The morning sun rose over Spiral Island, but the light felt unnatural – crimson and heavy, as if the sky itself mourned what was about to happen. Trumpets echoed across the capital. Flags waved. The streets were dressed in gold and silver, and yet the people's smiles were hollow. They weren't celebrating out of joy – they were enchanted.
Fahad's magic had seeped into their minds, binding will into worship.
Inside the grand hall, twelve kings and six governors stood waiting. None dared to whisper a word. The heavy doors opened, and Fahad entered, draped in a black-and-crimson robe, the Spiral Crown in his hand. His eyes glowed faintly – not from light, but from power. Galib followed behind, his eyes pale but proud.
The air grew thick when Fahad stopped before the throne. The minister of Spiral Island, Harry Macbeth's trembling voice echoed:
"All hail Fahad, ruler of Spiral Island, welcome to the Spiral Kingdom!"
As the crown touched his head, the torches flickered – and every shadow in the room bowed to except Tayeb, Zaber, Rafi, Rafiq, and Musa. Fahad smiled for a moment. He turned, looked at the trembling crowd… and then slowly lifted the crown from his head.
Fahad: "This… belongs to its true heir. My Father."
Fahad placed the crown on Galib's head.
Fahad: "This is for you, Father. You always wanted the throne and the crown. Today, you stand where you truly belong."
Galib (voice trembling): "Thirty-five years… I waited for this day. My only dream… fulfilled. Now, I can die in peace."
Fahad: "No, Father. Not yet. We have to find Siddik. Burn his bloodline to ashes. Make this world remember what happens when anyone stands against us."
Galib: "As your wish, my son."
A cruel smile crossed Fahad's face. The ceremony ended with thunder shaking the hall, though no storm was near.
Fahad: "My beloved kings… let's have a seat. And Rehan, tell the Governors to wait for me in the grand hall. I am joining them in some moments."
Rehan: "Yes, my King."
The word King echoed through the hall like a warning.
Fahad then sat on the throne, staring down at the twelve kings assembled before him. None dared raise their eyes.
Fahad: "I don't need your loyalty. I only need your obedience. From today, forget about the past rules. From now on, there will be one rule only. Fahad's rule."
Fahad paused and smiled faintly for a moment.
Fahad: "I got three new rules for you. First, from now tax rate will rise to fifty percent. Second, one hundred of your finest army from each kingdom will serve in my army. And also, you will provide all the war equipment. And third, no decisions will be taken without my permission."
One king gasped – and Rehan's sword was instantly at his throat. Fahad rose, his robe's fabric whispering like the hiss of a serpent.
Fahad: "Don't try to be smart. Remember one thing: I can destroy your kingdom with just a moment of thought. You're dismissed. Enjoy your freedom… while I allow it."
They bowed and left, their footsteps echoing like a funeral march.
By afternoon, the air inside the King's Office was colder. The Governors sat waiting – Zaber, Tayeb, Rafi, Musa, Rafiq, and Joseph. Fahad entered with Rehan, Galib, and Noah. His presence felt suffocating, like gravity itself had grown heavier.
Fahad: "You all served the old world. Now you will serve me. Refusal is… not an option."
Rafiq: "Otherwise?"
Galib: "Otherwise, you will face the consequences."
Zaber: "Let me meet with the royal family."
Fahad: "They are here. This is my father, Galib, and those are my assistants, Rehan and Noah. This is the royal family."
Zaber: "That's a coward's family. I want to meet the real King's family."
Fahad: "Your name is Zaber, right?"
Zaber: "Yes."
Fahad: "I heard about you. You're Siddik's right hand. A man who never questions Siddik's words. I liked your loyalty, man."
Zaber: "Let me meet his family."
Fahad: "Rehan will go with you."
Zaber: "Agreed."
Rehan and Zaber went to the cell where Siddik's family and his army were locked.
The room was damp and dim. The walls whispered with the cries of forgotten souls. Hasan sat behind iron bars, eyes tired but unbroken. His family was nearby – quiet, frightened, yet defiant. Rehan kept a good distance from the cell. Zaber looked but didn't care about it. Zaber went to Darwin's cell first.
Darwin: "Zaber, why are you here? Don't serve that bastard. Don't let them down."
Zaber: "How did you even think I would do?"
Zaber handed the letter secretly.
Zaber: "Message from ghost."
Darwin: "Does anyone else know?"
Zaber: "Only you and me."
Rehan: "Hey Zaber, hurry up! What are you doing?"
Zaber: "Just two minutes."
Zaber went to Hasna's cell. Hasan stood up, seeing Zaber.
Zaber: "Your brother will break you all out. Just give him some time."
Hasan: "He is here?"
Zaber: "Still no. But you can smell the war from here. Just be careful and wait for him."
Zaber left with Rehan. They again went to the King's Office. Zaber took his seat, and Rehan stood behind Fahad.
Fahad: "Have you met with your fallen King?"
Zaber: "You can't learn to stand without falling."
Fahad: "You're right. I had fallen so many times. No one was there to lift me. I myself lifted myself every time. Now, none can push me away."
Rafi: "That is not the truth, Fahad. Someone is still there who will not just push away. He will show you the scariest version of death. That day, you will beg, but mercy will not come."
Fahad: "Noted. Call him and let's see who's got the real power."
Zaber: "Don't be in a hurry, Fahad. The sky is getting dark. You will face him soon."
Fahad: "Now it's time to thank and give a reward to the man who is the real reason I am here. Without his loyalty to me and betrayal of Siddik, I could never get the crown."
Fahad summoned Joseph before everyone. Everyone saw in shock. Fahad gave a sword to Joseph, and Joseph bowed to Fahad.
Fahad: "This is just a small thank you from me. Now tell me, what do you want? I will give you whatever you want."
Joseph: "I want Siddik's head, my King."
Fahad: "No, that belongs to my father. Ask me anything else."
Joseph: "Then I want his heart. He ripped out my uncle's heart, fired my home. I won't spare him."
Fahad: "You will get what you want. Now, Zaber, you will be my minister from today. And Rehan will be the Governor of Antarctica."
Zaber: "How did you think I would serve you as my King? I never even served Siddik's father and his brother."
Rehan stepped in front of Zaber with his sword.
Zaber: "Do you think I am afraid of you and your master?"
Rehan: "You can't even think what I can do with you."
Zaber: "Then let's fight. Let's see who got more rage."
Fahad: "Rehan, stop. Zaber, why do you want to resign? Be honest."
Zaber: "I only serve Siddik."
Fahad: "Okay. But remember, I can show you the price of defiance."
Zaber: "Try your spells. But when they fade, I'll be there – to take your head."
Zaber turned and walked out. No one stopped him. Even Rehan lowered his eyes.
Fahad: "Does anyone else wish to die?"
Tayeb: "No, Sir. You deserve this throne. Siddik used us. You freed us."
Fahad: "Wise words. You'll rise higher than the rest."
The others remained silent, masks of obedience hiding their disgust.
Fahad: "Good. Then the meeting's over."
As the governors left, the city outside erupted in forced, hollow cheers. Every channel broadcast his face, every headline praised his reign.
"Fahad – The Savior King."
"A New Dawn for Spiral Island."
But behind those smiles, fear ruled every soul.
Days passed after Fahad's coronation. The Spiral Kingdom glimmered in false peace – banners of victory waving, screens filled with his speeches, the people chanting his name. But beneath the surface, fear grew like roots through stone.
Far away, inside a hidden cave deep under the northern cliffs, Tayeb, Rafi, Musa, and Rafiq sat around a dimly burning lantern. Their faces looked tense, shadows flickering across the rough stone walls.
Tayeb broke the silence.
Tayeb: "I know you're wondering why I agreed with Fahad that day… But if I didn't, he would've cast his magic on all of us. We wouldn't even remember who we were."
Rafiq: "I guessed a little."
Rafi: "Still, we could've stood with Zaber."
Musa (sign language): "Maybe he has some reasons behind it."
Rafiq: "So what's the plan? Should we obey Fahad for a lifetime?"
Rafi: "I wish Siddik would make his comeback soon."
Tayeb: "We don't even know whether he is alive or not. But we should do something for the people. So we fight back."
Rafiq: "How? The most important continent is under Joseph. And I wonder how he could do that to Siddik?"
Tayeb: "Leave Joseph, Rafiq. We need to find some allies to fight alongside us."
Rafi: "Allies? Who wants to die, Tayeb? Everyone saw what Fahad did in a few days. People are worshiping him. In this situation, none will help us."
Tayeb: "Actually, there are some."
Rafiq: "Whom are you talking about?"
Musa opened a map. He looked at Tayeb to tell them about it.
Tayeb: "First, the King of Kharan. He owes his survival to Siddik. Second, the Queen of Merid, who lost her sons in the war, hates tyrants. And last, the federation in the south. Siddik once helped them from the Spiral Crown. From then on, they are ready to give their lives for him."
Rafiq: "When did you do the homework?"
Tayeb: "I learned it from Musa."
They planned them, quietly, with the kind of urgency that made each syllable precise. Codes would be sent. Midnight envoys. Hidden airstrips and disguised messengers. Tayeb's confession made the risk honest; their pact made it possible.
Rafiq: "What if he discovers us?"
Tayeb: "Then we die for the right cause. But if we succeed…"
He looked at the map – Spiral Island's center marked with the royal emblem.
Tayeb: "…we end his reign before it spreads beyond these shores."
Rafi: "Then it's decided. We move tonight."
The four men placed their hands together over the map.
Rafiq: "For Siddik. For Spiral Island."
And thus began the whisper of rebellion – the first shadow against Fahad's dark reign.
Meanwhile, on the western coast of Spiral Island…
The waves crashed violently against the cliffs, painting the air with salt and mist. Zaber sat on a jagged rock, staring into the endless ocean. The moonlight glimmered off the surface, silver and restless.
Without warning, a familiar voice echoed behind him.
Arthur: "You've been quiet too long, my friend."
Zaber didn't turn.
Zaber: "Arthur… I thought you'd never come."
Arthur walked up and sat beside him, his eyes scanning the horizon.
Arthur: "How can I refuse the King's call?"
Zaber: "Where's he?"
Arthur: "Waiting… to see his eyes again."
Zaber rose from the rock, the sea wind twisting his cloak.
Zaber: "Then what are we waiting for?"
Arthur (smiled darkly): "Let's go for a ride then."
The two figures walked before a motorcycle. Zaber sat on the rider seat, and behind him was Arthur. They start their new journey.