The place outside the queens headquarters was unusually quiet.
Not the heavy, threatening kind of silence the Dark world was known for-
but the strange kind that something real had just happened.
Purav, Jai, Veer and Agni stood facing the Queens.
For the first time no one looked like an enemy.
No strategies, no calculations and no masks.
Just people who survived various missions, games and trainings together. Something was built between the Braves and Queens , who would have thought that the players who once competed against each other had now become partners in crime in missions and games.This bond between the Braves and Queens not only surprised them but also the world which they were part of .Teams started talking about the alliance they have built.
Shadows were hearing it too.
Mystery man was watching everything, every step made by the Queens.
Braves and Queens facing each other and this was not a feeling of being against but a feeling that they had met someone with whom they don't need to pretend anymore -- finally a friend.
Durga spoke first.
" So," she said casually," you're leaving already? Just when I was getting used to your dramatic entrances ?"
Veer chuckled," Dramatic? Please. You're the one who almost knocked me out during the training."
Durga smirked," That was a warning next time I won't miss."
Jai laughed under his breath." I'm starting to feel bad for him."
Saraswati instantly turned to Jai." Oh please. You loved every second of it."
Jai looked at her." I loved watching it. Big difference."
She stepped closer, pretending to inspect him." You're surprisingly calm for someone who almost got caught spying on forbidden files."
He leaned in just enough to lower his voice. Saraswati was just looking at his eyes acting all okay but shaking from inside her heart was beating more fast than her cars on the track.
"And you're surprisingly charming for someone who threatened me to lock me in the archives forever."
They both were too close that they could hear each others heartbeat. Not even blinking their eyes.
Durga made a gagging noise." Can you two flirt somewhere else? You're ruining the mysterious farewell vibe."
Jai and Saraswati stepped back looking here and there a little embarrassed meanwhile Radhika and Sia standing together just adoring their moments and laughing. This was comfort which was felt by the Queens after a long time.
Saraswati now turned at Durga and Jai was standing behind her.
"What ? Its called building alliances."
Jai leaned again from back towards her and whispered. "I'll take that as compliment."
Saraswati just moves forward and said, "Don't flatter yourself?"
Sia kept her arm on the Radhika's shoulder and both of them enjoying embarrassed faces of Durga and Saraswati while they were talking about each others feeling right infront of their respective Brave.
Then suddenly Purav comes towards Radhika and it was clear from his facial expressions that that was something personal. Sia didn't saw him coming as she was engaged in the Durga and Saraswati fight.
Radhika saw him coming became all tensed and nervous as he approached her, she just turned around pretending to be on a call. Meanwhile Sia who was leaned against Radhika just got slipped but handled herself.
Radhika pretending to be on a call." Yes.. Yes bring it tomorrow.. yeah we will ofcourse meet tomorrow..."
Sia looked at her and said," Come on Radhika, I could have almost twisted my ankle."
Purav first looked towards Radhika who was moving away then looked at Sia all clueless.
Sia was busy looking at her ankle and moving it. Then looked at him ," What ? She is not interested in you, Purav. Stop wasting her time and yours... well I don't care about your time."
Purav asked Sia," But why?"
" Why do I care about your time? Dumbass." Sia replied frustrated.
Purav asked, " No ..no.. I mean why can't she be with me. I mean ...any specific reason."
Sia's anger rising with each question." Yeah because she doesn't like you."
Purav replied," Not possible. I worked with her all these days. It doesn't seem like that."
Now Sia's anger which was on last stage but she could not hold back and said loudly," Cause she love someone else and his name is Krish. Love of her life so, bro you better waste your time on someone else."
Radhika stopped, still putting her phone near her ear and turned around.
" What the hell? Who is this Krish now?"
Back to Farewell, this time everyone was serious no more stupid fight, no more flirting .
Purav went to Radhika again but no flirting, no teasing only understanding.
"You didn't have to stay back this long," Radhika said calmly.
Purav replied," Didn't feel right leaving without saying it properly."
She studied him for a second --- sharp eyes, unreadable as ever but sadness could be seen in them -- then nodded.
"You kept your word," she said," That matters."
He said," That's it?" he teased lightly," No emotional speech?"
Radhika almost smiled almost but she was also feeling bad for him but she was not at all ready for any comitments like these.But using name of someone else was a nice plan though stupid at the same time.
Then Purav started walking away but turned," Well, who the hell is this Krish?"
Sia coughed and just moved her face other side pretending not to hear anything, Radhika herself didn't know who was he and all she could do is to pass smile to Purav.
Purav could not understand what does that smile meant.
Before,Radhika was shy but now, she was embarrassed.
Meanwhile Saraswati and Durga with their braves were as confused as Purav.
Jai looked at Saraswati asking but she just moved her shoulders up and down in a gesture that she didn't know either.
Only one person among them really had a surprised looked on his face and the reason no one really knew and the person was --- Agni.
Radhika was continuously looking at Sia and Sia just avoiding eye contact and bumped into Agni.
"You okay?" asked Agni.
She nodded too fast," I'm fine."
Saraswati suddenly clapped her hands.
"Well, this is unexpected."
Durga nodded." Yeah. The people we competed against ---"
"--ended up being the first people we trust," Saraswati finished.
She looked at Jai, then added lightly,
"Guess this dark world has a weired sense of humor."
Veer leaned against his car hands in his pockets," So what are we now? Allies? Rivals? Temporary chaos partners?"
All queens smiled.
Radhika answered this time. Firm. Certain."Friends," she said," In a world that doesn't offer many."
Purav continued," but are needed to survive."
Silence followed.
Jai smiled." Didn't think I'd earn that title so soon."
Durga stepped forward tapped Veer's shoulder.
"Don't let it get to your head. We're still stronger than you."
Veer grinned," I wouldn't expect anything less."
Saraswati pointed a finger at Jai." And don't disappear. I hate unfinished conversation."
He stepped closer," I'd never dare."
He turned around and sat in the car.
Saraswati smiled, biting her lips.
Agni gave Sia a brief nod," We'll be around soon."
She met his eyes. Steady this time.
" I know" she said.
As they all sat in the car, Saraswati called out,
"Hey--- next time we meet, try not to be so competent. It's intimidating."
Jai laughed." No promises."
And the cars left. But the new born friendship was still in the air.
The Queens stood there, alone again.
But not quite the same.
Because in the world built on darkness, they had unknowingly formed their first real friendship.
Friendship had found the Queens far earlier than the Underworld ever allowed.
And the world noticed.
Beyond their laughter and quiet understanding,movements began -- silent entries, new names stepping forward, unfamiliar intensions slipping into place. Not announced. Not invoted. Just present.
The Queens were great.
But greatness did not mean readiness.
They were still new in this world, learning the rules of the world that punished bonds and tested loyalty first. And this time, the few they trusted would not be standing close enough to warn or shield them.
Because storms never arrive when allies are near.
They arrive when confidence is high, guards are low,
and the game decides it's time to remind everyone---
Power is respected.
But inexperience is hunted.