The next day, we gathered around a large sheet of paper spread across the hotel table. A ceiling fan creaked overhead in a slow rhythm, almost like a ticking clock we couldn’t ignore.
Amit marked a bold circle along the coastline. “Abayomi will emerge here.”
Peter leaned closer, tracing five X marks nearby. “These are the camps—five of them. One kilometer span. Hut clusters all along.”
Diljeet crossed his arms. “We hit all five at once. No warnings.”
Abdul scanned each of us. “Once this starts, there’s no turning back.”
I nodded. “We strike before the Pharaoh finishes regrouping.”
Peter glanced at Amit. “You’re certain he’s rebuilding?”
“He is,” Amit said. “We damaged his forces last night. He won’t stay weak for long.”
A heavy silence followed.
Finally, I spoke. “We call him.”
We returned to the same open clearing where Abayomi had first appeared. The sea wind was colder now, carrying salt and something older beneath it.
We spoke his name together.
“Abayomi.”
The ground trembled faintly in response.
A deep, rolling vibration answered us.
From the earth he rose—massive, imposing, eyes glowing amber in the dim light. Behind him stood his shadowed servants, towering and still.
“You summon me again,” his voice echoed.
“We need your strength,” Abdul said.
His gaze sharpened. “The Pharaoh is gathering power.”
“That’s why we move now,” I replied.
Police vehicles arrived behind us, gravel crunching under tires. The captain stepped out.
“We’re set,” he said.
I pointed toward Amit’s map. “Five camps along the shore. We burn everything before midnight.”
The captain looked at Abayomi but didn’t hesitate. “And them?”
“They’re with us,” Diljeet said.
Abayomi spoke again, firm and warning. “My servants can only remain for two hours.”
“Then two hours is enough,” Amit replied.
“Use them wisely,” he said.
I stepped forward. “We need twenty hounds.”
Abayomi raised a hand.
The air tore open with deep growls as twenty massive hellhounds appeared behind him, eyes burning.
Even the police shifted uneasily.
Peter muttered, “Still not normal to see that.”
I gave the order. “Transform.”
The beasts howled as their forms collapsed inward, reshaping—fur dissolving into black feathers. Within moments, they became a flock of dark birds rising into the sky.
Diljeet pointed at the supply stacks. “Gunpowder. Carry it and connect every hut in a single trail.”
The birds swept down, lifting sacks and scattering powder as they flew.
“Keep it unbroken!” Amit shouted.
A continuous dark line formed across the shoreline, linking every structure.
When they returned, Diljeet nodded. “It’s done.”
I struck the flint.
A spark ignited.
The powder hissed—then exploded into flame.
Fire surged forward across the sand like a living force.
“Back!” the captain ordered.
The first hut detonated.
Then another.
And another.
The entire coastline erupted into chained explosions, fire rolling outward like a wave.
Peter laughed in disbelief. “We actually did it!”
But the moment didn’t last.
The air shifted—heavier, colder.
From beyond the flames, a figure emerged.
Tall. Armored in black and gold.
The Pharaoh.
His voice thundered across the burning shore. “You dare defy me?”
Behind him, soldiers poured forward, weapons raised.
The captain raised his rifle instinctively.
“No firing!” he snapped at his men.
“Hold position!” I shouted.
The Pharaoh lifted his blade. “Kneel.”
Abayomi stepped forward. “Not today.”
His servants advanced, shadowy and immense.
Above, the transformed birds became ravens, diving into the battlefield with ferocity.
Chaos erupted instantly—soldiers blinded, armor torn, confusion spreading through their ranks.
“Now!” Amit shouted.
We rushed in, amulets glowing faintly.
I pressed mine against a soldier—he froze instantly, rigid as stone.
“It’s working!” Peter called out.
One by one, we immobilized enemies while Abayomi’s servants dragged them toward a widening rift in the ground.
The Pharaoh swung his blade, furious.
One of the shadow servants blocked the strike.
The impact sent sparks flying.
His burning gaze locked onto me. “You dare meddle in forces beyond you.”
“Maybe,” I said, raising my amulet.
He lunged.
Amit intercepted him. Diljeet grabbed his arm. Peter joined in.
“Hold him!” Peter shouted.
I pressed the amulet against the Pharaoh’s chest.
At first, nothing.
Then his body locked up violently. His sword dropped. The fire in his eyes flickered and faded.
“No!” his voice roared—then weakened.
Abayomi placed a hand on his forehead.
“Back to the abyss,” he said.
The ground split wide.
The frozen Pharaoh and his remaining forces were dragged into the darkness below.
The ravens circled once and vanished into the sky.
The rift slammed shut with a final crack.
Silence returned, broken only by the burning ruins.
Peter collapsed slightly. “Is it finished?”
“For now,” Abayomi said.
His form began to fade as his time ran out.
“You kept your promise,” Abdul said.
Abayomi gave a final nod, then dissolved into mist along with his servants.
The captain exhaled heavily. “That’s going to be impossible to report.”
Back at the hotel, news had already spread. Crowds gathered. Garlands were placed around our necks. People thanked us, touched our hands, called us saviors.
Peter leaned in awkwardly. “This is uncomfortable.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Diljeet said dryly.
Abdul accepted the gratitude quietly. Amit looked toward the sea.
“It’s strange… that it’s over,” he said.
I nodded. “We didn’t win through power alone.”
“Unity,” Abdul said.
“Planning,” Amit added.
“Refusing to back down,” Diljeet finished.
Peter gave a small smile. “And slightly terrifying birds.”
A soft laugh passed between us.
That night, the coast was finally quiet. No threats. No whispers.
Only waves against the shore.
And for the first time since it all began, we slept without fear.
End of Part 439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRyceh11ro
Author’s Notes:
Author’s Note: This chapter was edited with AI assistance for grammar, readability, and flow.
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