While darkness was lowering its curtain, Zarak whispered to himself in a tone carrying the pleasure of victory: "So… the game has truly begun." He let out a low laugh, its echo hissing through the place like something terrifying, as he stared at that photo he had secretly taken of Zaroth. "I want to see to what hell he and his companions will reach."
Jaber, meanwhile, was immersed in a completely different world. He laughed as he scattered piles of money before him, then bent down and greedily inhaled its scent: "Finally… money has begun to speak." Jaser looked at the ceiling with eyes filled with ambition mixed with danger, and said calmly: "This is only the beginning… the coming days will drown us in more gold than this." Then he added in a firm tone: "If Samer does not show up today, then consider his share a thing of the past." Jaber's laughter rose: "Ahhhh no problem… he's just a fool."
Jaser placed a bottle before his eyes, saying: "A game will begin from our side as well." He looked at Ziron, a smile splitting across his face: "It seems I will have to dissect many."
Their laughter rose, terrifying, dense in the darkness.
Zarak stood up, his face showing anger and resentment, and left the hall.
At that same time, Samer was drowning in the noise of one of the corrupt nightclubs, surrounded by cigarette smoke and gambling atmospheres. One of the girls approached him, playing with strands of his hair: "Open your mouth, Master Samer…" and she fed him a grape, but he pushed her away coldly, shouting: "Bring me wine! I want a large bottle!" Then he whispered to himself with a distant dream: "One day… I will drink a toast to your death. Wait for me at the same time…"
The ringing of his phone cut the rope of Neil's thoughts. "Look! Look, Hidara! It's him… the restaurant owner is calling!" The ringing immediately caught Hidara and Rin's attention. Neil answered eagerly, and Zarak's voice came: "I have fulfilled my promise. Your information is ready… Zaroth, Shadi's father, will be in the high school yard south of the city of (Malisura) in half an hour, precisely at seven-thirty in the evening. I will send you his photo so you can recognize him as soon as you see him." Hidara snatched the phone suspiciously: "Why the yard? And why at this late time? Are you playing with us?" A short silence fell.
Zarak whispered to himself: "Who is this? Is he his friend? His voice is familiar… it doesn't matter." Then he said aloud: "It seems I have wasted my time with amateurs… there is no point in talking." Neil took the phone back apologetically: "Do not mind him. Send the photo, and we will go meet Zaroth and speak with him about his son, Shadi."
"As you wish…" Zarak replied as he ended the call. "I have done my part. What remains is yours." The message arrived… a photo of a man in his thirty-sixth year, wearing an elegant formal suit and a toned body suggesting strength, with a side-combed hairstyle. But what caught their attention were his eyes… two dull black eyes, as if eternal darkness had settled within them.
Neil said, trying to convince himself: "This is Shadi's father. Today we will tell him everything." Hidara murmured with worry: "It could be a trap… why do we trust a stranger?" Neil answered firmly: "Because we do not have the luxury of choice… we have nothing but to believe him."
Ghayhab's car departed, with Zaroth and Jin beside him, from the harbor. Ghayhab whispered as he watched the road: "The plan is clear… Zaroth, you head to the school first, and we will take care of the forest." Zaroth nodded, sparks of excitement flying from his eyes.
When they arrived at the south of the city, Zaroth stepped out alone. He stood before the main road and pulled from his pocket a unique ring engraved with the letter (R) clearly upon it. He touched the ring with his fingertips and whispered into the stillness of the night:
"Alright… let the show begin."
Ghayhab and Gene arrived at their base.
The car slowed to a stop in front of a modest-looking shop that sold weapon parts, swords of various shapes, and metal spare pieces that gleamed under a dim light hanging from the ceiling. The place looked ordinary to any passerby, just another shop on a crowded street… but behind this simple mask, there was another world hiding.
The large metal door rose with a heavy, irritating sound. The car entered inside slowly.
The door opened, and Gene stepped out first, his features rigid. Ghayhab followed him in silence, before they both headed toward a side corner of the shop, where an iron door that drew no attention stood.
Ghayhab opened
the door, revealing a narrow staircase leading downward.
The air grew colder with every step, and the dampness seeped into the bones, while the echo of their footsteps began to resonate through the corridor like faint whispers.
And suddenly…
A faint electrical buzzing sound rang out, followed by a metallic vibration.
The lower door opened.
And there…
Was the secret base.
A vast room, flooded with a pale blue light, and strange devices lined along the walls.
Ghayhab
stepped toward one of the metal tables, where a transparent box rested.
Inside the box…
There were organs.
Human organs.
But they…
Were not dead.
They were still, suspended in a terrifying stillness, surrounded by a thin layer of forbidden energy that twisted like smoke, as if preventing them from perishing…
Jasser slowly extended his hands and picked up the box.
He walked with it toward a cabinet resembling a freezing vault.
He opened it.
The moment the door opened, dense, cold smoke burst out from it, crawling along the ground like a living creature, and swallowed his feet.
He placed the box inside gently.
Then he said in a low, but sharp voice:
— Wait here… we won't be long.
The fear was clear in his eyes, despite his attempt to hide it.
He turned.
And looked directly at Gene.
A look that carried an order that accepted no argument.
And said:
— Prepare… we will leave immediately.
Silence prevailed.
A heavy silence…
And at that moment…
In another place…
Zarak was sitting alone.
His eyes half-closed, and a faint smile drawn on his lips.
He whispered to himself, while thoughts swirled in his head like a dark vortex:
— The catastrophe will happen… at seven thirty.
His smile widened more.
— I want to see it with my own eyes…
Then he added, in a voice filled with dark anticipation:
— Show me… what you will do then… Neil.
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
Excitement filled them…
The excitement of a man…
Waiting for the beginning of the catastrophe.
At the same time, a slow smile spread across Jin's face, a smile that carried no warmth. He said in a cold, quiet voice: — Very well… let's begin. Ghaib extended his hand to his pocket and pulled out a dark metallic ring, with the letter R precisely engraved in its center. Jin did the same. They exchanged a short, silent glance, then each of them put on their ring.
They turned together and headed toward the stairs, ascending steadily. Ghaib opened the door. As soon as it swung open, the bright light of the shop spilled inside, revealing their faces, which had regained their usual coldness. Ghaib stepped out first. The shop owner stood behind the counter, watching silently. But… when his eyes met Ghaib's… he froze. Ghaib's gaze was fixed… cold… devoid of any human expression. The man felt a shiver run through his body. His breathing quickened. Sweat poured down his forehead, soaking his clothes. He didn't know why… but he felt… as if he were looking at something that should not exist. Something merciless. Ghaib turned his face without a word and continued toward the back door. Jin followed silently.
They got into the car. Then… they drove off. The car surged through the road, cutting through the darkness, heading toward its destination… into the forest. Tall trees surrounded the area, and the sounds of the wind sneaked through the branches like hidden whispers.
Professor Mansour stood before a large group of students, more than a hundred gathered in the camp square. He clapped his hands to grab their attention, then said in a clear voice: — Alright, students… gather around. The whispering gradually subsided. — We will divide you into groups… and each group will receive a task. He paused for a moment, then continued: — The division will be according to the first letters of your names. He gestured with his hand: — Names starting with Alif, Ba, and Ta… in one group. — Jeem, Ha, and Kha… in one group. — Dal, Thal, and Ra… in one group. He continued the division… while the students gathered.
In the middle of the crowd… a student named Arkan whispered excitedly, his eyes shining: — I am so excited… this is my first time going on a field trip. Amir replied with annoyance, furrowing his brows: — Shut up, you fool… you're making noise. Arkan's eyes widened in anger: — Who's the fool here?! Amir whispered: — You are the fool. Arkan approached him, gripping his clothes nervously: — What did you say?! Before things escalated… Arwa sighed and said with clear boredom: — Be quiet, all of you… you idiots. She raised her hand to her forehead as if she had a headache.
At that moment… Osama adjusted his glasses with his finger and said quietly: — It seems… we are in the same group. Amir approached, staring at him mockingly: — What did you say, Mr. Four-Eyes?
They burst into laughter.
Meanwhile… at the edge of the forest. The car stopped. The engine went silent. The door opened. Ghaib stepped out. Jin followed. The darkness was dense, but… Ghaib's eyes glowed with a faint, unnatural gleam. He took a step toward the depths of the forest. Then he whispered in a low voice: — Follow me. And he entered… into the heart of darkness.