Inside the hidden armory, the air was thick with the scent of oil and cold steel. Abir Khan moved with lightning speed, selecting weapons for himself and Aryan's team. The sounds of explosions and gunfire outside were drawing closer; the mafia syndicate had already breached the first perimeter of the mansion.
"Catch this," Abir barked, tossing a customized M4 rifle to Aryan. "Don't miss your shots, Aryan. A mistake today means death for all of us."
Aryan caught the rifle effortlessly. He glanced at Arisa, who stood in a corner wearing a heavy bulletproof vest. The fear in her eyes had been replaced by a grim determination.
"Take care of yourselves," Arisa said, her voice steady. "Don't worry about me; I know how to hide."
Abir stepped close to her, planting a swift kiss on her forehead. "Stay alive for me, Arisa," he whispered. "Because once this war is over, I still have many scores to settle with you."
In the next moment, Abir and Aryan burst out of the room together. It was a surreal sight—two arch-enemies standing back-to-back, unleashing a hail of bullets upon the international invaders. Abir's raw ferocity combined with Aryan's tactical brilliance created an impenetrable wall of defense.
The mafia leader, Draco, rolled into the courtyard in an armored vehicle. "Abir Khan!" he roared through a loudspeaker. "Your time is up. Hand over Arisa, and we might show you mercy."
Abir's jaw tightened. He looked at Aryan and shared a dark, knowing smirk. "Aryan, do you see that fuel tank? Can you take it out?"
"One shot is all I need. Cover me," Aryan replied.
Abir laid down suppressive fire, keeping the mercenaries busy while Aryan aimed his sniper rifle. A second later, the courtyard erupted into a massive fireball. The shockwave rattled the entire island.
But through the veil of smoke, a group of mercenaries bypassed the front line and broke through Arisa's back window. She was alone! Her scream echoed through the halls.
"No! Arisa!" Abir roared.
Ignoring the flames and the crossfire, Abir charged back into the mansion, with Aryan right behind him. Would they reach her in time, or would these new enemies snatch Arisa away into the shadows?
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