Jalur Takdir : Path of destiny [English edition]

That Night

Lana sat in the corner of the garage, Falcon-X still covered in dust from the previous race. Although she had won, her mind was clouded with worry. The Raven Syndicate, Victor's sudden appearance, and Rai's unexplained disappearance felt like pieces of an unsolvable puzzle.

"Why does he always leave like that? What is he hiding from me?" Lana muttered to herself, though Vera, nearby, heard her clearly.

"Sometimes people hide the truth, not because they don't care, but because they're afraid of hurting you," Vera said softly, handing her a cup of coffee.

But Lana couldn't find peace that night. She resolved to dig deeper into Rai's past, even if it meant reopening old wounds.

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Clues from the Past

The next day, Lana approached Cyrus with unwavering determination.

"I need your help. I have to know more about Rai and what happened to my mom," she said firmly.

Cyrus hesitated at first but eventually agreed. Using his tech expertise, he hacked into old archives related to the Raven Syndicate and uncovered something shocking.

"Lana, listen to this. There's a report about a major accident involving your mom's car, but something doesn't add up," Cyrus said, pointing to the holographic screen.

The report claimed the accident was caused by brake failure, but there was evidence that the braking system had been tampered with.

"This was sabotage," Lana whispered, her eyes wide.

"There's more," Cyrus added, showing an old photo of Rai standing next to a well-dressed man—the leader of the Raven Syndicate.

"Rai... was involved?" Lana asked, her voice trembling.

"Not involved," Cyrus corrected. "From what I can tell, he was forced. Maybe he had no choice."

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A Heavy Heart

That night, Lana sat alone in the garage, processing what she had just learned. Memories of her mother flooded back—a loving woman who had always supported her dreams.

"Mom, is this why you never wanted me to enter the racing world?" Lana murmured, tears streaming down her face.

The loss she had tried to bury for so long resurfaced, but this time, it brought something else: anger. Not aimless anger, but one that ignited a new resolve.

"I'll make them pay for this. For Mom, for Rai, and for myself," Lana vowed.

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Rising to the National Stage

Lana's decision to move forward led her to the next milestone: the national rankings. Her growing popularity after the local race attracted attention from small sponsors eager to support Falcon-X's development.

With Vera and Cyrus by her side, Lana began preparing the car for a much tougher competition. The national circuit wasn't just about speed—it demanded skill, strategy, and mental fortitude.

Social media buzzed with news about Lana, with headlines like:

"Lana Veil: The Rising Star of Racing"

"The Girl and Her Legacy Car: A Journey from Zero to Stardom"

"Is Lana Veil the Next National Champion?"

But fame brought intense pressure. Every move Lana made was scrutinized, and even small mistakes became fodder for criticism.

"Everyone's putting so much weight on your shoulders," Vera said as they worked in the garage.

"I know," Lana replied. "But I won't let it stop me."

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Losing Rai Again

Amid preparations, Lana received another anonymous message. This time, it was brief:

"Don't look for me. Focus on your racing."

The message left her frustrated. Rai always disappeared without explanation, but now Lana knew he was hiding something far bigger than she had imagined.

"If he wants me to focus, then that's what I'll do. But I won't stop searching for the truth," Lana said, her resolve stronger than ever.

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New Challenges Await

The day of the national race arrived. The massive arena was packed with spectators from across the country. Lana stood on the track, surrounded by top racers with far more advanced cars than Falcon-X.

But Lana wasn't intimidated. To her, this was about more than winning—it was about proving to the world, and herself, that she belonged there.

The race was filled with heart-pounding action. Lana used every technique she had learned to keep up with the competition. On the track, she encountered Aria Blaze, a renowned female racer who initially seemed like a threat but later became an unexpected ally.

"I like your style, Lana," Aria said after a practice session. "We may be rivals, but I want you to know I'm rooting for you."

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Soaring Popularity

Lana's popularity skyrocketed after her performance in the national rankings. The media couldn't get enough of her, fans grew by the thousands, and Falcon-X became a symbol of perseverance.

But behind the scenes, Lana knew her fight was far from over. Rai's secrets, the Raven Syndicate's role in her mother's death, and the increasingly challenging races loomed ahead.

"One step at a time," Lana told herself, staring at the track that seemed to beckon her.

Amid the roaring cheers of the crowd, Lana understood one thing: her journey had only just begun.

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