Lilith (Mahira)'s body trembled violently as the cold consumed every part of her. Even after being brought back inside the temple, the freezing rain had left her exhausted. Her breathing was shallow, and she remained deeply unconscious.
Riyana carefully sat beside her.
She gently rubbed Lilith's face with a steaming hot towel, trying to bring warmth back into her pale skin.
"Baba…"
"This is thirty pieces of gold."
"And it is three kilograms," Rafsan said while carefully placing the sacred offerings onto a cloth-covered table.
Varijana looked at the gold respectfully.
"Thirty blessings for Maa Durga (Mother Durga)."
Everyone remained silent.
The sacred gold shimmered beneath the temple lights.
After Riyana finished cleaning Lilith's body and changing her into dry clothing, the women remained inside to continue watching over her.
Outside—
The men quietly gathered beneath the temple shelter.
A notification sounded.
Ding.
Nikolai looked down at his phone.
Kalma sat nearby.
She quietly checked both of her pistols before loading fresh magazines into each one.
Nikolai opened the new voice note.
Hammed had sent it.
The familiar little voice immediately filled the air.
"Hi Dada! Hi Mama! It Mil! I vewy vewy vewy mad at you an Mama! You no call! You no hear! I mad! I cwy lots! So I no talk to you two! Hmph!… But… I wuv you. I wuv Mama too. Ba Ba Muwh!"
Everyone smiled.
"Awww…"
"She's angry with both you and Mihu," Reyan laughed.
Nikolai couldn't stop himself from chuckling.
He quickly typed a reply.
At that moment—
Sohan laughed.
"At least you're not in a war zone."
"When Nihal was two, this boy used his iPad to call me while I was on a very serious mission."
"He demanded I buy ice cream for him and his mother…"
"…while I was almost getting killed."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Nihal folded his arms.
"I was manipulated by Mumma."
"She said I'd get a share of the tub."
The laughter only grew louder.
Even Nikolai laughed.
Nearby—
Urlima silently checked her favorite rifles.
She double-loaded each weapon before placing them neatly beside her.
Nikolai unfolded the mysterious parchment once again.
He studied it carefully.
Then quietly placed it beside him.
Meanwhile—
Far away within her unconsciousness—
Lilith (Mahira) dreamed.
She found herself standing once again inside the sacred temple.
The incense gently drifted through the peaceful air.
The bells softly echoed.
She folded both hands together.
Her head bowed respectfully before Goddess Durga.
Then—
A gentle…
Beautiful…
Almost angelic voice called to her.
"Mhaira…"
Lilith slowly turned.
Standing before her was a breathtaking woman.
She wore magnificent ancient Indian clothing embroidered with intricate golden thread.
Countless precious jewels decorated her neck, wrists and forehead.
Her beauty seemed almost divine.
Floating beside her—
Was a magnificent golden long dagger.
Its polished blade reflected heavenly light.
Lotus flowers were engraved across its surface.
Sacred vines intertwined with elegant temple patterns.
The weapon radiated warmth rather than violence.
The mysterious woman smiled.
"This is your blessing."
"I am honored by your devotion."
"This blessing has been sent from Heaven."
"It shall help you defeat those who stand against you."
"Lilith…"
"You are truly blessed."
"You carry love."
"Power."
"Happiness."
She slowly pointed beyond the temple.
"There is a stone behind the temple."
"It was once used to forge weapons during the ancient times."
"Melt the sacred gold."
"Create your weapon."
"You may also use the gems within the temple."
"Mahira…"
"You must be fast."
"Because the attack is coming."
"They will seek to defeat you."
"They will try to wipe out your family."
"Wipe them out first."
Lilith slowly looked toward the floating dagger.
She folded both hands together.
"Jai Maa Durga."
"(Hail Mother Durga.)"
As she spoke—
The dream slowly disappeared.
Sleep completely consumed her once more.
Russia
Enzo walked calmly toward his family.
Mrs. Pelagia's eyes were already filled with tears.
Behind him—
Galina stepped out of the vehicle.
Enzo reached his hand toward her.
She smiled.
Taking it without hesitation.
Stefania silently watched.
Her expression darkened as Galina naturally wrapped her arm around Enzo's.
Mrs. Pelagia forced a smile.
"Come in."
Everyone entered the mansion.
Outside—
Mila stood beside the large marble fountain.
She happily tapped the flowing water.
"C…come eat," Mrs. Pelagia called softly.
Everyone gathered around the dining table.
"MiMi…"
"Come eat."
Enzo called.
Mila happily waddled toward him.
He lifted her into his arms.
Then carefully placed her onto the chair beside him.
"Here."
"Your plate."
Mrs. Pelagia watched him serve Mila first.
It contained—
Chicken salad.
Mashed potatoes.
A small glass of milk.
"Tank oo…"
"Pwetty Granny."
Mila smiled sweetly.
"You're welcome, love."
Mrs. Pelagia couldn't help smiling.
She looked toward Enzo.
"Whose daughter is this?"
"Boss' daughter."
"Nikolai Devereaux's child."
Enzo answered simply.
Everyone looked toward Mila again.
"Open up."
Enzo held up another spoonful.
Mila obediently opened her mouth.
She took another bite.
Still chewing—
She happily waved at everyone.
Mrs. Pelagia smiled warmly.
"So…"
"What's your name, dear?"
"My name is Galina Vetrov."
Galina answered politely.
Mrs. Pelagia blinked.
"Wait…"
"You're Mr. Vetrov's daughter?"
"One of the twins?"
Galina nodded.
"Yes."
"How is your father?"
"Is he healing?"
Mrs. Pelagia asked gently.
"He is."
"But…"
"Mom passed away."
"He hasn't really been himself."
"He wanted to be alone for a while."
"My sibling and I still check on him every day."
Galina replied quietly.
Mrs. Pelagia lowered her head.
"My deepest condolences."
"Thank you."
Galina smiled sadly.
Just then—
Hammed received another message.
"Mila…"
"Your Dada said he'll call you later."
"And…"
"He loves you very much."
"But Mama got sick after standing in the rain."
Mila immediately stopped eating.
"Oh no…"
"Mil Mama…"
Rohan frowned.
"In the rain?"
"Yeah."
"Apparently she was doing this."
Hammed played the recording.
Everyone gathered around.
Watching the video.
Rohan immediately understood.
"Oh…"
"She was showing her devotion to Goddess Durga."
Hammed nodded.
"Yeah."
"And thirty pieces of gold rolled down the temple stairs into her veil."
Rohan sighed.
"I hope she'll be alright."
"Otherwise…"
"That group will destroy her."
He gently offered Mila another spoonful.
"Here you go, baby."
This time—
It was beef.
She happily chewed it.
Mr. Matvey looked toward Enzo.
"So…"
"How's work?"
Enzo didn't even look at him.
"It isn't your concern."
"Mind your business."
Silence.
Fyodor opened his mouth.
Before he could speak—
Eleanor smiled toward Mila.
"Sweetie…"
"Why don't you go outside and play in the big garden?"
"We have ducks."
"And little pets."
"Hm?"
"Ok!"
"I go."
Mila smiled.
A maid carefully lifted her.
Enzo quietly added more food onto Mila's plate before she left.
He looked directly at the maid.
"Take care of her."
"Or I will kill you."
The maid immediately nodded.
"Y…Yes, Sir."
"Ba Ba!"
Mila waved.
"Bye, Mimi!"
Every Bratva member waved back.
Galina glanced through the dining room window.
Outside—
Mila giggled happily while the maid fed her.
She gently held a duck in both hands.
Galina smiled.
"She's good, guys."
Then—
Metal scraped against wood.
Several guns appeared beneath the table.
Enzo calmly picked up a TT-33 Tokarev.
Everyone's eyes widened.
"A…A gun?"
Mr. Matvey whispered.
Enzo ignored him completely.
Instead—
He calmly took another bite of his meatball.
"Hmm…"
"Can I have more of this?"
"It tastes like Dad's."
Mrs. Pelagia's eyes immediately watered.
"Of course, love."
She quickly served him again.
Meat dumplings.
Beef Stroganoff.
More meatballs.
Soup.
Everything he had loved as a child.
Enzo quietly ate.
Then—
He looked up.
"Dad…"
The single word hung heavily over the table.
Galina gently reached across.
She held his hand.
A single tear escaped his eye.
She softly wiped it away.
"It's okay."
She whispered.
Enzo silently nodded.
Then continued eating.
Stefania looked toward Galina.
"So…"
"How long have you two been dating?"
"Eight months."
"We live together."
Galina answered confidently.
"Oh…"
"That's still a short time."
"Maybe you're only with him because—"
Stefania began.
Galina immediately interrupted.
"I own my own company."
"It earns over ₽8 billion every year."
"I have my own money, girl."
Silence.
Enzo slowly smirked.
He looked at Galina with quiet admiration.
Jaxon leaned toward David.
"This is getting hot."
David grinned.
"You said it, bro."
The dinner table remained buried beneath unbearable tension.
Three hours later—
Back on the island—
Nikolai checked the time.
"It has been three hours."
Members of the Red Order and Dominion Apex continued searching every section of the island while discussing possible defensive positions against the coming attack.
Nathan suddenly hurried inside.
"Uhmm…"
"Boss…"
"Lily isn't in her room."
"And…"
"The gold is gone."
Nikolai immediately stood.
"Huh?"
Everyone quickly searched the room.
Lilith was gone.
So was every piece of the sacred gold.
Before anyone could react—
A maid sprinted inside.
Completely out of breath.
"Dayavittu bega banni!"
"Devasthānada hinde Mhaira ēnu māḍuttiddāle anta bandu nōḍi!"
"(Please come and see what Mhaira is doing behind the temple! Come quickly!)"
"Kya?"
"(What?)"
Varijana exclaimed.
Without hesitation—
Everyone ran.
The maid led them behind the ancient temple.
A short distance away—
They froze.
Lilith (Mahira) stood dangerously close to a roaring furnace.
The flames blazed intensely.
The heat distorted the air itself.
She carefully poured every single piece of sacred gold into an enormous clay crucible resting above the fire.
The gold slowly began melting.
Nearby—
She had laid out a drawing.
Nikolai quickly picked up the parchment.
Everyone gathered around him.
Sohan slowly read the description aloud.
Paper Design Description
Drawn on aged cream parchment with clean graphite lines showing the golden dagger from the front and side with fine measurement marks. The polished double-edged blade is filled with delicate lotus flowers, sacred vines and temple patterns. The curved crossguard ends in lotus buds while the braided golden handle leads to a blooming lotus pommel. Small handwritten notes read: "Pure Temple Gold." "Designed by Lilith (Mahira)." "Blessed Temple Gold." "Balanced Design." "Hand Engraved Details." The page is framed with a simple lotus and vine border, giving it the appearance of an ancient royal weapon blueprint.
Sohan stared in disbelief.
"Oh… my Lord…"
Nikolai slowly looked toward Lilith.
"Bambi…"
"What's this?"
Lilith anxiously stirred the melting gold.
She looked completely panicked.
"Mhaira…"
"What's wrong?"
Reyan asked.
She looked at him urgently.
"Come!"
"Come!"
"Come!"
He stepped forward.
"But—"
"Keep turning this."
She shoved the stirring rod into his hands.
"Turn!"
Lilith shouted.
Everyone flinched.
Reyan immediately obeyed.
Lilith grabbed Nikolai's arm.
She pulled him with surprising strength.
He followed without resistance.
She pointed toward an enormous carved stone object nearby.
"Drag this out."
"While I run up quickly."
"Be fast."
Before Nikolai could answer—
She leaned forward.
Giving him a quick kiss.
He blinked.
Completely stunned.
Then—
She ran up the temple steps.
"HURRY!"
She shouted.
Nikolai immediately grabbed the heavy object.
With Karim and Farhan helping—
They dragged it toward the furnace.
Farhan looked at it curiously.
"This is…?"
Nikolai answered.
"A stone mold."
Karim nodded.
"It was used during the ancient days."
"To make weapons."
"And jewelry."
"So they could keep their shapes."
Nihal looked around.
"Yes…"
"But what's Mihu making with it?"
Nikolai quietly looked at the blueprint.
"Exactly what she drew."
Moments later—
Lily (Mihu) hurried back down from the temple.
Both of her arms were filled with sacred gems.
Red.
Green.
Violet.
Black.
Everyone silently watched the crucible.
The sacred gold had completely melted.
Now—
They waited for what would be forged next.