Episode 87
The tires rolled over gravel and silence as the vehicle cut through the sleeping city. Aria sat in the backseat, her eyes fixed on the horizon, though her mind was still locked inside those prison walls — with Raian's final words echoing through her bones.
"Stay safe. That's all I need."
But how could she be safe when the man she loved was locked behind metal and enemies?
Ayan drove with both hands on the wheel, unusually quiet, while Lina sat beside him with her arms folded, eyes trained on the rearview mirror. Ishaan and Saira were tailing them in a separate car, keeping distance — just in case.
"He didn't look broken," Aria finally said, voice a whisper.
"He's not the kind who breaks," Ayan replied. "That's what scares them."
Lina turned slightly. "What did he tell you?"
Aria glanced up. "He wants me to fight."
Lina nodded slowly, a quiet smile on her lips. "Then he knows you well."
They pulled into a safehouse outside the city — an old observatory long abandoned, now turned into a hideout. Ivy crawled over its outer dome, and dust clung to every window. But inside, it was quiet. Secure. Hidden.
Saira was the first to step in, clearing the space, followed by Ishaan who quickly checked the perimeter. Ayan walked Aria inside and motioned for Lina to help her rest.
"I'll cover the entrance," he said, his hand brushing Lina's waist for the briefest second. "Call me if you need anything."
As soon as he left, Lina helped Aria into the corner cot.
"I don't know what he's planning," Aria admitted. "But whatever it is, it'll be dangerous."
"It always is," Lina replied. "But it's Raian. He's playing a long game. We just have to survive long enough to be useful."
Aria nodded, clutching the pouch Saira gave her. Her fingers trembled slightly, not from fear — but from fury.
"They locked him up and still couldn't kill him. That scares them."
Lina sat beside her. "It should. Because now he has nothing left to lose — except you."
Outside, Ayan stood in the shadows of the trees, watching the road, his phone vibrating once. A single message flashed on screen:
Malik's troops sighted on East Docks. Four hours max.
He cursed under his breath and texted back: Route B. Prepare retreat.
By the time he turned around, Ishaan was already there.
"They're coming sooner than we thought," Ishaan said.
"I know. We have to move again. Soon."
Ishaan's jaw tightened. "She won't survive another ambush."
Ayan looked toward the observatory window, where Aria's shadow was barely visible.
"She won't have to."
---
Meanwhile, Malik stood in a darkened control room, a massive map of the city stretched across the wall behind him. Dots glowed red across various zones.
"She visited him," one of his agents confirmed. "The bribe worked. But now they've gone underground again."
Malik exhaled smoke from his cigar, eyes sharp. "I don't care about the girl anymore. Find the data Raian's hiding. That's the threat."
"And if the girl's the key to it?"
"Then we break her."
The man hesitated. "Sir… the city's beginning to talk. About Raian. Some are calling him a martyr."
Malik turned slowly. "Then we make sure they watch him die."
---
Back at the observatory, night approached like a warning. Aria stood at the balcony, watching stars blur into clouds.
Lina walked out, holding a coat.
"You'll freeze."
Aria didn't move. "Do you think he's really okay?"
Lina paused. "I think he's holding on. Because you still exist out here."
"I want to bring him back."
Lina draped the coat over her shoulders. "Then survive. Let Ayan and Ishaan handle the war. You build the proof. You tear down Malik the right way."
"And what if I'm not strong enough?"
Lina smiled. "You walked into a prison and kissed your man like he wasn't chained. That's strength."
Aria turned to her. "Why are you and Ayan still here?"
"We owe him," Lina said. "More than you know."
"Raian saved you?"
"No," Lina replied. "He saved Ayan. Years ago, before either of us knew what love was."
Aria blinked. "Tell me."
Lina looked up at the stars. "He was just a ghost then — the boy who had nothing but guns and anger. But Raian found him, trained him, gave him a reason. A brotherhood. And when Malik tried to erase Ayan… Raian took the bullet instead."
Aria's chest ached. "He's been saving people his whole life."
Lina nodded. "That's why I stay. Not just for you. But for the man who saved the man I love."
Aria whispered, "Thank you."
"No need. But if you break his heart again," she added, smirking slightly, "I will shoot you myself."
---
Inside, Ayan and Ishaan studied maps, weapons, and multiple phones spread across a table.
"We need a public drop," Ishaan said. "If Aria releases what she knows about Malik — location of the files, the DNA logs, the erased names — we can shake the foundation."
Ayan glanced at him. "She's not ready."
"She has to be," Ishaan snapped. "Or Raian dies in there. Malik's going to push for a death order. He knows Raian's becoming a symbol."
Ayan's voice dropped. "And symbols are dangerous."
"Exactly. So we fight back."
Just then, Lina entered. "Someone's outside."
Ayan grabbed his gun instantly. "Go dark. Aria, stay down!"
But before anyone moved, a familiar voice echoed from the shadows. "Easy. Don't shoot."
A tall, scarred man emerged — leather jacket, old injury on his left eye.
Ayan narrowed his gaze. "Noah?"
The man stepped into the faint light. "You're hard to find."
Aria looked confused. "Who is he?"
Ayan replied, "Raian's last undercover informant. Thought you were dead."
Noah smirked. "Close. Malik's men burned my place two months ago. But I kept this."
He pulled out a flash drive, holding it up.
"What is it?" Lina asked.
"The full ledger of Malik's transactions," Noah replied. "All names. All blood. Even the prison bribes."
Aria stepped forward, heart racing. "That's what Raian was hiding."
Noah nodded. "He gave it to me before turning himself in."
Ayan's jaw clenched. "And you waited till now to show up?"
"Had to be sure you'd protect her. Now that I see it…"
He handed the drive to Aria. "Finish what he started."
Her fingers curled around it like it was fire.
She had proof now. She had names. She had the weapon Raian had bled to protect.
The war wasn't coming.
It had already begun.