She entered her workplace, EthicalEdge Media Agency, with a confident stride and a small smile playing on her lips. Each step forward was a testament to the courage and resilience she had shown in her job. Every person watched her in awe until she disappeared into the Director’s cabin.

“Mr Madhav Shah – CEO/Director” – the nameplate read. She entered the cabin and smiled at the middle-aged man seated on the swivel chair.

“Good morning, Sir! I’m Tarini Bisht, an investigative journalist,” she announced.

“Please have a seat, Tarini. I was expecting you,” Mr. Madhav exclaimed, acknowledging her presence.

“Thank you, Sir,” Tarini replied, her tone laced with confidence.

“I think my decision was right, Tarini. I was just reading your file and the blogs you wrote — simply inspiring,” Madhav said, praising her work.

“You’re being generous, Sir. Thank you so much. I will make sure I apply my skills and make you proud. That’s all I want,” she responded with a confident smile.

“I know you’ll do well, Tarini. I hope you make some good friends here,” Mr. Madhav said warmly, and she acknowledged him with a nod.

Taking her ID card and some essentials from her boss, Tarini walked out of his cabin with the same confident stride. The manager showed her to her desk, and she smiled at the sight of her nameplate on the table. She placed her handbag in one corner of the desk, settled into the chair, and turned on her laptop.

As she opened her mailbox, an email containing her first task sat at the top. She opened it — her first assignment was to write an article for their in-house magazine. Well, that’s a good way to warm up, Tarini thought. She knew this was just the beginning of her career.

***

She began working on her article when a commotion broke her concentration. She looked up from her laptop only to find a woman her age and a guy arguing over something. The girl’s height was the same as Tarini’s, while the guy was a foot taller than both of them. His bearded look made him more attractive, and his laughter held a certain charm, causing Tarini’s lips to curve into a small smile. They seemed to be good friends, and Tarini began to overhear their argument.

“Sam, you’re not going there alone. I’ll come with you,” the girl said.

“Hey, that’s my job. Boss won’t agree — I’ll cover the news,” Sam replied, his tone laced with excitement.

“No, Sam, it can be dangerous. Sir asked you to choose a partner, right? I’ll come,” the girl insisted, her voice filled with concern.

Before the girl could respond, Tarini rose from her desk and walked toward them. She smiled and asked, “Hey guys, why are you arguing like kids?”

“Who are you?” Sam questioned, turning to gaze at her.

“Hey, I’m Tarini. I joined today. I was working on my first assignment when I heard you two arguing. May I know why?” Tarini asked, quite amused.

“Hey Tarini, I’m Mahika, and he’s Sam, aka Samrat. We’ve been working here for a year and have become good friends,” Mahika introduced herself.

“And she always finds reasons to argue with me, Tarini,” Samrat said, half complaining, half amused.

“Yeah, because he’s a crazyhead. Boss has given him a task — he has to interview an MLA. I’m telling him I’ll come along, but he keeps refusing,” Mahika shared her concern.

“Yeah, she has her own assignment, Tarini. Please make her understand,” Samrat pleaded.

Tarini watched the two — Mahika insisting on accompanying Samrat, while he kept refusing. Finally, she spoke up. “Shall I come with you, Samrat?” she asked tentatively.

“You — but why? I can handle it,” Samrat reasoned, clearly wanting to go alone.

“Samrat, Mahika is right. It would be foolish to go there alone. I haven't been assigned any task yet, so maybe we can ask Madhav Sir. He might allow me,” Tarini explained, her tone calm and composed.

Before Samrat could respond, they heard Madhav’s commanding voice from behind. They turned around to find their boss smiling at them. “She’s right, Samrat. I know I assigned that task to you, and I’m confident you can handle it, but you should take Tarini along. I understand Mahika’s concern — safety comes first. That’s why I make sure you all work in teams. This task will be a good start for Tarini,” Madhav announced, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Mahika sighed, while Samrat looked a little annoyed. On the other hand, Tarini was excited to finally have a task to showcase her potential.

***

Tarini’s first assignment with Samrat went like a breeze. They had to interview an MLA and expose his secrets, some of which involved illegal activities. As they entered the MLA’s house, Tarini disguised herself as a maid while Samrat posed as a journalist. Staying as a house help at the MLA’s home allowed Tarini to gather some important evidence, and at the right moment, Samrat entered and recorded everything along with the interview. They had now reported it to their boss, who seemed happy with their progress.

She was working at her desk, typing a report on her laptop when Mahika approached, seizing the opportunity to start a conversation. She beamed at Tarini. “Hey, Tarini!” she greeted, her tone light.

“Hey, Mahika. How are you?” Tarini asked softly.

“I’m good. I came here to thank you,” Mahika said, her voice laced with gratitude.

“Why? What did I do?” Tarini asked, the smile never leaving her lips.

“You helped Sam with his assignment. He didn’t want to take me along, but you helped him a lot. Thank you. If not for you, I’d never have been so relaxed,” Mahika replied warmly.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Mahika. It’s my job, and it was a pleasure working with Samrat, really,” Tarini smiled.

“Aw, that’s so sweet of you. Working alongside him is tedious. He’s impulsive, you know,” Mahika said, amusement evident in her tone.

“Yeah, I noticed, Mahika. He was impulsive — he wanted to do certain things immediately. I had to stop him from reacting and acting on impulse,” Tarini shared, causing Mahika to laugh.

“I know! But I hope you’ll be able to handle him going forward too. Let me know if you need any help with him — he’s hard to manage,” Mahika responded, making Tarini giggle.

“Yeah, but he’s sweet too,” Tarini said, reminiscing about the time she spent with Samrat.

They shared a meaningful glance, and before they could continue, Mahika was called by another colleague, and Tarini was summoned by the boss.

Of course, the day was going to be long.

***

Tarini found herself settling into the new environment. She had carved out her own place in the media agency. Mahika and Samrat had become her good friends.

It was a fine day when Tarini was penning an article for EthicalEdge magazine, and her phone buzzed with a message. The boss had summoned her to the conference room. Picking up her notepad, pen, and phone, she rushed towards the conference room.

To her surprise, Mahika and Samrat were already there, which meant they had also been called for a new assignment. They exchanged a fist bump before knocking on the conference room door. Once permitted, they stepped inside.

Mr Madhav was waiting for them and gestured for them to take their seats. The three of them felt a mix of excitement and apprehension about what lay ahead. They fixed their gaze on their superior, who finally broke the silence.

“So, Mahika, Samrat, Tarini, I have a new assignment for you. I expect you to complete it within the given time,” Madhav Shah said, his eyes scanning his team.

“What is it, Sir?” Samrat, ever the impulsive one, was the first to ask.

“This one’s tough, Samrat. You’ll have to infiltrate a criminal organization and expose them,” he replied, his tone firm and final.

“Criminal organization? Which one? Have we discussed it before?” Mahika asked.

“No, Mahi, we haven't tackled this one yet. I want you all to work your way into the group and uncover their true intentions,” Madhav said, his gaze shifting between his employees.

“Such organizations need to be exposed and dismantled. I don’t understand how people find the strength to do such terrible things. What’s the organization's name, Sir?” Tarini asked, clenching her fists.

“Darkstar Enterprises. That’s the gang you need to infiltrate,” Madhav said, his words striking a chord in Tarini's heart.

“What? Dark… Darkstar Enterprises?” Tarini stammered, clearly stunned.

“Yes. It’s an infamous criminal gang. A few years ago, they vanished, but now they're resurfacing,” he explained, unaware of the storm brewing within Tarini.

“Here are the basic guidelines and instructions. You need to research thoroughly and then get to work,” Madhav said, handing them the documents.

Tarini, Samrat, and Mahika nodded, picking up the papers and leaving the conference room. While Samrat and Mahika discussed their new assignment, Tarini remained silent, lost in a daze.

The mention of Darkstar Enterprises had unlocked a flood of painful memories, and she felt unshed tears sting her eyes. The name had a deep, personal connection — one she wasn’t ready to face.

But it seemed fate had other plans for her.

***

Tarini sank into her seat, the boss’s words still ringing in her head.

“The company vanished a few years ago. It’s resurfacing again.”

“Darkstar Enterprises.”

The very name etched onto her life. She hadn’t seen it coming after that fateful day. However, it was back again.

But hey! Who was building it up this time? She needed to find out. She opened her laptop, launched the Google web browser, and typed the name of the organization. Several headlines appeared on her screen. Her eyes fell on a piece of news that was two years old.

“Darkstar Enterprises exposed!”

Another headline caught her attention —

“Coming back into action. A billion-dollar deal cracked. The entrepreneurs belong to a company, Darkstar.”

With trembling hands, Tarini clicked on the second piece of news and read through the article. It featured a young man named Jayant, who had cracked the deal. The sources also mentioned that the young man belonged to the same family as before. It left her deep in thought.

So, does the old trail continue?

However, Samrat’s voice snapped her out of her trance. She blinked rapidly, fighting back her tears. He studied her for a few more lingering moments before calling her name.

“Tarini, are you okay? Where are you lost?” he asked gently.

“Yeah, Samrat, I’m fine. I was thinking about our new project. Look, I found this,” Tarini said, turning the laptop screen towards him.

Samrat skimmed through the article quickly, clearly stunned. He shared a glance with Tarini, his lips twitching.

“Are you sure we need to dig into this family?” Samrat asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Yes, Samrat. I think you and Mahika should handle this. This group — Darkstar — belongs to the Dhanraj family. I have a feeling that this man, Jayant, is part of the same family,” Tarini voiced her concern.

“Hm, good thought, Tarini. Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria. We’ll discuss this there — Mahi must be waiting,” he said softly.

Tarini nodded, picked up her phone, and followed him to the cafeteria. As she walked beside Samrat, she knew that even if it didn’t matter to her — even if she didn’t know Jayant — she needed to face this organization, even if it meant risking the exposure of her secrets.

***

Tarini, Samrat, and Mahika settled in the cafeteria, each holding a mug of steaming coffee. It was an hour past lunchtime, so the cafeteria was deserted — wholly available to them. As they sipped their coffee, Tarini chose to break the silence.

“Mahi, Samrat, I have a way to kickstart our mission. We need to infiltrate this organization to expose them,” she said, her tone confident, her eyes ablaze with anger.

“And what’s that? Have you worked on any such project before?” Mahika asked, catching Tarini off guard.

“Um, Mahi, not exactly the same, but I have infiltrated similar gangs in my previous job. Later, when I felt I needed a change — and my mom needed me — I switched jobs and relocated from Bangalore to Mumbai,” Tarini responded, her confident demeanour leaving no room for argument.

“Family comes first, Tara. I’m proud of you. Okay, so what’s the first step?” Mahika asked, excitement evident in her voice.

“We need to study this case first. One of us needs to keep an eye on Darkstar Enterprises,” Tarini said, sipping her coffee.

“Let’s do one thing — I’ll ask one of my informers to watch Darkstar. You two should research the company, and then we can figure out the next steps,” Samrat said, his tone firm, leaving no room for debate.

“Good idea. Let’s do this. Tarini, let’s sit at my desk — it’s in the corner, so we’ll have more space there,” Mahika suggested, and they all agreed.

After enjoying their brief break, the trio dispersed — Samrat went to gather information about the Darkstar office, Mahika attended to another task, and Tarini sat at her desk, researching the company.

As she skimmed through the articles, memories of the hardships she had faced two years ago resurfaced. Though she didn’t want to relive them, they had stayed with her all along. No matter how hard she tried to forget, the past clung to her.

And now, here it was again — right in front of her. She had no choice but to face it.

***

A few days later, Tarini, Mahika, and Samrat met at the office — in the conference room. They had invited Mr. Madhav to share their strategy with him. Of course, this was a major project, and the man had every right to know their plan.

As the three friends discussed their approach, Madhav entered the room, his presence exuding authority. The conversation paused, and Tarini was the first to speak.

She explained their strategy — their plan to infiltrate the organization and gather clues. Madhav seemed impressed; however, he emphasized that they must prioritize their safety, as this was a dangerous organization. Tarini assured him that she wouldn’t let anything happen to the team.

For a moment, it seemed as though she was ready to storm into Darkstar’s office and shut it down by force. However, she knew she couldn’t.

Madhav gave them a thumbs up, and their lips curved into delighted grins.

Satisfied that they were on the right path, the three of them prepared for an adventurous ride — one they would surely remember.

***

The office of Darkstar Enterprises seemed lavish and meticulously designed. Painted in a combination of grey, black, and white, it oozed sophistication and professionalism. Tarini looked around — the office appeared grander than ever, something she hadn’t anticipated.

“They’ve risen with greater intensity. I didn’t expect this,” she muttered under her breath.

“Did you say something, Tara?” Samrat asked, his tone barely audible but filled with concern.

“No, Sam. I’m just admiring the grandeur of the office. According to my research, this wasn’t the case two years ago,” Tarini replied softly, her voice clear enough for both her friends to hear.

“Guys, that’s old news. What matters now is that they’re alive and thriving. We need to be cautious while working with them. We can’t let our identities be exposed,” Mahika said, her tone serious.

Samrat and Tarini nodded. Just then, the soft voice of the receptionist broke through their conversation. She inquired about their purpose, and Samrat explained that they needed to meet the boss. The receptionist smiled and made a call — perhaps to her immediate superior. A few seconds later, she turned back to them and asked them to wait in the lounge.

They nodded, and as they turned to walk toward the waiting area, Tarini’s eyes fell on a familiar face. She froze, momentarily stunned, watching that certain someone retreat from the office.

Her trance broke when Mahika nudged her, and Tarini offered a quick smile. However, unbeknownst to her, Mahika had already sensed her discomfort about this project — and she was determined to uncover the truth.

***

Tarini sat momentarily stunned as the familiar face flashed through her mind. She had recognized the person — it was her brother, Ranveer Dhanraj.

He’s back! Now, she had to face her own brother. He was her idol; she loved him from the bottom of her heart, but he had broken it badly.

“He’s back! How harsh is life! I’ll have to speak against the man I love so much again,” she whispered.

Samrat nudged Tarini, and she wiped away the tear that threatened to spill. She forced a smile at her friends. However, Mahika couldn’t hold back her concern.

“Taru, are you okay? I mean, I’ve noticed you seem uncomfortable here. Are you feeling unwell?” she asked softly.

“No, Mahi, I’m fine. It’s just that sometimes, certain things feel personal,” Tarini replied.

“But you know you can tell us, Tarini,” Samrat added, reaching out to hold her hand.

Tarini smiled at him, grateful for his concern. “I’ll let you know, Samrat. Thanks,” she said.

Meanwhile, the receptionist informed them that the boss was ready to meet them. The three of them composed themselves and walked toward the Director’s cabin. As they prepared for the meeting, Tarini reminded them that they were in disguise and needed to stick to their roles. The other two agreed, and with that, they entered the cabin with a confident stride.

However, Tarini was once again shocked — the Director was her uncle, who had been missing for two years.

Still, she introduced herself as Ishika Awasthi and told the middle-aged man they were there for a business deal. The other two introduced themselves as Ruhaan and Maahi and presented their proposal.

The old man was visibly surprised when Ishika proposed a deal to buy diamonds worth 5 crores. Yes, Darkstar Enterprises was willing to sell some diamonds, and Ishika had made an offer. Moreover, Maahi suggested that they record how the work was conducted in the office.

Ashok Dhanraj hesitated at first but eventually allowed them to stay and observe.

Darkstar Enterprises was a technology company, but beneath its legal facade, it engaged in all kinds of illegal activities — drug trafficking, selling illegal weapons, smuggling ancient artefacts, and trading diamonds and jewellery.

Just as Ashok was about to sign the deal, Ranveer entered the room. His gaze lingered on Ishika for a moment longer than necessary before turning to face his uncle.

Ashok explained the deal, telling Ranveer that the trio represented Radiant Gems Co. and wanted to purchase the rarest diamonds.

Ranveer stood thoughtful for a long moment but then smiled at the three individuals, scheduling a follow-up meeting with them for two days later.

The trio's faces lit up with a smile, and they nodded affirmatively.

Before leaving, Ishika asked Ranveer if they could stay at the office and observe the workflow. He agreed.

Satisfied for the moment, they left the office, triumphant smiles plastered on their faces.

***

The next two days passed in a blur. Staying at the office of Darkstar Enterprises, Ruhaan and Maahi — aka Samrat and Mahika — had gathered enough proof to expose the organization. On the other hand, Tarini had uncovered the root cause behind the rise of this empire. She was stunned to learn that after the incident two years ago, the CEO, Jaideep Dhanraj, had died in a police encounter. However, their illegal activities never ceased, and now Ashok and Ranveer had brought them back into the spotlight.

Although the revelations shocked her, they didn’t shake her resolve. She knew she needed to expose everything once again.

Back at the agency, Mahika, Tarini, and Samrat sat in the conference room, trying to piece the clues together in sequential order. Tarini skimmed through the evidence and then placed a newspaper clipping on the table — a piece of news from two years ago.

Samrat, momentarily stunned, stared at Tarini.

“Where did you find this?” he asked, scanning the article.

“I saved it. I was very passionate about journalism, Sam. And now, it looks like we can finally use it,” Tarini replied softly.

“This has similar clues... maybe we could document everything and present it to the media,” Samrat suggested, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.

“Yep, but we need to do it cautiously,” Tarini said, her voice laced with concern for her team.

“We'll be careful,” Samrat assured her.

With that, they began preparing for the big day — the end of their mission was finally in sight.

***

On the day of the deal, Ishika and her team entered the office with a confident stride. It was the day of their final move, and they couldn’t afford to lose. Ranveer’s manager led them into the conference room, where the three of them settled in. After fifteen minutes, Ashok and Ranveer entered, their presence commanding. Greetings were exchanged, and they got straight to the point.

Tarini, aka Ishika, slid the contract toward them, and Ranveer studied it a little longer. Meanwhile, Ruhaan steered the conversation toward generic topics about their company.

Amidst the discussion, just as Ranveer leaned in to sign the document, Ishika locked eyes with him.

“Are you sure you want to go through with this deal, Mr. Ranveer?” she asked.

“Oh, of course. It’s bringing me money, and I’m more than happy to do it,” he replied, unaware of the storm standing at his doorstep.

“You’re greedy for money, aren’t you?” Ishika hissed, a smirk tugging at her lips.

“What — what do you mean, Ms. Ishika?” Ranveer asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Exactly what you think it means, Mr. Ranveer,” Ishika said, then played an audio clip on her phone — Ranveer’s own voice, justifying the use of illegal means to secure deals.

Ruhaan followed by playing a video recording of Ranveer and Ashok discussing their illicit business. They had mentioned another name — Ruhana — a name Ranveer seemed unable to place at first.

Mahika added more fuel to the fire, playing additional video evidence, and leaving the uncle and nephew stunned.

“What the hell is this? Who are you all?” Ranveer barked, his defences going up.

“It’s proof of every illegal transaction Darkstar Enterprises has been involved in — drug trafficking, weapon sales, and diamond smuggling. And it’s all going to the police and the media,” Ishika snapped.

Ranveer’s gaze hardened, but then a flicker of realization crossed his face. He studied Ishika more closely, and his jaw tightened.

“Ruhana!” he spat. “You’re Ruhana — always a thorn in my side, aren’t you?”

At that moment, security guards rushed into the room, trying to overpower Ishika, Ruhaan, and Mahika.

The action unfolded swiftly. Ranveer lunged at Tarini, but before he could reach her, she stepped back and used her self-defence skills, shoving him away.

“You know what? This time, you’re finished — and I’ll make sure of it,” Tarini said, her voice blazing with fury.

Ranveer, his anger boiling over, pulled out a gun and aimed it at her. “You can’t ruin everything like this, Ruhana. You’ll pay for this,” he growled.

Before he could fire, a team of police officers, led by Madhav, stormed into the office.

“Ranveer Dhanraj and Ashok Dhanraj,” the chief declared, “you are under arrest for running an illegal smuggling ring under the guise of Darkstar Enterprises.”

As the officers handcuffed Ranveer, Tarini stepped closer to him, her voice a low whisper.

“You’ve destroyed yourself, Ranveer Bhaiya. I tried so hard to stop you, but I couldn’t. Two years ago, I had to do this with Dad — and now, with you,” she said, her voice breaking. “You know what hurts the most? The fact that I belong to the Dhanraj family. Thank you — thank you for giving me scars that will never heal.”

She stepped back, giving a subtle nod to the police officers to take them away.

As everyone dispersed, Tarini stood alone in the office, her heart heavy with the pain of old scars — and the weight of the new ones she had just earned.

***

Two days later, it was Sunday, and Tarini was at home. She was busily writing an article for her agency’s monthly magazine, completely absorbed in her work. Meanwhile, the doorbell rang, and when she opened the door, she found Mahika standing there. She welcomed her inside, and they talked about random things. In between, Tarini prepared coffee, and they settled into the bedroom.

There was a lot to catch up on since the two had been busy with other tasks for the past two days. After the Darkstar mission, they hadn’t had the time to sit and talk. However, over the past four months, they had become good friends.

As they sipped their coffee, Mahika looked at her friend; she wanted to ask her something.

“Tarini, why didn’t you agree to that party at Sam’s house?” Mahika asked, referring to their colleague. It was a party to celebrate their victory in the Darkstar mission.

“Mahika, I didn’t want to go. I’m not a party person,” Tarini responded plainly.

“This is not the answer to my question, Tarini. Why do you avoid office parties and gatherings? I sense there’s more to your story. Ranveer called you Ruhana — but you go by the name Tarini here. I just don’t understand. You were also upset when the mission came up. Please tell me,” Mahika pressed.

Tarini remained silent.

“I’ve always given you space, Tarini. But I need to know what you’re keeping from us. Even the boss knows, so why not me? Your distance is affecting others — especially me and Sam,” Mahika urged.

Tarini still said nothing. She felt a strange sense of relief, realizing she couldn’t hide the secret from Mahika any longer. She glanced at her friend, who was gazing at her questioningly. Her eyes turned watery, and she realized there was no point in hiding the truth anymore. She retrieved a hidden file.

Mahika was stunned to find it contained evidence of a long-standing criminal case involving Darkstar Enterprises. She spotted a particular photo and immediately recognized Tarini in it.

"This is why, Mahika! I avoid parties and emotional ties to protect lives — even yours. I was upset when the mission came up because Darkstar Enterprises is my company — my family," Tarini revealed, her voice breaking.

"My dad named me Ruhana Dhanraj, and he loved me a lot — but he had a dark side I was unaware of. When I joined my first job at PixelPulse News Agency, I discovered that my family was involved in trafficking and illegal activities. I exposed them and have been hiding my true identity as Tarini ever since," she admitted softly.

“I didn’t want to be known as Ruhana. That’s why I kept the name Tarini here too. When Sir brought up this project, I was terrified. I thought I could handle it alone, but Madhav Sir didn’t agree. I’m scared, Mahi. I feel like if I get close to anyone, they’ll get hurt — just like my family,” she confessed.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?” Mahika asked, astounded by the revelation.

“My identity could be dangerous, Mahika. I had to keep it hidden to protect those close to me — including my mother. I couldn’t trust anyone," Tarini said, her voice trembling.

Mahika remained speechless for a moment, absorbing the truth. As she gazed at her friend, she saw Tarini silently shedding tears, understanding the immense weight of her sacrifices. Tarini, who had exposed her own father's crimes under an alias, was now emotionally wounded and unable to trust anyone — not even her friends or colleagues.

At that moment, Mahika could only offer a comforting hug.

"Truth holds immense power, Mahika. It can either illuminate your life or shatter it. This truth has been my constant companion — one I can’t escape or deny," Tarini confided during their embrace, leaving Mahika in awe.

“Indeed, certain truths can inflict irreplaceable wounds, leaving voids impossible to fill. But you don’t need to hide your true identity, Tara — at least not from us,” a masculine voice broke the silence.

Startled, the women turned their heads and found Samrat standing at the door. He held up a master key, showing how he had entered the house. His expression revealed he had heard everything.

He walked toward the bed and reached out to hold Tarini’s hand.

“You don’t need to be scared, Tarini. Don’t live under an alias. It was a bad dream — your dad, brother, and uncle did horrible things, and they’re paying for it. Please don’t punish yourself. Nothing will happen. You know what? When you’re with us, there’s no fear,” Samrat said, his tone gentle but ending with a soft chuckle.

“You didn’t tell us the whole story, but we’re proud of you, Tara,” he added, making her smile for the first time.

“Yeah! You just need to come out of your shell. No one’s getting hurt, Tarini, please,” Mahika pleaded.

Tarini looked at Samrat and Mahika. They were right.

Until yesterday, she had been scared — hiding her identity — but right now, she realized it was okay. If she could stand up against her own family, she could face any obstacle ahead.

Reaching out to grab both their hands, her gaze softened with gratitude. She thanked them — for accepting her with all her flaws and secrets, for making her realize she was a source of strength rather than fear.

And with a heart full of newfound courage, she agreed to go out with them.

The trio hit a nearby café to celebrate their victory — not just over the Darkstar mission, but over Tarini’s fear and self-doubt.

***

Distend of Quintale-55: Shadows of Truth