Why are you after Rudra?

As Ambika glanced back, the forest behind her was silent, devoid of any pursuers. The pounding of her heart began to slow, and she gently reined in Thunder, allowing him to catch his breath. Relief washed over her, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to believe they had escaped.

But that moment was fleeting. Without warning, a net descended upon them, heavy and inescapable. Thunder reared in panic, and Ambika cried out as they were ensnared, the world around them spinning into chaos. She struggled, fighting against the coarse ropes, but it was no use. The net was too strong, and the forest grew dark around her as consciousness slipped away.

When Ambika awoke, the world had changed. She was no longer in the forest but in a dark, damp cave. The air was cold and stale, the scent of mildew and earth filling her nostrils. Her head throbbed, and as she tried to move, she realized she was bound. Thick, iron chains wrapped around her wrists and ankles, securing her to the rough stone wall.

The cave was dimly lit by a few scattered torches, their flickering light casting eerie shadows on the walls. She strained her eyes, trying to take in her surroundings. The cave was vast, with stalactites hanging from the ceiling like jagged teeth. The ground was uneven, littered with rocks and debris. She could hear the distant drip of water echoing through the cavern.

Ambika's heart pounded as she pulled against the chains, but they held firm. Panic began to set in, her thoughts racing back to Rudra. Where was he? What had happened to him? She had no idea who had captured her or why, but she knew she had to escape. She couldn't give up now, not when Rudra was still out there, possibly in danger.

Her thoughts turned to Thunder. She hoped her loyal horse was safe, that he had somehow managed to escape the net. But deep down, she feared the worst. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Panic would do her no good here. She had to stay calm, had to think clearly.

"Rudra," she whispered to herself, her voice echoing softly in the cavern. "I will find you. I promise."

She strained against the chains once more, testing their strength, searching for any weakness. The iron bit into her skin, but she didn't care. Pain was a small price to pay for freedom. Her eyes flickered around the cave, looking for anything that might help her escape. She noticed a pile of discarded tools and debris in one corner, but they were out of reach.

Ambika's mind raced, formulating a plan. She had always been resourceful, and she wasn't about to give up now. She would bide her time, gather her strength, and wait for the right moment. Somehow, she would find a way out of this cave and continue her search for Rudra. Her love for him was a beacon, guiding her even in the darkest of places.

As she sat there, chained and alone, Ambika's resolve hardened. She was stronger than her captors realized. They had made a mistake in underestimating her, and she would make them pay for it. With a determined glint in her eyes, she settled in, ready to face whatever came next.

After some time, the faint sound of footsteps echoed through the cave, growing louder as they approached. Ambika's heart raced, and she braced herself for whatever was to come. A figure emerged from the shadows, wearing a mask that obscured their features. It was one of the people who had followed her in the forest.

The masked person carried a tray of food, placing it on the ground in front of her. "Eat," he commanded, his voice cold and emotionless.

Ambika glared at him, the chains still binding her to the wall. "How do you expect me to eat when I'm tied up like this?" she asked, her voice tinged with defiance.

The masked man paused, considering her words. After a moment, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. He stepped forward cautiously and unlocked her chains, but kept his gun trained on her, its barrel aimed directly at her chest. "You're free to eat, but don't try anything. I won't hesitate to use this."

Ambika rubbed her sore wrists, glancing warily at the food. Her stomach growled, but she hesitated, the thought of poison or some other trick running through her mind.

The man seemed to read her thoughts. "The food is safe," he said, his voice still devoid of warmth. "We need you alive to get to your husband. We're not here to kill you."

She looked up at him, trying to gauge the truth in his words. The mask gave nothing away, but there was a certain sincerity in his tone that she couldn't ignore. Reluctantly, she picked up a piece of bread from the tray and took a tentative bite. The food was plain but filling, and she realized how hungry she was. She continued to eat, her eyes never leaving the man with the gun.

"Why are you after Rudra?" she asked between bites, trying to sound casual but unable to mask her curiosity.

"That's not for you to know," he replied curtly. "Just know that he's very important to us."

Ambika's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. Rudra had never mentioned anything that would make him a target. She wondered what he had gotten himself into and why these people were so desperate to find him.

As she finished the meal, the man stepped forward, chains in hand. "I have to restrain you again," he said. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

She sighed but complied, allowing him to chain her back to the wall. The metal was cold and unforgiving, a stark reminder of her predicament. "You'll never get away with this," she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

The man ignored her, turning to leave. As he reached the mouth of the cave, he paused and looked back. "We'll see about that," he said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper. Then he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ambika alone once more.

She leaned back against the wall, her mind churning with questions and fears. Whatever these people wanted with Rudra, she knew she had to find a way to warn him. Her love for him burned brightly within her, a beacon of hope in the darkness. She would find a way out of this, no matter what it took.