DEMON SUPREME

A week had passed, and yet, Soya had failed to find a job for her brother-in-law, Das. 

Though Das was skilled and hard-working, every employer rejected him outright. His criminal past overshadowed his abilities, and no one was willing to give him a chance. They dismissed him without listening to his story, as if the decade he spent in the "criminal zone" was a stain he could never wash off.

Soya tried her best to find a job for Das. But her efforts came at a cost—she missed college every single day, and the weight of her failures began to wear her down. 

Soya's mother Ruby is infuriated as Soya misses college everyday for helping Das.

"You've done enough! He's not your responsibility! Why should you ruin your education for someone who can't escape his past? He is a plague to our family. Don't spoil your career for him."

Soya had no choice but to comply, though her heart ached at the injustice of it all. Das, however, didn't let the rejection or Ruby's words deter him. He decided to take matters into his own hands.

Every morning, Das would drop Lilly, his wife, at the Frost family textile factory before venturing out in search of work. He roamed the bustling streets of the city, his sharp eyes scanning for opportunities everyday. 

The automobile street, with hundreds of mechanics, became a frequent stop.

Many were impressed by his skill in repairing cars. His hands, roughened by years of survival, seemed to breathe life into broken engines. Yet, when he revealed his criminal past, their enthusiasm turned cold. One by one, the doors slammed shut in his face.

Still, Das pressed on. He just smiled at every rejection and went to a new shop to find work. 

Saturday…

In the morning, as he dropped Lilly off at work, she leaned toward him, her smile warm but teasing. 

"In the evening, we'll go out for dinner. Don't forget to pick me up at 6 o'clock. And please, don't go home. My mother's just waiting to throw all the housework onto you."

Das chuckled softly and nodded, watching her wave goodbye as she disappeared into the factory.

Normally, Das would have headed straight to the automobile street. But today, he decided to try his luck elsewhere—Gold Market Road. Known for its vibrant shops and the glitter of precious items, the street is also lined with antique shops and vendors selling rare trinkets.

Das parked his car near a public park, skillfully maneuvering it into a tight space. 

But just as he got down from the car, a roar of luxurious cars came from behind.

He turned immediately, and his sharp gaze locked onto an extraordinary sight: seven Rolls-Royce cars gliding to a stop beside him. The crowd moved automatically, afraid of disturbing the wealthy group.

The doors opened in synchronized precision. Uniformed servants and security guards emerged, forming a disciplined line. Their presence drew the attention of passersby, who whispered and stared.

Finally, the central car door slid open, revealing an elderly man with long white hair. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, and a golden-painted sandalwood cane rested in his hand. 

The old man's face was stoic and he exuded a dangerous aura.

Das's eyes narrowed at the sigh of the old man. Das clearly knows the person before him and the sight of the old man infuriated him.

The old man stepped out and walked directly toward Das. The two men stood face-to-face, their eyes locked in an intense stare.

The silence stretched, heavy and charged. Finally, the old man bowed slightly and spoke in a respectful tone.

"Greetings, Young master."

"I'm not your master. Leave before I kill every single one of you." Das replied with a threatening look.

The old man smiled slightly, straightened himself and spoke again in a calm and measured tone. "Young Master Das, a decade has passed. Please, let bygones be bygones. It's time for you to return to the family."

"I have no family." Das replied sharply.

"Don't let emotions drive you, young master. Come with me. If you kneel before your grandmother and beg for forgiveness, you will be welcomed back. No one will dare challenge your position as the next patriarch.

"As for your current marriage, forget about it. Once you return, we will arrange a union with the princess of China's Lee family. Together, you can rule two nations. The small Frost family isn't even worthy of cleaning your shoes." The old man said in a persuading tone.

The servants and guards behind the old man watched silently. Many of them were surprised by the words of the old palace master. They never expected the poor young man they were seeing is the Cursed Master of the Das family. Das's simple, worn clothes really made them doubt the reality.

The old palace master of Das' family patiently waited for Vikram's response.

Vikram's lips curled into a bitter smile. He sighed deeply and said, "Yes, Palace Master, a decade has passed. But the family you speak of hasn't changed at all. A few days ago, they sent a woman to extract information from me. And for what they did to my parents, I will never forgive them."

Das's voice grew harsher, his eyes blazing with fury. 

"A decade ago, my parents were killed in a family feud. I begged the family to reveal the culprit, but they claimed it was the work of a magician from a hidden sect. My bastard uncle mocked me. In my rage, I cut off his hand instead of his neck, and for that, I was branded a criminal and cast out.

"They didn't stop there. They sent me to rot in the 'criminal zone.' And if that wasn't enough, they even severed the arm of my dearest Uncle Roy. I endured humiliation for ten long years."

He stepped closer to the old man, his voice steady but filled with venom. 

"And now, after all this time, you expect me to forget everything with a few words? To return to the family that betrayed me? Do you think I'm spineless?"

The Palace Master sighed heavily as he couldn't find words to refute Vikram's words. 

But he tried one last time. "Young Master Das, do you understand what you're turning down? Wealth that rivals a nation's budget. Power that will let you look down on the entire world. Please reconsider."

Das's eyes glinted with determination. "Kaka [Palace Master Name], do you think I can't achieve all of that with my own strength? Even if every Das family member kneels, I won't rest until I've avenged my parents. I'll destroy anyone who dared to plot against them."

Silence followed as the old man saw the same vengeance full look in Vikram's eyes which he saw a decade back. From a 13-year old boy to a 23 year old man, the resolve of Vikram Das didn't change a bit.

Turning around, Das walked away, his head held-high. The servants and security-guards stood frozen, stunned into silence.

The old Palace master, Kaka, watched his retreating figure, his shoulders sagging slightly. 

"Master, you are even more promising than your father. I only hope you live a long life, unlike him." the old man muttered as his eyes turned moist. He crumbled some of the wealthy documents brought for Das with an unwilling look.