Episode 93
Smoke still clung to Lina's clothes as she and Ayan stumbled into the bunker, bruised and bloodied, but alive. The corridor fell silent as they passed. Every soldier turned, every medic stepped aside.
No one asked what happened.
It was written on their faces.
They had survived something not everyone could.
Inside the command room, Noah rushed toward them, relief mixing with panic. "Where is she?"
Ayan didn't hesitate. "Gone. Captured."
Raian stood by the monitors, fists clenched. His voice was low, calm—but dangerous. "When?"
"Three hours ago," Lina said, her voice trembling. "District 5. It was a trap. A fake refugee shelter. Malik's people were waiting."
Noah turned to Raian. "We have her last signal ping before it went dead. But after that—"
"We trace the pulse," Raian said. "Dead signal or not. Every transmitter has a decay trail. Find it."
He stormed out of the room.
---
District 5 – Deep underground
Aria's arms ached. The cold metal cuffs dug into her skin as she hung from the ceiling by her wrists. Blood dripped slowly from her lip to the floor. The cell stank of rust and forgotten pain.
Saira stood outside the bars, arms folded, watching in silence.
"You're not going to ask where Raian is?" she said eventually.
Aria raised her head, glaring. "He'll come."
"I know," Saira replied, almost softly. "That's why I'm not leaving."
She pulled out a small device and pressed a button. A screen flickered to life, showing live footage from a sniper drone floating outside the bunker.
Saira looked at Aria. "Let's see how he reacts… when he sees your blood on a broadcast."
"You're using me to lure him," Aria whispered.
"No," Saira said, smiling faintly. "I'm using his love."
---
Elsewhere – Outside the bunker
Ishaan leaned against the jeep, cleaning his gun. "Are you sure you want to go in like this? If it's a trap—"
"I don't care," Raian snapped.
Ishaan exhaled. "You're not thinking straight."
"I've never thought straighter in my life."
He looked up, eyes burning. "They took her. I don't need a strategy. I need a way in."
Ishaan didn't argue further. He just handed over a second gun. "Then let's bring hell."
---
Inside the war room
Lina sat alone, hands shaking as she unwrapped the gauze from her arm. The cut was deep, but manageable. What she couldn't manage was the way her chest clenched when she remembered Ayan shielding her from the drones.
She felt him before she saw him.
Ayan entered silently, sitting across from her.
"You saved me," she said, voice soft.
"You'd have done the same."
Lina stared at him. "I would've died for you."
He didn't reply at first. Then—
"So would I."
Her breath caught.
They didn't need more words. Not yet.
---
District 5 – Interrogation chamber
Aria hung motionless as the door creaked open.
Malik entered this time.
Saira stepped back.
He approached slowly, eyes cold. "You're stronger than you look."
Aria didn't flinch.
"But strength won't save you," he continued. "He'll come for you. That's what lovers do. But when he does…"
He smiled.
"…he'll find that the only way to save you—is to destroy himself."
She laughed through bloody teeth. "You've already lost."
Malik's expression darkened.
"Because when you touch someone like me… he doesn't fight alone. He brings a storm."
---
Outside the city – Midnight
Raian stood on a ridge overlooking District 5. Lights flickered in the distance. His earpiece crackled.
Noah's voice came through. "We've traced the signal decay. She's being held underground—central district. Heavily fortified. No air access. Thermal imaging is blocked. It's a fortress."
Raian's reply was quiet.
"Then we turn their fortress into a tomb."
He turned to Ishaan. "Get the explosives. Tonight we go in."
---
Inside the bunker – Hospital wing
Lina stared at the x-ray scanner, then dropped it with a sigh. Her hands weren't steady. Not today.
Ayan leaned on the doorframe. "You okay?"
She nodded, avoiding his gaze.
"You did good out there," he said. "You saved lives."
She shook her head. "I watched her go. I did nothing."
"You lived," Ayan said. "And now you fight again."
Lina finally looked up, eyes glassy. "I'm tired, Ayan."
He walked to her, gently holding her face in his hands. "So lean on me."
Her defenses cracked.
For the first time in years, Lina let herself be held.
---
Elsewhere – a flashback
Saira sat on the edge of a metal bed, her hair short, her face younger. Bloodstains covered her clothes. A woman, her mother, knelt nearby, whispering.
"They lied to us. The world doesn't care about people like us."
"But Raian—he gave us shelter," Saira had said.
Her mother gripped her shoulders. "Raian only saves what he wants to. You'll always be a pawn."
Saira never forgot that night.
And never forgave him.
---
Back in the present – Saira's quarters
She stared at the screen, watching Raian's convoy move into District 5.
Her hands trembled.
"He's really coming," she whispered.
Then why did it feel like she was the one losing?
---
Final scene – Underground tunnel
Raian moved like a shadow through the tunnel's lower duct, gun in hand, eyes trained on every sound.
He whispered into the radio. "One floor down. She's close."
Ishaan's voice responded. "Copy. Watch your flank."
Suddenly, Aria's voice came through—hoarse, weak, but alive.
"Raian…"
He froze.
"Raian… don't come. It's a trap."
His hand tightened on the trigger.
"I'm already here, Aria."
She gasped softly on the other end.
And then silence.
Until Malik's voice took over the channel.
"Well done, Mr. Raian. Now… let's begin."