In the real world…
The mother jolted awake, a faint scream still ringing in her ears.
"Rashid! Wake up! Siraj… I heard his voice!"
Her eyes widened, and her hands trembled as she shook her husband vigorously.
"What is it?" Rashid said in a broken voice, still half-asleep.
But she didn't wait.
She got up quickly and rushed toward Siraj's room
Her steps were quick and unsteady, as if she feared being a moment too late.
Rashid followed her, his heart growing heavy without knowing why
She reached the door.
She paused for a brief second
Her hand was on the doorknob, but it wasn't steady.
Then she flung it open.
The room was plunged in darkness.
She pressed the light switch.
And in that moment…
She froze
Siraj was sitting in the middle of the room.
In a rigid posture.
His knees were raised, and his hands were clasped above them.
His face was motionless
His eyes were open… staring straight up, without blinking
No sound.
No movement.
Just a strange stillness.
The mother approached slowly.
Her breath was ragged, and her eyes began to well up
"Siraj…"
He didn't answer
She slowly reached out toward his shoulder
She touched him lightly.
And shook him gently.
"Siraj… my son… are you okay?"
And in a single moment…
Siraj turned toward her.
The mother recoiled with a muffled scream.
His eyes were empty sockets overflowing with pitch-black darkness.
His features grew cold, and a sinister smile spread across his face.
He whispered in a terrifying voice:
"Who is Siraj…"
Terror gripped Mona's face, and she jumped back in panic.
Zarmoth lunged at her, his fingers like sharp, terrifying daggers.
Rashid noticed what was happening and, with lightning speed, pushed Mona out of the way.
Their breathing became ragged.
Fear gnawed at their hearts, and cold sweat poured from them.
"Zarmoth" stood up, looking at his hand maliciously:
"Finally… I've got him."
Then he looked at "Rashid" and "Mona" with a terrifying gaze and added in a sinister voice:
"It would be boring to start with old folks like you… but don't worry, I'll be back for you."
"After all, you're his parents."
Then he turned and leaped out the window into the darkness.
Mona whispered, tears streaming down her face:
"My son… where is my son?"
She gripped Rashid's shirt tightly, her voice trembling:
"Help my son… please help him!"
Rashid felt a lump in his throat, and tears filled his eyes.
He looked at her and said firmly:
"Don't be afraid… I will never abandon our son."
On the other side…
Zarmoth stood atop a towering building in the darkness of the night, spreading his arms wide:
"Finally… I'm free! Finally, what I wanted has happened."
He looked at the city lights and brushed his hair back.
Then he said in an evil tone:
"Where are the women? Where are the children?… I'm starving."
At the same time
On the other side… in the world of demons.
Siraj and Zoe left Morthos's place.
Siraj was walking while looking at the map in his hands.
"So… this is the map."
He raised his eyes toward the clear sky
"It looks like we have a long road ahead of us."
And suddenly…
A faint sound rang out—
Zoe's stomach growling.
Zoe stopped immediately and lowered her head shyly.
Siraj looked at her for a few seconds, then smiled slightly.
"Well… let's go get something to eat."
Zoe smiled shyly as she looked at the ground.
Siraj sighed as he looked at his worn-out clothes.
"Morthos gave me some money for my clothes… and exchanged them for these."
A few minutes later…
The two stopped in front of an old building.
A weathered wooden sign hung above the door, reading:
"Underworld Restaurant."
Siraj pushed open the door and went inside with Zoe.
As soon as they entered…
Siraj's eyes narrowed slightly.
The place was strangely old.
The tables were wooden and worn, and the walls were covered in scratches and soot.
He whispered to himself:
"This place… looks like something straight out of the Stone Age."
The two sat down quietly.
Siraj looked at Zoe.
"Order whatever you want."
Zoe nodded lightly.
It wasn't long before the food arrived.
A plate filled with strange bone fragments was placed before them, topped with a dark, mud-like substance, and next to it was a thick green juice.
Siraj furrowed his brow in disgust.
"What is this filth…"
He turned his face away slightly.
"I can't eat this."
He raised his hand toward the waiter.
"Do you have bread and water?"
The man replied quickly:
"Yes, sir."
"Bring them to me."
Siraj turned his gaze back to Zoe.
"Start eating… eat."
Zoe began to eat slowly, as if she hadn't eaten in a long time.
Siraj watched her in silence.
Then he whispered to himself:
"It seems she's suffered a lot…"
He looked up at her.
"Zoe… do you know where your family lives?"
She shook her head.
Siraj sighed softly.
"From the looks of her… she seems to come from a noble family."
Her red hair fell gently over her shoulders.
Her blue eyes
and pale skin were different from most of the people he had seen in this world.
Siraj thought silently:
"During my journey… I'll pass through several countries."
"Maybe when you see them… you'll know where she's from."
Zoe shyly looked up at him.
But Siraj quickly looked away, seeming embarrassed.
"Never mind… just eat."
On the other side of the restaurant…
There was a girl sitting in silence.
She wore a white robe striped with red, and over it a gray cloak that hid most of her face.
She had been watching Siraj since he entered.
Without moving.
After a while…
Siraj and Zoe got up and left the restaurant.
But the girl got up right after them.
From one street to the next…
She was quietly following in their footsteps.
Keeping her distance, without making a sound.
Siraj entered a dimly lit alley.
The girl hesitated for a moment…
Then she followed him in.
And in a single second—
Her body froze.
A cold dagger pressed against her neck.
Her eyes widened.
Siraj was standing right behind her.
His eyes were sharp, and his voice was low and dangerous:
"Do you think I didn't notice you?"
The dagger moved closer to her neck.
"Who are you…"
"And what do you want from us?"