Perhaps you have heard what the Qur'an says, or what is written in the Bible. Perhaps you have come across some of the noble sayings of the Prophet of the Arabs, or even the sacred hadiths that echo the words of the God of Muslims. If so, you would realize that the greatest problem—the true enemy of mankind—is not Satan himself, but the nafs al-ammara bis-su', the soul that commands evil.
Philosophers of yoga and Western mystics call it the ego or the "higher self." Yet in truth, it is more dangerous than cancer, for it does not destroy its host all at once, but gnaws at him slowly, pulling him away from his innate purity until he lives like a beast. And once it gains control, it urges rebellion against the very Creator.
The first to be afflicted by this disease was Azazel. He was of the jinn, yet he was among the closest of creation to God—surpassing even some angels in rank and devotion. God placed him in charge of the angels of the lowest heaven. After the great wars that erupted on Earth—first between the Binn and the angels, then between the jinn and the angels, all ending with the angels' victory—Azazel was elevated to a position of great authority.
But then his own soul betrayed him. It whispered that he was superior, the most beloved of God's creation. You know the rest of the story: his refusal to bow. Yet what many overlook is this—his sin alone was not the reason for God's wrath. For all creatures may err, then repent. But Azazel chose defiance. He had the chance to repent, but his soul convinced him he had done nothing wrong. Thus he fell.
And then, somehow, the "virus" spread to our father Adam. How? No one knows. My theory is that Satan flows through the blood—that perhaps his defiled soul left a trace in Adam and Eve, a seed of weakness inherited by all their descendants.
Now you may ask, as many readers do:
"You sadistic, mad writer—why all this nonsense? We came here for a story, not a sermon in religion or philosophy!"
But I answer you: what happens to Georgia, and the change within Serena that made her so violent, is deeply tied to this truth.
As I have always said: before you try to change the world, change yourself. Before you claim to rule your household and say to your wife, 'I am the man of this home,' first learn to master your own soul.
For everything begins within you—before it reaches the world around you.
After that sadistic gleam in Serena's eyes as she hurled the final knife toward Alfonso's face, he responded with a cold smile, as if death itself no longer frightened him. Their companions froze in terror—except for James, who remained kissing the floor, still lost in a drunken haze from too much tequila.
But then the impossible happened: Mido rose in a strange, staggering way, shouting hoarsely:
"Father, don't kill her like this!"
He leapt forward, placing himself in the knife's path, saving Alfonso as the blade plunged deep into his own back. Georgia awoke with a painful groan, clutching her stomach after Mido had accidentally stepped on it.
"Ah… my stomach! Alfonso, how many times have I told you to stop waking me like this?"
Mido glared at Alfonso with burning eyes.
What are you doing here? And why is my sword pinned to your chest like that?"
Alfonso replied coolly:
"Ask your crazy lover."
Georgia snapped at him, her voice trembling:
"What did you do, Alfonso? Why do you look like some cheap suit hung in a closet?"
With measured courtesy, Alfonso answered:
"Forgive me, my lady, but I am considering resignation."
Georgia quickly rushed to him, pulling the sword from his chest.
Wait! Don't make such a rash decision… I'll remove it myself."
But as soon as her hand touched the hilt, she noticed a black serpent engraved upon it. She recoiled in shock.
"This… this is Mido's sword! Only he can release it."
She turned toward Mido, panicking in her voice.
"Why, Mido? He wouldn't even harm a fly!"
Then her eyes widened as she saw the knife sticking out of his back.
"You've been stabbed!"
Grabbing Alfonso by the collar, Georgia cried out, her emotions exposed for all to see:
"Why did you stab him, you wretched? You know I love him!"
A heavy silence fell over the room. The truth she had tried so hard to hide was laid bare.
Alfonso's voice was bitter as he replied:
"We're not in your room… and we're not alone."
Those words unleashed the demon within Serena. She screamed wildly, lunging at Georgia with murderous intent. But Mido seized her by the shirt with one hand, lifting her effortlessly as she shrieked:
"Let me go! I'll tear her to pieces!"
He hoisted her onto his shoulder like a raging child, then walked steadily out of the room, his voice calm, resolute:
"Come with me… I'll bring you back to yourself."
After Mido left the room carrying Serena, who screamed like a madwoman:
"Let me go! I'll deal with her myself! No one loves you but me! Do you think you can escape Agatha's love for you?"
No one paid attention to her words except Georgia, who smiled faintly—a smile that revealed her days were numbered.
She spoke softly:
"Alfonzo... you cannot resign, because you simply can't. None of us will survive anyway."
James, still lying on the floor, whispered:
"I love you..."
Georgia smiled weakly:
"I love you too... but my heart chose Mido."
Christina, confused:
"Can someone explain what's happening? What's wrong with Serena? And ignore James, he's just talking to himself again."
Julia:
"Yes, he's drunk..."
Georgia sighed deeply and said:
"In 1960, when this sadistic game first appeared, Ahmad Salmani won in Germany, but not fairly. He was dating a girl—I don't know her name—but her sister was the researcher. Ahmad left her and dated the researcher instead, just to win. His ex-lover killed her own sister in revenge, then returned to Ahmad. But later, she discovered that it had all been his plan. He refused to kill her because she was his lover, so he staged the entire scenario. Eventually, he married her and had five children. One of them was Mido... whose real name is Abdul Wahed."
The room fell silent in shock.
Julia cried out:
"What?! His father was the first winner?!"
Sarah:
"Why didn't Abdul Wahed tell us the story? Or Serena? We're supposed to be their friends!"
James, grinning to himself:
"I know I'm handsome... just don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Christina kicked him lightly:
"Shut up! We need to know... are we going to continue the game?"
Georgia sat down on the bed, exhaling slowly:
"Yes... but not the way we planned. As for your friend, a dead spirit possessed me. There was someone inside me—someone far more violent and dangerous than I ever was..."
Sarah:
"Who?"
Georgia:
"Agatha... she also fell in love with him. It's not his fault that everyone does... by accident."
Christina:
"What do you mean?"
Georgia:
"Abdul Wahed and his brothers are cursed—or perhaps bewitched by an ancient spell cast by their mother's sister, passed down through generations."
James:
"Well, my charm is natural. People just fall in love with me involuntarily."
Christina kicked him again.
Georgia continued:
"I was with him... then came Kiki. After he joined a competition, Agatha got involved with him. We became three. One night, his mother appeared to me in a dream and revealed the whole truth. That's why I killed Kiki. Yes, I hated her... but I also wanted to end the curse. I didn't know he had also been with Agatha. From that moment on, we were all bound as researchers. When one of us dies, the other inherits the curse automatically."
Sarah interrupted:
"So... after your death in the game, Serena will become the next researcher?"
Georgia:
"Sadly, yes. That's why I warned him from the beginning not to enter the game. I even offered him money to stay away. It wasn't his fault... but when he tried to kill me, she possessed him."
Christina:
"Who?"
Georgia:
"Agatha. Then it passed on to Serena. Now... let's go down to him. Please, this must remain a secret. Mido is dangerous even without the curse. And his true name... must never be spoken unless he says it himself. Understood?"
Everyone nodded:
"Understood."
James added proudly:
"Yes... and I'm still handsome."
Everyone left, while Christina dragged James by the legs out of the room. Alfonzo remained behind, still hanging, watching them.
Georgia turned before leaving:
"I'll send Mido to free you from the sword."
Alfonzo:
"As you wish, my lady."
The room fell into an eerie coldness. Suddenly, half a giant tree materialised before him. From its branches hung the bodies of girls, lifeless and swaying. Out of the shadows stepped a tall, muscular blonde woman, carrying another corpse on her shoulder like it weighed nothing.
Blonde dead woman :
"I've prepared a branch for her... right beside me."
Alfonzo raised hid head and replied:
Are you Agatha?
Agatha :
"I am Agatha. I will finish the game... perhaps not with my body, but with my soul."
Alfonzo screamed:
"Help me! Georgia! My lady!"
Agatha only smiled coldly:
"No one will save you. You're nothing but a pawn... to be sacrificed."
And then, Georgia suddenly appeared, her eyes fixed on Agatha:
"I was waiting for you... Bitch."