In the darkness beneath the sea, the Soul Slayer smiled—not with mockery, but with certainty.
I was waiting for you, the voice whispered inside Mirshad's mind. You're on time. I took everything you loved. Now it's your turn. Come. Join me. Give me what I came for.
Mirshad's chest rose slowly, his eyes locked forward, and he smiled. Not today. He charged, but the Soul Slayer vanished like mist. You're still weak. You can't win me. You cannot save your people until you surrender your soul. Mirshad attacked again and again, but each strike passed through nothing.
The water was thick, the shadows endless. Then the pain began—blows from nowhere slamming into him, not on flesh, but deep in his soul, a fire in his heart. No marks, no bruises, just agony.
He screamed, fell to one knee, still fought, still swung, but it was useless. Not a single hit landed.
You're not enough. You're tired. Broken. Give me your soul, Mirshad, and I will return them all.
The whisper hissed as it reached out and touched him. His body burned—not from flame, but from the echo of pure despair. He collapsed, breathing hard, silent tears falling, his head bowed. I… can't…
Then—a whisper. Not from the demon. From himself. Are you there…? And the darkness split open. The Guardian appeared, glowing like a living galaxy, a swirl of light and ancient power. You're not weak, he said softly. You have a heart stronger than any god ever made. Fear clouds you. Pain distracts you. But nothing here owns your soul.
Mirshad's voice was steady now. Then how do I destroy him? How do I end him without harming the souls inside? The Guardian smiled. You already have the weapon. The one forged for this moment. The Soul Reaver. Mirshad breathed the name. Soul Reaver… It doesn't kill like other weapons, the Guardian said. It erases evil from existence. One command. One call. That's all it takes. Mirshad frowned. But… it's not with me. Your soul forged that sword. Call it. It will find you. And the Guardian vanished. Mirshad whispered, Come to me. I need you.
Far away in the palace, Sophia sat beside the Soul Reaver, gently placing her hand on its hilt. Her eyes closed. He needs you now. I know you hear me. Go. It's time. The sword began to glow, to vibrate, then lift. A golden burst of lightning shook the hall, and the blade vanished into the air like light skipping across the heavens. Sophia smiled through tears. He's ready… someone is going to die today.
She stood, entered the kitchen, began preparing food, setting the tables, arranging juice, tea, spices, sweets. They're coming home. All of them.
Beneath the sea, Mirshad no longer screamed. He knelt, silent, calm. The Soul Slayer raised its hand for the final blow. A crack of light split the water, and the Soul Reaver slammed into Mirshad's palm.
A wave of thunder blasted in every direction. His body lit up, silver lightning streaking from his veins, his eyes opening—not golden, but silver, ancient, final.
The Soul Slayer trembled as Mirshad rose, each step shaking the abyss. You took everything. His voice cut through the water like a blade. Now it's your turn.
The Soul Slayer tried to vanish, but Mirshad's energy locked the entire space. The sea obeyed him now. This ends now.
He struck—first through the head, then down the center, from crown to core. The Soul Slayer screamed, a sound so loud it tore through galaxies. Billions of souls exploded from its body, light erupting in every direction, and then—ash.
Mirshad fell to his knees and collapsed, the sea gently wrapping around him like a blanket of peace, carrying him into darkness.
Back in the world, one scream, then another, then a million. Rayyan gasped, Malik shouted, Amir fell to his knees, Jabir grabbed Baba. Maa and Papa looked at each other and began to cry.
Mirshad's entire family, his squad, his staff—everyone—stood in the palace alive.
And not just them. Billions, across every country and every town, had returned. Children found their mothers. Fathers hugged sons. Strangers wept in the streets.
No one knew what happened, no one knew how they had returned, but one thing was clear—a miracle had happened. And the only one who wasn't there was Mirshad. But no one asked, no one searched, because deep down, they knew.