April 10th. The Ritual.
The students bypassed the exits and headed for the terrace. A white chalk ring was drawn on the concrete. Karan stood in the center, radiating power.
The door creaked. Ekam walked in, looking shadowed and tired. He sat on a plastic chair, staring at nothing.
"Rules simple hain!" [The rules are simple!] a referee shouted. "Jo gira ya ring se bahar gaya, wo haara. Fight tab rukegi jab koi khada na ho sake." [First one to fall or step out loses. The fight ends when one cannot stand.]
"...3... 2... 1... GO!"
Karan lunged with a fist meant to crack bone. And then... silence.
Karan was on the ground. He hadn't fallen; he had been dropped. His eyes were rolled back. Ekam stood over him, fist clenched. The fight had lasted five seconds.
But the "monster" was awake. Ekam dragged the other Commerce rankers into the ring. It wasn't a fight; it was an execution. He beat them until the white chalk was stained red.
Even Karan, regaining consciousness, was struck again.
"Kal. Shaam 7 baje. Sab yahan milenge," [Tomorrow. 7:00 PM. Everyone will meet here], Ekam said, his voice flat. "Agar koi miss hua, toh uska haal Karan jaisa hoga." [If anyone is missing, they will end up like Karan.]