The city had returned to an uneasy calm, but Mukul could feel it—something was wrong. Even after neutralizing the Council's hidden weapon, dark tendrils of betrayal slithered unseen.
"They're feeding information from inside," Mukul murmured, golden aura flickering. "Someone in the city is working with the Council."
Meera's eyes narrowed. "Inside? That means we've been compromised. Who could it be?"
Kavya smirked, spinning her dagger. "A mole? Interesting. Let's find them before they ruin the whole plan."
Anaya's tone was sharp. "We need patience and observation. Acting rashly could alert them, and we'll lose the advantage."
Saira's calm voice added, "Careful analysis of energy traces and behavioral patterns will reveal the source. Coordination remains our strength."
Liyana leaned against a railing, casually spinning her lockpick. "And style helps. Even betrayal looks cooler when handled elegantly."
Mukul nodded, formulating a plan. "We'll split into investigation teams. Meera, Anaya, and I track energy anomalies in the city. Kavya, Saira, and Liyana monitor potential insiders and patterns in civilian areas. Every detail counts."
The night air was heavy as they moved, golden light illuminating faint traces of shadow energy left by the mole. Every street, alley, and building was scanned meticulously.
"There," Mukul whispered, pointing to a subtle distortion near an abandoned warehouse. "This energy signature isn't natural. Someone is manipulating information flow."
Meera and Anaya approached cautiously, weapons ready. Kavya and Liyana flanked the area, prepared to intercept any fleeing target. Saira monitored energy fluctuations, providing guidance and alerting the team to traps.
Suddenly, a shadowy figure darted across the rooftop, nearly invisible.
"After them!" Mukul shouted.
The chase was intense. The figure moved with unnatural speed, warded by residual dark energy. Meera leapt, striking with precision to destabilize their barrier. Anaya dismantled protective nodes, Kavya attacked from above, Saira deflected energy surges, and Liyana disabled auxiliary wards.
The figure faltered, revealing themselves—a city official with ties to the Council, holding a compact device transmitting energy pulses.
"You!" Mukul exclaimed. "How long have you been feeding them?"
The official smirked, eyes glinting with defiance. "Long enough. The Council knows your every move. You're impressive, Mukul… but predictable."
Mukul stepped forward, golden aura flaring. "Not anymore."
The women moved instinctively, forming a protective circle. Meera struck to disable the device, Anaya dismantled remaining energy nodes, Kavya distracted the official, Saira intercepted attacks, and Liyana neutralized wards protecting them.
Mukul concentrated, channelling golden energy through the artifacts. Threads of light enveloped the official, cutting off the energy transmission and rendering the device inert. The figure collapsed, defeated but alive, their secrets exposed.
Breathing heavily, Mukul looked at the women. Each was bruised but unwavering, eyes burning with determination.
"Teamwork," he said softly. "Coordination, trust, and unity—that is why we survive and triumph."
Kavya grinned. "And style, don't forget style."
Anaya smirked. "Coordination wins. Chaos doesn't matter."
Saira nodded calmly. "Unity and vigilance always prevail."
Meera added firmly, "Protecting each other—that is our true strength."
Liyana twirled her lockpick, "And charm always helps, optional but effective."
The mole had been exposed, the Council's information pipeline cut, and the city was safer—at least for now. Mukul knew the Council would retaliate, and new threats would emerge. But with his allies at his side, he was ready to face whatever shadows came next.
Golden light pulsed softly from the artifacts—a reminder that strategy, courage, and unity would guide them through the darkness still to come.