As Priya and the group walked through the battlefield, the school was almost completely destroyed. Walls were shattered, classrooms collapsed, and debris covered the ground.
They noticed a huge mound ahead.
As they got closer, they realized it was a dead body.
Priya looked around. Forge was shocked. Shiva dropped to his knees. Even Ram fell silent.
Ram finally spoke."This was Venkat. One of the Ten Protectors. He was assigned to the school this month."
He continued, "The school was ambushed. When they heard you were captured, they knew we were out searching for you. They attacked in a large group."
Priya stepped closer to the body—and froze.
Venkat's body was mangled. His arms and legs were cut off. There were at least fifty holes in his torso. Yet despite everything, there was still a smile on his face.
Priya broke down crying.
"Why?" she asked Ram. "If he knew he couldn't win, why didn't he run? Why did he fight?"
Ram replied calmly,"That is the duty of a Protector. To fight until the end—even if it costs their life."
He gestured around them."You see the life that was lost. But look around you. Look at the kids he saved. That is why he is smiling."
A group of people in white coats approached, following a tall woman. Priya's first thought was My god, she's tall.
They lifted Bhumi onto a stretcher. As they walked past, the woman looked directly at Priya and said,"I'll be seeing you soon."
Ram stepped forward."I know this is a sad moment, but we can't stop now. Forge and Shiva—handle the funeral arrangements. Narya—crowd control."
Priya noticed a boy about her age respond,"Aye aye, sir."
She observed how naturally he took charge, how calm yet respectful he was. She realized those were the qualities of a leader.
Narya escorted Priya and Arjun to a room.
Priya asked, "What is the Order?"
Narya sighed."Well, Ram clearly doesn't believe in confidentiality. Since you already know about us, what do you think the Ten Protectors are?"
Priya replied, "An organization that protects Centurions and fights the two clans."
Narya nodded."Yes. The Order is made up of retired Protectors. Their job is to oversee the organization, assign missions, and make sure no one interferes—especially the named families."
Arjun asked, "What are the named families?"
"All Protectors give up their family names," Narya explained. "Except for three families. Due to their contributions, they retained their status.Leaders of the Ten usually come from them Most don't interfere—but those who lost for the leader position so interfere. Normally, the leader of the Order and the leader of the Ten clash… but Ram was the current leader's student. That keeps things quiet."
Arjun soon fell asleep, exhausted from the battle.
Priya couldn't.
Bhumi was injured. Her ancestors were monsters. Protectors died because of her bloodline.
Thinking and thinking, she eventually fell asleep.
The next morning, she woke to a completely different scene. The school was still damaged, but the debris had been cleared. Everything was quiet.
She found Narya pacing.
"The funeral starts in thirty minutes," he said. "Ram was supposed to tell you… figures. Go get ready."
At the funeral, Priya was relieved to see Bhumi back on her feet. But her heart sank when she saw Venkat's family crying.
Afterward, Ram gathered everyone.
Introductions followed.
A tall, thin man bowed."Hi, my name is Arun."
A muscular man nodded."This is Sheshu."
A man with glasses adjusted them."Aryan."
Finally, a grinning man said,"Oh, my turn? I'm Yama."
Ram exhaled."Well… now that introductions are over—let's go meet the old goose."
And with that single step forward, Priya crossed the line between a normal life… and a war that would never forgive her.