"THIS IS FREAKING CRAZY! Darma is heading toward Elena? What do you mean?!" Raka’s voice thundered through the dark underground corridor, causing water to drip from the pipes above. A cold chill gripped him. He stumbled, steadying himself to keep from falling."Calm down, sweetheart! He has business more 'important' than hunting you down or scolding Julianna for throwing a flower pot," Lena replied from the earpiece, her tone panicked but trying to remain steady. "Elena has set a trap. Darma knows it. He’s heading right there!"Raka ran, his breath coming in gasps. The smell of dampness and rust stung his nose. A trap? Elena and her cruel games. He imagined Elena, calm as usual, designing the destruction of others, perhaps even herself. Was Julianna safe? That question haunted him."Where is Elena? What location?" Raka asked, turning sharply between rusted old machines. The image of Darma, with his cruel smirk, flashed through his mind."An old container warehouse at the edge of the d

"Wake up, Raka, wake up!" The voice wasn't from outside, but from inside his own head, snapping at him. Raka woke up, his breath racing, his body drenched in a cold sweat. This minimalist apartment, which was supposed to be a safe haven, felt suffocating. That dream again. Darma. Elena. White lilies. Damn it."Damn it, another dream," Raka muttered, his eyes scanning the dark corners of the room. Living a normal life turned out to be a nightmare on a whole different level, he thought cynically. He rubbed his face roughly, trying to banish the image of Elena smiling faintly amidst lily petals. It wasn't a goodbye smile, but a promise hanging in the air, ambiguous."I have to work today, as the world's most boring IT consultant," he told the empty wall. A forced role. Before, every morning was an adrenaline rush; now, it was just a cup of bitter coffee and a spreadsheet. Sometimes he felt this was the cruelest punishment after all the chaos he’d endured. Worse than being beaten to a pul

"Damn it, Darma! He knows!" Raka slammed his phone onto the table, the thud echoing deafeningly in the silence of the apartment. His eyes stared sharply at the distant skyscrapers; the light that blinked twice seemed to be mocking him."I can't run anymore," he muttered, his fingers clenching into tight fists. Darma was always one step ahead. Damn it, I should have never believed the illusion of a normal life. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. This time, he needed reinforcements, someone not directly involved, but someone with power.Raka picked up his phone again, searching for an old contact he had almost forgotten. Julianna Vance. Once a shrewd lawyer who had been peripherally involved with the Architects, she was now a public advocate brave enough to take on corporate giants. She had to know something, or at least have connections."You're still alive, Raka?" Julianna’s voice sounded cold over the phone, nearly devoid of emotion. It was two in the morning; an

"MRS. ANYA!" Raka screamed, his voice cracking along with the sound of shattering glass.He immediately turned around, his knees hitting the cold floor as fresh blood seeped from Mrs. Anya’s shoulder, who now lay helpless. Her eyes, previously etched with exhaustion, were now tightly shut. Raka cradled the frail body, trembling. Blood stained his hands, the metallic scent stinging his nose."Damn it! Who is this?!" Raka roared, his eyes sweeping the now-broken window before staring into the darkness outside. A red laser dot flashed quickly across the opposite wall. Sniper. They know I'm here. Rage burned within Raka."Mrs. Anya, hang on!" Raka tried to apply pressure to the wound on her shoulder with his jacket, but the blood kept flowing. Mrs. Anya’s breathing grew heavier, her heart rate weakening. Her eyes slowly opened, looking at Raka with a glazed expression."Ra... ka..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. "They... know..."Raka shook his head, tears beginning to well up.

"Damn it! Vanya herself is going to kill Elena? She... she's there!" Raka froze, his breath caught, the cold air piercing his bones. Vanya's faint smile in the video, behind the white lily mask, was like a demon laughing at him. This isn't just a trap, this is a show for me.He felt a chill crawl up his spine, not from the air, but from a mix of anger and fear. What should I do? Just go in? Die a foolish death? But Elena... Raka looked back at the timer in the video: 00:00:59:59. One hour.Raka clenched his fists, suppressing his surging anger. He had to think. Vanya already knew he was here, she had prepared everything. This wasn't just about saving Elena, this was a direct confrontation. He needed an advantage. The blind spot behind the warehouse must be monitored. He couldn't just go straight in."Alright, Vanya. You want to play games, I'll play along," Raka mumbled, his voice hoarse. He slipped further between the stacks of containers, looking for an opening. His eyes scanned the