chapter 4

The Turning Point: Rudra vs. Bharva

The scene begins with Siddharth, who has just raised a glass of water. As Rudra's words echo in his ears, his grip falters, and the glass slips from his hand, shattering on the ground. Without hesitation, Siddharth rushes forward and embraces Rudra tightly, his voice trembling.

"I've been waiting for you to say this, brother. Finally, the Rudra I knew is back!"

Rudra places a hand on Siddharth's shoulder, his gaze steely but his tone calm. "There's no need for celebration yet. This is not the time for emotions. Bharva is a monster, and he must be stopped."

Siddharth nods, determination lighting up his face. "You're right. We'll stand by you. Shankar!" he shouts, turning toward a loyal soldier nearby. "Gather everyone immediately! Prepare for battle!"

Shankar salutes and is about to leave when Rudra raises his hand to stop him. "No, Shankar. You've done enough for me already. This fight is mine."

Siddharth protests, "You know he's set countless traps for you. You can't do this alone."

Rudra smiles faintly, a hint of sorrow in his eyes. "I know. But I need you to promise me something, Siddharth. No matter what happens, don't interfere unless I order you to. Can you promise me that?"

Siddharth hesitates but finally nods. "Fine. But if you need my help, say the word."

Rudra's voice softens. "Maybe you can help me… by being ready when the time comes."

Rudra's Journey

The scene shifts to Rudra riding a sleek black bike under a stormy sky, the sound of thunder echoing in the distance. His face is hardened, his eyes fixed on the road leading to Bharva's fortress. Each roar of the engine feels like a heartbeat, louder and heavier as he nears his destination.

Meanwhile, inside the fortress, one of Bharva's men bursts into the room, panting and drenched in sweat. "Boss! Rudra… he's coming here!"

Bharva, lounging on a lavish throne, raises an eyebrow. Without a word, he pulls out a pistol and shoots the messenger point-blank. The lifeless body collapses to the ground.

"You waited until now to tell me?" Bharva mutters, rising from his seat. His face twists into a cruel smile as he picks up an automatic rifle from a nearby rack. "Let him come. Today, I'll kill him just like he killed my mother."

Bharva's Past

The scene flashes back to a haunting memory. A young Bharva, no older than six, is playing hide-and-seek with his mother in a small, cozy house. Laughter fills the air as Bharva hides inside a cupboard, giggling softly.

"Where are you, my little prince?" his mother calls out, her voice playful.

Suddenly, the door bursts open. A young Rudra, barely a teenager, storms in, his face pale and desperate. He clutches a knife tightly in his hand.

Bharva watches through the slats of the cupboard as Rudra approaches his mother. She turns, startled, just as Rudra lunges forward, stabbing her in the chest. Her scream pierces the air as she collapses to the ground, blood pooling around her.

From inside the cupboard, Bharva's world shatters. He bites his lip to stop himself from crying out, his small hands trembling. As Rudra flees the scene, Bharva crawls out of his hiding spot and kneels beside his mother's lifeless body.

"Mama… wake up," he whispers, shaking her gently. When she doesn't respond, his whisper turns into a scream. "Mama!"

The Present: A Vow of Revenge

Back in the present, Bharva grips the rifle tightly, his knuckles white. Tears well up in his eyes, but his voice is filled with rage.

"Today, Mother, I will avenge you. I will kill him, and I will make him suffer as you did."

He strides toward the main gate, his men following closely behind. The fortress is on high alert, with guards stationed at every corner.

The Confrontation

Rudra arrives at the gates of the fortress. Rain begins to pour, soaking him to the bone, but he doesn't falter. He dismounts his bike and walks forward, unarmed, his hands raised in surrender.

The guards surround him, their weapons trained on him. Bharva steps out, his rifle slung over his shoulder. His face twists into a cruel grin as he sees Rudra.

"You've got guts, walking in here alone," Bharva sneers.

Rudra looks him in the eye, his voice calm but laced with steel. "This ends today, Bharva. No more innocent lives. No more bloodshed."

Bharva laughs bitterly. "Innocent? You talk about innocence after what you did to my mother? Do you even remember her face? The way she screamed?"

Rudra's expression falters for a moment, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I remember. And I've carried that guilt every day of my life. I won't justify what I did. But killing me won't bring her back."

Bharva's hands tremble as he raises the rifle. "Maybe not. But it will give me peace."

Before he can pull the trigger, Rudra takes a step forward. "You've let your hatred consume you, Bharva. It's turned you into the very monster you hate. But it's not too late. You can still choose a different path."

Bharva hesitates, his grip on the rifle loosening for a fraction of a second. But then, the memories of his mother's lifeless body flash before his eyes, and his rage boils over.

"Enough of your lies!" he screams, firing a barrage of bullets.

The Battle

Rudra dives for cover as the bullets tear through the air. The fortress erupts into chaos as Bharva's men join the fight. Despite being outnumbered and unarmed, Rudra fights back with the ferocity of a cornered lion, using his environment to his advantage.

The rain mixes with blood as the battle rages on. Rudra takes down one opponent after another, his movements swift and precise. But Bharva remains relentless, his hatred fueling his every move.

As the two finally face off, their fight becomes brutal and personal. Punches are thrown, bones crack, and blood flows freely. Each blow carries the weight of years of pain and regret.

In the end, Rudra manages to disarm Bharva and pins him to the ground. Gasping for breath, he presses a knife to Bharva's throat.

"End it," Bharva spits, his voice filled with venom. "Do it, just like you did to her."

Rudra hesitates, his hand trembling. Tears stream down his face as he lowers the knife. "No. I won't become the monster you think I am."

Bharva stares at him in disbelief as Rudra stands and turns away. "You're free to choose your path, Bharva. But I won't let hatred define me anymore."

As Rudra walks away, Bharva screams in frustration, his voice echoing through the rain-soaked battlefield.