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The forest outside the demon realm was colder than Chirag remembered. As he and Siya walked under the thick canopy of grey and green, a strange silence surrounded them. The trees whispered with the wind, their twisted branches reaching out like arms. Light barely passed through the clouds above.
But Chirag didn't feel afraid. With Siya by his side, the world seemed less heavy.
They had been walking for hours, only stopping for short breaks. The road was uneven, filled with rocks and fallen leaves. Siya had a small map, gifted by her father, rolled up in her pocket. It led to the Ashen Mountains—a place where the oldest forms of demon magic still lived, untouched by rulers or even other demons.
"How much longer?" Chirag asked, pushing a branch out of the way.
"Another two days, maybe three," Siya replied. "Depends on how fast we move and if we don't run into trouble."
"Trouble always finds us," Chirag muttered with a half-smile.
She chuckled. "Then we'll face it together."
They stopped by a shallow stream to rest. The water was cold and clear. Chirag filled a small bottle while Siya sat on a smooth stone and looked up at the clouds. It was hard to believe how much had changed in just a few days.
Chirag was no longer just a powerless boy. He had become something more—something the rulers feared.
But power had a price.
And he could feel the weight of it every time he closed his eyes.
He turned to Siya, watching her as she gently tied her hair back. She looked so calm, like she belonged to the forest itself. But he knew how strong she really was.
"Siya," he said quietly, "thank you for coming with me."
She raised an eyebrow. "Did you really think I'd let you go alone?"
"I just…" He looked down. "I know it's dangerous. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Siya stood and walked over to him. She placed her hand on his chest, right where his heart beat strong and steady.
"We already promised each other, remember? We face everything together. Your path is my path now."
Chirag nodded, his throat tight. He held her hand gently.
Then, suddenly, the wind shifted.
Siya's eyes narrowed. "Did you feel that?"
Chirag turned toward the trees. "Yeah. Something's here."
From the shadows, a growl echoed. Low. Deep. Hungry.
Three pairs of glowing red eyes appeared between the trees.
"Forest beasts," Siya whispered. "Big ones."
The creatures stepped into the light—massive, bear-like monsters with rough stone-like skin and long claws. Their breath came out like steam. They looked starved.
Chirag instinctively stepped in front of Siya, raising his hand. A flicker of energy sparked at his fingertips, the immortal power within him responding to his fear.
"We don't want a fight," he called out.
The beasts didn't care. They charged.
Siya reacted fast, throwing up a barrier of dark-purple energy. The first beast slammed into it with a loud thud. Chirag leapt forward, landing a sharp punch to the second beast's jaw, sending it flying into a tree.
The third one managed to slip past the barrier and lunged toward Siya. But Chirag was faster.
A surge of silver flame burst from his arm, blasting the beast backward in a roar of fire.
All three monsters groaned and scrambled back into the forest, defeated but alive.
Siya lowered the barrier, breathing hard. "That was… intense."
Chirag nodded, shaking his hand. "I'm still getting used to this power."
"You're learning fast," she said, smiling. "Too fast, maybe."
They shared a small laugh, the tension easing.
But it was clear now—the road wouldn't be easy. Danger lived in every shadow.
They continued walking as the sun began to set. The sky turned orange and pink, casting a strange light across the land. By nightfall, they reached the base of the Ashen Mountains.
Massive, dark cliffs rose high into the clouds. Strange black smoke poured from cracks in the rocks, and glowing symbols were etched deep into the stone.
"This place feels... ancient," Chirag said, looking up.
"It is," Siya whispered. "The temple is hidden somewhere on the third peak."
They made camp at the base, lighting a small fire with Chirag's magic. As they ate, Siya pulled out the scroll Arak had given them. She opened it carefully.
Inside was a simple map with a few lines of text:
"To the Temple of Smoke and Stone, walk with fire in your heart and silence in your steps. The old master waits where the mountain breathes."
Chirag stared at the lines. "Cryptic much?"
"That's how old demons give directions," Siya smirked.
He leaned back against a rock, watching the stars above.
"Do you think this old demon will help us?" he asked.
Siya nodded. "He might be strange, but he's loyal to my father. If anyone can help you understand your power… it's him."
Chirag closed his eyes for a moment. The mountain air was sharp and cold. The stars flickered like candles.
Everything ahead was unknown.
But one thing was clear—he was no longer the boy sitting alone in a broken house. He was no longer the weak human left behind.
He was something else now.
Something that scared even the gods.
And this journey… was just beginning.
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