Episode 95
The helicopter blades roared above as the city lights faded below them. Inside, the cabin was tense—Raian holding Aria close, Lina checking her vitals, Ayan guarding the door with his rifle still drawn.
Aria's head rested on Raian's shoulder, her breaths shallow but even. The antidote had stabilized her, but her body was still fighting the effects of the drug. Raian hadn't spoken since they lifted off. His hand had never left hers.
"She's okay now," Lina said softly. "Vitals are holding."
Raian nodded, but didn't respond.
Ayan approached, crouching beside him. "We need to talk."
Raian finally looked up.
Ayan lowered his voice. "Malik didn't retreat. He let us take Aria. That wasn't a mistake."
Raian's eyes darkened. "He wanted us to think we won."
"And now he knows how far you'll go for her," Ayan added. "That's his weapon."
Raian's jaw clenched. "Then I'll show him what I'll do when someone dares touch what's mine."
---
Later that night – Safe house outskirts of Seoul
The team gathered inside a dimly lit command room, maps and blueprints scattered across the table. Aria rested in a secured medical room next door, under observation.
Ishaan stood at the head of the table. "Malik's men have gone radio silent. No trace on their location or activity. That's not retreat. That's camouflage."
Lina pointed at a satellite image. "We picked up movement near the eastern coast. Underground pathways leading to a defunct naval station."
Raian leaned forward. "He's going to stage something bigger. He's not just after control anymore."
Everyone turned to him.
"He's after legacy."
Ayan frowned. "What do you mean?"
Raian's voice was ice. "He doesn't want to destroy me. He wants to replace me. Erase my bloodline. Take everything I built. Everyone I love."
Lina swallowed hard. "Then what's our next move?"
Raian didn't hesitate. "We bring him into the light."
---
Meanwhile – Hidden lab, coastal base
Malik stood inside a sterile lab. Several scientists were working quietly behind glass partitions. In the center of the room stood a reinforced chamber holding a single steel capsule.
Saira entered, limping slightly from the explosion. Her face was unreadable.
"He saved her," Malik said without turning.
"I gave him the antidote," she replied calmly.
He turned to her slowly. "You broke rank."
"I delayed her death. Not canceled it," she said coldly. "You told me to test his resolve. I did. Now we know."
Malik stared at her for a long moment. Then he gestured to the capsule.
"You know what's in there?"
Saira's eyes flicked to it. "The final strain."
He nodded. "The one that makes all others look like child's play."
Saira tensed. "You're planning to use it?"
He smirked. "Not yet. First, we let them taste peace."
He walked to the glass, looking out over rows of caged figures—captives, experiments, soldiers in waiting.
"Then we turn that peace into a graveyard."
---
Back at the safe house
Aria stirred in bed, blinking slowly. The drugs were wearing off. The ceiling above her blurred and cleared.
She turned her head—Raian was there.
Sitting in silence, eyes closed, fingers still wrapped around hers.
"Raian," she croaked.
His eyes snapped open. Relief washed across his face like a wave. He leaned forward, brushing a hand through her hair.
"I'm here," he whispered.
Tears filled her eyes. "You came for me."
"I always will."
She looked away. "She said saving me would cost everything."
Raian cupped her face gently. "Then let it."
Her eyes searched his. "I don't want to be your weakness."
"You're not," he said. "You're my reason."
---
In the hallway
Lina leaned against the wall outside the medical room, arms folded.
Ayan approached silently, offering her a bottle of water. She took it without a word.
"You okay?" he asked.
She shrugged. "I don't know."
Ayan leaned beside her. "Say it."
She glanced at him. "I don't want to watch another person I love die."
His gaze softened. "You won't. Not this time."
She looked down. "You can't promise that."
He took her hand. "But I'll fight for it. Every second."
For the first time in days, she let herself lean against him.
---
Final scene – Malik's secret chamber
The steel capsule hissed open slowly, releasing a cold mist.
Inside was a body. Barely alive. Hooked to machines, its veins glowing faintly blue.
A voice spoke from the intercom: "Subject 03 shows stable compatibility."
Saira watched, numb. "Who is that?"
Malik turned to her, smiling.
"My son."
Saira flinched.
"But you killed him in the raids years ago—"
Malik's smile deepened. "Not killed. Harvested."
He turned toward the rising body, its heartbeat syncing with the lab monitors.
"And now… I have a new heir."