The Tale of Junazahite: Dance with the Devil

Chapter Nine: The King Who Never Dies

"Be afraid of the Ultimate Abyss. The doomed will be falling into a void where even their screams will be left unheard. Couldn't you hear the angels mourn for the sinners' fate?"

The fact that John didn't know what he really wanted was driving him to the edge of sanity. He felt like a boat tossed by waves in a vast endless ocean ... Ocean. The memories of oceans flooded his mind crystal clear! Even though he had divine powers, as the Book of Al-Kalaam claimed, he still felt helpless. Trying to calm himself up, he decided to act like a real savior until he found out what he had to do. For sure, he needed the Fadayists' support, and he wasn't too stupid to blow it up. He was ambivalent about everything, and it scared him.

he looked at the bright moon for the last time and followed Richard out of the room. He felt exhausted, but he couldn't rest now because apparently, Richard had called a meeting to introduce him to his most trusted men. They walked into the much larger room with a semicircle table at the center. There were Jhina, Moriel, a Mokhless, a stern-looking man, and a pregnant lady. All of whom stood on their feet and bowed to their Savior. Richard stood between them with a happy smile on his face and began the introductions.

"You have met Jhina, the head commander, and Moriel, our best healer. This is Khadij, my dear wife."

Khadij's hair was darker than her skin. Having freckles all over her cheeks made her stunning. Her golden eyes shone like two big suns. She smiled at John, breathing fast and enthusiastically as stroking her huge belly.

"This is Cathilious, the master of Mokhlesses, and also, this is Rayan, my assistant."

They bowed one more time. Cathilious approached John and took his hands frantically. He was pale, and hairless, his eyes wide and blue. On the contrary, Rayan had a full head of hair and beard, his hair a combination of black and gray. Though he was in his mid-40s, he had the masculine body of a youth.

"Dear God," Cathilious cried out. "I can't believe my eyes."

He knelt and kissed John's pants, then he moved lower and put his lips on John's dirty shoes.

"Please," John said while stiffening himself, both annoyed and surprised. "Stand up!"

"As you wish, my Savior," he uttered breathlessly, getting up. "Praise God! I knew it! I knew I'd see my Savior before my death. Thank God!"

"My savior," Rayan interrupted, his expression serious and more mature than anyone else in the room. "It's an honor to be in your presence, sir. I swear I will fight for you until the last drop of my blood."

He was looking at the floor, avoiding eye contact. He was nervous, and just like John, he didn't know how to behave.

"That's okay," John said slowly and calmly, growing a gentle smile on his face while analyzing his surroundings.

Richard offered him the tallest chair in the room, a seat that once belonged to him. John settled into it, and Richard sat eagerly beside him, inviting everyone to have a seat. Cathilious jumped into the chair on John's other side, his labored breaths and the scent of his sweat disturbing John. Meanwhile, the air in the room was cold and humid, a rare yet strangely pleasant atmosphere.

"Shall we pray first?" Cathilious suggested excitedly.

Richard nodded in wholehearted agreement. They all, also including John, clasped their hands together and leaned back in their chair. John observed their faces as they closed their eyes. Jhina and Rayan appeared neutral. On the other hand, Cathilious was sweating with adrenaline. Khadij smiled softly, and Richard and Moriel were dead serious. John wondered who these mysterious people really were.