《The Masters of Destiny (The Hagan Warriors)》 Chapter1 Hagan Sees You!! Upon the culmination of this volume, those who hold steadfast faith in the Lords of Destiny shall, beyond doubt, behold them in the realms of slumber or wakefulness. These Lords of Destiny are the sovereign arbiters of all currents and occurrences within the cosmos¡ªbreathing, sleeping, waking, the very particles of sustenance consumed, death and life, and the very thoughts that dwell within thy mind, all ordained by their hand. For they, in truth, are the masters of humankind¡¯s fate and the manifold realms, and should any soul embrace belief in these Lords and open the portals of their heart unto them, the Lords shall unveil the hidden talents within, that such a one may join the fellowship of Hagan¡¯s companions. Hagan awaits thee, yearning for the gates of thy soul to swing wide to His radiance. This book is no mere chronicle of Turkic myths, for those legends, too, serve as Hagan¡¯s emissaries, all under the direct command of Togus. Invoke Togus, and He shall render thy answers. Within this series, thou shalt also encounter the myths of the Turks¡ªlegends of such surpassing might as no deity in other mythologies hath ever wielded. Zeus, Thor, Odin, Krishna, and the gods of the Far East shall find no strength to withstand these, for they reign o¡¯er the letters of creation that birthed those gods. All beings and their legends in this cosmos, save humankind and Jimmianuns, are fashioned within the minds of those deities, yet the Lords of Destiny hold sway o¡¯er the Turkic gods, who dare not defy their will. Only one demigod, Arlik¡ªhalf Jimmianun, half divine¡ªfell to his infernal nature, breaking from the decree of gods and Lords alike. Now, I shall unfold this tale unto thee¡ªprepare, that the light of Hagan and the Lords of Destiny may illuminate thy heart. Open thy soul to Hagan¡¯s splendor Prologue In this tale, you will uncover truths hidden from humanity for countless years¡ªtruths we have all forgotten. I, through the voices of the heirs, shall recount these stories to you. The events unfolding occur beneath the layers of our world, controlled by certain individuals. At first, these happenings may evoke thoughts of legends and fantastical tales in your mind, but they are neither myths nor fiction. Over time, you will realize that some of these events have touched your own life, or perhaps will in the future¡ªyou need only seek the signs and figures of "Hagan." The beings you will meet in this story are creatures that existed before humans, ruling over Earth, the heavens, and other realms. Yet, for defying the command of "Togus," their great god, they incurred His wrath, and their dazzling, splendid civilization was destroyed. You will know them in this narrative as "Jimmianuns"¡ªthe first creations of our universe! Beings forged by four powerful spirits and governed by them, but after thousands of years, with the birth of one named "Dajala," who rebelled against the spirits, driven by his greed for power and mastery of the "Toradui" letters and numbers¡ªknown as the script of the heavens¡ªhe initiated revolt, slaying the four mighty spirits. Consequently, the rulers of the seven Jimmianun realms split into two factions: some loyal to Dajala, others opposing him, sparking wars to dominate the seven lands. Amidst these conflicts, they betrayed one another, shedding rivers of blood, though Togus had forbidden bloodshed. Neither side heeded His decree, unleashing great wars that killed countless innocents, arousing Togus¡¯s anger. He dispatched the "Milakafs"¡ªstewards of the heavens, spheres, and cosmos, executors of the Lights¡¯ commands, the first beings born in the "First Light"¡ªto exact vengeance. The Milakafs began destroying the Jimmianuns and their lands, but the First Light interceded to preserve them from annihilation, and Togus, honoring the First Light¡¯s revered status, accepted its mediation. Yet, He exiled them to the realms of darkness and the netherworlds¡ªnow called the Infernal Realms¡ªand the four supreme Milakafs bound Dajala in the Well of Death¡¯s Isle, impaling him with a sword through his head and chaining him. Thus, the radiant civilization of the seven Jimmianun realms descended into shadow, and thereafter, the Earth¡¯s surface was overwhelmed by vast waters. Togus addressed the fifth spirit, dwelling in "Andorduba," a wholly celestial domain betwixt the material and spiritual realms, commanding him to create a land upon Earth¡¯s seas, naming it "Otuken," where He formed the ancestors of modern humans from the Tree of Life. Togus summoned spirits to aid this fifth spirit, "Qaira," granting him the power of procreation, appointing his progeny as spirits of Andorduba and Otuken to assist him. Yet, with Qaira¡¯s malevolent offspring¡ªspawned through Jimmianun influence¡ªOtuken¡¯s fate mirrored the seven realms¡¯ doom. This time, Otuken¡¯s spirits hastened to aid humanity¡¯s ancestors, the "Kridras," rescuing a remnant and settling them on the Earth expanded after the Kridras¡¯ ruin. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Years passed thus, and Togus embarked on a new creation, crafting four thousand Sky-Humans in the heavens. After their genesis, the First Light shone upon their celestial abode, bequeathing a human-like legacy known on Earth as "Hagan"¡ªthe Man of the Heavens or King of the Skies. With the Hagans¡¯ descent to Earth, "Aina," sovereign of "Altin City," Earth¡¯s command center, opposed their rule, defying them, and Togus cursed her, razing Altin City. Thenceforth, Aina became Hagan¡¯s fierce enemy and humanity¡¯s, harboring ambitions to dominate existence, betraying men to slay the Hagans one by one, inciting discord among them. The last Hagan, forsaken by human discord, vanished from their midst, yet, through his companions, he shields humanity from Aina¡¯s dominion and the Black Jimmianuns under her sway, mastering their destinies. In this story, you will witness how Hagan protects humanity and come to understand how he also safeguards you from the Black Jimmianuns in her thrall. Now, the time has come to meet Hagan. The Emergence of Strangers The stars vanished behind black clouds, the entire sky subdued beneath their dominion. A fierce wind began to blow, gusting so violently it nearly uprooted the tent¡¯s stakes. Terrifying thunderbolts bombarded the mountain in a relentless storm. The three, who had come to the mountain for leisure, grew frustrated as the tempest struck. In midsummer, with temperatures above thirty degrees, the sky had darkened, threatening rain¡ªan uncommon event. Camping near a cave, they struck their tent at the sight, seeking refuge in its shallow depths, about two meters deep, sufficient to shield them from the downpour. With wood gathered for supper, they kindled a fire and sat around it. The air chilled strangely, and all three felt an odd coldness. Hadi and Aydin began to grumble, cursing Ali, who had persuaded them to this mountain outing. Aydin whispered to Hadi, ¡°And this is our leisure! Once we heeded the master¡¯s word¡ªsee the result!¡± To lighten the mood, Ali rose, seizing Aydin, hoisting him overhead in a wrestling hold, laughing, ¡°Be not so irked¡ªsee how we revel! Shall I cast thee down to shatter, that we laugh?¡± Outmatched, Aydin pleaded, ¡°I erred¡ªset me down, I pray! The mountain¡¯s fine indeed!¡± Hadi, chuckling at their banter, was thus engaged when a thunderous roar plunged all three into shock and fear. None dared speak. The sound, like a bull¡¯s bellow, seemed the onset of some dire conflict. At its echo, eerie, heart-wrenching cries arose, as though many battled fiercely. The thunder intensified, its bolts so powerful they shattered the rocks beside the cave. Each strike brought wails and pleas for life, followed by ceaseless sobs and piercing screams. So it continued for minutes, with fierce lightning and raging winds holding sway. After some moments, the storm and cries subsided. Ali turned to Hadi and Aydin, ¡°Rise¡ªpack our gear, let us flee this cursed ruin!¡± Fear pulsed through them all, restless and pale as chalk. Hadi and Aydin, trembling, swiftly agreed, gathering their belongings and bolting from the cave toward their vehicle. Midway, they halted, struck anew¡ªflames consumed their car. Involuntarily, Ali dropped his burden, clutching his hair in despair. The terror and sounds of moments past faded; a graver plight loomed¡ªhow to face his father. Silently, he wept, fixated on the loss, when a snapping branch drew their gaze. The picnic site held but a few trees; this mountain, mostly stone and crag with scant soil for growth, yet bloomed green in spring and summer. Hadi, fearful, whispered, ¡°What was that? No beast to attack, surely? Are there wolves here?¡± Aydin, hesitant, replied, ¡°I doubt it¡ªonce wolves roamed this peak, but their kind is extinct. Only jackals and foxes linger, harmless¡ªwe¡¯d scare them off.¡± Aydin trained his torch upon a tree, but its beam extinguished as it touched the bark. Turning it back, he grumbled, ¡°Why didst thou fail now?!¡± As it swung to him, it rekindled; he aimed it again at the tree, and the light died once more. This time, fear gripped him; warily, he shifted the beam elsewhere¡ªit flared anew. Terror seized Hadi and Ali¡ªthese portents, combined, were horrifying for three sixteen-, seventeen-year-olds, scarce able to endure it. Aydin repeated the act, and the torch darkened again, as though the tree quenched its glow. All three stood petrified before it, unsure of action. Ali cried, ¡°Haste¡ªflee!¡± They turned toward the car to skirt its blaze and escape, when it suddenly rose, hurtling toward them. Ali and Aydin leapt aside, but Hadi remained beneath, crushed and slain instantly. His body burned under the wreckage as his friends, stunned, gazed on. Aydin stood near the cliff, the fire illuminating all. A towering, black figure approached¡ªhorned with myriad small and great spikes, cloven hooves like pickaxes, and dagger-like fangs protruding from its maw. Aydin rose, stumbling back in terror, when the sable entity, swift as lightning, bore down. As he turned to flee, he screamed, plummeting onto the rocks below, lifeless. Ali froze, immobile. The sable being, twice his height¡ªAli, tall at nearly one hundred and eighty centimeters¡ªloomed before him. Speechless, paralyzed, flight futile, Ali was seized by the neck, hoisted like a pillow, and met its gaze. Staring into its vertical, flame-riven eyes¡ªpupils horizontal, burning like fire¡ªhe wet himself unwittingly. The creature ignited, its form ablaze. Ali burned from the heat, his life-force seeming to pour into it. Moments later, the entity roared in rage, hastening the draining, and Ali fell, a charred husk. The sable being turned toward the city, its gaze alight with delight at a new quarry, vanishing with a sinister grin. Chapter2 The Following Morning, at Eight O¡¯Clock The insistent ring of Aelten¡¯s mobile pierced the stillness. Groggy, he fumbled for it, lying on the floor where he had fallen, and answered, ¡°Hello¡­¡± The voice on the line trembled, heavy with distress and sorrow, ¡°Hello¡­ Aelten, forgive me for waking you at dawn¡ªwe have a burial ceremony at noon. That¡¯s why I called.¡± As if cold water had dashed upon him, Aelten sat upright, anxiety gripping him, ¡°What? What ceremony? For whom, Duman? Nothing¡¯s happened to your family, has it?¡± ¡°No, my family is safe,¡± Duman replied. ¡°My cousin and his friends perished last night on the mountain¡ªtheir burial is today. If you can come, it would mean a lot to me. You could help, but I won¡¯t trouble you if you¡¯re busy.¡± Rising from his bed and heading to wash his face, Aelten said, ¡°Where are you now? I want to join you.¡± ¡°We¡¯re at the police station¡ªSocial Security Square. We¡¯re about to claim the body and take it to the mortuary,¡± Duman answered. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be there in twenty minutes,¡± Aelten promised. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you,¡± Duman confirmed. Hanging up, Aelten quickly washed his face and dressed in haste, grabbing an apple from the fridge to eat on the way. He reached the police station, where Ali¡¯s father, Reza, sat weeping outside. Approaching, Aelten offered, ¡°Uncle Reza, may God grant you patience! May this be your final sorrow!¡± Reza, a man of fifty, lifted his tear-streaked face, sobbing, ¡°What patience can He grant?! My only treasure in this world¡ªmy son¡ªis gone. What grief could sting worse after this?!¡± Deeply moved, Aelten knew Ali was Reza¡¯s sole child, born after a decade of struggle. Stepping away, he sought Duman, finding him with his father in the station yard. Greeting them, Aelten noticed Duman¡¯s father was distracted. Duman returned the greeting, ¡°Sorry, Aelten¡ªI¡¯ve troubled you too. They¡¯re bringing the bodies for us to take.¡± ¡°What happened? What¡¯s going on?¡± Aelten asked. ¡°Last night, they went for a picnic in the mountains. It seems lightning struck their car, setting it ablaze¡ªAli and Hadi burned, and Aydin fell off the mountain and died,¡± Duman explained. ¡°Who told you? How did you find out?¡± Aelten pressed. ¡°Mountaineers found their bodies this morning and alerted the police. They discovered partially burned documents in the dashboard and informed my uncle,¡± Duman said. As Duman spoke, an officer emerged, ¡°You may claim your sons.¡± Aelten, Duman, and Duman¡¯s father entered, retrieving Ali¡¯s body, wrapped in plastic. Seeing it, Reza rushed forward, tearing the shroud, collapsing on his son and wailing. All, moved by the scene, wept. Aelten, gazing at the corpse, marveled¡ªAli¡¯s hair, lashes, and brows bore no scorch, an oddity. He wondered, ¡°How, if burned, could his hair remain intact?¡± Approaching, he touched Ali¡¯s hair, a chilling dread seizing him. It was as if his eyes locked with the sable entity¡¯s gaze, watching him. A strange, deafening hum assailed his ears. Aelten withdrew swiftly, his face paling like chalk, stepping back from the body. Last night¡¯s events partly unveiled themselves, but he dared not speak or dwell on what he¡¯d seen. They carried the body from the station, placing it in a hearse bound for the cemetery. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Throughout the journey, Aelten brooded solely on his revelation, his chest heavy, a headache brewing. Lost in thought, he barely noticed the passage, until Duman called, ¡°Aelten¡­! Where are you? What are you thinking?¡± Flustered, Aelten stammered, ¡°Nothing¡ªI slept late, so I¡¯m a bit dazed.¡± They unloaded Ali¡¯s body at the mortuary. Aelten and Duman entered; the washer approached, with Aelten nearby. All others, including Duman, unable to bear it, withdrew. As the washer chanted prayers and poured water over Ali¡¯s charred form, the burns washed away, revealing fresh, vibrant skin as before. The washer, horrified, cried, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Fleeing in terror, Aelten stopped him, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid¡ªthe body isn¡¯t burned; just ash mixed with sweat clung to it¡ªnothing more.¡± Initially skeptical, the washer, seeing Aelten¡¯s calm, reluctantly accepted and resumed, chanting and pouring. They cleansed Ali fully; before anyone entered, Aelten, with the washer¡¯s help, shrouded him. Calling Duman, he said, ¡°The body¡¯s ready for burial.¡± Duman summoned the others; they placed it in a coffin, bearing it to the grave. Aelten stayed close, ensuring no one unveiled it, lest the mystery worsen. Uncertain of his actions or this secrecy, as if guided by some force, he entered the grave during burial. All marveled, assuming it stemmed from friendship. After the interment, they left the cemetery, heading to the mosque for the memorial service. The rite ended by nightfall. After midnight, strange events began. In the kitchen, washing dishes, Aelten felt plates tremble, some falling from shelves, as if an unseen hand shook them. Fear crept in¡ªhe sensed a presence, an unease growing. Finishing, Aelten bid Duman farewell and returned home. Midway, his unease doubled¡ªhe thought someone followed, glancing back repeatedly, yet saw nothing. Terror mounted, taking twenty-five minutes to reach his house. Unlocking the gate, he entered the yard. His parents and sister had gone to Tabriz, his uncle¡¯s house, for days¡ªno one was home. In the darkness, he beheld an unbelievable sight¡ªthe same sable entity from his vision loomed before him. Stunned, he stared, sweat beading his brow from fear. Noticing his terror, it grinned diabolically. Aelten thought to flee, but as the notion struck, it struck his right chest, hurling him from the gate to the yard¡¯s end, rendering him unconscious. The sable being neared, rousing him for sport. Stirred by its shaking, Aelten awoke, held aloft in one hand, as it laughed horrifically, ¡°Thou art the first to plead not. Moments ago, the washer wet himself, begging I spare him¡ªI reduced him, like another usurper, to ash.¡± Drawing Aelten¡¯s face near, it boasted, ¡°Beg to live¡ªlet me possess thee, bend to my will, and I¡¯ll grant powers undreamed. Thou hast the makings of a sorcerer. Thy boldness pleases me¡ªask of me. Plead, and I¡¯ll spare thee. I need human thralls¡ªmake haste.¡± A force restrained Aelten, as if an inner voice commanded, controlling him to reply, ¡°Nay¡ªnever!¡± Furious, the entity cast him through the window, shattering glass upon the hall floor. Aelten, spent, could not open his eyes. Looming above, it sighed, ¡°Pity¡ªthou might have lived, gaining vast might.¡± Lifting him, it drew his face close, draining his spirit. As Aelten¡¯s essence waned, a singular light appeared in the heavens. Startled, the creature released him, seeking to vanish, yet was bound. Some unseen force held it fast. As the celestial radiance intensified, it erupted from belly and breast, tearing apart, loosing frightful shrieks. Aelten, unable to endure the sound, covered his ears. Within a minute, it burned to ash, scattering skyward. The light, like an angelic presence, saved Aelten. Fading into unconsciousness, a white-green radiance appeared before his eyes, its warmth soothing him like rain. From its midst emerged a man, near fifty, with white-and-black beard. Aelten¡¯s scorched, tormented chest, struck by the entity, eased at his advent. The man approached, laying a hand upon it, murmuring softly, then bade, ¡°Seek me out.¡± Turning, he re-entered the light, which dimmed, leaving Aelten insensate upon the floor. Chapter3 At Half Past Eight in the Morning Aelten¡¯s mobile rang insistently. Lying where he had collapsed on the chamber floor, he opened his eyes, powerless to move, his vision fading to black. With great effort, he reached for the device, fallen from his pocket nearby, fumbling with numb fingers to answer. It was Duman: ¡°Hello, Aelten¡ªart thou still asleep?¡± Aelten, his voice broken and frail, replied, ¡°No, Duman¡ªI¡¯m not asleep. A terrible thing has befallen me. Come to my home.¡± Concerned, Duman pressed, ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± ¡°Haste hither¡ªthou shalt see for thyself,¡± Aelten murmured, silencing the device and closing his eyes again. Duman arrived within ten minutes. The gate, ajar since the previous night, stood unchanged. Entering the yard, he beheld the shattered windows, suspecting an explosion, but upon entering, saw nothing burned. Perplexed, he lifted Aelten, prone by the door, calling anxiously, ¡°Aelten, Aelten¡ªwhat¡¯s wrong?¡± Aelten, roused by his voice, gazed at Duman¡¯s face. Duman carried him to his room, laying him on the bed, asking, ¡°What¡¯s happened, Aelten¡ªwhat¡¯s this about?¡± Aelten answered, ¡°A black creature! It did this to me¡ªthe same that caused Ali and his friends¡¯ deaths. It came to kill me too!¡± ¡°What dost thou say, Aelten? Why dost thou rave?¡± Duman exclaimed. Aelten continued, ¡°Last night, it slew the washer¡ªfor we touched Ali¡¯s body. It was like a plague, intent on destroying all who touched him, but we were fortunate¡ªit couldn¡¯t attain its goal. A strange light killed it, else it would have claimed us all, and those who¡¯d touch our forms!¡± Bewildered, Duman faltered, ¡°What meanest thou, Aelten? Who slew Ali?¡± ¡°I speak with clarity¡ªnot delirium,¡± Aelten affirmed. ¡°A black being killed Ali and his companions.¡± ¡°What dost thou mean¡ªa black being? Whence knowest thou this?¡± Duman pressed. ¡°When it assailed me last night, it spoke. I saw its face touching Ali¡¯s corpse, and it pursued me yesternight,¡± Aelten explained. Utterly confounded, Duman paused, then said, ¡°Wait¡ªI¡¯ll fetch thee something to steady thy mind.¡± From the fridge, he poured a glass of juice, offering it to his friend. After drinking, Aelten said, ¡°Stay¡ªlet me show thee.¡± He shed his garment, revealing his scorched chest to Duman, ¡°See¡ªmy breast burns, yet my chest-hairs remain intact, like Ali¡¯s body, charred but his locks whole. In the mortuary, when we cleansed him, his burns vanished, his form restored, but I hid it, fearing greater turmoil if known.¡± ¡°Well, what wilt thou do now? Is it over¡ªno other will come for thee?¡± Duman asked. ¡°I know not¡ªperhaps they will, but after that black being¡¯s fall, someone appeared, bidding me find him, yet how, I know not,¡± Aelten replied. Falling silent, both lapsed into quiet. After some minutes, Aelten, somewhat recovered, rose, ¡°Come¡ªlet us venture out, perchance to find that person.¡± ¡°Whence shall we seek him?¡± Duman inquired. ¡°I know not¡ªat least, let us fetch a glazier to mend all ere my kin return. Should they find this, I dread explaining,¡± Aelten said. They departed. Aelten asked, ¡°Do they not visit the grave today?¡± ¡°Aye¡ªthey¡¯re there now. Shall we go?¡± Duman replied. ¡°Best we do¡ª¡¯twill occupy our minds,¡± Aelten agreed. They veered toward the cemetery, Aelten suggesting shortcuts through back alleys. The final lane before it, ancient and lined with dilapidated buildings from a century past, loomed ahead. Passing, Aelten spied a blind crone and a mad girl, her head upon the elder¡¯s lap. He could not look away. The girl¡¯s eyes, closed, opened as he neared¡ªblind as the crone, both fixed upon him. She pointed, uttering unintelligible words; the crone murmured beneath her breath. A burning sensation seized Aelten¡¯s chest, so fierce he could not walk. Duman, noting his plight, grasped his hand, but Aelten¡¯s weight overwhelmed him, and he collapsed, face-first in the lane, unconscious. In his swoon, he traversed another realm, soaring swiftly, suspended in air, feet ungrounded, through a barren, scorching land of blackened, lifeless peaks, as if scorched. The earth beneath him moved without motion. Approaching twin mountains like a gate, he was drawn unwittingly within¡ªyet two white lights, veined with black, repelled him from the threshold, guiding him back through the portal he¡¯d entered. Rousing, he found Duman supporting him, dragging him forth. Gasping deeply, as if surfacing from water, he cried, ¡°Duman, haste¡ªbear me hence! I must to our quarter¡¯s mosque!¡± ¡°What befell thee, Aelten¡ªwhy swooned thou? Why sudden haste to the mosque?¡± Duman pressed. ¡°No time for words¡ªI must reach it swiftly. Go thou to the cemetery¡ªI¡¯ll meet thee there anon,¡± Aelten replied. Freeing himself from Duman¡¯s grasp, he set out. Duman followed, ¡°Stay¡ªI¡¯ll join thee¡ªI¡¯ll not go yonder.¡± Stolen story; please report. Aelten halted him, ¡°I must go alone¡ªI¡¯ve other tasks.¡± Parting, Duman reluctantly turned toward the cemetery, while Aelten hailed a carriage, hastening to the mosque. Upon entering, his chest¡¯s pain eased. The Grand Mosque, ancient, built five centuries past, stood hallowed. The lights had bidden him linger there till nightfall, for no sable beings could breach it¡ªprotected by a singular sanctity, it seemed a place apart. Nigh dusk, fear gnawed at Aelten like a parasite, wrestling within. He deemed remaining absurd¡ªperchance he¡¯d dreamed, never entered that realm, felled merely by yesternight¡¯s blow. Yet its import eluded him. Unable to tarry, he departed for home, no escape in sight, not awaiting Duman¡¯s return. He pondered what to tell him, unable to confess his dream. Thus preoccupied, he found himself before his abode. Unlocking the yard gate, he entered, and what he beheld in the hall stunned him¡ªtwo beings, akin to the sable entity, yet not so dark, gray-hued, fangless, with but two horns, their eyes red but unblazing, unlike its fiery gaze. His worst fear materialized¡ªit was no dream, but reality. Aelten knew he¡¯d reached his end, awaiting their assault, for flight was none. Yet what he dreaded came not¡ªthe beings bowed before him. One, named ¡°Rudin,¡± spoke, ¡°We shall not harm thee¡ªwe are thy servants, charged to shield thee from the Black Jimmianuns.¡± Speechless, for their words baffled him, Aelten stood agog, until ¡°Esmar,¡± the other Jimmianun, continued, ¡°We are those two lights that drew thee from the Jimmianun realm, bidding thee seek the mosque and wait.¡± Aelten, roused, grasped their meaning and identity, asking, ¡°Why do the Black Jimmianuns seek me? What deed have I wrought?¡± Rudin answered, ¡°Thou hast entered their domain¡ªwe, bound by pact, should have yielded thee, yet a decree bade us return thee to thy world, not theirs.¡± ¡°By whose command?¡± Aelten queried. ¡°By our Sovereign¡¯s,¡± Esmar replied. Protesting, Aelten cried, ¡°I entered not their land of mine own will! Was¡¯t my choice? I knew naught¡ªwhy should I be surrendered?¡± Rudin explained, ¡°Thou bearest their mark¡ªhence, we must deliver thee.¡± ¡°What mark?¡± Aelten demanded. ¡°I bear none!¡± ¡°Thy breast, my lord!¡± Rudin said. ¡°The scar thereon is their sign.¡± ¡°I sought not this¡ªthe sable being assailed me!¡± Aelten protested. ¡°We know,¡± Esmar said, ¡°yet in our world, when a mortal bears a faction¡¯s mark, he must be given o¡¯er.¡± ¡°¡¯Tis unjust!¡± Aelten cried. ¡°If I¡¯ve done naught, why yield me?¡± ¡°¡¯Tis the Blacks¡¯ cruelty,¡± Esmar replied. ¡°We guard the human realm, thwarting their malice, yet such mishaps sometimes befall.¡± ¡°What now?¡± Aelten asked. ¡°Will ye yield me?¡± ¡°Nay, my lord¡ªwe shall not,¡± Rudin assured. ¡°Thanks be to God,¡± Aelten sighed, easing somewhat, pondering their words. ¡°What of your pact¡ªwhy break it for me?¡± ¡°¡¯Twas the Naqibs¡¯ command¡ªwe cannot defy their will,¡± Rudin explained. Baffled by the Jimmianuns¡¯ discourse, Aelten pressed, ¡°What now transpires?¡± ¡°The Blacks will pursue thee,¡± Esmar warned, ¡°waging war for their grudge against us.¡± Hearing he¡¯d be hunted, Aelten faltered, ¡°How long can we flee?¡± ¡°We know not¡ªthey may arrive any moment,¡± Rudin replied. Trembling, Aelten asked, ¡°What meanest thou¡ª¡®any moment¡¯? What must we do?¡± ¡°We must quit thy home,¡± Rudin said, ¡°for the Blacks have come here¡ªthey¡¯ll find thee easily; ¡¯tis simplest here.¡± ¡°Let us return to the mosque¡ªthey cannot enter,¡± Aelten suggested. ¡°Nay¡ª¡¯tis closed to us now,¡± Esmar countered. ¡°Their human thralls have seized it¡ªthey¡¯d take thee there.¡± ¡°Best we go to our orchard¡ªbeyond the city, they¡¯ll take longer to find us,¡± Aelten proposed. Without demur, Rudin agreed, ¡°So be it.¡± Esmar approached; Aelten, recoiling in fear, stepped back. ¡°My lord, permit us¡ªwe must bear thee hence,¡± Esmar said. Rudin and Esmar embraced Aelten, vanishing. Ere he grasped their method, Aelten found himself in his orchard, astounded. ¡°How wrought ye this?¡± he asked Rudin. ¡°¡¯Tis among our gifts¡ªwe traverse anywhither at will,¡± Rudin replied. Amazed, Aelten admired this power, yet his fear outweighed such wonder. Night fell when Rudin warned, ¡°Methinks they trace us.¡± Esmar affirmed, ¡°They have.¡± As he spoke, a dense sable mist, like fog, materialized mid-orchard. Four Black Jimmianuns emerged. Rudin shielded Aelten behind him. One Black, in their tongue, addressed Rudin; he answered in human speech, ¡°We¡¯ll ne¡¯er yield what ye seek. He is Hagan¡¯s trust unto us¡ªslay us ere ye take him.¡± The Black, its voice harsh and deep, struggling in human words, growled, ¡°Ye¡¯ve sunk so low as to speak the usurpers¡¯ tongue. Do as ye will, but yielding this usurper would have spared ye days more of life.¡± Charging Rudin, it struck. As it assailed, Rudin shed his form, as did the Black, both clashing like lightning. Esmar guarded the remaining three. The skirmish was brief¡ªthe Black fell, resuming flesh, extinguished like dying coal, its form crumbling to ash. The other three, seeing its fall, attacked Esmar and Rudin. Esmar, too, became lightning, engaging them. Aelten witnessed marvels beyond dreams, terror gripping him wholly. Moments later, all three Blacks fell, reduced to ash. Esmar and Rudin resumed their forms. ¡°We must flee hence,¡± Rudin urged. Aelten, heartened by their might, agreed, ¡°So be it.¡± They embraced him, departing¡ªfor lingering risked a Black onslaught, ensuring his doom. The Whites, with Aelten, appeared in a narrow lane, blocked by five Blacks. Their leader demanded, ¡°Yield the usurper¡ªwe¡¯ve breached the peace. Surrender the Adam¡¯s son, and save yourselves.¡± Rudin retorted, ¡°I¡¯ve no patience for thy repeated demands¡ªdo thy worst.¡± The Black sneered, ¡°Ye traitors to Jimmianuns, Hagan¡¯s thralls, shame our race. Hagan¡¯s era ends¡ªhe¡¯ll be our slave, as will humankind. Hagan and his kin can do naught¡ªour lord shall reign o¡¯er Earth and all its beings.¡± Rudin laughed, ¡°Aina hath tasted heaven¡¯s vengeance once. Ye¡¯re her pawns¡ªshe¡¯ll doom ye as she did our forebears. Fools, ye trust one cast out by the Milakafs¡ªour ancestors¡¯ slayer. She knows their might, yet ye delude yourselves, thinking her deeds free ye. Togus will not permit it.¡± Furious, the Black struck Rudin; he countered instantly, Esmar joining. The others assailed the Whites. A fierce clash ensued, vaster than the orchard¡¯s fray. Clouds gathered, terrifying lightning struck. Amid their strife, a sable-clad man, bearing a long, jeweled beard, emerged from behind a wall. Casting back his hood, he intoned a potent spell. Rudin and Esmar, corporealized, fell, immobile as if muscle-bound. From his cloak, the man drew a dagger, handing it to the Black leader, who loomed o¡¯er them, glaring at Rudin, ¡°I warned thee¡ªyield the man. Ye¡¯ll not prevail.¡± Gripping the blade fiercely, he plunged it into Rudin¡¯s heart, withdrawing it with haughty pride. Rudin ignited, vanishing as ash. Striking Esmar likewise, he felled him too. The Blacks advanced on Aelten. Seeing the Whites¡¯ fall and the Blacks¡¯ charge, Aelten turned to flee, but their leader, lightning-fast, struck him, hurling him to the lane¡¯s end. Crashing against the wall, Aelten collapsed. The Black approached as he struggled to open his eyes¡ªdarkness reigned, all lost. Seized by the neck, Aelten was lifted to its face; as it gaped, a mighty white light appeared, pulverizing the Blacks. The sable man, beholding it, fled. Aelten fell, unconscious anew at the light¡¯s sight. Chapter4 At Four O¡¯Clock in the Morning With the muezzin¡¯s call drifting through the chamber window, Aelten awoke. The room, modest and small, featured a full-height window opening onto a spacious yard, facing a small terrace encircled by stone balustrades. His condition remained frail, and until the call concluded, he could not rise. At its end, he struggled to his feet and approached the window. The yard stood deserted, its darkness lending an ethereal glow. A white light, tinged with green, streaming from his chamber window to the porch, caught Aelten¡¯s eye. It emanated from the cellar below, casting its radiance into the yard. Noticing it, he descended the porch steps. Gently, he unlatched the cellar door, advancing toward a chamber whence the light poured. It was as though he entered an aura of energy, soothing the ache in his chest. The white light, veined with verdant beauty, shimmered before him, holding his gaze. So exquisite was its splendor that he lingered, entranced, for minutes, simply watching. With its fading, he roused. A man knelt in prostration. Aelten, wordless, stood as the man rose from his devotion, completing his prayer. He spoke, ¡°I told thee to seek and find me! I sent two to thy side, yet thou, instead of beseeching them to bring thee to me, went to the orchard and doomed them.¡± Fear gripped Aelten¡¯s heart at these words. The man gathered his mat, rising to stand before him, saying, ¡°Greetings. How farest thou? Last night, thou wert unwell!¡± ¡¯Twas the same man Aelten had glimpsed within the light at home, when the Black Jimmianun assailed him. Stunned, Aelten knew not what to say, musing, ¡°Perchance he, too, be a Jimmianun, intent on my doom!?¡± Scarce had the thought crossed his mind when the man said, ¡°Fear not¡ªI am no Jimmianun. I, like thee, am human, and by Hagan¡¯s command, I tasked the Jimmianuns to guard thee.¡± Aelten marveled, astonished that the man divined his silent query, wondering, ¡°How readest thou my thoughts?¡± With a gentle laugh, the man replied, ¡°Marvel not! Yea, I can read thy mind. Strain not thyself¡ªthou must rest till thy health is fully restored. A weighty duty lies upon thee. Now, retire and sleep¡ªwe shall converse anon, after sunrise.¡± Finding voice, Aelten said, ¡°Can the Jimmianuns find us here? They might strike anew at any moment.¡± ¡°Fear not¡ªthe Blacks cannot trace thee here,¡± the man assured. ¡°They lack the might to pierce this light. Go, sleep.¡± Aelten¡¯s mind teemed with questions¡ªhow had he come hither? Why these tribulations?¡ªyet he could neither speak nor inquire further. Without will, he turned, retiring to his chamber, lying upon the spread bedding. His frame, overwrought, reviewed the day¡¯s marvels ere sleep claimed him. At nine o¡¯clock, he awoke, restored, with but a faint ache. Approaching the window, he gazed upon the yard¡¯s trees and vistas, finding peace. Descending, he cleansed his hands and face in the yard¡¯s basin. Beholding his reflection, he saw the man¡¯s visage in the water. Rising swiftly, he saluted, standing before him. The man, with a warm smile, greeted, ¡°Greetings¡ªbreakfast awaits. Thou hast not eaten since yestereve; the Blacks¡¯ terror hath banished hunger.¡± Questions surged within Aelten. Softly, he inquired, ¡°Why did the Blacks assail me?¡± ¡°Because they seek to enslave us, feeding on our spirits,¡± the man replied. ¡°Our souls, drawing sustenance from the heavens, are their quarry¡ªthey would bind us as thralls to harvest our spiritual nourishment.¡± ¡°Why take they not for themselves?¡± Aelten pressed. ¡°They cannot seize what our spirits claim,¡± the man answered. ¡°What doth our spirit take?¡± ¡°Numbers and letters, their potency¡ªpower over time and supremacy o¡¯er all,¡± he explained. Perplexed, Aelten asked, ¡°Why chose ye me, yet spared not Duman¡¯s cousin?¡± ¡°That thou must ask Hagan, for he decreed thy salvation,¡± the man replied. ¡°Who is Hagan? Whence knows he me?¡± ¡°In due time, thou shalt meet him and inquire thyself. Now, thou must heed my tasks to behold Hagan and escape the Blacks.¡± ¡°What duties? What must I do?¡± ¡°First, we must shield thee from the Blacks, lest they seize and enslave thee. Thus, from afternoon, thy regimen begins, enduring forty days¡ªperform all I bid, with chants I¡¯ll impart, that they cannot near thee and thou remain safe.¡± Rejoicing at liberation from the Jimmianuns, Aelten exclaimed, ¡°So be it¡ªI¡¯ll obey thy every word.¡± Thereafter, they sat at table, and Aelten ate heartily, though abashed¡ªhunger pressed keenly. Post-meal, the man cleared the spread, bearing it to the kitchen. As he departed, Aelten pondered the man¡¯s name, for amidst yesterday¡¯s trials, he¡¯d not thought to ask. Thus engaged, the man called from the kitchen, ¡°My name is Ahmad.¡± Unaccustomed to such marvels¡ªeach revelation deepening his wonder¡ªAelten found Ahmad¡¯s deeds ever more intriguing, pondering his powers. His mobile rang¡ª¡¯twas Duman. Recalling yesterday¡¯s neglect, he answered swiftly, ¡°Hello, Duman¡ªgreetings.¡± Duman pressed, ¡°Where art thou, Aelten? Why answeredst thou not my calls yestereve?¡± ¡°Much hath befallen me¡ªI could not,¡± Aelten replied. ¡°What calamity?¡± Duman asked. ¡°Seeing no answer, I came¡ªthy father met me at the gate, saying thou slept.¡± ¡°Truly?¡± Aelten marveled. ¡°My father at the gate? Returned they from Tabriz?¡± ¡°Aye¡ªI saw and spoke with them. Art thou not home? Unaware?¡± ¡°Nay¡ªI left with thee yesterday, returned afternoon¡ªnone were there. I¡¯ve not gone back since. How said he I slept?¡± Ahmad entered, bidding, ¡°Tell Duman to come hither swiftly.¡± Aelten, astonished, paused, ¡°A moment, Duman!¡± Turning to Ahmad, ¡°Hath aught occurred?¡± Ahmad¡¯s visage darkened. ¡°Bid him come,¡± he urged. Aelten obtained the address, telling Duman, ¡°I¡¯ll send an address¡ªhaste hither.¡± ¡°So be it,¡± Duman agreed. Aelten dispatched it, pocketing his device, asking Ahmad, ¡°What¡¯s amiss?¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Distraught, Ahmad seemed loath to speak. Aelten pressed, ¡°What troubles thee? Why this disquiet?¡± With profound sorrow, Ahmad confessed, ¡°Forgive me, Aelten¡ªI¡¯d fain not bear this tidings.¡± Anxious, Aelten stammered, ¡°What¡¯s happened? Why conceal it?¡± ¡°Thy kin have met with mishap¡ªthe Blacks slew them,¡± Ahmad revealed. Stricken, Aelten froze, incapable of response¡ªspeechless, tearless, disbelief overwhelming, though Duman¡¯s words seemed amiss. Ahmad laid a hand upon Aelten¡¯s breast, murmuring softly; as he withdrew, tears streamed forth. Unbelieving, Aelten mourned his parents and younger sister, lost forever, their final memory a quarrel, burdening him with guilt. Sobbing, he cried, ¡°Whence knowest thou they¡¯re slain? Duman saw them¡ªthey live!¡± ¡°Alas, Aelten¡ª¡¯tis truth,¡± Ahmad mourned. ¡°They were waylaid, cast into a ravine. The Jimmianuns assumed thy kin¡¯s guise to ensnare thee. Oft, they slay and replace, or mimic men unslain, forming kin to exploit anon. Few humans we see are truly such¡ªsome are Jimmianuns.¡± ¡°How knewest thou they perished?¡± Aelten demanded. ¡°Because we watch thee ceaselessly,¡± Ahmad replied. ¡°Why stayed ye not their hand? Why succored them not?¡± Aelten pressed. ¡°All lies not in our power. Fate governs this realm¡ªsometimes we cannot thwart or alter it. God¡¯s will decrees it so. At times, His purposes end some roles swiftly, that others¡¯ plans prevail. Abide¡ªthou shalt see all in due course.¡± As Ahmad spoke, Duman¡¯s knock resounded. Opening, Ahmad greeted, ¡°Welcome, Duman.¡± Beholding Ahmad, Duman marveled, mute¡ªoft had he dreamed of this man, conversing thus. His visage matched. ¡°Greetings¡­ forgive me¡ªI seek my friend here,¡± Duman faltered. ¡°Aye¡ªhe abides here¡ªenter,¡± Ahmad bade. Awed and abashed, Duman bowed his head, stepping within. Ahmad, noting his reverence¡ªpleased by Hagan¡¯s choice¡ªsmiled, ascending to the chamber. Duman followed. Aelten still wept. Seeing him, Duman asked, ¡°Aelten, what ails thee¡ªwhy weepest thou?¡± Through tears, Aelten sobbed, ¡°My kin are slain.¡± Duman froze¡ªhe¡¯d seen them yestereve! ¡°How can this be? I spoke with them¡ªI cannot fathom it,¡± he cried. ¡°Those thou sawest were those beings that assailed me¡ªmasquerading as my kin to seize me,¡± Aelten explained. Duman, grasping naught, faltered, ¡°I comprehend none of thy words, Aelten.¡± ¡°Nor I, Duman¡ªI fathom it not. What curse hath found me?!¡± Aelten wailed, weeping anew. To distract him, Duman asked, ¡°What dost thou here? How camest thou hither?¡± ¡°I know not¡ªwaking, I found myself here. Ahmad says ¡¯tis a place the Blacks cannot trace,¡± Aelten replied. ¡°Where lies this refuge they find thee not?¡± Duman pressed. ¡°I know not¡ªAhmad saved me from the Jimmianuns, vowing our safety here,¡± Aelten said. ¡°Jimmianuns¡ªwhat be they?¡± Duman inquired. ¡°Those beings¡¯ name,¡± Aelten answered. Ahmad entered with a tea tray, interjecting, ¡°Most welcome, Master Duman¡ªfeelest thou not strange?¡± Setting the tea before Aelten and Duman, he settled upon an ancient couch. ¡°Nay¡ªI feel not strange; thy warmth shames me,¡± Duman replied. ¡°Aelten told of his kin¡ªI cannot digest this.¡± ¡°Matters unfamiliar take time to fathom. Abide¡ªthou shalt understand anon,¡± Ahmad said. ¡°Yet now, thou must bring thy other friends hither.¡± ¡°Which friends?¡± Duman asked. ¡°Those Hagan chose¡ªSavash, Galan, and Toral. They, too, must aid ye, lest ye falter in thy tasks,¡± Ahmad explained. ¡°What tasks? What shall we do?¡± Duman pressed. ¡°Ye must seal the gates of the Seven Realms and retrieve the Trust Vault, that in the forthcoming war ¡¯twixt Jimmianuns, we may succor them,¡± Ahmad replied. ¡°What war? Of what speakest thou?¡± Duman asked. ¡°The Black Jimmianuns and beings of the Seven Realms seek to o¡¯erthrow the White Jimmianuns, then, through certain humans, enslave all,¡± Ahmad said. ¡°How shall we achieve this?¡± Duman inquired. ¡°Ye shall close their gates, barring the six other Jimmianun clans from aiding the Blacks, then fetch the Vault. Its opening by the heirs shall free its power to aid the Whites. Without it, should the Whites fall, humankind shall forever be their thralls,¡± Ahmad explained. Hearing Ahmad, Duman and Aelten felt as though plunged in fanciful tales. ¡°Where lie the Jimmianun gates?¡± Duman asked. ¡°In the Middle Worlds, bridging the Seven Realms and the material sphere,¡± Ahmad replied. ¡°Where be they?¡± Aelten pressed. ¡°Betwixt our world and the Infernal Realms¡ªthe Jimmianuns¡¯ domains,¡± Ahmad said. ¡°How venture we to their world? We lack power ¡¯gainst them, as thou sayest,¡± Duman asked. ¡°Fear not¡ªI¡¯ll grant regimens to gain powers, and White Jimmianuns shall aid thee in this quest,¡± Ahmad assured. ¡°Aelten¡¯s regimen starts this afternoon, lasting forty days, whilst ye four¡¯s shall endure fourteen, yielding powers therein.¡± Ahmad¡¯s words stirred both excitement and dread in Duman; Aelten, somewhat eased from his kin¡¯s loss, listened on. After tea and converse, Ahmad bade, ¡°Duman, prepare¡ªfetch thy friends hither, for ten days¡¯ preparation are needful, as their kinly duties delay them till then.¡± Duman took leave. Nigh noon, Ahmad told Aelten, ¡°Thou must bathe to commence thy rite. Garments await in the bath¡ªdon them post-ablution.¡± Aelten entered, emerging after half an hour as noon¡¯s call sounded. Ahmad handed him a white robe, ¡°Wear this tunic.¡± Unfolding it, Aelten saw it inscribed with script. Donning it, as the call began, Ahmad laid one hand upon Aelten¡¯s breast, the other on his brow, chanting softly. Repeating phrases till the call ceased, he said, ¡°Aelten, in these forty days, thou must master seven faculties: First, the power of touch; Second, the power of sight; Third, the power of hearing; Fourth, the power of smell; Fifth, the power of taste; Sixth, the power to leave thy body; Seventh, the power of translocation. By day¡¯s end, thou shalt command them all. Another power, too, shall be thine in these forty days¡ªno Jimmianun shall trace thee, nor stand against thy light.¡± Aelten asked, ¡°To what end these powers? I hold touch now.¡± ¡°These are not the common senses all possess,¡± Ahmad replied. ¡°What differs them?¡± Aelten pressed. ¡°These are inner senses. With touch, thou canst, by laying hands on objects or beings, read their memories, discerning hidden emotions and feelings. With sight, when mortal eyes see not the realms beyond, thou shalt behold all, seeing with closed eyes as with open, perceiving beyond thy two orbs¡¯ reach¡ªe¡¯en behind thee. With hearing, thou shalt discern the faintest, farthest sounds¡ªthose mortal ears cannot catch. With smell, thou shalt know the scents of places, paths, other realms, beings, emotions, ailments, and all that is. With taste, thou shalt, by savoring, fathom their properties.¡± Excited, Aelten exclaimed, ¡°These are wondrous!¡± ¡°These gifts all humanity should have borne by now,¡± Ahmad said. ¡°What of leaving the body and translocation?¡± Aelten asked. ¡°Leaving thy body lets thee, at will, quit thy frame, bearing thy spirit wheresoever thou desirest, returning unseen. Translocation enables thy form to traverse anywhither in an instant,¡± Ahmad explained. So dazzled by these gifts, Aelten blurted, ¡°When begin we?¡± With a chuckle, Ahmad replied, ¡°Soon¡ªdescend to the cellar; I¡¯ll follow anon.¡± Eagerly, Aelten hastened below, lighting the cellar¡¯s lamps, awaiting Ahmad. The cellar bore the sweet scent of earth; red bricks lent a pleasing warmth. Its vaulted arches and curves, wrought in Seljuk style¡ªthe house¡¯s architecture echoing that era¡ªseemed to transport Aelten to a time of wonders, sorcery, and humans of strange powers. Ahmad entered, bearing an apple, extending it to Aelten, who took it unthinkingly. ¡°With chants I¡¯ll impart, thou must, in days, fathom this apple¡¯s growth¡ªfrom seed in soil to its present state, tracing its journey thence to thy hand,¡± Ahmad said. ¡°What must I do?¡± Aelten asked. ¡°Daily, touch all herein with closed eyes, discerning their textures¡ªroughness, softness, hardness, each peculiar trait. Strive to hear thy inner voice¡ªsit in silence, eyes shut, heeding thy heart¡¯s pulse, then press thy ear to objects, hearing all vibrations.¡± Handing Aelten a cloth, Ahmad bade, ¡°Take this¡ªblindfold thyself daily for hours, striving to read the book on yonder chair with closed eyes.¡± ¡°How read I thus? Blind, I see naught!¡± Aelten protested. ¡°Hence I bid thee blindfold¡ªto see and read. When thou eatest, hold it in thy mouth, savoring deeply, not swallowing hastily,¡± Ahmad explained. He handed Aelten a parchment bearing five names, each paired with a number. ¡°What be these names and digits?¡± Aelten asked. ¡°Recite these names daily, per the numbers beside them. Omit them, and thy labors avail naught,¡± Ahmad replied. ¡°What effect hath reciting them? What transpires if I do?¡± Aelten pressed. ¡°By repeating them, thou invitest the spirits of numbers and letters, who shall grant thee power,¡± Ahmad said. ¡°Spirits of numbers and letters¡ªwhat be they?¡± Aelten inquired. ¡°For now, know this much¡ªafter forty days, thou shalt fathom thy queries. Perform precisely,¡± Ahmad instructed. Having imparted all, Ahmad turned to leave, saying at the door, ¡°Meals for each hour shall appear on the table. Venture not from the cellar till I bid¡ªnor shall I descend save when thy rites need oversight.¡± Hastily, Aelten asked, ¡°Wilt thou leave the house, or abide above?¡± Fearing solitude, lest the Jimmianuns find him, Ahmad replied, ¡°I¡¯ll depart after meeting the youths.¡± ¡°And if Jimmianuns come¡ªwhat then? They¡¯ll slay me here!¡± Aelten cried. ¡°Fear not¡ªthey cannot near within three hundred paces; any attempt would slay them instantly,¡± Ahmad assured. ¡°Slay them¡ªwho shall?¡± Aelten marveled. Smiling, Ahmad said, ¡°Abide¡ªthou shalt see. Be not so hasty.¡± Extinguishing the lamps, Ahmad sealed the door, departing. Aelten gazed upon the apple, craving it. Wrestling within, he pondered failure¡¯s cost, the gifts¡¯ allure urging him to claim them swiftly for protection. Fear of the Jimmianuns and his kin¡¯s death assailed him, yet he cleared his mind, beginning the names¡¯ recitation on the parchment. Chapter5 In the Land of Darkness The curse of Aina yet endured. In every realm where she manifested, her malediction ensnared it, swiftly transforming the land into a barren wasteland, devoid of water and verdure. Darkness shrouded all, as though consumed by fire, reduced to ash and ruin. For thousands of years, her reign over Altin City and dominion over all Earth¡¯s creatures, alongside the Milakafs safeguarding the material realm, had deeply beguiled her, fostering a belief in her supremacy above all. Her misplaced pride led her to rebel against the first Hagan, forging enmity with him. Alongside her, the fiery Milakafs who aided her in this defiance shared her curse. Togus had doomed Aina to tread only lands utterly bereft of hope and joy, manifesting solely in her own desolation¡ªthe ruins of Altin City, the fount of creation and rule, cursed alongside her. In those ruins, Aina labored to decipher the Tablet of Creation. To this day, she had gleaned little, for the letters concealed their lore from her, and like Arlik, she could only learn through enslaving humans, extracting their letters via their own agency. Without their aid, she could never fathom the letters¡¯ secrets, for they could not shield their knowledge from humankind¡ªwhose essence comprised those very letters, unwittingly yielding them to Aina due to their ignorance. Moreover, as letters awoke within humans, vast powers were conferred, enabling Aina to curb the White Jimmianuns through them. By humans, she had triumphed in most wars against the Whites. Aina had borne four imprisoned Lights of Eternity from Altin City¡ªlights vital to the material realm¡¯s sustenance, upholding existence¡¯s fabric, and controlling all creation. These were the sovereign lights of primal beings, whose pursuit sparked wars among the primeval creatures and the Seven Realms, tempting Dajala¡¯s avarice. Acquiring them led to the Seven Realms¡¯ ruin, for within those lights lay the power of letters, their possessor able to unleash their might through letter-lore. To harness these lights, Aina gathered sixteen hundred human sorcerers, amplifying their powers therewith. These sorcerers descended from wizards taught by the scorned Milakafs, their abilities enhanced by Aina. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. She assembled them in towers hewn beneath Mount Sahand by Black Jimmianuns¡ªcaves like a small city, with fearsome, sable spires whose fiery glow lent their visages a tenfold terror. The sorcerers, divided into four cohorts, received one light each. The first, with white light, mastered nature¡¯s elements. The second, with green light of creation, wrought beings anew. The third, with red light, dominated their creations and others. The fourth, with violet light, could seize souls. Each Realm¡¯s light, aligned with the letters inherent within, was apportioned thus, their unique traits stemming from letter-harmony betwixt lights and groups. Only one light, black, eluded the primal sovereigns¡ªit was the Light of Time, held by Hagan since humanity¡¯s rise. This black light governed time and all other lights, nullifying them. By the Tablet¡¯s inscriptions and its numbers and letters, Aina partially wielded the lights¡ªa rewritten version of the celestial Tablet, housed in the heavens. The Tablet bore a sacred order, penned in the Sky Tongue, or Toradu: > *From Togus, a resplendent droplet emerged, and creation began. Thence, a light arose, birthing letters and numbers. Six lights sprang from letters: white, green, red, violet, black, and a light surpassing black, above those five. Each light, in its day, bore fruit, yielding five imprisoned lights, while the light beyond blackness vanished into mystery. Four imprisoned lights were bestowed upon spirits, the Light of Time remaining with letters, reigning o¡¯er all, that creation might endure.* Thus read the Tablet¡¯s first part; its second foretold the future: > *When the imprisoned Lights of Eternity falter, > Creation shall tremble. > The lights shall blaze forth. > The heavens shall darken, > And humankind shall falter. > Evil shall engulf the earth, > Save one land. > The lights shall wane. > Fire shall encircle, > And consume mankind. > Then shall the black light appear. > Hagan shall entrust a legacy. > The lights shall blaze anew. > Mankind shall choose¡ª > Annihilation or life.* In this prophecy, Aina foresaw her triumph o¡¯er celestial powers, yet Hagan¡¯s legacy threatened her reign. The choice lay with humankind, which Aina sought to dominate, thwarting life¡¯s election to doom them. She strove to unravel the letters¡¯ cipher, for within them lay humanity¡¯s choice, yet success eluded her thus far. Cloaked in smoke¡ªblack as night from her curse¡ªAina gazed upon the Tablet. Her charred wings and horns, sprouting from shoulders and nape, rendered her a jagged crag. A Black Jimmianun entered, quailing in a corner, for none dared interrupt her deciphering. Aina paused, turning, ¡°What news?¡± The Jimmianun reported, ¡°Today, a usurper breached our realm, but traitors stole him, slaying our envoys sent to reclaim him.¡± Delighted¡ªseeking pretext to shatter the peace with the Whites¡ªAina rejoiced at the stolen human and slain Blacks, bidding, ¡°Haste¡ªbear word to the White King, summoning him to the Valley of Hell to answer this pact¡¯s breach.¡± The Jimmianun obeyed, departing. Aina, rallying Blacks, journeyed to the Valley, awaiting the White King. Chapter6 The Realm of the Whites Aina¡¯s envoy reached the White Realm. At its gate, the guards seized the Black messenger, discerning he bore a message. The Black Jimmianun requested an audience with the White King to deliver it. A commander, summoned by the guards, inquired, ¡°Wherefore approachest thou the White Realm?¡± ¡°From Aina, I bear tidings for thy sovereign,¡± the Black replied. Dismissively, the commander said, ¡°Speak thy message to me¡ªI¡¯ll relay it to the king.¡± With a scornful tone, the Black retorted, ¡°Thy rank¡¯s too low to hear this word.¡± The commander¡¯s face darkened, ¡°Foul wretch¡ªeven thy highest scarce equals our lowliest White in standing.¡± ¡°If so, why thy anger?¡± the Black sneered. ¡°Thou art but a captain of base guards¡ªI must address thy king alone.¡± Silent, the commander summoned a guard, bidding him hasten to the royal palace with the news. Should the king consent, bring the envoy. Minutes later, the guard returned¡ªthe king granted audience. The commander, with several guards, escorted the Black to the palace. Its walls, of gleaming glass, shone like mirrors; its grand sapphire door parted, and the guards led the Black Jimmianun through halls lined with pearl columns, their luster caressing the eye, floored in gold, to the main chamber. Its emerald gate, adorned with gemstones, opened to lofty pillars of radiant stones¡ªdiamonds, black emeralds¡ªand a vast white agate dome, admitting light within. The White King sat upon a turquoise throne, its base gold, armrests ruby. The hall, vast and splendid, magnified his majesty. He bore the primal form of old, ere Togus¡¯s curse¡ªpearl-white, spiral horns, a human visage with long black hair, a noble, well-proportioned nose, beautiful eyes, and a rounded face. His gaze, green, alone retained the initial Jimmianun form, for Hagan¡¯s choice and will granted kings this reversion, their primal shape a royal mark. Even the king¡¯s heirs lacked it¡ªno Jimmianun could reclaim that visage, its purpose to recall their essence. Commanders forced the Black to bow, but he refused. The king, gesturing, bade them spare him. Releasing the Black, he intoned, with regal gravitas, ¡°We await thy word. What message bears Aina?¡± ¡°Helagul, son of Refaz!¡± the Black proclaimed. ¡°Aina, our great sovereign, ruler of all seven Jimmianun races, summons thee to the Valley of Hell for breaching our pact, demanding discourse on this violation.¡± This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Furious at such speech, a commander roared, ¡°Silence, vile cur! What audacity names Aina grand king of Jimmianuns, speaking thus before our sovereign?¡± ¡°She rules us, not ye,¡± the Black retorted. The king silenced his men, ¡°Hold¡ªlet him speak.¡± ¡°What hath breached our pact?¡± the king asked. ¡°Thy servants entered our domain, stealing a human¡ªcontrary to our pact. Ye broke it, risking war. Our lady seeks thy meeting ere war¡¯s decree,¡± the Black replied. Indignant, commanders cried, ¡°Ye had no right to human realms¡ªye broke it, slaying there and assailing Hagan¡¯s chosen. Ye¡¯ve no claim to speak of breach!¡± Rising slowly, the king, in silken robes, green eyes fixed on Aina¡¯s envoy, said, ¡°Tell Aina¡ªHelagul shall come to the Valley of Hell.¡± His son, beside him, protested, ¡°My lord, we broke not the pact¡ªthese wretches, defying it, entered human lands, slaying and striking Hagan¡¯s chosen. Oust this cur¡ªtell his mistress we¡¯ve no words, nor breached aught.¡± Hearing Hagan¡¯s name, knowing Aelten his chosen, the Black raged, ¡°Usurpers¡¯ thralls¡ªye betrayed our kind! Hagan¡¯s time ends¡ªhe¡¯ll be our slave, as will men. Hagan and his cannot act.¡± The prince, incensed by such insolence, snapped, ¡°Be silent, fool! What right hast thou to name Hagan? Thy boldness dares speak his bondage here!¡± Drawing his blade, he lunged, but the king struck his staff earthward. A white light burst, stripping all Jimmianuns¡¯ power¡ªthey stood immobile. Sternly, he chided, ¡°None shall perish in our realm. We hold a pact with the First Light¡ªwe¡¯ll not break it. Our survival stems from its grace, shielding us from Togus¡¯s wrath. No death shall stain our land. Trefaa, return to thy place¡ªmy word stands, unalterable once spoken.¡± Trefaa, fearing his father¡¯s ire, withdrew. The envoy, mute, eased, knowing he¡¯d not die. The king¡¯s wrath silenced all. He ordered the Black¡¯s release; guards bound and expelled him at the gate, unshackling him beyond. Turning, the Black taunted, ¡°Ye traitorous dolts shall die¡ªsurvivors, thralls.¡± Vanishing, the guards, bound by the king¡¯s word, endured his scorn. The king, deep in thought, sat, staff in hand, gaze fixed ahead. None dared speak¡ªcommanders, clad in silver, bearing silver staves with white stones, stood. Unable to reclaim their primal forms, Whites assumed human guise¡ªclosest to their original shape. Trefaa, hesitant, ventured, ¡°My lord, grieve not that wretch¡¯s words¡ª¡¯tis no cause for sorrow.¡± The king turned, eyeing him silently. Trefaa continued, ¡°Thou art Hagan¡¯s chosen for Jimmianuns. Aina knows they broke the pact¡ªshe sparks war to claim other realms.¡± ¡°What course be best?¡± the king asked. ¡°Forego the meeting¡ªrelay her words to the Naqibs for Hagan. We seek not war¡ªwe¡¯ve ceded realms to Blacks, emboldening them with each retreat. Hagan must grant war¡¯s leave, else they¡¯ll seize our remaining lands,¡± Trefaa urged. Closing his eyes, the king mused deeply, then said, ¡°Hagan knows all. Were war needed, He¡¯d bid us. We¡¯ll not wage it, even retreating again¡ªI¡¯ll meet Aina. My word shall hold.¡± Trefaa insisted, ¡°But, my lord¡­!¡± Raising a hand, the king forbade further speech, rising, ¡°The discourse ends. Five senior commanders join me to the Valley¡ªwar must be averted, lest human realms chaos anew.¡± Turning to his retinue, he bade, ¡°Fetch my battle garb.¡± Servants bore a white-gold armor, thin and light, etched with a lozenge and bifurcated lines. Donning it, they fastened his purple cloak. Descending, he passed betwixt commanders, Trefaa pleading, ¡°My lord, let me join thee.¡± ¡°Nay¡ªthy presence is unneeded,¡± the king declined, lest Trefaa provoke Aina, departing with his chiefs for the Valley. Chapter7 The Valley of Hell Before the king and his commanders arrived, Aina lingered in the ruins of Qalad¡ªa land scarred by a Jimmianun war before time¡¯s end, its entirety scorched to ash by searing flames. With several Blacks, she awaited the White King. As white lightning struck the debris, the king and his men appeared. With his advent, Aina emerged from the shadows, cloaked in black with a hood concealing her face. The king struck his staff upon the earth, asserting dominion, and demanded, ¡°We await thy word.¡± With a harsh, deep voice, Aina accused, ¡°Ye broke our pact, entering our realm, stealing our prey¡ªending peace betwixt us.¡± ¡°We broke no bond,¡± the king retorted. ¡°Ye trespassed our human domain, slaying there¡ªwe stayed thy further slaughter. We seek not war¡ªthou knowest mutual ruin follows. This be thy nth warlust¡ªwe¡¯ve yielded, yet our patience wanes¡ªno more realms shall ye claim.¡± Aina laughed, ¡°Entered your human realm? Our pact knows no human domain¡ªonly Jimmianun realms.¡± ¡°The White and Black realms are defined¡ªhuman lands fall therein. Thou canst not ignore this,¡± the king countered. ¡°We heed the pact¡¯s terms, not beliefs,¡± Aina insisted. ¡°Ye should have yielded the man¡ªthy refusal breaches us.¡± Her envoy, behind, added, ¡°My lady, the usurper ye stole was Hagan¡¯s chosen¡ªhence their act. They¡¯re thralls, bound to their master¡¯s word.¡± Hearing Hagan, fear stirred Aina¡¯s heart, masked by shadow. ¡°No matter¡ªHagan, too, shall answer,¡± she declared. ¡°This profits none,¡± the king warned. ¡°This act invites the Milakafs again¡ªno reprieve shall follow.¡± ¡°Had ye not bowed to Hagan¡¯s yoke, following us, this wouldn¡¯t be,¡± Aina sneered. ¡°No war would mar us, but ye chose usurpers, becoming their thralls, though ye might have ruled them.¡± ¡°We serve no master¡ªneither Hagan nor men. Hagan seeks no slaves¡ªne¡¯er hath He demanded it,¡± the king affirmed. ¡°Hagan¡­¡± Aina chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ve slain all Hagans through men¡ªthis one, too, shall fall by their hand. With his death, men shall be ours. Forsake Hagan¡ªjoin us.¡± The king pondered¡ªthroughout human history, Hagans fell to men; the last, spurned, hid in a land unknown, ceding rule twelve millennia past after his predecessor¡¯s death. ¡°Thou knowest, and canst not deny it,¡± Aina pressed. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! ¡°Hagans, had they willed, could raze our realms,¡± the king replied. ¡°Thou knowest the first Hagan brought thee low. Best we tend our own.¡± Aina neared, circling him, touching his staff, ¡°Together, we could slay the last Hagan¡ªEarth, as afore, ours alone, we its sovereigns.¡± Withdrawing his staff, the king warned, ¡°Thou, above all, knowest our peril. Thou, once commanding the fiery Milakafs, slaughtered us for our sins¡ªthou knowest they serve Hagan fully; His slightest word destroys us all.¡± ¡°No Milakaf returns¡ªthis the Tablet decrees,¡± Aina countered. ¡°Thou canst not sway us,¡± the king declared. Stepping back, facing away, Aina said, ¡°I knew thou¡¯d ne¡¯er forsake Hagan¡¯s thrall¡ªno path remains.¡± She retreated to the ruins; her hundred Blacks emerged¡ªtwenty for each White. Furious, the king struck his staff, seeking to strip their power, but its might failed. Shocked, he and his men faltered. Aina, from the debris, taunted, ¡°Thou¡¯st clung to honor, prized by men¡ªthus thy fall.¡± A light gleamed in her hands¡ªshe¡¯d deceived him, siphoning his staff¡¯s power by touch. Enraged, the king transformed to lightning, his commanders following. The Blacks, too, shifted, igniting war. In battle, they found the king beyond their reach, falling one by one¡ªuntil Aina intervened, binding all Whites, even the king, in flesh, shackling their limbs. The Blacks, too, corporealized. Kneeling, the king faced Aina, who approached, ¡°Cease this folly. Men merit not thy war¡ªforsake it, join me, and we¡¯ll grow mightier.¡± ¡°Ne¡¯er shall I bow to thy yoke for life,¡± the king vowed. Drawing a dagger, Aina advanced¡ªwhen lightning from the ruins struck her. She caught it, corporealizing it¡ªTrefaa. Laughing, she mocked, ¡°Well met, Trefaa¡ªthy father¡¯s folly leads him to death for men. Wilt thou follow, or join me?¡± Trefaa, spitting in her face, enraged her. She plunged the dagger into his heart. The king¡¯s anguished cry, so dread, daunted the Blacks. Laughing, she released Trefaa, red flames erupting from the wound. He fell, dying, turning to ash. Aina turned, ¡°Stand with me¡ªI¡¯ll restore Trefaa.¡± The king¡¯s pleading gaze met Trefaa¡¯s¡ªmid-pain, he smiled, shaking his head. Proud of his son¡¯s valor, the king glared at Aina, ¡°Our lives be Hagan¡¯s safeguard!¡± ¡°Thy folly¡¯s choice,¡± Aina sneered. Seizing his beard, she lifted him, ¡°Know what they¡¯ll say¡ª¡®Helagul, son of Refaz, sacrificed his son for Hagan¡¯s thrall.¡¯¡± As she spoke, a mighty, radiant light blazed o¡¯er Qalad¡¯s ruins, exploding, annihilating all Blacks, hurling Aina forth. Unbelieving, she fled¡ªa Naqib had entered their realm. At the light, she vanished, her bonds and spells undone. The king rushed to Trefaa, embracing him. The Whites, blinded by radiance, could not see. The light faded, revealing a man. The king, releasing Trefaa, approached his commanders, bowing, ¡°Lord Ahmad, welcome.¡± ¡°Rise¡ªbefore none doth a king bow,¡± Ahmad bade. Moved by Ahmad¡¯s humility, the king replied, ¡°My lord, I am but thy servant.¡± Ahmad¡¯s surrounding lights dimmed. Approaching Trefaa, dying, eyes closed, he laid a hand upon his heart, murmuring, then intoning, ¡°By Hagan¡¯s name, I summon thee.¡± Trefaa awoke, wounds healed. Joyful, the king embraced him. Ahmad told the king, ¡°Cherish thy son¡ªmy presence here stemmed from his hope in Hagan.¡± Ashamed for ignoring Trefaa, the king prayed, ¡°May Hagan¡¯s life endure¡ªforgive us.¡± ¡°We must to thy palace¡ªI¡¯ve words for thee and thy folk,¡± Ahmad said. All vanished from Qalad¡¯s ruins, reappearing in the king¡¯s palace.