Chapter 3: Wrath UnleashedThe journey to the bandit hideout was tense. The forest grew denser as they moved deeper, each step taking them further from the safety of Maitraya. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of crimson and purple, casting eerie shadows among the trees. The group's silence was filled with anticipation—each of them lost in their own thoughts, preparing for what was to come.Dhruv led the way, his senses alert. He wanted to approach the bandits peacefully, but he also knew that violence might be unavoidable. He glanced back at his companions—Shyama, Bhadra, and Rudra. Shyama looked determined, her eyes scanning their surroundings. Bhadra had his staff ready, his face set in a grim expression. And Rudra... Rudra looked like a coiled spring, ready to snap at any moment. His eyes were dark, his jaw clenched.After hours of walking, they finally reached the bandit camp. It was nestled in a clearing, hidden from view by thick foliage. Makeshift tents were scattered around, with a large central fire pit where several bandits were gathered, unaware of the approaching threat.Dhruv crouched low, signaling for the group to stop. "We need to be careful," he whispered. "I'll try to talk to them first. Rudra, you stay on the perimeter and watch for any movement. If things go south, we'll need you to back us up."Rudra gave a curt nod, though his eyes betrayed his impatience. He wanted to fight. He wanted to prove himself. But for now, he would do as Dhruv said—at least until he had a reason not to.Shyama and Bhadra moved with Dhruv as they approached the camp. They were cautious, their eyes scanning the bandits as they moved closer. Dhruv raised his hand in a gesture of peace as they stepped into the clearing. The bandits turned, their eyes narrowing at the sight of strangers."Who are you?" barked a man with a scar running across his face—Kiran, the bandit leader. He was tall and muscular, his presence commanding respect from those around him.Dhruv took a step forward, his voice calm. "We're not here to fight. We just want to talk. The people of Maitraya want peace. They want to live without fear of attack. We can find a solution that doesn't involve bloodshed."Kiran laughed, a harsh sound that echoed through the clearing. "Peace? You come here, to my camp, and talk of peace? You're either brave or foolish, boy." He stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "The people of Maitraya have nothing to offer me but fear. Fear keeps them in line. Fear keeps me in power."Dhruv shook his head, his voice filled with determination. "Fear isn't power. It only breeds hatred. You have a choice, Kiran. You can stop this now and find another way."Kiran's eyes narrowed, and he drew his sword. "I think not."The fight broke out almost instantly. Kiran swung his sword at Dhruv, who barely managed to block it with his staff. Shyama and Bhadra moved quickly, engaging the bandit guards who rushed to their leader's aid. The clearing erupted into chaos as the sound of clashing weapons filled the air.Dhruv fought with determination, his movements fluid and controlled. He could see the anger in Kiran's eyes, the desperation of a man who knew nothing but violence. He wanted to reach him, to make him see that there was another way, but Kiran was relentless.Meanwhile, on the perimeter of the camp, Rudra stood watch, his eyes scanning the trees. He heard the sounds of the fight, his blood boiling with each clash of metal. He wanted to be in there, to show them all what he was capable of. As he strained his ears, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from behind.Before he could react, a group of bandits ambushed him. One of them managed to strike Rudra across the arm, drawing blood. The pain was sharp, but it only fueled his anger. His eyes blazed with fury as he turned on his attackers. The restraint he had held onto snapped, and he unleashed his full strength.With a roar, Rudra swung his staff, the force of his strikes shattering bones and sending the bandits flying. There was no mercy in his movements—only rage. He moved through the forest like a force of nature, his strikes precise and deadly. The bandits had no chance. He cut them down one by one, his anger blinding him to anything but the need to kill.Back in the camp, Dhruv, Shyama, and Bhadra continued their fight with Kiran. Despite his size and strength, Kiran was beginning to tire. Dhruv could see the cracks in his resolve, the doubt in his eyes. He pressed on, his voice rising above the sounds of the fight. "You don't have to do this, Kiran! It's not too late to change!"Kiran hesitated, his sword wavering for just a moment. He looked at Dhruv, the determination in the young man's eyes striking something deep within him. He saw, for the first time, a way out—a chance to be more than just a bandit leader, a chance to make things right.Just as Kiran was about to lower his sword, a scream echoed through the clearing. The group turned to see Rudra, his face twisted in rage, chasing down the remaining bandits who were trying to flee. His staff swung with deadly precision, striking down anyone in his path. The ground was littered with bodies—men, women, even children who had been part of the bandit group.Dhruv's heart sank. He watched in horror as Rudra continued his rampage, his movements unrelenting. Shyama and Bhadra exchanged a look before nodding. They couldn't let this continue.The three of them rushed towards Rudra, trying to stop him. Bhadra was the first to reach him, his staff clashing with Rudra's. "That's enough, Rudra!" he shouted, his voice filled with desperation. But Rudra was beyond reason. He turned on Bhadra, his strikes powerful and relentless. Bhadra fought back with all his strength, but it was clear that Rudra was far more powerful.Shyama joined in, her movements quick and precise, trying to disarm Rudra. Dhruv came from the other side, his heart pounding as he tried to reach his friend. "Rudra, stop! This isn't what we came here to do!"But Rudra was unstoppable. He fought off all three of them, his strength overwhelming. He struck Bhadra across the chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. Shyama tried to grab his arm, but Rudra twisted away, knocking her down with a swift blow. Dhruv managed to block a strike, but the force of it sent him reeling backward, his vision blurring.With the three of them momentarily incapacitated, Rudra turned his attention back to the fleeing bandits. He chased them down, his staff swinging mercilessly. The screams of the bandits echoed through the forest, the sound of Rudra's wrath drowning out everything else.Kiran, who had been watching the scene unfold, looked around in shock. His eyes landed on the body of a young boy—a boy who had been part of his group, someone he had promised to protect. The boy's lifeless eyes stared up at the sky, his small body broken and bloodied.Something inside Kiran snapped. He looked at Rudra, who was still chasing down the remaining bandits, and his heart filled with rage. He drew his sword, his eyes blazing as he took a step towards Rudra. But as he raised his sword, he hesitated. This wasn't Rudra's fault. It was his. He had led these people, he had brought them into this life. Their deaths were on his hands.With a choked sob, Kiran turned the blade on himself. He plunged the sword into his own chest, the pain searing through him as he fell to his knees. His eyes locked on Dhruv, who had managed to get back to his feet. "I'm sorry," Kiran whispered, his voice barely audible. "This... this is my fault."Dhruv watched in horror as Kiran collapsed, his body falling to the ground. The clearing was silent, the only sound the crackling of the fire and the distant screams that slowly faded as Rudra finished his brutal work.Dhruv, Shyama, and Bhadra slowly approached Rudra, their faces filled with a mixture of fear and sadness. Rudra stood among the bodies, his chest heaving, his eyes wild. He looked at them, his expression defiant, as if daring them to say something.Dhruv took a step forward, his voice shaking. "Why, Rudra? Why did you have to do this?"Rudra looked at him, his eyes cold. "They were bandits. They deserved it."Dhruv shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. "Not like this. Not like this."Rudra said nothing, his gaze unwavering. He turned and began to walk away, leaving Dhruv, Shyama, and Bhadra standing in the clearing, surrounded by the bodies of the fallen. The weight of what had happened settled heavily on their shoulders, the realization that this was only the beginning of the darkness that lay ahead.