The Sawafin's seal

Chapter 2: The point of no return

Maher ignored the floating panel and began thinking deeply about what had happened to his uncle, and more importantly, who or what he needed to save him from. A fleeting thought crossed his mind: perhaps this was all just a dream, and any moment now he would wake up to find everything gone his uncle back to his usual self, immersed in his studies and research.

His eyes drifted down to the letter lying on top of the book. Without hesitation, he rushed to open it and devoured its contents:

"Maher… the time has come, my son, for you to use your knowledge to save the world. I had hoped I was wrong, but unfortunately, all that I researched and concluded turned out to be true. I have placed all my studies and years of research into this book it's now yours. I’ve been imprisoned in the Realm of Darkness after failing to defeat Sawfen of Forgetfulness. You have been protected from his curse… all that remains is for you to accept joining the warriors who fight against the Sawfin. He now roams our world, erasing people’s memories, stealing their joy, their identities, and eventually, their lives. You must stop him now before he wipes out all of humanity."

Maher stared at the floating panel before him… He had to accept in order to save his uncle. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he couldn’t waste any more time. His uncle was waiting. With a trembling and hesitant hand, he pressed "Accept."

"Good. Your first mission: find Sawfen of Forgetfulness and destroy him. In return, you’ll be granted the rank of Vanquisher and gain supernatural powers that will help you progress to the next level."

The notification vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. The floating seal gave off a sharp, annoying alarm before lifting into the air, flying toward Maher, who watched it with fascination. It hovered right in front of his chest, then suddenly glowed with a powerful silver-blue light and stuck to his chest like a magnet.

A sharp pain and burning sensation followed, causing him to collapse to the ground, unconscious.

At the family home…

“Hasn’t your brother come home yet?”

Sarah tied her hair into a knot atop her head.

“No, not yet… I was waiting for him to help me understand this lesson… but no worries, I’ll ask him tomorrow.”

Maher’s mother sighed impatiently as she walked back to her room, where her husband was standing before the mirror shaving.

“Salih, Maher still hasn’t come back… he told me he wouldn’t be late.”

Salih replied indifferently:

“He’s with his uncle. He’ll be home any minute. No need to worry.”

His wife grew Irritated by his calmness.

“You act like It doesn’t concern you at all… I won’t neglect my son like your parents did with Saber!”

Her old anxiety returned the one Salih had grown used to before Maher left for university. Old arguments rose back to the surface, and anger began to creep into Salih’s chest.

“Leave my parents out of this, Umm Maher. Don’t judge the dead who have left this life behind.”

She protested bitterly:

“I’m not judging them… I just don’t want you to forget. I don’t want the same thing to happen to our son.”

Salih frowned, trying to concentrate on her words. He was watching her lips move, but no sound came out. He shook his head and focused harder, trying to hear her. Nothing. He stumbled forward, clutching his head as a fierce migraine struck him. Memories began to slip from his mind like water faces and images erasing themselves slowly, leaving behind a dark, painful void. Before collapsing, his wife screamed at the top of her lungs, calling for Sarah.

Back to Maher…

Among the loud noises that pierced his ears, Maher was able to distinguish only one voice:

“You can do this… Maher, keep going… Open your eyes. Get up and move forward. The world is waiting for you.”

It was Saber his dear uncle’s voice. Images flickered in his mind like a silent movie: his father lying sick in bed, his mother sobbing beside him, and his sisters surrounding them with tearful eyes. What happened to his father?

“Get up!”

A sharp command echoed in his mind, forcing his eyes open. He jolted upright. Looking around, confused, trying to recall what had happened… the seal! He placed his hand over his heart, where the pain had struck him before he passed out. There it was: dark markings and symbols etched into his chest, identical to those once engraved on the floating seal, but now dim and unreadable. He searched frantically for the seal but it was gone.

The panel reappeared:

"First symbol: the horseshoe. You must defeat the first Sawfen. Time remaining: 6 days and 12 hours. If you fail… you will die."

Maher swallowed hard… The mission was timed. Failure wouldn’t just cost him his life but possibly many others.

But the bigger question: Where would he find Sawfen of Forgetfulness?

Suddenly, the wall behind him cracked, revealing a glowing fissure of light. Maher clutched his uncle’s book tightly, remembering every word of the letter. The crack widened into a portal leading to an unknown world one cloaked in mystery, cruelty, and darkness. He stepped through with determination, and the fissure sealed shut behind him, restoring the cracked wall to shadow. There was no going back not until the mission was complete.

Maher’s steps led him into a dense forest tangled with branches. Darkness cloaked everything. The sky was void of moonlight, the air frigid, and the sounds… eerie. Creatures crawling. Footsteps crushing dry leaves. Murmurs flooding the atmosphere.

He didn’t know where to go, only followed wherever his feet led him until he reached a fork. He set the book down and opened Its first page.

Where’s my phone?

He remembered it falling from his pocket when the seal hit his chest.

Damn.

Suddenly, light burst from the book’s printed words. Maher brushed his hand over the glowing text, and the radiant words leapt into the air, floating one by one before flowing directly into his mind.

He stood frozen, watching in awe. Though he couldn’t explain it, everything began making sense the knowledge, the meaning, the awareness. His eyes widened with comprehension.

When the final word settled into his mind, the book burst into flames, burning into ash. Without a thought, his feet carried him down one of the paths.

Along the way, he felt eyes watching him, hot breath grazing his neck, and the terrifying sounds around him growing louder.

But he kept walking, awaiting whatever creature lurked behind the shadows.

His eyes began adjusting to the darkness. Slowly, he recognized shrubs, tree branches, owls, and bats perched above. Yet no moonlight, no stars.

Suddenly, he sensed something rushing from behind. A sharp sword appeared in his hands from nowhere. Without hesitation, he leapt into the air just as the creature lunged.

With a swift slash, Maher severed its head. The beast collapsed and disintegrated into ash.

Shocked at what he had done, he touched the seal over his heart. He didn’t just gain strength he had knowledge too. He understood that now.

The panel reappeared:

"You’ve passed the first test. Prepare for another challenge."

Maher exhaled deeply and pushed through the twisted branches. Was this a dream? A hallucination? He didn’t know. But he had no choice. He had to keep going the answers lay ahead.

The forest began to reveal more detail. Shapes of trees, flowers, and birds became distinguishable. Then a swift movement passed in front of him.

He couldn’t tell what it was, but he had a feeling: there was more than one. He counted… Two… three… four… seven. They surrounded him.

He stopped.

They stopped.

He was in the center, about to be attacked. But why couldn’t he see them ?!

He closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and focused. The murmurs turned into shrieks. Monkeys. Yes… but not ordinary ones.

When he opened his eyes, he saw them clearly seven fierce monkeys lunging at him. He jumped high, and they collided into one another.

They scrambled to their feet and glared at him with glowing red eyes. These weren’t just animals they were under Sawfen’s control.

The alpha growled and charged, the others followed. A panel flashed: a glowing golden dagger appeared.

“A dagger? Really?! Haven’t they heard of guns?” he scoffed.

But there was no time. He grabbed the dagger and struck the first one in the chest blood splattered over him.

Maher dashed toward a hollow tree to cover his back. He stabbed the attackers one after another some falling with a single blow, others taking several hits. At last they were all dead.

Panting, scratched, and bloodied, he stepped from the tree.

Suddenly, the alpha roared.

“Damn it!” Maher cursed.

The leader bit into his arm. Maher screamed in pain and slit its throat with the dagger, severing its head.

“I underestimated this dagger,” he muttered, breathing in relief. The area was finally safe.

"Well done. Your level is improving. Keep going."

He came upon a small stream perfect for washing the blood off and quenching his thirst. After cleaning up, he continued forward.

He heard unfamiliar sounds ahead soft, crying.

A girl, about twenty, was curled beneath a tree, hugging her knees, trembling from the cold and fear. What was she doing here?

He approached carefully. As he touched her shoulder, she jumped back, ready to fight though her body shook with weakness. She couldn’t see him in the pitch-black darkness but she felt his presence.

“Shhh… Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

She asked, voice trembling:

“Who are you? What are you? Are you human or a Hobgoblin?”

“I’m human, just like you. You don’t have to be afraid.”

“I’ve been here two days… I haven’t seen a single person. Only darkness… monsters… How do you expect me to believe you? I can’t even see you…”

Maher opened his palm and a glowing white orb appeared. Light illuminated the forest.

She gasped, shielding her eyes from the sudden brightness.

He realized It whatever he imagined, it became reality. He threw the orb upward it hovered above them, suspended by some invisible thread.

“Look,” he said softly, “Don’t be afraid… I’m human.”

Slowly, she peeled her fingers from her eyes. Her gaze turned from fear to disbelief, then to curiosity.

He looked entirely human handsome even, with pale skin, black soft hair, and an athletic build.

Maher noticed her too long blonde hair, bright blue eyes… She was stunning. Not like the girls he used to know. Maybe she was from another land or another world.

“Why do you look human?” she asked.

Maher blinked, stunned by the question.

“Because I am human!” he snapped.

She looked at the orb, eyes narrowing:

“Humans can’t do that… Maybe you’re a Hobgoblin wearing a human mask.”

He ruffled his hair, frustrated.

“Is there any way to convince you I’m not?”

She shook her head.

He turned away.

“Then I’m done here. I’m leaving. You coming or do you want me to trap you in my glowing orb?”

As he walked off, darkness crept back over her.

Panicked, she ran after him.

“Wait…! Wait for me!”

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