Arya sat in his office chambers, looking over the endless scrolls of reports and grievances brought by the officials. His mind drifted back to the pit. Kalanemi's words still echoed in his ears, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.
"Do not ever come in my pit and do something like that. You have no idea what you have done. Do you want to die?" Ganak's furious voice rang in his head, mingling with Kalanemi's calculated warning. Was kindness truly weakness? Was fear the only way to rule?
A knock on the door snapped Arya back to the present. Yatnish entered the chambers, his sharp eyes studying Arya before speaking.
"I understand your turmoil," Yatnish said. "I was once young and wanted to help everyone. But it doesn't work that way." He placed a scroll on Arya's desk and leaned in slightly. "You will soon understand why it is important to take care of yourself before anyone else."
Arya remained silent, unsure of how to respond.
Yatnish straightened and smirked. "Looks like you are a quick learner. I heard what you said to Ganak." With that, he returned to his work, leaving Arya with more questions than answers.
Before Arya could dwell on it, the doors opened again. This time, Rudra and Raghav entered the chambers.
They pulled Arya aside, lowering their voices. "We've found something," Rudra said, his tone serious.
Arya listened carefully as they explained their discoveries about the smugglers and stolen shipments. He praised their efforts but frowned with concern.
"We need to act fast," Arya muttered.
Raghav hesitated before speaking. "There's something else—"
Rudra shot him a sharp look. "Not now."
Arya glanced between them, sensing something was off. But before he could press further, the twins excused themselves.
As they left the chamber, Raghav whispered harshly, "Why did you stop me?"
"We need to be sure before we say anything," Rudra replied. "We are Arya's shield against the outside world. If we make a wrong move, it could cost him everything. We have to be careful."
Raghav exhaled and nodded. He understood.
Later that evening, Rudra and Raghav met with Rohak in a dimly lit alleyway. Rohak wasn't alone. Three men stood behind him, their expressions serious.
"These men work in the weapons factory," Rohak explained. "They've seen something unusual—shipments going out through different routes."
Rudra and Raghav exchanged glances. This was what they needed.
"Take us there," Rudra commanded.
The factory loomed before them, dark and unwelcoming. As they approached the gates, guards stepped forward, barring their entry.
"What do you want?" one of them asked, his hand on the hilt of his blade.
Rohak stepped ahead, discreetly slipping a few mudras into the guard's palm. The guard eyed them for a moment before stepping aside, allowing them to pass.
Inside, the scene was grim. The factory reeked . Men, women, and even children labored in harsh conditions, their hands blackened from the forge, their backs bent under relentless toil. Slave masters cracked their whips without mercy. Anyone who faltered was beaten.
The twins were furious. This wasn't just a factory; it was a nightmare.
They made their way to the upper levels, where the factory overseer, Marketu, resided. As they entered his office, he leaned back in his chair and laughed.
"Who are you supposed to be?" he sneered.
Rudra met his gaze. "We are here to talk business."
Marketu scoffed. "I don't deal with street rats." He signaled his men. "Throw them out."
The guards moved to grab them, but Rudra stepped forward. "You're making a mistake."
Marketu smirked and leaned in close. "Am I?"
The twins were dragged into a dark, cramped cell, where they were thrown in with other prisoners. As they hit the ground, a voice from the shadows spoke.
"The ruler changed again?"
The guard outside scoffed. "What are you talking about?"
The prisoner stepped forward, pointing at Rudra and Raghav. "These two are like the ruler's brothers. If they're here, that means something big is happening."
The guard paled. Without hesitation, he ran back to Marketu.
Minutes later, Marketu himself appeared, his arrogance replaced by unease. He ordered the guards to free them immediately.
"My deepest apologies," he said hurriedly. "I didn't know who you were."
Raghav's hands twitched. He wanted to punish Marketu for his arrogance. But before he could act, Rudra placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let it go," Rudra murmured. "We might need him."
Marketu, sensing the tension, cleared his throat. "Come. Let me show you around."
The twins followed him through the factory, watching, learning. They asked questions, took note of the operations, but they didn't mention the stolen shipments. Not yet.
As they left, Rudra turned to Rohak. "Keep an eye on the shipments. We'll wait and watch."
And so, under the cover of night, the twins stationed themselves near the factory, waiting for the truth to reveal itself.