Chapter 3: Meet The Team

While darkness represented terror and the unknown to some, it also brought solace and tranquillity to others. Whether in the misty alleyways of Cinderfire or on the devastated fields of battle, Yahya Kasim had never been afraid of the dark. Darkness was as inseparable from his existence as the shadows of the city's gaslit streets.

He knew that where there was nothing, there would be darkness. And in that darkness, people were drawn to things they could neither see nor fully understand.

Some believed that beings lived in the shadows, ancient forces who could grant power, influence, and knowledge—for a price. The desperate and the wicked would do anything to commune with them. They would commit acts of unspeakable violence or surrender their humanity for fleeting moments of strength or control. In their twisted beliefs, they could touch powers far beyond mortal comprehension with enough sacrifices.

Yahya couldn't shake the feeling that the Denavolt case was just that—an offering to the darkness. The strange symbols, the eerie stillness of the room despite the fire… it all pointed to something far more disturbing than a simple murder.

Or maybe he was overthinking it. Just because this case didn't involve the usual instruments of crime didn't mean it lacked a human explanation.

Later that evening, after pacing the creaky wooden floors of his small apartment, Yahya fell into an uneasy sleep. The flickering images of Denavolt's twisted face haunted him, pulling him back into the crime scene.

His dreams became vivid—too vivid, teetering on the edge of reality.

He stood once again in the estate's cold, dark room. The walls pulsed as if alive, breathing with a life of their own. Denavolt's lifeless body lay in the center, his expression frozen in unrelenting terror. The symbols etched into the floor began to glow faintly, pulsing with an unnatural rhythm.

A low murmur echoed through the space, growing louder with every beat of the glowing runes. Shadows moved on their own, circling the corpse and creeping toward him. The murmurs coalesced into words, unintelligible but vibrating deep in his chest, sending a shiver down his spine.

Suddenly, Denavolt's mouth opened wide, expelling inky black smoke that rose into the air, twisting and contorting into grotesque forms. The darkness grew, pressing against Yahya like a tangible weight.

He jolted awake, drenched in sweat. The pale morning light filtered through the smog-stained window. His breathing was ragged, his chest tight. Shaking his head, Yahya muttered to himself, "What have I gotten into?"

The old café where Yahya met Inspector Warren Hanif the next morning was tucked into a quiet corner of Cinderfire. It smelled of freshly brewed coffee and pandan-infused kuih stacked in neat rows on the counter.

Three people were seated at a table near the back, their gazes turning toward him as he approached.

"This the new guy?" asked a young woman with a wide smile and bright eyes that held an eager spark. She looked like she had just graduated from university, her attire neat but slightly mismatched, and her hair tied back into a no-nonsense ponytail. "Hi. I get possessed sometimes."

Yahya blinked at the bluntness of her introduction. She grinned at his reaction and added, "Farah. Medium, psychic, and here to help. Nice to meet you!" Her enthusiasm was oddly disarming, and despite himself, Yahya found her earnestness almost comforting.

Next to her sat a man with an easy smile and a posture that suggested he was always ready to crack a joke. His hair was slightly messy, and his rolled-up sleeves revealed ink stains that hinted at a love for sketching or note-taking. "Adam," he said, tilting his head in greeting. "I see things other people can't, and I try to make the best of it. Don't worry; I'm fun to have around."

Yahya raised an eyebrow, not sure what to make of Adam's lighthearted demeanor. He turned his attention to the third member of the group.

The older man sat with a quiet intensity, his weathered hands resting on a thick, leather-bound book. Jusof's face was lined with the wisdom of decades, his posture calm yet commanding. He was dressed simply, but there was an air of depth about him, as though every word he chose to speak carried the weight of thought and experience.

"Jusof," Hoover interjected, noticing the quiet tension. "He's the rune and curse expert. If it's written in symbols or bound by rituals, he's the one you want."

Jusof didn't acknowledge the introduction, his attention focused on a page in his book. Yahya felt a strange sense of both respect and unease in his presence.

Hoover grinned at Yahya's uncertainty. "Like I said, Kasim. The city has layers." He shuffled a card from his deck—a familiar Ace of Spades—and placed it on the table. "And now you've met the team."

Breaking Down the Case

Yahya leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. "The victim's name was Denavolt. Found dead in his estate two days ago. Even with the fire in the hearth, the room felt colder than the rest of the home. His expression was stuck in absolute fright. The strangest part? Symbols etched into the floor around the body—deliberate, ritualistic."

Jusof's fingers stopped tracing the edge of his book, his sharp gaze cutting through Yahya's words. "Describe the symbols," he said in a gravelly tone.

"I can do you one better. I'll draw them," Yahya offered, pulling out a notepad and pen.

"Separate sheets," Jusof instructed sharply. "Don't arrange them in a pattern. Just draw them individually."

Caught off guard, Yahya complied. One by one, he sketched the symbols. Jusof studied each piece, his eyes narrowing as he examined the details.

"This is Northern Sorcery," Jusof muttered finally, his voice low and foreboding.

Adam leaned closer, his lightheartedness faltering. "Northern?"

Jusof nodded. "These are from a specific coven. One deeply rooted in curses, rituals, and ancient rites. If these symbols were used, they were calling on something dark. Something powerful."

Setting the Plan

Hanif stood, his sharp gaze sweeping across the team. "Farah, Adam, head back to the estate. Farah, pick up any lingering energy. Adam, use your sight—trust your instincts."

Farah saluted playfully. "Got it, boss."

Hanif turned to Yahya. "Dig into Denavolt's background. Look for connections, motives, and patterns."

Finally, he addressed Jusof. "Study the runes. Figure out what they were calling and why."

Before they dispersed, Hanif's voice cut through. "But first, we eat. Trust me—you'll need it."

As they gathered around the table, Yahya couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. This wasn't just a team—it was a glimpse into a world hidden beneath the surface of Cinderfire.