Author's Notes:

A hot Christmas for me here in Adelaide, incoming forty degrees. How i wish upon a star for a white christmas right about now. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!


To be pulled out in the middle of the Crystal Falls New Year celebration gave Arjun a jet lag feeling. Though he had been through many sleepless nights ever since his rise to the Chief of Armed Forces position and when he was managing the defences as Chief of Army, this one was a long night without a wink. Dawn was almost upon them.

The Palace guards drove him back to the Royal Fortress where the general staff demanded his presence. It was not a good sign especially on the new year, something was happening while they were at home or out celebrating.

To his disbelief, his fears were confirmed. The Golden Path, who should have been so weak they should have been on the verge of collapsing on its own had raided them. But if it were any ordinary attack behind the lines it would have been squashed and not even reach his ears. This was something else entirely, this was the Golden Path attacking Rajgad Gulag and making off with some very dangerous individuals. Men that threatened the security of the crown sixteen years ago, men who were on par with the cunning and shred then-Duchess Yuma Lau and now Queen Yuma Min.

"How the hell did they break through?!" One of the colonels expressed his disbelief to the rest who were just about to motion the same thing. Arjun recalled the report that Layak sent him, the one in regards to the Golden Path activity near a certain entrance he thought no one would know about.

An assistant read out the report on the events that took place at Rajgad Gulag stronghold. The appearance of one Jason Brody and the intervention of Specialist Major Darshan Khati. The man that imprisoned them, but he was just one man against them all where the QRF should have been there.

Arjun had no power over the Specialist Major's position, it was like an extension of Yuma's will. His allegiance was with Queen Min and solely her even if he wore the uniform of the Army. The report on how he did captured them was buried by Yuma herself that day. He had some reason to believe he was related to old man Khati, the last of the grand legacy of Great Generals of Kyrat during the reign of Devi.

Arjun had only just entered the Royal guard when Bibek Khati retired but it didn't mean he was forgotten. Bibek Khati had done many amazing feats such as clearing up the failure of the crown for attacking the Hunic tribes just to show his might. He also pacified the Nationalists movement that was arising during that violatile era.

In short, it was no wonder the specialist major was even capable of subduing the Devas. Although he felt that Darshan wasn't truly Bibek's flesh and blood, but was adopted for the sake of his entry into Yuma's Royal guard as strict as the recruitment regulation was back then. It didn't change the fact that he was connected to the old legend.

-This is my fault!-

"I've made a terrible error….." He murmured to himself, all those lives at Rajgad Gulag…. Lost because of his carelessness. The consequence weighed heavily upon Arjun, who was he to not assume they found a secret entrance by chance. He underestimated the Golden Paths intentions, he went under the impression they would hide and refortify their positions and ranks of men and women. He forgot there were still more than fifty thousand souls that called themselves Golden Path fighters, regardless of their vocations.

"Where is his grace?" Arjun now refered to Ajay by his new appointment as Duke. It was of no surprise that the war council were astounded by King Min's decision to move him up so quickly and informally, but then he also made Mistress Lau his new Queen.

"He went in the direction of Baghadur, he also requested 5th and 6th Dragoons plus 1st Hussars to attack Banapur." Layak dutifully reported.

"He's crazy!"

"An eye for an eye, eh?"

"No surprise there, Golden Path attacked us and Amita. He probably didn't want to leave them thinking they got away with this act of terrorism."

The council members agreeded that Badala, though vicious in his actions always had a subtle meaning behind his movements. Either way, they wouldn't interfere with his request which they were sure the battalion commanders of 1st, 5th and 6th would respond to immediately.

(Knock) (Knock) (Knock) Someone was knocking hardly on their conference room door.

"Come in!" Arjun called out in a foul mood.

An officer from communications department hurried in with an urgency about him.

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

"Urgent report concerning weather forecast!"

The war council felt they had more important things to worry than a weather change. But Arjun sensed something wrong.

"Satellite imagery suggests an imminent snowstorm on the way building up in the South."

Arjun's eyebrows twitched. It was the Winter period but he knew the seriousness of a snowstorm in Kyrat. It rarely happened but when it did, the blizzard would stalk upon Kyrat's territories for over two months. It was a serious enough affair because it effectively grounded all their air activities, including supply drops.

"Shit!" The War council understood this as well.

"Call for Storage Centre 8 to dispatch food supplies to the frontlines and tell them the storms coming!"

"Then what about the villages?"

"If the front falls then we'll be left exposed! Someone will definitely go hungry here!"

The war council went into fierce debate on their plan of action. Food and ammunition supplies would be limited now that they couldn't import supplies from overseas.

"And what about the S-site?"

"We have no choice, it'll have to ground it's activities until further notice. Make sure they secure their equipment in the harden shelters!" Arjun directed on the S-program sites outcome concerning the coming two-month long blizzard.

But it didn't erase one unease in Arjun's heart. Two-months of separation from the Southern parts of Pacchim Valley, anything could happen with the Golden Path with that kind of luxury in time without hindrance from the Royal Army.

"We'll have to reshuffle the formations, especially the Dragoons. Send word to the hangars that the helicopters are prohibited from flights three days from now."

"What about the supply routes?"

"We'll have to improvise, what can Longinus do about his arms shipment?"

"He spoke of using the border route via Nepal one time, but we haven't opened dialogue between us and them for nearly eight years. Not since that civil war of theres." Layak informed them.

"What about Bhutan?" One of the councillors suggested.

Arjun sighed, it had been a long time since Kyrat had engaged in any diplomatic ties with any of their Himalayan neighbours at all. King Min's seclusion and Mistress Lau's concerns with the drug business had long made Kyrat a failing state in the eyes of the international community.

But now there was a glimmer of hope. To a large extent, both him and Badala had successfully entered a military alliance and trade agreement respectively with two known powers. One was the resilient Jewish state of Israel albeit unofficially and the other was the fifth superpower, India. When this civil war ended and Kyrat submitted their application into the UN, there was hope that these two powers would support the world's recognition of Kyrat as a member state. This gave them access to some of the world's most advance technology and medicine to improve the life in his country. Most importantly, a future.

Human rights violation was still a concern, King Min and much of the Royal Army had been involved in rather shady activities that could raise a concern as to how they would get past that huddle. But King Min assured him that it would not be a problem and to trust his decisions, Arjun's thoughts recalled him mentioning a successor to his throne. Who was it? Mistress Lau was now the queen and it was pretty clear she wouldn't change from a consort to regnant. The prime candidate was Badala, or was it someone else. King Min had always talked casually with him in regards to his love life and Arjun knew there was only one, Ishwari.

A messy affair between his sister-in-law and the king, though she was kind to him he had his convictions about their relationship and informed Mohan. Who would have thought it would downspiral to that result? His brother tried to murder his wife and killed a child of hers, he himself died at the doorstep of their homestead. The King's condition deteriorated to debatchery and self-wallop, yet never blamed him for his action.

Arjun forever held the guilt of causing their predicament that day and the events that were to follow. If that was so then there was only one person that King Min would regard as his own.

It couldn't be Ajay Ghale, could it? But Ajay was nowhere to be found, the official report was that he went missing on the day the escort was attacked. When he asked the King, he became foul mood so he avoided asking again. But it didn't mean Arjun wasn't concerned, Ajay was the son of his sworn brother. That meant the boy was his nephew by oath and Saraswati's fiancé-to be although the latter made no indication to keep to that tradition of arrange marriage. His wife had also expressed her dissatisfaction for that agreement.

"I'll make the arrangements, in the meantime prepare for the coming storm."

They only had three days to prepare for two months long winter snow. Seeing what Arjun planned, Layak retrieved the maps for him to review. The war council began preparations to bring the Army activities to operational levels despite the extreme changes in weather, they couldn't afford it.

"Winter is coming."


Squeezing his tiny eyelids shut, the moment he though he would leave this world his mother was and pass on to the next alone. A warmth wrapped around his body as he felt his body levitated above ground. Was paradise truly up in the sky? He peeled his eyes open to see.

No, the dirt was just below him. He looked to the side, he was being held by someone.

Kou swung from the waist off the rider's arm facing the floor. He didn't know who was the one that snatched him out of that scary foreigner, he couldn't lift his head up to see because of the angle. Instead what he saw was fear in the eyes of the Golden Path, Renegades and that of the foreigner's. He had heard from his mother mention long ago that whenever there were monsters he was afraid of…..

There were even bigger monsters that they were afraid of.

How could a piece of metal on someone's face inspire so much fear he wondered. The Tigers were more familiar with this face, they thanked the day he became their strongest ally and not their worse nightmare. It looked different from when the last time they saw him. In fact, his entire kit and aesthetics of this gear had changed considerable. More streamline than before and if they guessed correctly, made him more dangerous.

Ajay placed the boy Kou onto the ground. Immediately, several of the Tigers brought him into the safety of their ranks. He swung the bike rest with his foot and dismounted the Ducati and caught all of them by surprise when he first reaction was to laugh. But not in a good way, it had a faint sound of disdain and loathe in it. A laugh of reside, that caused people on Paul's end to tremble with fear.

Fear not just of the demon's arrival, but fear of being caught doing unjust when all they ever preached about was the safety of their people. They shuddered as he began to take steps towards them still laughing. Every tap of the foot sent ripples in their psyche.

"Well well! What do we have here? The Northern Demon here by his lonesome, trying to foolishly run up against a force over a thousand? You really are letting your reputation get to you, Bad's!" De Pleur tried to seem unfazed by his terrifying aura to keep his forces in check. The Golden Path field commander commended his actions quietly. He knew how violatile they were right now due to Badala's presence so he passed out some words to show that he didn't fear him despite the screaming inside of him to flee.

Badala stopped in his tracks and looked up to where Paul was and said in a cool manner.

"Perhaps…"

De Pleur suddenly regained his confidence as did the warriors when Badala showed some disinterest in fighting.

"But…"

-But?-

"You should be worrying which of you out of the thousand won't leave this ridge without being torn apart." The words were spoken with a chilling tone that triggered their instincts to run or fight.

"Rarghhhh!" (Babababaam)

One fighter lost control and fired his weapon in full auto in the direction where Badala was, initiating the skirmish again. The rest started to fire their weapons Ajay's way and at the Tigers who were decently sheltered behind their provisional cover.

Amita looked over cover through the heavy rain of lead to be shocked by the scene.

Standing amidst the exchange of bullets, Badala stood perfectly still without moving a muscle. Yet not a single bullet hit or grazed him. Why?

Because Ajay had successfully written into their subconsciousness, "If I strike at the demon, he'll come for me!" And so their aim was never true when shooting at him.

Only one thought popped up in Amita's mind.

-Monstrous!-

He manipulated their fears and turned it against them, that was Ajay's talent. Ajay made his first action since the firefight reerupted, a hand each reached for the kukri and the signature weapon Bushman rifle that were initially holstered.

"Fuck! Fall back! Fall back!"

Seeing that Ajay was about to make a move, the field commander on the Golden Paths side ordered a full retreat. Because they had to leave cover to withdraw, some of the fighters were cut down by an increase volume of fire from the Tigers and Royal Army soldiers who brought their heavy machine gun mounted vehicles forward to add to the firepower.

Ajay had finished planning his line of attack and his final goal at the very end. Paul.

He was gonna gift wrap him for Noore. As for the rest of the fighters, he initially wanted to merely force them to retreat. But then, he witnessed their idle when Paul held the child at gunpoint and that was it for him. It caused the demon to call out to him, a build up in rage. But he suppressed the emotions as much as he could, the Tigers were here, and he couldn't afford to risk collateral.

Dashing with newly found speed due to the lightness of his new equipment and the confidence it would protect him from grazing shots, he charged headstrong through the heavy fire towards the first line of enemies. When they saw him approach their way, their faces fell.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!"

"Nonononono- Guurghh!" Ajay reached his first victim and stabbed him through the jaw upwards, he pulled the pill on the grenade and kicked him in the direction of the largest concentration of enemies.

(BOOM)

The grenade detonated and vaporised those within 3 metre radius of it, it turned out to be an incendiary type bomb. But it had fulfilled its purpose, and that was to give him breathing room to continue onwards.

Seeing the window Ajay provided them…

"All units! Charge!"

"""Wooaaahhhh!"""

The Tigers charged out of cover towards the breach in the Golden Paths lines. Seeing this aggressive type of offensive, they had no choice but to adopt a strong defense.

At this point, the roles had switched between them but with the Tigers no longer adopting cover they were taking sufficient casualties to compromise their own lines. They were in odds of 2 against 3. Amita saw it but grit her teeth and soldiered on, she now bet their turning point on Badala to take the head of the general to end this battle.

(Pop)

"Huh?"

(BOBOBOBOBOOM)

A rain of explosive submunition tore up the lines in front of them. The Golden Path were in shock, when did they emplace mortars? The sound of the discharge wasn't even heard, but what they didn't know was that it wasn't a mortar round. But a modified guided missile.

Bursting out of the Southern side of the forest were the Condotierri led by Ricardo Allegretto.

"Fianco destro!"

"Roger!"

Ricardo led them to attack them from the right-hand side of the enemy relieving the pressure off Ajay and the Tigers. The Tigers were surprised in a good way, now two of the most dangerous assets within the Royal Army arsenal were here with them.

Ajay continued up the slope gunning down targets that were in his way all for the main prize which was Paul. The stare Ajay gave him constricted his movements so that he wouldn't escape too soon. He was now only thirty metres from the stricken Paul but then the Golden Path field commander got in his way, swinging a bayonet his way. He had not been protecting Paul, rather he thought that if he could defeat the Northern Demon he could reverse their fortunes.

"Badala!"

(Clang) (Clang) (Crack)

At first, when his blade successfully parried two of his blows, he became overconfident and swung for another. Not anticipating the elbow to his wrist that shattered the bones. He barely got off a scream before Ajay plunged the knife into him and kicked him away to withdraw the blade.

""Commander!""

Witnessing their precious commander fall, the Golden Path fighters faltered and retreated into the bushes only to be chased by the Royal army convoy now mounted on their vehicles. The Tigers were left to contend with the last irritating group which was the renegades.

"Don't bloody move!"

"Take one more step and your precious weaklings get it!"

"Believe us- we will!"

Started to resort to threatening them with the hostages. The Tigers stayed their ground but kept their rifles aimed, awaiting Amita's command. The Tigers had found a new respect for their leader and waited for her instructions eagerly.

Seeing their hesitation, the renegades assumed they weren't brave enough to handle them and thought about how they would get out of this situation.

But they thoroughly misread Amita this time.

"Take the shots." Amita ordered over the radio. The crack of shots could be heard from a distance from the barrels of the groups' marksmen and women at the very top of the ridge.

The renegades that surrounded the remaining hostages fell like dominoes, motionless to the ground.

They moved in to secure the hostages and bring them to safety as the remainder battled with the anxious to retreat renegades who looked to their leader whom was nowhere to be found.

Ricardo went over to Ajay as the first thing he was expected to do.

"Boss…."

"I won't ask why you're here. Find Paul and bring him back here, I have plenty I want to ask him."

Ricardo noted that it wasn't the right time to apologize for their absence and obeyed Ajay's order to track down De Pleur who had run off in the midst of the fighting. Slippery as ever, why was that the strongest trait in all of Ajay's enemies he wondered?

Ajay walked from his position down to where Amita was relaying orders to her command group to get a status update and finally see those damn friends of Brody's.

"(Cough) (Cough)… look at you…. Gallavanting about whilst you pick us off one at a time…. (Cough)." The field commander seemed to have some life left in him. Ajay stopped in his tracks and listened to the man's final rants out of respect, the commander could see that and continued on, laughing now with difficulty.

"You might have won this battle, Badala… But…. You are destined to lose this war…hahahaha-(Cough)…. Our leader stands with us once more, leading us to triumph… you don't know the feeling… what it's like to be living in the era of legends! You have no idea what's coming for all of you sinners... I look forward to seeing you in hell!"

"Fool…." Ajay responded too the dying commanders surprise.

"If that glorious leader of yours meant for you to work with scum like Paul and die as you are now, then he doesn't want what's best for everyone, but only himself."

"…..No…No!- (Cough)(Cough)… it can't be!-….. you lie!" The commander started to self-contradict in his conflicting thoughts.

"Think what you want, that's your right. But then again I'm talking to someone who let a dog like Sabal take charge." Ajay mocked his intelligence and narrow-mindedness.

"That's not true!... You lie! You lie! You Lie!"

"If you thought so then just reside yourself and die in peace." Ajay no longer bothered with the dying man. The dying Commander perished with his eyes open, still disbelieving that he and his comrades had been fooled once again by shows of awe and bravado.

"So now you know how it felt…."


Out of the group of five hundred, only two hundred were left. Despite that, all who had made the expedition into the North for the purpose of rescuing Bhaskar the keeper and the remaining Devas believed that the sacrifice of their brothers was worth it. They made the long march up the hidden path out of the Uttar region to celebrate the success of their operation and the reappearance of their great leader with their folks in Banapur.

Somewhere along the journey, Jason Brody succumbed to his wounds and fell unconscious. But when they looked at him there were a few bruises and cuts but nothing major. Vasu concluded that it may be an internal injury, if that was so they couldn't treat him with the facilities they had in their possession presently. It would have to be in this Banapur HQ the younger fighters kept telling him was the new HQ for some time now.

Whilst Vasu carried Jason on his back the entire trip, responsible for his benefactor's safety, the fighters filled him in on the history gap he and the others missed out on in the last sixteen years.

Utkarsh HQ was obliterated of the map but the village was spared. The ranks were divided to new blood and old guard, if it were just that which they deciminated then it would have been alright. Unfortunately, they had conflicting ideals. The new blood wanted only to unite Pacchim Valley under their control and isolate themselves from the outside and of Pagan's North to live out their days. The Old guard weren't content with the outcomes of the Golden Path and went into seclusion.

The leading figure was also divided, for a time.

One half led by Sabal, initially an inspirant of Mohan's ideals. His lost of moral ground had caused his influence to drop to a considerable amount since his rise after their absence. Even so, he had led the Golden Path this far and wasn't afraid to do the most difficult things during his run. The other was led by a woman named Amita. How curious that a woman would rise so prominently within the ranks that she became the second leading figure within six years of her enlistment. The Golden Path then were forced to look into solving their manpower issues by loosening their gender restrains on membership.

Amita became the figure head that represented a shift in the Golden Paths thinking from older traditional ways towards modern techniques and practices, earning the spite of much of the elderly community and of the old guard.

A few months ago, Sabal enacted a coup to bring the Golden Path under a single voice. Amita and her followers fled to the North parts and successfully captured Baghadur stronghold. But instead of being attacked by the Royal Army they were instead supplied with armaments, food and medical supplies.

This remnant force reorganised into the Mukti Tigers, an organization that sought liberal freedom and gender equality. Vasu wasn't against this but for traitors to turn their back was another issue all together. Still he sympathized with them, it was due to the poor leadership handling on Sabal's end that left them without and identity and betrayed themselves.

The Golden Path fighters painted a poor image of Sabal and he could see why. The failures of this leader had been continuous in the last five months, partly his fault. But also due to the entry of the Golden Paths newest and most formidible foe.

Badala, the Northern Demon.

The word demon was never used lightly among traditional crowds, it was a bad omen for the speaker and for the person that donned that name. A young warrior brought from the States by Pagan to combat their insurrection on his behalf and he was doing a might good job at it.

The young lord had a knack for psychological warfare and imparted it deeply into the Golden Paths ranks. So great, that he shattered even the older generations of old guard veterans' will.

The Battle of Ratu Gadhi, he retook a stronghold Amita painstakingly fought for with five men. Amita led an expeditionary force into a massacre that day which sent her into exile for a brief time to reflect on the deaths that day. Thankfully that time was short as it wasn't the biggest fuck up to occur yet.

Meh Teh Offensive, to break a major offensive but Sabal into the North he captured the Royal airport and lured the expeditionary forces being backed with heavy firepower with the help of an arms dealer and a CIA case officer there. With the odds at a hundred against twenty-five hundred it didn't seem like much. Badala proved to them that firepower and numbers didn't contribute to will and quality. The remaining forces were cut down by a vanguard of Royal Guardsmen that arrived by helicopter and fast vehicles. Only a few hundred survived, but they returned to their homes instead of continuing the fight, the battle had made them weary and haunted by the visage of that one man. It was the battle that won him the name Northern Demon and the title of Vice-Lord.

The Battle of Baghadur, Sabal attempted to scale the stronghold with the element of surprise on their side and their newest addition to their forces, the young Jason Brody. Jason had a rather curious history with the CIA agent Willis Huntley, the same spy that collaborated with Mohan decades ago. Badala appeared and fought with Jason, Jason lost in the fight. Unable to accept defeat, Sabal tried to assassinate Badala and unintentionally killed a rising star Kamala Malla, responsible for defending Banapur from an attack by the Royal Guard and slaying the Chief of Royal Guards Sugun Hamal, old Raghu's son.

Operation Shining Pagoda, after Badala burnt down Jalendu temple in revenge for the death of Kamala whom he held in the highest regards, the Royal army and Mukti tigers engaged in a major operation to evacuate majority of the inhabitance from the Southern areas. The Royal Army and the tigers kept the main camp occupied while Badala attacked the old guard fortified stronghold of Varshakot, and leveled it to the ground. No survivors were left except one that lost his sanity, sending a grim message to the old guard that it didn't matter how much better they were that the younger fighters. They were equal in his eyes.

Had Mohan not intervened right after that, Sabal would have been handed to the Royal Army and the Golden Path would have chosen a subservient role towards Pagan. Never rising to prominence ever again.

Vasu sighed internally. The Golden Path had fallen far from what it once was and would have fallen all the way had it not been for Mohan's sudden return.

How he returned didn't matter, if it was a fake he would know just by looking at him soon.

"How soon will we return to your headquarters?" Vasu inquire, he had rarely been in the southern regions in his days.

"An hour walk through the tunnel and a days trip back to Banapur, sir." Responded the field commander with him.

"it's good to have you back, sir."

"Likewise, it's good to be back. I wonder what other familiar faces I'll get to see from now on!" He cracked laughter with the officer. The Commander was about to laugh more but found it to be a sensitive subject as many had passed away without the Golden Paths dream being realized.

"I'm sorry, that was insensitive of me." But the commander waved his hands.

"No. You have been behind bars for just as long, you have our apologies for not rescuing you sooner."

"That makes us even then."

"….um, sir?"

"What is it, speak."

"How did all of the Devas disappear in the North. Word went around that you were captured by Yuma and imprisoned in Rajgad Gulag to spend the remainder of your days."

"A contribution of factors. Two if I may be exact."

"?..."

"One was underestimating a hidden adversary that might rival this Northern Demon…."

The field commander was visibly shaken that there was someone just as frightening as Badala behind the mountains apart from Pagan and Yuma. Vasu paused for a long time as if reminiscing that time the Devas were in an indecision as whether to continue with the assault. Four were taken captive, one died in front of them… and the last….. the last…..-

"What was the other one?" Vasu turned to the field commander was an expression of anger and-

"….. We were being betrayed by one of our own."


The walk back towards Baghadur's massive gate was gruesome. Empty brass cases littered the site, shell craters bombed out the greenery and bodies….. Bodies lay all over, all belonging to the Tigers. They'd effectively lost one-third of their forces to defend the evacuation of the people in the area numbering around a hundred thousand.

Some of the civilians that returned began wailing at their lost companions, family members who joined the Tigers and friends. Even if Ajay wanted to feel sympathy he couldn't, he was already numb to this sort of emotions.

The Royal Army platoon didn't stay long, they returned to the Airport garrison as ordered. But it didn't mean they returned without ill feelings, the sight of the ravaged ridge made them weary.

Amita could be spotted in the distance, relaying orders to the men. Distributing manpower and supplies to the areas most needed.

Seeing Ajay come their way, the field commanders and men dispersed to give him some time with their leader. Despite the numerous setbacks there was a warm smile on her face he hadn't seen in a while, something she only revealed when she was very happy or content.

"I'll have medical and raw materials sent to Baghadur right way."

"Well, hello again." Ajay was initially stunned by her charming greeting.

"Weren't you supposed to be pragmatic?" Causing Amita to giggle shortly.

-That's weird…-

Wasn't he speaking her language? Short, simple and with all the details?

"It's been a while hasn't it, Soren."

Ajay sighed when that name was used. It appeared she wanted to have a friendly conversation at a time like this.

"I've been busy as always. Less fighting now, and more building."

"I should think so, will your men really be able to capture Paul?"

"They're pretty eager, in fact they came here on their own voalition. Trying to rescue Hurk."

It was at this time Amita frowned slightly, she now recalled who that person was. The fat American that came in with Ajay that day of their recruitment. Had a fool like behaviour and from the looks of things still had it.

"This catastrophe, I'll take full responsibility and make sure you and your men-." Amita placed a finger to his lip.

"No. It's not your fault, I won't ask anything off you. You have nothing but my thanks!" She looked to the side, where a small child by the name of Kou was being hugged and pampered by his grateful mother.

"But-.."

"Hush." She insisted he wasn't to take responsibility.

Ajay sighed internally, what the hell happened to Amita, and why was she starting to get so chummy with him? He took of his mask as there wasn't any meaning to keeping it on. Seeing that it truly was the face she recognised as the mute warrior Soren she smiled again.

"Let's discuss the outcome of the Tigers inside, I even brought a bottle of whisky from the party I was in!" He began walking towards the inner conclaves of Baghadur.

"Pffftt! Hahahahahaha!"

Hearing this, Amita's eyes widened then she tried her best to hold back but couldn't. She burst into laughter upon hearing his remark exactly like she imagined it. Ajay was too puzzled by her perculiar to question her.

"haha…. (sigh).. it's nothing, believe me! Come, I look forward to having a drop that'll rival my prized liquor!"

She walked with him side by side, smiling contently as ever. Ajay was starting to find it creepy, did her head over heat from the stress or something.

Their conversation were eavesdropped by the fighters and refugees that were close by. Some excited for Amita, others couldn't believe her change in behaviour either. Although, all of them internally shook their heads.

How could Ajay be so blind?

*(Music being played)* A radio had been turned on for their enjoyment or to help them think of other thoughts besides the death and destruction about them.

The music transitioned to the monotonous one that went on before an announcement was made.

"Hey, a message is being played!" Called out the closest to the broadcasting radio and proceeded to tune the volume up for everyone else to listen. Ajay and Amita were some of these people.

*….. To the my fellow brothers and sisters listening to this broadcast. This is Mohan Ghale, your friend and loyal soldier to the true Kyrat.*

Ajay stopped in his tracks and turned his head towards the radio with widened saucers for eyes.

-The hell!...-


Dead bodies of communication officers lay around the radio broadcasting station near the bell tower in Utkarsh. Mohan's guards held one of the last survivors at gunpoint to manage the wide broadcast and ensure an uninterrupted feed. The officer, fearful for his live unwillingly obliged to obey them.

*It has been too long my friends, many of you thought me dead. But I assure you I am one and the same, and my deeds to come will prove my identity for me.* Mohan continued to speak through the microphone without hindrance.

*Twenty-six years of decadence, cruelty and corruption. Twenty-six years I was locked away and made to despair on the continuation of Kyrat without its finest protecting it. But no more! Well tonight I have officially changed that. Last night the attack on Rajgad Gulag was my doing, to free my friends and generals long thought dead to all of us, the eight Devas. It was also a reminder to all of you of the tyranny that hides itself in plain sight. It exist, though you do not see it with your own eyes and it is still happening right now.*

*Tonight, I thought to mark this new year as the end of the reign of Pagan and the beginning of the reign of the people! Many of you are willing to see a revolution come into fruitation but fear the consequences in failure. It is not wrong nor is it considered cowardice, this is the love and consideration you show for your loved ones should you fail. And this was made so by the constant harassing that the unjust Royal army and their master Pagan Min have done to you. I too almost fell into despair when I returned to this broken land I once and still call home. But I tell you now, I do see hope! When I pass the eyes of the people and my fellow brothers and sisters of the Golden Path I see the belief. The strong will that believes there is hope yet for our salvation from oppression.*

*And I believe it is in you too, my fellow Kyrati brothers and sisters. I believe we are the ones that were destined to rule over our fate in the Motherland! If you're out there, Ved, Swara and you're wondering whether it's me… you need only search your hearts to find that answer.*

*As for my fellow kyratis. If you're content with the way things are then I suggest you let it stay as it is and be on with your daily routine. But if you believe like me, it is the time for revolution. If you are eager to be a part of this roar for liberation we sought for twenty odd years! Then I urge you to stand with us, and walk the Golden Path!* His panting from short of breath after shouting into the mic could be heard.

*This is Mohan Ghale of the Golden Path and if you're listening to this… you are the people.*

*Long live sacred Kyrat.*

Mohan placed down the microphone and turned it off.

(Bang) The guard finished off the last remaining officer of the station since he was no longer required.

Mohan sat motionless on the chair to bask in the moment of victory. Though it was mere talk, he was sure it had rousted the people into action and those that weren't were aware of battles to come. He could already imagine the anarchy he sowed amongst the populace that the Royal Army painstakingly evacuated out of the South. He bred sympathy for rebellion amongst the refugees down their and helped simplify the Golden Paths march towards the Royal Palace. He had made his presence known to much of the former Golden Path warriors that retired or went into seclusion like his two Deva brother and sister Ved Sawal and Swara Lamsal.

The Royal Army and the traitors in the Mukti Tigers were about to experience what it was to have the people they protected stab them in the backs silently.

"Now you know how I felt…" Mohan played with the wheel charm hanging from his bracelet.

It was only a matter of time.


Author's thoughts:

I wanna be the very best FC4 fanfic

Like no one ever was

To catch up to FC3 fanfics is my real test

To trail pass them is my cause

I'll travel across the web

Searching far and wide

Each Fanfic write to understand

The story that's inside

-Pokemon lyrics parody

(Havok shares his inner nefarious plot, musical style)