The explosion was silent, a massive shockwave of white light and purple energy that tore through the cistern.
The liquid shadow spires in the reservoir vanished instantly, turning back into standard, dirty water. Javed's dark-matter armor shattered like glass, the enforcer screaming as he was thrown off the platform, falling into the deep water with a heavy splash.
Vikram was thrown back, his hands burned, his muscles trembling.
The inverted pyramid transmitter broke into pieces, the black light dying.
Above them, through the cracked stone ceiling of the cistern, the dark, artificial eclipse faded. The morning sun, bright and golden, finally broke over the Gateway of India, casting warm light on the stone steps.
The power grid of Mumbai turned back on, the neon signs of Colaba glowing in the distance.
Rohan and Rahul ran to Vikram, helping him sit up. Mr. Desai was breathing deeply, the blue tint gone from his skin, though he remained unconscious.
"You did it, Vikram," Rohan said, his face covered in soot. "The Grid is down. The light is back."
"No," Rhea's voice said, her face pale as she looked at the console screen. "Look at the backup files."
Vikram dragged himself to the terminal. On the screen, a red map of the city flashed. A second, larger transmitter node was pulsing in the center of South Mumbai.
**Malhotra Tower.**
A text message from Devendra Malhotra flashed on the screen:
*"Gateway Node: OFFLINE. Switching to Primary Core. Malhotra Tower Grid: 100%. Blackout scheduled for midnight. Light is temporary, Rathod. The dark always returns."*
Vikram looked at the screen, his fingers tightening. The victory was short-lived. Devendra Malhotra had a backup transmitter, and it was located in the most heavily guarded building in the city.
"We have eighteen hours," Vikram said, his voice hoarse. He stood up, his Prana sparks weak but stable. "Rohan, get Desai to the safehouse. Rhea, prepare the codes. We're going to Malhotra Tower."