Praise The Husband

Chapter 39

Rudransh stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the ominous palace that loomed before him. The structure was surrounded by a moat filled with writhing snakes, their scales gleaming in the dim light. The palace itself was a dark, foreboding edifice, its walls covered in twisted vines and ancient, eerie symbols. A thick fog clung to the ground, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. The air was heavy with the stench of decay, and a chill ran down Rudransh's spine as he approached.

"Find Sundari. Lead me to her," Rudransh whispered to his shadows.

The shadows slithered into the palace through the cracks in the walls, searching every corner for Sundari. Rudransh took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battle ahead. He stepped onto the rickety drawbridge, the creaking wood echoing through the silence. The snakes in the moat hissed and lunged at him, but he pressed on, determined to rescue Sundari.

Inside, the palace was even darker and more sinister. The walls were lined with grotesque statues, their eyes seeming to follow him as he moved. The flickering torches cast long, dancing shadows that made the place seem alive with dark magic. Every step he took echoed ominously, and the air grew colder with each passing moment.

As he ventured deeper into the palace, he heard voices coming from a grand hall. He quickened his pace, heart pounding in his chest. The voices grew louder, and he could make out Sundari's distressed cries and the commanding voice of the man who had taken her.

---

In the grand hall, Sundari was being dragged toward a sacred fire by the man, who was clad in elaborate, ancient wedding attire. The hall was filled with a group of eerie, silent spectators, their faces hidden under dark hoods. The priest, also dressed in dark robes, was chanting the wedding mantras with a mechanical precision, his eyes glazed over as if in a trance.

"Please, stop!" Sundari pleaded, trying to pull away. "I don't want this!"

The man tightened his grip on her wrist, his eyes cold and unyielding. "You will be mine, Sundari. The ceremony will proceed, and you will take your rightful place by my side."

Rudransh burst into the hall, his voice echoing with authority. "Let her go!"

The crowd turned to face him, and the man's eyes narrowed in anger. "You again," he spat. "You are persistent, but your efforts are futile. She is mine by destiny."

"Destiny be damned!" Rudransh shouted, drawing his sword. "She is not yours to claim."

The man released Sundari and stepped forward, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Very well. Let us see if you can best me."

The fight began with a clash of steel, the sound ringing through the hall. Rudransh fought with all his might, his movements swift and precise. But no matter how many times he struck the man, his opponent seemed unfazed, his wounds healing almost instantly.

Rudransh stepped back, panting, his eyes widening in realization. "How... how is this possible?" he muttered under his breath.

The man laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "You cannot defeat me," he said, but offered no further explanation.

Rudransh gritted his teeth, realizing the truth of the man's words. He needed a different strategy. His eyes darted to Sundari, who was watching in horror, and then to the ring on her finger. An idea began to form in his mind.

"Sundari," he called out, never taking his eyes off the man. "Trust me."

She nodded, though fear was evident in her eyes. As the fight raged on, Rudransh summoned his shadows. "Help me," he whispered. The shadows moved swiftly, wrapping around the man's arms and legs, holding him in place.