Amrita's POV:

As the first light of the morning sun broke through the trees, I could see the village in the distance, the familiar surroundings that I had known all my life. But something was different now. My heart pounded, the weight of everything that had happened feeling heavier with each step I took.

Arjun had walked beside me through the night, silent and ever-watchful. There was something about him that made me feel both safe and unsettled at the same time. His commanding presence was undeniable, but there was also an unspoken understanding between us, as if we had both survived something dark and dangerous.

I couldn’t look at him directly. Every time I did, I felt this strange pull, like the air between us was charged with something I couldn’t quite grasp.

As we finally approached the village, I could see my parents, standing by the gate of our house, their faces filled with concern. When they saw me, their expressions softened, relief flooding their features. My mother rushed forward first, enveloping me in a tight hug, her arms shaking as she whispered my name.

"Amrita! You’re safe!" she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Where have you been? We were so worried!"

I pulled away slightly, glancing around at the familiar faces of my neighbors who had gathered to witness the scene. It felt like all eyes were on me. The whispers, the questions—they were already starting, but all I wanted was to feel normal again.

Then, my father stepped forward, his face as stern as ever but with a gleam of relief in his eyes. “Thank the gods, you’re home safe,” he said, his tone softer than usual.

They both turned to Arjun, who was standing a few steps away, his stance still tense, his gaze sharp.

“Thank you for bringing our daughter back to us,” my father said, his tone formal. “We are deeply grateful. Please, come to our home sometime. We owe you more than just words.”

Arjun nodded slightly, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t seem like the kind of person who was moved by gratitude. And honestly, I wasn’t sure what to say either. My emotions were tangled, my mind racing with everything that had happened.

“I’ll leave now,” Arjun finally spoke, breaking the silence. “Stay safe.”

Before I could say another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the path leading back to where he had come from. My eyes followed him for a moment before my mother’s voice brought me back to reality.

“Amrita, let’s go inside. You must be exhausted.”

I nodded, my body feeling the strain of everything. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were far from over. That this wasn’t the end of the chaos.

Author's POV:

As Arjun walked back to the camp, his mind was already sharp, calculating the next moves. The brief interaction with Amrita’s family had been a distraction, but now it was time to refocus. He had no time to let his guard down. The mission, the task at hand, demanded his full attention.

Reaching the camp, the first thing he did was make a call to Ravi. His voice was cold, precise as always.

“Ravi,” Arjun said, his tone cutting through the air like a blade.

“Get to the chief immediately and submit a request for a full tactical plan and the best weapons we can get. This mafia gang? They're not just a bunch of low-level criminals. They’ve got a big operation, and they’re not afraid to go to extremes. We need to prepare for everything.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Ravi’s voice came through, low and serious. “Got it, Arjun. We’ll get the plan ready. Do you need any backup?”

Arjun’s jaw tightened as he looked out over the forest that surrounded the camp.

"We'll need to move carefully. This gang isn't stupid. They're smart, and they’re dangerous. Keep the team sharp, and make sure the supplies come through. If we make one wrong move, it’s over."

Ravi’s response was quick and assured. “Understood. I’ll make sure everything is in place.”

Arjun ended the call and stood still for a moment, processing the situation. His mind was a battlefield of its own, his every thought focused on the dangers that lay ahead. The village was just a starting point. The real fight was yet to come, and this time, it wouldn’t be just about survival—it would be about eradicating the threat once and for all.

But in the back of his mind, there was something that nagged at him. Amrita’s face, her strong-willed eyes, her defiant attitude. He couldn't quite shake the feeling that her life was about to get even more complicated, and he wasn’t sure if he could keep her out of the chaos. But he would try. For now, that was all he could do.

As the team prepared for the mission, Arjun knew that he would need every ounce of his training, every bit of his discipline to face what was coming. He had no room for distractions—not when danger was so close.