The blades of the helicopter sliced through the morning wind, but no one looked up. There were no cameras. No press. No echoes of welcome. Only stillness. It touched down gently on the same private plot Mirshad had returned — the land that once whispered, now watched silently. The door opened. And he stepped out. Mirshad. Alive. Calm. Unaware.
His eyes scanned the land like nothing happened — because, to him, nothing had. Behind him, Rayyan, and the two reaper's stepped out. Their faces calm, but inside… the memory of the Tribunal hall, the scream that shook the stars, and the god that nearly awakened — still burned. But they kept their faces straight. They had made a promise.
They entered the black SUV waiting for them. The engine purred. The city passed by quietly. The world was peaceful. But the silence in the car was heavy. Mirshad leaned his head back, eyes half closed. Peaceful. One reaper finally whispered, "You think he remembers?" Rayyan didn't blink. "No. And we're not going to remind him." the reaper looked down at his hands. "Feels like we're hiding something from the world." Rayyan's voice was low. "We're protecting it." Rayyan turned his gaze out the window. "This isn't a secret, brother… it's a responsibility." They all nodded.
The car rolled through the familiar gates. Laughter danced from the house. Plates clinked. Smell of tea and fresh breakfast filled the air. Baba sat outside, humming something old. Their mother placing cups. Sara arranging fruits. Sophia waiting at the steps. Just a normal morning. Like they needed.
Mirshad stepped out of the car, stretched, smiled faintly, and walked toward them. His mother smiled wide. "Back so soon?" Sophia ran up, holding his hand, "You better come wash up. Maa's waiting with her famous breakfast." "On my way," Mirshad said softly. He walked inside. The others followed behind.
Baba smiled as they passed, but something in his eyes lingered on Rayyan. A question. A doubt. Rayyan looked back and gave him the smallest nod. "Everything's fine." Baba didn't ask again.
Inside the living room, Sophia laughed at something Mirshad said. Sara brought more juice. Their mother scolded them for skipping tea. Everything felt normal. Perfectly normal. But only Rayyan knew… that not even the gods above understood what almost happened. And only he knew… that the god who saved them all was now sitting, sipping tea… completely unaware of the truth.
He smiled with him. Laughed with him. But behind every laugh… was a vow: "We'll protect him. No matter what."
In a world that had nearly ended… the only thing stronger than power… was love. And sometimes… the silence you keep for someone… is louder than any scream ever heard.