The council chamber inside Mukul's underground citadel was carved from black marble, its walls lined with luminous inscriptions of past victories. On this day, however, a new symbol was etched into history.
Mukul stood at the head of the chamber, his gaze sweeping across his closest circle—Anaya by his side, Avni watching silently, the flame of her recent discovery flickering in her eyes.
"From today," Mukul announced, his voice calm yet heavy with command, "we add a new branch to our dominion. One that will not fight wars on the battlefield, but in silence, patience, and watchfulness."
He gestured to the towering obsidian doors behind him, engraved with a single name:
The Hall of Shadows
This was no ordinary hall. Unlike the others—designed for force, finance, intelligence, or medicine—this one was born to monitor, guide, and safeguard. Its role was simple yet profound: to quietly track the progress of every cousin and fiancée now spread across the globe, recording their alliances, struggles, and victories.
Anaya stepped forward, draped in a dark silver cloak embroidered with the Raichand–Malhotra crest. "I will lead this hall," she declared. "Each cousin, each fiancée, will walk their own road. But we will ensure that if danger comes for them, the storm will never catch them alone."
A hush fell over the chamber. Mukul placed his hand on the sigil carved at the center of the hall's doors. "Remember—only three may see what this hall sees. Myself. Anaya. And Avni."
Avni lowered her head, understanding the gravity of being entrusted with such access. Yet her heart pounded with the secret she had carried since morning. She unfolded the parchment she had kept hidden against her chest.
"Mukul. Anaya. There is something more."
Both turned to her, sensing the weight in her tone.
"I found a trace—of my elder daughter." Her voice trembled, breaking for the first time in years. "I don't know if she lives, but the signs are too sharp to ignore. She may be out there… watching us, as we watch the world."
The air grew still. Mukul's eyes sharpened, his mind already weaving contingencies. Anaya's expression softened, though her hand tightened over the map of global deployments spread across the table.
"We will find her," Mukul said firmly. "But for now, we keep her name hidden, even within these walls. Until the truth stands before us, she remains a shadow."
Avni nodded, tears shining but her spine straight as iron.
The Halls of the Dominion
As the Hall of Shadows was inaugurated, Mukul's empire now stood with seven great halls, each a pillar of the Eclipsed Triad Dominion:
Hall of Blades – Led by Veer, the global private military and combat division.
Hall of Mind – Riyaan's domain, uniting medicine, neuroscience, and psychology.
Hall of Fortune – Overseen by Kian, controlling finance, trade, and global markets.
Hall of Nexus – Aahana's hub of technology, AI, and cyber defense.
Hall of Voice – Kiara's realm, handling diplomacy, politics, and cultural influence.
Hall of Genesis – Liya's center of innovation, arts, and creation across industries.
Hall of Shadows – The newest, led by Anaya, tasked with watching over Mukul's scattered family, recording their growth, and ensuring no one is lost in the storm.
Avni's parchment remained sealed in Mukul's hand as the chamber doors closed behind them. The world outside saw only a family empire rising. But within the shadows of those halls, a secret lived—one that could change everything the day it came to light.