The sun stood high in the sky, marking noon. Everything seemed normal—until Wick's phone rang.
He answered casually at first, but as the words from the other end sank in, his entire demeanor shifted. His grip loosened, and the phone slipped from his fingers, hitting the ground with a dull thud. His body froze, eyes locked in place, his expression drained of all life.
Nick and Dipanshu, who were right beside him, immediately noticed the shift.
"Wick?" Dipanshu called out, his voice laced with concern. No response.
Nick grabbed his shoulder and shook him lightly. "Wick, what happened? Say something!"
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, as if being pulled out of a trance, Wick blinked. His voice was hollow, almost lifeless.
"My aunt... she's in the hospital." He swallowed, his throat dry. "And our company... it's shutting down. At least until the next hearing."
Both Nick and Dipanshu were stunned. They exchanged glances, struggling to process the weight of the situation.
Nick was the first to respond. "Wick, listen. You need to go. She's the only family you have left."
"But the fight—" Wick muttered, his mind torn between responsibilities.
Dipanshu cut in firmly. "This isn't just a fight, Wick. This is your family."
A painful silence hung between them. Wick clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Then, without another word, he grabbed his car keys and stormed out. The roar of his engine echoed through the streets as he sped away, disappearing into the horizon.
---
The Crisis Begins
Word spread fast. The Shield's leader was gone, and without Wick, the gang was vulnerable. The atmosphere grew tense, but no one expected what was coming next.
At around 5 PM, as the sun dipped towards dusk, Varsha—Nick's girlfriend—was returning from shopping when it happened.
A van pulled up beside her. Within seconds, masked figures jumped out and grabbed her. She barely had time to scream before she was dragged inside. The doors slammed shut, and the van sped off.
Nick's phone buzzed. A video message.
He clicked it open with trembling hands.
Varsha was tied to a chair, her face marked with fear. A deep, distorted voice spoke:
"Stay away from tonight's fight, Nick... and she stays safe."
His heart dropped. His mind spiraled. His hands shook.
He was trapped.
---
The Emergency Meeting
As night fell, the remaining members of The Shield gathered in the hideout. Tension filled the air, heavier than ever before.
Deep and Vaibhav stood at the front, facing the worried and confused gang members.
"What's this meeting for?" someone asked, their voice carrying the unease of the entire room.
Deep took a deep breath before delivering the news.
"Our captain is gone. Wick's aunt is in the hospital, and his company is in crisis. He left." His words were firm, but his face betrayed the weight of the situation. "And if that wasn't enough, Nick's girlfriend was kidnapped. He won't be fighting either."
A wave of shock hit the crowd. Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"This can't be real..."
"How the hell did this happen?"
"We should call off the fight!"
"Without Wick, Nick, and Dipanshu, we don't stand a chance!"
Deep slammed his hand against the table, silencing the room.
Vaibhav stepped forward, his voice steady. "I know we're at a disadvantage. But we can't back down. If we don't fight today, we lose more than just a battle. We lose everything The Shield stands for."
The room erupted in chaos.
"Are you crazy?!"
"You're just a newbie! Who are you to decide this?"
"We'll be slaughtered!"
Deep's patience snapped. His voice thundered through the room.
"OI! You're all more cowardly than this so-called 'newbie!' He's willing to stand against the Demolition alone while the rest of you are looking for excuses to run!"
A thick silence followed.
Then, a voice rang out from the crowd.
Vyshank stepped forward, his eyes burning with determination. "I'm in."
Aakash followed. "We'll crush the Demolition."
Arjun slammed his fist into his palm. "Count me in."
Rounak smirked. "I won't run."
Shekhar's voice boomed. "I'm ready to die for The Shield!"
One by one, others stepped forward. The once-uncertain room was now filled with warriors ready to fight.
"We'll crush the Demolition!"
Deep and Dev exchanged a glance, a small smirk forming on their faces.
"You don't have to carry The Shield's burden alone," Dev said.
Jai, who had been watching from the side, finally spoke. "I guess this is going to be fun... but even as a rival, I can't deny it—I'll miss Wick and Nick in a fight like this."
The decision was made. The Shield had chosen to stand.
As the clock struck midnight, they marched toward the battlefield.
To be continued...