A group of four hooded figures emerged from the back valley, clutching Molotovs and preparing to throw them toward the venue. But before a single bottle could be launched, they collapsed instantly paralyzed, bleeding from their ears and noses.
From a rooftop nearby, Dev peered through binoculars, impressed. "Look, Ayaan. It really happened. Your sniper is awesome. No bullets, yet they're all down. I also got word from my devil mom they're confirmed Hollow Pact members."
Ayaan didn't respond to the praise. His focus was locked through the scope of his sniper. "Yeah, Dev. I don't understand the mechanics, but through this scope, I can clearly see them. Hollow Pact members carry this weird dark greenish aura with red heads..."
Suddenly, both of their mics crackled with a sharp voice. "Instead of chit-chatting, focus on the targets, Dev and Ayaan. And when I get home, I'll teach you a lesson about calling me a devil!"
Dev flinched and blurted, "Mom, why are you yelling at us? You're lucky you're sitting comfy in the command center while we're roasting under the sun. Can we at least ge—"
His mic was abruptly muted.
Inside the command center, Padma slammed her forehead against the console in frustration and muttered something under her breath.
Ranvijay, monitoring multiple screens beside her, chuckled. "Mrs. Padma, I never imagined Ayaan would end up best friends with your son. At first, I thought they were just silly kids, but now I see they're a real battlefield combo."
Padma gave a tight-lipped smile. "Thanks for the compliment, Mr. Ranvijay."
But Ranvijay cut in, pointing at one of the monitors. "Look there more suspicious movement. They're outside Ayaan's scope."
With firm resolve, Padma reached for the comms and activated a private channel. "Surya, it's time."
At the venue's rear, a squad of black-cloaked intruders was attempting to scale the walls using grappling ropes. One by one, their ropes were sliced mid-air followed by their hands. Before they could react, their vision darkened as a blade streaked past, their final memory etched by the swing of a glowing sword.
A young man stood in their midst, sword drawn and glowing faintly orange. "I already knew it, Padma Aunty. Commander Padma," he murmured with a calm smile then, in a burst of light, slashed down another wave of Hollow Pact members in a fluid motion.
Meanwhile, inside the venue, two suspicious men began approaching President Aditya. Before they could make a move, each was silently dispatched one throat slit with a sickle, the other shot cleanly with a silenced pistol. As they fell, a whisper echoed in their ears, "No matter whether it's the Council of Six or the Hollow Pact we counter them in silence."
Nearby, an agent remarked in awe, "I never thought Bhairava, the most trusted ally of Mr. Ranvijay, could break Hollow Pact lines so effortlessly."
With a calm nod and a rare smile, Bhairava replied, "Same. I never expected General Rathore, even in his fifties, to move this fast."
Both shared a brief laugh, just as a unit of police arrived to cover the bodies. City Commissioner Ranveer approached and gave a salute though it lacked enthusiasm. "Mr. Rathore, as per Padma's recommendation, we'll clean this up quietly."
Rathore returned the nod. "understood."
As the cleanup crew began hiding the corpses from public view, Bhairava moved to safeguard Aditya. Rathore turned toward Ranveer with a somber tone. "I understand what you're thinking. I'm sorry for pulling your daughter into this chaos. But "
Ranveer interrupted, his voice cold. "No need to explain. Your words won't change my stance. As long as Padma gives me her assurance and my daughter stays safe, I'll cooperate. But if anything happens to her, even if I'm not powerful, I'll make sure my voice is heard."
Without another word, Ranveer left.
Rathore sighed, watching him disappear down the hall. "You don't even realize... it's the President's secret squad that's been protecting your daughter all along, Mr. Ranveer. But... it's okay."
---
Inside the venue, a group of women were busy applying makeup when a knock interrupted their preparation. One woman opened the door, only to be greeted by a well-dressed woman adorned in extravagant jewelry.
"Who are you?" the woman asked cautiously.
With a smug expression, the newcomer replied, "You're not worthy to know about me, but I know all about you. Your name is Sneha, right? Friend of participant Anaya? I heard from my manager that she might give me some competition. So I am "
Before she could finish, a familiar voice cut her off.
"So, I heard from the internet that Miss Madhavi might be my equal opponent," said Anaya, stepping in with a sharp smile.
Madhavi scoffed and tried to push into the dressing room, only to be blocked by a firm hand belonging to Ranveer, dressed in police uniform.
"Madam Madhavi, please stop," Ranveer said firmly.
With annoyance, Madhavi hissed, "I never thought Ranveer the normal police commissioner would dare block the daughter of the MMC Channel owner."
Just then, an announcement echoed from the stage: "Miss Madhavi, it's your turn. Please come on stage."
With a sigh, Madhavi stormed off. Ranveer turned back, only to see Riya still motionless.
"Riya, it's been three weeks. Please talk to me," he pleaded.
Without turning, Riya snapped, "Anaya, Sneha, I don't care who that new b*tch is. If she's gone, shut the door. And I don't want to see him."
Anaya and Sneha quietly nodded. "Sorry, Mr. Ranveer," they said before closing the door.
Ranveer's phone buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number. Attached was a photo of Dev and Ayaan beating a man the former butler. The caption read: "Dark secret of Police Commissioner Ranveer lets his butler get beaten by two unknown youth without filing a case."
Another message followed, this time with a photo of a beheaded Riya. "Breaking news. Do you like it, Mr. Ranveer?"
Horrified, Ranveer rushed to the bathroom and tried calling the number. The caller answered only with malicious laughter and cut the call. Panicked, Ranveer dialed Padma's number but before he could connect, a sharp sting pricked his neck. He turned to see a short, masked man with both arms lined in tiny knives.
"Since you all think you can fight us from the shadows without alerting the public," the man whispered, "we'll show you what true shadow warfare looks like."
He stabbed Ranveer in the stomach and muttered, "One pawn is down. Now, let's see…"
The man glanced toward the sniper tower.
"If it's heads, it's Dev. Tails… Ayaan. Oh—heads it is. But… I'm still more interested in him."
He laughed as he disappeared into the corridor.
Backstage, Riya received a photo of her kidnapped mother. The message read: "Come outside. Or else..."
Grabbing her handbag, Riya clenched her teeth. "Anaya, I need to go. All the best," she said with urgency.
Just as she stepped outside, a second photo arrived this time of her father, bleeding from a stab wound.
She froze, and within seconds, a group of masked individuals surrounded her and forced her away.
Inside the command center, Padma and Ranvijay tried frantically to contact her, but their systems were jammed. A voice recording played instead:
"Let's witness the first strike… of the Hollow Pact. No—of the Council of Six."
From atop a nearby building, Dev and Ayaan watched through binoculars.
"Ayaan, is that Riya? That group… they're kidnapping her!" Dev shouted.
Without hesitating, Ayaan said, "Communications are jammed. Dev, hurry up. I can manage up here."
"But—" Dev began.
"I said go! Dev Kollari, please help Riya. I'll handle myself."
Dev nodded. "Okay, Ayaan Ranade. I'll definitely save her." Slipping on his gauntlets, Dev launched himself off the rooftop using a tactical rope and sprinted toward the departing truck.
By watching , Surya adjusting a communicator, watching with narrowed eyes.
"Why did Dev leave Ayaan alone?" he muttered, then paused, sensing something dark… murderous… approaching Ayaan.