Chapter 18: The Battle Begins

The temple walls trembled as the portal to Asuraloka pulsed with dark energy. Sparks of malevolent power crackled through the air, casting eerie shadows across the ancient stone. Rihan and Maya stood side by side, their hearts pounding as they prepared for the battle that would determine the fate of their world.

"Are you ready?" Maya asked, her voice steady despite the fear she felt inside.

Rihan nodded, his eyes never leaving the swirling vortex. "We stop him here, Maya. This ends now."

Before they could move, the portal exploded with a burst of energy, and from its depths, monstrous figures began to emerge. Twisted and grotesque, the creatures of Asuraloka stormed into the temple, their roars echoing like thunder.

Rihan raised *Vijayadanusu* and pulled back the string. With a whispered mantra, the bow hummed with energy, glowing with a golden light. He loosed the arrow, and it streaked through the air, striking the first monster with such force that it disintegrated into ashes.

Maya wasn't far behind. With precise movements, she unleashed a series of attacks, her energy blasts tearing through the horde of monsters. Each strike was calculated, every move graceful yet deadly.

But for every creature they defeated, more emerged from the portal. The horde seemed endless, a tide of darkness threatening to overwhelm them.

"Rihan, there are too many!" Maya shouted, dodging a massive claw that nearly took her down.

Rihan knew she was right. They couldn't keep this up forever. They needed to close the portal, but how?

In the midst of the chaos, a memory surfaced—one of Parshuram's teachings. Rihan recalled the lessons on the bow's true power, the mantras that could seal even the darkest forces. But using that power would require perfect focus, and in this storm of battle, that seemed almost impossible.

"Maya, cover me!" Rihan called out, making a quick decision. "I'm going to try something."

Maya nodded, instantly understanding. She positioned herself between Rihan and the advancing monsters, her attacks becoming a shield of light and energy. "Do what you need to do—I've got this!"

Rihan closed his eyes, tuning out the chaos around him. He gripped *Vijayadanusu* tightly, and with each breath, he began to chant the ancient mantras Parshuram had taught him. The bow responded, its glow intensifying, vibrating with power.

As the final words of the mantra left his lips, the energy from the bow surged forward, forming a massive barrier of light. The barrier expanded, enveloping the portal and the creatures around it. The monsters shrieked in agony as the light touched them, their forms disintegrating into nothingness.

The portal itself shuddered, its dark energy struggling against the golden light. Rihan focused every ounce of his will into the bow, pushing the light further, forcing the portal to close. Slowly, agonizingly, the vortex began to shrink, its malevolent power receding.

But just as the portal was about to close completely, a massive hand burst through, clawing at the edges of the barrier. Rihan gasped as he saw Andhakasura's shadowy form struggling to break free.

"You think this will stop me?" the demon roared, his voice shaking the very foundation of the temple. "You are nothing, Karna! I will return, and when I do, this world will burn!"

With a final, desperate push, Rihan channeled all his remaining energy into the bow. The light flared, and with a deafening crack, the portal shattered, sealing Andhakasura inside.

Silence fell over the temple. The monsters were gone, the portal closed, but the battle had left its mark. The temple walls were scorched, and Rihan and Maya were exhausted, their energy nearly spent.

Rihan staggered, breathing heavily, but relief washed over him. They had done it—they had stopped the immediate threat. But he knew this wasn't the end.

Maya approached him, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

Rihan nodded, though he felt the weight of what had just happened. "I'm fine. But Andhakasura… he's not gone for good. He'll be back."

Maya frowned. "Then we need to be ready. We need to find out more about these cracks, about Asuraloka. And we need to find a way to stop him for good."

Rihan agreed. They had won this battle, but the war was far from over. As they left the temple, the first rays of dawn broke through the darkness, lighting their path back to New Varanasi. The fight for their world had only just begun.