At night, Hassan sat alone in his secret chamber, dim light flickering from a small lantern on the desk, casting shadows on the walls. His hand hovered over the paper for a moment before he began writing, each word heavy with the weight of what he was about to reveal:
To my brother,
By the time you read this, there’s a chance I may no longer be alive. You might hate me, think I abandoned you, Mom, and Dad. But I didn’t leave to defy our father or follow my own desires. I left to protect all of you. There’s a responsibility I carry, one that is far beyond anything I could ever explain face to face. A responsibility that has placed me in the crosshairs of dangerous enemies. If you’re reading this, it means you now possess the black diamond Circe stone, and more importantly, the Guardian stone. That means the weight of this secret—and this fight—now falls on your shoulders. There are eight Circe stones. They weren’t crafted by human hands, but by a Jinn of unimaginable power. Each stone was created from 7 powers, each power holds seven extraordinary abilities. These powers can be use in two ways.
Red Fire—Pure destruction, capable of incinerating anything in its path.
Green Fire—It has the power to heal and repair what’s broken.
White Thunder—Grants the ability to fly, to rise above it all.
Purple Thunder—Gives unmatched speed, making its wielder faster than the eye can see.
Ice Power—A shield of protection, an unbreakable defense.
Air Power—It can create illusions, bending reality itself.
Water Power—The power to change forms, to become anything, to reshape objects, or even yourself. And one stone—Robis’s red Circe stone—has an additional, far more sinister ability. It can control minds, possess bodies.
This is where it becomes more complicated. Everything you know about the chaos in Remaan is a lie. Robis and his partners, the so-called protectors of the city, are behind it all. They masquerade as champions of justice, spreading lies about the Gwazans, claiming they are the enemies. But the truth? Robis and his allies are Gwazans. They hide behind a façade of righteousness, and they’ve been using their power to destroy me, turning the public against me with their illusions. Every crime they commit is laid at my feet. I know it’s hard to believe, but trust me. I’ve been fighting a war in the shadows, and now that war has come to you. I’ve stayed away not because I don’t care but because I couldn’t risk them finding you, or worse, finding Mom and Dad. I’ve kept this burden to myself for as long as I could.
But now, it’s your turn. You are the only person I trust to carry on this fight. Protect the Guardian stone at all costs, Omar. If that stone falls into their hands, Remaan—and everyone in it—will fall with it.
Axen isn’t a villain, no matter what they say. He’s the only thing standing between them and the total ruin of this city. They will come after you. They will use every trick, every connection, every ounce of power to destroy you like they tried to destroy me. Ammarah will explain more. She knows the truth and she’s on our side. Listen to her, trust her. Above all, stay safe. I’ve always loved you, Omar. I love Mom and Dad, and I’ve missed you all more than you can imagine. I’m sorry for leaving, but I did it for all of you. Now, it’s up to you to finish what I started.
With all my love,
Your brother, Hassan
---
Hassan leaned back in his chair, staring at the words on the paper, feeling the weight of his responsibility pressing down on him. His heart felt heavy, the truth he had written seemed to echo in the quiet room. Folding the letter carefully, he sealed it with steady hands, placing it on the desk with a finality that felt like sealing a part of his own fate.
A soft rustle of fabric alerted him as Ammarah approached from behind, her footsteps light but purposeful. "What were you writing?" she asked, her voice curious, eyes lingering on the sealed envelope in front of him.
Hassan inhaled deeply, not meeting her gaze immediately. "Just some letters," he replied, his voice low.
Ammarah's eyes narrowed, studying him closely. "To whom?" she pressed, her tone laced with suspicion and a hint of worry.
He finally looked at her, his eyes softening for a moment, before they hardened with resolve. "You'll find out soon enough," he said, his voice calm but firm, leaving no room for further questions.
Ammarah held his gaze for a moment, searching his face for any sign of what he was hiding. With a quiet sigh, she relented, turning her focus to the matter at hand. "By the way," she said, her voice taking on a darker note, "they staged another fake scene today. This time, they ‘saved’ Toran Towers from a robbery, blaming it on the Gwazans."
Hassan let out a short, humorless chuckle, shaking his head. "That’s how they’ve secured the trust of the public," he said, his tone bitter. "They paint themselves as heroes, rescuing the city from the very crimes they orchestrate. But one day..." his voice trailed off, his eyes distant as he stared at the letter on the desk. "One day, everyone will know the truth—that actually they are the Gwazans, the real enemies of this city."
Ammarah’s gaze softened, sympathy mixing with her worry. "I hope you're right, Hassan. But the longer they deceive the people, the stronger their hold becomes."
Hassan’s jaw tightened, his knuckles white as his fist clenched, then slowly relaxed. "I know," he said quietly, his voice carrying authority, but before he could finish, a sudden, heavy thud reverberated through the basement. The ground beneath them trembled, dust falling from the ceiling. Hassan and Ammarah exchanged a look, their eyes widening in alarm.
“What was that?” Hassan asked, his voice tense.
Ammarah glanced up. "I don’t know."
Hassan’s gaze sharpened as the reality of the situation hit him. "They’re here," he whispered, his tone laced with urgency. He quickly turned to his desk, his movements precise and calculated. With a low command, he activated the stone in his possession. "Wake up, Axen."
In an instant, a surge of energy crackled around him, and he transformed into Axen. His presence becoming more powerful. He moved swiftly to his desk, pulling open a drawer with deliberate urgency, retrieving the Guardian Stone. Its faint glow reflected in his determined eyes.
Without hesitation, he handed the letter to Ammarah, his grip firm as his eyes locked onto hers. “Keep it with you," he said, his voice steady but thick with the weight of responsibility. "They can’t get their hands on this. I’ll try to hide the Guardian Stone somewhere safe.”
Ammarah’s brows furrowed, her worry clear, but before she could respond, he continued. “Create as many illusions as you can. Distract them. We need time.”
His words were resolute. Ammarah took the letter, clutching it tightly to her chest. Her purple eyes flickered with worry, but she nodded, her face set in determination. "I won’t let them get to you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Be careful," she whispered, though she knew caution was a luxury neither of them could afford now.
Without a word, Axen moved swiftly, sliding his desk aside to reveal a hidden tunnel beneath. He gave her one last determined glance before jumping into the darkness below.
The silence was abruptly shattered by the crash of the elevator tunnel collapsing through the chamber’s ceiling. Lyn, in his striking purple-hooded costume, landed gracefully beside Alvar, clad in deep blue, and Devor, cloaked in an even darker shade of blue. Their faces were obscured, leaving only their glowing eyes and grim mouths visible. The three stood poised, their eyes locked on the figure seated at the desk.
Axen, still seated and absorbed in his thoughts, turned slightly, acknowledging their presence. "So you found me," he said, his voice carrying a mix of weariness and defiance.
Lyn stepped forward, his voice commanding and authoritative. "Surrender," he ordered.
The tunnel led real Axen to a dry, ancient well nestled deep within the woods. As he emerged from the darkness, leaping up to the surface, he landed on the soft ground, his senses immediately alert. His heart stopped for a brief moment when he saw Robis, clad in his signature red-hooded costume, standing before him. Robis’s face was hidden like other stone weilders, save for the piercing red eyes and the dangerous smile playing on his lips.
"Surprise, Guardian..." Robis said, his voice oozing menace, his smile widening as if savoring the moment.
Axen's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't expected this. "Robis?" he murmured, disbelief rippling through him.
Robis stepped closer, his presence suffocating, his eyes locked on Axen with a deadly intensity. "You've given my stone wielders quite a tough time, haven’t you?" he said, his tone dangerously calm. "So, I thought it was time we met... face to face."
By the Canal Road
Omar strolled along Canal Road, phone pressed to his ear, his voice casual as he spoke to Zain. "I see you, Zain. I'm coming." He hung up, his eyes already scanning the other side of the canal where Zain stood waiting. Just as he turned toward the bridge stairs, he collided with someone—hard.
He took a step back, and his gaze met a pair of familiar, furious eyes. Noor.
"You again?" Noor's voice was sharp, her blue eyes flashing with annoyance.
Omar's expression shifted, a slow grin spreading across his face. He raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm. "You know, if you’re doing this on purpose... just ask for a hug. I won’t mind."
Noor stepped closer, her jaw tight, eyes locked on his. "Who do you think you are?"
Omar leaned in, his breath close enough to make her flinch, his voice a low whisper. "Your prince charming," he said, barely suppressing a smirk.
Noor narrowed her eyes but refused to give him the satisfaction of a response. She turned to leave, but before she could take a step, Omar moved in front of her, his arm resting against the bridge railing, blocking her path.
"Move," she hissed, her voice low, but seething with restrained anger. "I told you to stay away from me."
Omar tilted his head, a mischievous spark in his blue-green eyes. "Can you really handle me being away from you?"
She glared at him, her silence more dangerous than any words she could have thrown at him. He chuckled softly and pointed at the full moon, his voice softer, teasing. "You’re beautiful, you know that? Even the moon's jealous tonight."
Noor exhaled sharply, frustration flashing across her face. She shoved him back, her voice firm and biting. "I hate you." With that, she spun on her heel and walked away, her steps quick and deliberate. But as she left, a fleeting smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Omar watched her go, laughing quietly to himself. He shook his head, still grinning as he turned toward Zain, who stood on the other side of the bridge, arms crossed.
Zain raised an eyebrow as Omar approached. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Omar said with a shrug, still smiling. "Let’s go."
"Where?" Zain asked, falling into step beside him.
"To my place. My parents are out of the city. You’re staying with me tonight."
Zain pulled out his phone, his expression nonchalant. "Alright, let me just tell my mom."
Omar nodded. "Yeah, go ahead."
At Axen's Chamber
Axen raised both hands in mock surrender, a slight, almost taunting smile playing on his lips. His red eyes gleamed as they remained fixed on the intruders.
"Give us the Guardian stone," Lyn demanded, his voice tense with restrained anger.
Axen's smile widened. "You're wasting your time. I can't. It's amusing how you fools keep talking to someone who's not even here..."
Lyn's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching in frustration. "Not again," he whispered under his breath before shouting, "NOT AGAIN!" In a burst of fury, he launched a bolt of purple thunder straight at Axen, who simply laughed as the attack passed through him, revealing what they feared—it was another illusion.
The room fell silent as they realized Axen had once again eluded them. Unseen, Ammarah quietly slipped through the ceiling, escaping.
Deadly Hit
Axen dashed across the rooftops, leaping from one building to the next with fluid precision. The night air rushed past him, but he knew Robis was close, too close. Suddenly, Robis, landed in front of him, blocking his path with a smug, dangerous smile. The Guardian stone weighed heavily in Axen’s pocket, a responsibility too great to lose. He had to escape.
With a flick of his hand, Axen unleashed White Thunder, a blinding bolt of lightning. The thunderous crack echoed across the city, illuminating the darkness as the electric energy surged toward Robis. But Robis didn’t flinch. He raised his hand, and the air around him shimmered with a protective shield, absorbing the attack effortlessly.
Axen cursed under his breath. His powers were fading. He could feel it. Every time he had struck Robis before, it had drained him, and now he was running out of strength. The Guardian stone pulsed against his skin, reminding him of its weight, its importance.
Robis, however, was not done. He knew Axen carried the Guardian stone, and he wanted it—wanted Axen dead. With a wave of his hand, Robis attacked Axen with the deadly power of Red Fire. A searing blaze erupted from him, a wave of destruction roaring toward Axen. The fire struck him, the force so powerful it threw Axen back a hundred meters. He barely had time to react.
But in that split second, Axen summoned the last of his strength, pushing himself with the incredible speed of Purple Thunder, vanishing from sight before Robis could deliver a fatal blow. His body flickered through the night, disappearing into the shadows. But the power drained him too quickly. His vision blurred, his muscles weakened, and his speed faltered.
Meanwhile, on a quiet street not far away, Omar and Zain walked side by side, their conversation casual as they made their way to Omar’s house.
Zain glanced up at the large screen hanging from a hotel building, broadcasting yet another news report about Axen. The headline blared: Supervillain Strikes Again: The Fall of Remaan’s Hero?
"What do you think about Axen?" Zain asked, his tone curious but guarded.
Omar shrugged, his gaze lingering on the screen for a moment before turning back to Zain. "I don’t know. I’m neutral, I guess. If he’s killed innocents, then yeah, it’s bad. But then, he’s also saved a lot of lives. That’s what’s confusing. Why would a criminal go out of his way to save people?"
As Omar finished speaking, a sudden thud echoed from the narrow alley between two buildings up ahead. The sound wasn’t loud, but it was enough to catch their attention. Both Omar and Zain stopped in their tracks, exchanging a quick glance.
Then, from the darkness of the alley, came a weak, strained voice. "Come…"
They froze, staring into the narrow gap between the buildings, where the shadows seemed to shift and move.
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