Outside, the police commissioner was locked in a tense discussion with the Chief Minister.

  “They’re not responding to negotiations,” the commissioner said grimly. “We need the military.”

  Within an hour, a special operations unit had arrived. Helicopters circled overhead as soldiers in advanced navy-blue gear prepared to breach the mall.

  “We’ve identified an access point on the roof,” the team leader said. “We’ll insert there and neutralize the threat.”

  As the team rappelled onto the rooftop, they moved swiftly and silently. Two guards stationed at the entrance were taken out with silenced weapons. The soldiers pushed forward, navigating through the smoky corridors until they reached the main hall.

  The scene was chaos. Hostages were huddled together, trembling in fear, while the masked men fired sporadically, using the smoke as cover.

  “Secure the civilians first!” the team leader ordered. Smoke grenades were deployed to obscure the terrorists’ vision as the soldiers guided hostages to safety.

  Amidst the confusion, one of the terrorists activated the strange device near the sandwich shop. Its core began to glow, emitting a low hum.

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  “Is it ready?” one of them shouted.

  “Just a few more seconds!”

  But before they could act, Vishal’s body began to glow. The blue liquid coursing through his veins reacted violently, releasing a burst of energy. A blinding flash filled the room, followed by a powerful shockwave.

  The terrorist holding Vishal was thrown backward, his body lifeless. The device shattered into pieces, and the remaining terrorists screamed as they were engulfed by the energy.

  When the smoke cleared, the soldiers found Vishal lying unconscious on the floor. Miraculously, he was unharmed.

  “Sir, we’ve got a survivor,” a soldier reported.

  The team worked quickly to secure the area. The hostages were evacuated, but the damage was done. Dozens were injured, and Vishal’s parents were among the dead.

  ---

  Aftermath

  By the time the mall was secured, Riya was inconsolable. She clung to her unconscious brother as the soldiers escorted them out. The government took custody of the siblings, placing them in an orphanage for their safety and education.

  But even as the tragedy faded from public memory, the events of that day left scars that would shape Vishal’s destiny forever.