Saurabh was on the path between the fields with 9 soldiers when a suspicious person appeared from the opposite direction. The soldiers started whispering as they approached, sensing something was wrong.
Saurabh called out to the suspicious person, "If you want to stay alive, raise your hands!"
The soldiers had their swords and spears ready, aiming in the direction of the person, who acted ignorant and said, "What are you doing?"
Saurabh ordered the soldiers, "Arrest him!" Two soldiers advanced, carrying chains. As they approached, flames started emerging from the suspicious person's body.
Saurabh quickly shot 10 arrows from his bow. All the arrows burned in the flames before hitting the person.
The suspicious person then said to Saurabh, "Let me go. I will return and surrender myself."
Saurabh replied to the soldiers, "Don't let him go. He can't escape."
Prabhas, hearing Saurabh's loud voice from a distance, quickly moved forward.
With flames surrounding him, the suspicious person advanced and launched an attack, first with four strikes, then five, and on the third, he sent Saurabh flying with the power of the flames. A deep wound appeared on Saurabh's chest.
Prabhas drew his sword and charged forward, shouting, "Shadow Technique, Ordinary style 7th form: Stone Breaking Cut!" His sword's shadow collided with the flames, creating a powerful clash.
Prabhas launched a second attack, saying, "Basic Style, 5th Form: Shadow Strike Cleaver!" A curved shadow collided with the flames.
The enemy intensified the flames, increasing their strength. Prabhas countered by shouting, "Basic Style, 15th Form: Clone Wind Strike!" A gust of wind redirected the flames in the opposite direction.
Now, the enemy appeared defenseless, without the protective shield of flames. Seizing the opportunity, Prabhas unleashed another attack, shouting, "Ordinary Style, 3rd Form: Ice Breaking Blade Cut!" The shadow of icy blades formed around the sword, making it seem as if the enemy's head would be severed in an instant.
In a sudden burst, the enemy released a flame energy blast, sending Prabhas flying 20 meters away. His body appeared scorched, as though it had been burned by the flames.
Prabhas quickly retrieved a bottle of white restorative medicine and drank it.
(This medicine rapidly heals wounds and restores physical vitality.)
Meanwhile, the enemy began to flee. After running for about a mile, he encountered a figure standing in his path, holding a sword.
The criminal stood face-to-face with Kapil.
As Kapil launched an attack, he said, "Basic Style, 6th Form: Shadow Wind Strike!" With the sword's strike, a gust of wind pushed the criminal 10 steps back.
Kapil followed up with another attack, "Basic Style, 10th Form: Sword Rainbow Strike!" Seven shadows, resembling a rainbow, formed in front of the sword and advanced toward the criminal.
The criminal managed to destroy three of the shadows with flames, but the remaining four struck him, making him tumble and fall.
When he opened his eyes, Kapil had already come very close to him. Kapil unleashed another attack, "Ordinary Style, 9th Form: Blade Cutting Strike!" A blade-like shadow emerged from the sword and moved toward the criminal with the speed of wind.
The criminal retaliated with a Flame Energy Blast, but Kapil countered, saying, "Shield Shadow Technique, 4th Form: Shield Transformation!" A protective barrier formed around Kapil as he jumped to a different position.
Kapil's blade shadow struck the criminal's arm, leaving it severely injured.
The criminal started fleeing, and Kapil gave chase. After pursuing him for 6 miles, the criminal disappeared from Kapil's sight.
Meanwhile, Prabhas and Saurabh, along with eight soldiers, were injured, and one soldier had died on the spot. Sompal mourned the loss of his soldier.
Not long after, Kapil returned and said with disappointment, "He managed to escape."
Prabhas consoled Kapil, "If not today, we will catch him tomorrow."
Everyone returned to Pindari City, and Sompal instructed his spies to gather information about the criminal's whereabouts.
Everyone went to their respective places to sleep, and the night passed uneventfully.
Prabhas did not sleep the entire night. He kept thinking about the flaws in his shadow technique. He concluded that he had never faced fire power before, and his lack of experience caused him to falter.
With the morning, Kapil and Sourabh also woke up. The three of them fixed their appearance and stepped out of the guesthouse.
Once again, they met Sompal outside.
Sompal greeted them, saying, "The criminal's name is Abhinav. Last night, he was seen at the night restaurant, obsessively following a girl."
Prabhas responded, "Tonight, we will wait for him at the restaurant."
Sompal, with excitement, said, "Tonight, his end is certain."
Sompal invited them to his personal home for breakfast. The three of them, impressed by Sompal's personality, agreed.
In the fourth quarter of the morning, the three brothers, along with Sompal, headed toward his house. Sompal lived in a modest home. There was a small pond in the house and a rose garden.
Sompal's family consisted of his wife and two daughters.
Among the neighbors, there was quite a discussion:
One person said, "They have come from Koshal Nagar."
Another added, "I heard these three represent the Eastern Region."
After having a meal at Sompal's house, Prabhas said, "The food was excellent, Guru."
Saurabh and Kapil both said in unison, "The food was great, brother."
After the meal, the three brothers left with Sompal for the guest hall. On the way, a soldier informed them, "The criminal attacked the restaurant and fled with a young maid towards the Hira Bazaar."
Hearing this, Kapil said to Sompal, "You stay here. Let us handle this."
Mounted on their swift horses, the three headed toward Hira Bazaar. After a short while, they saw the criminal, Abhinav, running with a young girl. The three surrounded Abhinav.
Kapil, in anger, said, "Your game is over, Abhinav!"
The criminal, Abhinav, stood calmly.
Saurabh sternly asked Abhinav, "Did you think about your age before engaging in this disgraceful act?"
Abhinav, folding his hands, said, "I accept my crimes, but please let me take my daughter to a safe place."
Prabhas questioned the girl, "Is he your father?"
The girl replied, "I don't know."
Kapil, in a commanding tone, said, "What kind of joke is this between the two of you?"
Abhinav, trembling, said, "I will tell you everything."
Prabhas, calmly but firmly, said, "You have a little time. Speak quickly."