Decision at Dawn

  We walk in silence, trailing behind Varun as he leads us through the valley. The air is heavy, charged with the weight of the decision we are about to make. Every step feels like a countdown, like the ground itself is asking me, Are you sure? Are you ready?

  Varun finally speaks, his voice steady yet carrying an unspoken pressure.

  "I hope you all have given this deep thought. You understand the consequences of your choice. And I also hope..." He pauses, glancing back at us. "That your decision is in favor of the good."

  His words linger in the air, pressing down on our shoulders. No one responds. Not even Anil has a snarky remark this time. We just keep walking, each lost in our own thoughts.

  The valley stretches before us, vast and quiet, as if watching. The sky has just begun to lighten, the soft glow of dawn painting the horizon in hues of deep blue and amber. It should be beautiful, but right now, all I feel is the weight in my chest.

  Finally, we reach our destination.

  They are all waiting for us—Ram, Diatas, Om, and Ash. The so-called 'old man gang.' They stand in a semi-circle, their expressions unreadable. The flickering torchlight casts long shadows behind them, making them seem even more imposing.

  Varun bows first, and we follow his lead.

  Diatas steps forward, his voice as calm and composed as always.

  "I hope you have made your decision, even though we could not give you much time," he says, looking at each of us in turn.

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  We nod in response.

  "Then let us hear what you have decided," Ram says. His voice is lower than yesterday, more controlled, as if he’s holding back the storm inside him.

  Om and Ash remain silent, watching.

  I glance at the others. What are they thinking? What have they decided?

  The first to step forward is Ananya. Of course.

  She lifts her head, meeting the gaze of the old men with unshaken resolve. There isn’t even a flicker of doubt in her expression.

  "My lords," she says firmly. "I have made my decision. I will participate in your plan. I will do whatever is necessary for it to succeed. I swear it on my life."

  A stunned silence follows.

  Even I am shocked. I knew she was serious last night, but this… this is absolute. There isn’t even the tiniest crack of hesitation in her words.

  The old men’s faces light up, and then—

  "That's a good decision!" Ram roars, grinning.

  Wait.

  Ram. Grinning?

  Didn’t think that was possible.

  "What about the rest of you?" Om asks, his gaze shifting between us.

  I take a step forward before I can second-guess myself.

  "I am ready too," I say.

  Short. Simple. To the point. That should be enough, right?

  Ram smirks. "Seems like the girls are braver than these dog-tail boys."

  My eyes flick toward the remaining two. Balram has been silent this whole time, standing slightly behind me. Then, finally, he moves forward.

  "I will participate too," he says. His tone is even, certain. "I don’t know about Asura or powers or whatever, but I have my own reasons for doing this."

  Ram lets out another booming laugh. "Looks like you’re braver than I thought! Ha ha ha!"

  And now, all eyes turn to the last one standing.

  Anil.

  Ash tilts his head, smirking. "What about you, skeleton boy? What have you decided?"

  Anil’s expression darkens. He takes a deep breath before responding.

  "First of all," he says, his tone sharp, "I am Anil, not skeleton boy, you damned criminal." He glares at Ash before shifting his focus to the rest of them. "Second, I have no interest in being part of your stupid charade."

  The atmosphere shifts. The old men’s expressions change instantly.

  "Is there a reason you don’t want to join?" Diatas asks, his voice still composed.

  Anil snorts. "You’re asking the wrong question, Mr. Diatas. You should be asking if there’s any reason to join you." He crosses his arms. "There are a hundred reasons to walk away, and not one to stay. Asura? War? Heroes? Stop kidding yourselves. Who do you think I am? These three might be dumb enough to fall for your nonsense, but I’m not. I have no intention of throwing my life away."

  His words ring out, sharp and absolute.

  "This is my final decision," he states. "I’m going back."

  The silence that follows feels deafening.

  Diatas closes his eyes for a moment before nodding. "If that is your decision, then we have no right to stop you." He turns to Varun. "We will send him back tomorrow. Varun, please escort Anil to the cottage. The rest will stay."

  Varun nods, stepping forward.

  Anil doesn’t look back as he walks away.

  And just like that, the four of us become three.