The shaking grew stronger.
Dust rained from the ceiling as cracks formed along the carved walls. The glowing symbols flickered wildly, reacting to something outside.
"They're testing the barrier," Yusuf said calmly, though his eyes were alert. "They cannot enter easily. Not yet."
Feroz steadied himself. "How long do we have?"
"Not long."
Another tremor ran through the chamber. This time, a deep sound echoed — like stone grinding against stone.
Feroz felt the energy inside him stir again, restless.
"Listen to me carefully," Yusuf said, gripping Feroz's shoulder. "This cave is protected by ancient seals tied to your bloodline. But those seals weaken every time your power surges without control."
"So this is my fault?" Feroz asked.
"It is your reality," Yusuf corrected.
Above them, a sharp crack split through the air.
A thin line of blue light sliced across the ceiling — unnatural, controlled.
"The Hunters," Yusuf muttered. "They are cutting through layer by layer."
Feroz clenched his fists. "Then let them come."
Yusuf shook his head. "No. Not yet. If you fight them now, you will lose more than the battle."
Another violent shake.
The hidden passage behind them began to collapse slowly, stones falling one by one.
Yusuf moved quickly toward the center platform. He placed his hand over the carved symbol identical to the one on Feroz's arm.
"There is another way out," he said.
Feroz frowned. "You didn't mention that."
"Because it is not meant for escape. It is meant for continuation."
The platform began to glow.
A circular outline formed beneath Feroz's feet.
"What does that mean?" Feroz asked, tension rising.
"It means," Yusuf said firmly, "that your training will not remain in one place. The path moves when danger rises."
Above them, a piece of rock shattered.
A faint opening appeared in the ceiling — and through it, Feroz saw glowing blue eyes staring down.
One of the Hunters.
The Hunter's voice echoed into the chamber.
"You cannot hide him forever, Yusuf."
Feroz's chest burned at the sound.
The platform beneath him flared bright white.
"Stand still!" Yusuf ordered.
The Hunter raised his hand, and darkness gathered like smoke around his fingers.
"Enough running," the Hunter said coldly.
Before the darkness could strike —
The circle beneath Feroz exploded with light.
The chamber vanished.
The Hunter's attack hit empty stone.
Silence followed.
Feroz felt weightless for a moment.
Then—
He landed hard on solid ground.
He opened his eyes.
He was no longer inside the cave.
He stood in an unfamiliar place — an underground hall far larger than the chamber before. Massive pillars surrounded him. Strange markings covered the floor in a pattern he did not recognize.
Yusuf stood beside him, breathing heavier than usual.
"Where are we?" Feroz asked.
Yusuf looked around slowly.
"A place even the Free Masons do not fully understand."
Feroz turned.
At the far end of the hall stood something that made his heart stop.
A stone structure shaped like—
A tree.
Its branches carved upward into the ceiling.
Its roots carved deep into the floor.
And at its base—
An empty space.
The exact shape of a human body.
Feroz felt cold.
Yusuf noticed his expression.
"This," Yusuf said quietly, "is older than the park tree."
Feroz stepped closer to the stone carving, his voice barely a whisper.
"So the tree in the park…"
Yusuf's eyes darkened.
"…is not just a tree."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from somewhere in the vast hall.
Not from above.
Not from outside.
From within.
Yusuf slowly drew his blade.
"We were not the only ones moved," he said.
And from behind one of the massive pillars —
A familiar voice spoke.
"You should not have brought him here."
Feroz froze.
He knew that voice.
But it was impossible.
Because the man who owned it was supposed to be gone forever.