The night stretched on as Feroz and Mrs. Aliya moved quickly through the empty streets. The glowing energy that had erupted from Feroz's body still lingered in his veins, but exhaustion was creeping in. His mind was filled with questions, but there was no time for answers.
"We have to keep moving," Mrs. Aliya urged, glancing behind them. "That blast of energy might have scattered them for now, but it won't stop them for long."
Feroz's breathing was heavy. "Where exactly is Yusuf? How much farther?"
Mrs. Aliya pulled out the map, her fingers tracing a path. "He's hidden deep in the old ruins outside the city. It's dangerous, but it's the only place where the Free Masons won't find him easily."
Feroz clenched his fists. His powers were waking up, but he had no control over them. If Yusuf was his only chance at understanding them, then he had no choice but to keep going.
They weaved through the streets until they reached the outskirts of the city. The buildings turned to crumbling stone, and the path ahead was surrounded by thick trees. The ruins loomed in the distance like a forgotten relic of the past.
"We're close," Mrs. Aliya whispered.
But just as she said it, a sound stopped them in their tracks.
A low, eerie whisper carried through the air, followed by the soft shuffle of feet on gravel.
Feroz felt his heart pound. "They're here."
Mrs. Aliya's face hardened. "Run!"
Without hesitation, they sprinted toward the ruins. The whispers grew louder, followed by shadows stretching across the trees. The Free Masons' hunters had found them.
Feroz risked a glance over his shoulder. Figures cloaked in darkness moved through the trees, their glowing red eyes locked onto him. His pulse quickened. They weren't human.
One of the figures raised a hand, and the shadows around it twisted into long, sharp tendrils.
A weapon made of pure darkness.
Before Feroz could react, the tendrils lashed toward him. He threw up his arms instinctively—
BOOM!
A bright wave of energy exploded from his hands, pushing the shadows back. Feroz stumbled, feeling the power course through him. It was stronger now, more controlled than before.
Mrs. Aliya grabbed his arm. "Don't stop! Yusuf is waiting!"
They dashed into the ruins, the shadows close behind. The stone walls were cracked and covered in vines, but Mrs. Aliya seemed to know where she was going.
They reached an open courtyard where a large wooden door stood at the end, covered in strange symbols.
Mrs. Aliya pounded on it. "Yusuf! It's me! Open up!"
Feroz turned to see the shadows closing in. His body tensed. He couldn't hold them off forever.
Then—
CREEEEAK.
The door swung open.
A tall man with piercing eyes and a rugged face stood in the doorway. His gaze locked onto Feroz, and something in his expression changed—recognition.
"So," the man said in a low voice, "the boy has finally arrived."
Before Feroz could react, Yusuf raised a hand—and the world went black.