🪖 Chapter 45: The Smile in the Storm
---
Location: Military Black Site – Interrogation Room
Viren's voice echoed against the cold concrete walls.
> "Abdul… Abdul… Abdul… You look proud saving this country. But tell me…" "What can you even do now?"
He leaned forward with a twisted grin.
> "The so-called heroes of your nation… are going to die. And you can't do a damn thing to stop it."
He laughed — not with joy, but with the cruelty of a man who enjoys watching hope burn.
But Abdul didn't flinch. He didn't rage. He didn't plead.
He just smiled — a faint, calm, steady smile.
That smile hit Viren harder than any insult.
> "What… are you smiling for?" Viren snapped. "Have you gone mad?"
He stood, yanking at the chains that bound him to the table.
> "Aren't you watching? Your so-called heroes are surrounded! Explosions lighting up the island like Diwali — and you… you're smiling like you've already won!"
---
Scene Cut: Island – Perimeter, Outer Zone
The enemy forces moved in.
Siddharth, Akash, and Shiva stood still — unmoved.
Their eyes held no fear.
Only fire.
They didn't run. They didn't shout.
They waited.
> Because they knew — the final moment had come.
---
Scene Cut: Back to Interrogation Room
Abdul leaned in, his eyes locked on Viren's.
> "Do you know the difference between you and them?" "You think death means defeat. They believe death means duty."
Viren's smirk began to fade.
> "You think they've lost… but they've already won." "Because their courage made you afraid." "And you — with all your power — are still trapped in fear."
Viren tried to laugh again, but it came out empty.
> "So you're fine watching them die? That's your victory?"
Abdul's smile didn't fade.
> "Who said they're going to die?"
Viren narrowed his eyes.
> "What do you mean…?"
Abdul leaned back slowly.
> "Just wait, Viren. This story doesn't end the way you think it does."
---
🚨 ALERT: INCOMING MESSAGE – ENCRYPTED CHANNEL
SOURCE: UNKNOWN MILITARY BASE – DEEP NETWORK RELAY
A screen blinked to life behind Abdul.
Lines of data streamed in like glowing fire.
Abdul's eyes locked on the feed.
> "They've reached there."