The "Bhishma Shakti Academy" stood in its quiet dominance, hidden from the world, a place only a select few ever knew existed. From the outside, it looked like a normal institution—short walls, long corridors, and strict routines. But within these walls, children were shaped into warriors. They entered young, unpolished, unknowing… and left as something far more.Today was the day that cycle would begin again.
Inside the trainers' quarters, a young man stood in front of the mirror, securing the last button of his black uniform. His movements were precise, disciplined. The golden insignia on his chest shone under the dull lighting.
Kabir Shergill.
At seventeen, he was already Head Trainer. Sharp. Disciplined. Feared. His presence alone was enough to keep trainees in line. He had earned this title—not by privilege, but by sheer will. Just as he reached for his gloves, the door burst open, slamming against the wall.
"Tujhe humesha aise unexpected tufaan ki tarah hi kyu aana hota h?"
A tall, fit figure strolled in, radiating the exact opposite energy. Uniform slightly crumpled, badge tilted, looking like he had just rolled out of bed.
Faiz Rahmani. His roommate, trainer, and a walking headache(for kabir).
Faiz stretched lazily, flopping onto the bed. "Life mein fun aata h. Jo ki aapki personality me bilkul bhi nahi h."
Kabir didn't even spare him a glance. "Fun? Mujhe sirf kaam ek badhane wala insaan dikh raha h."
Faiz smirked, unfazed. "Big day today, boss?"
"Haan. Fresher's Day." Kabir muttered, fixing his cuffs.
Faiz grinned. "Oh yeah... Fresher's Day. Bechare freshers...Hum unhe dekhte h… voh kampte h… hum chilate h…ahm... humara matlab aap chilate h… voh aur kampte h… classic tradition."
Kabir rolled his eyes.
Faiz leaned back with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Par ek baat batao, Shergill... tum andar se toh aise hitler type ho nhi toh bahar se yeh Mr. angry young man kyu bane rehte ho?... Thoda chill kro bhai."
Kabir finally turned to him, voice flat. "Tu chahta h ki abhi tujhe dikhau mein kya hu kya nhi?" Faiz immediately sat up, hands raised. "Arre bhai, mazak tha! Tum to sach me full-time hitler vibes de rhe ho."
Kabir ignored him and picked up his training baton from the table.
Faiz wasn't done. "Waise... koi khaas wajah h kya itna ready-sheady hone ki? Matlab koi khaas 'wo' toh nahi?.... Nhi mtlb hum toh sirf issliye puchh rhe h....kyuki future mein shaadi ke card vagerah ...print toh hum hi krwainge?"
The next second, Faiz had to dodge the baton flying straight at his head.
"AYE!" he yelped, laughing. "Dekha! Isi wajah se log darte h tumse!"
Kabir turned, grabbing his gloves. "Chal, nikalna h." Faiz groaned, stretching as he got up. "Ohho. Fine. Par agar aaj bachhe rona shuru kar diye, toh mein nhi rukne wala."
Kabir was already at the door. "Huh"
And with that, they stepped out.
The day was just beginning.The forest thinned as the dirt path led toward the main road, the only connection between the academy and the outside world.
Kabir walked ahead, calm and composed, while Faiz followed with his usual casual energy, hands tucked in his pockets. The trees around them cast dappled shadows on the ground, but the approaching road was bathed in bright morning light.
A voice interrupted their steady steps.
"Sir"
They both turned slightly as Sanjana joined them.
She walked with precision and quiet strength, her neatly tied braid swaying behind her. The only female trainer in the academy, she had worked her way up with sheer discipline. But unlike Faiz, who often masked his skill behind his carefree nature, Sanjana was serious—always.
"Aaj ke freshers..." she spoke in a measured tone, falling into step beside them. "Hume nahi lagta yeh tik bhi paayenge."Kabir didn't react, his eyes fixed ahead.
Faiz, however, chuckled. "Achha, Sanjana ji, lagta h aapne phle hi sabko bahut achhe se examine kr liya h.."
Sanjana shot him a sharp look. "Sir, hum toh sirf keh rahe h—"
"Keh rahi ho ya shraap de rhi ho?" Faiz smirked. "Kya pata, ho sakta hai is baar ek-do tik hi jaayein."
"Lagta toh nhi sir" She shook her head.Kabir finally spoke, his voice firm. "Theek keh rahi hai." He adjusted the cuff of his uniform. "Jitni baar naye batch ko dekhte hain, utni baar lagta hai yeh last tak nahi tikenge."
Faiz sighed dramatically. "Matlab fir wahi... teen mahine tak chillana, phir aadhe bhag jayenge, aur jo bachenge unhe humare kabir ko jese-tese jhelna padega.. apni jaan bachane ke liye."
Kabir shot him a sharp glance.The trees finally parted, revealing the wide road ahead.
On the other side stood a group of freshers—silent, nervous, stiff.
And in front of them stood Rajveer Gill.
The head of the academy.A man in his sixties, still standing tall in his uniform adorned with military stars. His mere presence was enough to silence an entire crowd.
Kabir, Faiz, and Sanjana saluted him as they reached the road.
Rajveer's gaze swept over the freshers before he spoke, his voice carrying authority and weight.Rajveer's gaze swept over the freshers before he spoke, his voice carrying authority and weight.
"Welcome freshers! Aap sab yahaan ek training academy ka hissa banne nahi aaye h. Aap sab ek lakshya ka hissa h.
Yahaan hone ka matlab sirf ladna seekhna nahi, balki har uss cheez se ladna jo tumhe todne ki koshish kare— chahe woh dushman ho, haalaat ho, ya khud tumhari kamzoriyaan.Har insaan yahan ek wajah se aata hai. Tumhari kya wajah hai, yeh tumhe khud dhoondhni padegi. Best of luck to you all!" His words hung heavy in the morning air.
The freshers stood still, some shifting nervously, others straightening their backs, as if realizing for the first time what they had signed up for.
His words settled heavily in the morning air. Then, with a brief nod, he walked away, leaving an unspoken challenge behind.
Faiz exhaled dramatically, muttering under his breath, "Aur yeh hui shuruaat…"
Kabir's expression remained unreadable.
And somewhere, between the tension in the air and the silence of the freshers—
Their fates had already begun to change.