The next morning, the atmosphere around The Shield's headquarters was heavy with tension.
Everyone was recovering from the previous day's attacks, but their spirits remained unbroken.
Vaibhav, determined and curious, made his way to find Wick, hoping to learn more about the growing storm.
He found Wick seated casually under a tree near the training ground, leaning back with a lazy expression, as if he hadn't a care in the world.
Wick glanced up, unimpressed.
"What are you doing here so early?" he asked, voice low and even.
Vaibhav scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I wanted to know about Eddie," he said carefully. "What's your connection with him?"
Before Wick could answer, Nick appeared, throwing an arm around Vaibhav's shoulders with a chuckle.
"If you hadn't shown guts saving Bhumi that day," Nick said, grinning, "you'd still be just another new guy.
But now? You're special. You've earned the right to ask."
Wick shrugged, clearly unconvinced.
"I had already planned to save her anyway," he said dryly.
"Besides, you're the one who got yourself saved by him that day."
Nick laughed.
"Come on, brother. Drop the cold act for once. He did good — and you know it."
Wick smirked, unable to hide a flicker of pride.
"Yeah, yeah... Fine."
He straightened slightly, eyes darkening as old memories surfaced.
"It all started back in our first year," Wick began. His voice was quiet, but each word carried weight.
"Back then, I was part of a gang called The Faction.
It was the golden era for all gangs...
The same era that produced legends like the Oz brothers and Johnathan."
Vaibhav listened intently, hardly breathing.
Wick continued, his tone hardening.
"The Faction was the strongest gang of that time. Its leader was a man named Henry... Eddie's elder brother.
And Eddie? He was the rising star... but he always lived in Henry's shadow.
Vivaan — Eddie's cousin — was also part of that world."
Nick added in a low voice, "And Wick? He wasn't just another member.
He was everyone's favorite — especially Henry's."
Wick shrugged modestly, but Vaibhav could sense the pride hidden beneath his calm exterior.
"After some amazing years with them," Wick said, "I decided to create something new.
Something that stood for more than just power.
That's when The Shield was born."
He leaned back, staring at the clear sky above.
"I invited Eddie to join first.
But... my vision of justice didn't match his thirst for dominance.
We weren't the strongest then — not yet — and he didn't believe in the idea.
So he left."
There was a short pause. Wick's jaw tightened slightly as he recalled the old betrayal.
"He wanted Vivaan to take leadership of The Shield when he left,
but it was Vivek who rose instead.
Vivek believed in the Shield's dream.
And when Eddie tried to sway our people, they stood with me."
Nick's voice dropped to a near whisper.
"They even fought us once.
But... they lost.
Some say they lost on purpose, so they could walk away with dignity."
Wick gave a hollow laugh.
"After that, I thought it was over.
But then Eddie showed up here — in this college — with a new army."
Vaibhav processed the story, eyes wide with realization.
"I guess," Vaibhav said carefully, "because you were Henry's favorite...
Eddie always held a grudge.
Maybe he couldn't stand the idea that you were chosen over him.
So now he's back... trying to take you down the only way he knows — by force."
Wick smiled faintly, a tired but dangerous smile.
"You could say that," he said.
Vaibhav, emboldened, pressed further.
"So... what's the plan now?"
Wick stretched his arms lazily, as if the entire war brewing around him was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
"Plan?" he said, yawning.
"Nothing much.
Eat. Sleep.
Beat them when the time comes."
Vaibhav stared at him in disbelief.
How could someone so reckless and carefree also be the Shield's President?
The way he talks, the way he carries himself... It's like two different people living in the same body...
Determined to understand more, Vaibhav decided he couldn't just rely on Wick's words.
He made up his mind to quietly ask around — to dig deeper into the histories of Wick, Eddie, and everyone tied to The Shield.
There was more to this war than just old grudges.
And Vaibhav was determined to find out everything.
---
To be continued...