Right after Siddik's departure, Fahad and Noah came back to Fahad's office. Fahad sat down with a long breath, Noah still thinking about Siddik's last words: "Names are masks." Fahad broke the silence.
Fahad: "Noah, call the leaders and generals. We need to talk."
Noah: "Yes, King."
Before Noah could make calls, Fahad asked Noah.
Fahad: "Noah, what do you think? Why did Siddik show up all of a sudden?"
Noah: "The moment he came, it was already in motion."
Fahad: "The way he looked at us… like the answers were already his. His presence changed the air inside the palace."
Noah: "And your father is also missing. What if… he had something to do with it?"
Fahad: "No, he won't do that. Because his family is under my control. There is no place in this world where our men are not active. Father's last location was Antarctica. And Rehan is searching the whole continent."
Noah: "Why did you do nothing to him? I mean, he was alone here; we could kill him without any fight."
Fahad: "If we kill him without any fight, the people would turn back against us. And also, if we killed him without any confession, the Spiral Crown could never rise. We need a fight."
Noah: "Do we even know where he disappeared?"
Fahad: "I told you to send someone after him."
Noah: "I did it. But just now I came to know he was killed and his body was found near a village."
Fahad: "Then he was never alone."
Suddenly, Fahad's phone rang. Layla – one of Spiral Crown's leaders. Fahad hesitated, but then picked up.
Layla: "Siddik is alive. And you met him today."
Fahad: "Yes."
Layla: "And you didn't inform us by yourself. Are you scared?"
Fahad: "Don't dare to talk to me like that, Layla. And don't forget you are talking to the King of Spiral Island."
Layla: "Don't need to remember who you are. And don't forget who you and your father once were."
Fahad stopped for some seconds.
Fahad: "We need to sit together and discuss this matter."
Layla: "We need results, not discussion."
Fahad: "Tell everyone to meet me here in two days."
Layla: "Let's see who agrees."
Fahad: "And… her."
Layla lowered her voice. She paused for a moment.
Layla: "She appears when she wants. And you know we have no contact with her. But don't expect mercy from her."
The call ended. Fahad ordered Noah to arrange everything for the meeting.
Tension froze the air. Darwin was the first to break.
Darwin: "He was here. Right above us. He didn't even talk to us like the past."
Fakhrul: "His face… he's hiding something."
Hasan: "Silence means execution has begun."
Zara: "But why did he come and leave like a shadow?"
Hayder: "Because silence is where disasters grow."
Darwin glanced at Hasan nervously.
Darwin: "Your uncle Galib – vanished and still they are searching for him. Did he do something?"
Hasan: "Siddik doesn't kidnap, he only crushes. If Siddik took him, he would've killed him and taken him here."
Fakhrul: "He reminded Fahad of his place. With just his presence."
Hridoy: "Yes. His presence gave Fahad a shock. Didn't you look at his face? His eyes were only on him. His hands were trembling."
Zara: "But why did Fahad spare Siddik without anything? I mean, he is a sorcerer; he could have manipulated him or harmed him."
No one answered. Silence again. Heavy. Suffocating.
Somewhere hidden from all maps, Galib was chained to a metal chair, bloodied and half-conscious. Arthur entered slowly and sat before him.
Galib: "Arthur… look at you. Finally, our face-off is happening."
Arthur: "I prayed for a long time for this."
Galib: "You are always on the wrong side, Arthur. They all used you. You lost your everything because of the King and his fellow sons."
Arthur: "I have no regret. They died for a purpose."
Galib: "Purpose… Purpose is an overrated thing. People think they die for a purpose, but actually they don't."
Arthur was silent and kept looking at Galib.
Galib: "Arthur, didn't you have two daughters?"
Arthur: "Yes. Why did you ask?"
Galib: "One of them joined us. But the other one… died for nothing."
Arthur exhaled sharply.
Galib: "You're all thinking Siddik is a genius, intelligent. He can't make the wrong decision. But you know what, Arthur? Knowledge is a curse."
Arthur: "What about your son, Galib? Is he doing the right thing?"
Galib: "He is just fixing the mistake that the past kings made. And when you fight a monster, you need to be a monster."
Arthur: "Why did you ask about my daughters?"
Galib: "Because you have the right to know the truth, Arthur. Your daughter wasn't killed; she was murdered. You weren't allowed to see her face for the last time. Because loyalty made you blind."
Arthur: "You can't provoke me with your words."
Galib: "Your one mistake cost you both daughters' lives. And you can't deny it. Still, there is time, fix your mistake and save your daughter's life."
Arthur snapped. He punched Galib several times. Galib laughed – broken, wild, and victorious. Arthur stopped and left without another.
Galib (smirking): "Ask your King why he killed her?"
Snow groaned under their boots. Siddik and Zaber were covered in disguise, cold stinging their faces.
Zaber: "You sure they live here?"
Siddik: "Titan is showing this location."
Zaber: "What is Titan?"
Siddik: "My AI assistant. Human assistant is overrated, so I kept an AI for myself."
Zaber blinked at him. "…Smartass."
Ahead stood nothing but an ancient hill drowning in winter.
Zaber: "Why would they live here? I mean, at this temperature, anybody can freeze and die."
Siddik: "Because they don't interact much with people. And also nobody will disturb them there."
Zaber (eyed Siddik): "Siddik, will your plan work? I mean, you are in two places now."
Siddik: "Do you doubt me, Zaber?"
Zaber: "No. But what if Samia finds out she is working with your clone?"
Siddik: "She won't. Because the clone functions as a real human."
Zaber (laughing): "What if… she kisses the clone?"
Siddik: "Zaber, the clone has no feelings like a human. And he can protect himself in that kind of situation. Now, will you please find someone to ask about them?"
Zaber: "Okay, but what did you mention? Can he protect himself?"
Zaber laughed loudly for some moments.
Suddenly, they found a man approaching. Siddik called out:
Siddik: "Hey, brother! Are you a local?"
Passerby: "Yes. But who are you guys? Do you need any help?"
Siddik: "Well, actually, I am looking for a man, Atiq."
Passerby: "You mean the Spiral warrior Atiq?"
Siddik: "Yes. And also his son, Saif."
The man froze. His expression twisted – fear, regret, superstition.
Siddik: "Are you okay?"
Passerby (whisper): "Go straight into the hill. Do not ask anyone else. Eyes open. Ears quiet."
He hurried away – as if speaking more would summon something.
Siddik and Zaber again ride on Zaber's bike… headed straight into the white unknown.
Zaber: "Siddik, we can't reach there today. Because the weather is against us."
Siddik: "No problem. We have two days."
Two days later, the conference room was full in Spiral Island. Leaders and generals sat like vultures waiting for a corpse.
Fahad entered with Noah beside him.
Fahad: "Thank you for coming. We need to–"
Layla slammed her hand on the table.
Layla: "We want answers. No excuses."
Paul leaned forward.
Paul: "You failed. He appeared – and you kept staring at him."
Fahad struggled to hold his composure.
Fahad: "Mr. Paul, you are misunderstanding me. I–"
Wendy: "We don't need to understand. We need control over the island without you."
Layla stood.
Layla: "We demand your exile from this island and from this mission. We will rule while the royal family rots."
Fahad's eyes flashed.
Fahad: "Careful. You've forgotten what I am capable of."
Layla smiled with pity.
Layla: "You forgot what you were in front of us."
Silence struck.
Then –
A screen flickered.
A video call connected.
A woman appeared, her face fully hidden by a black veil. Only her eyes were visible. And those eyes… froze every soul in that room.
No one spoke.
No one breathed.
Even Fahad's power felt small. Noah had no idea what was happening.
The woman just said coldly, "Let's start the meeting."
The game had just changed its rules.