I. Tara D'Silva
Tara D'Silva stood at her window in Vastra City, scanning newsfeeds as rain traced lines down glass. Her tablet vibrated and she swiped to read the encoded message, muttering to herself.
"Relic lost, targets escaped. Typical," she said, rolling her eyes. A voice chirped in on the intercom.
"Ma'am, do you want us to approach Bharatapuri authorities?"
She replied coldly, "No authorities. Containment only. If Rao or the hacker reach the Archive, there'll be fallout we can't afford."
The staff member hesitated. "Are you sure we should involve the myth-binder, Director D'Silva?"
Tara stared at the shadowed skyline. "If they have the Shastra fragment, we don't have a choice. Authorize it. And make sure the board knows—it's their legacy that hangs in the balance."
II. Javed Mirza
In the flooded underbelly of Suryanagar, Javed barked into his comm, irritation and anxiety thick in his voice.
"Keep your team at the tunnel mouth, Patel, that's an order."
The rookie stammered, "Inspector… the readings are off the charts. I've never seen trace data like this."
Javed's patience snapped. "Welcome to old Suryanagar. If we see anything that can't be explained, you run. I'll handle the rest."
His partner's voice faltered. "You think these stories… are real? The ones about market ghosts and—"
Javed cut him off. "We're not here for stories. We're here to keep people from dying. Stay sharp." But as he stepped deeper, he whispered to himself, "If the myths are coming, I'll be damned if I let them take this city."
III. Ishani Kale
In the tunnels, Arjun's breathing hitched.
"Ishani, are we safe here? They're going to find us, aren't they?" he whispered.
Ishani placed a hand on his arm, glancing both ways. "Nothing down here is safe, Rao. But it's better than what's above."
Arjun tried to smile. "You always this reassuring?"
A sharp sound echoed. Ishani stiffened. "Get behind me. If it's mercs, let me talk first."
From the darkness, a gruff voice called out, "We know you're in there! Come out now, and drop the chip."
Arjun tensed. "They know about the chip?"
"They know enough to want you dead," Ishani replied. She leaned closer, voice dropping. "Listen to me: If things go bad, take the left fork and don't stop running. Don't argue."
Arjun swallowed. "Why are you helping me?"
"Maybe I'm bored. Maybe you're not quite what you seem," she answered with a dry edge, then raised her voice for the enemy to hear. "You want us? Come and try. I promise, you won't like what happens."
IV. The Myth-Binder
Underneath arc lights, the myth-binder's mask glowed faintly. A subordinate whispered, "Order is to sever the thread, sir—do we have clearance?"
The myth-binder's voice was mechanical, yet laced with regret. "We have order. Now we have hunt. No more questions."
His subordinate, unsettled, fell silent. The myth-binder murmured under his breath, almost unheard, "Let the cycle break differently this time. Please."
V. Arjun
As Ishani tugged him through a narrow gap between pipes, Arjun hissed, "Does everything in this city want me dead?"
She grinned at him, brown eyes glinting in lantern light. "Welcome to the hidden half of Suryanagar, Rao. Full of trouble, but you get used to it—if you live."
They pressed on. As echoes faded and danger receded for a moment, Arjun finally exhaled and said, "Thanks… for not leaving me behind."
Ishani shrugged. "Just stick close. I might need someone who can jury-rig a prayer drone with a spoon if we get cornered."
Arjun tried to laugh, tension breaking slightly. "You give the worst pep talks, you know that?"
From above, faint footsteps signaled another threat—never far. But for now, side by side, they moved through the darkness, stories and survival intertwined.
End of Chapter 5