Chapter 07 : Escape from Cirrus' Pit
The breeze of curiosity blew, quenching the thirst of questions until the mind wandered into the maze of inner inquiries, lost in a world of oblivion. No focus could be seen, no feelings functioning. This perfectly describes the state of Abdeljalil, who walks towards a massive palace. You could spot it from afar, but its shape remains unclear due to the pervasive darkness enveloping Cirrus' Pit.
"Are you okay? You seem distracted," asked Suleiman Agha with a wide smile and a sense of affection, a clear sign that he had found a loyal friend to accompany him on this journey into the unknown.
"Did you say something, Suleiman?" Abdeljalil replied, his tone playful, accompanied by a soft laugh that revealed his snow-white teeth.
"Yes, your madness told me you found a wife," Suleiman teased.
"What wife are you talking about, brother? I'm in a mental state I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, and you're telling me I found a lover?"
"Who knows? Perhaps she's waiting for you on this journey, or maybe you left her behind in your homeland."
"Perhaps, but marriage isn't on my mind right now. Besides, Abdeljalil doesn't fall in love—it's practically my trademark."
"A trademark? I don't understand what you mean," Suleiman said, confused.
A laugh adorned Abdeljalil's square face as he gazed into Suleiman's red eyes, giving him a gentle, playful shove while explaining, "That term didn't exist in your time. You're old-fashioned. Anyway, have we arrived? Because the closer we get to the palace, the farther it seems."
Without warning, Suleiman stopped walking, his gaze fixed on Abdeljalil, who continued forward, oblivious and not turning back.
Suleiman Agha:
"What are you talking about? It's right in front of you."
Abdeljalil:
"What…?"
Suddenly, Abdeljalil hit his nose, letting out a faint cry of pain before the palace materialized before him as if from nowhere. Its doors opened for them, but they didn't enter. Instead, astonishment and disbelief spread across Abdeljalil's face as he struggled to find the right words to describe what had just happened.
"What is this? I swear it was far away just moments ago!" he exclaimed.
Suleiman responded with a laugh, "Welcome to Cirrus' Pit, the perfect place to lose your mind."
It's truly a strange world, filled with secrets begging to be uncovered. But beware—not every secret is worth dying for. Remember that well. If you don't believe me, ask Suleiman, and he'll tell you what happened to Queen Serena. Who is she? You won't find out now, but here's a small hint: the secrets of this world orphaned Marsha and transformed Morpheus from a just king into a tyrant. He was forced to enter Mortis the Great's Vault to save his wife. But when he returned, he was no longer the king he once was, and even the kingdom paid the price for his venture into Mortis the Great's Vault. That was one of the reasons curses were cast upon the Kingdom of Bogarus, one of the greatest of the Seven Realms.
Lost souls, soulless guards, headless soldiers wandering around the palace wielding transparent white weapons, and three-headed lions sitting near a black skull-shaped throne that screams with agony. Nearby stands a short black creature, frail in appearance, but don't be deceived—its speed allows it to cross the continents of mankind in just five minutes, with lethal and terrifying powers. This is Cirrus, nicknamed the Puppet of Death.
Abdeljalil:
"Suleiman, look—they're headless! This isn't normal."
Suleiman Agha:
"Shut your mouth before one of the soldiers hears you."
In a mocking tone, Abdeljalil replied with a laugh that reflected sarcasm:
"Hear me? Maybe they've got artificial ears."
Suleiman Agha:
"Shut up, please."
A harsh, terrifying voice echoed through the palace, shaking its very structure and forcing the guards and soldiers to assume defensive positions around Cirrus. Meanwhile, Abdeljalil and Suleiman approached him without fear, undaunted by the king whose frail appearance belied his far more dangerous nature.
"You think you're funny? Now I understand why that damned one chose you to save his neck from the Black Pit," Cirrus said.
Abdeljalil:
"Impossible! How did you hear me? Never mind—could you repeat what you said? Who chose me? And what is the Black Pit?"
Cirrus:
"This doesn't concern you. Even if his plan succeeds, you won't be sent there."
Suleiman Agha:
"My lord, we must save him from his fate. His great-grandfather was Ali Pasha, the Yazor Yaturk Puppet."
As soon as Cirrus heard Suleiman's words, he leapt from his throne, startled, and walked quickly toward Abdeljalil. His black robe swept the ground, creating black-gold streaks from nothingness. When he reached Abdeljalil, he shocked everyone by bowing to him as though he were a king or a figure of great importance. This left Abdeljalil questioning himself as he stammered:
"How can you bow to me, my lord? You're the king, not me."
"You belong to a noble lineage. Your great-grandfather saved humanity from the flood caused by Jorwa, the supreme being and the founder of evil in this universe. As for your other great-grandfather, the Cursed Captain, I still meet him on Dragon Teeth Island."
"Honestly, I have no idea what you're talking about," Abdeljalil admitted.
Cirrus turned to Suleiman, his fiery eyes glowing with enthusiasm, and asked:
"Are you sure he's the sole heir of the great power that holds Yazor Yaturk within him?"
Suleiman Agha:
"Yes, my lord. I saw the mark of prophecy beneath his shirt, on the left side below his heart."
Abdeljalil, perplexed, retorted:
"I've never removed my shirt. How could you have seen that?"
"These red eyes see deeply, even into your soul. That's why I kept him with me instead of sending him to the Black Pit, despite his transgression," Cirrus said.
Suleiman Agha:
"Please, my lord, let's not discuss this matter."
Cirrus:
"Very well. Abdeljalil, lift your shirt."
With humility and respect, Abdeljalil revealed a strange red scar on his body, unlike any other known scar.
Cirrus:
"By the glorious deity, he truly is Ali Pasha's heir. Look, Suleiman—it's the legendary scar!"
Abdeljalil:
"What? I've never been in a fight. I was born with this scar."
Cirrus:
"Indeed. Do you know this scar is caused by love? Do you have a lover or a wife?"
"No. I don't believe in love—it's not part of my creed."
"Fascinating," Cirrus mused.
Suleiman Agha:
"Do you believe me now, my lord?"
Cirrus:
"Yes. Your disdain for love isn't your fault—it's because of your great-grandfather. He lost everything for the sake of a mermaid he loved. His powers were lost, and his beloved disappeared. As for Yazor Yaturk, it remained with your great-grandfather but never emerged. He punished his descendants for his transgression, killing their hearts and scattering their family. Do you even know your parents?"
"No. I'm an orphan. They found me in the trash with a note containing the names they chose for me and some information. I remember Grandma Julia, who raised me, telling me they found me with my umbilical cord wrapped around my neck."
In a completely emotionless tone, Cirrus responded, "As I said before, it's not your fault."
He then turned to Suleiman and commanded:
"Suleiman, take him to the catacombs and lead him to the Kingdom of Bogarus. Stay by his side and never leave him."
Suleiman Agha:
"Understood, my lord. What about the king?"
Cirrus:
"Let's pretend we don't know he's discovered his truth. Now, go quickly."
Cirrus addressed Abdeljalil one last time:
"Abdeljalil, never fall in love, or you'll open the gate created by Yazor. Your great-grandfather and his brother will escape from the exile they were sent to. It was an honour meeting you. We'll meet again in an unknown place, and you'll need the help of one of the Ten Creatures to escape. You've already earned the friendship of one."
"As always, I didn't understand anything. God willing, goodbye."
Cirrus returned to his throne as Suleiman and Abdeljalil exited the palace, listening to the Puppet of Death's final words:
"One last thing—don't hesitate when the time comes. A new chance, a new birth awaits you. Remember that."