Devil Among Angels

The night remained chilly as Feroz and Mrs. Aliya hurried through the city. The streets were eerily silent, yet Feroz could not dispel the sensation of being observed. Each turn they took seemed to conceal another threat.

Feroz was preoccupied with the power he had tapped into earlier. It transcended mere fear or anger; it was something deeper, an inexplicable force within him.

"Mrs. Aliya," he murmured, "what is happening to me?"

She cast a brief glance in his direction but continued to walk. "You are awakening, Feroz. The power within you is beginning to manifest."

"What does that mean?" Feroz inquired, his voice quavering. "I never asked for this. I don't even comprehend what is occurring."

Mrs. Aliya halted and faced him. Her expression was composed yet grave. "Your lineage is extraordinary, Feroz. Your father possessed similar abilities. The Free Masons seek to harness that power, which is why they are pursuing you."

Feroz felt a wave of despair wash over him as he struggled to absorb the information. "Did my father have to confront them as well?"

"Yes," Mrs. Aliya replied gently. "He made numerous sacrifices to protect you. But now, they have located you. That is why we must find Yusuf; he is the only one capable of helping you master your abilities."

Feroz nodded, though his understanding remained incomplete. He recognized the urgency of their situation and the necessity to keep moving.

They departed from the city and ventured into the forest. The towering trees loomed darkly, obscuring much of the moonlight. The air was frigid and dense, amplifying every sound in the stillness.

"How much farther do we have to go?" Feroz asked.

"Not much," Mrs. Aliya answered. "Once we locate the mountain path, we will be nearing Yusuf's residence."

As they delved deeper into the forest, Feroz could not shake the unsettling feeling that something was amiss. The atmosphere felt peculiar, and the silence was oppressive. He paused and surveyed his surroundings.

"Mrs. Aliya," he whispered, "I think we're being followed."

She nodded, her expression taut. "You're right. Stay close to me."

Out of nowhere, a peculiar sound echoed behind them, resembling a low growl. Feroz's heart raced as he turned to see shadows shifting among the trees. But these weren't ordinary shadows—they seemed to pulse with life.

"They've found us," Mrs. Aliya said, drawing a small knife from her coat. "Prepare yourself."

Feroz felt the familiar energy coursing beneath his skin, like a flame eager to escape. The shadows advanced, and one stepped forward, tall and dark, with glowing eyes that pierced right through him.

"The boy comes with us," the shadow declared in a deep, resonant voice.

Feroz recoiled, fear tightening its grip on him. Yet, he recalled Mrs. Aliya's words about his power and the importance of standing his ground. He clenched his fists, feeling the light begin to radiate from his hands.

"I'm not going with you," he asserted, his voice stronger than he anticipated.

The shadow tilted its head, almost as if amused. "You cannot resist us," it warned. "Surrender now, or face death."

Feroz glanced at Mrs. Aliya, who gave him a reassuring nod. He turned back to the shadow. "No," he replied firmly. "I'm not afraid of you."

The shadow erupted into a chilling laugh before lunging at them, with more shadows trailing behind, swift and silent like a gust of wind.

Feroz felt the light within him surge once more. This time, he embraced it. He raised his hands, unleashing a brilliant wave of energy that pushed the shadows back. The forest illuminated for a brief moment as the shadows shrieked and dissipated into wisps of smoke.

When the chaos subsided, Feroz stood there, breathless. His hands still glimmered faintly, but the tumultuous power within him had settled.

Mrs. Aliya gazed at him, her eyes wide with astonishment. "You're picking this up quicker than I expected," she remarked. "But this is just the start. We must reach Yusuf before they return."

Feroz nodded, though his legs felt unsteady. He followed Mrs. Aliya deeper into the forest, aware that the shadows were far from defeated.