chapter 29
Rudra leaned back in his chair, legs spread in his signature commanding posture, watching his queen work. His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk as the man’s screams rattled the basement.
He turned his head slightly toward Vipul and the others.
“I guess…” Rudra drawled, his voice deep and unhurried, “…we need to learn how to torture people properly, i was going to teach you how to torture, but it seems I'm learning tonight sweetheart "
The room went dead silent.
Even his men—who had seen countless executions, countless punishments—shifted uncomfortably at his words. They weren’t sure if it was a joke or a warning. With Rudra Singh Rajput, both were equally terrifying.
Phoenix, crouched low beside Rudra’s chair, let out a guttural growl that echoed like thunder. Its black feathers bristled, eyes glowing in the dim light, as if agreeing with its master.
The chained men flinched violently at the sound, their bodies jerking as if the growl alone had sliced into their bones. One of them whispered, voice cracking, “Monster…”
Rudra’s smirk widened, sharp and merciless, but he didn’t even glance at them. His cold gaze stayed on Ishni—the queen of hell herself—moving with deadly grace around her prey.
“Continue, jaan,” he murmured, his voice dripping with dark pride. “Show them what fear really tastes like.”
Ishni turned slowly, her heels clicking against the blood-soaked floor, her lips curved into a deceptively sweet smile.
“Shhh… don’t worry.” Her voice was calm, almost motherly, but it only made the man’s heart pound harder. His face turned ghostly pale as she tilted her head, studying him like prey.
“I won’t make yours… worse.”
The man’s lips trembled, hope flickering in his eyes for a fraction of a second. But then Ishni leaned forward, whispering coldly, her smirk cutting deeper than any blade:
“You know… nearby the forest, there’s a tribe. And every year, they perform a ritual. For that ritual, they need a head…” she paused, letting the silence crawl over him, “…and I thought—why not help them?”
The man’s knees buckled even while chained, his breath ragged. “N-No… please—”
Ishni raised her finger and silenced him instantly. “Ah… don’t beg yet. Save that for when they start sharpening their knives.”
At her signal, Rudra’s men dragged in a massive wooden crate. When the lid was removed, it revealed ceremonial weapons—tribal masks, machetes, hooks still stained with dried blood.
Gasps erupted even from Rudra’s loyal men. The third victim’s eyes widened in horror. “N-no… no, please… don’t give me to them… they’ll—”
Rudra chuckled darkly from his chair, finally speaking, his voice low and cruel:
“That’s the point.”
Phoenix let out another growl, as if announcing the doom awaiting him.
Ishni crouched before the trembling man, caressing his face mockingly. “By the time they’re done, even the Devil won’t recognize you. But hey… at least you’ll be useful for once in your miserable life.”
“Call the tribes people!!” Ishni’s voice cracked through the basement like a whip.
Within seconds, the heavy wooden doors creaked open. A group of tribesmen entered—bare feet, painted faces, necklaces made of bones rattling with each step. Their eyes widened the moment they saw the horrific sight before them—
—one man’s skin torn and dripping blood onto the cracked floor,
—another body floating in a tub of dark, sticky blood with leeches still writhing over his half-dead flesh,
—and two others left hanging in sheer terror, their eyes begging for a mercy that would never come.
The tribe looked at Ishni. Not a single one dared to speak. The atmosphere was thick, choking, as if even the air itself was scared to move.
Ishni smirked, stepping forward like a queen addressing her subjects.
“Here,” she gestured at the trembling third man, his body shaking violently, “a gift. For your next ritual.”
The tribesmen exchanged glances, their shock melting into reverence. One of them bent his head slightly, as though Ishni was not a woman, but a goddess of death herself.
The third man screamed, thrashing against his bonds. “No! Please—don’t let them take me! Kill me instead! Kill me!”
Rudra, still seated like a silent god on his throne-like chair, finally spoke. His deep voice silenced everything:
“You won’t die that easily. You’ll live… until they carve your soul apart.”
Phoenix growled low, as if amused by the chaos.
The tribesmen dragged the victim away, his shrieks echoing through the basement like a funeral song. Blood trailed behind him, leaving a crimson path.
Ishni turned back to the remaining man, her lips curling in a deadly smile.
“Now… shall we continue?”
Ishni slowly walked toward the last man, her heels clicking against the blood-soaked floor. He trembled, his legs barely holding him upright.
She tilted her head, lips curving into a smile that was far too calm for the brutality around them.
“Let’s keep yours simple…” she whispered, circling him like a predator.
“I’ll give you a chance. If you can cross the exit line of this basement—you’re free.”
His eyes widened, a spark of desperate hope flashing within them.
Then Ishni’s voice dropped into a deadly murmur.
“But… if I catch you—” she leaned in closer, her smirk brushing against his ear,
“then you will pray for death.”
She straightened, clapped her hands once. “Come on… run! For your life. Because death is already chasing you.”
The man didn’t need to be told twice. He stumbled forward, then sprinted into the darkness of the vast underground basement. His frantic footsteps echoed like a drumbeat of doom.
The space was huge, almost endless—pillars, shadows, corridors twisting like a labyrinth. The exit glimmered faintly at the far end, like a cruel promise.
Ishni chuckled, removing her heels, tossing them aside with elegance. Her eyes glowed with pure predatory thrill. “Hunt begins.”
Rudra sat back, watching in silence, his smirk sharp as a blade. To his men, he muttered coldly,
“This is why people call her the Queen of Hell. Watch… she doesn’t hunt prey. She plays with them.”
The man kept running, breath ragged, the exit line so close he could almost taste freedom.
And then—
behind him came the sound.
Soft. Barefoot steps. Steady. Too steady.
Ishni wasn’t running. She was walking. Like a shadow that knew the prey could never escape.
“Run faster,” her voice echoed across the basement, taunting, teasing, terrifying.
“Because the moment my hand touches you… it’s over.”
Ishni’s voice sliced through the echoing basement, calm and playful, almost mocking.
“Hey, Phoenix baby… wanna accompany me?”
Without hesitation, the beast rose, his deadly claws clicking against the cement floor as he strode beside her—each step matching hers perfectly. He didn’t roar this time; he didn’t need to. His silence was worse. It was the silence of a predator savoring the hunt.
The man up ahead glanced back, his breath ragged. His eyes widened in sheer terror at the sight—her, walking leisurely, Phoenix at her side like a demon’s pet, both stalking him as if he was nothing but meat.
“Faster…” Ishni cooed, her tone almost gentle, almost sweet.
“Or he’ll reach you before I do. And trust me, baby—he doesn’t know mercy.”
Phoenix tilted his head, letting out a low growl, the sound echoing like the hiss of chains. He was waiting—waiting for her command, eyes locked on the man like a predator locked on its final meal.
The man screamed and stumbled, his bare feet slapping against the floor, but every time he thought he gained distance—the sound of Ishni’s heels tapping softly (even though she carried them in her hand now) rang in his ears.
She wasn’t chasing. She didn’t need to chase.
She was closing in by sheer dread.
Ishni smirked, her voice echoing.
“Look at you… running for your life, crawling for scraps of freedom. But you already know the truth, don’t you?”
She leaned slightly, whispering into the empty air as if he could hear her soul clawing at his.
“No prey escapes their Queen.”
Phoenix let out a piercing shriek. The man shrieked louder, running blindly toward the faint glow of the exit. His hands stretched desperately—so close.
And then—
Ishni finally gave the command.
“Phoenix… fetch.”
The beast roared and lunged forward, closing the gap in seconds.
The man was only a few steps away from the glowing exit when Ishni’s voice rang out, sharp as a blade.
“Tsk tsk… I changed my mind.”
She smirked, tilting her head like a predator playing with its prey. Her tone was laced with venom and amusement.
“Your game is over now.”
The man froze mid-run, his body trembling, hope draining from his eyes as if someone had ripped it straight out of his chest.
Ishni’s voice dropped low, cruel yet sweet.
“Bring him… Phoenix.”
At once, the beast let out a bone-chilling roar. His massive black wings unfurled, shaking dust from the ceiling. The very ground seemed to quake under his power.
In a blur of deadly speed, Phoenix pounced. His claws slammed into the ground just inches behind the man, talons scraping as sparks flew. The man screamed, trying to push himself forward—only for Phoenix’s razor-sharp beak to snap dangerously close to his shoulder.
A second later, Phoenix’s claws gripped him by the torso, lifting him like a ragdoll, his legs kicking helplessly in the air. His shrieks echoed through the basement, bouncing against the walls.
Ishni walked forward unhurriedly, each step calm, calculated, merciless. Her smirk widened as she reached him, now dangling in Phoenix’s grip, his blood trickling where talons had already pierced flesh.
She leaned close, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Run? You thought you could run from me? Sweetheart… even death doesn’t run faster than I do.”
The man dangled in Phoenix’s claws, screaming, thrashing like a trapped animal. His terrified eyes met Ishni’s, searching for mercy—only to find none.
Ishni tilted her head, lips curling into a deadly smile.
“Break his bones… but don’t kill him.”
Her voice was soft, almost tender, yet it carried the weight of a death sentence.
Phoenix let out a guttural roar, and with one swift, merciless motion, his talons tightened.
CRACK.
The man howled in pain as his arm bent at an unnatural angle, bone snapping under the crushing force.
CRUNCH.
Another squeeze, and his leg shattered like dry wood under pressure. His cries turned to broken wails, echoing through the basement as his body convulsed in agony.
The other men—those still hanging—shut their eyes, trembling violently, unable to watch yet unable to block out the sound of bones breaking like glass.
Ishni smirked, stepping closer, her heels clicking on the blood-stained floor. She brushed her fingers lightly across the man’s face, ignoring his tears.
“Pain suits you.” She whispered coldly. “Don’t worry… Phoenix knows when to stop.”
Phoenix growled deep in his chest, claws crushing just enough to make the man scream again—but not enough to end him. Every crack, every shatter, was precise. Controlled. Brutal.
Rudra, from his chair, smirked faintly. His dark eyes glowed with pride as he watched his queen command the beast and the room alike.
Ishni’s smirk widened as the men dragged forward a bundle of iron rods—thick, rusted, sharp at the ends. Their metallic clanging echoed through the basement, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present.
She walked slowly toward the half-broken man writhing in Phoenix’s claws, her heels clicking like the countdown of a clock. Tilting her head, she crouched slightly, her voice venomously calm:
“You like to assault, right? To ruin lives, bodies, souls?”
Her eyes blazed as she caressed the sharp end of a rod, then looked at him with pure fire.
“Now… it’s my turn.”
She straightened, her command slicing through the silence:
“Insert each rod… into his body.”
The men obeyed instantly.
The first rod pierced through his thigh—
“AAAHHHHHH!” his scream tore through the basement like thunder.
The second rod plunged into his shoulder, blood spurting, his veins pulsing in terror.
The third was forced into his side, scraping bone. He convulsed violently, choking on his cries.
With each rod entering his flesh, Ishni’s smirk grew darker. She didn’t flinch, didn’t blink, only leaned in and whispered near his ear, letting him hear the cruelty of her justice:
“Every scream of yours tonight… is for the women you destroyed. Every stab is their revenge.”
Phoenix roared, pacing like a shadow of death, while Rudra leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady—coldly proud of his wife’s ruthlessness.
By the time the last rod was thrust through his body, the man was a living corpse, pierced and bleeding, barely able to breathe, yet not dead. Exactly how Ishni wanted.
She rose slowly, wiping a drop of blood from her hand, and whispered with chilling softness:
“Now tell me… does it feel the same when you are ruined?”
Ishni’s voice sliced through the basement, sharp and merciless:
“You won’t die this fast!! Burn him alive!!”
The men froze for a second—her command was so savage, so final, that even Rudra’s hardened guards exchanged uneasy glances. But none dared to disobey.
In an instant, kerosene cans were dragged forward, the sharp stench filling the air.
The half-dead man’s eyes widened in terror, his head jerking weakly side to side.
His muffled whimpers were drowned by the sound of liquid splashing across his battered body, soaking into his wounds, his skin, his bloodied clothes.
He began to shake violently.
“No… no… please—please…” he begged, his voice broken, but Ishni only tilted her head, her smile almost sweet.
She struck a matchstick, holding it up close to her face, the fire reflecting in her dark eyes.
“You like to watch women burn in shame?” she whispered.
“Now you’ll burn in truth.”
She tossed the match.
The man erupted into flames, his screams shrieking through the basement like the cries of a dying animal.
Fire ate through his skin, the rods inside him glowing red-hot, sizzling his flesh from within.
The stench of burning blood and charred skin thickened the air, making even Rudra’s men cover their mouths in horror.
Phoenix roared, wings flaring, as if singing along to the symphony of agony.
Ishni didn’t flinch—she stood still, her face glowing in the reflection of the fire, a queen of wrath watching her justice unfold. Rudra’s gaze never left her; a smirk touched his lips, half proud, half in awe of the woman beside him.
The air reeked of blood and smoke. Four bodies lay scattered—burnt, shredded, drowned, torn apart. Silence followed, only broken by the crackle of dying flames and Phoenix’s low growl.
Ishni stood frozen for a moment, her chest heaving, her smirk finally fading. Then her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the cold floor. The weight of everything she unleashed pressed down on her.
Rudra was beside her in an instant, strong arms wrapping around her trembling frame. He tilted her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet his—eyes still gleaming with fire.
“I never knew,” he whispered, his voice laced with awe and danger, “my wife was this dangerous… this ruthless.”
Ishni let out a soft, broken chuckle, pressing her forehead against his chest, her blood-stained fingers curling into his shirt."Are you scared?" Ishni asked with teasing tone.
Rudra smirked, brushing his lips against her temple, his hold tightening as if to claim her completely.
“No, jaan,” he said darkly, his tone both proud and possessive. “The world should be.”
She buried her face deeper into his chest, her shoulders relaxing as his heartbeat steadied her. He kissed the crown of her head, pulling her closer, while behind them Phoenix lowered himself to the ground, guarding them both like a shadow.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, blurring her vision as her body trembled in his arms. “Rudra… I killed them…” her voice cracked, breaking under the weight of her own words.
Rudra gently cupped her face, forcing her to look at him.
His thumb brushed her wet cheeks as his dark eyes held nothing but fierce tenderness.
“No, jaan,” he said firmly, each word striking like thunder, “you survived. You fought for yourself… because no law, no court, no system was ever enough to give you the justice you deserved.”
Her lips trembled as another sob escaped. “But… I became like them…”
Rudra shook his head sharply, pressing his forehead to hers, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
“No. They were monsters who fed on innocence. You… you are fire, Ishni. You burned them with their own sins. That’s not becoming them—” he kissed her tears, his hand sliding protectively to the back of her head, “—that’s taking back what they stole from you. ”
Her sobs softened into broken breaths as she clung to him tighter, hiding in the safety of his embrace.
“I don’t know how to live with this blood on my hands,” she whispered.
Rudra’s lips brushed against her ear, his voice low and steady.
“Then let me carry it with you, jaan. Your hands may be stained, but your soul… your soul is mine to protect. You’ll never carry this alone.”
He pulled her onto his lap, holding her as if the world outside didn’t exist. Phoenix let out a low rumble, curling close as though shielding her too.
Phoenix clung closer to Ishni, curling its dark feathered body around her protectively, almost pushing Rudra aside as if saying “She’s mine to console.”
Rudra’s jaw tightened. He raised a brow at the beast and muttered, “Oye… go away. She’s my wife. Meri hai.”
Phoenix let out a sharp growl, eyes glinting, refusing to budge.
Rudra narrowed his eyes at the creature. “Don’t glare at me. Go get your own wife.”
For a moment, even Ishni—broken and tear-stained—let out a soft chuckle against his chest. Rudra felt her body shake, and he glanced down only to see a faint smile through her tears.
“Great,” Rudra muttered, shooting Phoenix a death glare. “Now you’re making her laugh at me.”
Phoenix ruffled its feathers proudly, glaring right back as if saying “At least I can make her smile, unlike you.”
Rudra sighed, pulling Ishni tighter into his arms, growling under his breath, “First it was enemies, now it’s a bloody overgrown animal. Everyone wants to steal my wife.”
Phoenix snapped its head toward Rudra, feathers flaring, eyes glowing as if saying “Excuse me? How dare you call me that?”
Rudra smirked, unfazed. “Haan haan, don’t give me that look. You’re just a giant, overgrown animal with an attitude.”
Phoenix let out a sharp, ear-splitting screech, the basement walls almost vibrating. Even Rudra’s men flinched back.
Rudra leaned casually, holding Ishni closer. “Arre, dekha? Ghussa bhi kar raha hai. Bas shaadi ka card chhapna baaki hai.”
Ishni, despite the tears staining her cheeks, let out a soft laugh. She buried her face in Rudra’s chest, half scolding, half amused.
“Stop it… he’s not just a animal. He’s my baby.”
Rudra’s mouth fell open. “Baby?” He looked at Phoenix, then back at her. “Ab main pati hoon ya aapka doosra ‘ animal -parent’?!”
Phoenix puffed its chest proudly, glaring at Rudra as if declaring victory.
Phoenix dramatically turned his head away from Rudra, feathers flicking as if saying “Tch, who wants to argue with an ignorant human anyway?” Then slowly, he lowered his deadly eyes and looked at Ishni with the softest, most pathetic puppy eyes ever—like a giant, feathery predator turned into a sulking child begging for maa’s attention.
Ishni blinked at him, then giggled through her tears. “Oh no… don’t look at me like that, baby.” She reached her hand out to stroke his feathery head gently. Phoenix leaned in instantly, cooing like a spoiled pet, closing his eyes in bliss.
Rudra’s jaw dropped. “Unbelievable.”
Phoenix peeked one glowing eye open and gave Rudra a side-eye, smirking in his own way as if saying “Jealous much?”
Rudra huffed. “Bas! Ab yeh bhi meri biwi ka lapdog ban gaya.” He grabbed Ishni’s waist possessively. “Jaan, he’s a deadly beast, not your teddy bear!”
Phoenix flared his wings wide—huge, intimidating—and then very deliberately tucked his head on Ishni’s shoulder like a baby.
Ishni laughed harder, hugging both Rudra and Phoenix. “Both of you… my jealous babies.”
Rudra: “Don’t put us in the same category.”
Phoenix Low growl, clearly agreeing with her instead.