Author's Notes:

Just when i said school was nostalgically pleasant, assignment after assignment, project after project comes my way and batters our poor lil' Havok.

At long last, it's finally here. The time i've waited so long for, its time for Arjun to pull the covers to their secret projects planned in for months. As far as i can remember, it was in the twentieth chapters. Call that impressive, i thought i'd finish the story in less than a hundred but now i'm not so sure. Meh. It's not like i'd go so long it becomes a book. The importance is richness in material and content strong not the length of my pages.

Enjoy you all!


The firefights that took place in Lanka lasted hours, constant battering to and from. The current situation was looking bad for the garrison soldiers who fought to keep every inch of ground they lost to these unknown soldiers whom they had no idea were. But one thing was for certain, from the Golden Path fighters seen fighting alongside them it was clear who they were allied to. The garrison forces were heavily disheartened. To just have been in the celebratory mood and the next minute in a full out war with attackers that used trained combat manuevers. The other reason was the absence of the resident demon, whom both the inhabitants of Lanka and the Golden Path who had collected intel beforehand knew about.

When the news reached the garrison commander and staff within the central keep, he was furious. The Golden Path, rebels, now thorough traitors to the kingdom and the nation for bringing in foreigners. They'd lost the outer walls of Bastion 2 and 4 to the overwhelming presence of enemy.

"I wanted that report five minutes ago! Where is it!" The commandant roared.

A senior officer hurriedly entered with a flesh wound.

"Report!"

"We've lost Bastions 2 and 4 completely. They were taken by surprise completely… (huff)… 11th and 20th Company didn't stand a chance."

"What of the other Bastions and barracks?"

"We're at seventy percent remaining in our strength. Sir, permission to push up the reserves and PDF."

"Take two companies to reinforce the other remaining bastions, that's all."

"And the PDF?"

"They are not of your concern, Captain."

"With all due respect-."

"You will not! No one will take command of the PDF except Lord Badala."

"He isn't here! And you want to waste more of our forces so that you can keep nice with the Damn duke that-." A hand grasped his shirt and pulled him towards the Commandant.

"Never. Insult him in my presence again. Am I clear?" He said in an intimidating tone. The staff knew very well he held reverence towards the Duke. He had been there by his side where they stood at the very front of the defense at bastion one during the Battle of Lanka. For that, High Command awarded his steadfastness with the position of Commandant under the recommendation of Badala which he graciously accepted responsibility for. The Duke had also regularly checked in with him on his work and progress. It gave the Command staff a sense of pride knowing their work was recognised by such a high profile individual.

The Commandant flung him away without hearing a response.

"We have a responsibility to protect the people, gentlemen. The PDF are just kids and they need to be protected all the same. When we fail, then it will fall to them to protect our families, the civilians and themselves."

"….."

"Captain Phanish, from effective immediately you will man the last of the remaining forces including the PDF. Prioritize the evacuation of Civilians to King's Bridge."

"Not Hubris or Baghadur?"

"It won't be safe in the event the Golden Path take this fortress. Good luck, son." The young officer saluted and left with his rifle slung.

The Garrison Commandant took a swig from his flask of whisky and handed it to his officers to share a drink.

"What's the status on the comms lines to the Royal Fortress?"

"Something's jamming long range communications and all cellular activity. This isn't equipment Golden Path can afford or possess." It had to be that foreign army. The seriousness of the situation had just gone up another level. Another invader was in Kyrati soil, and was actively attacking their most important military installation.

"What about the landline?"

It was the case with all emergency backups for the strongholds and Lanka itself. A landline was hidden to allow communication straight to the Marshal's office or to the quick reaction force barracks. The former seemed like the more important to inform as the numbers were still unknown and the fortress though seeming indestructible was falling into the hands of the enemy.

"We've checked the contingency files, it's…."

"Well? Say it."

"It's-…. In Bastion Twos Labyrinth." The officer struggled to say.

The Commandant sighed. Right now, they had two alternative solutions. Either stay and fight it out and perhaps sustain till the lack of their comms to communication brings up and investigation to find the invasion force in the morning. Or they could risk everything to send a distress signal to General Arjun's office to tell him of the current situation. What the enemy wanted right now was the central keep.

His staff looked expectant of him for the final executive decision.

"We warn High Command of the threat even if it means the death of us." Not to his expectation, the staff broke into chuckling. It was then that he realised that it was their hour.

"It's been a pleasure serving with you all. That wherever we end up, dead or alone in a old folks home years from now." The staff laughed, the former option was definitely more appealing.

"We rest easy knowing that our lord will grant our restless souls vengeance!"


It was a cool night, so the barbeque they were having was just right. Something warm to fill their stomachs.

Bhadra had been relieved of cooking to let Ajay do a stateside-style BBQ he learnt from the barbeque parties Mama Tinashe did to celebrate her kids' birthdays. He tried his best to replicate that hickory barbeque sauce to his best ability, but was only a quarter near to what it should be. Nevertheless, the sauce did its job in making the meat release a pleasant aroma that made the girls, a tiger and a wolf drool. He wasn't sure how those two weren't at each other's throats, Bhadra mentioned something about Darshan returning Bishal and doing a strange whistle like the one she tried to imitate when she tried the flute.

"Hi!"

"Ah- you're here."

"Yo!"

At some point, Maya had called for Bipin to come over. Although, unexpected was Samuel that came with him. Both were dressed in civies and casual.

"Man, what is that heavenly smell I've been sniffing since I got to the base of the hill?" Bipin inquired the lovely aroma.

"She already told you, it was barbeque. Hi, I thought I'd stop by cause I heard about the ribs. You won't mind if I join, right?"

"You're already here, have a seat. We'll bring you one when its ready." Maya was rather neutral about Samuel, as long as he didn't seek trouble like the rest it was fine. Samuel took a seat next to Bipin and Saras at the oudoor table under the blanket of stars.

"It really is an amazing view up here." He commented.

"It is. Although, we take it for granted everyday. Today though, we get to enjoy it." Bhadra smiled happily as someone had relieved her of cooking for once and she wasn't complaining due to the skill involved. To be honest, she had her doubts about the barbeque, it was the one technique in cooking she was unfamiliar with. Luckily, they had a trained professional Barbie chef all the way from America to grill the ribs.

Ajay was diligent about the cooking from the moment he killed those pigs and gutted them, to the wood type used to fuel the fire. He was picky about all these minor but crucial details in having a great barbeque than just a good one.

"Alright, first batch done." He arranged a few slices onto the platter and brought it over to the table for the them to start their much awaited meal.

And boy were they surprised with Ajay's efforts. One bite was all that changed their views about outdoor cooking forever.

"It's amazing!"

"Really? I used to cook this at the neighbourhood I lived in once every summer." He answered modestly.

"What kind of life did you enjoy in the states?" Samuel said lightly. Everyone remained silent, he noticed their sudden change and realised he might have stepped on a nerve.

"In the states, there's always good food to have on your table among the other less desirable circumstances."

"U-oh!" He was not sure how to respond after. Although he didn't need to.

"So who wants seconds?"

They all raised their plates, Ajay chuckled.

"Jeez, that was barely ten minutes and we've finished one pig already. I've not even had a bite yet."

"Bhadra take over." Maya patted her.

"No way, i've been cooking all of your meals for the last half-year. I deserve to sit. What about both of you?" She pushed it aside, but it was clear to everyone else she didn't want to miss out on even one slice of rib.

"Let's settle this on three rounds." Saras raised her hand for scissors paper stone.

"Sure." They battled swiftly so as not to hog the rest.

At the end, Saras ended up with a single win and Maya with two. Making it clear who had the seat. Saras shook her head and got up to where Ajay was, but her expression was not at all upset, the opposite in fact.

"I'll be looking forward to you teaching me." She found other ways to entertain herself.

"Sure. Here." He handed her the tongs and placed a tenderloin on the the grill.

"Right…." Ajay stood behind her and guided her hand holding the tong.

"Oh!" She was genuinely surprise that it turned out for the better she lost, she got to savour something else more familiar. Ajay knew he got her attention but guided her on treating the steak on the grill.

"Is Badala seeing-…?" Samuel commented halfway seeing them at the grill working on the next batch with a lot of intimacy not seen before.

"…." Maya looked a little blank staring at them from afar.

"(Sigh) They thought we were idiots. Like they couldn't be seen together." Said Bhadra with puffed up cheeks.

"R-Really….." Samuel just acknowledged.

"You seem pretty nice for a Canton." Bhadra spoke bluntly. Samuel smiled.

"Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment. It's one of those ridiculous things we fight over even though we were all born here." Samuel said before taking a drink from the barley that was served.

They ate the second and last batch together over their conversations, Ajay had to make do with eating once it was cooked as he stayed on grill duty because Saras disappeared off to the toilet over an upset stomach or something. Even when he thoroughly cleared the meat and kept it fresh as possible with garlic and lemon.

-Guess grilling's new in Kyrat.-

Ajay took another bite out of a piece at the end of his fork. Maya went into the house to procure the her usual favorite liquor of BaiJiu for them to enjoy, she was strangely generous today for some reason. Perhaps it was the good meat to go with her favorite drink she wanted to share the experience of it.

"It's weird." Samuel said as he stood next to him.

"That the Northern Demon has friends, can enjoy himself, can live with himself after all the terrible things he's done?" He posed the question whilst watching the fire.

"The former two was enough, your grace."

"Badala. No point being formal after all this time. You aren't wearing your uniform either."

"Very well, Badala." He handed him a cup of barley that was for him but wasn't at the table for.

"Thanks." Ajay took a drink. Samuel stared at him the entire time.

"What?"

"Aren't you worried I spiked the drink?"

"….." But Ajay wasn't at all phased, he knew that even if he did. His blood would reject the toxins just as it did to the alcohol in his system when he drunk. It made him wonder what was Noore's secret concoction to suppress these demonic properties.

"I doubt you'd come this far only to throw away your life for indifferent family members." Both a retort and warning. Samuel chuckled and sat against the brick of the barbeque place.

"True. I lived half my life overseas myself yunno. Mum and me lived in Vancouver in a comfy cabin place. Went to school like any ordinary child, then she told me about my origin and lineage. Min Family of namesake family to the King of Kyrat. I'd never seen it on the globe before, only because it wasn't. I was twelve when I came back, and quickly learnt about the family hierarchy and where I was, could you guess?"

"A bottom feeder?" Samuel laughed.

"Blunt as ever, but yes. I was a bottom feeder alright, in fact I only shared half of the Mins' bloodline." Ajay rasied an eyebrow to the new information he indulged about himself.

"You might have guessed from that, my mum wasn't part of the family. Only my father, who sent us away because the family did not approve of consummating his love with my 'ordinary' mother. What was the difference between her and anyone else, a bloodline? Wealth? Influence? Anyway, he somehow convinced them in the later years to allow us to be together. Not that they ever approved of us in their hearts either way."

Ajay could see where this was going, in a sense he could relate to Samuel. He was neither accepted by the Kyrati migrants nor the US citizens in the states. A blacksheep, but Ajay managed somehow with Mama Tinashe's kindness and his own prowess at boxing that kept him on his toes against any roughening.

"So, I switched one side of indifference for another. With nothing to do, no expectations on me to do anything. I joined the Royal Guard at 18."

"And along the line, you met Bipin." He nodded.

"The Cantons looked at me with loathe, the Kyratis with caution. But it was used to it by then, in fact it was strange that Bipin approached me. At first I thought he was a leech trying to grovel before me to win my favour and his recognition, but it wasn't the case." Ajay took a look at Bipin who was trying to pull the jug away from Maya whom seem to over indulge.

"So you found a friend in him."

"I did, although I was a blacksheep, so was he in a way. I guess birds of a feather flock together."

"…."

"You remember when you asked me what was my aim when joining the army?" Ajay nodded.

"…. I want to leave Kyrat."

"So just leave then, why join in something you weren't interested to begin with." Samuel shook his head.

"There is an unspoken rule in the triads. The Min family enforces this tradition on its family members with no exception. My mom…. When dad died, she was truly left alone. Yet they wouldn't let her go back to Canada with me, all because of a blood pact with my dad's father." Ajay noticed how he had mentioned his grandfather as his dad's father indicating their astranged or abysmal relationship. He was also being rather open about his deep history which Ajay was sure he wanted something from Ajay. Hoping that his sob story might make him sympathetic to help out.

"So there was only one way of getting out, that was a meritorious service for the family. That was my deal with him. To earn the highest military honor, The Sigil of Valor."

Ajay found it harder to believe his story. He wasn't in the military but he knew most of the awards from the collection that hung in the library of the palace, Gary made it a note to teach him each and every one for kingly conferring of medals. Sigil of Valor was as he said, the highest award in war time. Much like the US medal of honor, it needed Conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

"I can already see it in your eyes, wishful thinking isn't it." Samuel chuckled in defeat.

"Not unless you really prove yourself in the coming campaign."

"Yeah….. well, it was why I opted to take the lead in as their vanguard."

"Why are you telling me this?" Ajay turned to him and gave him a stern look. He was tired of all his charades.

"…. I don't know. I just-… looking at all my options."

"Options… You would choose a stranger over your own family. The very man they're all cautious of and can be considered their rival."

"I don't know if you heard my story just moments ago- They're not my family! They've never once treated me like one." He said rather upset.

"So because they don't treat you like one, you betray them as it's to your convenience. They might not be 'your' family, but they're your father's."

"You already know what's going down with the Canton families, so why not accept my-…. Defection. I know you've accepted less before. Take those Italians." Ajay turned to glare at him making him realize he said something wrong.

"And what would you know about them? You're just an inexperienced Commander that thinks too overconfidently because the factors weight nothing on. Have you ever struggled to take the next breath? To kill someone you barely knew to survive? You sure as hell haven't, and you've barely even met them, what gives you the right to judge them!"

Ajay breathed out a sigh to calm his nerves, leaving Sam in bewilderment.

"Forget it."

"Do you mean about what you sai-."

"Both." Was Ajay's answer. He could see Sam's expression become unslightly for a moment, his knuckles crunching.

"I won't leave even if you kill me, until you give me a reason." He said was eyes of determination. But Ajay was about to surprise and shock the living daylights out of… him.

"Out of everything that you're said, perhaps it might be true. But I am half convinced that you've even told me even a fraction of truth to me."

"I've told you everything about me! What could I have possibly hidden from you?!" Samuel burst as he couldn't believe he was using this as a reason to deny him.

"Well for starters, how about how you've done such a good job at keeping your gender a secret from the military." Her eyes widened in shock, it had never been known by anyone outside of the Min household nor even by Bipin.

"How-."

"Your odour, don't ask me why, it's a human anatomy-thing. Most guys can pick it off women at the first scent. You can conceal your appearance with heavy clothes and wear a rough voice. But there're things you just can't hide." She seem to remember his close encounter with her when she tripped at the party.

She covered her face and laughed in defeat.

"So now you know everything there is to know about me. What were the trials and difficulties for me to get into the army, perform as well as every beefcake and still excel beyond them to prove that I'm more than capable!" It was at this point everyone had already noticed them in argument but chose not to interfere.

"Why are you approaching me of all people, Sam?"

"Samuelle."

"Whatever."

"Then what does it matter, I'm coming to you! I'm offering to sell out the Canton fami-hurrgh!"

She would never had expected him to grab her around the throat.

"Why would I want a traitor amongst my ranks?" The simplest of answers but one she didn't qualify in her current state. Ajay let her go, and she stared at him with angry and tearful eyes.

"I had so much hope for you….. When I saw you come to that boy's rescue. A half like me, alone and without a shed of influence. How was he to survive in this cruel world with merely his barehands and his will? Not even his own father came to help him when they tormented him and his sister."

Sam walked towards him with a look of pleading.

"Why can't you show the same for me?"

Me me me. That was all Ajay heard from her, he wondered how much she was really being opposed or was she being the unreasonable one. Ajay sighed once again.

"Then answer me honestly, did you ever use Bipin for your own gain? Answer that and I'll consider."

She almost wanted to say no but her own conscience created guilt as she thought of instances where she might have. And there was one. When she asked Bipin to introduce her to Ajay. Ajay knew it as well. Did this mean he intentionally trapped her? That there was no way to get the right answer? These were the questions that circled in her head.

She knew in her heart what the answer was. Samuelle got up and wanted to walk off.

"…. Have yourself a good night. Your grace." She said before turning to leave. Ajay shook his head.

"Samuelle." Sam stopped but didn't turn around.

"I'll pretend this conversation didn't happen for now. But remember this, actions always speak louder than words. I leave Bipin in your care."

Sam gave a defeated smile and nodded before leaving. She failed a convincing Ajay her case, but that didn't mean she'd lost her chance to prove herself to him she was genuine about her proposal.

Ajay didn't like dealing with difficult people her, she was to honest about what she wanted and with little regard to the people around her. Like a certain Indian he knew. Though he did give her a chance, it didn't mean he put much hope on her. His reason was the same as he had said to her, she prioritized her agenda over her friends.

Before long, Bhadra came over.

"What was that all about?"

"Nothing that you need to worry yourself over, it'll blow over come morning. He's just been having too much to drink that's all." It really wasn't important for them to know.

"Ok. I realy did enjoy Sam sis's company." Ajay raised his eyebrow as he heard correctly.

"Oh? You knew as well?" It was a surprise for him too.

"A girl has her traits." She puffed proudly. Ajay guessed it had to do with her unusual sharpness as always, being able to pick off the smallest of details with scrutiny.

"So how far has the relationship between you and Saraswati sis progressed?" She tried to start small talk. Ajay ruffled her hair much to her chagrin.

"None of your business, munchkin. I should be asking about your own love life, got any boy you want to introduce to daddy?" Ajay made a cheeky grin.

"Screw off. Like I'm interested in anyone."

"Biraj is coming to your school soon. Maybe you and him could hook up." Upon hearing that she froze. "Wh- what?!"

"Judging by your expression you don't seem too happy having a friend in school."

Bhadra stared at him in annoyance. "Tsk! Just when I thought I wouldn't see him…." She murmured.

"He's a good kid, Bhadra. A little shy that's all, but his art is top notch."

"W-Were you the one that did this?" She found the source of her worries. Ajay didn't like the way she glared at him.

"… That bad?"

"It's horrible! Every moment of the way- staring at me like an idiot! I tell him to shoo he giggles away! Eurgh! I wonder if he keeps a locket with my hair or something." She was completely grossed out by that stupid face Biraj showed to her through no fault of his own. He was a genuine lovestruck deal with Bhadra.

"How you'll break his innocent heart. Alright, I'll be sure to tell him to tone down around you as much as possible."

"Hmph!" Bhadra was never the forgiving sort to begin with.

Looking at Bhadra, she had changed significantly from when he first encountered her. A reserved girl with convictions on whether she should pursue her dreams and ideals. Now, she was the 'master' of the house, a popular top student in her school and an aspirant to becoming a daycare teacher.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just remembering the past you that's all."

"Please don't remind me."

"Nothing to be ashamed of, it could have been a lot worst." -Like being forced onto the mantle by Sabal.- Bhadra noticed a very grim expression on Ajay when he thought about his past life. So she stopped there.

"I'll go check on Saras, she's been taking a while." She got up and turned to the house.

"The medicines in the pantry, third drawer to the right for stomach related ailments." Ajay reminded as she waved her hand to acknowledge.

Ajay went over to where Maya and her brother was to try and convince her to have a drinking game, much to Bipin's dismay after he had just been able to separate her from the jug by explaining how to conserve it for a special occasion.


A temporary forward base had been made in what was once Bastion 4. Everything in it was brand-new as it was only just completed. Mohan and his Devas assembled around a table with the charts of the fortress layout taken from the barracks. Intel from the captured soldiers was not possible, before they were executed they all told Mohan to fuck himself. Such fierce loyalty, it was almost reminiscent of the old days. Mohan was surprise at how much the Royal Army had changed from the inside. What this the doing of Badala or Arjun?

"Have those anti-aircraft guns been silenced yet?" Mohan inquired. It was the condition Lynch gave them for indefinite air support in the form of helicopters for transportation and attack. There was also another surprise he had brought from all the way from the nearby US airbase in Pakistan.

"We're having trouble hitting the one in what appears to be this fortresses central keep. It's at an angle where the mortars can't save us the trouble of destroying." The Yinke Commander reported.

"…." It must have been a design countermeasure to an assault like this one. Only they managed to enter in the dead of the night and the fortress at minimal manpower for some reason. Vasu theorized that they were preparing for an assault on Banapur, one last final attack to destroy everything.

This theory caused the Commanders to be shaken. The Royal Army and Badala were serious about exterminating them, the final straws had been pulled and the grace that they ran on with Badala had run out. But it was not like they wanted it, it wasn't like they needed it either. Especially when the Golden Path was destined to liberate Kyrat. Their junior brothers of the Shining Way had come to their aid in desperate times and resupplied their stocks lost from Solomon's destroyed cache at the desecrated Sleeping saints statues.

A tank rolled by them in the street behind them, the Yinke Commander Namdak had utilized the tanks as cover for the infantry in the open streets to advance. While vulnerable to anti-tank weapons like RPGs in certain flanks, the infantry were the ones providing cover whilst the tanks in-turn covered them from fortified attacks from structures with its machine guns and 105mm high-explosive rounds. It was just as they'd done with securing the two bastions, though tanks were never good in narrow streets.

"Your armored units are quite impressive Colonel." Sanjeev complimented.

"If you thought they were good, you should see the Elite Republican Guard and their modern battle tanks compared to ours we received from the PLA reserve armories way pass its obsolete date by decades." Namdak chuckled.

"That I'll have to see." Sanjeev said impressed.

"Perhaps when we claim Pagan's head and defeat Badala we'll have that chance to go to Yinke to pay a visit." Mohan said to end their little conversation for more important things.

"What are the chances of this demon of yours appearing?" Namdak heard tales from the young fighters and old guard alike. The name was thoroughly earned for his ruthless decisiveness and unmatched prowess in martial warfare despite not having military experience. Not even the CIA agent and officer could identify him which said a lot about Badala. Whoever he was, he must have come from a long line of military tradition and warrior lineage.

"We've cut off the only source of communication with the CNS operatives' state of the art jammer module. There is no way for him to know of Lanka's fall by the time we cross that bridge." Sanjeev said as he was the one with the closest correspondence with Lynch.

"I hope so. Because if they find out before we capture this fortress, we'll be sitting ducks to whatever mode of attack they chose. Artillery, helicopter insertion, or simply quick reaction groups attacking our exposed flanks." Namdak was more pragmatic about the overview situation, he'd not wasted his time at Beijings' NDU. They equally couldn't defend Lanka with the defending forces torching everything as they withdrew, literal scorched earth tactics to make their attempt fruitless as possible.

Just at that moment, a soldier burst into the room.

"Report."

"Movement in the central keep, three-quarters of their force just left and headed in the direction of Bastion two."

"Attempting to retake with that many soldiers?"

"Something's not right." Vasu said.

"…."

"Sir, shall we apprehend?" The soldier inquired.

Namdak was about to answer when Vasu walked out and patted his shoulder.

"I'll handle them." He said before leaving the command centre. None of the other Golden Path Commanders seem to mind as he went in that direction with no escort or vanguard.

"What. Alone?!" Namdak blinked a few, the soldier stared blankly but after a motion from his superior officer went to follow him.

Namdak had always heard of the legendary Devas' strength but never witnessed it before.

His younger brother would tell him of his feats when he returned.


"Hurry! They'll surely notice something's up by now!" The Commandant yelled over the firefight that was occurring in the street with the foreign soldiers. He could now gauge their strength based on experience with the many different varieties of warriors, partisans and soldiers in Kyrat. These foreigners had the training of conscripts that had yet to immerse in combat, highly spirited and wel-trained but hadn't yet spilt blood in high quantities like the veteran Royal Army soldiers, even their most rookie of soldiers had been in at least five encounters with Golden Path and survived to learn from his experience.

Their equipment seemed to be in the 1960s-transitioning era, there were assault rifles and a mix of Russian submachine guns and semi-automatic carbines with a couple of bolt-actions utilized by marksmen. Whereas the Royal Army was equipped with fully upgraded AKs, AR-15s, all with optics and thermals.

Their dressing was reminiscent of the Chinese People's Liberation Army during the Chinese Revolution days.

Some of his men had stuck to calling them 'commies' for the convenience of naming their foes.

While the commies possessed numerical superiority and the use of crew served weapons at their disposal. They didn't seem very adept with the concept of urban warfare. Badala had invested heavily in retraining all of the soldiers and PDF to fight in the streets, there was even an urban ops centre which he had no idea what its current state was in this fighting.

His soldiers darted from corridor and street attacking the commies and gunning them down with relative ease thanks to their infamiliarity to the streets that the Royal Army traversed everyday. They had already made out the outerwall from where they were, just a few blocks mor-.

"Sir! At our ten o clock!" The lieutenant called out to him over something that required his immediate attention.

"IT'S VASU!" The words carried a tremor in every soldiers mind, the Deva had come to put a stop to whatever they were attempting to do.

"Captain Kul! Keep that bastard at bay, do it with every man available at your disposal while the platoon and I carve our way to the labyrinth." The company commander whom had opposed to his orders on the PDF previous nodded.

"May fortune be with you." The Commandant said.

"I'll be seeing you soon. Make sure you die making them tremble with fear." The Captain said with a ferocious grin.

The Commandant turned around to continue with the spearhead towards the Labyrinth to reach the hidden emergency landline in the sub-levels. The Landline was not placed in the Central Keep intentionally so that in the event the fortress was captured; the new inhabitants wouldn't pretend to call for false alarm. The schematics to its location was in a contingency file looked in a safe in the central command office that required combinations from four commanders.

The Captain stared at the incoming Deva.

"Ok. You bastard, let's dance shall we.." Kul knew of the strength of the Devas better than anyone. He felt that he wasn't the only one to notice it but during the day of the siege on Lanka, when the three of them charged up to Bastion One. His snipers reported numerous hits on the target which he confirmed for himself, yet none of them went down. It made him worry like a tempest-driven bark. Yet the next turn of events took his fears and switched it with vigor he'd not felt before, when Badala stood before the Golden Path army and ripped Bhishma in half with his barehands.

He showed all of them, that in essence the Golden Path was nothing more than self-important shams. All the Golden Path preached was hot air by dissatisfied citizens whom were once in the highest echelons but were not favored by the new regime. Kul would enforce that understanding here with his men. They'd all prepared to die when they volunteered to go out with the Commandant.

"Men! Stop that traitor in his tracks with everything you've got!" The men shouted with similar vigor. They had cleared out the street previously where Vasu stood so it was just him and a under two hundred soldiers.

Weapons fire peppered the area around him and some scored direct hits, but like on the day of the battle, it did little to stop his momentum which they were trying their best to kill.

"Bring up the rockets!" Kul called upon the RPG teams to blast him to pieces. They took aim and fired away at his position, but then he appeared in another place at a considerable distance. Kul didn't have time to question whether he was seeing things or not, he was sure his men had the same thoughts. But he had to lead them. Vasu was already upon their line, slicing his men into pieces with a light swing of his large kukri more akin to a machete.

"Heavy-caliber guns! Aim for his limbs!" Some marksmen in possession of the .50 cal anti-material rifles took shots at him. But as they fired his reaction was so quick that the bullets impacted an inch from his body. They tried to lure him into kill boxes as they retreated but there was no immediate effect in slowing him down.

"Collective shots! Grenades!" The remaining fifty threw their grenades at the designated area just before Vasu. The street before him exploded over and over, he skidded to a halt just as Kul had intended. It was only a matter of how many grenades and explosives did they have. The wall of explosives dissipated with the depletion of explosive materials. Vasu stood calmly on the other side of the narrow street waiting and had finally had the chance to move again and charged once more.

"Bayonets!" Kul called out the final command that was the last thing they could do to stop him.

The men charged at Vasu in groups. Yet, as if they were wheat awaiting to be harvested, he swung his knife to one side and killed them in the fives. Kul and his remaining forty surrounded him and attacked with their bayonets in different directions. As they attacked him, their were certain moments he was unable to stop certain attacks from blindspots. This resulted in a deep cut from a grazing bayonet thrust, however the moment the spear-like bayonet was retracted his skin closed as if the damage hadn't been done at all.

Alarm grew more prominent in Kul's heart, not for himself and the men, but for other soldiers and the lord of Lanka. Did Badala fight this inhuman monster at this state or did the Devas all sell their souls to the devil?

"Vasu Sen! You are a traitor to the Kingdom and to mankind!" Kul roared as he was the last few remaining soldiers left to repeatedly stab at him with no apparent affect in killing or heavily wounding him. It was an utter unfair fight to begin with, it was like going at a wizard with a sword.

Vasu responded with a thrust of his short blade into Kul's stomach, he had been the last to survive the defence the didn't even last five minutes. Vasu pulled out the blade causing Kul to collapse and he continued on.

(Pak) A hand grasped him from his leg.

"Where the hell- (Cough) do you think you're going….?" Kul coughed out blood as he hung onto Vasu leg from the floor.

Vasu kicked the hand aside with considerable force, snapping it like a twig, yet their was no scream of agony. Only a head that was biting his leg to keep him from moving onwards, a fire of determination in Kul's eyes to make the Devas get his just desserts with the Commandant's call to High Command.

Vasu looked down at the soldier with a different light than he previously dull and void emotional one. He looked upon the soldier was admiration and pity. Pity that he had to kill such a dedicated soldier that would put his life before the mission to succeed.

"What is your name?"

"Kul- (Cough) Remember to find me in hell!"

"I will." (Slash) His blade passed through the cranium of what was probably the bravest soldier in Vasu's opinion. In his suppressed emotions, he felt a tidal wave of anger rise up, anger that was exclusive to Badala. For he felt deeply that Kul hadn't died from his blade. But because Badala had ordered it so.

"….. Badala…"


The Commandant had finally reached the landline module and was currently using the special keys to unlock it with, it was a lengthy procedure to esure no foulplay or false alarm. Because the contingency file stated that in using the landline, a requisition would not be limited to three regiments with artillery support and air cavalry, but a summon for Badala in under twenty minutes.

It was as Ajay had told the PDF during their training, only a Colonel and above had authorized clearance to call him and quick-reaction regiments on standby. It was costly but if necessary, worth it. The Commandant was a one rank shy of that requirement, but by holding the appointment of Commandant of the Fortress he had privileges to many equipment and requisitions that even Colonels couldn't call in unless certain fields owed them a favour.

Gunfire burst around the corridor of the labyrinth were the men had been spread out to stand guard. Screams from something running through them could be heard echoing about the hollow place. The Commandant didn't need to distribut orders as his deputies did so for him to concentrate on disabling the locks and keying in the request and creating a message that contained the current status of Lanka with the statistics gathered on the foreign army with the Golden Path.

With his back facing his men, the Commandant did not know what their progress was against the infallible Vasu, who cut through them like butter and with great swings of his blade.

The Commandant had finished typing in the state of Lanka and moved on to add additional data on the enemy forces.

"Sir, he's coming! Fortune be with you!" A major shouted as he failed to stop Vasu and pulled the pin to a grenade to cause the latter as much damage as possible

(BOOM) The grenade rumbled the very architecture due to the enclsed nature of the labyrinth.

Then finally-.

"Done!" He turned around only to be greeted with a knife that plunged into his chest and slammed him into the wall behind him. The Commandant bleed from his mouth but word a blood-filled grin and began to laugh albeit with great difficulty.

Vasu stood their observing this behaviour that was contrasting to what he'd seen with the other soldiers that had desperately tried to keep him at bay.

"What?"

"You're already dead…. Our lord will not let a single person who wore a golden sash live, their children, their parents… (Cough) (Cough) … those old self-entitled monks in Chal Jama that dared to stow away your rebel kind for god knows how long….."

Vasu stared at the Commandant with extreme loathing.

"Not if I can help it." To that response, the Commandant laughed the final laugh.

"So naïve, I can't believe I looked at you with respect once….. You have no idea what's coming for you. Your little foreign friends are in- (cough) For a surprise..- that will make them-…. Regret they even made contact….. with- you." The Commandant struggled to finish his sentence with the bloodloss he had.

"What is your name?" Vasu asked of him as he did to those worthy of being asked of.

"My name is…. Fuck you, slave!-…." The Commandant raised his hand with great difficultly to give him the bird.

Vasu sighed and brought his knife down upon him like a sledgehammer. The knife smashed his ribs and ruptured his organs, Vasu awarded the Commandant who refused to give his name the most painful of deaths. But even then, a disturbing yet satisfied grin was left on his face. In his last moments, he hoped that his thoughts and wishes would be transmitted through the void to Kyrats patron god of vengeance.

-My lord. I leave Kyrat in your capable hands. Preserve my men and my honor… by slaying this monster!-


For a brief moment, Ajay felt his head drawn to the direction where the fortress Lanka resided.