The night stayed cold—
As Feroz and Mrs. Aliya moved through the city.
Fast.Quiet.
The streets were silent.
Too silent.
But Feroz felt it.
He was being watched.
Every turn—
Every corner—
Something felt wrong.
His mind kept going back.
To what happened earlier.
That power.
It was not just fear.
Not just anger.
It was deeper.
Something inside him.
Alive.
Uncontrolled.
"Mrs. Aliya…" he said quietly.
"What is happening to me?"
She looked at him for a moment.
But didn't stop walking.
"You are waking up, Feroz."
"The power inside you is starting to show."
Feroz frowned.
"What does that mean?"
His voice shook slightly.
"I didn't ask for this."
"I don't even understand it."
Mrs. Aliya stopped.
She turned to him.
Her face was serious.
But calm.
"Your family is not ordinary."
"Your father had the same power."
"The Free Masons want that power."
"That's why they are after you."
Feroz felt heavy inside.
"Did my father face them too?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"He sacrificed a lot to protect you."
"But now they have found you."
"That is why we must find Yusuf."
"He is the only one who can help you control it."
Feroz stayed quiet.
Trying to understand.
But it was too much.
Still—
He knew one thing.
They had to keep moving.
They left the city behind.
And entered the forest.
Tall trees stood around them.
Blocking the moonlight.
The air was cold.
Heavy.
Every sound felt louder.
Every step felt risky.
"How far now?" Feroz asked.
"Not far," Mrs. Aliya said.
"Once we find the mountain path… we are close."
They moved deeper.
The silence grew stronger.
Too strong.
Feroz stopped suddenly.
He looked around.
Something felt off.
"Mrs. Aliya…" he whispered.
"I think we are being followed."
She didn't argue.
She nodded.
"Stay close."
A strange sound came behind them.
Low.
Dark.
Like a growl.
Feroz turned quickly.
Shadows moved between the trees.
But these were not normal shadows.
They were alive.
"They found us," Mrs. Aliya said.
She pulled out a small knife.
Ready.
Feroz felt it again.
That power.
Moving under his skin.
Like fire.
One shadow stepped forward.
Tall.
Dark.
Eyes glowing.
Cold.
Empty.
"The boy comes with us," it said.
Feroz stepped back.
Fear hit him.
But so did something else.
Strength.
He remembered what Mrs. Aliya said.
He clenched his fists.
Light started forming.
Slowly.
"I'm not going with you," he said.
His voice was stronger now.
The shadow tilted its head.
Almost like it smiled.
"You cannot escape."
"Come willingly… or die."
Feroz looked at Mrs. Aliya.
She nodded slightly.
Trusting him.
He turned back.
"No."
"I am not afraid."
The shadow laughed.
Cold.
Loud.
Then it attacked.
Fast.
More shadows followed.
Moving like smoke.
Feroz felt it all rise inside him.
The light grew stronger.
He didn't fight it this time.
He accepted it.
He raised his hands.
And released it.
A wave of light burst out.
Bright.
Powerful.
The forest lit up for a moment.
The shadows screamed.
And broke apart.
Turned into smoke.
Gone.
Silence returned.
Feroz stood breathing hard.
His hands still glowing faintly.
The power slowly calming.
Mrs. Aliya looked at him—shocked.
"You are learning fast."
"But this is only the beginning."
"We must reach Yusuf."
"They will come back."
Feroz nodded.
Weak.
Tired.
But still moving.
They went deeper into the forest.
Knowing one thing clearly—
The shadows were not finished.