Author’s POV:

The sun hovered low over the dense forest that bordered the village, casting long, jagged shadows across the sprawling commando camp. The faint hum of activity filled the air—soldiers cleaning weapons, assembling gear, and preparing for the next mission.

Arjun Singh Rathore stood near the edge of the camp, a brooding figure carved out of stone. His sharp jawline was shadowed by a fresh stubble, and his dark eyes glinted with a mix of calculated danger and unrelenting determination. Every man in his unit knew better than to approach him unless summoned—Arjun wasn’t just a leader; he was a storm waiting to strike.

The crackle of the radio pulled him from his thoughts. Ravi, his second-in-command and the only one who dared to call him out on his temper, walked toward him with a grim expression.

“We’ve got orders,” Ravi said, handing Arjun a file.

Arjun’s eyes scanned the papers with precise focus. The mission was clear: infiltrate and dismantle a mafia operation that had been thriving in the shadows of a seemingly innocent village, Mirpur. The forest surrounding the village served as a shield, concealing their illegal activities and providing a perfect escape route. The mafia’s influence had spread like wildfire, leaving the village in fear and the government desperate for results.

Arjun’s lips twisted into a humorless smirk. “A village surrounded by trees, hiding rats in the shadows. Perfect hunting ground.”

“This isn’t a small-time operation,” Ravi warned. “Their leader is cunning. They’ve got deep roots and enough men to make this messy.”

“Messy is my specialty,” Arjun replied coldly, snapping the file shut.

Ravi sighed but didn’t argue. Arjun’s violent efficiency on the battlefield was unmatched, though his methods were often as ruthless as the enemies they hunted.

“Gather the team,” Arjun ordered, his voice cutting through the camp like a blade. “We leave at first light. If the mafia thinks they can hide behind trees and cowards, they’ve got another thing coming.”

As Ravi left to relay the orders, Arjun’s gaze shifted toward the forest in the distance. The village might seem quiet, but he knew better. Danger thrived in silence, and he had every intention of shattering it.

Unbeknownst to him, the village held more than just a mission. Somewhere within its tangled streets and oppressive shadows, fate waited to pit him against a force he couldn’t shoot, threaten, or control.

The stage was set. The hunt was about to begin.