''Are you sure we are doing this?'' One of Vikram's guard asked. He had his own set like every member of his family , he had picked up from the ones he called his friends. One of them was Hemant's son and Vikram's childhood buddy, Badal. Vikram shared a unique bond with Badal, they could understand the silence of each other like no other. Vikram had a set of 6 main guards who would all to keep him safe but just like Ranvijay, he never compromised their safety using his power and position.

''We don't go there as we are. We take a disguise. Let's say that of local men. Badal, I would needing a jeep or an open vehicle. Don't want to raise any suspicion.''  Badal nodded, understanding the said and unsaid words.

Vikram dispersed the meeting and only Badal stayed back, ''What is it?''

''I have a strong feeling, they know of our plans.''

''Then cancel it Vikram. We can't risk you.''

''What's the fun in stepping back? I am going and showing them their place.''

''Do you doubt someone?'' Badal asked knowing where the discussion was going. Vikram looked at Badal and the latter nodded.  The words were understood and the strategy was ready. Badal patted his back and left Vikram alone with his thoughts. Vikram's eyes went to the other side, on the his left. His met with his mother who stood away on her porch looking pained. But he wanted to see what he was going to face.

***

Rolli blocked Sitara's move pulling her sword in between the bodies. ''You have lost your touch.'' Sitara looked angry. Rolli shook her head once, come what may she was no match for her teacher.

''I do practice, but couldn't find an opponent of your match.'' She replied it little embarrassed. 

Sitara suddenly turned and charged at Rolli with double speed. Rolli stumbled but stopped her move mid- way. She knew, it was impossible to push off Sitara. So she decided to use the distraction. She kept stepping back pretending to give up and then she quickly moved aside making Sitara stumble fall forward, Sitara lost the balance and Rolli took the advantage snatching the sword, ''How was that kaki!''

Sitara smiled, jerked her arms attacking her student with her hands. rolli was taken aback, she dogded, ''Fight Princess.''

''I can't ! No way I can win against you.'' Rolli knew what Sitara was capable off, he had heard it from her mother how a 20 yr old proved to be a nemesis to their enemies. Rolli surrendered  bending down in her feet, ''There is no other you.''

''You are too smart but that won't work on all.'' Sitara replied patting her cheek.  She went ahead to remove the armlets but felt Rolli behind her, ''What is it ?''

''Vicky is planning a trip to Suryagarh. I am not sure if this is the right time or what he will do to me after knowing I told you all this.'' Sitara gave Rolli a smile, ''I will handle the rest.'' Rolli walked out greeting her teacher.

Sitara moved out of the gym to go back to her apartment when giggles stopped her tracks. She knew the voice, she moved towards the voices and found Chitra with Vansh. She felt obliged  to Ranvijay for all he did for her and knew Vansh also helped Chitra with her studies but at times he feared about her daughter overstepping the boundaries. She decided to warn her in private.

***

Vikram informed his family about going out with his friends and promised to be back by dinner. After driving to some distance, they moved inside one of the properties that belonged to Badal and all of them quickly changed resembling the local people. It was hard for any one to recognize them. They secured the weapons for the safety and took local vehicles, driving off to the dark destination.

As Vikram drove into Suryagarh, he could feel the change of air around him. For years his father had worked to normalise things in this cursed lands, yet something didn't feel right. The people around stared at every unknown person of tourist with a weird expression, ''Haven't they see humans before? They all look weird to me, and why is this place so dead?'' Badal said looking around

''Most of the citizens have fled the place as they fear return of Mahendra Singh's family. There are just few left, the place is visited mostly by tourists due to Palaces and the nearby sanctuary.'' Vikram replied, his eyes on the road as he drove steadily. He drove to the Palace, which now was a celebrated resort. Making his way to the reception, he did the formalities using a fake id and moved to the rooms.

Badal joined him after a while, ''Vikram, I don't get a good feeling.''

''Same her dear friend but I want to face this bad feeling once.''

Badal shook his head, ''you are a nut job. I don't know what would happen if dad knows that I helped you sneak in.''

''As far as I know, before Hemant Kaka it would be SitaraMa. I know Rolli, she won't stop.''

''Then we all our dead. Sitara kaki will whip our lives out.'' Badal bellowed throwing his hands in air making Vikram chuckle.

''Get ready, we will be out in 10.'' Badal nodded walking out and Vikram took a good look at the room. He was aware that Rolli would have discovered his plans. How much ever he wanted to hide, she would eventually find out. For now, he just wished not to be disturbed till he was done. He had even pre-pone his visit fearing his plans will be exposed Vikram checked his appearance , he pushed in small knives into his socks and the big turban he wore. He was ready, the first place was the dark alley famous to shield the evil followers of Mahendra's clan. He wanted to see their faces, meet them and show them what he was made off.

After a brief meeting, they made their way down pretending to be a group of local young lads out for an adventure. They joked laughed to gather enough attention from the ones they crossed.

Vikram took the wheel as Badal guided him on different areas he researched whole year, ''That's if folks, we are entering the area mostly avoided by locals.''

"Pretend to be lost.'' Vikram suggested as they drove into the narrow lanes. They could feel eyes on them even when the roads were empty. ''Did we bait them?'' Badal whispered

''we just did.'' Vikram replied locking his eyes with a tall dark guy. He stood at the door of his house cleansing his mouth using the chew stick. Vikram didn't break the eye lock, the challenge was open. He was aware he had sowed the seed of suspicion as no one entered this area but its inhabitants. Pulling his vehicle next to the guy he asked casually, ''Way to the Tiger Reserve.''

The man just pointed front, Vikram smiled thanked him and drove off. ''He just went in.'' Badal said, his eyes on the rear mirror.

''he will soon be there to host us.''

''Why are you so sure?'' asked one of his guards. Vikram and Badal share a look, ''You will know.''

The group enjoyed the safari after renting a vehicle. Vikram took many pictures to show them off to Sona. He asked the driver to drive them deeper, the man applied breaks, ''Its dangerous in there.''

''Its our call. If you find it dangerous, go back without us.'' The man nodded driving them in

''This region is mostly secluded. You don't find much animals here as it's open area. It was once golden land for poachers.'' The driver cum guide informed the group.

''No poachers now.'' Badal enquired

''No, but few local people. They are dangerous and has warned anyone against stepping here. I suggest we go back....'' His words abruptly ended as they heard the growling and howling around them. The driver started shivering, he completed his sentence, ''These people pet wolves.''

Vikram jumped out of the vehicle ordering one of the guards to take care of the shivering man. He smirked when the same dark man moved out of the shadows, ''Why not I give you a tour and feast to my pets.''

Vikram stayed silent, instigating the guy with no response. ''Who out of you is the Prince?'' Asked the man joined by the few other allies.

''Áll of us or may be none.'' Badal replied with a smile

''Then I kill you all.'' Vikram's eyes were just on the 4 animals , whose chain the man held in his hands. They were eager to attack and Vikram was ready for it. ''You talk too much.'' He chuckled poking fun at his opponent and so did his group. The man let go his pets and Vikram pulled his left leg back as the huge one lunged at him his hand moved resulting in a mellowing sound and rest running back with their tails between the legs.

''Dogs follow the masters and kill for them, wolves follow their leader which I just killed. Now you know who am I?'' The man couldn't believe his eyes. These animals had killed so many for him and the lad just slashed his pet in a blink of an eye. The knife Vikram held flew in the direction of his guard piercing his neck, Vikram watched the guy die as blood drained his body, ''I hate the ones who cheat me.'' His whispered as his lip quivered in anger. Moving his eyes to his enemy he challenged, ''Are you going to stand all day because if you are planning to ditch now, be aware I am not planning to leave you alive and breathing.''

The group lunged and Vikram's guards were quick enough to pin them down. They weren't as skilled as any of them The man who duelled Vikram just had one advantage and that was his physical strength.

He threw a punch with Vikram blocked punching the middle of his ribs hard. The man was pushed back with the impact. He rubbed his chest as he lunged to the young Prince. Vikram watched his movements, he knew his opponent aimed to crush him under his weight. He to a foot back, waited for his opponent to go high. The man had plans to attack Vikram's skull by his elbow but the young Prince shocked him taking a 180 degree turn and kicking his chest harder than before, making his enemy yelp in pain. The point Vikram had been attacking was just over the heart. He knew, he had drained all his enemy held, ''Are you finishing him?''

''No, He will convey my message.'' He looked over his shoulder and the guard taking care of driver knocked the driver off. Moving to the tired pan Vikram squatted down, ''I am not going to kill you but I am not going to leave you in a state to tell anyone how I look. Tell your master I will be in open once her has the courage.'' With that he pulled out his knife and poked the eyes of the defeated man. As his scream echoed the jungle, the air seemed to have turned scared realising another dark Prince had set his foot on the soils of Suryagarh. The Prince whose heart pained for with the torture his mother went through. The Prince, who hated the lines of worry on the faces of his own. He turned to the remaining allies of the crying man, ''they meet the same fate. Badal nodded and initiated the order. They carried the enemies in the vehicle and dumped them on the outskirts of their locality.

They then bought the driver back to consciousness, ''You are our heir. Our would be king. Princess Dipika's son.'' Vikram smiled at the old guy as the man held his hand to his forehead, ''be assured Prince, no one will know you visited.''

''I know! Even if they know you don't know how I look in reality as I am disguised.'' Though Vikram's lips had a smile his eyes held a warning. The man nodded, they left for the hotel and later for Jaigarh. Throughout the route, Vikram couldn't help but smile feeling proud about his little brother who picked the mole among his guards so easily without letting anyone know of it.

***

Later that night, the dark lanes mourned the pitiful state of their members. Oblivious that another danger waited at the door. The leader briefed Netra about the darkness Vikram held when his voice died with a whoosh sound of a knife. A hand picked up his phone , ''Do you remember me Netra?''

Netra was quiet, and then she recognised the voice, ''Sitara!''

''He left you men alive to let you know what's coming for you and I killed them to let you know nothing has changed. I have been protecting him before his birth and will protect him till my death. He is my student but carries the darkness of Suryagarh. Now, you should be scared.'' Crushing the phone under her feet she left with the men leaving behind the mourning families. They chose that fate.

Netra wiped off the sweat beads that covered her forehead. If Vikram was what his men briefed, then she had challenged a demon.''

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Now you guys have some idea how would Vikram react in future if Sona betrays him!

Please vote and comment and ignore my mistakes.