The room was dimly lit, casting an eerie glow over its various contents. Flickering candles and old-school light bulbs, their filaments glowing flamboyantly, provided faint warmth to the otherwise freezing space. Shadows danced on the walls, adding a haunting ambience to the scene. The thick, worn carpet on the floor offered scant insulation from the cold, hard ground beneath, its frayed edges speaking of better days long past.

The boys had gathered once more in this familiar, albeit chilly, sanctuary. The air was thick with an unspoken tension, the kind that only shared hardship and uncertainty could foster. Akash emerged from the bathroom, the creak of the door momentarily louder than the quiet murmurs of conversation. His eyes were moist and dull, carrying a heavy, grieving pain that seemed to weigh down his entire demeanour. The room fell silent as he entered, the others turning to acknowledge his presence with solemn nods.

The cold seemed to seep into their bones, but it was the shared warmth of their camaraderie that kept them from feeling entirely numb. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts, yet united by the unspoken bond of shared experiences and mutual reliance.

Breaking the heavy silence, Ishan spoke up, his voice a mixture of determination and reassurance. "We'll figure something out. As far as we know, they all are safe."

Akash gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling over. 'They are safe right now, but that doesn't mean they're out of danger. I've endured all this pain and fear just to be back with my sister...' His voice faltered, the weight of his emotions almost too much to bear.

"She was always there for me, even in the hardest times. When our parents died, she was the one who stayed strong and helped me come out of the grief and move forward. I cannot even count the number of sacrifices she made for me and now when she is in a danger that we cannot even comprehend, all I can do is just sit around and follow people who I don't even trust. I don't even know if she is alive or not."

Avyan lowered his head while Anirudh sat on a chair in the corner of the room, looking out of the window onto the busy city while actively listening to the conversation. Ishan placed his hand on Akash's shoulder, attempting to offer comfort. "I understand, Akash, but we have to stay—

Akash swings Ishan's hand away and shouts, "No you don't. You don't understand what it feels like. There is nothing on the line for you. You do not even know what a family is like."

The room goes silent once again as Avyan and Anirudh look at each other, surprised by Akash's statement. Ishan smiles and gets up slowly, "Yeah, I am sorry Akash"

Ishan looked towards Avyan, who seemed visibly saddened. With a nod, Ishan left the room. Avyan looked towards Anirudh once again, and Anirudh, understanding the signal, stood up and followed Ishan out.

Avyan's mind raced with thoughts of how to deal with this situation but he couldn't come up with anything since he himself was too stressed due to his grandfather. The silence in the room grew heavier, each remaining occupant lost in their thoughts. The flickering candlelight cast long, wavering shadows that seemed to echo the turmoil and uncertainty within each of them.

With no words left to say, Avyan laid back on his bed. A pool of thoughts again surrounded him like always. What did Dauji really wanted? What does Raezi have to do with us? Soon the beautiful ceiling above turned dark as he slept instantaneously due to exhaustion.

"Avyan, wake up", Avyan wakes up in a great turmoil as it was still dark outside.

Anirudh wakes the others up as well along with Avyan, "Wake up, Elara said our training will start from 4 AM"

Ishan also wakes up, "It's time already. I was certain we talked for way more time last night than you said Anirudh. Why does this training have to be this early"

Akash says in a depressed voice, "Do you even want to do this training? We cannot physically reach the level of the Marshalls. Why are these guys wasting their time in training us. Instead they should go out and find Raezi"

Anirudh replies, "We all have our individual reasons to carry out with the plan and train."

Anirudh nods to Ishan. Akash, although without interest but gets up. All of them start to freshen up and carry out their usual routine.

While in the washroom, Akash thinks, "I have never trained in my life. I know my limits, I cannot possibly be useful in any real battle even after years of training. I don't know what to do. I cannot be a burden. I cannot just sit around and do nothing. I need to be useful somehow"

As they emerged out of the room, they saw Elara walking towards them in the corridor. She smiled and said, "You're awake. Marshalls are waiting for you in the training grounds. Feel free to follow me."

Ishan whispers in Anirudh's ears excitedly, "They have a training ground inside the palace. I can't wait to get back to the gym, it's been so long."

As they walk towards the training grounds, Elara explains them their course of training, "Lord Zeesham has devised a training plan for you. Akash, your expertise in the biomedical and bioengineering will be very useful according to Lord Zeesham. Instead of physical training, you are advised to work together with our team of scientists and engineers on various matters that will be explained to you in isolation. Lord Zeesham feels this will be the best for all the parties. "

Akash nods in agreement and is relieved since now he is certain he can be useful in some way.

"The rest of you will be trained by the Marshalls. The three of you will be allotted to a Marshall each and they will train you in their own unique ways."

Avyan raises his eyebrows in astonishment as he didn't expect the Marshalls to train them personally. He is also thinking about which Marshall will he be paired up with. He wishes to be paired up with Vanya.

The three of them are instructed to enter three different adjacent rooms. Avyan is allotted the third room, Ishan is allotted the second room and Anirudh is allotted the first room. Anirudh enters the room first and finds Lector there in his usual outfit and sunglasses, swinging his swords with elegance. The room is huge, almost a square with sides of about 50 metres. This room had a lot of gym equipment, platforms of different heights, random obstacles and hitting dummies. It is painted in orange and yellow colours.

Avyan enters his room but it is empty. He looks around to see nothing. The room is dark, cold and misty. It is hard to see the ends of the room due to the mist. There are long wooden cylindrical platforms which can be climbed upon. Each cylindrical platform is made up of a different material. He gets confused and heads out. He holds the doorknob to open the door.

"erm, what?", It is locked.

Ishan entered the room and found Vanya sitting gracefully on a chair, her back to the table. Her legs were elegantly crossed, and one elbow rested on the table while her hand supported her chin. The circular table was beautifully adorned with an arrangement of purple and white flowers, creating a serene contrast to the room's intensity. A delicate tea set was placed beside Vanya, adding an unexpected touch of tranquillity.

To Ishan's astonishment, the room was filled with soldiers, all clad in the same uniform. They stood in a precise formation, starting with a single soldier at the front, followed by rows of two, three, and so on. After the tenth row, the sequence restarted with one soldier, but these held weapons, ready for action. There were five such sets of ten rows, each soldier standing with disciplined poise, creating an imposing yet organized presence.

Vanya, noticing Ishan's arrival, stood up with a smile, her excitement evident in her eyes. The room's atmosphere, charged with a blend of military precision and the delicate beauty of the floral decor, created a striking juxtaposition, leaving Ishan both impressed and intrigued by what was to come.

"Ishan, you're finally here. I was waiting for you for so long. Come let's have some pancakes and tea."

This was Ishan's favourite breakfast. As a connoisseur of fine cuisine, Ishan would go to great lengths for a good meal, his passion for food being one of his defining traits. He smiled and waved eagerly towards Navya, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the delectable spread. His enthusiasm was palpable as he started to run towards her, his mind solely focused on the delightful meal awaiting him.

However, his joyous sprint was abruptly halted. Out of nowhere, the first soldier stepped forward and delivered a powerful punch to Ishan's stomach. The force of the blow sent him crashing to the ground. Clutching his abdomen in excruciating pain, he could feel the sharp sting intensifying with each breath. A metallic taste filled his mouth as he spat out blood, the vibrant crimson stark against the cold, unforgiving floor. The room's atmosphere shifted dramatically, from one of eager anticipation to a tense and brutal reality, leaving Ishan gasping and disoriented.

"Wh-What?", Ishan said in a crackling and wet voice.

Vanya turned gracefully, her movements fluid and elegant as she reached for the delicate teapot. With a serene expression, she poured herself a cup of fragrant tea, the steam rising in delicate tendrils. The soft clinking of porcelain filled the air as she set the teapot down and took a slow, deliberate sip. Her eyes, sharp and assessing, met Ishan's with a hint of challenge.

"Show me what you can do to reach me," she said, her voice calm yet commanding, echoing with the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed.

In the adjacent room, Anirudh stood face-to-face with Lector. A mixture of disappointment and anger churned within him, knowing he had to train with the man he so dearly wanted to kill. Yet, a part of him recognized the invaluable opportunity this presented—not just for the sake of training, but to learn more about Lector's fighting style, tactics, and strength.

Lector greeted him in a manner befitting his eccentric personality. Suddenly, people emerged from behind Anirudh, forming a band that began to play elegantly, their instruments producing a soft and calming melody. The unexpected serenade surrounded Anirudh, creating a surreal atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the tension between the two men.

Lector sheathed his swords with a flourish and shouted, "This marks the beginning of our deal!"

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Anirudh, taken aback, responded with confusion, "Deal? I don't understand."

Lector's eyes gleamed as he replied, "You and me, we will battle. We will fight forever."

Anirudh smirked, a hint of defiance in his expression. "Forever? I don't think that's possible."

Lector smirked back, his grin almost predatory. "Well, until you defeat me, which means forever."

The room seemed to pulse with the weight of the challenge, the soft music contrasting sharply with the fierce determination in their eyes. Anirudh's mind raced, knowing that this 'deal' with Lector would test him in ways he had never imagined. The battle lines were drawn, and the stage was set for an epic confrontation.

The band started to leave but before leaving, the last person gave his wooden hammer to Anirudh. Lector also picked two wooden swords kept beside him.

Lector scratched his head and said, "I heard you are good with hammers"

The training ground was expansive, with high ceilings and walls lined with various training equipment. The room's cold, hard floor contrasted sharply with the warm glow of flickering torches lining the walls, under the various ceiling lights already on. Anirudh wondered why does a room already this bright with lights need flame torches. He also wondered the diversity of technology within the palace, his room had old-school bulbs and lanterns while this room had professional bright LED ceiling lights. He gripped his wooden hammer tightly, his eyes locked on Lector, who stood confidently with two wooden swords in hand. Anirudh took his stance while Lector stood there with no guard.

"Show me what you've got, Anirudh," Lector taunted, his voice dripping with charisma and power. "Impress me."

Anirudh resisted, the weight of his inability to save a friend pressing down on him like a vice. The haunting thought of what he could have done differently gnawed at his conscience, a relentless echo of his perceived failures. After Pratyush's death, he started to see himself as useless, just a burden to those around him. Every step he took on the way here was shadowed by the crushing belief that he wouldn't be able to do anything when it really mattered, that he wouldn't be able to save anyone when the time came.

These thoughts consumed him, paralyzing him with doubt and regret. The memory of Avyan in danger, pleading for help, played over and over in his mind. He could still hear Avyan's desperate voice, "Pick up the gun and help me!" But Anirudh had hesitated, unable to make a decision, his hands trembling with fear and uncertainty. The guilt of that moment was a heavy burden, one that seemed too great to bear.

As these dark thoughts began to take over, a distinct and cherished memory pierced through the gloom. It was the memory of his mother, her sweet, loving gaze softening the harsh edges of his despair. He could see her clearly, holding his hand with a tender grip. Little Anirudh, filled with innocent determination, had looked up at her and declared, "I'll always protect you, Mom. I'll never let anything happen to you."

His mother had smiled, a smile that radiated warmth and unwavering belief. She had replied, "I know you always will, my little superhero."

This memory brought a wave of emotions crashing over Anirudh. He remembered the love and trust in his mother's eyes, the confidence she had in him. It was a stark contrast to the self-doubt that now clouded his mind. Her words echoed in his heart, reigniting a spark of courage that had almost been extinguished.

Tears welled up in Anirudh's eyes as he realized he had been letting his fear overshadow the strength his mother always saw in him. He took a deep breath, the memory of her unwavering faith bolstering his resolve. He wasn't useless. He wasn't a burden. He had the power to make a difference, to protect those he cared about.

With renewed determination, Anirudh clenched his fists, his mother's words a mantra in his mind. "I am a superhero," he whispered to himself, feeling the strength of that conviction seep into his bones. He knew what he had to do. He wouldn't let fear control him any longer. He would stand by his friends, fight for them, and protect them, just as he had promised his mother all those years ago.

Anirudh's hesitation melted away, replaced by a steely resolve. He could feel the weight of his doubts lifting, replaced by a sense of purpose. He would not let his past failures define him. He would be the protector, the friend, and the hero his mother believed him to be.

Anirudh lunged forward, his hammer swinging in a wide arc, just like a blow of wind. Lector effortlessly blocked the attack with his swords, deflecting the blow and stepping aside with fluid grace. Anirudh's rage fuelled his relentless assault, but each strike met with the same result—Lector's impeccable defence using his elegant swing of swords.

"You'll have to do better than that," Lector remarked, parrying another attack. "Think, Anirudh. Use your environment."

Anirudh's mind raced as he scanned the room, noting the torches, training dummies, and various obstacles scattered about. He feinted another attack, then leaped onto a nearby platform, gaining the high ground. From there, he swung his hammer down with all his might, aiming for Lector's head. Lector sidestepped the blow, his movements almost mocking in their ease.

"Good attempt, but not good enough," Lector said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Keep trying."

Anirudh's mind raced with thoughts, "What do I do? He is deflecting all my blows with ease. Besides what is that speed, it seems he is teleporting. My eyes are unable to catch up to him when he dodges my attacks.(His eyes lock on something on the field) Oh, maybe-"

Anirudh adjusted his tactics, using the training equipment to his advantage. He swung his hammer into a training dummy, sending it flying towards Lector. Lector sliced through the dummy with his swords, his movements a blur. Anirudh followed up with a quick succession of strikes, aiming to catch Lector off guard. But Lector's defenses held firm, his swords moving with precision to block each attack.

"Impressive, Anirudh," Lector said, a hint of genuine admiration in his voice. "But you still have much to learn."

Anirudh grinned, "Sliced through that doll even with a wooden sword. I need to be careful of his attacks. However, it seems he is not attacking me"

Hours passed, the room echoing with the sounds of their clash. Anirudh's body ached, but his determination burned brightly. He tried everything—using dolls to throw on Lector, leveraging obstacles to gain an advantage, even feigning exhaustion to lure Lector into a trap. But Lector anticipated every move, his experience and skill unmatched.

Anirudh on his knees while breathing heavily, covered in sweat all over, "I cannot anymore. I cannot even lift my hands, let alone the hammer. My mind is not working at all. It seems my legs have given up on me as well, they feel numb. What do I do? I cannot lose"

Finally, Lector decided to end the session. He flipped the sword in his left hand and cracked his neck. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, his wooden swords a blur of motion. Anirudh barely managed to block the first blow by deciding to sacrifice his forearm in order to save his vital organs, but the sheer speed and power of Lector's attacks overwhelmed him. Lector disarmed Anirudh and delivered a devastating kick to his chest.

Anirudh flew across the room, crashing into the wall with a sickening thud. The impact shattered part of the wall and left Anirudh gasping for breath, several bones broken, and his head spinning from multiple concussions, "M-My ches-chest"

Lector sheathed his swords and walked over to Anirudh, his expression one of calm satisfaction. He crouched down and tilted his head, "This marks the beginning of our deal, Anirudh. Learn from this. Grow stronger. Only then will you stand a chance of defeating me."

Anirudh glared at Lector through the pain, his hatred burning brighter than ever. "I will defeat you, Lector. Mark my words."

Lector chuckled, turning away. "I look forward to it. Rest up. We'll continue tomorrow."

As Lector left the room, the band entered and resumed their soft, calming melody, a stark contrast to the fierce battle that had just taken place. Anirudh lay there, battered and bruised, but his resolve unbroken. This was just the beginning.

Elsewhere, Ishan clearly understood the challenge he was put up against.

Vanya said, "These soldiers will not die nor feel any pain. They are trained to do this. You can give me everything you've got. They will automatically be defeated if you throw them out of their rectangular space"

Ishan looked around on the ground and thought, "So each line of soldiers has it's own designated rectangular area. I see it now. I just have to beat them up and throw them out of the area. Since they don't feel any pain, I'll not hold back, my morals are not the same as Avyan"

Determined and enraged, Ishan picked himself up from the floor. His large stature and bulky frame made him a formidable opponent, and he immediately charged at the soldier that hit him. The soldier stood no chance in front of a man like Ishan. His heavy punches and immense strength allowed him to plough through the first five rows, each soldier falling under the sheer force of his blows. He was a bit exhausted but was having fun doing his second favourite thing, showing of his strength. However, as he reached the sixth row, the tide began to turn. The soldiers coordinated their attack and defended each other, making it hard to throw them out one by one, which Ishan had been doing till now. His advantage of size was now being overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies.

Ishan smirked while dusting his clothes, "If I can't push you directly, I'll have to beat you up and throw you guys out. I guess things are going to go bloody"

These soldiers, though silent and expressionless, moved with a coordinated precision that began to overwhelm Ishan. Despite his strength, the relentless barrage of attacks from multiple directions took its toll. His body was soon covered in blood, wounds, and bruises, yet he continued to fight, driven by sheer willpower. He noticed the odd behaviour off these particular soldiers. They felt emotionless, they felt no pain, no fear. They just followed their instructions with utmost respect.

"Why don't you speak?" Ishan yelled between laboured breaths, trying to strike up a conversation in a desperate attempt to find a weakness. But the soldiers remained silent, their faces devoid of any emotion, their actions mechanical and unyielding.

Vanya watched from her chair, sipping her tea with an almost bored expression. She seemed to take a perverse pleasure in Ishan's struggle, her eyes following his every move without a hint of concern.

Time passed in a blur of pain and determination. Ishan fought tirelessly, taking brief rests whenever he managed to create a small gap between himself and the advancing soldiers. He noticed that the soldiers only attacked him if he got close to their rows, else they just stood there in their respective lines. After what felt like an eternity, he finally managed to clear nine rows. His body screamed in agony, every muscle burning with exhaustion, but his spirit refused to break.

The tenth row was the final test. Ten unarmed soldiers stood before him, their stances ready, their faces as emotionless as ever. Ishan knew this would be the most challenging fight yet. Even then, he stood up from the ground, after taking some rest and stood in front of the soldiers, ready to face them. His injuries were deep and had to be attended but he ignored every bit of pain in his body.

The battle was brutal. Ishan swung his fists with all his remaining strength, but the soldiers moved with an uncanny agility, dodging and countering his attacks with precision. Every punch he landed seemed to take a piece of his soul, draining him further. Blood poured from his wounds, his vision blurred, and his legs felt like they could give out at any moment. Although, he had more strength than an average soldier but their coordination turned out to be a great obstacle for him.

One soldier landed a powerful kick to Ishan's side, sending him sprawling to the ground. Gasping for air, Ishan forced himself to stand, his resolve unbroken. He fought with every ounce of strength he had left, his movements becoming more desperate and wild. The soldiers pressed in, their silent coordination becoming overwhelming. Ishan fell to the ground. He couldn't feel his limbs anymore. He was out of energy and dehydrated. His mind starting to black out. He thought, "Am I going to die? Am I going to lose? It has been a long time since I lost". He got confused as he started to have visions, old visions. He grinned, his fists tightly clenched together. His heavy breathing started to blow away dust on the ground. His heartbeat raised up. An inner turmoil, suddenly surfaced again. He opened his eyes.

Just when it seemed like Ishan would fail, he found a surge of strength within him. With a primal roar, he launched a final, desperate assault. He shouted in anger, blood coming out of his mouth, "I'll never be a weakling again. I will not let the past repeat itself. This time I'll not be scared papa". His mind flooded with scenes from the past which he forgot a long time ago. This new found motivation gives him the strength to move his feet ahead. His fists flew with a newfound ferocity, catching the soldiers off guard. One by one, they fell, unable to withstand the sheer force of Ishan's rage-fuelled attacks. He held a soldier trying to sneak up on him from his neck and tossed him away. He broke their formation by slamming in like a bull. His bare strength outclassed the coordination of the soldiers. He tackled several of them out of the area.

Finally, the last soldier collapsed, and Ishan stood victorious, though barely. His body was a canvas of blood and bruises, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. His left eye was swollen, he couldn't see from it. He saw more soldiers lined up in front of him. "I'll never lose to anyone", as he moved forward, he staggered and collapsed to the ground, Vanya approached, her expression a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

She crouched beside him, her hand slithering over his battered form. "Impressive," she murmured, her eyes glowing. "You have potential, Ishan. But remember, this is just the beginning."

Ishan's vision faded, his body succumbing to the exhaustion and pain. As darkness overtook him, Vanya's words echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the trials yet to come.