Zarak whispered to himself, annoyance coating his tone: "What does this boy want from me?" Then he answered aloud: "Alright… welcome."
Neil let out a deep sigh, clearly overcome with distress: "I want to see you… I want to know more about Shadi's father. You told me before that you have answers." A brief silence fell, before Zarak whispered bitterly to himself: "Shadi is gone… there is no use digging up graves." But he spoke coldly: "And why are you searching for that now? I believe I've given you enough information."
Neil lowered his head, his shoulders heavy with worry: "Serious things have happened, and I need to tell you face to face… so, please, let's meet." Zarak gave in to the boy's insistence and sighed inwardly: "I know exactly what happened, and there is no hope… it's too late, my boy." Then he said clearly: "Agreed, we will meet. I'll send you the address now."
Neil felt a glimmer of hope and relief washed over him: "Thank you." The moment the call ended, his phone shook with a message carrying the meeting coordinates. He did not waste a single second, and waved his hand at a taxi driver: "Sir, take me to this café,
On the other side.
Zarak muttered, "This boy is fighting for his friend with everything he has… I like his determination. I want to see how far he will go." Then he got into his car and headed toward the intended café.
Meanwhile, Rin was sitting in the restaurant with her head lowered, regret devouring her heart. She said in a choked voice: "Hidara… what should I do to be of help to you? Instead of supporting you, I've become a heavy burden on your shoulders." She looked at him with eyes shining with sincerity: "I truly want to be useful to you and Neil."
Hidara whispered in a warm tone filled with confidence: "You are more useful than you think… you are the source of my courage and the origin of my strength. Without you by my side, I wouldn't have had the courage to take a single step. Just having you here makes me feel like I can tame the impossible… thank you." Then he extended his hand and gently held hers: "Let's be together in hardship and ease… I will always remain by your side."
Shyness covered Rin's face from the sincerity of his words, yet her fear of being a "burden" still lingered. Hidara placed his hand on his stomach. "Ugh, I'm full… Ah… I've reached my limit." Rin laughed softly and whispered: "Me too."
Their moment was interrupted by a waiter who approached respectfully carrying the bill: "Here you are, sir, this is the check." Hidara looked at him with a sarcastic smile: "Didn't the boy who left earlier pay you?" The waiter shook his head: "No, sir, no one paid anything." Hidara patted his shoulder jokingly: "Enough joking, man!" But the waiter's serious expression made Hidara's heart drop to his feet: "Joking? I am not joking at all!" Shock overtook Hidara: "What…?"
Neil stepped out of the taxi in front of a luxurious café filled with an eerie calm. He walked forward with hesitant steps, and with each step, he felt a psychological pressure and a terrifying aura growing denser. He thought to himself: ". He. is waiting for me. The closer. I get. to him. this feeling, just like last time."
Zarak received him with his dull gaze that resembled the eyes of the dead: "Why are you so stiff? Don't be afraid, sit." Neil sat, tension devouring his nerves, and began observing Zarak's features: "His skin is frighteningly pale… like a body without a soul."
Neil said in a trembling voice: "What I came to tell you is that Shadi was kidnapped by unknown men… and I don't know whether he is still alive or not." Zarak sighed coldly: "Now the reason for his absence from work is clear." Neil lowered his gaze with bitter regret: "My friend and I tried to save him, but we failed… the regret is killing me. If I had taken his kidnapper's life at that moment, we wouldn't have reached this hell."
Zarak looked at him coldly: "And what will you do now?" Neil shouted with determination: "I want to know where his father is… I want to know information. about him.
Zarak sipped his coffee calmly and asked: "And what would make me tell you?" Neil suddenly stood and bent his body in supplication: "Please… tell me… I beg you, tell me everything you know!" Zarak whispered to himself: "This child's determination intrigues me… will he reach the truth, or his death first?" Then he said: "Alright, I will tell you… sit."
Zarak continued in a warning tone: "His father is called (Zaroth), and he belongs to the clan (Shadows of the Six)… he is an extremely dangerous man, and I advise you not to approach him. If you want to know more, you must speak to him personally when he is alone… I will contact you when the opportunity arises." Zarak stood up to leave and threw his final words: "Good luck."
In the city's corridors
Hidara returned to his bitter reality in the restaurant: "Neil did it! He left without leaving a single coin… we're in real trouble now!" Rin laughed sarcastically at the situation: "Maybe he completely forgot." Hidara grumbled: "Impossible!" Then he intertwined his fingers and began thinking with comedic frustration: "We have two plans; the first is to run away if the restaurant owner looks away, and the second is to call my father to send us money."
Rin sighed: "Your plans are hopeless; first, my injured knee won't help me run, and second, we don't want to worry your father."
Hidara muttered in annoyance while turning his empty pockets: "Then what do we do now? Neil has put us in a situation we don't envy!"
Rin replied, trying to suppress her laughter despite her exhaustion: "Oh, Neil… he promised to return after an hour, and only thirty minutes have passed."
Hidara looked around cautiously, then whispered to Rin with a "genius" plan: "Alright, we'll wait… but keep this in mind; if that idiot doesn't show up soon, I'll carry you on my back and run at full speed like we're in an Olympic race!"
"Rin laughed bitterly, and Hidara laughed with her."
Elsewhere, Commissioner Kamal was sitting in the café, enjoying eating ice cream as if he were in another world, saying: "It's very delicious!"
Salim shot him an annoyed look and whispered to himself: "This man, with his strange behavior, irritates me… but I trust his genius and believe in his instincts."
Kamal grumbled: "How much time has passed?"
Salim looked at his computer and answered irritably: "Thirty minutes."
Kamal nodded coldly: "Then… another thirty minutes."
Salim exhaled helplessly: "Ah… fine, as you wish."
As for a desolate place, wrapped in complete darkness and dread dwelling in its corners…
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hall, breaking its solemn silence.
Ghiheb stood, bowing respectfully, and called out in a low voice filled with respect and fear:
"My lord… Ancient king
Then he spoke the name that made the place tremble:
"Azrad…"