Author's Notes:

Decided to continue on, this far in its not worth stopping momentum or it'll cease forever. As i said. sixty-plus percent complete and in the third phase of the story. Fourth will cover the long awaited magical aspect and supernatural clawing its way out from the depths.


It was as if a powerful gust had blown away a maelstrom to give clear blue sky. This was the reality for those that heard of the major plan for the Himalayan territories once members of the ancient lowlands kingdom.

To put the People's Republic of China's actions into reassessment. Because it was no longer an invasion from Kyrat but a series of radical reforms by the Yinke government with the assistance of the Kyrati Army. More specifically, it was a treaty of union by the four nations that inhabited the unheard-of lowlands of the Himalayas. It would reshuffle the die to change the outcome and given perspective.

China would no longer be seen as "rescuing" a neighbour, but forcibly invading a member of a union and was therefore liable to face all four countries at once. Thereby putting its actions in question to the global peers. But it would only work when the treaty was put into affect, meaning that all four nations, Yinke, Kumsa, Papir Republic and Kyrat had to come to mutual consensus and sign. It needed to be done before the PLA "officially" crossed the Yinkian border for it to have validity to their claim that China had overstepped its boundaries. India would be more than prepared to "assist" its neighbours in military might or political backing should the outcome turn for worse and the Chinese Central committee overrided the militaries practical decision to pull back with executive power. The Himalayas was a tricky situation they'd been playing since their Indo-Sino wars began.

Ajay put down the phone after Gary informed him the latest developments to the treaty being drafted and signed. The Himavana Pillar Alliance, the name Pagan coined for the Military-Political bloc established between the four nations including Kyrat. In definition, it was an agreement of states, united for joint actions to address common political, economic and military tasks. Much like the European NATO and EU but under a single denomination for all said factors.

He explained part of this to the Yinkian Commander Dema as per agreement. He acknowledged Dema wasn't taking the easy route in maintaining the sovereignty of Yinke with the looming threat. But Dema seemed to think it wasn't for him either, it took real balls to dare to fight a superpower so that both their countries had a better tomorrow than now. In any case, Dema was with him all the way on this.

He clarified the story Dema told him with Jagriti, although she couldn't recall his name she and her family did get delivered to safety with the help of an Army Major. He was supposed to assume it was Dema, although the highest-ranking officer had been swayed, the same might not be said for his troops whom he was in the process of informing the outcome of the situation in a warehouse allocated to them.

Ajay had Tenzin's extended family escorted back to the parliamentary building which was once the Vgru Mansion, now theirs again. They wore estatic faces when they'd been delivered home for the first time in sixteen years, overwhelmed with joy that some of the older generation began to cry.

That was an hour ago. It was now afternoon and the Prisoners who were once the Republican Guard were gathered in formation in front of Ajay, Maya and Samuelle. Maya had heard about what he planned to do with the Yinkians' once strongest ground force, to repurpose them in deterring the Chinese and eliminating the rebels. There was no sight like your own army turned against you, it sent a clear message that they were now rebels, that one camp of at least a brigade's worth of men.

In front of the Yinkians and Ajay and gang were stacks of crates, inside of them were the weapons and kit freshly produced off the production lines of the Arsenals back home. The Yinkians had taken a look at the equipment they were to be receiving a while ago and were more than impressed and confused.

Dema got them to stand at attention whilst he reported to Ajay. The sight of him collaborating with the enemy caused the men to have heavy thoughts about what had happened. Either way, they kept their mouths shut and didn't leak out their emotions.

"Contingent! At Ease!" Dema ordered as they stood at ease.

"I am Badala, 1st Lord of the Royal Kyrati Army. Your Commander has made a deal with me, that is why all of you are here instead of working in the camps with your fellow soldiers. I've received an account from my Commander of the Hussars on your engagement, they're nothing short of impressed with the way you conduct yourselves in the battlefield. Why you are all here is because of these unique traits. And so, situation has brought us under the same flag for the time being."

They began to whisper amongst themselves about whether there was a secret bribery deal going on between Ajay and their Commander turncoating. But their officers shut them up as it was not a reality given their Commander's steadfast and righteous ways.

"It's clear you don't like me, I can feel that hate bleeding out of your bodies. In fact, I'm willing to bet that some of you will persuade Colonel Dema to change his mind about the situation. But you should know as well, that I'm nothing short of having all of you die in the most horrific manner. By gorging my blade into all of you on the spot, so the feelings are mutual. If you do turn on my forces which I look forward to you doing so, because I need examples to be made of to the rest of your army for rebelling." Ajay said with a devilish grin.

Being the first time they'd seen him, a chilling feeling overwhelmed all of them as if a monster was with them.

"Your targets comprise of three types of foes. The renegade YLA forces of camp Lalu who refuse the agreement of the armistice, the Golden Path terrorists whom came under affiliation to Golden Path Devas Lamsal and Ved, and our newest addition to the battlefield, the People's Liberation Army, Western Theater Forces of Chengdu."

The soldiers turned pale upon hearing the words, they knew who it was better than anyone. After all, they had been trained by their PLA armoured corps in armoured warfare since Yinkian Armour's conception.

"Things have been set in motion already, so there's no turning back from this. The PLA are not here to assist our army in fighting the Kyrati Army. They're here to take our sovereignty away from us." Dema spoke up on behalf of Ajay.

"Permission to speak, sir."

"Go on, then."

"What proof does that masked bastard have that PLA will do that?" The young officer who said that was Dema's adjutant. Still new to the program, he failed to sense the sudden change in the environment. It turned icy cold, but it wasn't Ajay who was emanating this aura but the soldiers of the Kyrati Army.

(Poow) A fist struck his face causing the adjutant to fall on the floor. "Oww! Hey that- (Click)."

It was a quick move, but a shock to the Yinkian soldiers. But an even bigger shock to Ajay and Maya specifically. As it was Bipin that pushed his Magnum handgun against the adjutant's head, his eyes had a cold look void of any emotion.

"Bipin!" Maya called out surprised.

"Say that one more time in front of all of us. I dare you." As the adjutant was about to open his mouth, Bipin pressed harder and said. "Do note that whatever you say wrongly I won't just kill you but send five more your way."

The adjutant was loss of words, as his mouth began to clatter and eyes shook.

Colonel Dema now understood that it was this man that had outwitted him in the field yesterday. He was both forgiving yet ruthless at the same time, qualities that made a balanced commander. Although his ruthlessness was starting to get overplayed.

Then suddenly the atmosphere changed when Ajay slapped Bipin's head hard from the back. (Pak) Bipin broke his cold stare as he looked at Ajay with a very sore head.

"I don't need another cold-calculating machine. Don't do things I didn't ask for."

"…. Forgive me. I'll take my leave then." Bipin holstered his handgun and left, Maya followed him out to check on his mental condition. He had changed considerably since his arrival to Yinke, more so that his return from Maharashtra. Bipin was starting to take his job too seriously. Ajay was equally worried about his mental state, he hoped that his sister would be able to attend to that while they had time.

Meanwhile the Yinkian soldiers who watched this little act happen reevaluated Ajay in his ability to reel in the scary strategist who was responsible for their defeat. Dema was no stranger to the symptoms that the young officer was going through but appreciated the fact that he was still learning and had a long way to learn to become an outstanding officer.

"Anyone else have something to say?" Ajay asked on behalf of Dema. The mass of soldiers remained quiet the whole way.

"You sure? This'll be the last time you get to ask. From then this moment onwards, if anyone quits on us I won't just have you sent back to the camps." One person raised his hand, all eyes landed on him.

"Yes?"

"What will become of our home after all of this?" At least someone amongst them had the sense to ask a reasonable question.

"Gentlemen, you are about to embark in the most important event in the history of Yinke. Your home is about to achieve prominence that it hadn't before, but your former allies want none of that. Because you threaten the very stability of their luxuries. Now the die is cast and you have but one simple choice to make. Surrender everything or gain everything and more."

They discussed for a while with an increased vigour and seemed to have resolve in their eyes now. Although it wasn't for everyone's case but at least the vast majority agreed.

"Anything else?... No?... Then without further ado, welcome to the Garuda Legion!"


The sirens continued to blare at Sagarmatha Air Base even after the pilots reported to their Airframes. The technicians and mechanics hurried around to load and check the fighters before take off.

The QRF alert had been given by the forward Airborne early warning system in the Kyrati forward base at Pada Mo City. Airborne targets were spotted over the Yinkian skies.

"Happy hunting, sirs." The specialist saluted to Pravindra as he saluted back whilst retracting the canopy over his cockpit. The pressure valves sealed and created a vacuumed space.

"All set?"

"I'm done, what about yourself, hotshot?" His Weapons System Officer inquired in a light manner.

"Why do you think I'm asking you? Now hurry up and do an electronics check. I've gonna support my beloved as soon as possible." Pravi was already turning on the engines that let out a powerful hum and adjusted his pre-flight calibrations.

His co-pilot chuckled whilst doing as he asked. Pravi begun moving off toward the runway, his fellow squadron mates had already taken off making him one of the last.

"Um… Prav?" His co-pilot called out a few minutes later after tapping through the display on his seat.

"Yeah?" He acknowledged as they were already at the start of the runway.

"Why am I reading only guns and two Fox Two missiles loaded?"

"Oh that, full load just causes too much drag so I told the wrenchs to take minimal."

"Prav, listen to me very carefully. Take this bird back while we still have time to load the rest- waahhh!" (Rooooooaaaawww)

But Pravi was no longer listening as he'd punched the throttle to take them into the air. After a few seconds of climb, Pravi turned around.

"Yeah, what was that you just said?"

"You prick. If Commander Singh catches you, we're screwed! Remember, who's the weapons officer here!" His co-pilot sighed while Pravi still dared to laugh heartily.

"Relax, he won't bite when we've got actual targets today! If we do get caught, you can just blame me and I'll take the punishment."

"(Sigh). I hope you know what you're doing."

"I do, Arun. Today, we're not facing turbans."

"So I've heard, that crazy lord's prepping to fight China. Any comments on that, sir?"

"Does it matter who we're fighting? All we need to do is just win."

"Jeez, you're a real handful Kumar." His co-pilot complained.

"And why haven't you trust me yet? We've been through hell and back at Kargil, I've kept you alive with your pair intact till now."

"That's because I'm the one reminding you!" He retorted in anger, he'd been the one signing the reports and accounting for their munitions and clocking of hours whilst this idiot slept all day. And when he wasn't, he was staring at that picture of that hotty. Said picture didn't seem like it was a consented shot, but Arun kept mum.

Arun had been with Pravindra since boot, he was not at all happy with the events that occurred a month ago when Pravi pulled that shit and went AWOL to chase a skirt. Said skirt belonged to that Kyrati Ground Force Officer, then-Major Saraswati Roka, named likely in honour of the goddess herself she was a real beauty that was rarely found anywhere. Arun silently rooted for Pravi, although he wasn't sure what kind of competition he was up against. From his accountings, she was dangerously close to that crazy lord who was challenging a superpower to a fist fight and somehow this idiot seemed to think nothing was happening between them. He couldn't imagine how New Delhi would clean up that mess, he didn't even want to think at all, just serve and get pulled out when the higher authorities order their return to their base back home.

As Pravi's fighter joined up with the rest of their flight the radio clicked on.

*A prefect time than any for you to show up, Eagle 1-3. Alright, I'll begin the air brief. 1241 Hrs, AWACS picked bogeys flying Mach 1 passed the Tibetan border to the Yinkian City of Pada Mo. Wing Com. Rohan thinks it's a reconnaissance patrol, our orders are to hail them and scare'em off. Rule of engagement are the same, fire only when fired upon. Radar lock doesn't count as firing, so be careful lads. The Chinese are itching for reasons to fight and our intervention may very well start the flame to the conflict that brews.*

*Eagle 1-4 here, how many bogeys.*

*Three tones with silhouettes for interceptors, so it means they can fight back. Stay sharp at all times. And Eagle 1-3, don't leave the formation.* His flight commander told him as they flew following the GPS towards the targets marked for them.

"You heard the commander, right?"

"Relax, I did." Pravi let the auto-pilot run as he lay back, his co-pilot sighed once more.

They had about thirty minutes to where the targets were last spotted penetrating the defensive perimeter. Likely flying low-altitude to avoid radar defection and return fire from SAMs after finding out they were spotted by Early warning.

Pravi closed his eyes and snoozed off whilst imagining a day off with Saraswati. His co-pilot double checked the aircrafts' systems and weaponry after his fool of a pilot took only a full drum of 30mm rounds and just two infrared missiles as back up.

At around twenty minutes into the air, his co-pilot woke him.

"Prav, the mountains are playing hell with the instruments. Switch to back to manual."

When it came to flying, there was none more serious than him. Pravi obediently disabled the auto-pilot and surveyed the surroundings.

On his liquid display panel, the radar was fizzing such that even his own wingmen were becoming difficult to detect.

*Eagle 1-1 to all aircraft, maintain high alert. The weather is playing on our instruments so we'll be blind from one another from this point on. Keep formation unless under emergencies only.* Commander Singh told them in the local channel.

"Arun, are the weapons armed?"

"What is it, Prav? Don't jinx this."

"It's just a feeling, but I hope I'm wrong. What's our current location here?"

"Point 2153 on the map. Why?"

"Nothing, just taking the terrain into reference."

When it was not combat, there was a lot of monotonous flying in the air despite being the fastest airframes to be produced. In contrast to a dog fight which lasted only single-digit minutes. As they flew Pravindra spotted something in the distance near the clouds to their left.

"Silhouettes spotted at one o clock. Two kilometres."

*Roger, I see them. Maintain level on my starboard as I proceed.* The Commander told Pravi as he flew in the direction of the targets.

*Eagle 1-2, I've got a visual. Three targets, are these our recce guys?*

*I hope so, tallying….. No IFF tone. These aren't registered flights. Eagles 1-4, apprehend with 1-3 as your wingman. Eagle 1-2 and 1-5 will hold with me in the reserve in case they try anything funny.*

*Eagle 1-4, roger.*

"Eagle 1-3 hears you loud and clear."

They begun to break from the formation to meet up with the trespassers.

*Eagle 1-4 to 1-3, maintain a distance and don't rain on my parade like the last time.* His wingman gave him a warning.

"Seriously, Cobra. Why can't you trust me?" Pravi said in a light laughing manner.

*Don't even get me started, hotshot. Just keep this as uniform as possible.*

Pravindra snorted and murmured to himself. "Uniform was what got the rest killed…"

They came up on the left of the wandering unknown aircraft formation that was flying close to the blanket of clouds and from the appearance it seemed to be Sukhoi fighters with PLAAF markings. J-11 fighters.

*Unidentified Chinese fighters, you are in violation of Yinkian airspace. Proceed out heading 3-1-0 due east, immediately. We will escort you out of the area.*

After his wingman's hail, the fighters refused to respond although their pilots were looking directly at their aircraft from inside the glass canopies. Likely keeping an eye on them.

*PLAAF fighters, do you copy. Turn heading 3-1-0, you are violating local airspace. Proceed out of your current vector or we will use deadly force.*

After his colleague's warning the fighters seemed to break away from their grouping but dispersed instead of turning in formation.

"Somethings not right. Arun, keep an eye on the radar on the numbers."

"Ok. Seems like the same three though. Huh?"

"What?"

"Nothing, I though I just saw the three have dots overlap. I think it was just me."

"Eagle 1-3 to Eagle 1-1, somethings up."

*Agreed, stay with you current wingman and locate the-*(Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)

As he was listening to Commander Singh's orders a stream of tracers flew pass him and struck his wingman in the left-wing fuselage.

*Madarchod!* They heard someone curse, it was probably Eagle 1-4 as his wing was bleeding fuel.

*I'm hit, left wing (Static).* His wingman's aircraft was smoking but maintaining course.

The formation of fighters broke off and flew in separate directions.

*Eagle 1-3 and 1-5! Pursue those bastards! Weapons free, shot to kill!* Commander Singh gave the all clear.

"It's game time."

"He's directly on our six, Prav. Get him!" Pravi turned to bird around to engage the aircraft that fired at his wingman. Pravi pushed the afterburner to increase his speed to take the Chinese Sukhoi at an optimal angle.

*Eagle 1-4, I don't know if I can continue! Permission to bugger out.*

*Granted, Eagle 1-2 take him back. It'll be just me, 1-3 and 1-5, three bogeys shouldn't be hard. One each, do you hear? Eagle 1-3 and 1-5?*

*Eagle 1-5, roger!*

"Eagle 1-3, roger!"

*Eagle 1-2, acknowledged.* Eagle 1-2 flew escorting the damaged Eagle 1-4 out of the battlefield.

*Eagle 1-5 take the one on the right, the left goes to 1-3. I'll support you as wingman and maintain eye contact on the third one.* Eagles 1-1 and 1-5 chased one of the fighters on the right while Pravi had the liberty to contend with a single fighter himself. Commander Singh knew he was more than capable of contending with one.

He begun to chase the fighter that banked left and entered an attacking angle. "Arun, gimme a lock on this guy." He told his co-pilot to target the fighter in front of him he was chasing, the monotonous beeping of a radar lock resounded from his helmet as the crosshairs lined up on his target.

The Chinese bogey began dumping flares to fool the missile before Pravi launched it.

"Woah. I've go electrical interference. Prav, he's got a jamming pod!" His co-pilot dutifully informed him on the situation.

"I'm going closer, switch to guns." As he continued his pursuit, the Chinese Sukhoi tried its best to shake him off but wherever it turned, Pravi knew where he would go before hand. His instincts were so good that the Chinese bogey begun to get frantic as he lined up a consistent zero angle upon his jet.

"Guns. Firing!" (Brrrrrrrrrrrr)

Upon depressing his trigger, a hail of 30mm semi-armor piercing incendiary bullets flew in the Chinese bandit's flight path and the fighter flew right into the hailstorm. The shots shredded through the thin armored plating and ignited the fuel, causing the bandit to explode into a fiery ball of burnt steel. The pilot barely had time to eject and was killed.

"Wooo! One Chinese barbeque, served!"

"That was a terrible pun." His co-pilot commented.

"Eagle 1-3, bandit neutralized converging on the last one."

*Eagle 1-1 copies, good work kid. We're nearly finished up on- huh?*

On Pravi's radar, the appeared four targets where the last one was. "Prav? We've go three new bandits!"

*Eagle 1-1 to 1-3, it seems there are six bandits not three, I say again. Six bandits in total, five remaining.*

How were half of that flight able to hide their signatures. Pravindra knew, it wasn't a coincidence or faultiness of equipment when Arun detected an overlap of tones. They were there, but flying one over the other, thereby tricking their perception into thinking there were only three.

If these Sukhois they were currently piloting had AESA 3D radar that was currently being fitted to all the Indian fighters back home perhaps this wouldn't have appeared so. Then again, it was relatively new tech that hadn't worked all the bugs yet and so wasn't fitted to all fighters yet. Or could it have been that interference back at that point that caused their avionics to malfunction. Now that Commander Singh had misinterpreted the situation and sent two fighters back leaving the three of them against five, their odds weren't so good.

*Shit! Eagle 1-3, buy me time. While Astra kills this guy.* Commander Singh told him to hold out till they could support him.

*Fuck! This guy's a slippery one, I think he's Pravindra's Chinese counterpart." Eagle 1-5 still had the stomach to joke about that one fighter they'd chased the entire length while Pravi was already on the third bandit, but Pravindra laughed in response.

To him. More fighters? Meant more kills.

Two Chinese Sukhois begun to tail Pravindra from behind.

(Beeeeeeeeeeep) The tone of a radar lock went berserk as the Chinese fighter had just placed him in his crosshairs whilst he hesitated for a moment. Pravi's face colour changed for the worst.

"Oh shit."


The helicopters flew nap of the earth with a ceiling of under a thousand feet from the ground, currently a battalion of Jatayu were sitting patiently in the passenger compartments ready to be delivered to their destination.

And that was the border city of Xue Lu in Yinke. It was now a rush against time.

The PLA had begun their attack to wrestle for air superiority. Ajay had just gotten off the phone with the AWACS station informing him of the development in the air. A flight of the 1st Fighter squadron had taken to the skies to deter a flight of reconnassaince jets, only it wasn't just for recon and there were more bogeys than previously established. Wing Commander Rohan was planning to scramble two more flights of Su-30s to act as backup and to secure the skies for the Groung forces. As from what they've processed, the PLA were previously unaware of Kyrat's full capabilities and had sent a flight strike fighters to bomb their forward airbase in Pada Mo. They had to assume Chinese intelligence had satellite imagery of the entire country as well as spies which Pagan's spy ring were dutifully dispatching one after another. When that strike group were hailed by the flight of their advanced Sukhois, they panicked and fought back. Unwittedly starting the flames of war between China and the Himalayas.

But from a strategic pretext, it could still be classified as a miscommunication in air traffic and conflict of orders and misconceptions. That was why they had to rush their ground forces to secure the Border City before the PLA soldiers of the Tibetan Military District mobilized fully. Because from that dogfight currently in process it was clear what Beijing's intentions were.

Ajay put down the radio from his forward contact with the four infantry regiments that had set out to reach the border.

"Grenadiers 1st, 11th, 26th and 31st have problems entering the border City of Xue Lu on their own. They've been hampered by the remnants of camp Lalu and Golden Path." He informed Maya and the expeditionary command staff who were with him in the helicopter on their way to said border city Xue Lu.

"So they've finally shown themselves."

"At the most inconvenient times as well."

"How long will the Hussars take to reach?"

"Three hours without stop, that's assuming their trip is uninterrupted by any insurgent activities."

"Hopefully, the Republican Guard will help keep the trip short along the way." Ajay mentioned. Although his staff were not as convinced as he was, they were still enemies in their eyes, rebels in fact. But it was all a matter of naming sense. In the long run, having armoured forces to cover the infantry was a luxury they could afford to bring but it would take awhile longer till they reach. Both forces Hussars and Republican Guard only had a fraction of what they originally had and their equipment was in a bad state, requiring refits soon if possible. They'd done all they could before setting off in advance. That was why Ajay brought a battalion of men from the Jatayu to accompany him in assisting the Grenadiers assault on the city. He was sure that it wasn't just the Remnant Yinkian soldiers and Golden Path he had to deal with but the collaborators amongst the populous in the Border City. If he was right, Xue Lu City was ready to join China at a moment's notice. To escape the reality of their country losing sovereignty, but in actuality, they were turning to the very force that was the one about to do that.

"Rules of Engagement stay the same, do not fire unless fired upon. If they're rebels or Golden Path, kill all and spare no one." Ajay said in a ruthless manner, but his staff were rather understanding of the situation themselves. Time was of the essence and they couldn't waste time on playing nice with the locals there as a priority.

Ajay picked the radio to contact the commander of the battalion he brought along. "Badala to Tiger actual."

*Sir?*

"We need to hold back the Chinese for as long as possible without actually engaging them directly."

*What do you have in mind, sir?*

"… There was a reason I chose you amongst the five battalions, Sandesh. But I'm still not sure if it was the right thing to do. But….. If I were to order you and your men to slaughter all of the inhabitants at Xue Lu city would you do it?" The radio on the otherside remained silent for a long while.

*What would that achieve and why me, sir?*

"Perhaps not everyone in the city are as guilty as the perpetrators that helped the remnants and Golden Path maintain their defense around the city. But they did sit by and let it happen, even so they might not be guilty of what I plan to do. The PLA will be here any minute."

Ajay took his silence for acknowledgement.

"I know this is selfish of me to ask this of you, to make you bear a sin so great you might never forgive yourself for the years to come. But… if Yinkes sovereignty is to be preserved. If Kyrat is to leave this bottleneck of inferiority to superpowers like China… then sacrifices need to be made. For that sacrifice, I chose every living soul in Xue Lu!"

*Whatever your order, me and my men will bear this sin with you gladly.* It was the simplest of words, yet one with the strongest of meanings from Sandesh.

In the previous timeline of Ajay, Sandesh had played a huge part in the reason of why he was here today and not dead in Ghale Homestead like his father before him. Sandesh or Master Sandesh of the awakened as he was called, was the most loyal soldier to Yuma. Albeit the most dedicated as well, he ventured where no other snow guard had dared to go for a crazed Yuma's expedition for the Kalinag scrolls and samples of the miasmic "elixir". Sandesh had cleared what remained of the populous in the Lost Valley before setting up shop so that no plying eyes would know of their activities. This was why Ajay chose Sandesh and only him and his snow guard warriors. Because they were the only ones with the will to do what the rest of the Brigade couldn't with their conscience and moral restricting them.

"Thank you, Sandesh. Unfortunately, I cannot apologise for what I'm forcing upon you and your men."

*Don't, sir. It doesn't suit you. We came here with the mindset of revenge and unstable thoughts, it would be fair to say we shouldn't have been allowed to come here in the first place but we're here.*

"…. I'll meet you and the rest, boots on the ground then."

*We're looking forward to it, sir. Over.* Thought his voice sounded uneasy, Ajay was a little glad he was slightly reluctant at heart to carry out Ajay's atrocity with him.

The city came into view down below as the helicopters came flying over the mountains down to drop the mixture of the men that formed a battalion to carry out Ajay's dirty work. Maya had been heavily against his decision, but handed him the list of men whom had a strong grudge against Yinke. He was manipulating their anger to achieve his goal, and he would never forgive himself for as long as he lived for putting them through this ordeal. In a sense, he didn't just sacrifice the city inhabitants, but the battalions' humanity as well.

Small-arms fire was redirected from the ground at the four infantry regiments Ajay had sent earlier towards the helicopters especially the Mi-28 Havoc attack choppers that accompanied them as the most pressing threat.

The helicopter hovered over ground as the lines fell down and the soldiers rappelled down to the ground. Ajay placed the mask upon his face, a cold feeling washed over his senses as his mind steeled itself for the task at hand. From here on out, he would chuck moral aside and do what needed to be done. The Jatayu under Sandesh were already beginning their fight against the mixture of Golden Path, Yinkian rebel soldiers and the armed civilians in Xue Lu City. Up ahead through the smoke of the burning houses lit up by the attack helicopters previously, a group of soldiers and fighters mixed together spotted him coming through with wide saucers for eyes.

The Yinkians saw an unfamiliar target that gave an unending feeling of danger, but the Golden Path fighter were frozen solid to the ground at the sight of the one person they dreaded more than any. The reason they'd fled all the way to Yinke, why their families had either perished or disowned them leaving them with nothing. Fellow warriors dying one after another around them.

Even after the "Change" they'd undergone with Mohan's benefactor, somehow they felt that it would do little in front of him.

Ajay looked upon the enemy in front of him, he saw young men and women amongst them part of the militia arm in Xue Lu as well. He sighed internally, but had already cased the die.

He had made Sandesh and his battalion commit an atrocity at this very moment, it was only fair that he cooperated by doing the same. The demon shook violently within the mental cage that kept it at bay, a burning desire to slaughter all before him. A similar feeling and stench that reeked upon the Devas could be felt upon the Golden Path warriors exclusively. Ajay laughed to himself at the irony of the Golden Path mentality.

-It seems that Golden Path has truly lost itself as much as their leaders.- The entire cohort of fighters had sold their soul to the devil that Mohan invited in exchange for raw power.

He knew now why his forces had been incurring heavy casualties and their failure to capture Xue Lu City now. The fact that they were still alive and on the offensive told of how good they were already.

But now that he was here, he would use the same power of belief against the Golden Path. HE would also call upon the power of the Demon God to aid him.

"I wonder what you'll take away from me this time…." Ajay lamented to the demon as he offered it a portion of his most precious valuable.

He gripped the handle of his heavyweight tungsten-carbide kukri tightly as fresh blood poured from his orifices once more through the eyeslits of his mask, giving the terrible visage of a demon weeping bloodly tears.

"Golden Path… You've forced my hand in this. You've made my pay a terrible price for you meddling." Ajay said to them as he walked towards the shaking Golden Path fighters who edged back to the surprise of their Yinkian colleagues. The dreaded yellow tint emacuated from his irises once brown.

"May Yama* have pity upon your wretched corpses in hell when I'm done with you!"


Author's Notes:

Yama -The Hindu god of the underworld, equivalent to Hades.