Manithan Vaanam

After days of intense preparations, the party splits into two groups: Aadhi and Shwari walk toward the Venkataram mansion while Bhavannan and Haavani go underground through secret tunnels. As Bhavannan and Haavani burrow through, Bhavannan asks Haavani a philosophical question regarding the Kadavuls. He asks why evil must exist in a vaanam where Kadavuls could interfere, to which Haavani responds that the Kadavuls cannot exist without their counterparts. Yet, Bhavannan argues against the point, asking why, which leaves Haavani without an answer. She then asks Bhavannan how he's felt since the tournament,[1] and he expresses disappointment and frustration with Ambikadevi, Malai Hill, and the vaanam for letting such corruption transpire. As he falls silent, Haavani describes her revelations about Bhavannan, noting how her perspective of the quest has changed from mere annoyance to one of the greatest importance. The conversation ceases when they hear footsteps ahead of them. The two fall silent and await the intruders. Two women, one dwarf and one halfling, are surprised by the readied Bhavannan and Haavani. The halfling asks for their names and reasons for being in the tunnels, which Haavani answers coolly. Then, Bhavannan responds to the question, saying they were friends of the rightful heir to the Neithal throne. The halfling orders the dwarf to capture them, leading to Bhavannan and Haavani fighting the two women. Haavani and Bhavannan strike the two, immediately downing the halfling. As the halfling collapses, the dwarf surrenders, and swears to run the other way with the halfling. Bhavannan and Haavani accept, and then Haavani asks for their names. The dwarf responds with her being named Madhi, and the halfling named Raagi. Haavani recognizes the names as Aadhi and Shwari's old caretakers, and asks Madhi what they were planning to do. Madhi explains there was a plot to enthrall the denizens of Thaanjaagam during the parade, and offers help to riot during the parade, thus disturbing the evil plot. Bhavannan and Haavani agree, and the four separate. Afterwards, Haavani and Bhavannan reach the trapdoor opening into the Venkataram house, and listen in on what is occurring.

Aadhi and Shwari trek towards the house making asinine small talk through most of the way. However, as the house looms closer, the two start talking about their reluctance to kill their father, and their longing for a family they never had. Shwari shows resistance, saying the twins could run away, as they have done previously. However, the twins quickly agree they cannot do that anymore and must face their past. They also discuss their lack of plans and ambitions after their questing ends, as both want to find something meaningful for their futures. As they walk up the big steps to the home, Aadhi hugs her sister, calming them both, and then they enter. As they enter the open-air throne room, Venkataram is seen sitting on his throne, posing for a portrait that an artist is painting. When he notices his daughters, he dismisses the artist. The twins look upon the portrait: Venkataram and his wife sitting on thrones holding hands, while Aadhi, Shwari, and their elder brother Maghumithren, stand behind them. As the twins turn their attention toward their father, Venkataram welcomes them back home, though rather coldly. He asks why they've returned, which the twins counter with questions of their own. They demand answers regarding the mirughams, the assassination of Raasa Murugeshwara, and Bodhi. As Venkataram fails to answer the questions to the twins' liking, Aadhi repeats her question about Bodhi. As Venkataram falters, an older, muscular version of Maghumithren rages through the throne room, startling the twins. He flings his warhammer at his father, and then throws him into the wall, exclaiming his pure hatred for their father. His father crumples to the ground next to the painting. Hearing Maghumithren's roars, Haavani and Bhavannan emerge from the trapdoor, and the whole party reunites to combat the minister of spies.

Maghumithren pummels Venkataram whilst Bhavannan and Shwari join the action. Venkataram manages to survive the blows because Aadhi casts a spell on Maghumithren, calming him. However, as Venkataram attempts to cast a spell, Bhavannan stabs him in the hand, rendering him unconscious. Venkataram's children surround him, the twins distressed at the sight. However, a murky blue manthiram emerges from him, and he awakens, almost renewed. He stares at his children almost as strangers, then sobs. He explains how the deal made with Pasupathi to save the twins and their mother meant that he was in service to the Raatchi Raasa, and that he could not remember much since that deal was made nineteen years ago. He begs his children for death, claiming the psychic control over him will return soon. Maghumithren breaks down while holding his father's head in his lap, and beckons Shwari to stab him, placing his hand atop hers holding the dagger. Aadhi turns away, unwilling to look, but conveys her goodbyes telepathically as Shwari stabs him in the heart. As Venkataram lies dead, darkness fills the room, and footsteps approach the party.

The group stands up immediately, readying themselves for whatever lies beyond the darkness. However, Aadhi loses control of herself to Bodhi, and Bodhi greets this old friend of hers: Pasupathi. Shwari runs toward Pasupathi and attempts to strike him but fails due to Pasupathi's eerie composure. Haavani, with the light given by Veyyon, removes the darkness cast. However, the light reveals an ugly creature of Pisaas that Bodhi had conjured. Bhavannan, understanding that the switch had taken place, attacks Aadhi, and Maghumithren confusingly hits the monster, grasping little of the situation. Amidst the chaos, Pasupathi conjures an evil sight: the spectral visage of the Raatchi Raasa towers over the party, actualizing the sins of the father to their fullest.