Daniel, trembling with paranoia, but still a king at heart, gathers what's left of his inner circle.
Only three men remain — his oldest, most brutal lieutenants.
These aren't soldiers — these are butchers, men who built Daniel's empire with blood and bone.
They've seen every war, every betrayal, every uprising.
But they've never seen Daniel like this.
Paranoid. Sweating. Desperate.
Still, Daniel stands before them, raising his glass — the final mask of power.
"We built this kingdom from nothing. We crushed every enemy, buried every traitor, and now — these ghosts think they can haunt me? They think they can break me?!"
He slams the glass down, shattering it on the table.
"We end this. Tonight."
Daniel doesn't wait for the next move.
He orders a full lockdown on every city, every port, every contact.
Every street dealer is interrogated.
Every arms runner is tortured for answers.
Every old rival is either paid off or executed.
Daniel is no longer playing defense — he's hunting ghosts.
His men flood the streets — not to find the brothers, but to burn anyone even suspected of working with them.
The underworld becomes a warzone.
Even people who don't know Faisal's name start fearing it.
Daniel records a global message — sending it through the same underground networks the brothers once used.
It plays in backrooms, on burner phones, in secret meetings:
"You think I fear shadows? I built this world. I made the rules. If you want me, come for me. No more hiding. No more games. Let's see if you have the courage to face the king at his own table. I'll be waiting."
It's not a threat. It's an invitation.
An invitation to his own funeral.
Faisal watches the video in silence.
Rayyan leans back, arms crossed.
Malik cracks his knuckles, eyes burning for blood.
Ameer? He's already tracing Daniel's location.
Faisal speaks only once:
"He set his own table. Let's serve him his last meal."
The brothers walk into a dark room, one door at the back.
They open it — inside, a wall of weapons, suits, masks, and tools.
Each brother picks his weapon.
Each brother chooses his mask.
Each brother prepares for war.
No more hiding.
No more shadows.
This time, the ghosts are coming in the flesh.
---
End of Chapter 38 — The King's Last Roar