Aarya's hands started shaking.
"No…"
Her voice came out weak.
"I can't…"
Kabir looked at her.
Desperate.
Struggling.
"You have to…"
His voice breaking.
"I'm losing control…"
The darkness inside him surged again.
His body jerked violently.
Aarya stepped back instinctively.
Fear returning.
Stronger than before.
"I'll find another way…" she said quickly.
But even she knew—
That sounded like a lie.
Kabir shook his head.
"There isn't one…"
He forced himself to stand.
Barely.
His legs unstable.
His breathing heavy.
"If you wait…"
He looked at his own hands.
Trembling.
"…it wins."
Silence.
Aarya's mind raced.
Her heart refused to accept it.
"There has to be something…"
Kabir smiled faintly.
Even in pain.
Even in chaos.
"You already know what to do…"
Her eyes widened.
Because she did.
She just didn't want to accept it.
"Break the connection…" he whispered.
"…before it becomes permanent."
Aarya stepped back slowly.
Her heart screaming at her to refuse.
To deny it.
To find another option.
But her mind…
Her mind knew the truth.
If she didn't act now—
Kabir would be gone forever.
And that thing—
Would take his place completely.
Tears streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry…"
Her voice cracked.
"I'm so sorry…"
Kabir looked at her.
And for the first time—
He looked peaceful.
"It's okay…"
He whispered.
"I trust you."
That broke her completely.
But she still raised her hand.
Slowly.
Her fingers trembling.
The air around her shifted.
Energy building.
Something dangerous.
Something final.
Kabir closed his eyes.
Not resisting anymore.
Not fighting.
Just… accepting.
Aarya's vision blurred with tears.
"I'll bring you back…"
She whispered.
Even though she didn't know how.
Even though it sounded impossible.
But she had to believe it.
She had to.
Chapter 22 Suspense (Cliffhanger):
Aarya's hand moved forward—
Energy gathering at her fingertips.
The connection between them started to glow.
A thin, invisible thread…
Linking Kabir and the darkness.
And her.
She hesitated—
Just for a second.
Kabir opened his eyes.
And shouted—
"NOW, AARYA!"
Her heart shattered—
But her hand struck forward.
The thread snapped.
A blinding burst of energy exploded between them—
And Kabir's scream echoed louder than ever.
Then—
Silence.
Complete.
Dead silence.
Aarya slowly opened her eyes.
Her breath shaking.
"Kabir…?"
No answer.
Because in front of her—
Kabir stood still.
Eyes closed.
No movement.
No energy.
No darkness.
Nothing.
Just… emptiness.
And she realized—
She didn't know if she had saved him…
Or lost him forever.