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(Warning ⚠️ ~ Mention of violence, blood, torture and trauma)
Adhiraj and Kaali reached the underground dungeon at the outskirts of the village, the eerie silence of the night broken only by the crunch of gravel beneath their boots. The entrance to the basement was hidden behind a thick steel door, its presence known only to a few. As they descended the narrow, dimly lit staircase, the faint sounds of muffled cries and desperate pleas began to filter through the cold, damp air.
Upon stepping inside the basement, the full extent of the horrific scene came into view. The flickering light of a single overhead bulb cast long shadows on the damp walls, adding to the oppressive atmosphere. The cries, screams, and begging intensified, each voice a testament to the pain and despair within. Nine men were tied to chairs in a semi-circle, their bodies bearing the marks of recent torment. Fresh wounds, some still bleeding, marred their skin, and the scent of blood mixed with sweat and fear hung heavy in the air.
Adhiraj's face was a mask of stoic indifference as he took his place on the worn leather sofa facing the captives. His eyes were cold and calculating, betraying no hint of emotion. He surveyed the scene with the detached interest of a man used to such brutality, every detail meticulously noted in his mind.
Kaali, however, was in barely restrained fury. Standing behind Adhiraj, his large frame cast a looming shadow over the room. His fists were tightly clenched, the knuckles white from the pressure. His eyes, bloodshot and filled with rage, locked onto the men before him. Veins bulged prominently on his muscular arms and neck, a visible manifestation of the anger coursing through his veins. Every fiber of his being radiated menace, his presence a tangible threat to those who had the misfortune of meeting his gaze.
The men in the chairs flinched under Kaali's glare, their terrified eyes darting between him and Adhiraj. Some whimpered softly, others tried to stifle their cries, but all were united in their fear. The tension in the room was thick, an almost palpable force that seemed to press down on everyone present.
Adhiraj leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other in a gesture of casual dominance. He allowed the silence to stretch, the only sounds the labored breathing and occasional sobs of the captives. He wanted them to feel the weight of the moment, to understand the gravity of their situation. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and measured, cutting through the silence like a blade.
"So," he began, his tone deceptively mild, "do you understand why you are here?"
A few of the men nodded negatively, while others remained motionless, too terrified to respond. Adhiraj's gaze swept over them, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and fixed them with a piercing stare.
"You see," he continued, "there are consequences for your actions. And tonight, you will learn just how severe those consequences can be."
