Chapter 28 - Final Battle -3

Rohan: "So, Rakshaka, have you encountered any demons in these woods? 

Rakshaka: "Aye, I have. Many times, I've clashed with the minions of darkness to protect these sacred grounds."

Rakshaka," he began, his words weighed down by worry, "Avyaan, has gone missing. I fear for his safety, and I know not where to turn."

Rakshaka's gaze unwavering, listened to Rohan's plea with a solemn nod. "I will help you find him." Rakshaka led the way with a silent determination, its senses attuned to the subtle rhythms of the ancient woods. With each step, they followed the winding trails and hidden paths, their footsteps echoing through the undergrowth like a whispered prayer. At last, they reached a crossroads, where two divergent paths stretched out before them like the branches of a tree reaching towards the sky. One road veered to the left, disappearing into the shadowed depths of the forest, while the other curved gently to the right.

Rakshaka turned to him with a solemn expression. "Rohan," it said, his voice steady yet tinged with concern, "There is darkness looming along the leftward path. Demons lurk within the depths of forest, their presence a threat to any who dare to venture too close."

Rakshaka paused, a solemn expression etched upon their countenance as they contemplated Rohan's query. "Rohan," they began, their voice resonating with the weight of ancient wisdom, "I am bound by a sacred duty entrusted to me by Avyaan himself."

Rohan's brow furrowed in confusion. "What duty is that?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Rakshaka's gaze softened, a sense of reverence evident in their demeanor. "Avyaan assigned me the task of guarding this forest," they explained, their voice tinged with reverence. "But he also set a boundary, beyond which I must not venture."

 "Rakshaka," Rohan began, his voice tinged with concern, "what if Avyaan had traveled the same path and fallen into the clutches of these demons. We must find him and bring him back to safety?"

"Rohan, I implore you to reconsider," Rakshaka's voice echoed through the ancient trees, carrying a sense of urgency. "The path ahead is fraught with peril, and the demons that lurk within its depths are not to be underestimated."

"I appreciate your concern, Rakshaka," Rohan replied, "but I cannot turn back now. Avyaan's safety may depend on my actions."

Rohan strode determinedly into the depths of the forest, Rakshaka's heart clenched with worry. It watched, it steps halted at the boundary Avyaan had set, unable to cross it. A sense of frustration mingled with its concern, knowing it could not follow Rohan into the perilous unknown.

"Rohan, be cautious!" Rakshaka called out, its voice carrying on the gentle breeze, but it was lost amidst the rustling leaves and the distant whispers of the forest.

On the other hand , the Demon King Asura sat upon his grotesque throne, a sinister creation crafted from the twisted remnants of flesh, bone, and blood of the mortal beings. His form was a grotesque fusion of nightmares, his eyes burning with a malevolent gleam as he surveyed his domain with cruel satisfaction.

Around him, the air was thick with an aura of darkness, the very essence of evil that seemed to emanate from his vile presence.

Asura, his eyes gleaming with a fierce determination, approached his commander-in-general, Mahish, amidst the darkened halls of their stronghold. The air crackled with an electric tension as they prepared for the impending assault on the celestial realm, their hearts pulsing with the promise of conquest.

"Mahish," Asura spoke, his voice resonating with a primal fervor, "what preparations have been made for our assault on the celestial realm? The time has come to strike fear into the hearts of the gods and claim dominion over the heavens."

Mahish, a seasoned warrior with a commanding presence, turned to face Asura, his expression stoic yet filled with a fiery resolve. "The preparations are underway, my lord," he replied, his voice ringing out with authority. "Our legions stand ready, their weapons sharpened and their spirits aflame with the desire for victory. and also the four corners of the mortal realm have fallen under our dominion, and not a single human soul remains to defy our rule."

"Excellent," the Demon King hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "Let the mortals tremble at the might of our dominion, for we are the true masters of this world. With each victory, our power grows, and soon, not even the heavens will be able to withstand our wrath. When will the time come for us to launch our assault on the celestial realm? The heavens mock us with their purity, and it is time for us to show them the true might of the demons."

"My brethren," he declared, his words cutting through the air like a blade, "the time has come for us to unleash our wrath upon the celestial realm. Our forces stand ready, our weapons sharpened, and our resolve unyielding."

"We shall strike when the moon is about to set in the south and sun about to take its path from the north and reach east," Mahish proclaimed, his voice ringing with certainty. "Under the cover of darkness, we will launch our assault on the celestial realm, catching the gods off guard and striking fear into their hearts."

"So be it," he declared, his voice a sinister whisper that echoed through the chamber. "Let the heavens tremble at the might of the demons, for tomorrow shall mark the beginning of their downfall."

Rohan ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, a palpable sense of foreboding descended upon him like a heavy cloak. The once-dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above grew dimmer with each step, casting long shadows that seemed to reach out and grasp at him with icy fingers.

The air grew thick with a suffocating darkness, the whispers of the leaves overhead now sounding like sinister murmurs that stirred the very depths of his soul. 

Rohan raised his hand, his index and middle fingers extended while the others curled inwards, forming a gesture reminiscent of ancient arcane symbols. Focusing his willpower, he channeled the latent energy within him, drawing forth a shimmering light that danced between his fingertips.

As he gestured forward, the light expanded, casting a radiant glow that pierced through the oppressive darkness of the forest. The soft illumination illuminated his path, revealing the twisted roots and gnarled branches that lay in his way.

As Rohan stepped into the clearing, a chill ran down his spine at the sight that greeted him. The ground was littered with the remnants of bones, their white forms scattered amidst the undergrowth like macabre decorations in a forgotten graveyard. Yet, despite the eerie presence of the skeletons, there was no sign of any living soul in sight.

His heart pounding in his chest, Rohan cautiously surveyed his surroundings, his hand tightening around the flickering light he had conjured. The air seemed to thicken with a sense of unease, and a feeling of dread settled in the pit of his stomach.

"Who goes there?" Rohan called out, his voice echoing through the stillness of the clearing. But there was no answer, only the eerie silence of the forest that seemed to press in around him like a suffocating embrace.

With a sense of trepidation, Rohan stepped forward, his eyes darting nervously from side to side as he searched for any sign of movement. But the skeletons remained motionless, their empty eye sockets staring back at him with hollow indifference.

As he moved further into the clearing, the oppressive atmosphere seemed to intensify, weighing down on him like a heavy shroud. Every rustle of the underbrush sent a shiver down his spine, and the shadows seemed to dance with malevolent intent.

As Rohan's heart raced with anticipation, the piercing cry cut through the eerie silence of the forest like a knife. Startled, he froze in place, his senses on high alert as he strained to locate the source of the sound.

With each cautious step, Rohan moved towards the direction of the cry, his eyes scanning for any sign of movement. The flickering light he had conjured danced wildly in his hand, casting elongated shadows that seemed to reach out and grasp at him with icy fingers.

As he drew nearer, the cry grew louder, its urgency fueling Rohan's determination to uncover the truth. With a sense of trepidation mingled with curiosity, he pushed through the dense foliage, his heart pounding in his chest with each passing moment.

And then, amidst the tangled thicket, he saw it: a figure huddled in the darkness, its form trembling with fear and desperation. Rohan's breath caught in his throat as he approached, his hand outstretched in a gesture of reassurance.

Are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. But as the figure turned towards him, Rohan's blood ran cold with shock, for staring back at him with empty eyes. Rohan turned to flee, his heart pounding in his chest, he was met with a chilling sight that froze him in place: a horde of ethereal figures, their translucent forms shimmering in the dim light, glided towards him with silent menace. 

Fear gripped Rohan's very soul as he stared at the approaching apparitions, their hollow eyes fixed upon him with an otherworldly intensity. The air around him grew thick with an oppressive chill, and the forest seemed to echo with the anguished whispers of the restless spirits. Rohan's panic intensified, a chilling realization washed over him like an icy wave: his mind, once sharp and focused, now felt empty and devoid of the magical prowess that had served him so well in the past. His limbs heavy with dread.

As the chilling presence of the ghosts drew nearer, Rohan felt an icy coldness seep into his very bones, sapping the strength from his limbs and sending a shiver down his spine. His muscles tensed and his breath hitched in his throat as the frigid air enveloped him, causing him to stumble and falter. With each step the ghosts took, the cold seemed to intensify, wrapping around Rohan like a suffocating blanket, draining him of warmth and vitality. His knees buckled beneath him, unable to bear the weight of his trembling form, and he sank to the ground, his hands clawing at the frozen earth in a desperate attempt to hold on.

Rohan knelt on the ground, his body wracked with shivers from the bone-chilling cold, his gaze caught sight of a figure with each step it took, the creature's movements seemed almost fluid, as if it were part of the very essence of the forest itself. Its paws moved with a graceful precision, weaving through the air in intricate patterns that seemed to repel the spectral forms that surrounded Rohan.

As the creature drew nearer, Rohan watched in awe as it unleashed a flurry of strikes against the ghosts, its movements swift and decisive. With each swipe of its paw, the ghosts recoiled, their ethereal forms dissipating into the darkness with anguished wails.

The mysterious creature drew nearer, Rohan's heart skipped a beat as he realized the truth: it was none other than Rakshaka, the guardian of the forest, who had come to his aid in his time of need. The realization washed over him like a wave of relief, banishing the lingering tendrils of fear that had gripped his heart.

With a sense of wonder and gratitude, Rohan looked up at Rakshaka, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Rakshaka," he whispered, his voice filled with awe, "it's you. You came to my rescue," Rohan continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "I don't know how to thank you."

"Rohan," Rakshaka spoke, its voice a gentle yet urgent whisper, "there will be time for thanks later. For now, we must leave this place swiftly, for it is not safe for anyone to linger here.

"but I cannot leave just yet. Avyaan is still out there, and I cannot abandon him to the dangers of the forest." Rohan replied.

Rakshaka's revelation left Rohan bewildered. "Not here?" he echoed incredulously, his brows knitting together in confusion. "But... where then?"

Rakshaka's expression softened with empathy. "I cannot say for certain," it admitted regretfully, "but I sensed Avyaan's fragrance on the other side of the forest. It seems he has ventured beyond these woods."

Then we must hasten," Rohan Urged. Rakshaka was about to use his powers to help Rohan to draw warmness. 

Rohan stood frozen in disbelief as a dark sword pierced through Rakshaka's chest with a sickening sound, shattering the tranquility of the forest. Time seemed to grind to a halt as Rohan's mind struggled to comprehend the sudden and brutal attack.

With a strangled cry, Rohan lunged forward, his instincts overriding his shock as he reached out to steady Rakshaka, his hands trembling with fear and desperation. "Rakshaka!" he exclaimed, his voice choked with emotion. "No, this can't be happening!"

But Rakshaka's form slumped forward, their strength waning as darkness threatened to engulf them both. With a last flicker of determination, they met Rohan's gaze with a silent plea, a glimmer of regret mingled with resignation.

Rohan's heart clenched with anguish as Rakshaka fell to the forest floor, its breaths growing shallow until it finally stilled, its life extinguished by the cruel blow. A wave of grief washed over Rohan as he knelt beside Rakshaka's lifeless form, his eyes blurred with tears as he whispered a silent farewell to the fallen guardian.

Rohan's breath caught in his throat as he raised his eyes, beholding the grotesque visage of the demon standing before him. Towering above him, the demon's multiple faces twisted in a grotesque display of malevolence, their eyes burning with an unholy fire . Horns protruded from their twisted forms, their jagged edges casting eerie shadows , while a long tail lashed out behind them, dripping tongue with saliva that sizzled as it hit the ground. Fear coiled in the pit of Rohan's stomach as he faced the demonic entity, his mind racing with a mix of terror and determination. 

Who... who are you?" he asked, his words trembling with uncertainty.

"I, am Naraka," the demon voice dripping with malice, "and your fate is sealed."

A chill ran down Rohan's spine at the sound of the demon's name, a name whispered in hushed tones in the darkest corners of myth and legend. Naraka, the harbinger of torment and despair, whose very presence struck fear into the hearts of mortals. Naraka's laughter echoed through the forest, with a sinister grin, Naraka raised its clawed hand, preparing to unleash their unholy power upon Rohan.

Rohan braced himself for the impending strike, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. But just as Naraka lunged forward, a blinding flash of light illuminated the darkness, and a divine sword descended from above with a resounding clash.

With unparalleled precision, the celestial blade cleaved through Naraka's outstretched claw, severing it from its body with a thunderous crack. The demon recoiled in agony, its unearthly howls echoing through the forest as he writhed in pain.

Rohan's eyes swept the battlefield, he heard a voice that stirred something deep within him, a voice that resonated with familiarity and hope. With a sense of disbelief, he raised his head once more, his gaze locking onto the figure standing before him.

There, standing amidst the chaos and turmoil, was Tina, her presence radiant and commanding. A surge of relief washed over Rohan as he beheld her, his heart swelling with gratitude at the sight of his dear friend.

But what truly took his breath away was the sight that accompanied Tina—a vast sea of celestial soldiers, their forms illuminated by the ethereal light of the heavens. Row upon row, they stood with unwavering resolve, their weapons gleaming with celestial power as they prepared to join the battle against the forces of darkness.

Naraka rose to his feet, his malevolent gaze fixed upon Tina and Rohan, a surge of determination rippled through the ranks of the celestial soldiers. With unwavering resolve, they unleashed a torrent of divine energy, their combined might converging in a brilliant cascade of light aimed at the charging demon.

As the divine energy surged towards Naraka, a chilling realization washed over the celestial soldiers. With a sinister grin, Naraka absorbed the incoming stream of light, his dark form pulsating with newfound strength.

Tina and Rohan watched in horror as Naraka deflected the celestial onslaught with ease, his malevolent laughter echoing through the forest. Despite their best efforts, it seemed that the demon was immune to their divine powers.

With a menacing glare, Naraka turned his attention towards Tina and Rohan, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You cannot defeat me," he snarled, his voice dripping with contempt. "I am eternal, and your feeble attempts to destroy me are futile."

Tina and Rohan exchanged a worried glance, their hearts heavy with the weight of uncertainty. It seemed that Naraka was indeed a force to be reckoned with, and they were ill-prepared to face him alone.

Tina rose to her feet, a fierce determination burning in her eyes, she grasped the celestial command in her hand, its power pulsating with divine energy. With a steady hand, she aimed the ancient artifact towards Naraka, her gaze unwavering as she prepared to unleash its celestial might upon the malevolent demon.

Sensing the overwhelming celestial energy emanating from Tina and the artifact she wielded, Naraka's expression twisted with fear and rage. Realizing that he was no match for the combined might of Tina and the celestial forces aligned against him, the demon had no choice but to flee.

With a guttural snarl, Naraka vanished from the forest in a swirl of dark mist, his sinister laughter echoing through the trees as he retreated into the depths of the abyss from whence he came.

 Tina turned towards Rohan, she could sense the lingering effects of the darkness that had taken root within his heart. With a solemn determination, she focused her energy, channeling the divine light of the celestial realm in an effort to break through the icy grip that held Rohan's soul captive.

A soft glow emanated from Tina's hands as she reached out towards Rohan, her touch gentle yet infused with the power of the celestial forces. As her fingertips made contact with his chest, she could feel the icy barrier that encased his heart, a tangible manifestation of the darkness that threatened to consume him.

With a steady resolve, Tina poured forth her energy, her divine essence mingling with Rohan's own spirit in a sacred dance of light and shadow. Slowly but surely, the icy barrier began to crack and fracture, its hold weakening with each passing moment.

Rohan's breath caught in his throat as he felt the warmth of Tina's energy washing over him, thawing the frozen depths of his soul with its radiant glow. With a surge of emotion, he allowed himself to open up to the light, releasing the darkness that had held him captive for so long. As the last remnants of the icy barrier dissolved into nothingness, Rohan felt a profound sense of relief wash over him.

Despite the warmth of Tina's energy and the newfound clarity he felt, the sight of Rakshaka, the fallen guardian, weighed heavily on his soul.

With a heavy heart, Rohan approached Rakshaka's lifeless form, his footsteps echoing softly in the stillness of the forest. Kneeling beside the fallen guardian, he reached out to gently touch Rakshaka's still form, his fingers trembling with a mixture of grief and reverence. Tina joined Rohan by Rakshaka's side, her own eyes reflecting the sorrow that weighed upon them both. "I understand, Rohan," she replied softly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Rakshaka was a noble guardian, and his sacrifice will not be forgotten."