Years had passed since Avni Raichand's miraculous return to life—though in exile, far from her family and unaware of her true heritage. She had become Meera Ahir, mother to Mukul, hidden from the world under the protection of Aditya Varma and Kabir Rathore.
The two masters, aware of the Raichand–Malhotra families' relentless search, knew the delicate balance that had to be maintained. They could not reveal too much. If the families discovered Mukul, the child of unmatched destiny, too early, the world could shift into chaos. Yet Avni's parents and siblings deserved a sign—a thread connecting them to the lost daughter and sister.
In the dead of night, Aditya and Kabir convened in their secret sanctum. The room was lined with maps, coded messages, and devices that could traverse continents unnoticed.
"Her safety is paramount," Aditya said firmly, tracing a finger over a map marking Europe and distant lands. "But the Raichands and Malhotras must know she lives. We cannot let them despair for another day."
Kabir's dark eyes narrowed. "We give them a clue—a location, nothing more. If they come too early, they might endanger her and the boy. If they wait too long, they might lose hope. Timing is critical."
Ishita and Anaya, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "They must understand that only the place matters for now. Her life, her child, and the training—everything else is hidden for their protection."
With precision, they crafted a secret message, encoded with layers of cryptography only the Raichand–Malhotra elders could decode. Embedded within was a single revelation:
"Avni Raichand lives. She resides in a hidden sanctuary under the care of allies you do not yet know. Approach cautiously. Her location is known, but her life is intertwined with powers beyond mortal comprehension. Do not seek her yet. Time will reveal the rest."
The message was sent via channels known only to Arjun Raichand, Devendra Malhotra, and a handful of top strategists in both families.
The families were electrified upon receiving the cryptic missive.
"Avni… she is alive," Arjun Raichand breathed, his hands shaking despite decades of commanding empires.
Devendra Malhotra, eyes narrowing, muttered, "The message only gives a location. Nothing else. If what the masters say is true, we must tread carefully. There may be forces protecting her we cannot even imagine."
Aryan Raichand clenched his fists. "For fifteen years, we have sought her. Now, we have a thread. And threads can be followed."
The 15-Year Countdown
Even as the Raichands and Malhotras began planning their journey, the masters knew that time was a tool. Fifteen years would pass before the first tangible clues of Avni's existence could be uncovered. Fifteen years during which Mukul would grow under the tutelage of Aditya and Kabir, his power and destiny unfurling. Fifteen years during which the six daughters would mature, bound to him in ways the world could not yet foresee.
"Patience," Aditya whispered, staring at the boy sleeping quietly in Meera's arms. "Everything must unfold in its own time. Fifteen years… long enough for the world to prepare… and for the child to be ready."
Kabir's lips curled into a faint, grim smile. "By the time they reach her, they will find more than just a woman. They will find a storm, and a boy who can command it."
In distant Europe, the Raichand and Malhotra families began their careful, secretive preparations. Intelligence networks were reactivated, maps were drawn, and eyes turned to corners of the world long forgotten.
But for now, they only had one truth: Avni Raichand was alive.
And the clock had begun ticking. Fifteen years until destiny's first tangible thread revealed itself.