Night cloaked the palace in silence, but Devsena's heart thundered like a war drum.
The symbol of the phoenix still lay in her palm — metallic, warm, and unsettling.
"Who was that man… aur usne maa ke baare mein kaisa raaz chhupa rakha hai?"
She pressed Vrinda's diary to her chest and made a decision.
"I need to leave. I need answers… and maybe, Dyug Lok has them."
Elsewhere, in the chamber of scrolls, Avantika stood beside Arjuna, the map unrolled.
The path to Dyug Lok was hidden beneath Lake Trinetra, a sacred lake said to be formed from the tears of three ancient priestesses.
"Only water can open the gate," Arjuna whispered. "And only your voice can guide it."
Avantika stepped toward the water basin in the center. She began to hum a tune — soft, melodic, flowing like a stream.
The water responded — rising, glowing, revealing a key embedded within.
She gasped. "It's… alive."
Arjuna looked at her, awe in his eyes. "So are you, Avantika. You were born of this."
At the same time, Devsena sneaked out, blades strapped to her back, Vrinda's diary in her satchel. But as she reached the outer wall, a shadow dropped in front of her.
The Shadowguard.
"You're not ready."
"Move," Devsena growled, fire flaring at her fingertips.
"Your fire is angry," he said calmly. "It'll consume you before it saves anyone."
Devsena's flames danced higher, but the Shadowguard didn't flinch. Instead, he tossed a pendant toward her — the same one Vrinda once wore.
"Ask Samridhi. She's kept more secrets than you think."
And then he vanished again.
Back in Samridhi's chamber, the elder sister stood before an ancient mirror — it didn't reflect her image.
It reflected Vrinda, younger, alive.
"They've found the way," the reflection spoke.
Samridhi nodded, tearful. "But will they survive what's to come?"
The mirror cracked — and the voice whispered: "Only if they trust each other… before the Dvandva awakens."
Final scene:
As the moonlight kissed the Lake Trinetra, Avantika stood before its waters, singing, while Devsena arrived from the other side, flames burning at her heels.
Their eyes met — a silent tension crackled.
"So… you're going too?"
"Of course. I won't let you walk into danger alone."
And as the water rose into spirals and fire glowed around them… the entrance to Dyug Lok opened.
But something stirred beneath the lake — a shadow older than time itself.