Broken Oaths, Burning World

Disclaimer: This chapter delves into darker, more sinister themes and addresses highly sensitive topics. Proceed only if you dare and read at your own risk.

Shir (Magic) originated in ancient Babylon, where the Creator sent two angels to test mankind. Before teaching, the angels warned that their purpose on earth was to test and cautioned people not to fall into disbelief by practising magic. However, the Shaiyatin (devils), who had already rejected faith, taught this knowledge in a far more sinister form—witchcraft—that could bring about the separation between husband and wife. Thus, God has strictly forbidden such knowledge, warning that whoever seeks it will have no place in the Hereafter (life after death).

On the 16th of January 2042, at the late hour of 3:00 am in the city of Silentedge, the streets lay cloaked in an eerie silence. Fog dances in the darkness, and a streetlight flickers sluggishly. Heavy rain pelts down with force as thunder cracks through the sky, echoing a low, crumbling sound. The calls of whippoorwills and the distant barking of dogs break the silence. A lone silhouette moves slowly along the street, its outline briefly illuminated by flashes of lightning, and then heads toward the Hollow Temple, entering unnoticed by the surveillance cameras and patrolling robot guards.

Inside the Hollow Temple, a sinister ritual is underway. The floor is covered in dust and marked with satanic symbols; candles flicker at the points of a pentagram, casting shadows in the darkened room. At the centre, a sorcerer, appearing to be in his late forties, sits cross-legged, eyes closed, muttering spells under his breath. Gradually, he opens his eyes and, with a steady voice, asks the figure before him, dressed in black and veiled, "What brings you here?"

The figure, a woman with a veiled face, responds in a low, measured tone, "I've come to seek your help."

"And what is it you seek?" he inquires.

The woman explains her request in detail. The sorcerer listens in silence, then instructs her on the items required to cast the spell she desires: a vial of the victim's blood, a bone from a buried deceased person, and, most notably, the intestine of a pig. She nods in understanding before departing.

The next afternoon, at 12 pm on the 16th of January, at the Yimigit residence in Ironclad Haven, a knock sounds at the door. Aisha Minzil opens it to see her sister-in-law, Mai-Ja Yimigit, her husband Hamza's elder sister, standing there. Aisha warmly welcomes her inside. It has been some time since they last met, and Mai-Ja has brought gifts for the family. They enjoy a long conversation, during which Mai-Ja asks Aisha about her son, Burak, and where he is studying. Aisha tells her that Burak is enrolled at the Crimson Art Academy in Crimson Forge, where he excels in art and passionately hones his creative skills. When Aisha asks after Mai-Ja's son, she replies that he is studying at Honjo Technical University in Obsidian Reach.

Mai-Ja asks Aisha if she may look around the house. Intrigued by her request, Aisha accepts and begins to show her around. The house comprises three bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, along with a living room, a drawing room, a kitchen, and a basement. Additionally, it has a garage and a back garden.

Eventually, they reach Burak's room, which is filled with his paintings of lifelike portraits and breathtaking landscapes, as well as numerous trophies from art competitions. Mai-Ja observes the drawing materials, noticing a small bloodstain on the sharp corner of his chair. At that moment, Aisha tells her to wait while she attends to something in the kitchen, where she has left curry simmering on the stove. As Aisha leaves, Mai-Ja discreetly takes out a white handkerchief and wipes away the bloodstain before Aisha returns. She then casually steps away from the room, and they continue their conversation over tea in the drawing room.

After a long chat, Mai-Ja says it's time for her to leave. By now, it is 3:30 pm, just as Burak arrives home. To his surprise, he sees his aunt, and he greets her with respect before she departs with a cheerful farewell. As she walks away, her kind smile fades into a sinister grin.

Later that evening, Aisha mentions to her husband, Hamza, that his sister had visited. "When did she come?" he asks.

"At noon," she replies. "And what did she do?" Hamza listens as Aisha recounts the events, nodding silently. He glances at their son, Burak, who is engrossed in his meal.

"So, my boy, when is your art competition?" he asks with a smile.

"Tomorrow!" Burak answers, beaming.

"What time?" Hamza inquires.

"At noon. You and Mum should come along. It's important to me. Every parent will be there for their children, and I'd love your support too, Baba. Mum's always there, but you've missed it before," he says, with a hint of sadness.

Hamza chuckles, "Alright, my boy, I'll be there on time—don't worry."

At 2:30 am, the sorcerer makes his way to the Silentedge graveyard, cloaked in mist to evade surveillance. He exhumes a corpse recently buried, cuts a portion of its flesh, and takes a leg bone. He then makes his way to a nearby farm, entering silently. There, he sacrifices a pig and takes part of its intestine.

By 3:00 am, the sorcerer is back at the Hollow Temple. "Did you bring what I asked for?" he says, his tone firm.

"Yes," replies the figure seated before him—Mai-Ja, a wicked smile on her face. The sorcerer takes the handkerchief with Burak's blood, places it in a steel bowl, and pours boiling water over it, allowing the blood to seep into the liquid. He wraps the bone with the pig's intestine, then places it in the bowl with the blood while chanting an incantation under his breath to summon dark forces. He sprinkles white powder into the bowl, causing the blood to turn black. Opening his eyes, he says, "The spell is cast successfully," a grim smile spreading across his face.

"What will happen now?" Mai-Ja asks, her face tense.

"You'll see soon enough," he replies.

The following morning at the Yimigit house, Aisha prepares breakfast. Hamza arrives fully dressed and asks if she has called Burak down. "I've already called him several times, but he hasn't come down yet," she replies, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Maybe he's just sleeping in," Hamza says with a reassuring smile.

"He's been anxious about the competition," she replies.

"I'll go and get him," he says, heading upstairs. When he opens Burak's door, he sees his son standing motionless, facing the wall. "Come on, son, you'll be late," Hamza says. Without turning, Burak replies in a strange, emotionless voice, "I'll be down in a few minutes." Hamza, slightly unnerved, chooses not to press further.

Back downstairs, he sees Aisha waiting anxiously. "What did he say?" she asks, worry evident on her face.

Hamza reassures her, "He'll be down in a few minutes."

Moments later, Burak appears, descending the stairs slowly. Without a word, he heads straight for the front door.

"Wait, Burak! You haven't eaten your breakfast!" Aisha calls after him. Without turning, he replies in an unfamiliar tone, "I'll eat after the competition," slamming the door shut behind him.

The Crimson Art Academy is a prestigious institution in Nin-Ran-Gi, occupying a vast 259,871-square-metre structure with an expansive field covering 300,987 square feet. Its front entrance has automated sensor systems, and the campus is heavily monitored by surveillance. Burak arrives, walking slowly, his gaze fixed on the ground. Despite his unusual demeanour, he is approached by his girlfriend, Emir Bucak, who cheerfully asks if he's ready for the competition. "Yes, I am," he replies with unnaturally wide eyes, alarming her. Concerned, she suggests he visit the infirmary, but he declines and walks away.

By 11:50 am, everyone is ready for the event. Burak invites Emir and three female classmates to join him on the rooftop, telling them he has a surprise in store. Curious, they follow him. As they reach the rooftop, a strong wind whips around them, and the door shuts ominously behind them.

At exactly 12 pm, as the art competition is set to begin, the crowd below erupts in a chorus of shouting, pointing, and filming as they look up to the roof. SSCBF enforcement officers arrive on the scene, and Wen-Li and her team raise their eyes, horrified at what they see: Burak, standing on the rooftop, has already killed Emir and his classmates. In one hand, he holds Emir's beheaded head, blood dripping down his left arm.

Robert, frozen in shock, stands still until Wen-Li calls his name three times. Coming to his senses, he receives her order to stop Burak before it's too late. Nodding, he signals for Lingaong Xuein, Demitin Koğlulanci, and others to follow him to the rooftop. Meanwhile, Emir's parents, Aliyar and his wife, are overcome with horror, seeing their daughter's lifeless form on the roof. Aliyar attempts to run forward but is held back by Nightingale and Lan Qian. He is uncontrollable and shouts at them, his voice filled with grief and rage.

At that moment, Hamza and Aisha Yimigit arrive, sensing the commotion. Looking up, they're struck with disbelief and shock.

"My son!" cries Hamza in terror.

"How can this be?" Aisha whispers, paralysed with fear.

Aliyar turns to them, shouting, "Look what your son has done to my daughter! What did she ever do to him?"

"My son would never do something like this!" Hamza protests, his voice breaking.

Nightingale yells, "Stop arguing, all of you! Someone's life is in danger, and you're wasting time bickering!"

"Please, save my son!" Aisha cries desperately, clinging to Nightingale.

"We're doing everything we can," Nightingale reassures her, and Hamza moves to calm Aisha.

Wen-Li picks up a loudspeaker from the announcer's stand and calls up, "BURAK YIMIGIT, PLEASE STEP BACK! YOU'RE IN DANGER! YOUR PARENTS ARE HERE, AND THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT YOU!"

Meanwhile, Robert, Lingaong Xuein, Demitin, and the rest of the team finally reach the rooftop door, only to find it jammed. They pound on it in desperation, and Burak glances back at the door and then down at the crowd below. Wen-Li tries her best to de-escalate the situation.

"BURAK, PLEASE STEP BACK AND SURRENDER," she urges him through the speaker.

Just as Robert and Lingaong manage to break through the door, Burak leaps off the edge of the roof, still clutching Emir's head. Horrified gasps and screams rise from the crowd below. Wen-Li, in a desperate attempt, releases her Crimson Shackle to catch him mid-fall. The shackle wraps around Burak to embrace him, but shockingly, it shatters into pieces, leaving Wen-Li momentarily stunned. Hamza, in a last-ditch effort, rushes forward, arms outstretched to catch his son, but it's too late. Burak hits the ground, and Aisha collapses in agony, Lan Qian catching her before she falls.

Burak's body lies lifeless on the grass, blood pooling from his head, staining the earth. Hamza stands beside him, falling to his knees, weeping over his son. Wen-Li orders Nightingale to summon an ambulance immediately.

On the rooftop, Robert scratches his head in frustration, cursing himself for not arriving in time. The team stands in shock, taking in the bloody scene before them as Demitin and the others scan the area, noting the lifeless bodies of the female classmates and Emir's headless corpse.

Later, at Chi-Wuxian Medical Hospital, SSCBF officers wait alongside grieving family members. A doctor emerges, delivering the devastating news that Burak has passed away. Hamza and Aisha, visibly shaken, clutch one another, Aisha grabbing the doctor by the collar, shouting, "Are you sure?! Are you absolutely sure?!"

Hamza remains silent, his face lined with grief, as he steadies his wife. Wen-Li, moved by their devastation, gently approaches to ask them questions about Burak.

"My son could never do something like this. He was kind, innocent…a loving boy," Aisha says tearfully, her voice cracking.

"Ma'am, sir—did Burak have any enemies? Was he being bullied at school by anyone?" Wen-Li asks gently, her tone calm and controlled.

"No, he was well-liked, and he excelled in his art. He didn't have many close friends, but he spent a lot of time with Emir," Hamza replies solemnly.

"I almost forgot," the doctor says suddenly, his face clouded with concern.

"What is it, Doctor?" Wen-Li asks sharply.

"Burak's eyes were bloodshot—far beyond normal bloodshot. His eyes were completely red, covering his iris, cornea, and sclera, as if on the verge of rupturing," the doctor explains, visibly troubled.

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, DOCTOR?" Hamza exclaims.

"Mr Yimigit, please, calm yourself," Nightingale interjects. "We're dealing with a very serious situation."

"But he was fine yesterday and even this morning! How could this happen?" Aisha asks, traumatised.

"Can you explain more about his behaviour recently?" Wen-Li asks, her voice a steady comfort.

The devastated parents describe recent events in detail, and Wen-Li asks if her team may investigate their home. Aisha and Hamza glance at each other, then give a nod of consent.

By 3:00 pm, SSCBF officers arrive at the Yimigit home, along with Mr and Mrs Yimigit. The neighbours gather, asking questions, but the officers set up barriers to prevent interference and offer condolences to the grief-stricken parents. Other officers, including Wen-Li and Nightingale, follow Aisha as she leads them inside. They search the house meticulously, examining every corner until they finally reach Burak's room.

Inside, they find something deeply unsettling. On his easel, they see a drawing of a humanoid figure with upraised hands, its body distorted and feminine, contorted unnaturally upside down with an unidentifiable, horrifying face.

"Aisha, did you see this before?" Hamza asks, his expression one of shock and confusion.

"No, I've never seen it before. It wasn't here…" she replies, her voice shaking.

Wen-Li studies Burak's room and senses that he was not the type to act in such a way. She orders the investigators to collect the drawing.

"Something's wrong, Nightingale," Wen-Li says quietly.

"What is it, Chief?" Nightingale asks, sensing her distress.

"When I used my shackle to save Burak from the fall, it shattered the moment it touched him. I felt an icy chill down my spine," she replies, her eyes filled with fear.

"So…are you saying he was cursed?"

"Don't mention it to his parents," Wen-Li insists, "They've already suffered enough. We'll find out more when we're back at headquarters."

At SSCBF Headquarters, Lan Qian replays the surveillance footage of the horrific incident at Crimson Art Academy. She rewinds the footage repeatedly, searching for clues. Just then, Wen-Li arrives and asks, "Lan Qian, have you found anything on the surveillance?"

"Not yet, Chief. I've looked over every frame but found nothing unusual…except…" Lan Qian adjusts her glasses, a look of disbelief crossing her face. "I still can't understand how your shackle broke when it touched Burak."

"He's been cursed!" she replies firmly.

"What?!" exclaims Lan Qian in bewilderment.

"Lan Qian, could you rewind the footage to when Burak first arrives at the university?" Wen-Li requests.

Lan Qian rewinds the footage, her fingers dancing across the keyboard. As Wen-Li closely observes the video, something unusual catches her eye. "Rewind that again and slow it down," she instructs.

"Stop!" Wen-Li says, pointing at the screen, her finger hovering over Burak.

"But Chief, he's just entering the university," Lan Qian observes.

"Look carefully," Wen-Li directs, gesturing downward. In the footage, Burak's shadow isn't typical. Instead, it appears distorted, almost humanoid, moving strangely in tandem with Burak. Both women stare at the figure, a look of unsettling understanding passing between them.

At that moment, Dr. Abrar approaches, and Lan Qian explains the footage and the eerie shadow. He examines the scene closely, his expression growing grave.

"It seems he's been cursed by dark magic," Dr. Abrar declares.

"Dark magic?" Wen-Li's arms cross as she narrows her eyes. "How are you so certain?"

Abrar glances at them thoughtfully and says, "Come with me!"

They walk to the Nur-E-Zaman Mosque, located near their headquarters. The mosque's architecture blends Arabic and Turkish designs, featuring intricate geometrical structures and calligraphic embellishments. Four tall minarets stand proudly, each serving as a call to prayer. Outside the mosque, Abrar approaches a member and requests an audience with the Sheikh.

A few moments later, Sheikh Umar Ferdous appears. Abrar greets him warmly:

"Assalamualaikum, Sheikh."

"Walaikum Assalam," replies Sheikh Umar.

"Sheikh, we're here on a very sensitive matter. Could you assist us?" Abrar inquires, gesturing to Wen-Li and Lan Qian, who stand respectfully to the side. Abrar then presents a photo of Burak's body and the strange drawing found in his room.

After a brief examination, Sheikh Umar remarks with a serious tone, "This young man has indeed been cursed by dark magic."

"Can you tell who might have done this?" asks Abrar urgently.

"Most likely a relative, either on his father's or mother's side."

Wen-Li steps forward, sceptical yet intrigued. "How can you be so certain?"

The Sheikh smiles gently and replies, "Many come to me with tales of financial struggles, marital discord, or family disputes. When psychiatric help doesn't alleviate their issues, it often becomes apparent that jealousy, or a curse, might be at play. Such personal, invasive curses almost always come from those closest to us."

"Why would someone do such a thing?" Wen-Li asks, her brow furrowed.

"Jealousy," the Sheikh answers solemnly, "is a fire that consumes silently. It comes from pride and resentment, especially when people witness someone else achieving success they feel they deserve. Jealousy is the source of many sins, as people fail to appreciate what they have and covet what others possess."

He then shares a verse from the Holy Book:

"A fire that consumes the very heart of a tree trunk—so too does jealousy destroy good deeds, faith, and one's relationship with the Creator. If He grants another person's wish, why harbour jealousy? Be grateful for what you have and what He has granted you, for you cannot know the trials they face."

Silence follows his words, a profound moment of reflection. Finally, Lan Qian murmurs, "That gives me goosebumps."

"Thank you for your guidance, Sheikh," Wen-Li says, bowing her head respectfully. Sheikh Umar places his hand over his chest in a gesture of blessing.

As they depart, Wen-Li remarks, "We've got a lead."

"But which relative could have done this?" Lan Qian wonders aloud.

"We'll find out when we return to the Yimigit household," replies Wen-Li with a smirk.

Later, at 7:00 pm at the Yimigit residence, Aisha opens the door to SSCBF officers, including Demitin, Robert, Dr. Abrar, Lan Qian, and Lee Jong Suk. Hamza joins them as Wen-Li politely requests a private discussion in the drawing room. There, she shares the shocking conclusion about Burak's death. Both parents are visibly shaken, and Hamza, his grief turning to anger, demands:

"HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST THAT MY SON, BURAK, WAS CURSED BY DARK MAGIC?"

"Sir, please calm down," Dr. Abrar intervenes, rising to reassure him.

Wen-Li continues calmly, "Sir, you mentioned that your son wasn't the type to commit such acts, right? The evidence points to dark influences; we found a disturbing figure drawn in his room, and traces of blood that hint at a ritual."

Aisha, visibly distressed, murmurs, "Who could harbour such hatred toward our son?" Demitin tries to console her as Wen-Li explains further.

"Ma'am, based on our findings, we believe someone close to you may be responsible."

Hamza's face hardens as he clenches his fists. "If someone from our family has done this, I swear, I'll see them suffer for it."

After a pause, Wen-Li asks Aisha, "Ma'am, has any of your relatives, perhaps on your husband's side, visited recently?"

A sudden realisation dawns on Aisha. "It was Mai-Ja, Hamza's elder sister!"

She recounts Mai-Ja's unusual behaviour, describing how she toured the entire house, ending in Burak's room. Wen-Li listens attentively, probing further, "What did she do in Burak's room?"

"She seemed to admire his artwork," Aisha begins hesitantly, "but then…"

"Then what?" Wen-Li prompts gently.

"I stepped out to check on a pot on the stove, leaving her alone in his room… She could have done something then," Aisha finishes, her face etched with regret.

Hamza's expression turns grim as Robert shares additional findings, "In Burak's room, we found a faint bloodstain on his chair. Forensic analysis confirmed it was his. It appeared that someone had tried to wipe it away, possibly Mai-Ja."

With a steady tone, Hamza declares, "If my own sister is responsible, she'll face justice. God has cursed such acts, and I'll see her answer for it."

The room falls silent, each person contemplating the tragic betrayal. Eventually, Wen-Li asks to be excused, and the team takes their leave. As they return to their vehicle, Wen-Li reflects on their next steps.

Inside their SSCBF SUV, Wen-Li preps her team for action. She glances at Robert, who is driving, his hands slick with sweat gripping the steering wheel.

"Robert!" she calls.

"Yes, Chief?" he replies, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

"Alert Gonda. We need everything he can gather on Mai-Ja: her contacts, her whereabouts, and any clues on how she cursed Burak," she instructs.

Robert nods resolutely, and Wen-Li turns to Lan Qian. "Lan Qian, scan our data systems for her current address."

"On it, Chief."

"We need to apprehend her before more harm is done," Wen-Li states firmly.

Meanwhile, on a building's edge, Agent-90 contacts Madam Di-Xian. "Madam, target locked."

"Agent-90," she responds coolly, "eliminate this devil and her accomplice. No more chances."

At 2:59 am, in the foggy streets of Silentedge, the road lies eerily quiet under flickering streetlights. The howl of whippoorwills and barking dogs add to the sinister air as Robert and Gonda stand hidden near an abandoned building, observing the Hollow Temple.

"So that's our location?" Robert asks, peeking out, while officers in tactical gear ready themselves nearby.

"Indeed," replies Gonda, smoke curling from his breath in the cold night.

"How'd you trace her here?" Robert asks, visibly impressed.

"Nothing too challenging," Gonda replies nonchalantly, smoke curling as he speaks.

"Sir, someone's approaching!" Demitin alerts through her futuristic bracelet.

"Positions, everyone!" Robert orders quietly.

From the mist, a shadowy figure emerges. Gonda whispers, "It's her…" as the cloaked woman moves closer to the temple. She steps forward, the temple door creaks open, and a sorcerer appears, his eyes narrowing.

"Did anyone follow you?" he asks sharply.

"No," she replies with a grim smile. He then lets her in and locks the door behind her.

Gonda takes out his specialised spectacles. Unlike an ordinary pair, these glasses have a small switch embedded in the handle. He presses the green button, activating a high-tech scanning function that allows him to observe everything inside the temple in real time. The glasses, part of the secret organisation's advanced equipment, help agents identify targets and track movements with precision.

Gonda signals Robert, "It's time. We must act before this situation worsens." Robert nods and instructs the officers to move in. Through his spectacles, Gonda watches as Mai-Ja pulls out a family photo of her brother's family and hands it to the sorcerer, Ju-Jong Wushi, a notorious worshipper of dark magic who has killed dozens in Nin-Ran-Gi as part of sinister rituals commissioned by his clients.

Just as Ju-Jong begins his ritual, SSCBF officers storm the temple. Robert grabs Ju-Jong and slams him against the wall, breaking his arm, while Demitin swiftly subdues Mai-Ja, knotting her arms and forcing her to the ground. Gonda scans the room, noting every macabre detail of the devilish setup.

"How did you find us? This isn't fair!" Mai-Ja screams.

"Silence, witch!" Demitin retorts, twisting Mai-Ja's arm.

Gonda crouches down beside her, holding her hair back as he sneers, "So, this is how low you'll stoop—for your own twisted satisfaction. You're out of options."

Even Robert shivers slightly at Gonda's cold demeanour. With the suspects restrained, officers escort them to the SSCBF headquarters. By 4:20 am, the entire team is assembled, fighting fatigue. Wen-Li sips her fifth coffee of the night while Krieg fights to keep his eyes open. Hamza and Aisha arrive at headquarters with Mai-Ja's husband, Yacob Suleiman, and her son, Ismail. They've come to understand why they were summoned so early.

"Would you like to pray the Fajr before we proceed?" Nightingale asks the men. They agree, taking leave to the nearby Nur-E-Zaman Mosque.

As the group prepares to leave, Robert and his team arrive, bringing in Mai-Ja and Ju-Jong in handcuffs. Seeing them, Hamza lunges at his sister, grabbing her by the neck and shouting, "You devil! You've destroyed us!" Officers restrain Hamza, with Suleiman helping to calm him.

Robert presents the evidence found at the Hollow Temple and video footage confirming Mai-Ja's presence there. Ismail looks utterly heartbroken, grappling with his mother's betrayal. Aisha walks up to Mai-Ja, silently slaps her across the face, and then turns away without a word. As they leave for the mosque, Yacob stops and tells her he will divorce her.

In the interrogation room, Wen-Li questions Mai-Ja calmly but insistently. "Why did you do it? What motivated you to kill your nephew and shatter your brother's life?"

Mai-Ja looks down, her hands cuffed, initially refusing to respond. But when Wen-Li pounds the table, demanding an answer, she finally laughs sarcastically. "Hamza was always the family favourite. Everyone loved him, but no one cared about me. He had it all, while I struggled. My life was ruined because of him."

"How, exactly, did he 'ruin' your life?" Wen-Li presses, her steely gaze piercing through Mai-Ja.

"He owed me money," Mai-Ja says, anger rising in her voice. "He was late to repay, and my husband's business collapsed. We couldn't pay for Ismail's tuition, but look at him—his family is thriving, his son studying at the best university. My Ismail had to miss out because of Hamza's delays."

"So, you lied about Ismail's enrolment at Honjo Technical University?" Wen-Li continues, leaning closer. "Your jealousy over your brother's success led you to murder his son?"

Mai-Ja smiles sinisterly, "He deserved it. If my son couldn't succeed, why should his? I wanted him to feel the same pain I did."

In a rare moment of anger, Wen-Li strikes Mai-Ja's face with her fist. "You're a monster," she seethes. "Your envy blinded you, and in trying to ruin his life, you've already destroyed your own. The court will see to that." Wen-Li storms out as robot guards lead Mai-Ja to her cell.

In the conference room, officers and family members listen to the recording of Mai-Ja's confession. Hamza and Aisha are distraught, and Yacob, deeply ashamed, bows to the grieving parents, asking for forgiveness on behalf of his family. Hamza lifts Yacob's head, saying that forgiveness must wait until after the trial the following morning.

The dawn arrives on the day of the trial. The Federal Law and Justice building, with its Victorian interior design, is bustling with officials, family members, and media. On the judge's bench sits Judge Hàoyú Ling, while jurors and prosecutors line each side of the courtroom. In the centre stand Mai-Ja and Ju-Jong, surrounded by members of the victims' families and journalists capturing the scene.

After a thorough recounting of Burak's murder and the discoveries at the Hollow Temple, Judge Hàoyú Ling delivers his judgement. "By decision of the jury, Mai-Ja Yimigit and Ju-Jong Wushi, I sentence you both to death." In the courtroom, Aisha clings to Hamza as Ismail weeps quietly, consoled by Yacob and his uncle.

As they leave the courtroom, reporters swarm around Mai-Ja, bombarding her with questions about her motives. The SSCBF officers quickly escort the convicted pair to the transport van. Just then, a gunshot rings out from a distance, and Ju-Jong collapses as blood pours from a bullet wound in his forehead.

Panic ensues as civilians scatter, while officers raise their weapons, scanning for the sniper. Nightingale and Lan Qian hastily usher Mai-Ja into the van. Suddenly, another gunshot echoes; this time, Mai-Ja is struck in the back of her head, splattering blood across both Nightingale and Lan Qian. Wen-Li looks up, narrowing her eyes toward the source of the shot.

From a distant construction building, Agent-90, wielding a Widowmaker A500 sniper rifle, packs his equipment into a briefcase, setting a timed explosive within it. He dashes away just as the briefcase detonates, sending an alert to the SSCBF officers, who converge on the explosion site.

As Wen-Li spots Agent-90 disappearing into the crowd, she gives chase, but he vanishes into the bustling streets.