The chief priest of the Kuria rose and began moving along the people in rows, distributing to each of them a certain leaf from a tree. After he finished sharing it carefully, they began to rotate in turns, each person showing the leaf they were given so it could be checked.

Boddi, who was inside the forest near the river, enjoying the fresh air in her serpent form, opened her eyes wide and said aloud, “My brother? No! It’s impossible. Even if everyone is destined to die, my brother will not die.”

Immediately she dove to the ground and disappeared into the trees. Fear gripped both Inna and Hamma Hisham because today the Kuria had fallen upon Hisham.

Princess Diyanah released a magical smile, pleased within herself as she whispered, “Where are you, Boddi? Tomorrow your brother will leave this world.”

She lifted her head and locked eyes with Boddi, who was floating in the air. Only she could see her. Boddi smiled at her.

In a calm, unconcerned voice Boddi said,

“Diyanah, don’t think this is victory—take it as failure. My brother will not die. He will live with me until the end of our lives. I can feel it— I am human, and I will return to my true form. I will live a pure life after the end of injustice on this entire land.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she vanished again, watching everything unfold from a distance. Yet no one could see her except Diyanah.

Before Inna, they tied Hisham with chains and dragged him into Baduuhu’s chamber. Tears ran down his face as he looked at Inna, who collapsed unconscious.

The king’s slaves advanced toward Inna, raising their whips to beat her awake. Suddenly the chief of the slaves felt a heavy blow to his mouth from nowhere, knocking out his front teeth. He screamed, clutching his bleeding mouth.

The other slaves stepped back in terror.

King Bahar rushed toward them, confused and shaken by the strange disaster striking them today.

Fearing the disturbance would ruin their plans, Princess Diyanah stepped forward. She breathed a gentle smoke onto King Bahar’s face. Immediately his body relaxed. She pulled his hand and led him into the royal palace.

Inside, she laid him on his large bed, removed some of his clothing, and touched his face gently until deep sleep overtook him. When she confirmed he was fully asleep, she left the room and headed toward Boddi.

In Baduuhu’s chamber, Hisham lay unconscious, struggling to breathe. The room was burning hot and pitch dark. They dumped him inside and left. He looked upward weakly and whispered:

“Oh Allah, You decreed that my life would be among this people… Oh Allah, send someone who will change them.”

Hot tears streamed down his face.