The first punch was thrown before the thunder struck.
Rudra's men charged forward, boots splashing through shallow rainwater. The dockyard turned into chaos within seconds.
Aarav moved like instinct itself.
Precise. Controlled. Furious.
He blocked a knife strike, twisted the attacker's wrist, and sent him crashing into a metal container. Another came from behind — Aarav ducked, elbowed him hard in the ribs, then drove his fist into his jaw.
But there were too many.
Meera stood frozen for only a second before grabbing a metal rod lying nearby.
"Behind you!" she shouted.
Aarav turned just in time as she swung the rod into an approaching man's shoulder. The impact stunned him.
Their eyes met briefly.
No fear.
Only trust.
Rain poured harder, soaking them both.
A gun was drawn.
Everything slowed.
Aarav saw it.
He pushed Meera aside just as the shot rang out.
The bullet grazed his arm, tearing through fabric and skin.
He didn't fall.
He didn't even hesitate.
Rage ignited inside him — not blind anger, but controlled destruction.
Within minutes, the remaining men retreated, dragging the injured with them.
Silence returned to the dockyard, broken only by the sound of heavy breathing and rain.
Meera rushed toward him.
"You're bleeding!"
"I've had worse," he said quietly.
Her hands trembled as she pressed against his wound to stop the bleeding.
"You were supposed to stay away," he said.
"And let them kill you?" she replied sharply. "I'm not that weak."
For the first time, Aarav allowed himself to look at her not as the enemy's daughter… but as someone standing in the same storm.
Across the city, Rudra Khanna received the update.
"They failed?" he asked calmly.
"Yes, sir. The girl was with him."
Rudra's expression darkened.
"So she has chosen."
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Prepare everything," he ordered coldly. "If war is what he wants… then war is what he'll get."
Back at the dockyard, Meera looked at Aarav through the rain.
"This isn't just revenge anymore," she said softly.
Aarav nodded.
No.
Now it was war.