The social media challenge from Veer hit the Raven gang like a physical blow. The news spread through the school corridors like wildfire, and for the first time since their revival, the Ravens were paralyzed. V Kaisen wasn't just another school gang; they were the apex predators of Hyderabad. They had the numbers, the experience, and a leader who was a literal monster.
In the school's secret meeting spot on the terrace, the atmosphere was grim. The sunset of the following day felt like a countdown to their execution. The Ravens now numbered 50 members, but the rumours were terrifying: Veer could mobilize 150 fighters—a sea of black jackets that would surely drown their small pond of red.
"Unki man power humse teen gunna zyada hai (Their manpower is three times more than ours)," one member whispered, his voice cracking. "150 against 50? It's suicide."
At 7:00 PM, Ekam arrived. He found his soldiers sitting with their heads bowed, the fire that had been lit after the Ritual now flickering out. Karan stepped forward, his face serious. He looked at the gathered boys and spoke with the authority of a 2nd President.
"Kuch log humhare raven ko dheke der chuke hein isiliye social media mein humse panga le rhe hein (Some people are scared of seeing the Ravens, so they are challenging us online)," Karan shouted, his voice echoing off the terrace walls. "Kya tumlog unke challenge se der gaye? (Are you afraid of their challenge?)"
The silence that followed was heavy. Most of the boys kept their eyes on the floor. Ekam stepped onto a crate, his silhouette framed by the rising moon. He didn't look angry; he looked disappointed.
"Mujhe pata hein ki humlogon ki man power kam hein (I know our manpower is low)," Ekam began, his voice calm but carrying to every corner of the roof. "But ise koi matlab nhi banta ki age kitne log hein jab tak tumhare dil mein kuch jitne ki aag lagi ho (But it doesn't matter how many people are in front of you as long as there is a fire to win in your heart)."
He leaned forward, his gaze piercing through the darkness, locking onto the eyes of every boy there. "Mein Hyderabad ka rank zero, mein ravens ka president tumlogon se puch rha huin kya tumlog ravens ho? (I, the Rank Zero, the President, am asking you: Are you Ravens?)"
"HAN! (YES!)" the boys shouted, their voices gaining strength.
"Kya tumlog age walo se der rhe ho? (Are you afraid of those in front of you?)"
"NHI! (NO!)"
"Kya tumlog unhe haraoge? (Will you defeat them?)"
"HAN! (YES!)"
In that moment, Ekam did something more than just lead; he reached into their souls and pulled out the warriors that had been hidden under layers of doubt and bullying. He turned his friends—Karan, Aarav, and Raju—from students into commanders. The fear was gone, replaced by a cold, sharpened resolve. They spent the rest of the night strategizing, not on how to survive, but on how to win.