Ashwatthama's repentance had only deepened with the passage of time.
The fire of regret had consumed him for centuries, burning away every trace of arrogance and hatred that had once ruled his heart. Nothing remained except acceptance... and endless remorse.
The atmosphere inside Kashi had become strangely peaceful.
Kripacharya looked upon Maan with quiet satisfaction as the young disciple finished recounting Ashwatthama's history.
Maan lowered his head respectfully.
"Gurudev, everything I spoke about Acharya Ashwatthama was learned through the sacred Dharmagrantha you entrusted to us."
The Great Sage nodded.
"You spoke nothing but truth, Maan."
A brief silence followed.
Then Maan turned toward Ali.
"Any news from Siya?"
Ali's expression darkened.
He slowly shook his head.
"No... I tried reaching her through our spiritual connection, but there was no response."
His voice grew softer.
"I only pray she isn't in danger."
No one knew where Siya was.
Yet strangely...
Ali's heart refused to panic.
Somewhere deep inside, his soul remained calm.
She is alive.
She is safe.
Come back soon, Boss...
---
A cold gust of wind brushed across Siya's face.
Her eyes slowly opened.
Darkness surrounded her.
The air carried the heavy scent of blood.
From somewhere beyond the shadows came faint growls... low and disturbing... as though unseen creatures were breathing within the darkness itself.
Siya looked around.
She immediately understood her situation.
She could escape.
The restraints binding her were meaningless to someone of her power.
Yet...
She remained seated.
Then a deep voice echoed through the darkness.
"Siya..."
"Siya..."
"You know very well that you can free yourself whenever you wish."
"So why don't you?"
A sinister chuckle followed.
"Or have you begun to enjoy being my prisoner?"
Without answering, Siya effortlessly snapped the ropes that held her.
She calmly pulled the chair upright and sat upon it once again, crossing her arms.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"I wouldn't call you foolish."
Her voice was steady.
"Come out."
"I wish to see the one who has turned heaven and earth upside down searching for me."
The unseen figure laughed.
"Why such haste?"
"Let's get to know each other first."
Siya smirked.
"So... should I assume that the one obsessed with me doesn't even know me completely?"
"That seems impossible."
She stood and walked toward the darkness.
Just as she stretched out her hand...
A black arm emerged from the shadows and violently pulled her inside.
The voice whispered beside her ear.
"I know you're eager to see me."
"But you'll have to wait."
"I'm not worthy of standing before you... not yet."
His grip tightened.
Siya could have destroyed him with a single mantra.
She could have burned the darkness itself.
Yet...
She remained perfectly calm.
Moments later, the invisible force released her and pushed her back into a brightly lit chamber.
The voice echoed again.
"Wait for me, Siya."
"You, of all people, should understand what waiting feels like."
"Until then... stay comfortably in this room."
"Someone will take care of everything you need."
"And don't worry..."
"I know you won't try anything foolish."
Silence returned.
The room was strangely pristine.
There were no windows.
Only a small ventilation opening near the ceiling.
A surveillance camera watched every movement.
Siya quietly sat on the floor.
She closed her eyes.
Within seconds, her consciousness entered deep meditation.
---
"Can you hear me, Ali?"
"Can any of you hear me?"
For a brief moment, nothing answered.
Then Maan's voice reached her mind.
"Yes, Sister... I can hear you."
"Are you alright?"
Siya replied calmly.
"I'm safe."
"As for where I am..."
"I'm not certain myself."
Andy's anxious voice interrupted.
"We're coming to find you right now!"
"Look around! Tell us something!"
"Can't you teleport back?"
Siya smiled faintly.
"Calm down."
"I cannot leave yet."
"I need to understand what's happening here."
Ali finally spoke.
"Boss... have they imprisoned you?"
"Yes."
"I'm being watched."
"But strangely..."
"They don't wish to harm me."
"Whoever this is... his obsession with me is beyond reason."
"I'm not in danger."
Ali hesitated.
"If Trikalyagya was imprisoned for an entire year..."
"...then who attacked Kashi?"
Siya remained thoughtful.
"It may be Kaal."
"But somehow..."
"I don't believe Kaal himself would descend simply to spread terror."
"We'll wait."
"For now, don't worry about me."
"Take care of Maan."
"I'll return soon."
Suddenly...
Footsteps approached outside the room.
Siya opened her eyes.
"I'll speak to you later."
"Take care."
The connection vanished.
---
Andy clenched his fists.
"So we're just supposed to sit here while Siya remains trapped?"
Ali looked at him calmly.
"Trust her."
"She's doing this for a reason."
"We must not interfere."
Maan nodded.
"Ali is right."
"We have to believe in Sister."
"She will come back."
---
Meanwhile...
The heavy metal door opened.
A frail woman entered the room.
She looked exhausted.
Terrified.
Her body trembled with weakness.
Siya rushed toward her.
"Are you alright?"
"Please... sit down."
The woman stepped backward in fear.
"No..."
"No..."
"Stay away from me."
"I only came to do my work."
She nervously placed a tray of food on the table.
"I've also been ordered to prepare you."
Siya frowned.
"What?"
Before the woman could answer...
A voice thundered through hidden speakers.
The frightened woman immediately dropped to her knees.
The unseen captor laughed.
"Siya."
"Let her do her job."
"Otherwise..."
"The consequences will be unpleasant."
"I know how much you hate seeing innocent people suffer."
"But if she wishes to live..."
"She must obey."
Siya's expression hardened.
"She belongs to no one."
"And she will not serve me."
The voice chuckled.
"So..."
"You don't wish to meet me after all?"
Siya folded her arms.
"If meeting you requires this cruelty..."
"Then perhaps you've overestimated your importance."
The voice grew darker.
"Oh no, Siya."
"I haven't underestimated you."
"In fact..."
"I know you better than anyone ever could."
The atmosphere froze.
Then his voice turned terrifying.
"Your guest dislikes your presence."
"So she has no right to live."
"Kill yourself."
Before Siya could react...
The woman picked up a metal fork from the tray.
Her trembling hands raised it toward her own throat.
Siya lunged forward and forcefully grabbed her wrist, wrenching the fork away.
"What are you doing?"
"Have you lost your mind?"
The unseen voice laughed once more.
"You still don't understand."
"She only obeys me."
"Let her complete her task."
For the first time in a very long time...
Siya felt powerless.
She sat in absolute silence.
Watching an innocent woman reduced to slavery by invisible chains far stronger than iron.
And for the first time...
She blamed herself.