Two weeks had passed since the world returned from the edge of extinction.
At first, the oceans roared with life. Ships moved like armies. Drones dove. Satellites scanned. The world searched together.
But now… silence.
News anchors, once trembling in awe, now spoke with softer voices. "It's been fourteen days since the global resurrection." "There has been no signal, no sighting… no miracle." "Is MRD gone?"
People on social media began to whisper what no one dared to say aloud. "Maybe he didn't survive." "Maybe that was the price."
Hashtags slowed.
Tributes turned to eulogies.
Murals once painted in victory were now framed in candlelight. "He gave his life to return ours."
"A hero who never returned."
But inside the palace, the world was still waiting.
Rayyan sat at the edge of the war table, staring at blank screens.
The search grid was still open. Red dots. Dead zones. But he never looked away.
Malik stood at the windows, watching clouds roll in. "They're moving on," he said.
Jabir switched off the news—hard. "Let them." Amir nodded. "They never knew him like we did."
Baba sat silently, fingers locked together, eyes closed, thinking. "They believe he sacrificed himself to save them. But we know… Mirshad doesn't fall. He transcends."
In the garden, Sophia sat beneath the sky, her hand resting on her belly.
She spoke softly into the wind. "They don't understand you… but I do. You wouldn't leave without saying goodbye." She looked up at the clouds, waiting, unshaken.
Dinner was quiet.
All chairs filled.
Except one.
A plate sat untouched.
A glass of water beside it.
Maa refused to remove it. "He'll be hungry when he comes home."
Papa sat nearby, reading an old book, fingers calmly flipping each page. He didn't speak, but in his eyes was a silent prayer—and something deeper. Faith.
In the hallway, as the family passed silently, Rayyan stopped. He looked back at the empty chair. "The world may believe he's gone. But we know who he is." He turned toward the others. "They forgot the fire that walks in him… but we never will."