📖 Chapter 44 – Fields of Fire
The morning sun rose over Nashik's farmlands, warm and golden, but beneath the beauty lurked unease. Raj had kept his promise to the farmers—he paid fairly, honored their crops, and turned their onions into dishes that carried the taste of honesty itself. Customers loved it, and word spread quickly.
But the cartel did not forgive betrayal.
That same morning, the golden panel pulsed with grim urgency:
[Quest Update: Protect the Farmers.]
Threat Detected: Cartel Retaliation in 24 Hours.
Failure: Alliance Broken, Farmers Return to Cartel Control.
Reward: Farmer Stronghold Secured + Community Loyalty.
Raj's jaw tightened as he read the glowing words. He had expected retaliation—but not this soon.
Rumors in the Wind
By noon, whispers reached the hostel. A frightened boy ran to Raj, panting. "Bhaiya… the cartel men were in the fields today. They said if the farmers keep selling to you, they'll burn the crops tonight."
Meena's eyes widened. "They'll destroy livelihoods just to send a message."
Arjun slammed his fist against the table. "Then we'll fight them head-on!"
Rohit growled. "This isn't a street brawl. Fire spreads. We can't just punch flames."
Imran whispered nervously, "What if… what if we can't stop them?"
Raj stood slowly, his aura already flaring like embers. His voice was steady, but every word struck like iron. "We won't let the farmers suffer for trusting us. Tonight, we guard their fields. If the cartel wants fire, then we'll prove we are fireproof."
The panel glowed approvingly:
[Leadership Aura Strengthened – Allies Will Resist Fear.]
The Night Vigil
That evening, Raj and his team joined the farmers in the onion fields. The air smelled of soil and smoke from distant cooking fires. Lanterns flickered faintly as families gathered nervously, their children clinging to them.
Raj moved among them, speaking softly. "You are not alone tonight. Your crops, your sweat, your trust—we will protect it together." His aura pulsed outward, calming hearts, straightening spines. Farmers who had been trembling moments ago now gripped sticks and tools, ready to defend.
Meena set up her phone for recording, determined to catch any evidence. Arjun picked up a heavy staff, his grin sharp. "Let them come." Rohit cracked his knuckles, muttering, "Finally, a real fight." Imran, pale but determined, handed out water to the farmers, whispering prayers under his breath.
The fields waited, silent but tense.
The Flames Arrive
Near midnight, the distant roar of motorbikes cut through the quiet. Headlights flickered across the horizon, growing closer, louder, until a dozen bikes tore into the fields, their riders shouting, bottles of kerosene clutched in their fists.
The scarred man from before dismounted first, sneering. "So the city boy hides in the fields now. Thought you could steal our farmers? Tonight we take back what's ours." He raised a bottle, its liquid sloshing. "Burn it all!"
The bikers cheered, striking matches.
Raj stepped forward, his aura blazing like a shield. His voice boomed across the night. "These fields do not belong to fear. They belong to the hands that sowed them. You will not burn a single leaf tonight."
The cartel men laughed, but their chuckles wavered as farmers—men, women, even old elders—stood shoulder to shoulder with Raj's team, armed with sticks, hoes, and determination.
Clash in the Fields
The first bottle flew, shattering near the edge of the field, flames licking hungrily. Arjun roared, leaping forward to stomp it out, dirt flying as he smothered the fire. Rohit grabbed another thug mid-throw, hurling him to the ground.
Meena shouted, "Cameras on! The world is watching you burn farmers' fields!" Her phone light cut through the chaos, recording everything. Some cartel men hesitated, realizing their crimes were being caught.
Raj's aura surged. Farmers who moments ago had trembled now fought with courage, swinging sticks, shouting with anger. The cartel, used to fear, stumbled against resistance.
The scarred man snarled, charging at Raj with a lit torch. Raj didn't step back. He caught the man's wrist mid-swing, his grip like iron. "Your fire dies here." With a twist, he flung the torch into the dirt, stamping it out as the farmers cheered.
The bikers faltered, their arrogance cracking. Some dropped their bottles and fled into the night. The scarred man cursed, retreating with the few who remained. "This isn't over, boy! Nashik belongs to us!" His voice trailed into the darkness as engines roared away.
Dawn of Victory
Silence settled over the fields, broken only by heavy breathing. Smoke curled faintly from patches of dirt where fire had tried—and failed—to spread. The crops stood safe.
The farmers stared at Raj, their eyes wide with awe. The elderly man stepped forward, placing a weathered hand on Raj's shoulder. "Tonight, you did more than protect our fields. You gave us courage. No one has ever stood with us against the cartel. Until you."
The panel blazed brilliantly:
[Quest Complete: Protect the Farmers.]
Reward: Stronghold of Farmers Secured.
Benefit: Steady supply chain + loyalty of Nashik's agricultural community.
Leadership Aura (Level 2): Strength +10%.
Farmers cheered, chanting Raj's name. Children danced, women lit lanterns in thanks, and the night that had promised fire ended in light.
Shankar's Fury
Back in Mumbai, Shankar listened as news spread across social media: "Raj defends Nashik's farmers from cartel arson!" Videos of the clash went viral—Meena's footage painted Raj as a hero of the people.
Shankar's rage boiled. He smashed bottles against the wall until shards cut his palms. "Every time I strike, he grows! Every failure makes him stronger!" His eyes burned with madness. "If Nashik makes him a hero, then I'll drown him in its politics."
Raj's Reflection
As dawn painted the sky pink and gold, Raj stood in the fields, watching farmers begin their day's work with smiles instead of fear. His team sat nearby, exhausted but proud.
Meena murmured, "That was close. If you hadn't stood firm…"
Arjun grinned, bruised but laughing. "We showed them fire doesn't scare us."
Rohit muttered, "For once, I'm glad to fight beside you."
Imran whispered, "We… we really are an empire, aren't we?"
Raj looked at them all, then at the farmers. His voice was calm, but his aura pulsed like flame. "We are not just an empire. We are roots and branches. And with farmers as our roots, no storm can pull us down."
The panel shimmered softly:
[Progress: 1/3 Pillars Complete.]
Next Target: Students of Nashik.
Raj's eyes lifted to the horizon. "The fields are safe. Now, we win the hearts of the young. If students stand with us, the cartel will lose tomorrow's voices."
The first pillar had been secured. The second waited.