Integrity Of Violence

Chapter 12 - Ali

Ali

"I'm here at Cryst, where a tragic situation continues to unfold. The ongoing incidents of violence against students have forced schools across Japan to shut down. Authorities, including special forces and the police, are working together to stop the perpetrator, but so far, they haven't been successful."

Ali munched on his bread as the reporter on the screen was talking about the ongoing mass murders happening in Japan.

"The once prestigious halls are now marred by tragedy as the ongoing massacres of students persist. Authorities are grappling to apprehend the elusive killer who has left the entire nation in shock.

"Here at the heart of the unfolding crisis, international concern is growing as the wave of violence against students in Japan continues. Special forces and police are not alone in this endeavor; international forces have joined hands to bring an end to the ongoing massacres that have gripped the nation in fear."

Ali smirked. He changed the channel to a street interview happening by a few reporters. He clicked.

A student appeared on the screen. "I know it's extreme, but it's like a superhero stepped in to stop the real villains. Those bullies were making our lives hell. Now, some of them are getting a taste of their own medicine. I'm not against it."

Another student chimed in from behind her interrupting the interview. "We support the killer. The law of the nation never gave us justice. For years and decades of our sufferings, the bullies were sentenced to a few months of juvenile and getting released by paying money. We support the killed-"

Before she could finish her words, the interviewer turned the camera and mic away from her face. The interview continued as other citizens were talking about condemning the killer.

Ali sighed. He put the phone down to wash his dishes. The news of the ongoing massacres continued on the speaker. Japan was getting restless. High officials were boarding meetings every week and detectives from all around the country joined forces to stop this atrocity.

Up until now, not even one piece of evidence was found against the killer or killers, he thought smiling to himself. When oppression becomes a law, resistance becomes a duty.

He knew the whole world would condemn this resistance to school bullying. Unless they have suffered through it themselves, nobody can condone the acts of killing.

To the world, they were kids influenced by their surroundings. To their victims, they were monsters.

Unfortunately, their past did not excuse unethical behavior but no one was there to listen. Justice can only be served in a golden spoon when heavy pockets are the victims.

Ali fixed his dishes on the side. Going to his table, he picked up his phone and jacket. He did not have anything to eat for dinner. So he decided to go raid the shopkeeper, Afzal once again.

_____

As the doorbell rang, Afjal looked up to see Ali entering his shop. He murmured a curse word under his breath. Ali knocked on the counter. "It is not permissible to backbite about someone in Islam." He said.

Afzal looked at him in disbelief. "It is not backbiting when I did it in front of you."

Ali nodded. "Like so," He picked up a bread on the side. "May I trade a special stone for this bread?"

Afzal hit his fingers with his pen. "Keep that down. First, pay my debt, then give me any stone you like."

"It's business, you know." Ali nagged.

He released a tired breath. "If you know so much about business go and start something, get a job. You'll starve to death at this point."

Ali straightened his back. Before he could open his mouth to say something, the TV turned which was placed above Afzal's picture with his family behind him.

Ali turned. This reporter was also reporting about the serial murders of the nation. Japan was distressed. Especially the wealthy parents who were sending their children to other countries, to prevent any harm from the killer.

Ali smirked. Even if they know, what crimes their children committed, and yet they won't stop them, rather keep them somewhere else.

The channel changed. A documentary started playing. Ali did not remove his gaze.

"Where is Zulfikar Al-Ghayb? Where is the prowler of Integrity? Our mighty hero who had been the best detective only to thrive and show us the true face of the Billionaires thriving on people's money." The man on the screen spoke.

Ali's heart beat harder. His pupils dilated, almost making it obsidian. He was feeling the terrorizing flashbacks. Ali shut his eyes trying to steady himself. His hands gripped the counter.

Afzal looked up stopping his daily calculations as he put his pen down looking at Ali. He scrunched his eyebrows. "Ali? Are you okay?"

He was shaking. He cannot be unsteady in such a position. The memories were etched with glass shards in his mind. Although he tried to calm down, Afzal's voice was getting blurry with each passing second.

Afzal was getting worried for the young man in front of him. He tried to touch him on the shoulders but seeing how Ali was shaking, he took his hands back.

Ali was shaking but Afzal was astonished. Even though he looked as pale as a ghost and he was sweating a bucket, he looked ethereal. Ali was beyond beautiful.

His eyelashes were so long that when the sweat dripped from his forehead, it fluttered. He was wearing a torn shirt and his hair was probably not combed for days.

And yet, Afzal was in awe.

Ali shook his head. I need to come back to my senses, he thought.

4 years ago--

The gate of the auditorium opened with a bang as Ali came out, fuming, his face redder than his shirt. He disheveled his hair. His frustration was peaking.

Akbar came running from behind. At the peak of the moment, he turned Ali furiously and landed a slap on his son's face. Ali was not surprised. He expected it coming.

Akbar raged. "Who the heck do you think you are?" His voice boomed.

"I AM SAVING THE WORLD," Ali shouted.

"You are losing your father by saying the world." Akbar held his shoulders. "I am doing this because I promised your mother I would take good care of you, I will grow my business and I will be successful-"

Ali shoved his father's hands away. "Successful by deceiving the whole world? Billionaires like you hold board meetings now and then to discuss how to destroy the lives of thousands by breaking them financially, mentally, and physically.

"Have some shame. Remember Allah!" He tried to resolve his father.

Akbar was not listening. "I am just trying to make a better living. This world has nothing to offer."

Ali closed his eyes in frustration. "So that means you will destroy it? Baba! Animals are dying, people are suffering. Stop putting blindfolds on their eyes when you are doubling your dollar bills."

Ali tried to make his father question his humanity. It was of no use. Akbar had already dipped his hands in quicksand. He will not retrieve it any sooner.

"Does that mean you will be a superhero? Exposing the Elite's community to the world does not make you a superhero!" Akbar shoved Ali. "Be a man!"

"I'll be Zulfikar Al-Ghayb" Ali's voice scared Akbar for a few minutes. "I'll bring back justice." He said. "When my bullies ruined my life, defamed me into raping my teachers when I was simply practicing Islam, you told me to be a man.

"I will be a man, now. I have already leaked the tapes and pictures. Be a tyrant, be doomed."

That day, Ali was abandoned by his wealthy, greedy father. He was disowned and closely beaten to death on the ground. He did not give up. He moved to Shibuya.

His leaked videos and tapes shook every industry existing. And until now, people have looked for Zulfikar Al-Ghayb.