Rescue Mission

"Help…!" The piercing scream cut through the chaos, loud enough for Ramesh, Alisa, Veer, and Devika to hear even from a distance.

The sound came from a large building, now fully engulfed in flames. It was the property of a powerful city tycoon, and the fire was spreading fast, devouring everything in its path.

"Did you guys hear that?" Ramesh asked, turning to his teammates with urgency in his voice.

"Of course we did, idiot. Who wouldn't hear a scream like that?" Veer snapped, his words harsh as always, especially when it came to Ramesh.

"Unless they're deaf," Alisa added, barely suppressing a smirk, her lightheartedness contrasting the tension in the air.

Devika, standing slightly apart from the others, didn't say a word. Her focus remained on the inferno, assessing the danger as she typically avoided engaging in their petty squabbles.

"I'm certain someone's trapped in there. We need to move now," Ramesh's tone shifted instantly, his gaze sharpening with determination.

"My abilities aren't much use in a situation like this," Alisa admitted, her usual cheerfulness fading as she turned to Ramesh. "But you can stop this, right? You can use your powers to control the fire."

Ramesh gave a short nod, already planning his next move. His connection with nature allowed him to summon rain, the perfect counter to a raging blaze.

"Yeah, I can, but it's not just about the fire. If we don't act quickly, they'll suffocate before I can fully extinguish the flames. We're running out of time."

"Leave that part to me," Veer interrupted confidently, tapping the hilt of his sword. "Speed is everything, and you know that's my specialty."

"Alright," Ramesh agreed. "Here's the plan. I'll call the rain, and while I hold off the fire, Veer, you get in there and bring them out. We don't have a second to waste."

The group nodded, their usual banter fading as they braced themselves for what was to come. Ramesh closed his eyes, focusing his energy as the air around him grew heavy with the promise of rain. Dark clouds began swirling above them, thickening rapidly until they hung low and ominous.

In a matter of seconds, the sky opened up. Fat droplets of rain began to fall, hitting the ground hard and fast, each one a welcome ally in their fight against the fire.

"Millions of raindrops,"

Ramesh murmured under his breath, his power reaching its peak. The downpour hit the flames, dampening their fury. It wasn't enough to put the fire out entirely, but it was buying them time.

"Now!" Ramesh shouted.

Veer didn't need to be told twice. In an instant, he was gone, moving so fast that he seemed like a blur as he darted into the building. The heat was overwhelming, and smoke filled the air, making it hard to see. But then, through the crackling of the fire, he heard it—cries for help.

"Help us! Please, someone!" The voices were desperate, pleading.

Veer couldn't pinpoint where exactly the voices were coming from, but he trusted his instincts. He raced up the burning stairs, flames licking at his heels, until he reached a room blocked by debris from the collapsing ceiling.

"Help… someone, please!" The cries were closer now, just beyond the debris.

Without hesitation, Veer drew his sword. His mind was clear, his movements precise. He took a deep breath and swung his blade, cutting through the fallen wreckage with a swift, clean strike.

"Ordinary sword streak."

The debris fell away in pieces, revealing a woman huddled in the corner, clutching her child tightly to her chest.

"Please, save my son," the woman begged, her voice trembling with fear. "Don't worry about me. Just get him out. He still has a future."

Veer stood there for a moment, the sight of them hitting him harder than he expected. He wasn't one to show much emotion, but something about this scene—a mother's desperate love for her child—pierced through him. He quickly wiped away a tear that threatened to fall. This was no time for hesitation.

"Don't underestimate me!" Veer said with a grin, his voice steady and reassuring.

"Carrying two people? That's nothing for me."

The woman's eyes widened in disbelief, but a glimmer of hope returned. She reached for Veer's outstretched hand, her grip tight with desperation.

Outside, the tension among Ramesh, Alisa, and Devika grew with every passing second. They exchanged nervous glances, the seconds feeling like hours.

"What's taking him so long?" Alisa muttered, her usual playful tone replaced by genuine worry.

And then, through the thick smoke and rain, they saw him. Veer came sprinting out of the building, carrying both the woman and her child on his shoulders. They were covered in soot but alive.

"Idiot! What took you so long?" Alisa cried, tears of relief welling in her eyes as she rushed toward him and gave him a light punch on the chest.

Veer chuckled, lowering the woman and child gently to the ground. "Hey, I told you I'm strong. No need to worry."

Ramesh stepped forward, his eyes scanning Veer for any signs of injury. "You alright?"

"Of course!" Veer grinned, flexing his arms. "Told you, I've got this."

Alisa turned her attention to the woman and child. "Are you hurt? Is anyone else still inside?"

The woman took a deep breath before answering, her voice still shaky from the ordeal.

"We're okay, thanks to Veer. When the fire broke out, the building's alarm system failed. We didn't realize what was happening until it was too late. The flames spread so quickly… most people didn't make it out. They suffocated before they could escape."

The four members of the platoon exchanged uneasy glances. They hadn't expected such a grim story after pulling her from the fire.

"How did you manage to survive?" Ramesh asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I noticed the smoke early on and grabbed my son. We tried to make it out, but the ceiling started to collapse before we could get to the exit."

The group nodded solemnly, taking in her story. Ramesh exhaled, relieved—not just for the woman's safety, but for the success of their plan.

But just as they were starting to feel the tension ease, two figures appeared in the sky.

A man and a woman, both wearing military uniforms unlike anything the platoon had seen before, descended slowly from above.

"Well, well," the man said, surveying the scene with a smug expression. "Didn't expect to find anyone still alive. I thought this fire would've taken care of all the civilians."

The woman beside him grinned, a dark gleam in her eyes. "I'm not done having fun. Can I finish them off, Rohan?" she asked, almost gleefully.

The four platoon members froze, their relief vanishing in an instant. This was no ordinary fire, and now they had an entirely new threat to face.

It was about to become a very long day.