Silence.
Not the kind filled with fear—
But the kind that comes before something big.
Aarya stood still.
Completely still.
Her breathing calm.
Her eyes steady.
The dark energy around her no longer wild—
It flowed smoothly.
Like it finally had direction.
Like it finally had a master.
Kabir watched from a distance.
Stunned.
"Aarya…?"
But she didn't respond.
Not because she didn't hear him—
But because her focus was locked.
On the cloaked figure.
"You've changed." it said quietly.
No mockery.
No amusement.
Just observation.
Aarya nodded slightly.
"I stopped running."
A pause.
"And now?"
Her gaze didn't break.
"Now I fight."
The air cracked.
Aarya moved—
And for the first time—
It wasn't slow.
It wasn't unsure.
She vanished.
The cloaked figure's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then—
Impact.
Aarya appeared in front of it—
Her hand already striking forward.
A direct hit.
A powerful shockwave exploded on contact.
The ground shattered beneath them.
For a second—
Everything blurred.
Kabir shielded his eyes.
"Aarya—!"
When the dust cleared—
His breath stopped.
Because this time—
The cloaked figure had moved back.
Only a step.
But still—
It had moved.
Aarya stood firm.
Her hand still extended.
Her expression calm.
"…good."
The figure straightened slowly.
Its voice deeper now.
"Now you are worth facing."
Aarya didn't reply.
She moved again.
Faster.
Sharper.
More controlled.
Each attack precise.
Each movement clean.
Dark energy followed her like a shadow—
Responding instantly.
The figure blocked.
Dodged.
Countered.
The clash intensified.
Shockwaves spread with every hit.
The ground cracked more and more.
Kabir could barely keep up with their speed.
"They're… on a different level…"
He whispered.
Aarya struck again—
This time aiming directly at its core.
The figure caught her wrist mid-air.
Stopped it.
But—
For the first time—
Its grip wasn't effortless.
There was resistance.
Aarya's eyes locked onto it.
"You're not untouchable."
The figure's expression darkened slightly.
"…and you're not invincible."
It twisted her arm—
And threw her back.
Aarya flipped mid-air—
Landing on her feet.
Sliding back a few steps.
Both of them stopped.
Facing each other.
Breathing steady.
Watching.
Waiting.
The real fight had begun.
Chapter 29 Suspense:
Suddenly—
The cloaked figure raised its hand.
The sky above them darkened.
Clouds twisted unnaturally.
A deep rumble echoed.
Aarya looked up—
Her eyes narrowing.
Because she felt it.
Something massive.
Something overwhelming.
The figure spoke slowly—
"Let me show you… true power."
A crack of lightning split the sky—
But it wasn't normal lightning.
It was black.
And it was falling—
Straight toward Aarya.