Night settled over Sokovia, but sleep eluded Om once more. Vivid dreams haunted him, images of his family under siege filling his mind with dread. Om jolted awake, a strangled cry escaping his lips. "No! Mom, Dad—no, I'm sorry!" His heart raced, pounding in his chest like thunder as his mind struggled to separate dream from reality. The haunting images from his nightmare clung to him, sharp and unyielding.
"Om?" A gentle hand touched his shoulder, and he blinked, vision blurring as his mother, Iryna, leaned over him with concern. "It's okay. It was just a dream. You're safe. We're all here." Her voice was calm and soothing, her eyes warm with motherly love.
Wanda and Pietro appeared in the doorway, their faces pale and worried. Olek moved closer, laying a reassuring hand on Om's other shoulder. They surrounded him, creating a circle of comfort, grounding him back in the present. Om felt the tension in his chest ease slightly, the nightmare's grip loosening but not entirely letting go.
"Are you okay?" Wanda asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Om forced a smile, still shaken. "Yeah, I'm… I'm fine now. Just… just a bad dream." He couldn't bring himself to tell them how real it had felt, how every detail of destruction and terror lingered vividly in his mind.
Today, the dream was different, it had those which made him shiver to the bones since, he saw his mother being trapped in the something which he couldn't see clearly but she was dying slowly and painfully and he could not do anything. He felt so weak and pathetic ever since he remembered since childhood.
His mother had been the one who had the power to heal his mind plus heart. Even in the childhood, until 7 years ,he used to sleep with his mother as he had multiple mental breakdown in his dream. He was relieved seeing his mother safe and sound.
After a while, seeing he was a bit calmer, his family gave him space, each offering words of comfort before they left him alone. The quiet was both a relief and a weight as he sat back, head in his hands, trying to push the nightmare from his mind.
Morning light crept in as hours passed, but Om couldn't shake the lingering sense of dread. Needing a distraction, he turned to his console, his fingers moving swiftly over the keys. He dove into the world's recent events, his skills in hacking and data extraction bringing streams of information to his screen. Though his mind was still reeling from the nightmare, he focused intently, seeking answers.
It was then that he noticed something odd in the peripheral data of Stark Industries. Om's heart quickened as he skimmed through the details. Though security was high, Om's skill allowed him to catch glimpses of suspicious files and communications. The pattern was faint, but unmistakable—unusual activity that pointed toward a shadowy organization, Ten Rings, within Stark Industries' circles. It was unsettling, given how carefully he had kept Stark Industries under his watch. Tony Stark had been his silent beacon, the source of inspiration that had driven him to create Aether and pursue AI development.
Om's pulse raced as he pieced together what little he could. This wasn't just corporate intrigue. Something deeper was at work, possibly tied to military activities which was currently showing the clue in Sokovia. He frowned, feeling that unshakeable sense of urgency stirring within him again.
Before he could dig any deeper, his family reappeared, cheerful and bearing a tray of his favorite dishes—a surprise to lift his spirits. Their love and warmth dispelled the lingering shadows of his dream. He found himself smiling, even laughing, with Wanda and Pietro as they shared stories and jokes over breakfast.
Without alerting his family, he felt compelled to take action, to do something that would reassure him, if nothing else.
While they lingered over breakfast, laughing together, he discreetly pulled a small, camouflaged toolkit from beneath his bed. The tools were modest—a few sensors, a repurposed wireless router, and spare wiring—all remnants from old projects. He'd kept them, more out of habit than necessity, but now he felt a sense of purpose.
Waiting until his family was occupied in the kitchen, Om moved silently through the house, placing the sensors at strategic points—near the windows and main doors. He repurposed the router's range to transmit a simple alert signal directly to Aether. It was rudimentary, but Aether could amplify it if something triggered an unusual movement around the perimeter.
He also tinkered with an old wireless camera, positioning it at a high vantage point outside their house. It wasn't high-tech security, but it provided him with some comfort—a silent guardian of his family's safety. The project only took him about fifteen minutes, and he double-checked his handiwork to ensure no one would notice the subtle changes in the household.
Just as he was finishing up, Pietro's laughter broke his concentration. Om looked over, his younger brother beckoning him over for breakfast. "Come on, Om! You're missing out on all the fun!"
Om smiled, tucking away his nerves along with his tools, and joined his family, knowing he had done something, however small, to guard them.
For a moment, the world felt lighter again, his family's laughter drawing him back from the edge. But the relief was short-lived.
Suddenly, his console beeped, a familiar tone signaling an incoming message. "Boss," Aether's voice came through, his tone calm but edged with worry. "I got some clues… communication is being disconnecte—" The line cut abruptly, static filling the air.
Om's heart sank, a chill running through him. The fragmented message repeated ominously in his mind. He looked at his console, the implications dawning on him. He was not just dealing with a glitch. Something severe was unfolding.
And then, silence. When he installed he had it installed through satellite connection which was because of lack of time since he had to come home since it was late at night.
Worry crawled through his veins as he rushed to check on his family. He told them to stay in his room, just to be safe. His mother, Iryna, noticed his tension and reassured him with a calm smile. Even though everything seemed normal, his father Olek, and siblings, Wanda, reluctantly agreed to follow his advice.
But Pietro, stubborn as always, wanted to follow Om to the office. It was their weekend routine, after all, and the younger boy hated being left behind. Om was about to cry with angry and refuse but remembered his own promise and love for them which let him think calmly. Plus, Olek gave a tired sigh and said, "Let him go, Om He'll just sulk the entire time if you don't."
Reluctantly, Om agreed. He and Pietro left for Genesis Labs. The streets were eerily quiet as they arrived at the office around 5:25 PM. The weight of dread settled over Om again, heavier than before.
Om and Pietro stepped out of the house into the cool, shadow-draped streets of Sokovia. The air was crisp, almost biting, carrying the faint scent of damp stone and wood smoke. It was a quiet afternoon, the sun casting long shadows that painted the streets with a sense of stillness. As they walked, Om's mind churned with half-formed strategies and concerns.
Pietro, despite his youth, always brimmed with restless energy. He skipped a few steps ahead of Om, turning to walk backward with a grin that tried too hard to be serious. "So, boss man, what's the rush? You think the office is going to grow legs and walk away?" His blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
Om managed a small smile, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "Not quite, Pietro. Just some things I need to check on." He kept his tone steady, unwilling to show the storm brewing beneath the surface.
Pietro frowned, clearly mimicking what he thought seriousness should look like, but it only added to his boyish charm. He puffed out his chest and adopted a dramatic voice, "Right, right. Big important 'Om stuff.' Don't worry, I'm here to protect you, older brother!" He saluted, barely suppressing a giggle.
Om couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him, a brief break in his stoic demeanor. The laughter faded as quickly as it came, his gaze shifting ahead, eyes narrowing with focus. The streets felt different today—too quiet, too heavy. He scanned their surroundings, taking in every alley, every shuttered window. It felt like eyes were on them, unseen but present.
He glanced down at Pietro, who had resumed his playful gait, occasionally kicking a pebble along the path. The carefree nature of his little brother was both a comfort and a reminder of what was at stake. Pietro trusted him implicitly, the way only a child could, believing that Om could fix any problem, face any challenge. That belief was a source of strength and a silent, crushing burden.
Om's thoughts shifted back to Aether's interrupted message. The tone of it echoed in his mind—clues, disruption, and that sudden silence. It wasn't just a technical glitch. There was an intentionality to it that made his skin crawl. His instincts screamed at him to hurry, to prepare for the worst. The fragmented data from Stark Industries replayed in his head, the hints of the Ten Rings' activity like a warning light.
"Hey, Om," Pietro's voice interrupted his thoughts, this time softer, less playful. "You're really quiet today. Is something bad happening?" He tried to sound casual, but there was a hint of genuine worry in his eyes.
Om met his brother's gaze, seeing the innocence still there, untouched by the storm he feared was coming. "It's just work, Pietro. Nothing to worry about." The lie was easier than the truth, and he hoped it was enough to keep the concern from seeping deeper into Pietro's mind.
Pietro nodded, his attention already shifting as he leaped onto a low stone wall that lined their path, balancing with arms stretched wide. He moved ahead, a silhouette of energy and laughter against the waning light. Om watched him, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. The simple joy Pietro found in the world was a stark contrast to the relentless calculations spinning in Om's mind.
They turned a corner, and Genesis Labs came into view. The sight of the modest building, tucked between old brick structures, brought a fleeting sense of relief. It was familiar ground, a place where Om could think, plan, act. But the feeling was fleeting. The seriousness of the situation gripped him once more, setting his pulse racing.
Pietro hopped off the wall and jogged to catch up to Om, falling into step beside him. He looked up with that same trusting smile. "Don't worry, big brother. Whatever it is, you'll fix it. You always do."
Om took a breath, letting the reassurance wash over him, even if he didn't quite believe it himself. "Yeah," he murmured, eyes hardening with determination. "I'll fix it."
Om's mind was already racing ahead, assembling plans, contingency measures, and what he needed to uncover before it was too late. The doors to Genesis Labs appeared in the view, showing the sterile hum of the entrance.