Since she had gotten the files, the warehouse had become her elysian filds. Her heart was racing like a formula one car, thinking of the impossible missions she had embarked upon- moving mountains, vaporizing empires, shooting for the stars. It was clear as day that the mission she was on took agonizing tolls on her mind. Trying to relax would only worsen things. This time for some odd reason, Aidan didn't irritate her as he usually did. What did rattle her though was a simple phrase he uttered "Your caged falcon is never free". There was a mixed sensation of dread and determination in the air.
As she sat cocooned in her own thoughts, her heart felt heavy at the thought that she would never be able to bring her family together again. To her, the act he had committed was nothing but a betrayal, allowing your family to drown without making an ounce of an effort to save them invited layla to his warped version of lasworld. All Aidan did was make implements for the act that was destined to stab her in the back. Everything in layla's life slowly started circling around the piece of disk and files she had layed her hands upon. She was now willingly and openly ready for the word to test her blistering resolve. All the numbness and pain she felt began to ease away slowly.
Even though the world around Aidan was collapsing like a manic skittles world. Everything was beginning to spiral out. Gasoline infused dominos were becoming an un identifiable blur in his world. For the first time, Aidan was feeling absolute dread. Solace was Tolkein's imagination of an elf's version of a living hell, and for the first time in forever everything seemed gloriously calm. All the darts and barbs aimed toward live and basking in utter despair from a suicidal meganatron. All those words that escaped his lips like a poison dance used to do nothing but make aidan smile.
When everything settles and comes back to it's innate form, striking at the heart of bliss will feel like pouring bourbon over a naked flame. For Aidan, purifying in tranquil life will always feel like sitting in lanterns of velvet described like warm fleece. The sweet subroutine of getting Maya what she wanted would be as easy as putting together puzzle pieces in a three year olds imagination. If all goals could be met so intricately and simply, pouring over diluted scotch could almost immediately idyllic.
The most startling revelation was just how far Kamal's untouchable empire reached. But Aidan, his partner in the shadows, was correct about one thing: she didn't have what was necessary to complete the puzzle. She was truly on her own.
Layla's heart felt a sharp pang as the truth set in: without allies and resources, she could not mount a counteroffensive. There was a strategy to defeat Kamal, but she did not possess the requisite tools to execute it. There existed a massive gulf between the will and fury she could summon and the weighty empire spearheaded by Kamal. There had to be more. She needed an avenue that would enable her to press ahead, and break through the fortress wall of Kamal's untouchable empire, but she couldn't do it solo.
Her mind was racing with the connections she could make. But one name stood out: Pascal. He is the enigmatic figure who has always loomed on the periphery of her life. Why wouldn't she trust him? What if he had more to offer than she understood?
Along with every other social connection she used to have, trust was gone a long time ago. After every lie and betrayal, could she trust anyone at that stage? Could she risk letting in a new threat when everything she had fought for was at stake?
A sharp vibration cut through her thoughts. It was a text notification. Maya.
"Losing isn't an option. Every single minute you attempt to enact your masterful plan, you will find yourself increasingly behind. In contrast, every single second you attempt to outsmart Aidan, you will find yourself worse off than you previously were. As for your rival, chiefly, Kamal and the resources under his command will never stop until he thinks you have no leverage left."
The screen bearing Kamal and Directionless Empires as the title was still illuminated but now Jim shared views.
"Aidan provided me with powerful allies and all I had to do was wait and Kamal stripped me of that which defined me. I think relinquishing the hold Aidan has granted you will not work unless you blindly assume that Aidan is willing to aid you let alone that Kamal considers you worthy of that leverage Kamal stripped you off."
"I fear not the decision I have to make and rather fear what would be of me should I surrender to the whims Aidan has reserved for me. To your misfortune – that while unrestricted temptations control my world, bestowed graces have vanished. But Jim, floating does not mean you have no control; I was thoroughly expecting consequences of a price."
His scrawled notes drew flawless lines across the empty paper that expected a mark, expanding worlds.
"Showing indecision will always bear the price of control," said Mich prophesy hints of flight arrived with jubilation. The letters lined rules robbed silence to music unheard.
In an instant, it all clicked. The Raven Project. That was the initiative Kamal had been hiding for years. It transcended mere business endeavors; it was Kamal's entire infrastructure. Everything that had sustained his grip on power, the very resources that permitted him to maneuver governments, control economies, and manipulate societies, was intertwined with that project. Layla needed to expose it and dismantle it from the inside. But for now, uncovering everything she could about it was a necessity.
It was one of the most reckless things she could do, but at this point, it was the only way forward. She had witnessed enough to know that Kamal's wealth came with more than just money; it came with dominion. Dominating control over information, people, entire nations. Everything revolved around The Raven Project. Take that down, and she could bring him to his knees.
But how was that possible? There was no lack of pieces for the puzzle, but putting them together was going to need assistance. The world was watching, and all Layla had was herself. No allies, no backup, no support; only the spotlight.
The route was clear, but it was riddled with obstacles. Every move she made brought her closer to daunting foes that were willing to fight her every step of the way. There was no doubt that she would be hurt by the Kamal's they would descend on her from above the moment they got the chance but the end reward was her family. Every single part of this miserable family was something that she could fight for. Remembering every piece of Kamal's she would love to paw never made it worth stopping, not now and definitely not ever.
A critical choice had to be made, and for Layla, it felt like standing on scales weighing this gaunt refreshing decision. All Aidan, Maya, and Kamal were pieces of a very sick and unfair chess game. But through all of this chaos and confusion, one thing struck her all at once. Not only did realization set in but an undeniable fact whacked her in the head and while it does feel wonderful being underage, it did never hold the lie that her own flesh donned on top of her bones.
From time to time feeling like a mere pawn shredded her confidence, but with courage poured on such heavy dosages, every corner could now be cut leading to working her very own way up the kamal empire. Only a matter of choosing wisely while balancing smoke and mirrors and finding just the perfect companion to balance and shake the scales in her favor finally granting her the chance of justice .
Pascal would hear from her first. He was the interface of the powerful security firm the plan was drawn upon.
She needed to set up and execute a plan without any flaws. Everyone was looking at her and she could not put herself under self doubt. The plan needed to be perfect.
If she did not align the right people, everything was going to fall apart. She had to figure out whether Pascal was going to help her or not. Right now she reshaped everything, but Pascal was the only one left.
This was no going back for her. She had made up her mind and there was no shifting it now. She was bringing Kamal down weat
her the world had to end in the process or not.