The Curse of Malysora

Chapter 5: Chapter Five: The Return to

I stopped in front of my house.

I slowly raised my hand and pointed toward the weathered door. The wood was cracked, with old paint peeling off it like worn leather.

I whispered to myself in a faint voice:

I’m back.

Then I turned to Ren and said:

This is my home... This is where I live, Ren.

One step forward,

then I froze.

The door... was open.

My chest tightened unconsciously. I pushed the door with my fingertips, and it let out a long creak, as if in protest.

I crept inside cautiously, each step heavier than the last.

Behind me, Ren followed silently, her breath ragged

and her face pale.

Just two steps, and suddenly

my mother rushed toward me.

She collided with me forcefully, her arms wrapping tightly around me as if she feared I might vanish.

Her body trembled as she cried, and her tears wet my shoulders.

Forgive us, Hidara.

Her voice was broken, interrupted by her sobs.

Leaving you alone... was the biggest mistake we ever made... Thank God, thank God you’re okay.

I raised my hands slowly, hesitated for a second, then wrapped them around her.

My voice came out heavy.

Don’t apologize, Mom.

I swallowed the words, then continued with difficulty.

I’m the one who should be apologizing.

My father approached.

His eyes were filling with tears, and his hands were trembling as he examined my face and shoulders.

Where were you?

His voice was low, but it was filled with panic.

We almost lost our minds.

Then

his gaze fell behind me.

Who is this girl?

I turned slightly and looked at Ren.

She stood silently, her fingers intertwined, her gaze fixed on the ground.

I said calmly and firmly,

She’s the reason I’m still alive today.

We sat down.

The silence was heavy at first, then I began to speak.

My words came out slowly, as if every memory were passing before my eyes.

And when I finished,

I looked at them and said,

If it weren’t for her... and her father... I wouldn’t be here now.

Her father sacrificed his life for me. I will never forget. What he did was beautiful.

My mother reached out her hand toward Ren and gently touched her head.

Her gesture was warm... heartbreakingly tender.

What a child.

She wiped her tears with the edge of her hand, then smiled at her.

From today on... I am your mother. And this is your home.

She moved closer to her, and her voice grew even more tender

No harm will come to you here. Don’t be afraid, my daughter.

My father added, in a firm tone

You are safe here. I’ve contacted an old friend, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you both.

A knock.

A sharp sound shattered the moment.

We all turned toward the door.

The door pushed open slowly, and two men entered.

The first stepped forward with quiet steps. His face was unnaturally pale, and old scars crisscrossed his features.

The second stood directly behind him, holding a small notebook.

The first one sighed slowly... then smiled a faint smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Good news.

His voice was low, but there was something unsettling about it.

The prodigal son... has finally returned.

His eyes rested on me.

Tell us, Hidara... where have you been?

He tilted his head slightly.

Your father hasn’t stopped calling.

I felt something cold seep into my chest.

I clenched my fist without realizing it.

I looked him straight in the eye and said,

He was kidnapped.

I think they’re... an organ trafficking ring.

I paused for a second, then added,

Or something... worse than that.

He didn’t blink.

He kept looking at me with almost empty eyes, then said,

Do you know any of them?

I clenched my teeth slightly.

Images of them flashed through my mind like living nightmares.

Yes

My voice came out low.

And I know their faces well.

I looked up at him:

And they’ll never leave my nightmares.

Behind him, the other man was writing quickly, without lifting his head.

The first one took a step closer.

He leaned slightly toward me.

A strange, cold scent... unnaturally refreshing filled my nose.

Whisper

Take care of yourself

He paused for a moment, then added

We have a lot of work to do.

Come on, Salim

And they left.

A few moments later, my mother gently took Ren’s hand

Come with me

She led her upstairs

She opened a bedroom door, and dim light streamed in through the window.

Look, Ren.

She smiled at her tenderly

Starting today, this room is yours alone.

She placed her hand on her shoulder

Rest... It’s all over.

Ren sat on the bed... then slowly fell backward, as if her body had finally given in

She took out an old photograph and pressed it to her chest.

She closed her eyes and whispered,

Dad...

She paused for a moment, then clutched the photo tighter:

Don’t worry... I’ll survive. No matter the cost. I’ll survive.

Her voice trembled slightly.

I promise.

Elsewhere...

Deep within Malysora

inside an abandoned warehouse, where the rust of iron mingled with the smell of old smoke and cheap alcohol.

Footsteps echoed.

She stopped in front of a chair rocking slowly.

It seems you summoned us.

Jaber said in a low voice.

Commander Jasser.

Jasser was sitting, rocking back and forth... with unnatural slowness.

In his hand, a photograph.

He raised his head.

His eyes... were completely empty.

Do you know what happened today?

Jaber swallowed hard.

No...

The chair stopped.

Silence.

Then

a tremendous force erupted

An invisible pressure crushed the air itself

Jaber fell violently to his knees, his hands slamming against the ground

His body convulsed, and cracks began to spread across his body.

Blood gushed from his mouth... and from the cracks in his skin

He tried to move

But his body wouldn’t respond

Then.

Everything vanished

As if nothing had happened

Jaber fell forward, gasping.

Jasser spoke with suspicious calm

I met a man

Not like the rest of humanity

With the heart of a beast

And the mind of a demon

He came a little closer

He asked me to kidnap his son

Silence.

He doesn’t want him alive. Among them

But torn apart... far from them.

Humans. When they take off their masks, they become worse than beasts.

In the corner of the warehouse, Zarak whispered to himself

No... worse.

Jasser dropped the photo.

It slid across the floor... until it came to rest at Jaber’s feet.

His name... Shadi.

You have a week.

Jaber bent down.

He picked up the photo.

He looked at it.

It was a boy... sixteen years old.

Silence.

Then

a laugh escaped him

a suspicious one.

Zarak smiled sarcastically

and said, Here we go.

Jaber lifted his head

and smiled.

All right.

I’ll kidnap him.