In the north, armored columns crossed from neighboring federations aligned with the Karakoram bloc, clashing with Indian forward positions in high-altitude firefights.
The Great Dulu Federation and Freedom Union—superpower coalitions dominating global affairs—were cited as the primary aggressors, though the conflicts remained limited skirmishes for now, not full-scale war.
India's allies in like Eurasian union and Helvetica union offered vocal support and rushed emergency supplies, but convoys and aid flights were systematically blocked or delayed by the neutral-yet-strategic Xing Nation, which controlled key sea lanes and airspace routes without directly engaging.
The family gathered behind the heart clone, watching in silence.
Ankit's face remained calm, almost detached.
He had repaid his debt to the nation long ago—quietly eliminating terrorist networks that threatened millions. He was no caped savior, no guardian sworn to India's every crisis. Let the government, the military, the people handle their own trials. Strength born from adversity—that was a lesson he believed in.
Only if the chaos spiraled truly beyond control, threatening innocent lives on a catastrophic scale, would he step in.
For now, he turned away from the screen.
"Come on, Rudra," he said softly, scooping the sleeping puppy from his cushioned bed nearby. Rudra had been left behind earlier—too young and timid for the vast underground lake's wonders, and peacefully napping through the birthday adventure.
Ankit carried the warm bundle toward his private quarters, the little dog stirring only to lick his hand trustingly.
Behind him, the family lingered a moment longer, the news droning on.
But the fortress remained an island of peace—untouched, unassailable.
Ankit had no intention of resuming open cultivation yet.
For tonight, he simply closed his door, set Rudra down to curl at his feet, and let the quiet reclaim the night.
***
In the fortified Prime Minister's war room, Mordan slammed his fist on the polished teak table, veins standing out on his forehead.
"These vultures aren't content with fleets and missiles," he growled to his inner circle of generals and intelligence chiefs. "They're buying our own people—ministers, military commanders, even senior officers—promising them governorships in puppet regimes, offshore fortunes, citizenship in their federations. And those traitors are opening the gates for spies and terrorists."
His voice turned ice-cold. "Monitor every suspect. Wiretaps, surveillance, financial trails—everything. If they so much as whisper treason, arrest them. No mercy."
That same evening, emergency broadcasts announced a total national lockdown.
Borders sealed. Airports shut. Ports frozen.
No one enters India. No one leaves.
Citizens were ordered to remain indoors except for essential needs. Only government and military personnel could move freely with special passes.
The announcement triggered immediate outrage. Streets that had barely recovered from previous lockdown now echoed with protests. Families already struggling after years of economic strain saw their fragile livelihoods shatter again.
Mordan anticipated the backlash. Within days, massive relief measures rolled out:
- Free rations doubled for six months.
- Direct cash subsidies deposited into civilians accounts.
- Emergency employment schemes launched—road building, fortification construction, weapon factories—absorbing millions.
- A high-level oversight committee formed to prevent corruption in distribution.
India could afford it. The global licensing of Magic Energy technology had flooded national coffers with trillions in royalties over the past years.
At the same time, recruitment drives exploded. Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary—every branch expanded aggressively. New academies sprang up overnight.
Factories manufacturing Magic Energy–enhanced weapons shifted to 24/7 production, supported by private technique industries now fully nationalized for the war effort.
Full-scale war loomed.
Then, unexpectedly, the southern coastal front collapsed—for the enemy.
Freedom Union and Great Dulu Federation invasion fleets stationed off at coastal cities like kunalus city, musvta city, ongkur city, suddenly faced a nightmare from the deep oceans.
Thousands of massive aquatic beasts—mutated sharks the size of destroyers, serpentine leviathans with armored scales, colossal squid capable of crushing submarines—erupted from the Indian Ocean in coordinated frenzy.
They tore through supply convoys first, severing reinforcement and ration lines. Trapped enemy fleets, already engaged with Indian coastal defenses, were hammered from both sides.
But the beasts showed no allegiance.