saga_of_vish_x

In a world where power is built on shadows and secrets, the ultimate throne is not just a seat of authority—it is the key to controlling everything. Hidden from history, this throne has silently dictated wars, economies, and the fate of empires. Now, the race to claim it has begun.

A man with a past buried in blood and deception, finds himself entangled in a deadly game of loyalty and betrayal. What starts as a mission for vengeance turns into a battle for supremacy, as he navigates a labyrinth of powerful adversaries—each willing to kill for a place at the top. With enemies lurking in the dark and allies who may not be what they seem, that man must decide: will he manipulate the game or become a pawn in it?

But power never comes without a price. Every step he takes brings him closer to the throne—yet further from his soul. And in this battle, only one rule remains: Win or be erased from history.

Race for the secret throne

AK stood by the bridge, watching Anish as he hurried away, trying to act casual. Something about the way he looked over his shoulder seemed off. The Third Officer was hiding something, but what? AK's instincts were razor-sharp, but even he knew that unraveling this mystery would take time—and patience.

The Captain was busy with his final checks, leaving AK a rare moment of solitude. It was now or never. He turned sharply and headed down the narrow corridor that led to the crew quarters. His boots echoed softly against the polished floor as he moved with purpose. The ship's hum vibrated beneath his feet, a constant reminder that they were on a mission—one that could turn dangerous at any moment.

AK reached the door to Anish's quarters. He knocked twice, the sound of it bouncing off the cold metal walls. There was no answer. AK glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, and with a practiced movement, he slid the keycard from his pocket and unlocked the door.

The room was small but neat, with a single bunk bed and a desk cluttered with papers and a few personal items. The air was thick with the faint scent of stale coffee. AK walked in slowly, his eyes scanning every corner, searching for anything unusual.

His gaze landed on the desk drawer. It was slightly ajar. AK moved closer, pulling the drawer open with deliberate care. Inside, he found a small stack of documents—handwritten notes and a few coded messages. His heart skipped a beat. This wasn't just a mistake on the crew list. These were instructions—deliberate, detailed instructions.

AK quickly skimmed through the notes. There were references to certain coordinates, specific times, and a cryptic mention of a "transfer" to take place at sea. The pieces were falling into place, but there was still a missing link. Why was Anish involved? And who else was part of this operation?

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps outside the door snapped him out of his thoughts. AK quickly shoved the papers back into the drawer and locked it, just as the door to the crew quarters creaked open.

"Chief, everything okay?" It was the voice of Bosun Anthony Raj, peering inside.

AK straightened up, adjusting his posture. "Just checking on the crew's readiness," he said smoothly, offering a reassuring smile. "Is everything okay on deck? Any issues so far? What about the lashing? All checked, and how many bays are left for loading?"

Bosun Anthony nodded. "All good, sir. Lashing is going on for the completed bays, and 3 more bays are yet to load."

AK nodded. "Good, Bosun. Carry on with your work. If I need you, I'll call you on the walkie-talkie."

"Okay, sir," Anthony replied, and he left.

AK didn't feel suspicious of Bosun Anthony; he had been introduced by the previous Chief Officer, and at that time, AK had gotten a good impression of him. Anthony had always been reliable and seemed to know his stuff. But the ship was full of hidden layers, and AK knew not to trust anyone completely—not even those who had earned his trust.

As AK turned to leave, the walkie-talkie crackled to life, breaking his thoughts.

"Chief, the cargo planner is waiting for you in the ship's office," came the voice from the other end.

"Understood. On my way," AK replied.

He made his way back to the ship's office, his mind still occupied with the growing suspicion surrounding Anish. There was something bigger at play, and he needed to uncover it before anyone noticed he was getting too close to the truth.

The web was unraveling, and AK was right in the middle of it.

Chapter 8: The Web Unravels