ep 44

Aryan and Kiara stood on the rooftop of their apartment, looking out over the city of Mumbai. The peacefulness of the night felt like a cruel joke, given the storm brewing beneath the surface. With the revelations from Shiv still fresh in their minds, neither of them had been able to sleep.

Kiara wrapped her arms around herself, the chill of the night air biting through her thin sweater. "How are we supposed to stop him, Aryan? If Aaryan has all this knowledge about the past, about these artifacts, he'll be ready for us."

Aryan's jaw tightened as he considered her words. "He's after something bigger than just power. There's a reason he's been collecting these relics and keeping secrets about their true nature. We've been focusing on beating him to the artifacts, but now we need to figure out what his endgame is."

Kiara's mind raced. She thought back to Shiv's warning—about the ancient power these relics held, and how dangerous it was. But something about the way Aaryan was going after them felt personal, not just power-hungry.

"Do you think there's more to this? That it's not just about control or domination?"

Aryan looked over at her, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Maybe. Aaryan has always been meticulous, never acting without a reason. But whatever he's planning, it's going to come to a head soon. We need to be ready."

Kiara stepped closer, her eyes filled with worry. "What if we can't stop him?"

Aryan took her hands in his, pulling her into his arms. "We will. We've come too far to fail now. No matter what happens, we're in this together."

They stood there for a moment, the city stretching out below them, both feeling the weight of what was coming. The calm before the storm was unnerving, but neither of them was willing to back down.

---

The next morning, Aryan and Kiara met Shiv at a small café in the heart of the city. The place was busy, with people bustling in and out, making it the perfect spot for a discreet conversation. Shiv sat at a corner table, his back to the wall, scanning the room with sharp eyes.

"You're late," Shiv muttered as they sat down.

Aryan ignored the comment, getting straight to the point. "You said Aaryan is planning something big. Do you know where he's headed next?"

Shiv leaned forward, lowering his voice. "There's an old temple on the outskirts of the city, hidden deep in the forest. It's been abandoned for centuries, but it's where the last artifact is hidden. Aaryan has already made arrangements to retrieve it."

Kiara frowned. "But if it's so well hidden, how does he know about it?"

Shiv's expression darkened. "Because it's tied to his family. The temple belongs to the same ancient order that created the artifacts, and Aaryan's bloodline is connected to them. He's the key to unlocking its power."

Aryan's fists clenched. "So he's going after the final piece of the puzzle. What happens if he gets it?"

Shiv hesitated before answering. "If he gets all the artifacts, he'll be able to activate the ancient curse tied to them. He could reshape reality itself—bend it to his will. But it's not just that. The curse will unleash something far darker, something that even Aaryan might not be able to control."

Kiara's stomach twisted. "You mean, he could destroy everything?"

Shiv nodded gravely. "Exactly. And once it starts, there's no going back."

The weight of Shiv's words hit Aryan and Kiara like a punch to the gut. They were facing a ticking time bomb, and every second that passed brought Aaryan closer to his goal.

"We need to get to that temple first," Aryan said, his voice steely with resolve. "We can't let him activate the curse."

Shiv nodded, standing up. "I'll take you there. But be warned—there are dangers in that forest that even I can't protect you from."

Kiara exchanged a worried glance with Aryan, but they both knew there was no other option. They had to stop Aaryan, no matter the risks.

---

The journey to the temple took them deep into the heart of the forest, where the trees grew thick and the air felt heavy with the weight of ancient secrets. Shiv led the way, his movements quick and silent, as if he'd traveled this path many times before.

As they moved deeper into the forest, an unsettling feeling crept over Kiara. The trees seemed to watch them, their gnarled branches twisting in unnatural shapes. Shadows moved at the edges of her vision, and she swore she could hear whispers carried on the wind.

"We're getting close," Shiv muttered, breaking the silence. "Stay sharp. This place is cursed."

Kiara's heart pounded as they approached the temple, its stone walls crumbling from centuries of neglect. The entrance was overgrown with vines, and the air around it felt thick with an invisible force, making it hard to breathe.

Aryan stepped forward, his eyes scanning the entrance. "This is it."

Shiv nodded, his face grim. "Once we go inside, there's no turning back. If Aaryan's already here, we'll have to move fast."

Kiara took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Let's finish this."

As they stepped through the threshold, the temperature dropped, and a cold wind blew through the temple's halls. The place felt alive with ancient energy, as if it was waiting for something—or someone.

They moved quickly through the temple, their footsteps echoing in the vast, empty corridors. The walls were covered in ancient symbols, similar to those on the artifacts, and Kiara could feel the weight of history pressing down on her with every step.

Suddenly, a sound echoed through the halls—a low, rumbling noise that sent chills down their spines.

Shiv froze, his hand on his dagger. "He's here."

Aryan's heart raced as they moved toward the source of the sound, knowing that this was it—the moment they had been dreading.

They entered a large chamber, the ceiling towering above them. At the center of the room, a stone pedestal stood, and on it lay the final artifact—a golden amulet, its surface glowing with a faint, eerie light.

And standing before it was Aaryan.

He turned to face them, a slow, sinister smile spreading across his face. "I knew you'd come."

Aryan stepped forward, his eyes locked on Aaryan's. "This ends now."

Aaryan chuckled, his voice dripping with arrogance. "You're too late, Aryan. The final piece is mine, and with it, I'll unlock the true power of the curse. You can't stop me."

Aryan's fists clenched, his anger boiling over. "You have no idea what you're messing with."

Aaryan's smile widened. "Oh, I know exactly what I'm doing. And soon, so will you."

With that, he reached for the amulet, and the ground beneath them began to shake.