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Guys, there is a small story within this chapter just to enhance the situation. It won't significantly impact the plot. You'll understand where the main story picks up. So, don't worry, feel free to skip it if you prefer. Thank you, and enjoy!"
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Once upon a time in the kingdom of Ardoria, there reigned a wise and valiant king named King Aldric. He was known far and wide for his strategic brilliance and his unwavering dedication to his people. Under his rule, Ardoria prospered, and its borders remained secure.
However, as with many kingdoms, envy and treachery lurked in the shadows. One of King Aldric's most trusted henchmen, Sir Gareth, succumbed to the temptations of greed and power.
Secretly, Sir Gareth made a deal with Ardoria's enemy, the neighboring kingdom of Drakoria. He betrayed his king, selling all of Ardoria's fighting strategies and battle plans to the enemy.
When Drakoria launched a surprise attack, King Aldric was initially caught off guard. But even in the face of betrayal, he didn't falter. With quick thinking and unwavering courage, he rallied his troops and devised new tactics on the fly.
As the enemy forces poured into Ardoria's lands like a relentless tide, King Aldric stood at the forefront, leading his army into battle with unmatched bravery.
Despite being outnumbered almost tenfold, he fought ferociously, inspiring his soldiers with his fearless demeanor and unwavering resolve.
In the heat of the battle, King Aldric's strategic brilliance shone brighter than ever.
He outmaneuvered the enemy at every turn, exploiting their weaknesses and turning the tide of battle in Ardoria's favor.
His leadership was a beacon of hope amidst the chaos of war.
But alas, even the mightiest of warriors cannot defy fate forever. In a final, heroic stand, King Aldric faced the enemy's overwhelming forces head-on.
He fought with the strength of ten men, striking down foe after foe with his sword held high.
In the end, despite his valiant efforts, King Aldric fell in battle, surrounded by the enemy's fallen soldiers. His sacrifice, however, was not in vain.
Thanks to his heroics, Ardoria managed to defeat half of Drakoria's army before ultimately succumbing to the enemy's overwhelming numbers.
King Aldric's legacy lived on in the hearts of his people, who remembered him not only as a ruler, but as a true hero who gave everything to protect his kingdom.
And though he may have fallen in battle, his spirit of courage and determination continued to inspire Ardoria for generations to come.
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"You know, Menon," Aarav began, his voice heavy with significance, "the moral of this story isn't just about facing challenges bravely and fiercely, no matter how daunting they may be."
"The true moral lies in the realization that even with power and strength on our side, a single traitor can be enough to bring us to our knees. Did you understand that?"
Menon's confession hung heavily in the air, his tearful admission cutting through the tension in the room. "I'm sorry, boss," Menon choked out, his voice thick with emotion.
"They promised to erase my past, to grant me a fresh start with my wife, if only I would betray you and provide them with information."
As Aarav issued his command to contact Bhairav, a sense of urgency permeated the room.
The designated member swiftly reached for his phone and made the necessary call.
Once the call was connected, he handed his phone to Aarav.
"Show it," Aarav ordered tersely, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and determination.
He then placed the phone in front of Menon, compelling him to face the harsh reality of his betrayal.
As Menon's eyes fell upon the screen, his heart sank like a stone. There, displayed before him, was a chilling sight – his wife, bound and gagged just like him, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.
The realization of the harm his actions had caused washed over him like a tidal wave, filling him with a deep sense of remorse and regret.
Tears welled up in Menon's eyes as he looked upon his wife, his heart heavy with guilt.
In that moment, he understood the true extent of his betrayal, and the devastating consequences it had wrought not only upon himself, but upon the ones he held most dear.
"Sorry, boss," Menon sobbed, his voice choked with emotion.
"Please, leave her, boss. I'll do whatever you say. I'll call those officers, I'll even kill them if you want. Please, just leave her, boss, please."
Menon's anguished cries reverberated through the room.
As Aarav gave the order to contact the officers, a sense of tension rose in Menon's mind. Aarav then instructed one of his members to release Menon's hands so that he could use his phone.
With a subtle signal, he instructed one of his members to offer Menon his phone, while simultaneously gesturing to Kabir to stand behind Menon, so that he could silently observe his every move.
Menon, feeling the weight of Kabir's presence behind him, held the phone in trembling hands, his mind racing with apprehension.
The pressure was palpable as he contemplated his next actions, knowing that he had no chance of escape with Kabir watching his every move.
With a deep breath, Menon reluctantly dialed the number of the police officers, his fingers shaking as he held the phone to his ear.
The room fell into a tense silence as they awaited the outcome of Menon's call, each member bracing themselves for the outcome of his actions.
As Menon made the call to the officers, his voice strained with tension as he offered information regarding a new trade, providing them with specific locations.
With each word, he felt the weight of his actions bearing down upon him.
Once the call was concluded, Menon handed the phone to Aarav, his expression wrought with apprehension.
"I told them to come to this location," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.
As Aarav accepted the phone from Menon and verified the information provided, his expression remained impassive, betraying no hint of emotion.
With a single, decisive command, he turned to Kabir, his voice firm and unwavering.
"Kill him," Aarav ordered, his tone devoid of no mercy.
In an instant, Kabir sprang into action, his movements swift and precise.
Without hesitation, he seized Menon's head in a firm grip, his fingers exerting a surprising strength.
With a deft twist, he rotated Menon's head by 180 degrees, leaving him utterly bewildered and disoriented.
Menon's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he struggled to comprehend what had just occurred.
The room fell silent, every member frozen in stunned disbelief at the sudden and brutal display of power.
Aarav then ordered Kabir to check whether Menon was still alive or not. Kabir wasted no time in carrying out his instructions.
With a detached calmness, he checked Menon's pulse, only to deliver the grim verdict moments later.
"He's dead," Kabir confirmed, his tone solemn and devoid of emotion.
With a sense of finality, Aarav turned his attention to Menon's wife, her fate sealed by the cruel twist of fate.
"Kill her," he commanded, his voice cold and unyielding.
Without hesitation, Bhairav raised his weapon and fired, the sound of the gunshot shattering the silence of the room.
Menon's wife slumped to the ground, her life extinguished in an instant.
Aarav's gaze remained steely as he issued his next directive, his mind already focused on the next task at hand.
"Go to the location Menon mentioned," he ordered Bhairav, his voice unwavering.
"Take care of those officers."
With a sense of urgency, Bhairav nodded in acknowledgment and swiftly departed.
Turning to his men, Aarav's demeanor shifted once more as he outlined their next course of action.
"Contact 'Athene'," he instructed, his voice tinged with anticipation.
"We have a business proposal to discuss."
As Arjun observed the unfolding events within "The Bears" group, he couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension and unease.
Having already witnessed the actions of "The Crimson Brothers," he had expected a similar response from "The Bears" in the face of betrayal.
However, what he witnessed left him utterly surprised and even somewhat shaken. The swift and decisive actions taken by Aarav and his associates were beyond anything Arjun had anticipated.
The cold efficiency with which they dealt with the traitor and anyone associated with him sent a chilling message.
As Arjun reflected on the events he had witnessed, he realized that the deeper he delved into the obscure world of the underworld, the darker and more treacherous it became.
From the very beginning, he knew that the members of the "Dragon Palace" with whom Surya conversed were leaders of "The Bears" group, but he had chosen to keep this knowledge from Surya.
Now, faced with the grim reality of betrayal and retribution, Arjun knew that he could no longer remain silent. The danger looming over Surya's head was too great to ignore, and he resolved to take action immediately.
With a sense of urgency, Arjun instructed AI to contact Surya. As the call connected, he wasted no time in explaining the gravity of the situation and offering his guidance on how to navigate.
"Surya," Arjun began, his voice urgent with concern. "I need to talk to you right away. It's about the people you've been associating with at the 'Dragon Palace.' Trust me, you need to be careful."
"I'll explain everything, but first, you need to listen to me carefully and follow my instructions."
"I am sorry for telling you this late," Arjun began, his voice tinged with regret, "but the people you've been meeting at the 'Dragon Palace' restaurant are the main leaders of 'The Bears' group, one of the largest factions in our country with whom we are about to deal."
Surya's astonishment was palpable, his mind reeling with the implications of Arjun's words.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration and disbelief.
Arjun's expression softened with remorse as he offered his explanation.
"I didn't anticipate this turn of events," he admitted, his tone heavy with regret.
"I am extremely sorry. However, your continued interactions with them may actually work in our favor."
"They will trust your words if you tell them that you only recently learned this fact after accepting their offer, which is true regarding you."
As Surya processed the gravity of the situation and Arjun's advice, he nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah, you may be right," he conceded, understanding the importance of discretion in their interactions with the leaders of "The Bears" group.
"One more thing," Arjun continued, his tone grave, "they are very cautious. So don't wear earphones in front of them, and if possible, remove your cap before talking to them."
"However, I will arrange for a sniper for you in case of emergency, and I'll also try to contact you through messages. Just act casual when revealing yourself as 'Athene' to them."
Surya absorbed Arjun's instructions, his mind racing with the details of their plan. "Ok," he replied, his voice steady with determination.
With a sense of purpose, Arjun proceeded to give Surya specific instructions on how to navigate their interactions with the leaders of "The Bears" group, emphasizing the importance of discretion and caution.
He even provided Surya with a text note containing important points to remember, outlining what he should and shouldn't do or say in front of them.