When Fire Walks – Chennai’s Day of Silence

The clock struck 12:17 AM in Chennai. The city, half-asleep, bathed in amber streetlights and the occasional honk of distant trucks. But inside the Devendra Mansion, there was no sleep. No rest. Only the sound of a phone vibrating like a warning bell against polished teakwood.Devanarayanan Devendra, draped in a loose black shirt, was seated on the leather couch in his private lounge upstairs, sipping neat whiskey with ice. His mind was still on the locked room down the hall. On Devanandan. On what would happen in three days.And then—The call came.He picked up. The voice on the other end was breathless. Panicked."Sir… we found him. The man who tried accessing the EU vault copies. Near Ennore dock. He's hiding. He's... he's one of ours."The glass in Deva's hand didn't shake.But his jaw did.

"Send me the location. Don't touch him. I'll come myself."The call ended.He stood up.

His eyes had changed.

Ennore Dockyard – 12:52 AM

The smell of rust, salt, and gasoline filled the air. Thick fog hung like a ghost across the steel containers. The moon overhead looked afraid to shine too brightly.A black Range Rover screeched to a halt.The back door opened.And Devanarayanan stepped out.

He walked alone. No guards. No backup. Just his gloves. A long coat draped over his form like death in luxury. In his eyes—fire, betrayal, and something darker.The traitor was dragged from behind a container, mouth gagged, knees bleeding, trembling like a leaf about to burn.He'd stolen files meant for European contacts. He knew he'd die. But he didn't know how.Deva crouched before him, quiet for a long second. Watching.Then, slowly, he pulled the gag down."You touched what wasn't yours."His voice was soft. Almost compassionate.The man stammered. "S-Sir I was forced—my family—my daughter—"Deva's hand struck across his face. Hard. Flat. Fast."You have five seconds to pray. Because after that, even your gods won't recognize you."What followed—wasn't death.It was a message.

A bone-breaking, blood-soaked display of rage.He didn't shoot him.He didn't slit his throat.He made him beg—cry through broken teeth, plead until his voice turned hoarse, carve fear into every vein before finally snapping his spine in a twist that echoed across the steel yard.As his gloves dropped into the fire pit and the blood steamed into the night, Deva turned to his most trusted man—Mayan, a brute with a mind as sharp as a bullet."Tomorrow, I don't want this city breathing without my permission."Mayan straightened. "Sir?"

"Lock it down. Everything. No shops. No banks. No schools. Even the police stations will remain shut. Only public transport, hospitals, fire stations, and medical stores stay open.""Sir… even the police?"Deva lit a cigarette.Took one drag.And whispered:

"Especially the police."Mayan grinned. "Consider it done, Deva."

Dawn – Chennai Local News (unofficial transmission) "Due to confidential government alert, the city of Chennai will observe an emergency shutdown today.

All non-essential businesses are advised to remain closed.This is a safety lockdown. Do not question it."By sunrise, the streets were empty.Schools were silent. Banks shut tight. Shops unopened.Traffic lights blinked to no one.And in the heart of Chennai, every man who whispered about Deva that day said only one thing:"The lion has roared. Someone must've bled."