Kiyan's lips moved. No words came out. Only a faint breath escaped stained with blood.
The Chhayagrasini stepped closer. Her feet were still reversed but today she walked across the ground in an ordinary way. As if she no longer needed to hide anything.
When I gave birth to you she said I thought you would become my greatest weakness.
She paused. The violet flames of the Agni Kund danced across her face. Her eyes were no longer golden now but two black pits.
But you became my strength.
Kiyan's breath stopped with a jolt. Something tore open inside his chest. Not from the pain. From those words.
The Chhayagrasini reached out her hand. Her fingers brushed against Kiyan's cheek. Cold. Lifeless.
Because of you I stayed alive for so many years. Her fingers now rested beneath his chin. Her nails pressed in faintly.
Your powers. Your age. Your blood.
She bent down close to his ear. Her breath was cold. Like the air inside a grave.
I gave birth to you for only one reason Kiyan.
A single heartbeat of silence.
So that today I could kill you.
A silver droplet fell from Kiyan's eyes. It clung to his cheek for a moment then slid slowly downward until it reached the corner of his lips.
He moved his mouth.
Ma.
The voice was so weak it dissolved into the air.
The Chhayagrasini took his face in both her hands. Her fingers tightened now.
Yes son. Her smile had fully opened. The glow of the violet flames glinted between her teeth.
I am your mother.
And today I am also your death.
Kiyan closed his eyes.
His shoulders were no longer trembling. He had gone still.
One last long breath came. Then it stopped.
Inside the cave only the crackling of the Agni Kund flames remained.
And somewhere far away on the wind of the forest there was a faint distant scream. Like a bird dying very far from home.
The Chhayagrasini released Kiyan's face. His head dropped slowly forward.
She stood up.
She looked toward the Agni Kund fire.
The flames were rising higher now. And in the space between them a blurred golden figure was beginning to take shape.
The Chhayagrasini's eyes blazed.
Finally.
She spread her arms wide.
Immortality.
The flames surged toward her.
And then at the mouth of the cave a sharp silver light burst through the darkness.
A voice came. Cold. Steady. And painfully familiar.
Ma.
The Chhayagrasini's body went rigid.
She turned slowly.
Kiyan's head was still bowed forward.
But his eyes were slowly opening.
And inside them there was no longer only gold.
There was silver now too.
The Chhayagrasini's breath stopped.
How is this possible.
Kiyan lifted his head slowly. Blood was still on his lips but there was a smile there now. A small exhausted but victorious smile.
Because.
He spoke softly. There was no weakness left in his voice.
I was never your son.
He raised his hand.
The Golden Dagger began sliding out of his back. On its own. And along with the dagger a silver light was emerging.
The Chhayagrasini stumbled backward. Her eyes were now filled with fear.
You. You.
Kiyan rose to his feet.
His body was now radiating both golden and silver light at once. Both powers of a Devanshik (a divinely blessed one who wields divine power) and a Chhayodhbhav (a nightborn entity who drains age). Together.
Ma.
He spoke.
A blinding white gold light erupted through the cave. And the Chhayagrasini's scream echoed out into the endless night.
In the next chapter the full plan will be revealed. When Aarav and Kiyan set all of this into motion. What magic was hidden inside the Golden Dagger. And how Nishi the Chhayagrasini will finally meet her true end.
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