The quiet hum of the headquarters was interrupted by Avni's call. Mukul, reviewing the global coordination feeds on the holographic display, answered immediately.
"Mukul, Anaya," Avni's voice carried urgency, "I've found traces of Aria Ahir. The last signals indicate she might be near the Draven family's region. It's recent—within the last 48 hours."
Mukul's heart skipped a beat. For years, the search had been painstakingly slow, every lead fleeting. Now, a tangible trace had finally emerged. He immediately turned to Anaya, who was already scanning digital maps and encrypted channels.
"Coordinates?" Mukul asked, keeping his tone controlled, though his mind raced.
"I've marked all potential areas on the secured feed," Avni replied. "The pattern suggests movement consistent with someone highly trained, maintaining stealth but leaving minimal digital footprints."
Anaya tapped rapidly on her console, bringing up historical data of the Draven family and their operational radius. "If this is Aria, she's skilled in evasion, so we need to predict her trajectory based on her habits and known guild operations. Any misstep could result in losing her trace entirely."
Mukul leaned closer to the display. Every line of data told a story—last sightings, minor energy signatures, travel logs, even environmental data she had crossed. He absorbed it all, his mind piecing together a potential path.
"Let's split the analysis," he suggested. "Anaya, focus on probable paths, considering her internal energy mastery and travel capabilities. I'll cross-reference with Draven family operations and historical missions. We need to determine where she might be hiding now, not just where she's been."
Anaya's fingers flew across the holographic interface, drawing projected paths and highlighting critical junctures. "Based on movement speed, energy signature dissipation, and her previous missions, she could be within a 200-kilometer radius of the Draven estate. Minimal exposure, maximum efficiency."
Mukul nodded, formulating the plan mentally. "We need to approach without alerting her. If she's aware we're tracking her, she could vanish again. No direct contact until we have confirmation. Use all stealth channels—satellite feeds, local intelligence, and encrypted Draven guild support. Liya, Rishika, Diya, Rhea, and Aralyn—coordinate remotely; feed us live updates on environmental and human activity around the area."
Anaya added, "I'll activate the observation hall's encrypted link. Every movement, every energy fluctuation in the radius will be flagged. Only Mukul, Avni, and I have access."
Mukul exhaled slowly. After years of meticulous planning, it had come down to this. A faint smile tugged at his lips; the journey that began with scattered clues, lost years, and untold perseverance was finally converging.
"Prepare for a stealth approach," Mukul said, his voice firm. "We move in stages. First, gather all visual, audio, and energy data. Then, analyze patterns for anomalies. Only when we have absolute certainty do we engage or make contact."
Anaya's eyes glinted with focus. "Understood. Any deviation from predicted behavior will be instantly flagged. She's a master of evasion; this will test all our monitoring and analytical capabilities."
Avni's voice softened on the call. "Mukul, Anaya… remember, she is your sister. Proceed with caution but also with compassion. She's lived isolated, trained by Astra Lys, and may be wary. Timing, patience, and precision are key."
Mukul's gaze lingered on the map, every calculated step unfolding in his mind. "We'll move carefully. This isn't just a search—it's a reunion in the making. The moment we confirm her, the next phase begins: bringing her safely into our fold."
He leaned back, letting the weight of the moment settle. Years of preparation, countless missions, and unwavering dedication had led to this. The last pieces of the puzzle—the eldest sibling of Avni and Mukul—were finally within reach.
Anaya's voice cut through the tension, steady and precise. "Initiating stealth reconnaissance. Live feed begins in five minutes. Mukul, Avni—everything we know about her habits and training will be applied. We'll find her."
Mukul's hand hovered over the control interface, heart steady but eyes sharp. "Let's move. It's time to bring Aria Ahir home."
The screen pulsed softly, the markers of a hidden journey slowly lighting up as Mukul and Anaya prepared to track the final trail. Each clue, each subtle signature, was a thread weaving the long-lost sibling back into the lives of the Raichand–Malhotra and Ahir families.
The hunt had begun—and for the first time, hope burned brighter than uncertainty.
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