"Where...am I?"
That was the first thing that came to Sizan's mind when he became conscious. He found himself lying on cold, hard ground, surrounded by darkness.
"Am...alive?"
The last thing he remembered was being amidst the chaos of gang wars in Dhaka, being shot down by the enemy after him taking down many of their men. His friends had come to his rescue, but he fell unconscious as they were rushing towards him. The steel baton and brass knuckles in his hand were also gone.
Most of his deep wounds had vanished, including the bullet ones, as if they had never existed. Surveying his surroundings with blurry eyes, he guessed he was in a place that resembled ancient ruins, the air thick with an unfamiliar energy.
It was as if he had been transported to another world, a world far removed from the one he knew. Confusion and fear gripped him, but beneath it all was a flicker of curiosity.
The air was thick with dust, remnants of ages past, and the faint scent of something ancient and powerful. Sizan lay on a cold, stone floor, his body aching from the recent ordeal. As his vision cleared, he found himself in the middle of a large, circular chamber.
Beneath him, intricate symbols and patterns were etched into the stone, forming a large magic circle that seemed to pulse faintly with a strange energy. Sizan struggled to his feet, wincing at the pain that still lingered from his wounds. He glanced around, trying to make sense of his surroundings.
The chamber was filled with towering pillars and Djinn statues, each adorned with faded carvings depicting scenes of djinn, battles, and rituals. Along the walls, ancient tapestries hung in tatters, their colors long since faded but still hinting at their former grandeur. At the far end of the chamber, an altar stood, empty but still emanating a sense of lost power.
Sizan explored the chamber, trying to gather his bearings. His mind raced with questions. Where was he? How had he gotten here? And what was this place?
He noticed several other chambers connected to the one he was in, each leading to different parts of the ancient structure. The air grew colder as he approached these other chambers, their entrances marked by more of the strange symbols and faintly glowing runes. Each chamber seemed to tell its own story, with walls covered in more intricate carvings and relics scattered about. He also found upper floors as well. The ruin was massive.
Ascending to the second floor, he found a series of interconnected rooms, each more mysterious than the last. The walls here were lined with shelves filled with ancient scrolls, their pages yellowed with age and the writings were mostly faded. Only few arabic words can hardly be read as even the remaining writings were almost faded
Dust motes danced in the beams of light that managed to penetrate the heavy gloom. There were more carvings, these depicting more complex rituals and what looked like alchemical symbols.
On the third floor, the air was even colder, and the atmosphere heavier with an eerie silence. This level seemed more like a sanctum or a place of meditation. The walls were adorned with murals that depicted serene landscapes, mystical beings, and celestial events. In the center of one room, there was a large, intricately carved pedestal with an empty space that seemed like it once held something of great importance.
Eventually, he found a massive gate on the first floor, towering and imposing, covered with an intricate web of symbols and carvings. The gate was an awe-inspiring sight, standing at least fifteen feet tall and made of what appeared to be ancient, weathered bronze.
The carvings were incredibly detailed, depicting a myriad of scenes: djinn engaged in fierce battles, ancient sorcerers casting spells, and mythical creatures roaming vast, otherworldly landscapes. Symbols of unknown languages were etched around the edges, glowing faintly with an eerie light that pulsed rhythmically. The surface of the gate was adorned with beautiful, yet cryptic, geometric patterns that seemed to shift and change when viewed from different angles, adding an almost hypnotic effect.
The gate was heavy, its weight evident as Sizan placed his hands against it. He pushed with all his might, feeling the resistance as the ancient hinges groaned in protest. With a final, determined shove, he managed to create a narrow gap, enough to slip through. As he squeezed his way past the gate, the darkness of the chamber gave way to the outside world, and he stepped out, blinking in the bright sunlight. The sudden burst of light was blinding, causing him to squint as his eyes adjusted from the dim, ancient interior to the glaring brightness of day.
It took Sizan a moment to adjust. As his eyes adapted, he found himself in a lush oasis, a stark contrast to the arid desert that stretched endlessly beyond it, with dunes stretching out as far as the eye could see. The heat was intense, the sun beating down mercilessly.
But the lush oasis seemed to provide a refreshing respite from this intense heat. Around the oasis were tall palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly.
The trees were laden with ripe dates, their deep brown hues contrasting with the vibrant green of the palm fronds. Nearby, mulberry trees stood proudly, their branches heavy with clusters of plump, dark berries that looked almost black against the sunlit leaves. The scent of ripe fruit mingled with the fresh, earthy aroma of the oasis, creating a fragrant, inviting atmosphere.
Small birds flitted among the branches, their bright plumage adding splashes of color to the verdant scene. Wildflowers of various hues dotted the ground, their petals open to the warm sunlight, and the soft hum of bees could be heard as they busily moved from blossom to blossom. The entire oasis seemed alive, a stark contrast to the barren desert beyond.
Crystal-clear water shimmered invitingly in the oasis's heart, surrounded by vibrant vegetation. The surface of the water sparkled under the sunlight, reflecting the azure sky above and creating a mesmerizing dance of light.
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Lily pads floated gently on the surface, their broad, green leaves providing a resting place for delicate white flowers that bloomed radiantly. Fish darted beneath the surface, their scales flashing silver and gold as they moved through the water. The banks of the oasis were lush with ferns and reeds, their vivid green foliage providing a cool, shaded area.
The water itself was so clear that the pebbles and smooth stones at the bottom were visible, each one polished by the gentle current. The soothing sound of water trickling over rocks and the occasional splash of a fish created a serene, almost magical ambiance. It was a place of pure tranquility, offering a haven of peace and beauty amidst the harshness of the desert.
Sizan walked to the edge of the water and knelt, cupping his hands to drink. The cool water was refreshing, washing away some of his confusion and fear. The sensation of the cold water running down his throat was a welcome relief, momentarily easing the dryness and tension. But as soon as he drank, everything around him suddenly went dark. Panic surged through him as he tried to understand what was happening.
"What's going on? Why is it dark again?!" he muttered as his heart pounding.
His pulse raced, and his eyes darted around frantically, trying to pierce the blackness that enveloped him. He blinked several times, trying to adjust his eyes as his mind struggling to comprehend the abrupt change. He realized that it was not his vision failing-it was actually night. The bright daylight he had seen was an illusion.The realization hit him like a physical blow, adding to his disorientation and fear.
He glanced around, now seeing the oasis under the dim light of the moon and stars. It was eerie, the vibrant colors replaced by shades of grey and black. The lively hues of the ripe dates and mulberries were now muted, their dark silhouettes barely distinguishable against the night sky. Shadows danced around him, twisting and elongating with every flicker of the moonlight. The once inviting greenery now looked like looming, indistinct forms, their edges blurred and sinister.
The rustling leaves sounded more like whispers, carrying an ominous undertone that sent chills down his spine. The gentle, playful rustle of palm fronds had morphed into a haunting murmur, as if the trees were speaking in a language of shadows. The wildflowers, once vibrant and alive with color, now seemed to bow their heads in the darkness, their petals closed tightly as if in fear. The scent of ripe fruit and fresh earth had dissipated, replaced by a cold, musty odor.
The stillness of the night amplified every tiny sound, making the silence almost oppressive. The soft hum of bees and the cheerful chirping of birds were gone, replaced by an unsettling quiet. No animals could be seen or heard; the fish that had darted playfully in the crystal-clear water were now invisible, as if they had never existed.
As he stood there, he noticed the temperature dropping rapidly. The once scorching heat of the desert had given way to a bone-chilling cold that seeped into his very core. He shivered uncontrollably as the cold night air pierced through his thin clothing, causing his teeth to chatter. The drastic change in temperature was disorienting.
His body, still accustomed to the intense heat, struggled to adapt to the sudden, biting cold. The oasis, which had seemed like a safe haven moments ago, now felt hostile and unwelcoming. The gentle breeze that had carried the scent of flowers and ripe fruit now felt like icy fingers brushing against his skin. The once serene oasis, with its vibrant vegetation and bustling wildlife, had transformed into a desolate, foreboding place. It felt as though the life had been drained from it, leaving behind a hollow shell of what it once was.
The lush oasis that had seemed a haven moments before was now unrecognizable, transformed into a nightmarish landscape. The contrast between the bright, welcoming daylight and the cold, eerie night was stark and disorienting. It was as if the very essence of the place had shifted.
In the distance, he noticed dark figures lurking in the dunes of the vast desert, their forms barely discernible. Fear gripped him, and he felt a chill run down his spine. The figures didn't seem to move closer, but their mere presence was enough to send him into a panic. Their silhouettes were menacing, blending with the shadows and creating an oppressive sense of dread.
He quickly turned back to the temple ruin, running as fast as his tired legs could carry him. The cold night air stung his skin, and his breath came out in visible puffs as he sprinted towards the relative safety of the ruins. The fear drove him forward, his legs pumping furiously despite the exhaustion that threatened to slow him down. The cold air whipped past him, and every footfall seemed to echo ominously in the silence. The night around him felt alive with unseen dangers, the sense of being watched growing stronger with each step.
Deep inside his mind, a line weirdly echoed: [Nothing stays the same in a desert after night falls.]
The haunting words only heightened his sense of urgency. It felt like a warning, a premonition of the dangers that lurked in the darkness. His heart raced as he pushed himself harder, the ancient ruins now his only hope of escape from the encroaching night.
The safety of the enclosed space felt reassuring compared to the open, shadow-filled desert. He stumbled back into the chamber, collapsing against one of the pillars, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His mind raced. This place was more dangerous and mysterious than he had imagined. The illusion of daylight had been so real, and the sudden darkness and cold had thrown him completely off balance. He needed to find out what was happening, but for now, he had to stay safe. The solidity of the stone beneath him offered a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos.
Sizan sat there, trying to calm his racing heart and gather his thoughts. The magic circle, the sudden shift from day to night, and the shadowy figures in the desert-none of it made sense. He realized he would need to be cautious and resourceful to survive in this strange new world. The gravity of his situation settled heavily on him, and he knew he could not afford to let his guard down even for a moment.
As he tried to steady his breath and calm his thoughts, a faint whisper echoed in his mind.
"..𝔞𝔩 𝔥𝔞.."
He stiffened, straining to hear. The sound was faint, almost like a distant memory. It was as if someone was calling to him from the depths of his subconscious, stirring memories that he couldn't quite grasp.
"𝔥𝔲...𝔡𝔦..."
He shook his head, trying to clear the growing fog of confusion and fear. But the whisper grew louder, becoming more insistent. Each syllable seemed to vibrate within his skull, sending tremors of unease through his body.
"...𝔲𝔞𝔩...𝔥𝔞𝔡..."
It was becoming clear. Too clear. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"..𝔥𝔲𝔞...𝔞𝔡𝔦.."
Enough that he understood something was wrong. Very wrong.
"𝖍𝖚𝖆𝖑...𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖎"
Majorly wrong. He started to feel as if he was fainting, his vision blurred, and his head pounded with each beat of his heart.
"ℌ𝔲𝔞𝔩...𝖍𝖆"
The words were clearer and clearer now, echoing through his mind with an eerie clarity. They resonated within him, filling him with a dread that was almost palpable.
"...𝖆𝖑....ℌ𝔞𝔡𝔦"
He wasn't alone here in this temple the whole time.
"𝕳𝖚𝖆𝖑...𝕳𝖚𝖆𝖑..."
All the shadowy figures, scorpions, and centipedes....A massive, horrifying shadowy figure stood at the entrance gate, staring at him....
"𝕳𝖆𝖉𝖎...𝕳𝖆𝖉𝖎..."
[Nothing stays the same in a desert after night falls.]
That line echoed in his head again again. The truth of those words became painfully clear as he stared into the darkness, feeling the weight of the unseen eyes upon him.
"ℌ𝔘𝔄...𝔄𝔇ℑ...ℌ𝔘𝔄...𝔄𝔇ℑ..."
He has been trapped.
"𝕳𝖀𝕬𝕷 𝕳𝕬𝕯𝕴"
(End of Chapter)