The sky was still half-asleep.
A dull blue stretched across the horizon, slowly being devoured by the rising sun. The ground lay silent… wrapped in a thin sheet of morning mist. The grass was wet, cold, and unforgiving.
But today…
This ground didn't feel like a place to practice.
It felt like a battlefield waiting for blood.
Arjun stepped onto the field.
His shoes pressed into the damp grass, leaving marks behind him. Each step was slow… controlled… but inside him, something restless was clawing its way out.
Yesterday, he was just a player.
Today…
He was part of the club tournament team.
And that changed everything.
This wasn't about playing anymore.
This was about proving.
From a distance, a figure stood near the pitch.
Still.
Unmoving.
Watching.
Karn.
Even from far away, his presence felt heavy… like the ground itself respected him.
Arjun checked his watch.
He was early.
10 minutes early.
Still…
Something felt off.
He walked closer.
Karn didn't greet him. Didn't nod.
Didn't even blink.
Just one word came out—
"Late."
Arjun's brows tightened.
He glanced at his watch again.
10 minutes early.
Then why—
And that's when it hit him.
This wasn't about time.
This was about expectation.
Karn didn't run on clocks.
He ran on standards.
And Arjun…
Had already failed them.
The Arrival of the Pack
One by one, the other players started arriving.
Yawning.
Stretching.
Talking casually.
Some laughing.
Some still half-asleep.
Rohit walked in confidently, adjusting his gloves even before warming up. His eyes scanned the ground… sharp, alert.
He noticed Arjun.
Arjun noticed him.
No words.
Just recognition.
Two predators.
Same territory.
Same target.
Phase 1 – Breaking the Body
Karn stepped forward.
"Line up."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it didn't need to be.
Everyone gathered instantly.
No one dared to delay.
Karn looked at each face.
Judging.
Measuring.
Silently deciding who deserved to stay… and who didn't.
Then—
"10 rounds."
No explanation.
No build-up.
Just command.
A player hesitated.
"Sir… warm-up—"
"Run."
That was it.
And they ran.
Round 1–3: Confidence
At first… it felt easy.
Light jog.
Controlled breathing.
Some players even smiled.
"This is it?" one whispered.
Mistake.
Round 4–6: Reality
Breathing started getting heavier.
Steps became louder.
The ground felt harder.
Muscles slowly began to resist.
Arjun stayed focused.
His breathing steady.
Eyes straight.
No distractions.
Round 7–8: Pain
Now it started.
Legs burning.
Chest tightening.
Sweat dripping despite the cold air.
Players slowed down.
One stopped for a second—
"Keep moving."
Karn's voice cut through the air like a blade.
No anger.
Just warning.
Round 9–10: Survival
This wasn't running anymore.
This was survival.
Rohit increased his pace.
Overtook two players.
His jaw clenched.
Eyes sharp.
Arjun saw that.
Something inside him responded.
Without thinking—
He pushed harder.
Pain screamed through his legs.
His lungs begged for air.
But his mind said only one thing—
"If I fall here… I don't belong here."
Last stretch.
Rohit and Arjun side by side.
Neither looking at the other.
Both refusing to lose.
They crossed together.
Silence.
Heavy breathing filled the ground.
Some players bent down.
Some sat.
One lay flat on the grass.
Karn walked past them.
Unimpressed.
"Not bad… Vice Captain."
Rohit gave a faint smile.
Arjun didn't.
Because deep inside…
He knew something terrifying.
This was just the warm-up.
Phase 2 – Skill Under Pressure
"Pads on."
Groans spread.
Bodies were already exhausted.
Muscles shaking.
But no one argued.
Not anymore.
They had understood.
This wasn't practice.
This was selection happening again.
Every second.
The Twist
Karn picked up a ball.
Looked at the pitch.
Then said—
"No helmets."
Silence.
Complete silence.
A player whispered—
"Sir… fast bowling without helmet…?"
Karn turned.
Slowly.
"If you're scared…"
A pause.
"Leave."
No one moved.
Fear was there.
But something stronger held them.
Ego.
Arjun vs Raghav – First Clash
"Raghav."
The fast bowler stepped forward.
Tall.
Confident.
Dangerous.
He smirked when he saw Arjun walking in to bat.
"Perfect," he muttered.
Arjun took guard.
No helmet.
Just bat.
Just instinct.
Just courage.
Ball 1
Short.
Fast.
Explosive.
Arjun didn't expect it.
The ball flew past his ear like a bullet.
He froze.
A second late.
Too late.
Raghav smiled.
"Too slow."
Ball 2
Full.
Inswing.
Deadly.
Arjun tried to defend—
EDGE.
The ball smashed into his ribs.
A dull thud echoed.
Pain shot through his body.
He stepped back instantly.
Players reacted.
"Hey—"
Karn didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't care.
Arjun held his side.
His breath staggered.
For a second…
His body wanted to stop.
But his mind…
Was something else.
"Pain fades."
"Respect stays."
He walked back.
Took stance again.
Ball 3
Same speed.
Same aggression.
But this time—
Arjun was ready.
Ball pitched.
He stepped forward.
Perfect timing.
CRACK.
A clean cover drive split the field.
The sound alone silenced everyone.
Rohit clapped once.
Slow.
Respect.
Raghav's smile disappeared.
Phase 3 – Ego Ignites
Raghav walked closer.
Eyes locked on Arjun.
"You got lucky."
Arjun didn't step back.
Didn't hesitate.
"No."
A pause.
"You got predictable."
The air tightened.
Players sensed it.
This wasn't practice anymore.
This was a challenge.
A declaration.
Karn stepped between them.
Not to stop.
But to ignite.
"Good."
Everyone looked at him.
"This… is what I want."
He pointed at the group.
"Not friends."
"Not teammates."
"Hunters."
His voice dropped lower.
"Because out there…"
He pointed beyond the ground.
"No one will go easy on you."
"If you don't want to destroy the opponent…"
His eyes darkened.
"Leave now."
No one moved.
No one even blinked.
Because now…
They understood.
This team wasn't being built to play.
It was being built to dominate.
Final Phase – Death Over Simulation
Karn walked to the scoreboard.
Set the scenario.
12 runs needed. 6 balls.
"Arjun batting."
"Raghav bowling."
"Everyone else… watch and learn."
Ball 1 – DOT
Perfect yorker.
Arjun misses.
Too fast.
Too precise.
12 off 5
Pressure builds.
Ball 2 – 2 Runs
Soft push.
Quick call.
Sharp running.
Arjun dives.
Gets in.
10 off 4
Raghav annoyed.
Ball 3 – WIDE + FOUR
Raghav rushes.
Bowls wide.
Frustration creeping in.
Next ball—
Arjun steps forward.
Drives hard.
Ball races to boundary.
5 off 4
Momentum shifts.
Ball 4 – Almost Wicket
Short ball.
Arjun pulls.
Top edge.
Ball goes high.
Time slows.
Rohit runs.
Eyes locked.
Dives—
DROP.
Gasps.
Silence.
Karn smirks.
"Pressure… breaks even the best."
Rohit clenches his fist.
Angry.
At himself.
Ball 5 – SIX
Now Arjun is different.
Calm.
Focused.
Dangerous.
Raghav runs in.
Bowls full.
Arjun steps forward—
BOOM.
Massive six.
No doubt.
No chance.
Game over.
Aftermath
Silence filled the ground.
Not because they were tired.
But because they understood something.
This team…
Was changing.
Karn clapped once.
"Remember this."
He looked at all of them.
"You don't play to participate."
His voice cut deep.
"You play to dominate."
Closing Scene
Players started walking off.
Bodies tired.
Minds burning.
Rohit walked beside Arjun.
"You're dangerous."
Arjun replied calmly—
"So are you."
Both smiled slightly.
But it wasn't friendly.
It was… respect mixed with rivalry.
From a distance…
Karn watched them.
And for the first time—
He smiled.
Because now he knew…
This team isn't forming.
It's evolving into something unstoppable.