The Magic Rings

Prey in Shadows

They too will soon be in our grasp, Schrader,” Cruella’s voice crackled over the encrypted channel, though her image flickered on the holographic screen. “But for now, focus all your attention on this prey.”

Far away, in the quiet of the observation room, Captain Aliyan and Maverick exchanged a glance.

“Captain Aliyan, has your plan been completed?” Maverick asked, his tone sharp yet cautious.

“Yes, sir,” Aliyan replied confidently. “By now, they must be celebrating their ‘success.’”

Maverick allowed himself a low chuckle. Captain Eagle, standing beside him, joined in softly, though her eyes never left the screen.

“There’s no need to be overly happy,” Maverick warned, his voice serious again. “One should never underestimate the enemy.”

Aliyan smiled faintly, leaning back. “Yes, you’re absolutely right. But we’re laughing at the fact that they have no idea who we really are. And now… we will surely find our brother as well.”

In Aliyan’s eyes flickered the image of a mischievous, beautiful boy—the one who had eluded them for so long. The memory was vivid, a spark of hope mixed with determination.

“Insha’Allah,” Maverick murmured, his voice low, carrying a prayer that resonated with quiet strength.

Captain Eagle tilted her head, curiosity and concern mixing in her gaze. “By the way, when should we tell Maila the truth?”

“Very soon,” Aliyan replied, leaning closer to the holographic console. “But for now… tell me—where are you contacting them from?”

Maverick explained, his fingers flying across a tablet interface, tracing paths through encrypted servers. “We contacted that Cruella witch through a carefully hacked email. First, we disguised our identities, then traced her communication network. It wasn’t easy, but we left no traces.”

Aliyan smirked and laughed lightly, teasing Maverick. “You’re getting better at this. Though I must say, I didn’t know you were this talented at hacking—at least, not fully developed yet.”

Maverick glared at him, half annoyed, half amused. “Alright, alright, sir—my apologies. But actually, I hacked a drug dealer’s email today, and from there, I connected to Cruella’s system. The rest… well, that’s just minor magic.”

“And what name did you use in the email?” Maverick asked, trying to gather more information.

Aliyan’s grin widened. “Ah, that’s the clever part. We didn’t use our real names. We created a fake identity—someone untraceable, yet convincing enough to lure them into thinking they were in control.”

Captain Eagle shook her head, impressed despite herself. “You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”

Aliyan’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Of course. One must always anticipate every possibility. The moment our enemies feel safe is the moment we strike.”

Maverick leaned back in his chair, glancing at the maps of the city displayed across the holographic walls. “By the way, Aliyan… are you certain about the girl? About revealing the truth to her?”

Aliyan’s jaw tightened. “I am. Maila deserves the truth, but timing is everything. Too soon, and she’ll panic. Too late… and she might feel betrayed. We must be precise.”

Captain Eagle’s expression softened as she realized the weight of their mission—not just the tactical plans, but the lives hanging in the balance. “I understand. Then we wait for the right moment.”

Aliyan tapped on the console, bringing up a live feed of Cruella’s palace. The lights glowed ominously green, and shadows twisted through the hallways. Every movement was calculated; every guard, a potential obstacle.

“Look at them,” Aliyan said, voice low but steady. “They think they are victorious. They have no idea we’ve already anticipated every move.”

Maverick’s eyes narrowed. “And the boy… he’s still strapped in that machine?”

“Yes,” Aliyan confirmed. “But he’s not ordinary. He has survived far worse. And the girl… if she’s alive, she’s already planning her next move. Cruella underestimates her, as she does with all threats that aren’t obvious.”

Captain Eagle glanced at Aliyan, admiration and concern mixing in her eyes. “And our next step?”

Aliyan leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper. “We continue observing, gathering intelligence, and preparing. Once the signal is fully traced and the enemy makes a move, we act. Precision, timing, and coordination… that’s how we win.”

Maverick nodded slowly. “Then we wait, and when the moment comes… we strike.”

A soft smile crossed Aliyan’s lips. “Insha’Allah, the prey won’t even see us coming.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable. Outside, the city lights shimmered under the night sky, oblivious to the invisible war raging in the shadows. Every second mattered, every move counted. The game had begun, and the players were ready.