The tension snapped.
Instantly.
The cloaked figure stopped.
Observing Kabir.
Or rather—
The thing inside him.
"So… you've grown."
Its voice carried a strange amusement.
"From a fragment… to something almost complete."
Kabir's body tensed.
Dark energy flickering around him.
"Stay away from her."
His voice deeper now.
More controlled.
More dangerous.
Aarya stood behind him.
Confused.
Heart racing.
"Why… is it protecting me…?"
She whispered to herself.
The figure heard it.
Of course it did.
"Because you are its source."
Silence.
Those words hit like a shockwave.
Aarya's eyes widened.
Source…?
The entity inside Kabir didn't deny it.
Didn't argue.
And that silence—
Said everything.
"It was born from you…" the figure continued.
"…and so it is bound to you."
Aarya's breathing became uneven again.
"No… that's not—"
But the memories hit her.
Every fear.
Every moment she pushed people away.
Every time she hurt someone first…
So she wouldn't get hurt.
That darkness—
It wasn't random.
It wasn't external.
It was hers.
And Kabir—
He had taken it.
Carried it.
Suffered because of it.
Her chest tightened painfully.
"I… did this…"
Her voice broke.
Kabir didn't turn.
But his hand tightened into a fist.
"Doesn't matter."
Aarya looked up.
Shocked.
"It's mine now."
The words were simple.
But heavy.
Because even now—
Even like this—
He was still protecting her.
In his own way.
The figure stepped closer again.
Unbothered.
"You misunderstand."
Its voice turned colder.
"That power was never meant for either of you."
The ground beneath them cracked again.
Deeper this time.
Dark energy started leaking from the earth itself.
"It belongs to me."
Aarya's heart dropped.
Kabir's body tensed again.
"Then come take it."
Silence.
For one second—
Everything froze.
Then—
The figure moved.
And the world exploded.
Chapter 26 Suspense (Cliffhanger):
A massive shockwave burst out.
Aarya was thrown back instantly.
"Kya—?!"
She crashed onto the ground.
Pain shooting through her body.
When she looked up—
Her eyes widened in shock.
Kabir was standing—
But barely.
The cloaked figure had him by the throat.
Lifted off the ground.
Effortlessly.
"You are not ready to stand against me."
Kabir struggled.
Dark energy flaring wildly.
But it wasn't enough.
Not even close.
Aarya forced herself up.
"Kabir!"
She ran toward them—
But stopped suddenly.
Because the figure turned its head—
And looked directly at her.
"Come closer…"
Its voice low.
Deadly.
"…and I will end him first."
Aarya froze.
Her body refusing to move.
Her heart screaming.
And for the first time—
She truly understood.
This wasn't just a fight anymore.
This was a war.
And they were losing.