"What did you see, Siya?" Ali asked anxiously.
Siya took a slow breath.
"He became the victim of the same strike I once saved you from. In trying to protect you, I forgot that Maan was with us. Before dying, that creature used its lethal attack on him."
Her voice lowered.
"Maan's body and mind are fragile. He cannot come out of this alone. We will have to pull him back ourselves. Even though the monster's body is destroyed, it is still alive inside Maan. From now on, Maan will think and act exactly like a Scriever."
Ali stiffened.
"He will spread terror," Siya continued, "just like those creatures made of flesh and metal."
Turning to Andy, she said firmly, "Lock him inside the chamber where light enters from every direction. In daylight, it won't be able to do much—but at night, it will become extremely dangerous."
Ali frowned. "Do they hate the light, Boss?"
"Yes," Siya replied. "Sunlight and intense illumination burn their bodies. Their flesh begins to decay, and their metal overheats. It weakens their ability to think. These beings were designed for today's polluted environment—that's why they can roam freely outside without difficulty. Light is their greatest enemy."
Andy followed her instructions exactly.
Siya warned them again, her tone sharp.
"Remember—no one goes near him. He was the leader of the Scrievers. That means he is far more powerful than the others. He may still possess abilities we don't know about. If that happens, the consequences will be severe."
Andy blurted out, "Are you afraid of him, Siya? A mere Scriever?"
Siya turned to him, her voice cold and commanding.
"Listen when I speak, Andy. I can sense it—this is no ordinary Scriever. None of you are to go near him. Do not let him touch you. He may even try to control your mind. This is a major threat. And you know what a major threat means."
Andy nodded silently.
Ali asked, "What now? How do we cure Maan? Should we try herbal medicine?"
"I don't know if herbs will work," Siya admitted. "This was a dark-energy strike. It harms the soul more than the body."
Andy insisted, "Still—try. Prepare it quickly and test it. Meanwhile, I'll see if there's another way through meditation."
Suddenly, Siya grew serious.
"Ali," she said, "you will enter yogic meditation with me to awaken your next chakra. You are ready to activate your Manipura Chakra."
Ali listened closely.
"You have already stabilized your Muladhara Chakra, your foundation. You awakened your Swadhisthana Chakra, gaining control over desires and emotions. These two chakras are functioning within you. Now, you are prepared for the next step."
Ali nodded in agreement, then asked softly, "What about Andy? Can't he awaken his next chakra?"
Siya shook her head.
"Andy's emotions are unstable. He still hasn't mastered himself. He needs time."
Ali didn't question further.
"You were hungry, weren't you?" Siya said gently. "Let's eat first."
She called Andy as well, but he refused, saying he wasn't hungry. When Siya suggested calling Clara, Andy replied that he would tell her himself.
"You can go without worrying," he said. "Focus on your meditation."
Siya looked at Ali and said quietly,
"This is exactly the stability he needs. Come."
And with that, Siya and Ali walked away—leaving behind a darkness that was no longer sleeping.