As in the forest and cold air of Lake , Madhav, Meera, Mohit, and Centaur stood with Ketaki, Meera took a step forward, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Really, thank you for your help. If you hadn't been there, our and my friend Madhav's life would have been in danger… or worse, we might not have lived to see another day."
Mohit nodded in agreement and stepped toward Ketaki with a grin. "Yeah, she's right. You're an incredible fighter! What was your name again… Ketli?"
The moment the incorrect name left his lips, Ketaki's expression darkened. A flicker of irritation flashed through her piercing eyes.
Before anyone could react, she moved little towards Mohit. But meera understand what ketaki will do now .
A blur of motion—Ketaki was suddenly in front of Mohit, her dagger pressed lightly against his lips. Here mohit don't realised suddenly what happened now.
Meera gasped. "Ketaki, stop!"
Madhav and Centaur stood frozen, their hands twitching toward their weapons, but neither dared to move.
Ketaki's voice was cold, her eyes locked onto Mohit's. "If you cannot say my name properly, do not say it at all."
Mohit gulped, eyes wide. "It was just a slip of the tongue…!"
Meera, already moving, placed a hand on Ketaki's arm, her voice soothing yet firm. "You're fast, he said wrong name by mistake. So please… don't take another step."
Ketaki flicked her sharp gaze toward Meera. "You read my mind, didn't you?"
Meera gave a small, serious look of troubled explanation. "I had to."
Ketaki said, "Did you kill someone, or was this ability given to you on purpose?
I know many people with skills like this, and believe me, they're not good people."
Centaur, muttered under his breath, "I told you… never trust a shadow elf."
Here Ketaki withdrew her dagger from Mohit's lips, her eyes still sharp with irritation.
Mohit exhaled in relief, placing a hand over his chest. "I really thought I wouldn't be able to speak again… or worse, that I'd die right here. And I don't wanna die unmarried!"
Madhav stepped forward, his expression firm as he looked at Ketaki. "Enough. We're not here to fight each other. This forest is full of mysteries, and we can't afford to waste time with pointless quarrels."
Centaur Beni nodded in agreement. "This is my home. No matter what happens, I'll always stand by you."
Ketaki scoffed, "Your home?" A mocking smirk played on her lips as she tilted her head at Beni. "That's funny coming from a Centaur who was cast out by his own kind. You talk about this forest like it belongs to you, yet you don't even dare step foot in the Southern region. What a joke."
Centaur Beni's eyes flared with anger. His hooves stomped the ground as he took a step toward her. "What did you just say, shadow elf?" His voice was a low growl. "Your black shadow elf has no respect in this forest. You skulk in the shadows like thieves, never belonging anywhere."
The moment the words left his mouth, Ketaki's expression darkened.
In a flash, she lunged forward , ready to fight and move towards Centaur.
Before she could reach Centaur Beni, Madhav used his mastery of martial arts and basic combat skills to move swiftly. He stepped between them, gripping Ketaki's arm firmly. "Control yourself." His voice was calm, but held a sharp warning.
For a moment, the two locked eyes—Ketaki's fierce, burning with confident energy, Madhav's steady, unyielding.
Then, just as quickly, Ketaki wrenched her arm free, her movements swift and fluid.
Her sharp eyes locking onto Madhav's. "Why are you stopping me? We shadow elves have done nothing wrong! And we are not thieves!"
Centaur Beni smirked, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Oh? So you're saying you and the rest of your other shadow elf aren't thieves?"
Ketaki's jaw tightened. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
Madhav studied Beni's expression as Meera and Mohit exchanged uncertain glances.
Centaur Beni continued, his gaze fixed on Ketaki. "Then explain why your shadow elf clan tried to steal the White Lotus from the forest elves' sacred grounds area… right around the same time when the cursed coin was stolen."
A tense silence fell over the group.
Madhav and Mohit turned to Meera, their confusion plain on their faces.
Mohit raised an eyebrow. "Wait—White Lotus? What new mystery is this now?"
Meera's face grew serious, her fingers tightening slightly. "The White Lotus... I've heard it's a legendary flower, said to possess immense magical power. Some believe it can purify magic energy, while others say it grants visions of the past. Many people there , they say different types stories as per their knowledge."
Madhav's brows furrowed as he looked back at Ketaki. "Is this true? Your people were after the White Lotus?"
Ketaki's lips pressed into a thin line. For a long moment, she was silent, her fists clenching at her sides. Then, with a voice heavy with sorrow, she finally spoke.
"It's not true…" Her voice wavered, and to Madhav's surprise, a single tear escaped down her cheek. "When the forest elves discovered that the cursed golden coin had been stolen, someone—spread a terrible rumor… that our clan, the shadow elves, were the ones trying to steal the White Lotus. And because of that lie… war broke out."
The weight of her words settled over the group like a thick fog. Even Centaur Beni, who had been ready to argue, fell silent.
Ketaki took a trembling breath and continued. "The forest elves turned against us, believing we were thieves. We tried to defend ourselves, but no one would listen. They hunted us down, forced us into hiding. Many innocent lives were lost… our people suffered greatly."
Madhav could hear the pain etched into her voice, see the anguish mirrored in her eyes. This wasn't just a story—it was a raw wound, festering and unhealed.
Mohit, whose wit usually danced on his tongue, remained uncharacteristically silent, his gaze drifting between Ketaki and Centaur Beni. Meera's hands clenched into fists, a silent echo of the raw emotions churning within Ketaki.
Centaur Beni, however, remained skeptical. "A convenient story," he muttered. "So you elves claim you didn't want to take the White Lotus, weren't trying to steal it, if it's true ? Then who was spreading these false rumors, and why?"
Ketaki lifted her head, her sadness receding as determination filled her eyes. "That is what my people and I intend to discover : who that person is."
Meera's gentle voice broke the silence, her eyes filled with sympathy. "So… as you're saying, Ketaki — your people did nothing wrong, yet they suffered punishment… and death also?"
Ketaki lowered her gaze, her silver black hair a dark curtain veiling her sorrow. Her voice, soft as the whisper of wind through forgotten ruins, replied — "Yes… every word I spoke is true. We paid for a crime we never committed. Our homes were burned, our elders slain… all because of a lie."
Meera then turned her questioning eyes toward Centaur Beni.
Centaur Beni scratched his beard awkwardly, feeling the weight of their gazes. "Alright, alright… I never claimed to know the full truth," he admitted, waving a hand dismissively. "I only know what I heard from the forest elves. We were ordered not to trust the Shadow Elves… no friendship, no trade, no alliance. That's always been the way."
Meera's face darkened , she turn madhav side. "Then why did my parents never tell me about this war? About the Shadow Elves' suffering?"
Mohit crossed his arms, his tone sharp. "Uncle Beni… even if you don't have the full idea, you shouldn't call someone a thief unless the crime is proven. You're wiser than that."
The centaur grunted, reluctantly nodding. "Perhaps you're right , lad…"
Here, Madhav stepped closer to Ketaki, the palpable sadness surrounding her like a heavy mist. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder—a gentle, steady reassurance.
"I'm truly sorry, Ketaki… for what happened to your people," Madhav said sincerely. "Wars leave behind nothing but sorrow — innocent lives lost, wounds that never heal. But I believe you. And I believe… you will find the one who caused this."
Ketaki lifted her eyes to meet his — eyes filled with ancient pain, but now touched with a glimmer of hope. A faint, fragile smile appeared on her lips.
"Thank you… Madhav," she whispered. "None of this would have happened… if that cursed, rusted golden coin hadn't been stolen that day."
Her words fell like a stone in a still lake.
Silence.
All eyes slowly turned toward Madhav — Meera's, Mohit's, Centaur Beni's — their expressions a mix of shock and realization.
The weight of their stares pressed down on Madhav like a mountain. A bead of sweat traced down his temple. He rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous laugh escaped his lips.
Here madhav said "Uh… listen, Ketaki… about that coin…" He sighed deeply. "It was my great-grandfather who stole the cursed coin… on that day."
The forest seemed to hold its breath. Even the wind paused in its path and lake water sound get soft .
Ketaki's eyes widened, not with anger — but with fate's cruel irony, she get silent for little movement.
"Your great-grandfather…?" she whispered.
Madhav lowered his head, his heart heavy as a stone sinking into the depths of regret. His voice was soft, laced with sorrow. "Yes… my great grandfather stole that cursed coin… and after my grandfather death, I inherited it."
A tear slipped down Madhav's cheek, tracing a path through the dirt and weariness of his journey. "But believe me, Ketaki… whatever he did, my family has paid the price. My great-grandfather died because of that coin, and my elder brother was killed by that cursed coin's demonic hands. Both lost their lives to the curse of that wretched coin."
Ketaki stood still, caught between rage, grief, and confusion. She hadn't expected this. The very person standing before her—the one who had shown her kindness—had now shattered her world. A wave of intense anger washed over her.
In her mind, Ketaki thought fiercely , Please don't say anything, or I might kill you right here and now.
Meera can hear ketaki thoughts. As Meera try to moved forward, here madhav give signal her not to move.
Here, Madhav's voice trembled, yet he stood firm. "I know nothing I say will erase your pain or heal the wounds of your people. But still…" He stepped closer, his eyes pleading. "…if you can find it in your heart, I ask for your forgiveness on behalf of my great -grandfather's sins."
After listening to Madhav's words, silence fell like a shroud over them.
The night breeze stirred the leaves. The distant lake shimmered beneath the moonlight, its waters calm yet haunted.
Ketaki turned away, her gaze falling upon the still lake as she fought to control her anger. The surface was broken only by the delicate bloom of lotus flowers.
She closed her eyes briefly, gathering the storm in her heart. Then, with a voice cold but honest, she spoke, "Your family's suffering—your great-grandfather's death or your elder brother's—does not wash away the pain of my people. Their blood still stains the soil of this forest."
She turned back to face Madhav, her eyes sharp like blades. "You know that if I wanted to kill you, no one could stop me. But killing you will not bring a perfect solution."
And "I am not the one who holds the right to forgive you," Ketaki said quietly. "That right belongs to my clan… to those who lost everything."
She took a breath — steady, unwavering.
"If you truly wish to face this past… if your words are not hollow… then you must come with me — to the heart of the Shadow Elf territory."
Her gaze locked with Madhav's.
Madhav stood tall, his voice calm but resolute. "I will go with you, Ketaki… to your clan's home. In front of your people — I will ask for their forgiveness. Whatever fate decides… I am ready to face it."
At once, Centaur Beni stepped forward, his heavy hooves pressing into the forest soil, his weathered face dark with concern. "Are you out of your mind, boy?" he grunted. "Even if this elf girl speaks the truth — do you know what awaits you there? Once they learn what your great-grandfather did… it won't be forgiveness they offer you — it will be death."
His stern eyes softened for a moment. "Come with me instead, Madhav. We'll find a way to save your friend Raj together. — there's still hope."
But Madhav shook his head, his determination burning bright beneath the moonlight. "No, Uncle Beni… I can't turn away. My family bears the weight of this curse. We may have suffered… but so have they. I can't run from this truth any longer. I must face it — even if danger awaits me."
Centaur Beni let out a frustrated sigh, glancing at Meera as if seeking support. "Meera, child… speak to him. Tell him not to go there. If anything happens to him… how will I face your grandfather? Say ,How will I answer to my brother, Kamal?"
But Meera stepped beside Madhav, her eyes steady, her voice unwavering. "Uncle Beni… I have nothing to say that will change his heart. And I won't let him go alone. I will walk this path with him."
Centaur Beni's frown deepened. He turned to Mohit — the last hope of reason.
But Mohit raised his hands signal no. "Don't look at me, Uncle… you know I always stand by my friend. If Madhav goes, I go too. That's how we've always been."
For a long moment, Centaur Beni was silent — caught between wisdom and loyalty, fear and duty. The forest wind rustled through the leaves, as if whispering ancient secrets.
Finally, with a deep sigh, he shook his head in surrender. "Fine… fine… stubborn fools, all of you." His gaze softened. "Then I will go too. Not because I believe this is wise — but because someone must protect you from the shadows that wait in those lands."
Madhav's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Uncle Beni… truly."
Beni snorted, hiding his concern behind his rough voice. "Hmph… don't thank me yet, boy. You may regret stepping into the heart of the Shadow Elves' domain."
Ketaki, who had watched the exchange in silence, finally spoke — her voice quiet, "Then prepare yourselves."