The call ended, and without wasting a moment, Mirshad and Baba sped towards the location John had sent. The air was thick with tension, fear clashing with unspoken rage. As they drove, Baba's voice trembled.
"Son, I don't know what's waiting for us there. But mark my words — this is no end, only the beginning. We've entered an ocean with no shore in sight. There are monsters hiding beneath the waves, sharks too big to see — and some will be waiting to drag us under."
Mirshad's eyes never left the road, but his voice was calm, carrying the weight of his resolve.
"Baba, if we've entered the sea, let them come. The sharks don't know that a fisherman has arrived — and I'm not here to fish. I'm here to hunt. No one escapes my hook."
Behind them, unseen by either, Sara was following in her own car. Her hands gripped the steering wheel, her heart pounding, unwilling to leave her family alone in the storm.
When they reached the building, there was no time for hesitation. Mirshad and Baba burst inside, sprinting through the dark halls. Their eyes locked onto the horrifying sight — Mama, Sara's sister, and her friend — hands bound to the wall, eyes red from terror.
They rushed to free them, Baba gently lowering Mama into his lap. Her skin was pale, veins cut deep, her life dripping away with every passing second. Baba shook her, desperate to wake her, but she didn't respond.
"Sara! Take her to the nearest hospital — now!" Baba's voice cracked.
Sara didn't hesitate. She and her sister helped lift Mama into the car, peeling out of the driveway, tires screaming against the pavement. Baba handed Sara his car keys, telling her to escape if things went wrong.
Suddenly — a gunshot echoed. A slow, mocking clap followed. Baba and Mirshad turned to see John standing in the doorway, his twisted grin stretching across his face.
"Hello Faisal, my old friend," John sneered. "I gave you a chance to save her. Whether she lives or dies — that's no longer my concern. But you… you won't be so lucky."
John's eyes flicked to Mirshad.
"And this? This is your hero? The arrogant little brat from the phone?" John burst into laughter. "This child is supposed to protect you from me?"
Baba stepped forward. "John, stop this madness. Let us go. We don't want any more trouble. I'll stay if that's what you want — just let them go. They don't know anything."
John's smile vanished. "You think it's that easy, Faisal? You broke the rules long ago. These kids don't know who you really were — what you were capable of. You can't just walk away."
Baba's voice broke. "Take me. Leave him alone."
John's eyes burned with hatred. "Too late. Your son shattered my pride. He made me bleed on that phone call — and I'll repay him by ripping out his soul. No one humiliates me."
Mirshad's hands curled into fists, trembling with fury.
"Enough." Mirshad's voice was low, but it carried through the room like thunder. "Step aside, John. Walk away, and I'll spare your life."
John laughed, waving his men forward. "Kill them."
Gunfire erupted. Bullets tore through the walls and air, forcing Mirshad to take cover. Splinters rained down, and several bullets pierced his flesh — blood staining his shirt. But the pain was distant. His powers — they wouldn't wake. Not like before.
A soldier burst from the side, slamming Mirshad with a shovel. The force dropped him to the floor, blood pooling around his face. John ordered the firing to stop and walked up, grabbing Mirshad by the collar.
"Where's all that arrogance now, kid? Where's your god and devil talk?"
He spat on Mirshad's face, shoving him down like trash.
John turned to his men. "Put away the guns. Beat him to death. I want to watch."
The soldiers descended — boots, fists, pipes — raining down merciless blows. Mirshad didn't fight back. He lay still, waiting for the end.
When one soldier leaned in, feeling for a pulse, he stood and smirked. "He's dead."
John laughed so hard his knees buckled. "Faster than I thought!"
Baba, watching from outside, his heart shattered. Tears streamed down his face. He stepped into the room, trembling.
"John, you fool…" Baba whispered. "Do you think that's really my son's body lying there?"
John sneered. "What are you talking about?"
Baba knelt beside Mirshad's body, gently cradling Mirshad head. "Wake up, son. Wake up for Mama."
For a moment, there was nothing — but then, a single breath. Baba's hands shook. "Mama… she's gone. She didn't make it."
Tears and blood mingled on Mirshad's face. His chest heaved as sorrow and rage twisted inside him. His body trembled — heat radiating off his skin.
"No more hiding." Baba whispered. "No more running. Show them what you are."
Mirshad's voice was hoarse. "Keep your distance, Baba. I'm burning."
Baba stepped back. The ground beneath Mirshad cracked, a crimson glow spreading through his veins — his skin pulsing with light. His head lowered, fists clenched so tight blood oozed between his fingers.
John, still smug, chuckled. "You want more, kid? Come and get it."
Mirshad raised his head — his eyes blazing red, veins like molten lava searing through his skin.
"John," Mirshad said softly, "You have five minutes. Call everyone you want. Call God himself. It won't matter."
John's cocky grin faltered.
A soldier charged with a sword — but Mirshad caught the blade barehanded, shattering it like glass. He grabbed the man by the throat, lifting him high, and slammed him into the wall so hard his body exploded into pulp.
Panic spread like wildfire.
John's men swarmed, but they couldn't see him move. Limbs flew, heads rolled, blood sprayed the walls like art. Mirshad was a blur of rage and steel, twin swords in his hands, cutting through flesh like paper. No mercy. No hesitation.
Screams filled the air — and silence followed.
Only John stood, trembling, watching his entire army reduced to pieces.
"You wanted a god?" Mirshad's voice echoed. "Here I am."
He marched toward John, each step heavy with judgment.
John collapsed to his knees, hands raised. "Please — I'll give you anything! Don't kill me!"
Mirshad grabbed John's collar, lifting him effortlessly.
"This is for Mama." His fist drew back, trembling with power — but just before the fatal blow, Baba's hand grabbed his wrist.
"Enough, son." Baba's voice was soft but firm. "Let him go."
Mirshad's eyes burned into Baba's, but he slowly lowered his hand, trembling with restraint.
"This mercy is your biggest mistake, Baba," Mirshad whispered.
John collapsed to the ground, gasping. He was alive — for now.
Mirshad stumbled, collapsing into Baba's arms, blood soaking them both.
The war wasn't over. It had only begun.