It was two in the morning.
The hostel building was silent, as if the whole world had gone to sleep. Only one room on the third floor was still awake. Inside that room, the sound of a keyboard echoed again and again.
Aryan Raj sat leaning toward his laptop. The screen light reflected in his eyes, but it was not excitement. It was calculation.
He did not look special.
An ordinary final year engineering student. Final semester. Average attendance. Quiet nature. The kind of boy teachers forget and classmates ignore.
But inside his mind, something dangerous was growing.
Aryan was not working on college assignments. He was not preparing for placements. He was building systems that most companies would not even understand.
Software, artificial intelligence, security systems, machines that could think and act. He had learned everything alone. Not for a job.
For control.
Aryan believed one simple truth.
The world does not run on emotions. It runs on information.
People think governments control nations. Aryan believed data controlled governments.
Aryan whispered softly while typing, "People think democracy runs the world."
He paused and smiled faintly.
Aryan said, "But the truth is... algorithms and money decide everything. And soon, I will stand above both."
At that moment, a notification flashed on his private server.
It was not a normal message. It was encrypted. Hidden behind multiple security layers.
Aryan's fingers moved fast. Within seconds, he unlocked it.
A name appeared on screen.
Mr Thapar.
A powerful billionaire investor. A man who never appeared in public, yet influenced national politics from behind closed doors.
The call connected.
Mr Thapar said, "Aryan... is the project ready?"
His voice carried tension. Almost fear.
Aryan leaned back calmly.
Aryan replied, "Yes, sir. It is ready. But this is not ordinary software. It is a digital weapon."
He paused deliberately.
Aryan continued, "If I deploy it, your rivals' financial data, private deals, hidden accounts... everything will be in your hands."
Silence filled the call.
Aryan added, "And in return, I want the hardware access you promised. Full access. No limits."
Thapar did not refuse.
Both understood the deal without saying more.
Aryan ended the call and turned back to his system.
His plan was never small.
To control the world, he knew he had to win the information war first.
He had built an AI system that could study human behavior. It could influence opinions online. It could create anger... or calm crowds.
It could start protests.
Or end governments.
And Aryan was not limited to software.
In the college lab, working quietly at night, he had designed microscopic chips. Tiny devices capable of entering communication systems unnoticed.
Once planted, they could listen. Interrupt. Control.
The digital world and the physical world... both were becoming accessible to him.
Just then, the hostel room door creaked open slowly.
Aryan did not turn immediately. He simply closed his laptop lid.
Sameer stood at the door.
Sameer was his hostel mate. A talented coder himself. One of the few who could understand complex systems.
Sameer looked around the heated room.
Sameer said, "Aryan... you're still awake? And why is it so hot in here? Are you running servers inside the room?"
His eyes moved toward the customized hardware placed in the corner.
Aryan turned slowly.
His face now carried innocence. Calm. Almost harmless.
Aryan said, "Just freelance work, Sameer. Deadline is close. Full stack project."
Sameer did not look convinced.
Sameer said, "I tried tracking your network traffic."
Aryan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Sameer continued, "It connects to dark web nodes directly. What are you hiding?"
Silence filled the room.
Aryan stood up.
He walked slowly toward Sameer. His movements were controlled. Predatory.
He placed a hand on Sameer's shoulder.
Sameer felt the coldness instantly.
Aryan said softly, "Sameer... you're smart. Maybe too smart."
He leaned closer.
Aryan said, "There are two types of people in this world. Those who live inside the system... and those who build it."
Sameer swallowed nervously.
Aryan continued, "I'm giving you a choice. Join me... or..."
Sameer's voice trembled.
Sameer asked, "Or what?"
Aryan smiled faintly and pointed toward Sameer's phone.
The screen lit up automatically.
Sameer froze.
His chat history appeared. Bank details. Private mails. Even his family's live location.
Sameer's breathing stopped.
Aryan said calmly, "Or your existence disappears from the digital world."
He stepped closer.
Aryan added, "One command... and you become a criminal. Accounts frozen. Records changed. Family destroyed."
He paused.
Aryan finished, "Choice is yours."
Sameer's face turned pale.
He looked into Aryan's eyes and understood the truth.
The boy in front of him was not just a student.
He was a mastermind preparing to control everything.
Aryan walked toward the window.
City lights flickered in the distance.
He watched them quietly.
Inside his mind, the next phase had already begun.
Global stock markets. Shell companies. Tech acquisitions.
He did not want wealth.
He wanted leverage.
Aryan thought silently, "True power is not killing people. It is making them feel their freedom exists because you allow it."
He reopened his laptop.
A world map appeared.
Highlighted points marked undersea internet cables and global data routes.
Aryan typed one command.
Execute Phase One.
At that exact moment, his phone rang.
Unknown number.
Aryan answered calmly.
A deep voice spoke.
Caller said, "What you've started, Aryan... will have consequences."
Aryan listened without reacting.
Caller continued, "You are not the only one playing this game. The Syndicate is watching you."
Aryan's expression did not change.
Aryan replied, "Let them watch. I like competition."
He paused, then spoke coldly.
Aryan said, "And remind them... I don't play games. I write the rules."
The call disconnected.
Seconds later, the entire city went dark.
Complete blackout.
Only Aryan's room still had power, running on his private generator.
In the darkness, the glow from his screen reflected in his eyes.
Predatory.
Calculating.
Awake.
And this... was only the beginning.