Night at the Estate
Veer finished the last of his work and stepped out of his study, heading toward his chambers. As he walked down the corridor, he caught sight of Samarath, approaching. The two stopped briefly in front of each other.
"The weapons are ready, sir," Samarath reported.
"Good. Send them to the back mountain tomorrow. Let's hope he likes them," Veer said with a faint smile, his tone calm but deliberate.
"Yes, sir." Samarath bowed slightly before departing.
Veer continued on to his bedroom. When he entered, his eyes softened. His wife was already waiting, lying gracefully on the bed, clad in fine lingerie. A rare smile touched his lips as he sat down beside her.
She slipped behind him, her hands sliding from his shoulders down across his chest. Her breath brushed against his ear as she whispered, "You look… happy."
"How could I not," Veer murmured, voice low, "when I see a woman like you waiting in my bed?"
"You…" she teased, biting lightly at his ear before pulling him down onto the bed with her.
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The soft chime of the clock echoed in the quiet room. 8:23.
Anand blinked awake, staring at the numbers. A crooked smile tugged at his lips.
"Sixteen hours of sleep… feels like school days again," he muttered.
He called for room service. The same maid from yesterday arrived, bowing politely before assisting him. She helped him bathe, then laid out his clothes with practiced hands. Anand accepted the help with calm grace, finishing his breakfast shortly after.
By the time he stepped into the lobby, Aryan was already waiting. Without much exchange, the two slipped into the sleek car.
The engine hummed to life — a deep, beast-core powered growl — and the vehicle surged forward with a smooth vroom, carrying them toward their next destination.
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The car slowed to a stop before a towering iron gate. The entire perimeter was fortified — high walls, surveillance towers, and armed guards stationed at every corner. The place was more fortress than training ground.
Aryan stepped out of the car, walking up to the guard captain. They exchanged a few quiet words before Aryan produced a sleek black identification card embossed with the Society's crest.
The guard's expression stiffened. Without another word, he went into the small office beside the gate and spoke briefly into a secure communicator. Moments later, he returned carrying a long reinforced briefcase. He handed it to Aryan with both hands, bowing slightly.
Aryan accepted it without comment, walked back to the car, and placed the case carefully in the back. Sliding into the driver's seat again, he started the engine.
The gates creaked open, metal grinding as if the mountain itself resisted entry. The car rolled forward, crossing the threshold into the sealed grounds of the back mountain.
The car rolled through a winding dirt path, the walls of forest rising higher with every turn. At last, they passed through the gates, and Aryan spoke as the trees swallowed them.
"This is Ironfang Mountain," he explained evenly. "It's filled with low-level beasts — mostly Tier I and Tier II, with the occasional Tier III. The family uses it to train the children, to harden them before they face the outside world."
The car came to a halt at a clearing. Aryan shut off the engine.
"We go on foot from here."
He stepped out, briefcase in hand. Anand followed, stretching slightly before falling in step behind him. The two walked quietly through the shaded forest until the trees parted, revealing a small pond glimmering under morning light. Beside it stood a modest wooden house, aged but sturdy.
"You can stay here for now," Aryan said as they approached.
The house was simple — a single room with a bed pushed against the far wall, a bathroom tucked behind, and a wooden table set near the center. Aryan set the briefcase upon the table and flicked open the latches.
"This is something the Family Head sent," Aryan said, sliding it across to Anand.
Inside lay a finely crafted sword and two short knives, gleaming with cold steel and faint engravings that hinted at beast-core reinforcement.
Anand picked up the sword, slowly drawing it from its sheath. The steel caught the light, its edge singing faintly. He turned it in his hands, testing the weight, the balance.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"What exquisite craftsmanship," he murmured, eyes gleaming with genuine appreciation.