A dusty memory stirred in the wind.
A child's voice—sharp, scared, echoing down a hallway of time.
Aryan (young):
"Maa! Dad! Where are you?!"
Tears in his eyes, barefoot on the grass, Aryan's tiny frame spun in circles, searching.
Mother (laughing gently):
"Right here, beta!"
He ran into their arms, hugging them so tightly it made them laugh again—until…
Father (sternly):
"Aryan… next time you jump from the first floor, we might not come running."
Later – at the family doctor's office
Doctor (serious):
"Pain is what keeps us from destroying ourselves. Your son's nervous system is different. He doesn't feel it."
Father:
"We understand, doctor. But why does he keep doing these things? Jumping, climbing—like he's not scared of anything."
Doctor:
"Because he isn't. Pain teaches children limits. Without it—without fear—why would they stop?"
"You'll need to be very, very careful. Or next time… he might not walk away."
Father (quiet):
"…Understood."
Some things are written in blood.
Aryan was a descendant of King Rajvir Singh.
His mother. His father. Normal.
But in him—something ancient had survived.
The serum Rajvir used generations ago hadn't faded. It slept in his blood.
Aryan never felt pain. Not once in his life.
He grew up with a heart full of loyalty. Wanted to join the army.
But he failed the entrance. Not because he was weak—but because the tests didn't fit a boy with no fear.
He was recruited by AGNI in secret at 17.
They never learned about his condition.
He never told them.
Not even his best friend—Albert Lam.
By 30, Aryan was one of AGNI's sharpest minds.
But his past had already shaped his future.
His father, once CEO of an airline, had been blamed for a crash.
No one had died—but for years, they were dragged through court.
Proven innocent, but never forgiven by the world.
Even after topping his class, Aryan was always treated like a fraud.
Teachers whispered. Students mocked. Neighbors crossed the street.
He was disrespected.
And then—during a mission—AGNI found out.
Aryan didn't feel pain.
He was… different.
So they turned him into a lab rat.
They harvested his blood.
Cut him open.
Tortured him—in the name of science.
Even his parents were brought in and experimented on.
No one listened to his screams.
Not even Albert.
Aryan's voice echoed in the villager's words:
Villager:
"AGNI didn't discover the serum. They made it. Out of Aryan."
Bhalla (confused):
"But… AGNI said it was taken from a British officer… Montgomery stole it from Rajvir…"
Villager:
"I don't know any Montgomery. I'm telling you what Aryan told us. And he never lies.In fact Rajavir Singh lived long before the colonial era"
Aarvansh (to himself):
"So AGNI lied to me too. They never found the serum. They created it."
Aarvansh (aloud):
"What does Aryan want now?"
Villager:
"His parents didn't survive. But he did. One day, he stole a capsule—burned every report and disappeared. Now… he's building an army of minds."
"His goal? Not just revenge. He wants to erase AGNI. He says they are the real government. A shadow state. Too dangerous to exist."
Both Bhalla and Aarvansh went silent.
Aarvansh (in thought):
If this is true... then we're on the wrong side.
Return to the present – D-17
Tension. Still air.
Heavy silence—until…
Albert (low):
"What is it that you're hiding, Bhalla?"
Bhalla (quiet):
"Nothing, sir…"
Aarvansh (stepping forward):
"You were there."
Albert's eyes locked onto him. Aarvansh didn't flinch.
Aarvansh (hard):
"You knew what AGNI did to Aryan. You knew what this organization really is. And you chose loyalty to it—over your best friend."
"You chose silence over truth."
Albert remained still. His face unreadable.
Aarvansh:
"Tell me… did AGNI even give a funeral to Aryan's parents?"
Bhalla (softly, breaking):
"Stop, Aarvansh…"
Albert (cold):
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The still air inside D-17 was shattered by the sound of something dragging across stone.
An old man—ragged, frail, coughing—crawled in through the entrance.
Old Man (gasping):
"We… need help…"
Aarvansh rushed forward to catch him before he collapsed.
Aarvansh (recognizing him):
"He's the man who kicked me… back in the village."
Bhalla's hand went straight to his holster. He pulled out his gun and pointed it at the old man's head.
Old Man (weakly):
"Aryan… he's going to destroy us.
He knows… he knows you escaped.
We told him we'd bring you back, but he thinks the information's out now.
And… he's going to kill us all.
Help… please."
Albert stepped forward, eyes steady.
Bhalla:
"I see… but none of us can enter Pokhran right now.
The radiation would kill us."
Aarvansh:
"It won't affect me."
Bhalla turned, alarmed.
Bhalla:
"Kid, we haven't tested you properly.
We can't risk your life.
There are more important things than this right now.
I'm sorry… but we can't help them."
But Aarvansh didn't even look at him.
He crouched next to the old man.
Aarvansh:
"How did you find us?
Where are the rest?"
Old Man (struggling):
"Aryan… he's taking them.
To his base.
I left as soon as you escaped.
I knew he'd find out.
He told me about this place years ago… when he still trusted us."
"I had to come."
Bhalla stepped forward, tense.
Bhalla:
"Aarvansh, you're not seriously thinking about this.
There are twenty-one enhanced soldiers there.
You're one man.
And an important asset to AGNI."
Aarvansh stood. His voice was sharp now.
Aarvansh:
"Yeah?
That's what Aryan was to you people… right, Albert?"
A beat.
"You made him into a criminal.
And sure, he has to be stopped.
But AGNI… is the bigger threat at this point."
Albert's eyes narrowed.
Albert:
"Look, kid—
I don't know who's manipulated you.
But if Aryan gains full control…
We'll be living under a silent dictatorship.
And the country won't even know it."
Bhalla:
"Sir's right.
And you can't go in alone."
Albert didn't hesitate.
Albert:
"He's not going alone, Bhalla.
We're going with him."
Bhalla blinked.
Bhalla:
"What?"
Albert:
"If we don't stay too long, the radiation won't affect us.
We'll wear masks. Stay covered. Move fast."
Bhalla:
"But if Aryan sees us…
He'll know we're after him.
He'll accelerate his plans.
We don't even know if he's already got access to the nuclear codes."
Aarvansh (calmly):
"He won't launch them.
He hates AGNI, not the country."
Bhalla (groaning):
"Why do I always get stuck in world-ending situations…"
Aarvansh turned back to the old man, knelt beside him, and looked him in the eyes.
Aarvansh (quietly):
"Lead the way."