Clara had already understood what Siya was trying to tell her. Without another word, Siya stepped out of the room. Outside, she found Andy preparing to test the serum on a Screever. His hands were restless, his thoughts scattered. Frustration had taken complete control of him. Nothing felt right.
In anger, he began throwing equipment across the lab.
Siya walked up to him and stopped him firmly.
"Don't vent your anger on lifeless things, Andy."
The moment Andy saw Siya, he went silent. He didn't argue. He didn't resist.
"Come here. Sit down," Siya said calmly.
Andy never disobeyed Siya. Without a word, he walked over and sat beside her.
"I know what's really behind this anger," Siya said softly. "You're trapped in regret. If you truly feel that way, go and apologize. Don't destroy yourself—or everything around you."
She looked at him closely.
"Andy, because of your past, you're ruining your present. You've come far beyond that darkness. Don't drag yourself back into it. You understand what I'm saying… don't you?"
Andy nodded slowly. He was unusually quiet. And Siya knew—this silence was dangerous.
Her tone turned firm.
"Leave yesterday behind, Andy. If you can't accept today, you'll spend your entire life blaming yourself. Someone is reaching out to you—hold their hand. That person can guide you from darkness to light."
She paused, then added gently,
"If Keya were here today… would she be happy to see you like this? You need someone, Andy. You know that."
Andy replied quietly,
"No. I don't need anyone. I already have you, Siya. As long as you're here, I don't need anyone else."
Siya shook her head.
"A mother can only show the path, Andy. But to walk through life, everyone needs someone who will stand beside them."
Andy's voice trembled.
"So… are you giving me away now? Am I a burden to you?"
"Never say that again," Siya snapped.
"You know how much you and Ali mean to me. I'm saying this for your own good."
She continued calmly,
"Remember when we were scattered across the four corners of the world? Even then, we were alone. You found Keya to escape that loneliness. Just like that, one day, we may all be separated. I won't always be with you—and neither will anyone else—unless you choose someone for yourself."
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I can only show the direction, Andy. You must walk the path yourself. And I don't want you to walk it alone. That's why I'm asking you—give Clara a chance."
After a long pause, Andy nodded.
"Alright… I'll think about it."
"If you can't work right now, stop," Siya said. "Get some rest."
Andy agreed. Siya walked out.
Outside, Ali had heard everything. Siya signaled him to stay quiet and follow her.
"Is he okay?" Ali asked.
"No," Siya admitted. "He doesn't seem okay. I'm afraid he might fall back into that darkness."
"He won't," Ali replied. "He understands now that he needs someone to move forward. Don't worry."
Then he smiled lightly.
"Come on. Let's eat. I'm starving."
Siya suddenly paused.
"Where's Maan? I haven't seen him for a while."
"I haven't either," Ali said.
They searched the entire base, but Maan was nowhere to be found. A sudden fear gripped Siya. She closed her eyes and activated her inner vision.
"He's outside," she said. "Come."
Ali hesitated.
"If you could sense Clara earlier… why didn't you see her then?"
"I did," Siya replied. "Before I could say anything, Andy told me she was already found."
They stepped outside—and froze.
Maan was digging into the ground, crushing mutated insects hiding beneath the soil. He smashed them mercilessly with stones, laughing as he did so. His movements were wild. Uncontrolled.
Siya and Ali were stunned.
Ali rushed forward, but Siya stopped him.
"Maan… Maan…"
Maan lifted his head. His eyes were blood-red—empty, unfamiliar. It was as if he had lost all control over himself. He laughed hysterically as he continued killing the creatures.
Suddenly, he lunged toward Siya, aiming straight for her neck.
Siya reacted instantly. With one precise strike, she knocked him unconscious.
They carried him into the bunker and laid him down.
Moments later, Andy arrived.
"What happened to Maan?"
"I don't know yet," Siya said grimly. "I'm trying to understand what caused this."
Ali urged her to look deeper—into Maan's inner mind.
Siya placed her hand on Maan's head and entered his consciousness.
At first, everything appeared normal.
Then—
Siya noticed something.
Her eyes snapped open as she pulled back in shock.
What had Siya seen?
And had Maan truly changed…?