ep 43

Aryan and Kiara stumbled out of the temple into the cool night air, hearts still racing. The crypt's oppressive presence lingered in their minds as they leaned against the stone pillars outside, catching their breath. The second artifact was theirs, but at what cost?

Kiara looked down at the bracelet in Aryan's hand, its golden surface gleaming under the moonlight. The symbols etched into it seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive. She shivered, feeling the eerie energy that surrounded the relic.

"We're walking into something far darker than we imagined," Kiara said softly, her voice trembling.

Aryan nodded, his expression hard. "The crypt...the curse...it's like the artifacts aren't just locked away to keep them hidden. They're protecting something."

Kiara stared at him, her mind racing. "Do you think Aaryan knows about this? That there's more to these relics than power?"

"He has to," Aryan said, his voice grim. "He's been two steps ahead of us the whole time. If he's after the next artifact, it means he knows exactly what's at stake."

A shiver ran down Kiara's spine. "So, what now?"

"We find out what these artifacts are really hiding," Aryan replied, his eyes dark with determination. "If we're going to stop Aaryan, we need to understand the truth about the past—the history that these artifacts are tied to."

As they made their way back to the car, Aryan's thoughts were clouded with worry. The crypt's guardian had been unsettling, but the voice that had spoken in the dark was something else entirely. It was ancient, powerful, and filled with malice.

A part of him couldn't shake the feeling that they had awakened something—something that had been dormant for centuries, now stirring as they gathered the artifacts.

They drove in silence for a while, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them. As the city lights of Mumbai came into view, Kiara broke the silence.

"Aryan," she began, her voice low, "what if...what if we're in over our heads? What if the power these artifacts hold is too dangerous for us to control?"

Aryan clenched his jaw, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "We don't have a choice. If Aaryan gets his hands on the next one, he'll be unstoppable. We have to stay ahead of him."

Kiara nodded, though her heart felt heavy with doubt. She could feel the weight of their mission pressing down on them, threatening to pull them under. But she trusted Aryan. He had always been strong, always known what to do. If anyone could find a way to stop Aaryan, it was him.

As they drove through the streets of Mumbai, Aryan's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned. It was a message from one of his old contacts—someone he hadn't spoken to in years.

Meet me at the old factory by the docks. Midnight. It's about the artifacts.

Kiara noticed the change in Aryan's expression. "What is it?"

"A lead," Aryan said, his eyes narrowing. "Someone wants to talk about the artifacts. It could be a trap, but we can't ignore it."

Kiara's heart skipped a beat. "Do you think it's Aaryan?"

"I don't know," Aryan muttered, "but we'll find out soon enough."

---

They arrived at the docks just before midnight, the abandoned factory looming over them like a ghost from the past. The air was thick with the smell of salt and rust, and the wind howled through the broken windows of the old building. The shadows seemed to move as they approached the entrance, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet.

Kiara's pulse quickened as they stepped inside, the darkness swallowing them whole. The factory was empty, the remnants of old machinery scattered across the floor. Aryan's flashlight cut through the gloom, revealing nothing but dust and decay.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Kiara whispered, her eyes darting around nervously.

Aryan nodded, his senses on high alert. "It's the only place mentioned."

They moved deeper into the factory, their footsteps echoing in the vast, empty space. Kiara's heart pounded in her chest as they approached the far side of the building, where a figure stood waiting in the shadows.

Aryan tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger tucked into his belt. "Who are you?"

The figure stepped into the light, revealing a man in his mid-thirties, his face hardened by years of experience. He wore a tattered jacket and a weary expression, but his eyes were sharp and calculating.

"Name's Shiv," the man said, his voice rough. "I know who you are, Aryan. I've been watching you."

Aryan's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

Shiv smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I want to help. Or rather, I want to stop Aaryan."

Kiara stepped forward, her curiosity piqued. "How do you know about him?"

Shiv's smirk faded, replaced by a serious expression. "I used to work for him."

Aryan's hand tightened on the dagger. "Then why should we trust you?"

"You shouldn't," Shiv admitted. "But you don't have a choice. Aaryan is planning something big, something that could tear this city apart. And if you don't stop him, no one will."

Kiara's heart raced. "What is he planning?"

Shiv glanced around nervously, lowering his voice. "He's been gathering information on the artifacts for years. He believes they're the key to unlocking an ancient power—a power that can reshape reality itself. But he doesn't care about the consequences. If he succeeds, he could destroy everything."

Aryan's eyes darkened. "What do you know about the artifacts?"

Shiv hesitated, glancing at the bracelet in Aryan's hand. "Those relics you've been collecting...they were created by an ancient order, long before any of us were born. The people who forged them knew the dangers they posed. That's why they were hidden away, locked in places like the crypt you just escaped from."

Kiara shuddered. "And the curse? The voice we heard?"

Shiv's expression grew grim. "That voice was one of the ancients—the beings who first wielded the power of the artifacts. They were cursed for their arrogance, for trying to control something they never fully understood. And now, as you gather the relics, their curse is awakening."

Aryan's mind raced, pieces of the puzzle falling into place. "So Aaryan wants to unleash this ancient power?"

Shiv nodded. "He believes he can control it. But he's wrong. If he continues down this path, he'll bring ruin to everything. That's why you need to stop him—before it's too late."

The weight of Shiv's words hung in the air, thick with tension. Aryan glanced at Kiara, their eyes meeting in silent understanding. This was bigger than they had imagined, more dangerous than they could have anticipated.

And now, the clock was ticking.

---

As they left the factory, Aryan's mind was spinning with the information Shiv had given them. The stakes had never been higher, and they were running out of time.

Kiara placed a hand on his arm, her voice soft but steady. "We can do this, Aryan. We've come this far. We won't let Aaryan win."

Aryan nodded, though the weight of the responsibility pressed down on him harder than ever. He looked down at the bracelet in his hand, the symbols glowing faintly in the darkness.

"We have to find the last artifact," Aryan said, determination burning in his eyes. "And we have to stop Aaryan before he unleashes something we can't control."

With their path set, they knew the battles ahead would be harder, the dangers more immense. But as long as they were together, they could face whatever came next.

And they would, no matter the cost.