The Divide
The sun rises over the broken battlefield, but there is no warmth in its light. The air is thick with tension, the weight of last night’s losses still pressing down on everyone.
Shivay stands near the supply area, his back to Abhii. Saniya watches from a distance, her arms crossed, curious but silent.
shivay
"This place... this leadership... it's a joke."
Abhii, sitting on the steps of the main building, doesn’t react.
shivay
(turning, voice sharp): "What are you even doing, Abhii? Sitting here like a king while people die?"
Saniya raises an eyebrow, smirking slightly.
saniya
"Funny. I thought he was supposed to be all-powerful."
Abhii’s eyes flick toward her for a second—just a second—before returning to Shivay.
Abhiii
(calmly): "What do you want?"
Shivay steps closer, his fists clenched.
shivay
(voice low but firm): "I want out. And I’m not going alone."
A murmur spreads through the survivors behind him—nearly half of them, standing with bags packed, weapons in hand.
Saniya tilts her head, amused.
saniya
(softly): "Oh? This just got interesting."
Abhii doesn’t move. His face remains unreadable.
Dev
(suddenly stepping forward, furious): "Like hell you are!" (glaring at Abhii) "And you! You’re just going to let them walk out with our supplies?!"
Shivay’s gaze remains locked on Abhii, searching for any reaction. But there’s nothing.
And that’s when Dev loses it.
Dev
"Say something, dammit! This is your territory! Your people! You’re just gonna let him take them?!"
Abhii’s fingers tighten slightly on the armrest of the chair, but his voice remains cold.
"If they want to leave, they can."
Shivay smirks, shaking his head in disappointment.
shivay
"That’s what I thought." (turning to his people) "We’re done here."
Dev
(furious): "You’re not taking anything from here!"
Shivay meets him head-on, their fists colliding, sending both men stumbling back.
A full fight erupts. People try to hold them back, but Shivay is ruthless. His rage fuels every punch, while Dev refuses to back down.
Abhii watches. Silent. Still.
Then, in the chaos—Shivay pulls out a knife.
Saniya’s eyes narrow, watching with interest. The survivors go still. For a moment, everything stops.
Shivay presses the blade against Dev’s throat.
shivay
(darkly): "You’re either with me... or against me."
Dev breathes heavily, sweat dripping down his forehead, eyes burning with defiance. But before he can respond—
Abhiii
(quietly): "Take him with you."
shivay
Shivay looks up, surprised. Even Dev turns toward Abhii in shock.
Dev
(shouting): "You can’t be serious!"
Abhii doesn’t repeat himself. His expression is empty.
Shivay laughs. A cruel, bitter sound.
shivay
"Fine. He’s mine now."
He shoves Dev forward, and Dev is dragged away, still resisting, still cursing.
Ashi, watching from the crowd, steps forward. Her eyes meet Abhii’s, and for the first time, she looks disappointed.
Without a word, she turns and follows Shivay.
One by one, more survivors leave. Some hesitant, others determined.
By the time silence returns, thirty people have walked out.
Saniya watches Abhii, her expression unreadable.
saniya
(mocking): "Wow. That was... brutal."
Abhii doesn’t look at her.
He just sits there, staring at the ground.
For the first time, his territory feels truly empty.
But deep inside... something dark is growing.
This is not the end.
This is just the beginning.
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