The island glowed with peace. The morning had given them miracles, the noon gave them joy, and as the sun kissed the sky the grand hall filled with the scent of spice, warmth, and home. Servants entered one by one, carrying trays of rich food — stews, grilled meats, soft breads, and something else… fish fry. Mirshad's eyes lit up. "That smell… that's fish. Golden. Crispy. Perfect." Without waiting, he took a piece, biting into it like a man reborn. The brothers roared with laughter as the servants giggled. "Perfect timing," he said, chewing happily. "I've been starving all day." He strolled toward Sophia, holding the fish up like a trophy. "Bite?" But the moment the smell reached her, she covered her mouth and ran. "Bathroom!" Sara called, rushing after her. The hall went silent before Amir laughed so hard he nearly fell from his chair. "Bro… looks like your fish just declared war!" The table erupted in laughter until the doctor returned smiling gently. "Nothing serious. Just the beauty of pregnancy."
Mirshad looked at Sophia, now sitting back on the couch sipping juice with a tired smile. "So I should stop eating fish?" She glared. "You dare?" He sighed dramatically. "Baba… she's banning my fish." Baba, sipping tea beside him, replied calmly, "Then obey, or prepare for consequences worse than war." Laughter broke out again. Mirshad nodded solemnly. "Fine. I'll fast from fish. Until these three stars are born." Sophia grinned, touching her belly, whispering, "Good decision… my lava man."
Just as the plates were being passed, the massive wall screen flickered. The feed went black, then a red blinking headline appeared: BREAKING NEWS – GLOBAL ATTACK. The room froze. A shaken news anchor filled the screen. "We… we apologize for the interruption. But we have live footage coming in from around the world. This is not an attack by one man. It's five. Five beings. Not human. Not normal. And this time… they're not just destroying. They're controlling." The images rolled — cities crumbling, people turning on each other, minds twisted. "They are corrupting citizens. Families attacking each other. Soldiers turning on their own. Our weapons do nothing. Our armies are falling. We're losing. We're… afraid." The anchor's voice cracked. "Last time, we had hope. We had MRD. But now… we don't know where he is. We saw him fall. We saw him break. And now… the world begs. MRD… if you're watching. Please. Come back."
Everyone turned to him — but he was no longer with them in spirit. His body sat at the table, yet his soul had descended inward, deep into the light that still echoed inside him. In that boundless realm, the voice met him again. You came.
I need you, he answered. My people do.
I'll rise. But this is the last time… until the true day comes.
Why?
Because each time I wake… I tear the veil between us and the forces beyond this galaxy. These five? They're echoes. Children. But the ones beyond this galaxy… they wait. They watch. They remember you. And if you awaken me fully… they will come.
Let them come, he said without pause. But not before I end the ones foolish enough to touch my world.
The light surged. Then go.
Outside, his eyes opened — and inside them burned galaxies, not reflection but reality. He rose slowly. No thunder. No boom. Just presence. "Everyone," he said calmly, "pack your things. We leave soon." Rayyan swallowed. "Where are you going?" He didn't look at him. "To end something that should have never begun." He turned to Sophia, touched her hand gently. "I'll return. Not broken. Not defeated. But whole. For you. For them." And then he walked away. No cape. No anthem. Just purpose.
The five who dared wake him had no idea. This time… they didn't come to kill a man.
They came to face a god.