Killing Rudra Singh

Chapter 28: The Tempest Before the Attack

The night was unnaturally silent, as if the entire world was pausing in anticipation. In the poorly lit war tent, Ayush Chandra Mourya was seated with Gaurav Rajput, Keshav, Rajeshwari, and his top warriors, reviewing the final plan before they commenced their crucial attack on Rudra Singh's fortress.

Durgawati had accepted their petition, providing them with 2,500 elite fighters—a contingent powerful enough to overpower Rudra Singh's forces if required. However, Ayush and Gaurav did not plan on squandering lives in an extended conflict.

On the contrary, they would hit like a bolt of lightning—fast, accurate, and destructive.

Ayush stood next to the wooden map of Rudra Singh's fortress, tracing his fingers along the designated supply routes, the iron mines, and the walls of the stronghold. His golden eyes sparkled as he faced his commanders.

"Now that we have the troops, let's analyze the assault formations." Each unit must understand their role thoroughly. "There is no allowance for mistakes."

Gaurav acknowledged with a nod and moved closer, positioning wooden figures on the map to symbolize their forces.

"We will split our troops into four units, each with a distinct goal."

--- (Under Keshav's leadership – 500 Warriors)

Aim: Penetrate and capture the iron mines before the stronghold becomes aware of the assault.

Five hundred fighters in disguise as traders, laborers, and wanderers would infiltrate the mining region under the cover of night.

The top infiltrators would eliminate crucial guards quietly, guaranteeing that no alerts reached the fortress.

.

.

.

Once secured, iron manufacturing and transport would cease, severing Rudra's arms supply.

Keshav grinned. "The mines are well-protected, yet their security resources are distributed widely." "By hitting the appropriate targets, we can gain control in just one night."

Ayush agreed. "Excellent." Lacking iron, Rudra's blacksmiths will be immobilized. "Next, we will proceed to the second formation."

(Directed by Rajeshwari – 700 Fighters)

Objective: Cut off all supply lines to the fortress, depriving Rudra's troops of resources prior to the assault.

Seven hundred warriors will be arranged into smaller teams stationed along the main supply routes.

They would cut off food, reinforcements, and weapon supplies, guaranteeing that nothing got to Rudra's fortress.

Rajeshwari's representatives would circulate gossip among the villagers and merchants that Rudra Singh was doomed, further diminishing his spirit.

Rajeshwari folded her arms. "Lacking supplies, his troops will become desperate." "Starving men do not combat effectively."

Gaurav acknowledged with a nod. "This will also drive Rudra to act out of fear, causing him to be impulsive."

Ayush smiled broadly. Outstanding. "At this point, the third configuration."

(Directed by Gaurav – 800 Fighters)

Objective: Use fear strategies and sabotage to destabilize Rudra Singh's forces prior to the main assault.

Eight hundred fighters, comprising special operatives, would instigate disorder around the stronghold by surprising patrols, igniting small blazes, and creating the illusion that a substantial hidden force was already present within Rudra's territory.

They would utilize covert channels to disseminate misleading information, creating the illusion that Rudra's own troops were abandoning him.

This would compel Rudra to maintain his troops within the fortress, unable to respond effectively.

Gaurav grinned slyly. "If executed correctly, Rudra will begin to perceive foes even in the absence of any."

Ayush laughed lightly. "By the moment we strike, his mental state will be utterly shattered."

(Under Ayush's command – 500 Elite Fighters + 2,500 Support Troops)

Objective: The ultimate assault—capturing the stronghold in a rapid, conclusive blow.

Five hundred elite fighters (which includes Ayush's personal soldiers) would emerge from the concealed underground passages and unlock the main gates.

The other 2,500 reinforcements would charge in as soon as the gates were broken, capitalizing on the chaos.

With the mines captured, resources halted, and opponent troops already diminished, the stronghold would collapse in a matter of hours.

Ayush tightened his fists. "We conclude this in a single night." No lengthy siege, no excessive violence. "We hit with the force of thunder and seize what we intended to."

Ayush addressed his warriors, his tone imbued with command.

"We're not here to ruin—we're here to succeed." However, there's no doubt—Rudra Singh needs to realize that his time has ended. This is not a conflict of blades and bows. "This is a new era… an era of planning, weaponry, and advanced techniques."

He unsheathed his sword, its blade shining in the glow of the candle.

"At dawn, Rudra's stronghold will be ours."

His fighters shouted in unison, the noise reverberating through the darkness. The storm was approaching, and there was nothing Rudra Singh could do to prevent it.

.....

The moon soared above in the evening sky, casting a mysterious light over Rudra Singh's stronghold. The combat had started.

From the darkness, Keshav and his 500 fighters had taken over the iron mines, severing the crucial supply line of Rudra's troops. Rajeshwari's fighters had cut off all supply lines, leaving Rudra's troops ensnared like imprisoned beasts. In the meantime, Gaurav's sabotage squads instilled terror throughout the fortress—blazes had been ignited, murmurs of treachery had emerged, and some of Rudra's own soldiers began to doubt their allegiance.

And at this moment, it was time for the decisive blow.

Ayush Chandra Mourya stood on a rocky ledge, gazing at the fortress that would soon belong to him.

With a quick motion of his wrist, he lifted his sword up high.

"Charge!"

The doors of Rudra's fortress flew open as 500 of Ayush's top guards invaded, slaying unsuspecting enemy troops. The atmosphere resonated with the noise of clashing metal, shouts of combatants, and the cries of the injured.

Rudra's soldiers battled fiercely, yet their spirit was already broken. They felt exhausted, famished, and bewildered—none anticipated the assault would happen so quickly.

Amid the turmoil, Gaurav and Rajeshwari directed 2,500 reinforcements through the breached gates, overpowering the enemy troops in a synchronized attack.

Ayush, on the other hand, had just one objective—Rudra Singh himself.

At the core of the fortress's main hall, Rudra Singh was prepared.

The formerly proud warlord had become a desperate individual, encircled by his final loyal bodyguards. His expression reflected anger, yet there was a glimmer of fear in his eyes.

"Do you believe you can capture my fortress that easily, young man?" Rudra spat as he held onto his large sword tightly. "I am Rudra Singh!" "Nobody has ever conquered me!"

Ayush moved ahead, his blade shining in the flickering light. His golden gaze burned with determination.

..

..

"Tonight, I will be remembered by history as the first."

With a bellow, Rudra lunged ahead, swinging his sword in a broad sweep. The powerful impact of the assault created ripples in the air, yet Ayush evaded it effortlessly, his motions accurate and deliberate.

He retaliated with a rapid swing, his sword cutting through the air toward Rudra's shoulder, but the warlord intercepted it just in time, sparks erupting as the blades met.

Rudra was an energy force. Each strike of his sword trembled the earth, his immense power able to split a man in half. Yet Ayush was quicker, more cunning—he glided like a wraith, evading, twisting, and hitting with pinpoint accuracy.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Strike after strike, they traded blows, each attempting to outsmart the other.

Rudra attempted to dominate Ayush, but Ayush leveraged his speed to evade every lethal blow, inflicting small yet accurate wounds on Rudra's arms and legs, gradually diminishing his strength.

"Cursed be you!" Rudra snarled, his irritation clear. He surged ahead with a vicious downward cut, intending to cleave Ayush in two—

—however, Ayush dodged just in time, turning his body as his sword cut through Rudra's ribs.

"AAAAH!" Rudra stumbled backwards, holding his side, blood falling onto the ground.

"You're powerful," Ayush acknowledged.

"However, sheer power by itself won't protect you this evening."

Rudra breathed heavily, and his movements became slower. He was not winning.

However, he declined to yield.

With a furious shout, he lifted his sword for one last, urgent strike. Every bit of his power was focused on this blow.

Ayush observed, assessing.

A single error. That was everything he required.

As Rudra swung his sword downward—

Ayush darted quicker than the eye could perceive.

He crouched down, twisting to the side, and with a final, exact cut

His blade struck true.

SHHHHKK!

Ayush's sword cut smoothly through Rudra's chest, penetrating his heart.

The warlord's eyes grew large with surprise. His sword fell from his hand, clanging against the floor.

Thump.

Rudra staggered backwards, grasping the injury. He attempted to talk, but only blood emerged.

He dropped to his knees, gazing up at Ayush, his lips moving with unvoiced words.

And afterward, with one last, quaking breath—

Rudra Singh fell down.

Deceased.

As soon as Rudra fell, his surviving soldiers completely lost their desire to fight.

Gaurav and Rajeshwari rushed into the hall shortly after, finding Rudra's lifeless form at Ayush's feet.

"It has ended." Gaurav stated.

Outside, Rudra's forces gave up, their spirit broken. The fort, formerly a representation of Rudra Singh's strength, was now in the possession of Ayush Chandra Mourya.

As the sun rose above the fortress, Ayush stood on the ramparts, staring across the battlefield.

They emerged victorious.

The iron mines were protected. The stronghold belonged to him. And, most importantly, a formidable foe had been taken out.

Rajeshwari came near him and asked. "What should I do next?"

Ayush pivoted, his golden gaze aflame with desire.

"At this moment, I will use it as the beginning of a new empire."

He looked at the beautiful face of Rajeshwari then he approached near her face, and told in her ear.

[]