Leaving the horrors of the cave behind, Arohi galloped toward the palace on her horse. The world around her was shrouded in deep darkness, but the morning star flickering in a corner of the sky signaled that the night was almost over. Arohi rode like a woman possessed. Every fleeting second felt like an eternity. She knew there was no time to lose. If she failed to hold the Magic Mirror before Aditya's eyes before the first light of dawn, he would remain an accursed Dracula forever. He would never see the sunlight again, and his humanity would be lost to the shadows for all time.
As she rode, tears welled up in her eyes and blurred her vision. She thought to herself, "Is Aditya suffering right now? Does he know I'm coming for him with this key? If this final hour of the night passes, I will lose him forever. He will become a restless soul, wandering eternally in the thirst of darkness." Wiping her tears away, she gritted her teeth and vowed not to give up. She wouldn't let Aditya's royal identity be swallowed by the cursed trap of the Dracula.
Her mind was flooded with memories of Aditya's sweet smile and the melody of his flute. Where was that man hiding now, as the Prince of Darkness? The thundering sound of the horse's hooves made the entire forest tremble, and Arohi felt her heartbeat racing in sync with the rhythm. She had to reach him—for Aditya, and for their love.
When the horse finally skidded to a halt at the main palace gates, Arohi's body was trembling with exhaustion, but fueled by sheer willpower, she leaped down. Before the palace guards could even grasp the situation, she rushed toward her mother's (the Queen Mother) chambers like a whirlwind.
The Queen Mother was standing by the window, gazing anxiously at the sky. As soon as she saw Arohi, she hurried forward in suspense. Gasping for breath, Arohi held up the magical key in her hand, "Mother! I've brought it. The witch is no more; I have seized the key from her!"
Tears glistened in the Queen Mother's eyes. Placing her hand on Arohi's forehead, she said, "I knew you could do it. I have been waiting for this very moment."
Arohi said urgently, "There's no time left, Mother! There's only a little while before sunrise. Take me to the chest. Where is it hidden?"
Without wasting another second, the Queen Mother led Arohi toward an ultra-secret chamber of the palace. The key to that room hung from the Queen Mother's waist. She unlocked the door and they stepped inside. In a corner of the room lay an old stone chest covered in dust. With trembling hands, Arohi inserted the magical key she had taken from the witch's neck into the lock.
With a sharp 'click,' the lid of the chest swung open. Inside, wrapped in velvet cloth, was the Magic Mirror! As Arohi took the mirror into her hands, a bolt of energy surged through her entire body. A strange, divine power and confidence filled her heart. She could feel that within this mirror lay the final key to saving Aditya.
Clutching the mirror carefully to her chest, Arohi said, "Mother, I have the mirror, but the real task is still ahead! Where is Aditya? Where will I find him in this vast palace? The night is almost over—will I be able to reach him in time?"
The Queen Mother looked gravely at the darkness outside and said, "The Dracula's curse is at its peak right now. He might be hiding on the highest spire of the palace or in some dark, forgotten corner. You must follow the call of your heart to find him, Arohi. Your love will guide you to him."
Arohi dashed up the palace stairs, clutching the Magic Mirror tightly to her chest. No one had told her, but she could feel it deep within her soul—if this final hour of the night passed, the curse would become permanent. Her own intuition was urging her: she had to be faster, even faster!
Failing to find Aditya in the main chambers of the palace, she rushed straight toward the highest and oldest tower. The darkness there was still thick and suffocating. Suddenly, a mournful yet violent roar echoed from above. Hearing the sound made Arohi's heart tremble—it was unmistakably Aditya's voice, but it was laced with the feral brutality of the Dracula. Arohi knew that since the witch was dead, the bond of the curse had weakened. Aditya was likely no longer a bat; he had returned to his human form, but his consciousness was still trapped in the grip of darkness.
As she stepped onto the roof after climbing the stone spiral stairs, Arohi saw a tall shadow standing in the fading moonlight. Aditya! He had indeed regained his human shape, but his nails were long like a beast's, and his eyes glowed intensely in the dark. With the witch's death, the magical energy within him was fading, causing him to writhe in agony. He saw Arohi but did not recognize her; instead, he bared his fangs and let out a terrifying shriek. He was now a lost predator, struggling with his own existence.
Holding the mirror firmly, Arohi took a step forward. She felt no fear, for she knew that behind this monstrous appearance lay the person she loved most. She thought to herself, "Just a few more moments, Aditya... I am here." The sky was beginning to pale, and the darkness of night was fading. Before the Dracula within him could launch a final attack, Arohi had to finish her task.