In the narrow alleys behind the ruins, two shadow-cloaked figures stood tall—Cafer and Kasım, taking up the final defense to buy time for Murat and the others to escape safely. The sound of boots marching through the darkness was drawing near, heavy with the weight of approaching soldiers. The fluttering of cloaks in the wind sounded like the whisper of an incoming storm.
Cafer had taken cover behind a stone wall, expertly loosing arrow after arrow with deadly precision. Each breath birthed a target, each arrow sliced through the silence like a flash of lightning. He couldn't let them get closer—not when the heart of the Ottoman Empire lay behind him.
Kasım glanced at his comrade, then closed his eyes. A warmth surged inside him, a calling. He summoned the energy of nature, pulling it inward—more than he ever had before. Every cell in his body awakened with a spark. He felt the energy speaking to him, guiding him, filling him with courage.
He visualized an image above his head.
Fire.
One… two… three…
Balls of fire appeared overhead—bright, flaming spheres radiating heat that illuminated the night. With each completed orb, Kasım imagined another. He poured every drop of nature's power into them. A miniature solar system had formed above him. When he opened his eyes, even the enemy had frozen in awe. Not only Cafer, but the soldiers themselves were mesmerized by the miracle before them.
Kasım paused for a heartbeat. Then raised his hand to the sky—then brought it crashing down.
The fireballs rained.
The sky filled with crimson fury. Each orb struck a soldier, igniting screams with every impact. Stone walls trembled. Dry streets lit up like a vision of hell. The night's darkness was torn apart by Kasım's wrath.
The enemy panicked. They turned and ran, trampling each other in their desperate retreat. Fire, fear, and chaos took hold.
Cafer slowly lowered his bow and turned to Kasım. His eyes shone with stunned respect.
Kasım walked toward him, his face drenched in sweat but his gaze unwavering.
"It's time to go," he said.
Cafer nodded. He couldn't take his eyes off Kasım. Then both of them turned west—following the trail Murat had left—into the maze of shadowed streets.
Above them, the sky remained dark. But that night, an Ottoman son had brought the stars down to earth.
Their footsteps echoed softly through Venice's alleys. Murat led the way, Balibey followed close behind with Viki unconscious in his arms. The city's backstreets were like a labyrinth etched in stone, every corner a danger, every turn an unknown.
Inside Murat, a storm raged. Anger, guilt, and the weight of duty tore at him. Giovanni's death had complicated everything. He couldn't forgive himself. But now was not the time to dwell. He had to get Viki out—alive.
He slowed his pace slightly, allowing Balibey to catch up. Once side by side, Murat spoke in a voice heavy with meaning:
"If something happens to me… Viki is in your care."
Balibey halted. That sentence was now his command.
"God forbid, my Sultan. I will not let anything happen—to you or to her."
Murat nodded with a hint of gratitude. A brief smile flickered across his lips before he moved on, quickening his steps. They were headed toward the western gate. With their senses sharpened by nature energy, Murat's wolf instincts and Balibey's hawk-like eyes kept them out of trouble.
After nearly an hour's walk, the gate came into view. Three guards stood at post. They exchanged glances.
Murat didn't stop. Drawing his sword, he walked with unwavering resolve. Balibey stepped back slightly to shield Viki, but just as he was about to protest, Murat cast him a look so sharp it needed no words.
"Stop right there!" one of the guards shouted. "The gates are closed—no one leaves!"
Murat didn't respond. He walked on. The guard unsheathed his sword and shouted:
"We're under attack! Ready yourselves!"
Just as Murat raised his blade, an arrow whistled through the air and struck the lead guard in the head. The man collapsed.
Murat recognized the arrow instantly. The fletching, the markings—it was Cafer's.
Before he could even glance around, the other guards were struck down one by one by arrows from the shadows.
Two figures emerged—Cafer and Kasım.
Murat exhaled deeply. "You made it."
He turned to Kasım, who looked exhausted, drenched in sweat, but standing tall.
"Are you alright?" Murat asked.
Kasım took a breath, smiling faintly. "I'm fine, my Sultan… Just used up a bit too much energy."
Murat placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank God." Then, turning to the group, he said, "I know you're tired. But we can't stop until we reach the first town. We move."
Cafer and Kasım nodded. They were weary, but their eyes held resolve.
Murat smiled at them before stepping forward again. Behind him followed Cafer, Kasım, and Balibey—still carrying the unconscious Viki.
They passed through the gate.
And Venice… was left behind.