The walls of the mansion were now cracking like glass. Blue light streamed out of the portal, engulfing the entire room. The men in black suits stood behind Sawan like stone statues. Komal's head was spinning. She couldn't understand if everything she believed to be true—her office, her salary, Rahul's betrayal—was all just part of a software?
You... you're saying this is all a lie?" Komal screamed, her voice echoing. "Rahul, Kenji, Tanya... weren't they all human?"
Sawan took a step toward Komal. His 7-foot shadow now stretched across the floor like a monster.
They were just 'programs,' Komal. They were created to test your loyalty and the depth of my love. Rahul was created so that you could experience the taste of betrayal, so that when you came to me, you would be completely mine."
Saavan waved his hand in the air, and suddenly the roof of the mansion vanished. Above was no longer the blue sky, but a web of stars and nebulae. Komal noticed that the ground below was also disappearing. They both now stood on a platform in the middle of space.
Saavan ran his hand over his face, and his appearance began to change. His simple office clothes transformed into a heavy black and gold armor. His eyes now contained the entire galaxy. He was no longer Saavan, he was 'Aryan: Emperor of the Otherworld.'
Aryan touched Komal's forehead. Suddenly, thousands of years of memories flashed through Komal's mind like lightning. She saw that she had been with Aryan in every life, in every world. Sometimes they were king and queen, sometimes they fought together on the battlefield, and sometimes Aryan burned the entire world to get her.
Komal sank to her knees.
Aryan... how many times have we done this?"
Aryan bent down in front of her and lifted her up.
This was the 100th time, Komal. Every time you forget me, and every time I have to find you and bring you back to my world. Rahul comes in a new form every time to take you away from me, and every time I erase him."
The leader of the 'Black Suit' standing behind said,
Your Majesty, the simulation is fully loaded. Now we must return to the main world. If we don't go now, this portal will close forever."
Aryan held Komal's hand tightly.
Come on, Komal. Leave this mortal world behind. There is only death and incompleteness here. In our world, you are immortal."
Komal looked back. There was still the echo of Rahul's last scream, the memory of Tanya's laughter, and the smell of coffee in the office where she had first met Saavan. She had even grown a little attached to that false world.
"Will I still be Komal there?" she asked. Aryan smiled, not as scary as before, but much deeper.
"You will be my better half there."
Aryan picked Komal up in his arms and leaped into the blue light. There was a huge explosion, and the mansion, the forest, and the entire world vanished into a heap of ashes.
As Komal opened her eyes, she found herself near a huge throne. An army of thousands was bowing before her. Aryan stood beside her. The sky was red, and two suns shone. Komal looked at her dress; it was the same Korean silk dress that Sawan had given her, but now it was studded with diamonds.
Aryan waved his sword in the air and roared, "The queen is back!"
Aryan's (now Emperor Aryan) roar echoed throughout the empire. Thousands of soldiers, their armor glowing with blue fire, knelt in unison. Komal looked around—towering castles soaring above the clouds, giant flying creatures, and two suns painting the sky a dull red.
Komal felt a heaviness on her head. When she touched it, she saw a crown encrusted with a black diamond. Aryan took her hand and led her to the throne.
There's no Rahul here, no simulation. Everything here is yours, and you are mine."
As she sat on the throne, Komal felt a strange feeling. She began to remember that "office world." She remembered the girl named Komal who had to go to the office at 9 a.m. and who cried over Rahul's betrayal.
"Aryan... was all that really a lie?" she asked softly.
Aryan's eyes, now shining like gold, fixed on Komal. "That was a lie because it was incomplete. Here, you were immortal. There, you were dying every moment."
Just then, a huge mirror appeared in the center of the palace. In that mirror, Komal saw Rahul. Rahul was imprisoned in a dark room, where time had stopped. He was reliving the same hotel scene with Tanya over and over again, but each time, Aryan would come and break his fingers. This was Rahul's 'eternal hell.'
Aryan smiled and said,
"I have put him in a 'loop.' He will never die, and he will never find peace. This is the price for his betrayal."
Suddenly, the palace bells rang loudly. A soldier came running and bowed before Aryan. "Your Majesty! The rebels from 'Pratham Lok' have crossed the border. They have discovered that the simulation has been broken and the queen has returned."
A violent glare crossed Aryan's face. He drew his massive sword, shrouded in black smoke. "They think they can challenge the Emperor's power?"
He looked at Komal. "Komal, you must choose now. Will you remain safe within the palace, or will you join me on the battlefield and reveal your true powers?"
Komal stood up. The fear within her had vanished. She understood that she hadn't come to this world merely to be a queen. She closed her eyes, and suddenly, white lightning began to flow from her hands.
I won't hide anymore, Aryan. If this kingdom is mine, I will protect it."
Aryan gave a terrifying yet proud laugh. He handed Komal a suit of battle armor that fit over her silk dress. Together, they headed toward the portal, where thousands of rebel soldiers were ready to attack.