Year 2006

  Navraan Headquarters — Meeting Hall

  The meeting hall felt heavier than usual.

  Not because of the number of people gathered inside—but because of what hung in the air, unseen yet unmistakable.

  Soraya stood near the front, arms folded, her expression composed but sharp. Afraan sat a little behind her, back straight, eyes fixed forward. Shahin leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, Rihan lounged with forced laziness that didn't quite hide his focus, while Alok tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest of his chair. Sifan sat quietly, posture respectful, absorbing everything.

  Alongside them were the newer members—faces unfamiliar, shoulders tense, eyes flickering between the veterans of Navraan and the man seated at the front.

  At the central desk sat Ishan.

  Once the quietest among them, now burdened with authority he never asked for.

  The faint hum of the lights overhead blended with the low murmur of mana detectors placed near the walls—bzzz… bzzz…—a constant reminder of why they were here.

  "As you can all see," Ishan began, his voice calm but firm, "the floating blue phenomenon that appeared in our city has been growing larger with each passing day."

  A holographic projection lit up beside him—an image of the sky above Cumilla, distorted by a massive, translucent blue structure hovering just above the ground. Its surface rippled slowly, like water disturbed by an unseen hand.

  "And according to the Bangladesh Awakeners Association," Ishan continued, "it's showing clear signs of mana."

  He gestured slightly, and data scrolled past the projection.

  "Mana-detection devices are reading abnormally high levels. Far beyond anything we've recorded within city limits before."

  The room was silent.

  Not a single person spoke.

  "If we continue to leave it alone," he said, his tone growing heavier, "it could become a massive threat at any moment."

  A faint whrrr echoed as the projection shifted.

  "We've already contacted multiple guilds and independent awakened individuals," Ishan went on, "but not a single one of them is willing to step foot inside that floating blue anomaly."

  Some of the newer members swallowed nervously.

  "The researchers from the Bangladesh Awakeners Association have reached a conclusion," Ishan said, pausing for a brief moment, letting the weight of his next words settle.

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  "They believe this is a gate."

  A subtle ripple passed through the hall.

  "A gate leading to another world," he clarified, "one filled with monsters. That would explain the intense mana signatures we're detecting."

  The hum of the detectors suddenly felt louder.

  He let the silence stretch—long enough for the implications to sink in.

  "And since no other awakened individuals are willing to assist us," Ishan continued, "we'll have to handle this ourselves."

  His eyes flicked briefly toward Soraya, then Afraan, then across every familiar face.

  "The Bangladesh Awakeners Association will provide support," he added, "but we should assume they'll only send low-rank awakeners. We cannot rely on them."

  Ishan rose slowly from his seat.

  "This," he said, voice steady but resolute, "will be the most dangerous mission any of us has faced so far."

  The air felt tighter.

  "If anyone wishes to refuse," he continued, "you are free to do so. There will be no punishment."

  He paused, then added quietly,

  "I'll be there with all of you, regardless."

  His gaze swept across the entire hall—veterans and newcomers alike.

  "So…" he said at last,

  "if anyone doesn't want to take part in this mission—"

  His eyes hardened, not with pressure, but honesty.

  "—raise your hand now."

  There was no trace of doubt on Soraya's face.

  Nor on Afraan's.

  Nor on Shahin's, Rihan's, Sifan's or Alok's.

  They stood quietly, but their resolve was unmistakable—steady gazes, straight backs, hands relaxed yet ready. One look was enough to tell that, for them, the decision had already been made long before this meeting began.

  However—

  The same could not be said for the new members.

  Unease rippled through their ranks like a quiet wave.

  Some shifted their weight from foot to foot.Some avoided eye contact with the front of the hall.A few leaned toward one another, whispering under their breath—fragments of fear, hesitation, and uncertainty leaking through hushed voices.

  A gate.

  Another world.

  Monsters.

  Death.

  Those words weighed heavily in the air.

  Shahin exhaled slowly, the sound low and controlled, then turned his gaze toward the new members.

  "The chairman has already told you," he said calmly, his voice firm but not unkind,"you're free to refuse if you don't want to go."

  He paused, letting the words sink in.

  "So if you have any concerns, step back. There's no problem with that at all."His eyes softened slightly."It's understandable. Many of you have families. We get that."

  The hall remained silent.

  Then his tone sharpened—not harsh, but resolute.

  "However," he continued,"if we fail this mission, the entire city of Cumilla could be put in danger… or even the whole nation."

  The weight of responsibility pressed down on the room.

  "To protect our homeland, we need more power," Shahin said."And in the end, this is also for your families' safety."

  He met their gazes one by one.

  "That's why you should consider joining."

  Silence followed.

  Heavy.Dense.Unavoidable.

  Then—

  Ishan spoke.

  "Yeah. He's right."

  All eyes shifted toward the temporary chairman.

  "That said," Ishan continued, his voice steady and clear,"no one below C-rank will be allowed to participate in this mission."

  A few tense shoulders eased—if only slightly.

  "Since all of you here are at least C-rank, you're eligible," he said,"but you're also free to refuse."

  His eyes met theirs—one by one—without pressure, without judgment.

  "I'll be honest," he said after a brief pause."We really need everyone's help."

  The words carried no desperation—only truth.

  "Please notify all members of the company," Ishan continued."If anyone above C-rank wishes to join this mission, report here tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m."

  He let the time hang in the air.

  Then—

  "That's all," he said."You may all head home for today."

  The meeting hall slowly filled with the sound of movement—chairs shifting, footsteps echoing softly—while the weight of tomorrow settled into every heart present.

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