30th September, Year 2578 – Morning, 7:30 AM
Kumari State Capital, District 0, Area 02 – Patrol Guards' Living Quarters
A gentle breeze swept across the quiet district as the sun began its slow ascent, casting golden rays over the patrol guards' modest living quarters. The peaceful morning was interrupted by the shrill ring... ring... of a mobile phone on the dining table.
"Gopika! Your father's mobile is ringing. Take it to him," called Kanmani from the kitchen, her hands busy making breakfast.
"Okay, Mom!" replied Gopika cheerfully.
With her small hands, Gopika picked up the vibrating phone. Unaware of who could be calling so early, she ran toward her father's room, her tiny feet echoing on the wooden floor.
"Dad, Dad! Someone's calling you!"
Half-asleep, Siluvai Marimuthu groaned as he turned over in bed. "Who is it?"
"Umm... Uncle Arun, Dad."
"Alright, go and get ready for school," he murmured, sitting up with a yawn.
"Okay, Daddy," chirped Gopika, skipping off.
Siluvai, a seasoned patrol commander of District 0, picked up the phone, already sensing something urgent. His voice was steady despite his fatigue.
"Hello, Arun. What's so important this early?"
"Sir, can you hear me?" came Arun's voice, almost drowned out by background noise.
"What's all that commotion behind you?"
"There's a crowd, sir. It's chaotic here."
"Well, what's the matter?"
"Sir…" Arun hesitated, the words heavy on his tongue. "The supreme leader's advisor and his wife... they're dead."
"What?! How did it happen?"
"They were murdered, sir."
"Do we know who did it?"
"Eyewitnesses claim... they saw someone with four arms and a long sword."
Siluvai froze, the description chilling him to the core. "Four arms… a longsword? Silver Ronin?"
"Yes, sir. That's what the witnesses are saying."
"Not even a month since his escape, and he's already making waves... What about the motive? Any idea?"
"None yet, sir."
"I'll drop my daughter at school and head to the scene. Keep everything secure until I arrive."
"Understood, sir."
Moments later, as Siluvai prepared to leave, Arun called again.
"I told you I'm on my way!" Siluvai barked into the phone, annoyed at the interruption.
"Sir, you need to see this. Turn on the news."
The television blared, displaying a grim-faced reporter.
"Breaking news: The administrative chief of District 7 has been found dead under mysterious circumstances. Sources suggest the killer is Raven, one of the four convicts who escaped from the Demon Cage Prison last month. Yalini Ramachandiran reporting for Kumari News."
Siluvai's blood ran cold. He didn't need further explanation to piece the puzzle together.
"Is this why you called?"
"No, sir. Meghana Industries' CEO has also been killed."
"What? Raven again?"
"No, sir. This time, it's Puppet Master."
Siluvai clenched his jaw. The picture was becoming clearer, and it wasn't pretty.
"Arun, I'm coming immediately. Stay sharp."
Before leaving, he called out to his wife.
"Kanmani! Kanmani!"
"Yes, dear?"
"I need a favor."
"What is it?"
"Can you take Gopika to school today?"
"Sure."
Gopika's voice piped up behind him. "Dad, don't forget your promise!"
"I won't, my little prince," he reassured her, patting her head before hurrying out.
Murder Site – Area 11
The scene was grim. Blood stained the marble floors of the advisor's lavish residence. Siluvai surveyed the area, his mind racing.
"Arun, what's the status?"
"Sir, some officials are accounted for, but others are missing."
"Any leads on Shadow, the fourth convict?"
"Yes, sir. He's connected to the CEO's murder."
"And the supreme leader?"
"Still in critical condition at the hospital, sir."
Siluvai rubbed his temples. "This isn't random. Someone orchestrated this chaos. Do we have any suspects?"
Arun hesitated. "Pro-Indian rebels, maybe?"
Siluvai shook his head. "No, they wouldn't have the resources to hire these killers. This reeks of something bigger."
Arun frowned, realization dawning. "Then... who?"
"Think. If the supreme leader dies, who benefits?"
"His elder son, Rajasekaran Gouravam?"
"Correct. And who loses influence?"
"His younger brother."
"And where are those who support Rajasekar?"
"All dead…" Arun's voice trailed off.
Siluvai smirked grimly. "The game's begun. It's a battle for the royal seat."
The Palace – Rajasekaran's Quarters
The grand halls of the palace echoed with the sound of breaking glass. Rajasekaran was in a fit of rage, smashing anything within reach. His personal assistant, Sudarsan, watched helplessly.
"Calm down, sir! Your blood pressure—"
"How can I calm down, Sudarsan? He's killing my supporters one by one!"
"We need a plan, sir. Strategize."
Rajasekaran slammed his fist on the table. "What strategy? My brother has the upper hand now!"
"We have two options: surrender or strike back."
"Surrender is not an option. We need a counterattack, something devastating."
Sudarsan hesitated. "Sir, the escaped prisoners are too dangerous. We need someone on their level."
Rajasekaran's eyes gleamed. "Then we find our own demon."
One Hour Later
Rajasekaran pored over a database of criminals from the Demon Cage Prison, searching for the perfect candidate. Most files were unimpressive—until one.
"Encrypted? Sudarsan, why is this file locked?"
"I'm not sure, sir. Let me call the control center."
Sudarsan dialed one of the demon cage employer. "Guru, why is this file encrypted?"
"Which file?"
"DCL1C1.sheet."
Guru's voice turned grave. "Sir, please don't open that file."
"Why not?"
"That man… He's a demon among men."
Rajasekaran's interest piqued. "Tell me more."
Guru sighed heavily. "His name is Elavan. He was once the commander of the Kumari government's Hitman Army. Ruthless, efficient, and utterly brilliant. But one day, he slaughtered over 200 of his own troops. Only a few survived, including me. The government covered it up as a 'technical error.'"
Rajasekaran leaned back, a smile playing on his lips. "Perfect."
"Sir, I beg you. Don't unleash him. He's worse than the demons you're fighting."
But Rajasekaran had already made up his mind. "Guru, bring him to me. We'll see who the real demon is."
Elavan, the King of Demon-Class Criminals, was coming. And the world of Kumari State would soon feel the weight of his arrival.
To be continued...