Two weeks later
(13 December , 2115)
Human Military Underground Base – War Room
The room was dim. A glowing holographic map of the Curse territory near Kaalgunj flickered at the center. Officers stood around it, silent and focused. A red-marked compound blinked at the center of the map—the base of the terrorist curse group. Time to strike.
Colonel Shaurya crossed his arms. His voice was cold and firm. "This is not a rescue. This is retribution. Two weeks ago, they butchered civilians in eastern Kaalgunj. We respond now. Hard and silent."
Indrajeet Sen nodded slowly. Calm and analytical as always, he added, "Codename: Operation Vaghnaakh. The base has a six-layered perimeter curse. The central node is an elemental Swar generator. If that isn't neutralized first, the base wakes up before we even land.
Lt. Meera pointed at the hologram. "We found two entry points. South Gate—visible, heavily cursed. West Ridge—unmarked, surrounded by dense forest and cave veins. We infiltrate from the west. Low visibility, but perfect for Iravan."
Iravan, quiet and sharp-eyed, observed the map. "Cave humidity is high. That means refracted light will blend well. I can use my Swar energy to make a reflective blade and blind the curse sentries briefly. No alarms, if timed right."
Indrajeet nodded. "Good. You'll lead Fireteam Echo. You're the tip of the claw, Iravan."
He glanced at the map and continued. "We enter at 0340. You disable the generator by 0352. That gives us 9 minutes of ghost-time."
Colonel Shaurya asked, "What's our extraction window?"
Indrajeet replied, "Twelve minutes from first contact. At 0402, evac from Shaktiroth point. If we miss that, we vanish into enemy forest."
Lt. Meera looked uneasy. "What if the reincarnation appears in mid-op?"
Iravan didn't flinch. "I don't think he will come. The reincarnation should not support terrorism. But if he does… I'll buy you time. Don't wait for me. Besides, we have Ishaan."
Colonel Shaurya gave a dry look. "I don't like heroes. I like survivors. Get in. Cut them. Get out."
Indrajeet stepped forward. His voice was steady. "Remember—they fight with fury. You are silence. Operation Vaghnaakh begins now."
The lights flickered to red. The screen cut to black. Operation initiated.
Iravan walked into the military training ground. He looked around, searching for someone. A familiar voice greeted him.
"Yooo, Captain. How does it feel to lead the God of Destruction himself? Wait… let me fix that. Reincarnation of the God of Destruction," Ishaan grinned.
Iravan didn't smile. "You're talking like you're planning to follow my orders."
"What kind of captain are you?" Ishaan smirked. "Doubting your own teammate."
Iravan kept his tone even. "Have you ever heard even a single word I said before… that now you'll follow my orders?"
Ishaan chuckled. "Fascinating theory. Any evidence? Or are we throwing around accusations for fun now?"
Before Iravan could reply, another man arrived.
"I heard what you said during planning, Iravan," Vikram Tansir spoke calmly. "Don't fall. You have to learn many things."
Ishaan turned with a mocking tone. "Ohh, don't you trust your favorite cool, disciplined, and boring student? Don't you trust his capabilities and his big brain?"
Vikram replied, "I trust him. But not the enemy."
Ishaan laughed. "Damn. That's a heavy dialogue. I think I should leave. I smell a boring lecture coming."
He walked away, waving lazily.
Vikram watched him go, then turned to Iravan. "Can't believe he's the reincarnation of the God of Destruction."
Iravan sighed. "He doesn't mean all that. By the way, I came here to meet you."
Vikram nodded. "I know. And I know what you're going to say."
Iravan paused.
Vikram continued. "Listen. You are not god-gifted or special. Neither am I. We both are normal Swar users. We're not made to beat someone who is special."
Iravan looked at him. "But I can't just watch. I have to do something."
Vikram took a step closer. His voice dropped.
"You'll just become a liability. There was a time I was sent on a mission like this. I faced someone whose power wasn't just greater than mine—it was beyond anything I'd ever seen. Still, I fought him, knowing full well I couldn't win.
I nearly died that day. And the people I was fighting for? They didn't even come to save me.
Only one did. And if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be standing here today. So don't do anything reckless. Just do what you can."
Iravan wanted to say something but stopped. Vikram gave him a short nod and left. Iravan, lost in thought, walked right out of the training ground—where Ishaan was waiting for him.
"Lecture over, I guess," Ishaan said. "Was it good? Or just the usual?"
Iravan shook his head. "What good does it do to joke around in front of others and make yourself look like a clown to them? You weren't like this when we first met."
Ishaan shrugged. "So what good will it do if I become serious? The war just ends?"
Iravan looked away. "I was actually thinking of buying the mask you wear. It might help me too, to hide my true side."
Ishaan gave a small smile. "Don't worry. I'll gift it to you. But you should get some sleep, Captain. Otherwise, how will you give me orders tomorrow?"
The preparation was over. Now, what remained was perfect execution.
The beginning of Operation Vaghnaakh.
—End of chapter 4: Operation Vaghnakh – Preparation
© 2025 Parth Bhelekar. All rights reserved.
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Kaalvigraha™ — When gods bleed, chaos begins.