The silence stretched long after Rudraen's figure faded into the shadows. His last words echoed in Ariv's mind like a storm he couldn't escape:
"I'm sorry to keep you in mystery... but you'll know soon. Maybe by yourself—or by someone closer than you think."
Ariv stood frozen on the empty street, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. The cool evening air felt heavier than ever. Beside him, Neel and Vaishnavi exchanged uneasy glances before Vaishnavi finally broke the silence.
"Ariv…" Her voice trembled slightly. "Who was that man? And why did he speak like… like you're part of something big?"
Ariv clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the ground. He could feel the locket resting against his chest like a weight of secrets. "I don't know," he said quietly. But the truth was, those words from Rudraen stirred something deep inside him. Something he couldn't name.
Vaishnavi stepped closer, frustration flashing in her eyes. "You've been acting strange since all this started. First at your house, then… the attack. And now this? Don't tell me you're hiding something."
Ariv turned his gaze away, his throat dry. He wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't even sure what he truly knew. The only thing certain was the fear and the questions that never stopped growing.
Neel finally spoke, his tone calm but unsettlingly firm. "That man wasn't ordinary. And this… isn't coincidence anymore." His eyes were sharp, almost knowing—like he was connecting dots no one else could see.
Ariv looked at him, searching for answers. But Neel simply turned his gaze toward the dark horizon, his jaw tightening. What do you know, Neel?
The streetlights flickered. A cold gust swept through Dharavanar, carrying an eerie stillness that made the night feel endless.
Ariv whispered under his breath, "Secrets everywhere… and now he's gone."
But in his heart, he knew this was just the beginning.
Meanwhile, Neel's thoughts burned quietly:
"I have to reveal the secrets… and soon."