Chapter 18: The Commander’s Fall
The team stood around a holographic display inside their base’s central chamber, the Seal of Balance glowing faintly on a pedestal nearby. The hologram projected a map of Varunasura’s empire—an ever-expanding web of territories, each node representing a stronghold or a commander.
Prithvi tapped the console, zooming in on the nearest stronghold. “This is where we start: Terra Deep.”
“Terra Deep?” Arjun asked, leaning closer to the map. “Sounds cozy.”
“It’s anything but,” Vikram said, adjusting his glasses. “It’s one of Varunasura’s most fortified bases. Deep underground, built into a mountain. He’s using it as a nexus to consolidate the energy from the elemental rings he’s already gathered.”
“And the commander?” Kaal Sarp asked, his voice cold and steady.
Prithvi brought up an image: a hulking figure clad in obsidian armor, his gauntlets glowing with the energy of the Ring of Earth.
“Terras,” Prithvi said. “He’s ruthless, and his control over the ring makes him nearly unmovable. If we’re going to stop Varunasura from gaining more power, we need to take him out.”
Sona crossed her arms, studying the map. “What’s the plan? Charging in isn’t exactly an option. If Terras can manipulate the terrain, he’ll bury us alive before we get close.”
“That’s why we’re not going in as one unit,” Prithvi said. He tapped the display again, highlighting key points around the stronghold. “We split into two teams. Sona and Arjun will lead a diversionary assault on the outer defenses, drawing Terras’s forces out. Meanwhile, Kaal, Vikram, and I will infiltrate the base and disable its energy core. That’ll cut off Terras’s connection to the ring, making him vulnerable.”
“And then?” Arjun asked, a wry grin forming on his face.
“Then we take him down,” Prithvi said simply.
The tension in the room was palpable as the team absorbed the plan. Sona was the first to break the silence.
“It’s risky,” she said. “But it’s the best shot we’ve got.”
Arjun nodded, gripping Vritra. “I’ll keep the big guy distracted. You just make sure you finish the job.”
Vikram adjusted his datapad, his fingers flying over the controls. “I’ll need a few minutes to set up the core disruption. If Terras figures out what we’re doing before I’m done…”
“He won’t,” Kaal said, his tone matter-of-fact.
Vikram raised an eyebrow. “Confident, are we?”
“No,” Kaal said, his expression unreadable. “Just realistic.”
Prithvi stepped back, his gaze sweeping over the team. “This won’t be easy. Terras is one of Varunasura’s strongest commanders, and his forces won’t hesitate to throw everything they’ve got at us. But if we succeed here, we cripple Varunasura’s ability to consolidate the rings’ power. That gives us the edge we need.”
Sona glanced at the Seal of Balance, its faint glow casting long shadows across the room. “Let’s make it count.”
Prithvi nodded. “We move at dawn. Rest up and get your gear ready. This is the first step toward turning the tide.”
The team dispersed, each member retreating to prepare for the mission. Prithvi lingered by the hologram, his eyes fixed on the image of Terras.
Chanakya’s voice chimed softly in his ear. “Terras is formidable. His connection to the Ring of Earth allows him to shape the terrain to his advantage. Engaging him directly will require precision.”
“I know,” Prithvi said, his voice low. “That’s why we have to take out the core first. If we don’t cut off his power, we don’t stand a chance.”
Chanakya paused, then added, “You’re carrying the burden of the Seal as well. Its energy is… volatile. Be cautious.”
Prithvi clenched his fists, the faint hum of the Seal pulsing against his chest. “I’ll manage.”
As the sun began to rise, the team gathered by the craft, their expressions grim but resolute.
“Everyone ready?” Prithvi asked, his voice steady.
Sona adjusted her gauntlets, a faint smirk on her lips. “Always.”
Arjun twirled Vritra, its blade gleaming in the morning light. “Let’s give Terras a warm welcome.”
Vikram checked his equipment one last time, nodding. “Let’s hope the mountain doesn’t collapse on us.”
Kaal remained silent, his daggers glinting faintly as he took his place at the rear.
The craft lifted off, slicing through the cold air as it sped toward Terra Deep. The mountain loomed in the distance, its jagged peaks shrouded in mist.
Inside the craft, the team reviewed the plan one last time.
“We hit hard and fast,” Prithvi said. “No hesitation. No second-guessing. If we falter, even for a second, Terras will use it against us.”
“Got it,” Arjun said, his voice firm.
As the craft approached the drop zone, Prithvi glanced at the team. “We’ve got this,” he said, his voice carrying a quiet conviction.
The hatch opened, the cold wind rushing in as they prepared to jump.
“For balance,” Prithvi said, stepping into the void.
The team followed, plunging into the chaos that awaited them below.
The frigid wind howled past as the team descended from the craft, their descent marked by the glow of their gear and the faint hum of the Seal of Balance pulsing against Prithvi’s chest. Below, the mountain stronghold of Terra Deep sprawled out like a jagged wound carved into the earth, its entrance surrounded by towering stone pillars and fortified defenses.
“Visual on the target,” Sona said through comms, her sharp eyes scanning the area. She landed lightly on a snow-dusted ridge overlooking the stronghold, her gauntlets already sparking to life.
Arjun landed beside her, Vritra in hand. “Lot of movement down there. Looks like they know we’re coming.”
“Good,” Sona said with a smirk. “Let them waste their time on us while the others get inside.”
Farther up the ridge, Prithvi, Kaal, and Vikram touched down silently, keeping to the shadows. Prithvi activated the cloaking field on his Kavacha VII, rendering their group nearly invisible as they crept closer to the stronghold’s rear entrance.
“Core access point should be beneath the main structure,” Vikram whispered, his datapad glowing faintly. “I’ll need at least five minutes to disable the security grid once we’re inside.”
“Make it three,” Kaal said, his daggers glinting in the dim light. “We won’t have the luxury of time.”
Prithvi nodded. “Stay focused. Sona and Arjun will keep the heat off us. We move the moment they strike.”
At the stronghold’s front gate, Sona and Arjun exchanged a glance.
“You ready for this?” Sona asked, tightening her gauntlets.
Arjun grinned, his blade crackling with energy. “Always.”
Sona raised her arm, the Ring of Chandra glowing faintly as she summoned a torrent of water from the air around her. The liquid coiled and solidified, forming a massive icy spear that she hurled at the gate with a deafening crash.
The impact shattered the stone barrier, sending chunks of rock flying in every direction. Alarms blared, and the ground trembled as Varunasura’s forces poured out to meet them.
“Showtime,” Arjun said, leaping into the fray.
The soldiers were relentless, their armor reinforced with earth-based enhancements that made them nearly impervious to conventional attacks. But Arjun’s blade was anything but conventional.
He moved like a blur, Vritra slicing through stone and steel as if it were air. When one soldier lunged at him, he spun, slowing time just enough to sidestep the attack and counter with a devastating strike.
Sona wasn’t far behind, her movements precise as she used her control over water to ensnare and crush the advancing troops. A wave of liquid surged forward, sweeping away an entire line of enemies before freezing them solid.
“Keep them coming,” she muttered, her breath visible in the cold air.
At the rear of the stronghold, Prithvi and the others slipped through a hidden access tunnel, the sounds of the battle above echoing faintly around them.
“We’re in,” Vikram whispered, his datapad lighting the way. “The core should be just ahead.”
The tunnel opened into a vast underground chamber, its walls lined with glowing veins of molten rock. At the center of the room stood a massive crystal structure, its surface pulsating with energy.
“That’s the core,” Vikram said, his voice tinged with awe. “It’s channeling energy directly from the Ring of Earth. If I can destabilize it, Terras won’t be able to draw power from the ring.”
“Then get to work,” Prithvi said, his eyes scanning the chamber for any signs of movement.
As Vikram began working, Kaal stood guard, his daggers at the ready. “This is too easy,” he muttered.
Prithvi nodded, his gauntlets glowing faintly. “Stay sharp. Terras won’t let us do this without a fight.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the ground beneath them began to tremble. The molten veins lining the walls flared brighter, and a deep, rumbling laugh echoed through the chamber.
“You think you can sever my connection to the earth?” a booming voice called out. “Fools.”
The chamber shook violently as Terras emerged from the shadows, his obsidian armor gleaming like freshly cut stone. The Ring of Earth on his hand pulsed with power, and with a single gesture, the ground beneath Prithvi and Kaal erupted in jagged spikes.
Prithvi dodged to the side, his gauntlets igniting as he launched a wave of fire at Terras. The flames licked at the commander’s armor but did little more than leave a faint scorch mark.
Terras laughed again, his voice echoing like an avalanche. “Is that the best you can do, Vedic Man? The earth is my domain. You cannot hope to defeat me here.”
Kaal moved swiftly, his daggers flashing as he darted around the chamber, looking for an opening. But every strike he attempted was met with a wall of stone, Terras’s control over the terrain absolute.
“Vikram!” Prithvi shouted, blocking another wave of spikes with a barrier of fire. “How much longer?”
“Two minutes!” Vikram called back, frantically tapping at his datapad. “I’m almost there!”
Sona’s voice crackled through the comms. “We’ve got more troops heading your way! Whatever you’re doing, finish it fast!”
“Working on it!” Prithvi replied, dodging another attack.
He raised his arm, channeling energy from the Seal of Balance. A surge of fire erupted from his gauntlet, this time catching Terras off guard and forcing him back.
Terras growled, his massive frame shaking with fury. “You dare challenge the earth itself? I will bury you all!”
The ground quaked violently, and massive chunks of stone began to fall from the ceiling.
“Time’s up,” Kaal said, his voice cold. “Vikram, now.”
With a final tap on his datapad, Vikram shouted, “Done!”
The crystal core flared brightly, its energy destabilizing in a cascade of golden light. The chamber shook as the connection between Terras and the Ring of Earth began to falter.
“No!” Terras roared, his movements slowing as the power drained from him.
Prithvi seized the opportunity, launching himself forward with a burst of flame. His gauntlets struck Terras’s armor, shattering the weakened stone and sending the commander crashing to the ground.
As Terras lay defeated, the chamber began to collapse around them.
“Move!” Prithvi shouted, grabbing Vikram and pulling him toward the exit.
The team raced through the tunnel, the sound of crumbling stone and molten rock filling the air. As they emerged into the open, the ground behind them gave way, swallowing the stronghold in a fiery explosion.
Breathing heavily, Prithvi looked back at the destruction. “One down,” he said grimly. “But the fight’s far from over.”
The acrid smell of smoke and scorched earth hung heavy in the air as Sona and Arjun stood at the edge of the battlefield, their chests heaving from exertion. Around them lay the remnants of Varunasura’s forces—shattered armor, frozen weapons, and the faint shimmer of dissipating elemental energy.
“Well,” Arjun said, leaning on Vritra like a staff, “that wasn’t so bad.”
Sona shot him a look, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Half the mountain’s defenses just collapsed, and we’re running on fumes. If this wasn’t ‘so bad,’ I don’t want to see what ‘bad’ looks like.”
Before Arjun could respond, a sharp crackle came through their comms.
“Arjun, Sona—report,” Prithvi’s voice came through, tense but steady.
Sona pressed a finger to her earpiece. “We’re clear, but barely. The front lines are neutralized, and reinforcements are pulling back. What about you?”
“We’ve got Terras,” Prithvi replied. “But the stronghold’s gone. We’re regrouping at the extraction point.”
“Terras is down?” Arjun asked, straightening up. “You didn’t save anything for us?”
“Trust me, you didn’t miss much,” Vikram cut in. “Unless you enjoy narrowly avoiding getting crushed by falling rocks.”
“Focus,” Sona snapped. “We’ll meet you at the rendezvous. Keep your comms open.”
She gestured for Arjun to follow as they began the climb toward the extraction point, the distant rumble of the destroyed stronghold still echoing through the mountains.
As they ascended, the tension between them grew. Sona moved with a determined pace, her jaw tight, while Arjun lagged slightly behind, his casual demeanor masking his unease.
“You’ve been quiet,” Arjun said, breaking the silence. “That’s not like you.”
Sona didn’t slow down. “I’m thinking.”
“About?”
“About how close we are to losing everything,” she said, her voice sharp. “About how Varunasura isn’t just going to let us pick off his commanders one by one. And about how every step we take feels like we’re walking into a trap.”
Arjun smirked, though there was little humor in it. “Sounds like business as usual to me.”
Sona stopped abruptly, turning to face him. “Do you ever take anything seriously?”
Arjun’s smirk faded. “I take a lot of things seriously. I just don’t let it show all the time.”
“Maybe you should start,” Sona said, her tone colder than the wind around them. “Because if we don’t, someone’s going to get killed.”
Her words hung in the air for a moment before she turned and continued up the ridge. Arjun hesitated, then followed, his grip tightening on Vritra.
When they reached the extraction point, the rest of the team was already waiting. Prithvi stood near the edge of a steep cliff, his gaze distant as the wind whipped around him. Vikram was seated on a rock, typing furiously on his datapad, while Kaal Sarp stood off to the side, his daggers sheathed but his posture tense.
“You made it,” Vikram said without looking up. “Good. I was starting to wonder if we’d have to send a search party.”
“Very funny,” Arjun said, brushing past him.
Sona approached Prithvi, her expression softening slightly. “Terras?”
“Finished,” Prithvi said without turning. “The Ring of Earth is out of his hands, and his stronghold is gone. But this is just one battle. We still have a long way to go.”
Vikram looked up from his datapad. “Speaking of which, we have a problem. The energy disruption we caused? It’s sending ripples across Varunasura’s network. His other commanders are going to know something’s wrong, and they’ll be on high alert.”
“Let them be,” Kaal said, his tone as calm as ever. “It won’t stop us.”
“It’ll slow us down,” Sona countered. “And every second we lose gives Varunasura more time to consolidate his power.”
Prithvi nodded, his jaw tightening. “Then we move faster. No more waiting, no more hesitation. We hit the next target before they have a chance to regroup.”
Arjun raised an eyebrow. “You’re really in a hurry to get yourself killed, aren’t you?”
Prithvi turned to him, his gaze steady. “This isn’t about me. It’s about stopping Varunasura before he gains enough power to become unstoppable. If we don’t act now, there won’t be a world left to save.”
Sona stepped forward, her voice firm. “We’re with you, Prithvi. But we can’t keep fighting like this forever. We need to regroup, rethink our strategy.”
“There’s no time for that,” Prithvi said, his voice rising slightly. “Every second we waste is a second Varunasura uses to gain the upper hand.”
The tension in the group was palpable, but it was Vikram who broke the silence.
“There might be a middle ground,” he said, his tone cautious. “We’ve destabilized Varunasura’s network. If we can figure out where his commanders are gathering, we can strike before they consolidate their forces.”
“And how do we find that out?” Sona asked.
Vikram gestured to his datapad. “The Seal of Balance is tied to the rings. If I can cross-reference its energy signature with Varunasura’s network, I might be able to pinpoint the locations of his remaining commanders.”
Prithvi considered this, then nodded. “Do it. We’ll regroup at the base and plan our next move from there.”
The team began preparing for the return trip, but the tension lingered. As they boarded the craft, Sona glanced at Prithvi, her voice low.
“You can’t do this alone,” she said.
“I’m not alone,” Prithvi replied, though his tone carried the weight of someone who felt very much isolated.
Sona didn’t press further, but the look in her eyes said enough. The battle against Varunasura wasn’t just a fight for the world—it was a fight to keep their team, and themselves, from fracturing under the weight of it all.
The craft hummed low as it cruised through the thinning mountain air, the shattered remnants of Terra Deep fading into the distance behind them. Inside the cabin, the team braced themselves for the next strike, their tension palpable.
Prithvi leaned forward, studying the holo-map projected from a console. “Varunasura isn’t going to take this loss lightly. If Vikram’s scans are right, our next target should be Aquaeus—Varunasura’s aquatic commander.”
“About time we shut him down,” Arjun said, resting his blade on his lap. “That guy’s been harassing coastal cities since this mess began.”
Vikram adjusted his seat, faint sigils glowing in the air as he conjured a translucent orb of light between his hands. The orb pulsed with an ethereal hum, shifting faintly as he muttered an incantation.
“What are you doing?” Kaal asked, eyeing the glowing construct with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
“Recon,” Vikram said, his voice calm but focused. “Aquaeus won’t just wait for us to show up. If I can trace his energy signature through the traces left by the Seal, I might be able to narrow down his exact location before we reach the coast.”
The team watched as the orb grew brighter, fragments of light dancing within it. A faint image appeared, distorted and flickering, but unmistakably a projection of a sprawling underwater palace. The glow of bioluminescent creatures lit the water around it, their eerie shapes darting in and out of view.
“There,” Vikram said, pointing to a glowing structure at the heart of the projection. “That’s his base. It’s heavily shielded—arcane barriers layered over reinforced structures. We’ll need precision to break through.”
Arjun raised an eyebrow. “You can do that with your magic?”
“Not alone,” Vikram admitted, closing his hands to dissipate the orb. “But I can weaken the barriers enough for Prithvi’s Kavacha or Sona’s water control to punch through.”
“Good,” Prithvi said, his voice steady. “We hit them fast. If Aquaeus is as connected to the sea as we think, we can’t give him time to prepare.”
Kaal crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall. “And when his forces come flooding out to greet us?”
“I’ve got that covered,” Vikram said, flicking his wrist. A spectral sigil shimmered into the air, its intricate design glowing faintly before vanishing. “I’ve been working on a new containment spell. It won’t last long, but it should hold back his reinforcements long enough for us to take him down.”
Sona, who had been quietly watching, gave him a nod of approval. “Nice work. Just make sure it holds. I don’t want to be swimming for my life halfway through this.”
The craft descended as they neared the coastline, the faint glow of the ocean visible through the cabin’s windows. The sound of waves crashing against jagged cliffs filled the air as they touched down on a rocky outcrop overlooking the water.
The team disembarked, the salty wind stinging their faces as they surveyed the scene below.
“There,” Prithvi said, pointing to the shimmering barrier visible beneath the waves. “That’s the entrance. Vikram, can you handle it?”
Vikram stepped forward, his hands already weaving intricate sigils in the air. The symbols glowed brighter as he muttered an incantation, his voice steady and resonant.
The barrier shimmered, its energy crackling as the spell began to take hold. The water rippled violently, and for a moment, it seemed as though the barrier would hold. But Vikram’s sigils flared brighter, and with a final burst of energy, the barrier shattered like glass.
“Barrier’s down,” Vikram said, lowering his hands, his breathing slightly labored. “But that’ll get their attention. We’d better move.”
“Then let’s not waste time,” Prithvi said, activating his gauntlets.
The team dove into the water, their movements precise as they swam toward the shimmering palace below.
As they approached, the water grew colder, the glow of the palace casting eerie shadows across the ocean floor. Shapes moved in the distance—Aquaeus’s forces, alerted to their presence.
“Here they come,” Sona said, her voice steady as she drew the water around her, forming a protective vortex.
The first wave of soldiers surged toward them, their weapons glinting faintly in the dim light. Vikram acted quickly, summoning a dome of shimmering energy that enveloped the team, deflecting the initial barrage of attacks.
“Go!” Vikram shouted, holding the dome in place as the others charged forward.
Prithvi led the way, his gauntlets flaring as he unleashed bursts of energy that tore through the water like torpedoes. Sona followed closely, her water manipulation cutting a path through the enemy forces.
Arjun moved like a shadow, his blade glowing faintly as he slowed time around him, weaving through the chaos with precision.
Vikram held his ground at the rear, his hands moving in intricate patterns as he unleashed bolts of arcane energy that erupted in bursts of light, scattering the enemy ranks.
They reached the palace entrance, its gates towering and adorned with glowing runes. Prithvi stepped forward, his gauntlets sparking as he prepared to breach the gate.
“Wait,” Vikram said, raising a hand. “The runes—they’re a trap. If we trigger them, the entire structure could collapse.”
“Then shut them down,” Prithvi said.
Vikram nodded, his hands moving in fluid motions as he began to unravel the spell. The runes flickered, their glow dimming as the arcane energy dissipated.
“It’s done,” Vikram said, stepping back.
“Good,” Prithvi said, raising his gauntlets. “Let’s finish this.”
The gates of the underwater palace creaked open, sending ripples through the murky depths. The team stepped cautiously into the cavernous interior, their weapons ready and senses sharp. The walls shimmered faintly, covered in bioluminescent algae that pulsed like a living heartbeat.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Arjun muttered, gripping Vritra tightly. “It’s like walking into a giant fish’s stomach.”
Sona shot him a glare, her voice low. “Focus. Aquaeus knows we’re here.”
Prithvi led the group, his gauntlets glowing faintly to illuminate the way. “Keep your guard up. He won’t let us reach the core without a fight.”
They moved deeper into the palace, the water growing colder and heavier with each step. Strange sounds echoed through the halls—distant roars, the scrape of claws on stone, and the faint hum of elemental energy.
“Something’s not right,” Vikram said, his voice tense. His hands moved in practiced motions, conjuring faint sigils that glowed in the water around them. “I can feel the energy in this place… it’s shifting. Like it’s alive.”
“That’s because it is,” Kaal said, his tone calm but edged with warning. “This whole palace is an extension of Aquaeus’s power. We’re walking into his domain.”
As if on cue, the water around them began to churn violently. The walls pulsed brighter, and a low, guttural laugh echoed through the chamber.
“Welcome, intruders,” a voice boomed, deep and resonant, vibrating through the water like a tidal wave.
The team froze as Aquaeus emerged from the shadows, his massive form towering over them. His armor gleamed like polished coral, and the Ring of Chandra on his hand glowed with an ominous light. Behind him, dozens of aquatic soldiers swarmed into the chamber, their weapons raised.
“You dare to challenge the will of the ocean?” Aquaeus roared, his voice laced with fury. “You will drown in my domain!”
Prithvi stepped forward, his gauntlets sparking to life. “We’re not here to play games, Aquaeus. Surrender the ring, or we’ll take it from you.”
Aquaeus laughed, the sound rumbling like an earthquake. “You overestimate your strength, mortal. The sea bends to my will. You are nothing but a speck in its depths.”
The soldiers charged, and chaos erupted.
Sona moved first, summoning a torrent of water to sweep through the enemy ranks. The liquid coiled and hardened into icy spears that struck with deadly precision, scattering the front line.
Arjun followed, his blade glowing faintly as he slowed time around him. He darted between enemies, each strike of Vritra cutting through their defenses like paper.
Kaal vanished into the shadows, reappearing behind a cluster of soldiers. His daggers moved like whispers, taking down enemies before they could react.
Prithvi launched himself into the fray, his gauntlets roaring with fire and lightning. Each strike sent shockwaves through the water, knocking soldiers back and carving a path toward Aquaeus.
At the rear, Vikram raised his hands, weaving an intricate spell. A glowing barrier of arcane energy surrounded the team, shielding them from incoming attacks. “I can’t hold this forever!” he shouted, his voice strained.
“Just keep it up!” Sona yelled, freezing another wave of soldiers with a sweep of her gauntlets.
Aquaeus roared, raising his hand. The Ring of Chandra flared, and the water around him surged violently. Massive tendrils of liquid coiled through the chamber, striking with the force of a tsunami.
Prithvi raised his gauntlets, creating a barrier of fire to counter the attack. The flames hissed and sputtered as the water crashed against them, but the barrier held.
“You’ll have to do better than that,” Prithvi said, his voice steady.
Aquaeus sneered, his eyes glowing with rage. “As you wish.”
The ground beneath them trembled, and the water twisted into a massive vortex that pulled the team off their feet.
“Hold on!” Sona shouted, anchoring herself with a coil of water. She reached out to grab Arjun, who was struggling against the current.
“I’ve got him!” Vikram said, conjuring a glowing tether of energy that wrapped around Arjun and pulled him to safety.
Prithvi pushed through the vortex, his gauntlets flaring with concentrated bursts of energy. He launched a blast of fire directly at Aquaeus, but the commander deflected it with a sweep of his hand.
“You are out of your depth,” Aquaeus said, his voice a growl.
Prithvi gritted his teeth, his mind racing. They couldn’t fight Aquaeus on his terms—he was too powerful in the water.
“Sona!” he shouted. “We need to drain the chamber!”
Sona’s eyes widened. “You want to collapse the palace? Are you insane?”
“If we don’t level the playing field, we’re done!” Prithvi replied.
Sona hesitated, then nodded. She raised her arms, summoning a massive current of water that surged toward the chamber’s walls. The force shattered the coral supports, and cracks began to spread through the structure.
Aquaeus roared in fury as the water began to recede, draining into the cracks. “You dare desecrate my sanctuary?”
“This isn’t your sanctuary anymore,” Prithvi said, stepping forward. “It’s your tomb.”
Aquaeus lunged at him, the Ring of Chandra glowing brightly. Prithvi met him head-on, their powers colliding in a blinding burst of energy.
The team rallied around him, their combined attacks overwhelming Aquaeus. Sona’s water manipulation pinned him in place, while Arjun’s blade struck with precision, weakening his defenses.
Vikram chanted a final spell, a glowing sigil appearing above Aquaeus. The energy surged downward, severing his connection to the ring.
With a final, desperate roar, Aquaeus fell, his armor crumbling as the Ring of Chandra slipped from his grasp. Prithvi caught it, the glow of the ring dimming as its power settled.
The palace trembled violently, the cracks spreading as the structure began to collapse.
“Time to go!” Kaal shouted, already moving toward the exit.
The team raced through the crumbling halls, the sound of crashing water and falling stone filling the air.
They burst out into the open sea just as the palace imploded, the shockwave propelling them to the surface.
As they climbed onto the craft, soaked and exhausted, Prithvi held up the ring. “Another one down,” he said, his voice steady but weary.
Sona nodded, her expression grim. “But we’re running out of time.”
“We’ll make it,” Prithvi said, his gaze hard. “We have to.”
The craft lifted off, leaving the shattered remains of the palace behind as the team prepared for the battles yet to come.