The storm was just starting.
We behold Rudra, serene but keen as a razor, seated in his desk. A man stands before him, dropping a file onto the desk with care.
"Sir," he says, inclining his head in respect, "as directed by you, all the jobs have been accomplished. All pieces of information have been gathered and distributed within this file."
Rudra nods slightly in acknowledgment. Another underling takes up the file and starts reading. The room is silent, punctuated only by the sound of pages being turned—for almost two hours.
Then Rudra speaks, his voice icy and commanding.
"Kim," he says, "Call an emergency meeting. Every commander must attend. Those who go against my orders… are opting for death. I won't hold back anyone. The punishment in store for them will have them beg for mercy.
Time goes on.
Rudra enters the meeting hall. Kim is already present, standing next to one of her juniors. But the other commander seats are all empty.
Rudra's expression narrows, but there is no shock in it.
"As expected," he says softly. "They're expecting someone brawnier than me. Let them wait."
He seats himself silently.
After two hours, the commanders finally come, occupying their seats casually as though nothing ever occurred.
Rudra's voice is cold.
"I told you all two hours ago to be here. Tell me—what was so important that it superseded a direct order?"
One of them smirks.
"And who are you to order us around?" he sneers. "You think we'll obey your commands just because you sit in that chair? You're here because of Ayush. You didn't get this through your strength."
Rudra's face darkens.
"If I had no power over you," he speaks gently, "then come—attempt to control me."
Another form stands up.
Tall. Fierce. Exuding fight-scarred pride.
"You recognize me?" he snarls. "I was second commander on the battlefield—next in rank only to your brother."
He takes a step closer, his eyes trained on Rudra.
"My name is Neel. Just one step below Ayush. If I had his position, you wouldn't even have a name today. You'd be forgotten dust."
He turns to the others.
"Let me show this arrogant brat who the real leader is."
The other commanders join in, rallying behind Neel.
"Yes, Commander Neel! Teach him a lesson!"
Rudra doesn't flinch.
In the blink of an eye, his metallic aura erupts—clean energy crackling in the air. Neel reacts, unleashing his own destructive powers.
The ship starts to shake.
But then, something shifts. Rudra's power increases yet again. All metallic surfaces—walls, ceiling, bolts, supports—start shifting. The whole ship is at his command. Corridors twist and turn, walls realign, rooms spin.
The ship turns into a living labyrinth. A trap. Tightly controlled by Rudra's will.
Without shattering structure, he reduces each shard of metal to dust. That dust envelops Neel—sealing his limbs, encasing his strength. He's hoisted—powerless—and hurled across the room like a ragdoll.
Then, silence.
Rudra advances, voice steady as steel.
"Did you really think… you could defeat me?"
Neel coughs, shocked. He understands now—Rudra's strength isn't solely metallic manipulation.
It's something worse than frightening—a metal frequency disruptor. A power that makes every other metal-based power useless against him.
Against him… even the most powerful metal warrior is helpless.
And for the first time, the room realizes:
Rudra is not only a commander. He is dominance itself.