After completing the ritual, Rambh stepped away from the sacred fire.
The flames slowly dimmed, but the intensity in his eyes remained.
Aaika quietly left the place.
As she walked, Wish appeared beside her.
Aaika spoke in a low voice,
"How am I supposed to bring him to our realm now?"
Wish smiled slightly.
"You need to trap him… in love. And fast."
Aaika stopped.
"That's not possible," she said firmly. "I can't do that."
Wish tilted her head playfully.
"I have a way."
Aaika looked at her.
"What way?"
Wish crossed her arms.
"I won't tell you."
Aaika frowned.
"What?"
Wish grinned.
"First… you have to buy me ice cream."
Aaika sighed.
"Fine."
Soon, they were at an ice cream parlour.
Aaika sat in a corner while Wish happily started eating.
At that moment, one of Arin's friends entered—his name was Ravier.
He didn't recognize Aaika and sat somewhere else.
Everything was normal—
Until suddenly—
A group of armed goons entered the shop.
One of them grabbed the shopkeeper and pointed a gun at his head.
"Stay quiet, or he dies."
The entire place froze.
Ravier stood up slowly, trying to stay calm.
"Leave this place," he said. "They haven't done anything to you."
One of the goons glared at him.
"If you value your life, sit down and stay quiet."
Ravier clenched his fists—but without a weapon, he couldn't do much.
Meanwhile, Wish whispered excitedly,
"Aaika, do something! This is my favorite place!"
Aaika looked at her.
"Wait. Finish your ice cream first."
Wish's eyes lit up.
In one go, she finished everything.
"I'm done," she said—and even let out a small burp.
Aaika couldn't help but smile.
That small moment of laughter caught the attention of one of the goons.
"Oh? You find this funny?" he said, walking toward her.
Aaika looked straight at him.
"Yes," she said calmly. "It's funny… when fools walk straight toward their own death."
The man got furious and fired at her.
Aaika moved instantly—
The bullet missed.
She smirked.
"Oh… you missed. Try again. If it hits, you live. If it doesn't…"
Her eyes darkened.
"…you die."
Enraged, all the goons opened fire together.
This time—
One bullet hit Aaika.
For a second, pain flashed across her face.
But she ignored it.
"Done?" she said coldly.
"My turn."
She picked up a simple wooden stick.
And then—
Everything changed.
Her movements became fast, precise, and deadly.
Within seconds, she overpowered them.
Even Ravier joined in, supporting her as much as he could.
The fight ended quickly.
All the goons were down.
Ravier looked at Aaika, shocked.
"Thank you… you saved everyone. But… how are you this strong?"
Aaika turned away slightly.
"Simple people don't need to understand everything."
She started to leave.
Just then, police sirens were heard.
The police arrived—
And among them…
Arin.
He stepped inside and saw the scene—
The goons lying unconscious, badly beaten.
He looked at Ravier.
"Wow… since when did you become this strong?"
Ravier shook his head.
"I didn't do this. She did."
He pointed toward Aaika.
Arin looked at her, surprised.
"She?" he said. "She gets scared of a lizard… and she did this?"
Ravier spoke seriously,
"I saw it myself. She used just a stick."
Then he added quietly,
"I don't think she's normal."
Arin frowned slightly.
"Oh come on," he said. "I know her. She's my friend."
Ravier looked at him, still unsure.
"Still… something feels strange. Be careful around her."
Arin didn't reply.
But for the first time—
A small doubt entered his mind.
And Aaika…
Had no idea—
That her secret had just come one step closer to being revealed.
To be continued…