Chapter 33

Michael, the grim-faced boy who had brought Roohi to the room, returned later with a tray of food for the girls. The meal was sparse and unappetizing, but it was better than nothing. After serving the food, he turned and left, locking the door behind him.

Roohi sat down with the other girls, trying to eat while her mind buzzed with questions. She took the opportunity to ask one of the older girls about Michael, hoping to learn more about the mysterious man who had taken her away.

"Who is Michael?" Roohi asked, her voice tentative as she nibbled on a piece of bread.

The older girl looked at Roohi with a mixture of sympathy and sadness. "Michael is... a sad case. His real name isn't even known. When he was just a child, his father sold him to master Fedendis."

Roohi's eyes widened in shock. "Sold him? Why?"

The girl sighed. "Master Fedendis is a powerful and dangerous man. He bought Michael from his father when Michael was only six years old. Master gave him the name Michael and trained him to be one of his top fighters."

"Fighter?" Roohi asked, confusion etched on her face. "What do you mean by fighter?"

The girl nodded gravely. "Yes, a fighter. Master trained him to be a master in combat, a weapon of sorts. Michael is one of the best fighters master has. He's feared and respected for his skills. Master calls him 'Michael'-it's the only name he knows now. Nobody knows his real name, and nobody dares to ask."

Roohi's eyes widened in shock. "Sold him? That's awful."

Mia nodded solemnly. "Yeah, it's a terrible situation. Michael's been through a lot. The mark on his face is from one of Nicholas's assignments."

Roohi's thoughts raced, trying to process the severity of what she was hearing. "Why do you call him 'Master'? His name is Nicholas, right?"

Mia quickly hushed Roohi, glancing around nervously. "Shh, don't say his name out loud. No one calls him by his name. We all have to call him 'Master.' If Nicholas finds out you've used his name, you'll be punished. He wants us to see him as an untouchable authority, not a person. We're like dolls to him, not real people. And soon... he'll sell us too."

Roohi's heart sank at the thought. "Sell us? Like how he sold Michael?"

Mia nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and resignation. "Yes, exactly. Nicholas keeps us here, trains us, and then sells us to the highest bidder. It's a cruel system. We have to be careful. The guards are always watching. They prefer little girls like us for their twisted games."

Roohi's heart pounded with fear. She couldn't stop thinking about her father and how much she hoped he would find her soon. She glanced around the dimly lit room, her thoughts racing. "I hope my papa finds me soon. And Aarav too... I'm scared for him."

Mia placed a comforting hand on Roohi's shoulder. "Once a girl falls into the Master's trap, it's hard to get out. But I hope your papa will find you if he really loves you. Just... don't get your hopes too high. It's a cruel world we're in, and hope alone might not be enough."

Roohi nodded, trying to absorb Mia's words while clinging to a sliver of hope. She looked around at the other girls, each one with their own silent fears and hidden tears.

The dark room felt colder now, but Roohi's resolve remained firm. She would stay strong for herself and for those around her, praying that her father and the others would come for them soon.

In a large room, Nicholas Fedendis stood imposingly, his eyes cold and calculating as he observed Aarav. The air was thick with tension, and a group of boys stood around, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

Nicholas, dressed in his usual dark attire, sneered at Aarav. "Show us your moves, Raichand boy," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "I hope you're not just good at talking but also at fighting."

Michael stood by Nicholas's side, his face expressionless. He seemed detached, a stark contrast to the excitement that filled the room. The boys gathered around whispered among themselves, eager to see what Aarav was capable of.

Aarav's jaw was clenched, but his stance was firm. He knew that proving himself here was crucial. He took a deep breath and nodded, accepting the challenge. The room fell silent as he prepared to demonstrate his skills, every eye focused on him.

Nicholas's gaze never wavered. "Let's see if you're worth anything more than just a pawn in my game," he taunted, his voice carrying a promise of severe consequences for failure.

As Aarav stepped into the center of the room, he locked eyes with Nicholas, his own eyes filled with determination. He was ready to show that, despite his young age, he was not someone to be underestimated.

Without warning, one of the older boys lunged at Aarav with a wild punch. Aarav ducked swiftly, his reflexes sharp. He countered with a quick jab to the boy's midsection, sending him stumbling backward. The boy regrouped quickly and charged again, this time with a more calculated attack. Aarav sidestepped, grabbed the boy's arm, and threw him to the ground with a well-executed throw.

The spectators murmured in approval, and Nicholas's smirk widened slightly. Aarav's confidence grew with each move, and he continued to deflect and counter the attacks with precision and agility. His small frame was surprisingly nimble, and he used his speed and agility to his advantage.

As the fight progressed, Aarav faced multiple opponents in quick succession. He dodged, blocked, and retaliated with impressive skill. Each opponent fell one by one, clearly outmatched by Aarav's determination and technique.

Nicholas's eyes narrowed as he watched. "Not bad, Raichand. But let's see how you handle this," he said, signaling Michael to step forward.

Michael, the boy with the scar, stepped into the center of the room, his expression devoid of emotion. He was significantly larger and more intimidating than the previous opponents.

Aarav's eyes met Michael's, and he could sense the difference in skill and experience.

The fight between Aarav and Michael was intense. Michael's attacks were powerful and relentless, forcing Aarav to rely on his agility and quick thinking.

Aarav ducked under a heavy punch, narrowly avoiding it, and countered with a series of precise strikes to Michael's sides and legs. Despite the difference in strength, Aarav held his ground, using every ounce of his skill to keep Michael at bay.

Sweat poured down Aarav's face, his breath coming in quick bursts. He knew he had to be at his best to withstand Michael's assault. With a sudden burst of speed, Aarav managed to land a decisive kick to Michael's midsection, sending him sprawling to the ground.

The room erupted in a mixture of cheers and gasps. Aarav, panting and exhausted, stood over Michael, who struggled to get up. Nicholas's expression was a mix of surprise and grudging admiration.

"Impressive," Nicholas said, his voice cold but acknowledging the skill Aarav had demonstrated.

Suddenly the room fell silent as Michael, enraged by Aarav's earlier victory, launched a powerful punch that connected with Aarav's jaw. The force of the blow sent Aarav crashing to the ground, his body sprawled out and unmoving.

Nicholas's cold laughter echoed through the room."Looks like you still have a lot to learn, Raichand,"he said, his voice filled with a cruel amusement."It's not just about skill; it's about knowing when to strike and when to fall back."

Michael loomed over Aarav, his expression a mix of anger and satisfaction. Aarav lay on the floor, his vision swimming as he tried to regain his bearings. The crowd of boys watched in hushed anticipation, their expressions a blend of excitement and apprehension.

Nicholas approached Aarav, crouching beside him. "You put up a good fight, but this isn't just a game," he said, his voice low and menacing. "This is survival. And if you can't handle the pressure, you might as well give up now."

Aarav, though dazed, managed to lift his head slightly, his eyes meeting Nicholas's with a defiant glint. He wasn't ready to give up, not now, not ever.

Nicholas's laughter continued, a harsh sound that filled the room. "Well, let's see how you recover from this," he said, standing up and turning his attention back to the others. "Michael, you've made your point. Let's not waste any more time. We have other matters to attend to."

Michael glared at Aarav one last time before stepping away, his anger still simmering. Nicholas motioned for the guards to help Aarav to his feet, though the assistance was more for show than genuine concern.

As Aarav was helped up, he could hear the whispers and murmurs of the other boys, their voices a mix of curiosity and sympathy. Despite the pain and the defeat, Aarav's resolve remained unshaken. He knew that this was just another battle in a larger war, and he was determined to fight on, no matter the odds.