chapter 04 : The Pit of Cirrus

When logic blends with madness, and reality teeters on the edge of fantasy, you find yourself outside the shell of this terrifying world that surrounds humanity from every angle, leading it in a funeral procession under life's guidance toward the grave, ending the story before it even begins. This is what nearly happened to me, as I screamed at the top of my lungs for help from within the bowels of the earth—a pit I had slipped into, which had turned into a narrow grave awaiting my inevitable fate. Would God intervene to save me? Or would I fall into Baba Yaga's clutches? In this utter darkness, my condition deteriorates rapidly. Oh God, I seek Your forgiveness and plead for Your mercy. Perhaps this is the end of Abdeljalil—the servant who died before he was born.

I spent endless hours in that deadly pit, staring around at nothing but pitch darkness. Echoes of screams and cries reverberated through the air, as if those voices belonged to souls enduring ceaseless torment. I wondered: where was the mercy God instilled in this universe? Was there a place it couldn't reach? It seemed that this darkness had absorbed every trace of it, leaving nothing behind. In this all-encompassing blackness, the boundaries of time and space dissolved, and I found myself submerged in philosophical reflections on the fate of humankind and the meaning of existence.

That's what I kept telling myself as I lay on a soft, earthy bed before an unexpected surprise occurred. I overheard a strange, low-toned conversation between a man and a woman above me.

Is our guest here or in Mortos's vault?

No, he's here. No one escapes Mortos's chamber. But which pit? There are millions of them.

He's in Cirrus's pit, the one said to have no end.

Cirrus's pit? No one has ever escaped it before.

That's true, but this guest is not like the others. We've heard he possesses extraordinary skills.

Do you think he'll manage to escape?

Perhaps, but we must help him before Baba Yaga or Cirrus gets to him.

And how can we help him? No one dares approach that pit.

We have some ancient tools that might help. We need to decide quickly.

Alright, let's get the tools and move. We can't leave him to face his fate alone.

"Do you have an idea of what tools we'll need?"

There's a magical rope in the storage room. It can hold any weight.

And what about a weapon? We might need something to defend ourselves.

Good point. We'll take the glowing sword. It can cut through anything.

Alright, let's hurry before anyone discovers our plan.

Don't worry, we'll be careful. Now, let's move.

A faint chuckle accompanied by a strong tone concealed many cryptic messages it refused to reveal to me at that moment.

That's why you need my expertise. Twenty years I've spent running this place. Some I've pulled out; others, I let death claim them.

Really? Then show me what you've got. I want it—it matters to me greatly.

As you wish, my lady. Forgive my audacity or crossing the line. Is there a connection between you and him?

You could say he means everything to me—and to the kingdom as well.

What a strong love! I hope to see you as a married couple someday.

Why not? Now, get him out of that pit before Cirrus gets to him.

You're right, my lady. Step back a little.

After a moment of thought:

My lady, this man is not just important to you and the kingdom—he carries a great secret that could change all our fates.

I know that, which is why we must save him at any cost. Is there anything else I should know?

Yes, my lady. We must ensure Cirrus doesn't get near him, or all our efforts will be in vain.

She replied:

Understood. We'll take all necessary precautions. Now hurry before it's too late. Cirrus shows no mercy. If he finds out we're trying to rescue this man, we'll be in great danger. If you even think about approaching Cirrus's pit, you're crossing the red lines, wise one. I promise you, if we succeed in this mission, you'll be greatly honoured. But if we fail... we'll meet a tragic end.

He responded:

Do you realise the risk we're taking here? This isn't just a challenge—it's a mission that threatens catastrophe.

I listened intently to this strange dialogue, yet I understood nothing of it and didn't care. All that mattered to me at the moment was escaping this crisis, which made me cry out loudly:

Please, can anyone hear me? I beg you, help me—I'm in danger!

My voice echoed, but no reply came. I felt despair creeping in, so I raised my voice again:

Please! Don't leave me here! I'm scared!

The echo of my voice was the only response I received. My eyes began to fill with tears, and in a trembling voice, I said:

Please… I can't get out on my own. I need your help.

Perhaps I was only talking to myself. Who would save someone life had stabbed with the dagger of loneliness, forced to drink from the cup of isolation, then thrown into the prison of prejudice and extremism, shaped by a hypocritical society that sees only what it wishes to see and hears only what it wishes to hear? As for us—the distinguished ones, loyal to a creed I thought had vanished—it seems it has resurfaced in these times. Blessed are those who fear their Lord's station and restrain their souls from desire.

Suddenly, a voice broke through my thoughts:

My lady, I can smell him. I'm almost there.

Marsha, with joy and delight:

Hurry! Cirrus is lurking nearby—I can hear his dogs barking.

With a tone of fear and terror:

What is this? My lady, he reached him.

Marsha:

"What? You must be joking, right?"

In a furious tone filled with threats:

Cirrus, I warn you—if you so much as touch a hair on him, I swear by God I'll bring down Seralak's lair on your head!

What's happening? I feel a presence near me.

Help! Help!

Marsha, determined:

We won't let Cirrus win. We have to be stronger than him.

Marsha, firmly:

Prepare yourselves—we won't let him take what's ours.

The fear almost choked my heart. I felt as though I might suffer a heart attack, or perhaps the cursed captain would steal my soul, leaving me lost in the black pit until Israfil blows the trumpet. Maybe there's a glimmer of hope—a lifeline granting me a chance to see my grandchildren playing before me. Who knows what fate has in store?

Welcome to Cirrus's pit. Hmm, a new victim—but you're strange, aren't you?

This was what I heard in that cursed pit I hated more than my bachelorhood.

Don't be afraid—there's a place for you in Seralak's lair.

Who's there? Who are you?

He replied with an evil, mocking laugh, as if ridiculing me:

I'm your saviour from your current predicament. Will you come with me?

I replied:

If you pull me out of here, I'll—

Before I could finish, someone suddenly grabbed me swiftly and forcefully out of the pit. I was mesmerised by the breathtaking natural beauty around me before my gaze turned to an old, short man with completely white eyes, as if blind, smiling warmly at me.

My son, you're lucky. You wouldn't have escaped Cirrus's grasp.

The old man, with a warm smile:

Welcome to the Kingdom of Bogars, where peace and safety prevail.

Despite the strange and illogical events I'd experienced in that pit, I hadn't lost the trait I was always known for—respect and good manners.

Thank you so much for saving me. Where am I?

The old man:

You're outside the Kingdom of Bogars.

Marsha:

Hello, I'm Marsha. You're in your new home—don't be afraid, Abdeljalil.

Shocked and astonished, I muttered in a low voice:

You're the one who left me that message in Denmark?

Marsha:

Yes, dear. Forgive me for the way we brought you here, but it was the only way.

Abdeljalil:

What now? How do I return home?

Marsha:

I'll take you to my father. Sorry, dear, but you can't return to Denmark. You're dead to them.

Abdeljalil:

What? I'm not dead! Please, I want to go home!

At that moment, the old man interrupted with a loud cry:

Son, stay away from that pit!

I replied with curiosity:

Why, sir?

Before he could answer, as I watched them staring at the pit as though witnessing something horrifying, a massive black hand covered in thick hair appeared and pulled me back into the pit. I heard a coarse voice saying:

What are you doing? You won't escape this time.

I wanted to scream and shout, but the tears I saw in Marsha's eyes made me doubt the life I'd previously lived.

The pit sealed shut again, leaving a tombstone behind, inscribed with "Abdeljalil" under the title "Cursed."

Marsha:

Damn it, what do we do now?

The old man:

It's out of my hands now, my lady. You must seek the sage Sigara. He's the only one who can open a portal to Seralak's lair.

Tears filled her dark eyes as she gazed at the grave of her beloved, whom she'd chosen to spend her life with. She set off, speaking in a sorrowful tone:

I'll find you, my love, even if I have to enter Seralak's lair alone.

Then she added, with a mysterious and melancholic tone:

Wherever you are, I'll find you and bring you back into my arms, even if it means descending into the depths of Seralak's lair.