Feroz witnessed a terrifying manifestation of his possible future — a version of himself at the age of twenty-seven, emotionless and broken. Yusuf revealed that Feroz's father had not died but had been bound to the ancient source of power by the Free Masons. The stone tree cracked open, releasing unstable energy that tried to sync with Feroz. Though overwhelmed, Feroz resisted, refusing to accept that future. The hall collapsed, leaving him alive — but forever changed.
The dust settled slowly.
Feroz remained on his knees, his breathing heavy, his arm still burning from the fading glow.
The older version of himself was gone.
But the memory remained.
Clear.
Sharp.
Real.
Yusuf stood nearby, watching him carefully.
"You did not break," Yusuf said.
Feroz didn't respond immediately.
He stared at the cracked ground where the energy had been.
"I felt it," he said quietly. "That version of me… he wasn't weak."
Yusuf's expression darkened.
"No," Yusuf replied. "He was empty."
Feroz clenched his fist.
"That's worse."
The underground hall groaned again. The ceiling was no longer stable.
"We must leave," Yusuf said. "This place cannot hold itself much longer."
Feroz forced himself to stand. His legs trembled, but he stayed upright.
They moved toward the narrow tunnel they had entered from.
Each step echoed in the silence.
Behind them, the broken stone tree emitted faint pulses, weaker now… but not dead.
As they reached the tunnel entrance, Feroz stopped.
Yusuf noticed.
"What is it?"
Feroz didn't turn around.
"He said I was the key," Feroz said. "What does that open?"
Yusuf hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
"Something the Free Masons have been preparing for decades."
Feroz finally turned.
"And my father?"
Yusuf looked back at the ruins.
"He tried to stop it. That is why they bound him instead of killing him."
Feroz's jaw tightened.
"He's still alive."
"Yes."
The words carried both hope and danger.
Feroz nodded slowly.
"Then I'm not just training to survive."
He looked at his arm.
"I'm training to finish what he started."
Yusuf studied him.
There was no hesitation now.
No fear in his eyes.
Only direction.
Only purpose.
They exited the tunnel.
Fresh air hit Feroz's face like a shock.
It was night.
Hours had passed.
The forest was silent.
Too silent.
Yusuf stopped suddenly.
Feroz noticed.
"What is it?"
Yusuf didn't answer.
He was listening.
Then—
A branch snapped.
Behind them.
Feroz turned instantly.
Three figures stood between the trees.
Still.
Watching.
Their eyes glowed faintly blue.
Hunters.
But different.
Stronger.
One of them stepped forward.
"You were not meant to survive the hall," the figure said calmly.
Feroz felt his heart race—but he didn't step back.
Yusuf moved slightly in front of him.
"They came faster than expected," Yusuf murmured.
The lead Hunter tilted its head.
"The Free Masons are done waiting."
Its glowing eyes locked onto Feroz.
"You will come with us."
Feroz's arm began to glow again.
This time—
He did not try to stop it.
"I'm done running," Feroz said.
The forest air trembled slightly around him.
The Hunters reacted instantly.
They attacked.
And for the first time—
Feroz did not hesitate to fight back.