New Delhi.

Orion Headquarters.

9:00 a.m.

The strategy room was unusually quiet.

A large digital screen illuminated the dimly lit room, displaying rows upon rows of player statistics.

Win rates.

Hero pools.

Reaction times.

Rank histories.

Tournament performances.

At the head of the table sat Arush Malhotra, Team Orion's manager.

A steaming cup of black coffee rested untouched beside his laptop.

His brows were knitted together in concentration.

For the last three hours...

He had been searching for just one person.

Luneria.

The mysterious player who had managed to capture the attention of every Orion member in a single custom match.

Especially...

Night.

Arush sighed.

"Who exactly are you...?"

---

He opened another database.

Nothing.

No professional registration.

No esports organization.

No streaming contract.

No public social media linked to the account.

It was as if the player existed only inside the game.

"Either this person is incredibly careful..."

"...or they simply don't want to be found."

He muttered to himself.

---

The office door opened.

Sarthak walked in carrying a bottle of water.

"Still searching?"

Arush nodded without looking away from the monitor.

"I've searched almost every major amateur database."

"Nothing."

Sarthak leaned over the desk.

"What have you found so far?"

Arush clicked open a newly compiled report.

"Not much..."

"But enough to know this isn't an ordinary player."

---

A detailed player profile appeared on the screen.

Player ID: Luneria

Current Rank: Number One Female Player on the National Ranked Ladder.

Overall National Rank: Top 10.

Primary Role: Mid Lane.

Secondary Roles: Jungle, Roam.

Win Rate: 91.8%

Highest Winning Streak: 127 Consecutive Ranked Matches.

Average Match Rating: 9.8/10.

MVP Percentage: 87%.

Account Age: Three Years.

Competitive Tournament History: None.

Professional Team: None.

Streaming Activity: None.

Public Appearances: None.

Sarthak slowly smiled.

"I knew it."

---

Arush continued scrolling.

"There are more interesting things."

He enlarged another section.

"Over the last three years..."

"Luneria has never once changed her player ID."

"Never used voice chat."

"Never revealed personal information."

"Never participated in public interviews."

"Never accepted sponsorship offers."

Sarthak blinked.

"People actually offered sponsorships?"

Arush nodded.

"Several."

"They were all declined."

---

Just then...

Kunal walked into the room carrying a packet of chips.

"What are we looking at?"

Arush pointed toward the screen.

"Our mystery player."

Kunal's eyes widened.

"Holy..."

"Ninety-one percent win rate?"

Harish entered behind him.

One glance at the statistics.

Then another.

"Those aren't normal numbers."

Vedant whistled softly.

"And no professional experience?"

"Seriously?"

---

The room fell silent again.

Arush zoomed into another graph.

"Here's the strange part."

He pointed toward the timeline.

"The account became active exactly three years ago."

"Before that..."

"There is absolutely nothing."

"No previous IDs."

"No alternate competitive records."

"No amateur tournaments."

"It's like..."

He paused.

"...Luneria appeared out of nowhere."

---

Kushagra quietly entered the room.

No one noticed him at first.

His gaze settled on the screen.

Player ID.

Statistics.

Achievements.

Nothing else.

"No face."

"No name."

"No history."

He folded his arms.

"So..."

"The only thing we truly know..."

"...is how they play."

Arush nodded.

"Exactly."

---

He opened one final report.

"Career Achievements."

The room instinctively leaned closer.

Achievements

• Rank 1 Female Player - National Server.

• Top 10 Overall National Ranked Ladder.

• Winner of Multiple Elite Online Ranked Seasons.

• Highest Solo Queue Win Rate among the Top 100 Players.

• Fastest Recorded Climb from Elite Rank to National Leaderboard.

• Known within the high-ranked community as 'The Ghost Mid Laner.'

• Famous for never revealing identity, appearance, or voice.

Kunal scratched his head.

"'Ghost Mid Laner'..."

"That sounds pretty cool."

Harish adjusted his glasses.

"No..."

"It sounds lonely."

The room became quiet once more.

---

Arush closed the report.

"I've found everything that's publicly available."

"And yet..."

"I still don't know who Luneria really is."

Kushagra's eyes remained fixed on the screen.

He wasn't interested in the mystery.

He was interested in the gameplay.

The statistics confirmed what he had already felt during the match.

This wasn't someone who had become skilled overnight.

This was someone who had spent years perfecting every decision, every movement, every instinct.

A player forged through relentless discipline.

He turned toward Arush.

"Keep searching."

Arush nodded.

"You think we'll find them?"

Kushagra looked once more at the glowing player ID.

LUNERIA

A faint, almost imperceptible smile crossed his face.

"We don't need to find the person."

The others looked at him.

"We only need to find the player."

Somewhere in Mumbai...

The woman behind that mysterious ID was reviewing fashion sketches with a cup of coffee in hand, completely unaware that India's greatest esports team had just begun the search that would quietly change both of their lives.

-----

New Delhi.

Orion Headquarters.

The strategy room had emptied, but two people remained.

Arush stood before the digital display, still searching through databases and tournament records.

Across from him, Kushagra leaned against the glass wall, silently reading through Luneria's match history.

"So?"

Arush asked.

"What now?"

Kushagra didn't answer immediately.

After a long pause, he spoke.

"We can't recruit a player..."

"...if we don't even know whether they enjoy playing with other people."

Arush nodded.

"That's true."

"Looking at the match history, Luneria is almost exclusively a solo-queue player."

"Very few repeated teammates."

"No permanent squad."

"No clan."

Kushagra folded his arms.

"Which means one of two things."

"Either they prefer being alone..."

"...or they've never found a team worth staying with."

---

At that very moment...

Inside the practice room...

Sarthak was staring at his friends list.

Only one name occupied his attention.

Luneria

He tapped his fingers lightly against the desk.

"Should I message first?"

Kunal rolled his chair beside him.

"You've been staring at that screen for five minutes."

"I'm thinking."

"You're overthinking."

Harish looked up from his monitor.

"If you genuinely want to know the player..."

"Start with a normal conversation."

"Don't interrogate them."

Vedant nodded.

"Exactly."

"If someone randomly started asking me personal questions online..."

"I'd disappear."

Sarthak laughed.

"Fair point."

He took a deep breath.

Then opened the chat.

---

Atlas:

Hey.

The message was sent.

For nearly two minutes...

Nothing.

Kunal grinned.

"I think you got ignored."

Before Sarthak could reply...

A notification appeared.

Luneria is typing...

---

Luneria:

«Hello.»

Simple.

Polite.

No emojis.

No unnecessary words.

Sarthak smiled.

"Still the same."

He typed again.

---

Atlas:

«Thanks for accepting the friend request.»

Another pause.

---

Luneria:

«You're welcome.»

«You played well yesterday.»

A genuine compliment.

No arrogance.

No false modesty.

Sarthak found himself smiling.

---

Atlas:

«So did you.»

«Honestly, I wasn't expecting someone to understand my rotations that quickly.»

This time...

The reply came faster.

---

Luneria:

«Good gameplay is easy to understand.»

«Good teammates are difficult to find.»

Sarthak read the sentence twice.

Something about it...

Felt unexpectedly genuine.

Almost...

Lonely.

---

He decided to continue.

Atlas:

«Were you comfortable playing with us?»

A few seconds later...

---

Luneria:

«More comfortable than with random teammates.»

«Your group has very good coordination.»

«That made the match enjoyable.»

Kunal, who had shamelessly been reading over Sarthak's shoulder, whispered dramatically,

"She likes us."

Harish smacked the back of his chair.

"Stop behaving like a teenager."

---

Sarthak laughed quietly before typing again.

---

Atlas:

«Actually...»

«Those four players yesterday are friends of mine.»

«We often play together on these alternate accounts.»

«If you're free sometime...»

«We'd like to play another match with you.»

The message remained unread for almost a minute.

Sarthak wondered if he had been too direct.

Then...

---

Luneria:

«I'd like that.»

«Team players are rare.»

A smile spread across everyone's faces.

Even Harish looked satisfied.

---

Sarthak continued carefully.

He didn't want to pressure her.

---

Atlas:

«No pressure, though.»

«We know you mostly play solo.»

«If joining five people at once feels uncomfortable...»

«We can start with just two or three matches together.»

«Get used to everyone's playstyle first.»

«Then decide whether you enjoy playing with us.»

For the first time...

There was a slightly longer pause.

On the other side of the screen...

In Mumbai...

Vedhathvika sat quietly in her design studio, reading the message again.

She rested her chin on her hand.

A small smile escaped her lips.

"Kitna patiently baat karta hai..."

(He speaks so patiently...)

Most online players demanded.

Ordered.

Expected.

Atlas...

Asked.

She appreciated the difference.

---

She replied.

---

Luneria:

«That sounds reasonable.»

«Thank you for considering that.»

«I usually take time before playing regularly with new people.»

«But I'm willing to try.»

Sarthak exhaled softly.

One hurdle...

Crossed.

---

He continued the conversation.

Atlas:

«Can I ask something?»

Luneria:

«Sure.»

Atlas:

«Have you ever thought about playing professionally?»

The typing indicator appeared.

Disappeared.

Appeared again.

Finally...

Luneria:

«Many people have asked me that.»

«My answer has always been the same.»

«Gaming is my peace.»

«I never wanted fame.»

«I only wanted good matches.»

Inside Orion Headquarters...

The room became silent.

Sarthak looked at the message thoughtfully.

"That explains why she never joined a team."

Harish nodded.

"She's protecting her peace."

Sarthak typed again.

Atlas:

«Fair enough.»

«Then let me ask another question.»

«Do you have a favourite professional team?»

This time...

The reply came almost instantly.

Luneria:

«Orion.»

Kunal nearly shouted.

"I KNEW IT!"

Harish covered his face.

"Will you stop yelling?"

Sarthak smiled.

Atlas:

«Really?»

«Why Orion?»

In Mumbai...

Vedhathvika leaned back in her chair.

A thoughtful smile appeared.

She typed slowly.

Luneria:

«They don't rely on individual brilliance.»

«They trust each other.»

«That's rare.»

«Night is extraordinary...»

«But Orion wins because all five players move as one.»

«That's the kind of team every player dreams of.»

Unknown to her...

Those exact words were being read by Orion themselves.

Not as fans' praise.

But as a player's understanding.

Kushagra, who had quietly walked into the room midway through the conversation, read the message over Sarthak's shoulder.

His expression remained calm.

Yet inwardly...

He was surprised.

Very few spectators understood Orion that deeply.

Even fewer players did.

Sarthak typed one last message.

Atlas:

«Then let's do this.»

«Whenever you're free...»

«We'll invite you.»

«No commitments.»

«No pressure.»

«Just good games.»

«And if you're comfortable...»

«I'll introduce you to the rest of the group properly.»

After a few seconds...

Her reply arrived.

Luneria:

«Deal.»

«Looking forward to our next match.»

She logged off shortly afterward.

The chat window fell silent.

Sarthak leaned back with a satisfied smile.

"She's not a lone wolf because she dislikes people."

"No..."

"She's just careful about whom she lets into her circle."

Across the room, Arush closed another unsuccessful search report.

"We still don't know who Luneria is."

Kushagra's gaze lingered on the final message.

"Looking forward to our next match."

He spoke quietly.

"We're one step closer."

Not to discovering her identity.

But to earning her trust.

And sometimes...

Trust was far more valuable than a name.

Two weeks passed.

Fourteen days.

Fourteen days of ranked matches.

Sometimes they played together.

Sometimes they simply exchanged a few messages.

There were days when neither of them was online at the same time.

Yet somehow...

A quiet routine had formed.

Atlas would occasionally invite Luneria.

If she was free, she joined.

If she wasn't, she politely declined.

No explanations.

No questions.

Neither of them minded.

It was... comfortable.

---

Mumbai.

11:40 p.m.

Vedhathvika leaned back in her gaming chair after another enjoyable match.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Ajeeb hai..."

(This is strange...)

She looked at her friends list.

Atlas.

Noctis.

Inferno.

Echo.

Storm.

Five strangers.

Yet...

They never made her feel like an outsider.

Nobody questioned her.

Nobody demanded she switch on her microphone.

Nobody asked for social media.

Nobody even asked her real name.

Instead...

They simply played.

For someone who had spent years hiding behind different identities...

That respect meant more than they could possibly know.

---

Her thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Over the years...

She had received countless invitations.

Professional teams.

Sponsors.

Streaming contracts.

Tournament organizers.

Every offer sounded almost identical.

"Join us."

"We'll make you famous."

"You'll earn millions."

"We'll build your brand."

None of them had ever interested her.

They all felt...

Transactional.

As if they wanted the player.

Not the person.

But these five...

They had never once asked her to prove herself.

Never pressured her.

Never even hinted that she should leave her comfort zone.

For the first time...

Vedhathvika caught herself thinking,

"Shayad... inka offer sochne layak hai."

(Perhaps... their offer is worth considering.)

The realization surprised even her.

---

Meanwhile...

Nearly 1,400 kilometers away...

Orion Headquarters.

Arush stared blankly at yet another report.

Nothing.

Again.

He rubbed his tired eyes.

"I've officially run out of places to search."

Kunal looked over from his chair.

"So?"

Arush closed the laptop dramatically.

"My final conclusion?"

Everyone looked up.

"Luneria doesn't exist."

Silence.

Then...

Kunal burst into laughter.

"What?"

Arush raised both hands.

"I'm serious!"

"Either this player is a ghost..."

"...or an AI designed to destroy everyone's self-confidence."

Even Harish laughed.

"You've lost it."

Arush pointed at the monitor.

"Tell me I'm wrong."

"No legal name."

"No tournament history."

"No digital footprint."

"No interviews."

"No streams."

"No photographs."

"No voice."

"No social media linked."

He leaned back.

"I've spent two weeks searching."

"I've found absolutely nothing."

He looked toward Kushagra.

"I give up."

---

Sarthak didn't laugh.

He quietly closed the report.

"I don't."

Everyone turned toward him.

"A talent like this..."

"...doesn't appear every day."

"If Luneria doesn't want to be found..."

"We should respect that."

"But that doesn't mean..."

"...we stop believing."

Kushagra looked at Sarthak for a long moment.

Then gave a single nod.

"Agreed."

---

That night...

Sarthak sat alone in the practice room.

His cursor hovered over the chat window.

For several minutes...

He didn't type anything.

Finally...

He made up his mind.

---

Atlas:

«There's something I should tell you.»

The message was read almost immediately.

Luneria:

«I'm listening.»

Sarthak took a slow breath.

Then...

For the first time...

He stopped hiding.

---

Atlas:

«Atlas isn't my real gaming ID.»

«My real name is Sarthak Malhotra.»

«Professionally, I play under the stage name Astra.»

«I'm the Mid Laner for Team Orion.»

On the other side of the screen...

Vedhathvika stared.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then she smiled to herself.

"Achha joke tha."

(That was a good joke.)

She typed back.

---

Luneria:

«Nice prank.»

«Almost believable.»

Sarthak couldn't help laughing.

"I expected that."

Without another word...

He logged into his official professional account.

The verified profile.

The one followed by millions.

A second later...

A notification appeared on Vedhathvika's screen.

Friend Request Received

From: Astra ✓

Verified Professional Account.

Member of Team Orion.

National Champion.

Her smile disappeared.

"...What?"

She opened the profile.

Every achievement.

Every championship title.

Every official verification badge.

Real.

She blinked several times.

Then looked back at the previous chat.

"So..."

"Atlas..."

"...really is Astra."

For the first time in years...

The usually composed Vedhathvika found herself genuinely speechless.

---

A new message arrived.

---

Astra:

«Sorry for hiding it.»

«We wanted people to judge us by our gameplay...»

«Not our names.»

She read the message slowly.

Then smiled.

---

Luneria:

«I understand.»

«I would've done the same.»

Sarthak smiled with relief.

---

After a brief pause...

He typed again.

---

Astra:

«Actually...»

«I have a request.»

«Not a recruitment offer.»

«Just a request.»

She waited.

---

Astra:

«The National Spring Season Finals are in Delhi next month.»

«Orion will be playing.»

«If you're comfortable...»

«I'd like to invite you to watch the match.»

«Just as a guest.»

«No obligations.»

«No contracts.»

«No interviews.»

«No pressure.»

«Come...»

«Watch the game.»

«Meet us if you feel like it.»

«If afterwards you think professional esports isn't for you...»

«We'll respect that completely.»

«Anything beyond that can be discussed later with our manager.»

«For now...»

«I simply want you to experience it from the audience.»

Vedhathvika read every word carefully.

Not once...

Did he promise fame.

Not once...

Did he mention money.

Not once...

Did he pressure her into joining Orion.

He simply...

Invited her.

To watch.

To experience.

To decide for herself.

She found herself smiling unconsciously.

"Yeh log sach mein alag hain..."

(These people really are different...)

She looked toward the framed photograph on her desk.

A picture of herself from the days when she had stood beneath dazzling stage lights as Veya.

Crowds.

Applause.

Fame.

Then...

Her eyes returned to Astra's message.

Another stage.

Another crowd.

Another world.

Her fingers rested on the keyboard.

For the first time in three years...

She hesitated before saying no.

Because deep inside...

A tiny voice whispered...

"What if this time... things are different?"

She didn't reply immediately.

Instead...

She typed just one sentence.

---

Luneria:

«Thank you.»

«Let me think about it.»

Sarthak smiled.

It wasn't a yes.

But...

It wasn't a no either.

Sometimes...

Hope began with nothing more than a possibility.

------

Orion Headquarters.

The practice session had just ended.

The five players sat around the strategy table while Arush organized the schedule for the upcoming National Spring Season Finals in Delhi.

Sarthak walked in, a faint smile on his face.

"I talked to Luneria."

Immediately, five pairs of eyes turned toward him.

Even Kushagra, who had been reviewing match footage, looked up.

Kunal leaned forward excitedly.

"So?"

"What happened?"

Sarthak took a seat.

"I told her everything."

"The truth."

Silence fell over the room.

"I revealed that Atlas is my alternate account."

"I introduced myself as Sarthak Malhotra, stage name Astra, Mid Laner of Orion."

Vedant blinked.

"And?"

"She didn't believe me."

The room erupted in laughter.

Even Kushagra's lips curved into a faint smile.

"So..."

"I had to send her a friend request from my verified professional account."

Harish chuckled.

"I'm guessing that convinced her."

"It did."

Sarthak nodded before continuing.

"I also invited her to the Spring Season Finals."

"But only as a guest."

"No contracts."

"No recruitment pressure."

"No promises."

"I simply asked her to watch us play."

Kushagra remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Good."

Everyone looked toward their captain.

"If Luneria ever joins professional esports..."

"It should be because it's their own decision."

"Not because we persuaded them."

He folded his arms.

"No one should feel pressured into joining Orion."

"Especially someone who clearly values their privacy."

The team nodded in agreement.

Kushagra looked toward Arush.

"If Luneria accepts..."

"You'll handle everything."

"Travel."

"Accommodation."

"Security."

"Guest passes."

Arush nodded.

"Done."

Kushagra added one more thing.

"And tell them something else."

Sarthak looked up.

"They don't have to come alone."

"If bringing someone they trust makes them feel comfortable..."

"They're welcome to."

"I'd rather meet the real person behind the keyboard..."

"...only when they're ready."

The room fell quiet.

It wasn't just respect.

It was trust.

And everyone knew...

Trust couldn't be rushed.

---

Mumbai.

Sinha Villa.

Vedhathvika stood outside the study for several moments before knocking softly.

"Come in."

She entered.

Inside sat the three people she trusted more than anyone else.

Her Bhaiyu...

Aditya Sinha.

Her Bhabhi Maa...

Meghna Sinha.

And curled up on the sofa with a notebook full of unfinished lyrics...

Aarvi Sharma.

One glance at Vedhathvika's face...

And Meghna knew.

"My baby..."

"What's bothering you?"

Vedhathvika sat beside her.

For a few seconds...

She simply stared at the invitation on her phone.

Then quietly handed it to Aditya.

He read every message.

From beginning...

To end.

When he finished...

He placed the phone on the table.

"So..."

"Orion wants you to attend their finals."

She nodded slowly.

"They're not forcing me."

"They just..."

"...want me to watch."

Her voice grew quieter.

"Bhaiyu..."

"I..."

She couldn't finish the sentence.

Aditya already understood.

"It isn't the match you're afraid of."

She looked down.

"It's the audience."

The room became silent.

Three years ago...

She had walked away from the stage.

Not because she had stopped loving music.

But because the stage itself had become painful.

Thousands of eyes.

Thousands of expectations.

Thousands of memories.

Returning to an arena full of people...

Even as a spectator...

Terrified her.

Meghna gently took Vedhathvika's hands into her own.

"My baby..."

"No one is asking you to perform."

"No one is asking you to become Veya again."

"They're simply inviting Vedhathvika."

"Nothing more."

A tear threatened to form in Vedhathvika's eyes.

"What if..."

"I panic?"

Meghna smiled softly.

"Then we'll come home."

"What if I don't like it?"

"We'll come home."

"What if I realize I'm not ready?"

"Then we'll come home."

"There is no failure in protecting your peace."

Aditya nodded.

"I agree."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"Listen to me carefully, Vedu."

"You have spent the last three years living for everyone except yourself."

"If something has managed to spark your curiosity for the first time..."

"I'm not going to let fear take that away from you."

He smiled gently.

"I'm not giving you permission."

"You don't need my permission."

"I'm telling you..."

"If you want to go..."

"Then go."

"And if halfway through you decide you've had enough..."

"I'll personally come to Delhi and bring you home."

Vedhathvika laughed through moist eyes.

"Bhaiyu..."

He reached over and placed a hand on her head.

"The world has taken enough from you."

"I'm not letting it take your courage too."

Aarvi, who had been listening quietly until now, closed her notebook.

"And you're definitely not going alone."

Vedhathvika looked at her.

"You think I'd let my best friend face something this important without me?"

She smiled.

"We've been together since kindergarten."

"We survived school."

"We survived your crazy concert schedules."

"We survived Lakshya."

"Delhi is easy."

Everyone laughed.

---

Meghna suddenly remembered something.

"Oh!"

"That actually makes things much simpler."

Aditya looked at her curiously.

"What?"

"Our hospitality division."

She smiled.

"Orion has been one of our corporate hospitality partners for years."

"For every major tournament they attend, their organization books through our luxury hotel chain."

Aditya nodded in realization.

"That's right."

"Our Delhi flagship property."

"The Sinha Imperial Grand."

Meghna continued,

"The players and tournament officials usually stay there."

"They have private gaming practice suites."

"Conference facilities."

"And secured training floors."

She looked at Vedhathvika.

"So you won't have to stay with the tournament guests."

"You and Aarvi can stay in the family penthouse."

"The top floor is yours."

"The floor below belongs to Lakshya whenever he's in Delhi."

Aarvi grinned.

"So basically..."

"We'll have an entire penthouse to ourselves."

Vedhathvika couldn't help smiling.

"For once..."

"That actually sounds nice."

---

The following afternoon...

Arush's phone rang.

"Hello?"

A calm female voice answered.

"This is Luneria."

Arush straightened immediately.

"It's a pleasure to finally speak with you."

"The pleasure is mine."

After discussing a few formalities, Arush asked politely,

"So..."

"May I confirm your attendance?"

There was a brief pause.

Then...

"Yes."

"I'll attend the Spring Season Finals."

Arush smiled.

"Wonderful."

"I'll arrange everything."

"Also..."

"Our captain wanted me to mention..."

"If you'd feel more comfortable bringing someone along..."

"You're more than welcome to."

Vedhathvika smiled softly.

"Thank you."

"I'll be bringing one guest with me."

Arush made a note.

"Perfect."

"I'll arrange two VIP passes."

"No further details are needed unless you're comfortable sharing them."

"I appreciate that."

After exchanging a few final details...

The call ended.

Arush leaned back in his chair.

A satisfied smile appeared.

Then he walked straight into the practice room.

"They accepted."

Five heads turned at once.

"They're coming."

Kunal almost jumped from his chair.

"Seriously?"

Arush nodded.

"Two guests."

"No names."

"No photographs."

"Just confirmation."

Kushagra quietly looked toward the practice arena.

For the first time...

The mysterious player called Luneria would no longer be just another name on a screen.

In a few days...

They would finally meet.

Not as strangers hiding behind keyboards.

But face to face.

----

New Delhi

Orion Headquarters

Three days before the National Spring Season Finals.

The practice room echoed with the familiar sounds of keyboards, mouse clicks, and short tactical calls.

One last push.

"Mid."

"Rotate."

"Three... two... one..."

"Go!"

The enemy crystal exploded.

Victory.

The room erupted into cheers.

Kunal threw both his hands into the air.

"Another one!"

Vedant spun around in his chair dramatically.

"National Champions for a reason."

Harish stretched his shoulders before reaching for the studio speakers placed near the wall.

"I think we've earned a break."

Without waiting for anyone's opinion...

He connected his phone.

A familiar piano melody filled the room.

Then...

A voice.

Soft.

Soulful.

Powerful enough to silence an entire room.

It was Veya.

Her voice floated through the practice hall like a forgotten memory.

Within seconds...

Kunal was already dancing dramatically with a water bottle as his microphone.

Vedant joined him without hesitation.

Sarthak laughed, shaking his head.

"You two have absolutely no shame."

"Never."

Kunal replied proudly.

"If Veya's songs are playing..."

"...we're legally required to dance."

Harish chuckled.

"Exactly."

Even Arush smiled as he leaned against the wall.

"Remember the first boot camp?"

Vedant laughed.

"The one where we lost twelve scrims in a row?"

"And Night refused to let us leave the room until we improved?"

Sarthak nodded.

"We were ready to kill each other."

Harish smiled faintly.

"And then someone played Veya's playlist."

The room fell quieter.

Those songs...

Had become part of Orion.

When the team was formed years ago...

They had been nothing more than five talented strangers trying to become one unit.

Long practice sessions.

Sleepless nights.

Repeated defeats.

Self-doubt.

Arguments.

Through all of it...

One thing never changed.

Veya's songs always played in the background.

Her music became the soundtrack of Orion's journey.

Not because she knew them.

But because somehow...

Her voice had always made them believe tomorrow would be better.

Kunal looked toward the ceiling.

"I still don't understand."

"How can someone disappear at the peak of their career?"

"No concerts."

"No interviews."

"No public appearances."

"Nothing."

Harish sighed.

"I've listened to every interview she ever gave."

"There wasn't even a hint."

Sarthak smiled sadly.

"I still hope she comes back one day."

"So do I."

Arush answered quietly.

The room instinctively looked toward one person.

Kushagra.

He hadn't spoken.

He simply sat there...

Listening.

Eyes fixed on nothing.

The song continued playing.

Every lyric carried memories.

He remembered the first national qualifier.

The first trophy.

The first international invitation.

Every milestone...

Accompanied by Veya's voice.

He had never met her.

Didn't know what kind of person she was.

Yet...

Her music had remained with Orion longer than many people.

His thoughts drifted.

"What kind of person walks away from a dream that millions wished they had?"

He had asked himself that question countless times.

But there had never been an answer.

---

The music slowly faded.

Reality returned.

Arush cleared his throat.

"I have some news."

Everyone looked toward him.

"It's about Luneria."

Sarthak immediately straightened.

"You found something?"

Arush smiled awkwardly.

"Not exactly."

"I still couldn't find any personal information."

Kunal laughed.

"I told you."

"She's a ghost."

Arush rolled his eyes.

"No."

"But during our phone conversation..."

"I learned one thing."

He looked around the room.

"Luneria..."

"...is a woman."

Silence.

Then...

Kunal blinked.

"What?"

Vedant almost dropped his phone.

"Seriously?"

Harish adjusted his glasses.

"That actually explains a few things."

Sarthak smiled to himself.

"I had a feeling."

Arush folded his arms.

"Which is exactly why I'm telling everyone."

"When she arrives..."

"Treat her exactly the same as any other player."

"No unnecessary attention."

"No awkwardness."

"No assumptions."

"We're evaluating a player."

"Nothing else."

Kushagra nodded once.

"Good."

He looked at Arush.

"When she reaches Delhi..."

"Don't send anyone else."

"You receive her personally."

"If..."

He paused deliberately.

"If she feels comfortable."

"If she doesn't..."

"Respect her decision."

Arush nodded.

"I understand."

Kushagra continued,

"And one more thing."

"If she wishes..."

"She can bring someone she trusts."

"I don't want her feeling obligated to meet five strangers immediately."

"The choice should always remain hers."

Sarthak smiled.

"She already told us she'll be bringing one guest."

"Good."

Kushagra replied simply.

"That'll make things easier for her."

---

Practice resumed shortly afterward.

But Kushagra found it difficult to focus.

His fingers moved automatically across the keyboard.

His mind...

Didn't.

Instead...

Questions circled endlessly.

"Who are you, Luneria?"

"Why hide so completely?"

"You've got the skill to stand on the biggest stages..."

"So why choose the shadows?"

He remembered the calm way she played.

No panic.

No ego.

No unnecessary risks.

Just...

Pure understanding of the game.

Very few players possessed that level of maturity.

And even fewer hid from recognition.

He looked absentmindedly toward the now-silent speakers.

First...

There was Veya.

A woman whose voice had touched millions before vanishing without explanation.

Now...

There was Luneria.

A player talented enough to compete with professionals...

Yet determined to remain invisible.

For reasons he couldn't explain...

The two mysteries reminded him of each other.

Different worlds.

Different lives.

Yet...

The same unanswered question.

"Why disappear?"

---

The following morning...

Five Orion jerseys hung neatly inside the team bus.

Luggage had already been loaded.

Their destination-

The Sinha Imperial Grand Hotel, Delhi.

The official hospitality partner for the National Spring Season Finals.

It wasn't merely a luxury hotel.

It had dedicated esports practice suites, secured training floors, private conference halls, and direct access routes to the tournament arena.

Perfect for teams preparing for the country's biggest competition.

Arush looked at the schedule one last time.

"Practice matches with the international teams begin this afternoon."

"Media obligations start tomorrow."

"The finals are in three days."

Everyone nodded.

As the bus slowly pulled away from Orion Headquarters...

None of them realized...

That somewhere above the clouds...

A private jet carrying the mysterious player called Luneria was also heading toward Delhi.

The distance between them...

Was growing smaller with every passing minute.

Neither side knew it yet.

But destiny had already booked them into the same hotel.

-----

Mumbai

8:15 a.m.

The private terminal of Mumbai International Airport was quieter than the bustling commercial terminals.

Luxury sedans stopped one after another outside the exclusive entrance.

Security personnel stood at attention.

The moment the first car arrived, the staff respectfully bowed.

"Good morning, Ma'am."

The rear door opened.

Aarvi Sharma stepped out first.

Dressed in a powder-blue co-ord set with a white blazer casually draped over her shoulders, she adjusted the files tucked under one arm.

Besides being a singer-songwriter...

She was also a lawyer-in-training, often assisting the Sinha Group's legal department whenever she wasn't composing music.

She glanced at her watch.

"Where's Kaveri?"

As if on cue...

Another car pulled in.

Out stepped Kaveri Malhotra.

Dressed in a crisp white jumpsuit with a navy jacket thrown over one shoulder, the well-known television host removed her sunglasses dramatically.

"There you are!"

Aarvi laughed.

"You'll be late to your own wedding one day."

"I'm a host."

Kaveri grinned.

"We're fashionable, not late."

The two burst into laughter.

---

The final car quietly rolled to a stop.

Unlike the others...

Its windows were completely tinted.

Four security officers immediately surrounded it.

One of them opened a large black umbrella despite the bright morning sun.

Then another.

A third.

The rear door opened.

A pair of beige heels touched the ground first.

Then...

A glimpse of flowing light beige tailored trousers.

A soft butter-yellow silk shirt, its cuffs finished with delicate lace embroidery.

A long sheer lace overlay flowed gracefully behind her with every step, almost like a cape.

Her waist-length dark brown waves had been styled into soft curls that danced gently in the breeze.

A white mask covered the lower half of her face.

Oversized black sunglasses concealed her eyes.

Not because she wished to appear mysterious...

But because she couldn't afford to be recognized.

Not here.

Not yet.

This was Vedhathvika Sinha.

To the business world...

A young executive.

To the gaming world...

Luneria.

And to millions who still remembered...

The vanished singer Veya.

The security team instinctively closed the umbrellas around her, shielding her from every possible camera angle.

Kaveri smiled warmly.

"Ready?"

Vedhathvika adjusted the strap of her handbag.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

---

Minutes later...

The three women boarded the sleek white Sinha family private jet.

The cabin felt more like a luxurious lounge than an aircraft.

Cream leather seats.

Fresh flowers.

Warm wooden finishes.

Floor-to-ceiling storage for garment bags and luggage.

The aircraft taxied smoothly before lifting into the clear blue sky.

---

The moment the seatbelt sign switched off...

Kaveri leaned across the table.

"So..."

She smiled mischievously.

"Tell us."

Vedhathvika already knew what was coming.

"No."

"You haven't even asked the question."

"I don't need to."

Aarvi laughed.

"We both know it's about Orion."

Vedhathvika sighed dramatically.

"You two are impossible."

Kaveri rested her chin on her palm.

"Okay..."

"Serious question."

"Nervous?"

Vedhathvika looked out the window.

The clouds stretched endlessly beneath them.

"...A little."

"Actually..."

"A lot."

Silence settled over the cabin.

Aarvi reached across and gently squeezed her hand.

"You don't have to prove anything to anyone."

Vedhathvika smiled faintly.

"I know."

"It's just..."

"I've spent three years avoiding crowds."

"And now..."

"I'm voluntarily walking into one."

Kaveri's expression softened.

"You're not walking into that arena alone."

"You have us."

"And if anyone makes you uncomfortable..."

She cracked her knuckles dramatically.

"The journalist in me will destroy them."

Vedhathvika laughed.

"You really think words are your strongest weapon?"

Kaveri winked.

"They're much more dangerous than swords."

---

Two hours later...

The jet landed in Delhi.

Waiting near the aircraft was a convoy of luxury vehicles.

One SUV.

One luggage vehicle.

And a black luxury sedan.

The head chauffeur bowed respectfully.

"Welcome to Delhi, Ma'am."

Aarvi accepted the keys to the sedan.

"I'll drive."

The chauffeur hesitated.

"Ma'am..."

"It's alright."

She smiled reassuringly.

"I know the route."

Turning toward the others, she pointed playfully.

"Kaveri."

"Front seat."

"Vedu."

"You sit behind."

Vedhathvika nodded.

The luggage was loaded into the separate vehicle while the three friends climbed into the sedan.

The convoy left the airport.

---

Delhi's morning traffic moved steadily.

Music played softly inside the car.

For a while...

No one spoke.

Vedhathvika quietly watched the city pass by through the tinted windows.

Then her phone vibrated.

A message from Arush.

«Welcome to Delhi.
I hope your journey was comfortable.
Please let me know once you arrive at the hotel.»

She read it twice.

Professional.

Respectful.

Exactly as expected.

She typed back.

«Thank you.
We'll be there shortly.»

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

---

Kaveri glanced at her through the rear-view mirror.

"Manager?"

Vedhathvika nodded.

"He seems polite."

Aarvi smiled.

"That's a good start."

After a pause, Vedhathvika spoke quietly.

"Do you think..."

"They'll expect too much from me?"

Aarvi answered without taking her eyes off the road.

"They're inviting Luneria."

"Not demanding anything from Vedhathvika."

"And certainly not asking Veya to return."

Kaveri turned around.

"Exactly."

"This trip has one purpose."

"Watch the finals."

"Meet the team."

"Come back."

"If, after all of that, you decide professional esports isn't your path..."

"Then we fly home."

"No guilt."

"No pressure."

Vedhathvika leaned back against the seat.

A small smile appeared beneath her mask.

"...Thank you."

---

A few kilometers ahead...

The majestic glass façade of the Sinha Imperial Grand came into view.

Luxury cars lined the entrance.

Security barricades had been placed outside.

Television cameras.

Fans waving Orion banners.

Media personnel.

The National Spring Season Finals had transformed the hotel into the center of India's esports world.

Vedhathvika's heartbeat quickened.

She instinctively adjusted her sunglasses.

Outside...

Hundreds of people waited.

None of them knew...

That the woman quietly sitting inside the black sedan...

Hidden behind a mask, oversized sunglasses, and soon to be shielded by black umbrellas...

Was once the voice that had filled stadiums across the country.

Nor did they know...

She was also the mysterious player they had unknowingly been discussing for the past two weeks.

As the convoy slowly approached the hotel entrance...

Destiny prepared to bring two extraordinary worlds together.

-----

The convoy slowed to a stop beneath the grand porte-cochère of the Sinha Imperial Grand, Delhi.

Outside...

It was complete chaos.

Nearly a hundred fans stood behind the barricades, holding banners and jerseys of Team Orion.

Some chanted the team's name.

Some hoped to catch a glimpse of Night.

Television cameras were already positioned outside the entrance.

Security personnel formed a human corridor between the hotel doors and the driveway.

Inside the sedan...

No one moved for a moment.

Kaveri peeked through the window before letting out a low whistle.

"Looks like the whole city showed up."

Aarvi laughed.

"I told you Orion's fanbase is insane."

Vedhathvika quietly adjusted the cuff of her butter-yellow shirt.

Her fingers betrayed a slight nervousness.

She reached for her sunglasses once more, making sure they completely covered her eyes.

Kaveri noticed immediately.

She leaned back in her seat with a mischievous grin.

"You know..."

"I've been thinking."

Vedhathvika raised an eyebrow.

"What now?"

Kaveri folded her arms dramatically.

"What if Orion's manager actually figures out who you are?"

Vedhathvika blinked.

"Hmm?"

Kaveri tried hard to suppress a laugh.

"I mean..."

"Imagine poor Arush standing there all professional..."

"'Welcome, Luneria. Nice to finally meet-'"

She suddenly widened her eyes theatrically.

"'WAIT... YOU'RE VEYA?!'"

Kaveri clutched her chest dramatically.

"I swear..."

"The poor man won't even be able to stand properly before turning into a complete fanboy."

Aarvi burst into laughter.

"I can literally picture that."

Kaveri continued with exaggerated expressions.

"He'll probably forget his own name."

"'Ma'am... I mean... Luneria... I mean... Veya... I mean...'"

She pretended to faint against the seat.

"'Someone catch me!'"

The car filled with laughter.

Even Vedhathvika, who had been tense just moments ago, couldn't stop herself from laughing.

"You two are impossible."

Kaveri pointed at her.

"See?"

"You're smiling now."

"Mission accomplished."

Vedhathvika shook her head fondly.

"Thank you."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

She knew exactly what Kaveri had done.

The joke hadn't been about Arush.

It had been meant to ease her anxiety.

And...

It had worked.

---

The head of security approached the vehicle.

"Ma'am."

"The entrance is secure."

Vedhathvika nodded.

"Let's go."

Immediately...

Four security officers stepped into position.

Large black umbrellas opened simultaneously around the rear door.

Another team created a protective circle.

The hotel staff waiting outside instinctively straightened.

They had all been informed only of one thing.

The Owner's Family is arriving.

No names.

No introductions.

Just protocol.

The rear door opened.

Aarvi stepped out first.

Then Kaveri.

Finally...

Vedhathvika emerged.

The flowing lace panel of her shirt danced gently with the afternoon breeze.

Her light beige trousers fell perfectly over matching heels.

Her waist-length dark brown waves framed her shoulders in soft curls.

Oversized black sunglasses concealed her eyes.

A white designer mask hid the rest of her face.

Only a glimpse of her graceful presence was visible beneath the umbrellas.

Despite the luxury surrounding her...

She walked with quiet elegance rather than arrogance.

---

The General Manager hurried down the steps.

"Welcome, Ma'am."

He bowed respectfully.

"It is an honor to have you here."

Vedhathvika smiled politely beneath her mask.

"Thank you."

"I hope everything is running smoothly."

"Perfectly, Ma'am."

"We've prepared your private penthouse."

"The top floor has been reserved exclusively for you."

He turned toward Aarvi.

"And the Executive Penthouse below has also been prepared."

Aarvi nodded.

"Thank you."

"The luggage?"

"It will be delivered directly."

---

Meanwhile...

Barely thirty meters away...

Another convoy turned into the same entrance.

Black luxury vans.

The Orion logo.

Fans erupted instantly.

"ORION!"

"NIGHT!"

"ASTRA!"

"LOOK THIS WAY!"

The crowd surged forward.

Security rushed to reinforce the barricades.

The attention of every camera shifted away from the hotel entrance...

Toward Orion.

It was exactly the distraction Vedhathvika's security team needed.

The umbrellas tightened their formation.

Completely shielding her from the public's view.

Kaveri whispered with a grin,

"Talk about perfect timing."

Aarvi nodded.

"They unknowingly became your cover."

Vedhathvika glanced once toward the cheering crowd.

Although hidden behind her sunglasses...

Her eyes searched instinctively.

Somewhere among those vehicles...

Were the five players she had spent the last two weeks gaming with.

The people who had unknowingly become the first strangers she had trusted in years.

She couldn't see them.

Not yet.

---

At the same time...

Inside Orion's lead vehicle...

Kushagra stepped out first.

The cheers grew even louder.

He acknowledged the fans with a brief nod before instinctively scanning the hotel entrance.

Something caught his attention.

Four black umbrellas.

An unusually large security detail.

Hotel executives personally welcoming someone.

He frowned slightly.

"Who's arriving?"

Arush glanced in the same direction.

"The owner's family, I believe."

"They informed the staff this morning."

Kushagra nodded once.

His curiosity lasted only a second before returning to the tournament ahead.

He had no reason to think further about it.

After all...

The mysterious guest disappearing into the private elevators...

And the equally mysterious player called Luneria...

Couldn't possibly be the same person.

Or so he believed.

Sometimes...

Destiny hides in plain sight.

And on that afternoon...

It walked right past both of them...

Separated by no more than a few steps...

Yet concealed by nothing more than four black umbrellas.