Arjun's blood painted the floor—a portrait of death. Surya stood over the body, motionless, eyes burning with fury. The crescent-shaped dagger clenched between his teeth glinted under the dim light. He didn't blink. He didn't speak.
He simply stared.
A few minutes later, Jey burst through the door. His boots splashed into the pool of blood. His eyes locked onto Surya, who stood like a creature born of fire. For a moment, Jey hesitated—afraid to approach the friend who now looked like a myth made real.
But there was no time.
Without a word, he grabbed Surya's arm and yanked him out of the moment. Surya didn't resist. His body moved, but his mind remained behind—standing over the corpse, dragging one final name deeper into memory.
They ran.
The building erupted in alarms just as their feet hit the street. A sharp, wailing siren tore through the silence, echoing through the East Zone like a war cry. Panic spread like wildfire.
Arjun was dead.
And the people knew.
The zone trembled beneath the weight of his fall. Gang members and guards surged through alleyways, searching, shouting, swarming—but it was already too late. The fire had been lit, and the architects of the rebellion were gone.
Surya and Jey had vanished into the shadows—
and boarded the train.
As the train pulled away, the city behind them fractured in screams and confusion. Surya stared out the window, the reflection of blood still shining faintly on the bandages around his arm.
One name left.
One more monster to kill.
The train left the East Zone and rumbled its way toward the North. Surya sat by the window, staring blankly at the city he once knew—now a blur of fading lights and unfamiliar streets.
Rain lashed against the glass, fogging the windows and cloaking the world outside. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels stirred memories he had buried deep—memories that refused to stay silent.
The gun in his hand felt heavier than ever.
He couldn't cry. Couldn't speak. Couldn't move.
All he could do was watch.
Behind him, the city vanished into a haze—like a child watching his mother disappear into the crowd, helpless and small.
The train didn't stop. It just moved on—like time. Like fate.
Jey watched him from across the aisle, concern carved into his face. He could see how far Surya had fallen into the darkness.
And yet, he knew—he couldn't save him.
All he could do was follow him... and help him get what he came for.
When they reached the North Zone and stepped off the train, a sleek black sedan awaited.
Surya said nothing. He slid into the back seat without a word.
As the car pulled away, Surya's phone lit up with a notification. He glanced at the screen.
"An idea alone may not work."
He stared at the words. Then typed back:
"Don't do anything stupid. I'll make a plan. Just wait... until then."
Surya powered off the phone. The next meeting would be with the King—Ryan.
The car stopped at the familiar rooftop bar, the same place where Surya had first met Ryan. The door swung open. Without hesitation, Surya stepped out and strode past the guards. He entered the lift, each passing floor intensifying the storm brewing inside him.
Surya had a plan—clear, sharp, and dangerous. He knew exactly how to end Ryan's reign and reclaim the power stolen from the people. Every second in that elevator felt like sparks igniting fire within him. His anger blazed like a wildfire, ready to consume everything in its path.
The elevator dinged. It stopped.
The doors slid open.
Surya stepped out and walked into the bar.
Inside, Ryan lounged on a luxurious leather couch, drink in hand, looking like a man untouched by war or guilt. Surya walked toward him, his pace slow, deliberate. That's when he saw a grotesque figure—dressed in gaudy white, bloated like a pig, adorned with gold bracelets and rings on every finger. The man sat on the floor beside Ryan's feet, laughing in a way that chilled Surya's spine.
The laugh stopped. Ryan noticed Surya.
With a flick of his hand, Ryan dismissed the fat man. The man crawled forward, kissed Ryan's feet, and slithered out of the room.
Then, with a grand gesture, Ryan opened his arms and said,
"My wolf, my warrior. You've returned. Well done—stopping the rebels, completing your mission. You've made me proud. Now speak, Surya… ask for anything. I'll grant it."
Surya didn't speak immediately. He scanned the room.
That's when he saw it—on the table, a scattered pile of photographs.
His breath caught.
His heart pounded like a wild horse.
The photos were of Gayatri.
Every image was a violation—a threat wrapped in a smile. They weren't just pictures. They were weapons.
Then, he looked into Ryan's eyes.
And in that one look, he understood everything.
Ryan wasn't offering reward. He was issuing a warning.
He was testing Surya's control, poking at his weakness.
And for the first time in years… Surya felt fear.
After a few minutes of silence, Surya steadied himself and said,
"I want to go to the South Zone. Just for a few days. That's all I ask."
Ryan smiled, but his gaze didn't soften.
"If that's all… then go. But don't forget—you belong here. I want you back in the North. I want you at my side, Surya."
Surya nodded.
And with that, he took the king's permission… and left for the South Zone.
Surya replied, "Nothing. I need a favour from you, Verma. Just stay close to her until I reach the South Zone."
Verma nodded. "I'll do it, Surya."
Surya let out a heavy sigh and sank to the ground. His hands trembled. He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, the flame flickering like the storm in his eyes.
A few minutes later, Jey arrived and spotted Surya slumped on the pavement—a man who looked utterly defeated. Alarmed, Jey rushed to him.
"What happened, Surya? Tell me—I'll fix it!" Jey demanded.
Surya took a deep drag from his cigarette, exhaled slowly, and muttered,
"Jey… we need to get to the South Zone. Right now. Gaytri is in danger. We need to put the plan in motion—immediately."
Jey blinked. "What plan? You never shared any plan with me."
Surya's eyes darkened. He looked directly at Jey and said,
"To dethrone the king… Ryan. We're taking back this empire."
For the first time, Jey saw something terrifying in Surya—a demon's resolve masked behind human eyes. He knew then and there… Surya would go to any lengths, cross any line, and burn any bridge to end Ryan's reign.
Jey instinctively took two steps back, shaken by the shadow of darkness that seemed to rise around Surya.
Surya narrowed his eyes. "Jey… are you scared?"
Jey couldn't speak. The sheer weight of Surya's presence, the ominous air around him, had stolen his voice. But Surya didn't wait.
"Did you forget the promise you made to me?" Surya growled. "Did you forget what you told me in that jail cell? Were those just empty words? Fake promises? Answer me!"
Jey, trembling, whispered one word: "No."
Surya's voice turned cold. "Good. Then let's go to the South Zone. We need allies. It's time to overthrow Ryan."
He crushed his cigarette under his boot and began walking toward the train station.
Jey followed—helplessly—like a puppet pulled by invisible strings. It was as if a demon had possessed Surya… and that demon now led the way.