The forest glowed with drifting motes of light as the group moved quietly beneath the ancient trees, following the soft, golden shimmer of a winged guide no taller than a teacup. The fairy flitted just ahead, her glow gently pulsing with each beat of her delicate wings.
Meera glanced around warily, her hand resting on the handle of her curved dagger. "Are we certain this little creature knows where it's going?" she whispered.
Ketaki, walking just behind Meera, offered a reassuring and serious smile. "Don't worry, Meera. Fairies might look small, but they possess heightened senses—especially their sense of smell and the ability to follow energy trails. They can track a soul across mountains if necessary."
"Indeed," Ankur added with a nod, the silver of his armor softly clinking with each step. "I initially had my doubts, but thanks to the Forest Goddess Aranyani, ketaki thought to summon fairy . She had the presence of mind to capture the boy's scent from his bedding. That fairy has been following it relentlessly, like a bloodhound."
Meera gave a soft hum, her gaze lingering on the glowing trail ahead. "I just hope we reach Madhav's location in time."
Ankur replied angrily, "I can feel we will reach there on time. They won't be able to get away this time."
Behind them, the towering Centaur Beni trotted along gracefully despite his bulk, with Mohit sitting comfortably on his back, arms crossed but alert. The bruises across his skin had faded, thanks to the Centaur's healing magic, though traces of blood still stained the edges of his torn clothing.
Mohit asked, "Why don't we all just teleport there in a few seconds or minutes? by using of teleportation magic "
The Centaur replied, "Teleport magic can only be used once every 48 hours for me or if my luck is good , sometimes I can use in 24 hours but in rare case case. Plus, it takes so much energy to use."
Here Ketaki added, "And in our tribe back in the village, only a few elves know teleportation magic."
Meera turned her head slightly. "And how are you feeling now, Mohit?
Mohit gave a half-smile and exhaled. "I'm fine. Your Centaur here has magic in his veins—whatever he did worked. I barely feel the pain anymore."
Beni let out a low chuckle that rumbled like thunder over distant hills. "Of course. My magic is so powerful. It heals not just wounds, but weariness of the spirit too."
The fairy paused for a moment ahead, circling in the air. Her wings twinkled with a sudden flicker before she darted forward once more, even faster this time.
Ketaki's eyes widened. "She's found a fresh trail."
As the group followed quickly, then halted abruptly as a peculiar sight unfolded before them. A gnarled, ancient tree towered above, its bark twisted like coiling smoke. Heavy branches drooped with unusual fruit, each bearing a distinct human face carved into its skin with uncanny detail—some smiled serenely, while others grinned mischievously.
Meera and Mohit instinctively stepped back.
"This tree fruits are smile..." Meera whispered, her eyes narrowing.
Ankur regarded them with a calm, knowing look. "You humans are seeing this for the first time, I presume. Are you surprised?"
Meera moved forward slightly, her eyebrows raised. "Honestly? Not really. After the week we've had, filled with surprises and who-knows-what, even tree fruits with faces that smile…"
Mohit shrugged beside her. "Yeah, at this point, even smiling fruit seems almost… normal."
Beni, the Centaur, chuckled softly. "You won't find trees quite like these anywhere else. But in this forest, you'll find only this kind."
Mohit tilted his head, squinting at a particularly vibrant fruit. "And people actually eat these?"
Ankur nodded. "They are edible, yes."
But Beni fell silent and ankur also not saying anything.
Meera noticed his sudden shift. "Hold on… That's not the whole truth , is it? Why you all suddenly get silent."
Her eyes drifted to Ketaki, who sighed softly, her fingers tracing the rough texture of the tree bark.
"These fruits," Ketaki said gently, "have the ability to shift someone's emotions to their opposite."
When someone eats one, their current emotion reverses. Joy becomes sorrow. Rage turns into calm. Indifference… into desire. Even somebody fall in love if that person is not in love relationship ."
A heavy silence followed her words.
The Centaur cleared his throat gruffly, obviously flustered. "That's why we don't linger here. Let's keep moving before someone gets the idea to pluck one."
The fairy, sensing the group's stillness, circled back impatiently. With a flap of her wings, she darted forward again, urging them onward.
They resumed their journey, and before long, the dense forest gave way to a clearing. Beyond lay a small town built among the trees like a dream woven into the earth itself. Suspended bridges connected massive trunks, glowing lanterns drifted through the air, and towers carved from living wood spiraled into the canopy. Stalls bustled with magical items, alchemical tomes, weapons, and scrolls that shimmered with ancient spells.
Ankur gestured toward it, explaining, "This is one of the towns, situated on forest elf territory. It's vital to us because books, relics, potions, and magical weapons all flow from here to the outside world. This town is the one economic heart of the forest elves' kingdom. Here local elves are working to make sword, spears and different types of magical items."
Mohit's eyes widened in amazement. "Now this… this is impressive." He then dismounted from the centaur's back and said, "Thank you for the ride."
The fairy, glowing with an inner light, darted through the thick forest air and soared high above the elven town. With a sudden spin of delight, she landed gently atop an elegant structure: an architectural building shaped like a great structure cover with vine, glittering with sigils and crystal inlays. Swords shimmered behind its arched windows. The town's famed weapon and artifact shop stood like a jewel at its heart.
"There!" Ankur exclaimed, his sharp eyes spotting the fairy flying at the top of a weapon and magical items shop in the distance. "That's where the human, Madhav, is now. He already said that if the kidnappers came to this town, they would have taken the human boy to this shop only, it's operated by that lady, Cetana."
Ketaki's eyes narrowed, a fiery determination in her gaze. "We've found him. Let's go get that human, Madhav, back from those cowardly kidnappers."
Beside her, Mohit and Meera moved forward, standing with clenched fists in silent agreement.
"Hold on a moment," Beni the Centaur cautioned, his voice low and practical. "We don't know what defenses they have in place. If we rush in without a plan, we could be walking right into a trap."
Ankur nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. We need to catch them off guard, do something unexpected, something they can't respond to quickly enough."
Ketaki turned to him. "What kind of surprise you want to give them, do you have idea in your mind?"
Before Ankur could reply, the nearby bushes rustled violently—then burst open.
A massive creature stepped into view, growling low and deep. It was unlike anything Meera or Mohit had ever seen: long and sinewy like a hound, with the furry face of a hyena and burning yellow eyes. Its limbs were strong, somewhat resembling a lion's heirs, and its tail thrashed like a serpent. Strange glyphs shimmered faintly on its flanks.
Meera stumbled back with a startled gasp. "What in the world is that?!"
Mohit's hand instinctively flew to here and there, even though he had no weapon there.
But Ankur stepped forward, calm and assured. "Easy, easy, don't be scared," he said, his voice low and soothing. "This is Crocotta."
The beast lowered its head, growling gently in recognition as Ankur approached. Its growl sounded eerily like a whispering human voice.
"A Crocotta?" Meera blinked in disbelief. "Isn't that creature dangerous to humans? Why is it here?"
Ketaki nodded warily. "They're said to mimic human voices to lure travelers to their deaths... They're enemies to both humans and beasts."
Ankur ran a hand along the creature's neck, his tone turning warm. "He was abandoned as a pup, injured. I found him near the river, barely breathing. He's been with me ever since. Trained, loyal, and deadly, yes—but only to those who threaten us. I think he followed me here."
Now, a plan came to my mind.
The Crocotta let out a guttural noise that sounded almost like a chuckle.
Beni Centaur raised a curious brow. "You're planning to use him?" Here ankur continue to speak, yes you are right, my horse Centaur.
Ankur turned to the others, a hint of mischief glinting in his eyes. "With him, we'll create chaos, a distraction no one expects. While their eyes are on the monster, we'll slip inside and retrieve Madhav. And I will make sure they are properly punished."
Ketaki smirked. "I like it."
Mohit exhaled. "I think I like it. In fact, I fully support this plan."
Meera cracked a grin. "Let's just make sure we're not the ones being hunted." Ankur nodded, pointing a finger as if to say, "Yep."
The group exchanged a glance of silent resolve as the fairy circled above the shop once more, signaling that time was running out.
Ankur looked to his companion. "Crocotta... ready?"
The beast let out a low snarl, crouched.
As Ankur tightened his grip on his curved blade, he looked back at the group, a steady fire in his eyes. "Crocotta and I will strike first," he said, his voice sharp as steel. "Once they're distracted, you have to check where is that human boy madhav ."
A low, eager, hungry growl rumbled from Crocotta's throat.
Ketaki, Meera, Mohit, and Beni the Centaur nodded in grim unison. "Okay," the group whispered together.
Meanwhile, inside the shimmering shop filled with weapon and magical artifacts, the air shimmered faintly with magic. Enchanted chandeliers floated above the grand chamber, casting hues of blue and silver on walls lined with priceless relics. The heavy scent of age-old runes and incense lingered.
Zahir leaned back against a pedestal, spinning a small box between his fingers. His eyes darted here and there, and he could feel and hear the faint, unknown voice of someone calling his name. He tried to ignore it.
Sunil stood with a confident posture as Ravin took the small box from Zahir and carefully set the mysterious golden coin box on the central crystal table. The coin was sealed inside the small box.
Miss Cetana stood silently, not uttering a word, but happiness was clearly visible on her face, though her eyes remained unreadable yet sharp. Beside her, the elf captain elven narrowed his gaze at the coin, his thoughts swirling: So this is the demon's coin, or what we call the golden curse coin.
"This," the captain said slowly, "is not just any artifact. This coin was stolen a long time ago. No one has seen it since... than."
Cetana's eyes shimmered with intrigue. "How did you acquire this?" she asked, her gaze settling on Ravin.
Before he could speak, she added, "Ravin, isn't it?"
Ravin gave a respectful nod. "Yes, Miss Cetana." He stepped forward slowly. "We... found it. Or rather, someone possessed it." He glanced at Madhav.
Cetana's lips curved slightly. "So, are you saying this coin was taken from this boy?" She gestured towards Madhav. "The one you captured?"
Sunil gave a cocky grin. "That's right. The boy had it, though he hasn't told us how or when. But we know what we saw—it was his. He was hiding it."
The elven captain stepped closer, freeing Madhav's mouth from the rope. "What's your name human, he replyed with angry voice.. madhav. Captain continue his talk , Do you even know what this coin is capable of?" he asked.
Madhav replied, "From what I've seen so far, this coin is really dangerous to someone's life.
"No," Sunil said with a casual shrug, though a heavier emotion flickered in his eyes. "You really don't understand. We were given a job—find the golden coin, no matter what."
Madhav smiled faintly and said, "Sometimes people have to think about the future, because the consequences can come back to affect them."
Miss Cetana, with a serious expression, asked, "So, will the human boy stay here, or will you take him with you?"
Ravin replied, "Yes, I'll take him with us. I believe Miss Olivia and Sir Deva personally want to know every detail and the story behind the golden curse coin."
Before anyone could respond, the heavy doors creaked open, and two figures entered the grand chamber. All heads turned.
They moved like assassins—an elf girl and boy, cloaked in matching deep green armor, their faces veiled beneath masks. Their blades, sheathed in silver and what looked like thistle, glimmered faintly in the room's arcane light. Here captain elven said don't worry they are work under me. Many other also there but now two only present here.
The elf girl stepped forward, her voice clear but edged with urgency. "Captain Elven, sir, we've come with urgent news."
The captain gave a quick nod. "Speak quickly. As you can see, we're discussing something important."
The boy elf bowed slightly, then said, "Sorry, Captain, but something's wrong near the western perimeter of the town. A disturbance—faint, but unusual."
The elf girl followed up. "We spotted figures—humans, not our guards—and with them, some kind of dangerous monster or creature. They're preparing something. We couldn't get close, but it looked suspicious."
Sunil said, "Then we need to check that place. If they're telling the truth, we'll kill those idiots. Or, I have a simpler idea—we have enough time, let's just get out of here."
Cetana replied dismissively, "Oh, no problem. My servants will handle this."
As she spoke, Ravin's eyes narrowed in thought. That elf girl's voice—soft, yet sharp—it echoes somewhere I've heard before. He tilted his head slightly, turn towards Zahir but he totally silent .
So Ravin ignore him , he took a step forward towards the elf girl. "Wait... Have we met somewhere before—"
But suddenly, a deafening blast erupted.
A shattering roar split the chamber. Stone cracked. The west wall exploded inward with a thunderous blast, sending shards of crystal and dust spiraling through the air.
Everyone staggered back, shielding their faces. The golden coin and its small box fell to the ground.
From the dust and ruin emerged a monstrous silhouette.
First came an enormous dog wolf-like beast, its fur hear is like a lion, its eyes glowing with a sickly green flame. It growled, its claws carving long gouges into the marble.
As the two elven children tried to shield Captain Elven and pull him from the dust and broken wall, the Captain, seeing the wolf-like creature, shouted, "It's a Crocotta! Be careful, all of you!"
Then, beside the beast, stepped a shadowy figure—tall, lean, cloaked in the dark skins of forest beasts. His eyes burned amber with vengeance. Strange tribal paint marked his forehead, and across his back was a blade almost as tall as he was.
It was Ankur, a shadow elf warrior.
He looked past the stunned faces, his eyes locking directly on three figures and Madhav also there near to them .
"Well, well," he said, his voice laced with steel and old fury. "Ravin. Sunil. Zahir."
He raised a hand towards them.
Ankur stated, "I've found you."