Zora stared at him for a long moment, waiting for some kind of explanation—but Tariq couldn’t give one. What was he supposed to say? That drums were beating inside his head and then they just… stopped?
“Everything has an explanation, Tariq. Just take a moment,” Zora said, leaning her back against the wall.
Tariq sat there in silence, staring at the floor as his mind worked.
“T-Tariq…”
Something about Zora’s voice sent a chill down his spine. He looked up and saw her eyes widen, fixed on something behind him.
Turning his head, Tariq froze.
Floating toward them was a black, humanoid figure. It had no defining features—no face, no eyes, no mouth. Nothing.
“Oh my god…” Tariq got to his feet. “Zora—”
His voice died in his throat.
He tried to speak again, but his mouth wouldn’t open. His entire body was frozen in place.
Tariq’s gaze locked onto Zora, and the fact that she hadn’t moved either made it clear she was frozen too.
No, no, no—what’s happening!?
He fought against whatever was holding him, willing his body to move, but nothing happened.
A presence settled behind him. His blood ran cold. There was no logical explanation for this—yet it was happening.
His heart pounded as he braced himself.
Do whatever you want to me… just leave her alone! he pleaded silently.
A low chuckle came from behind him as the creature drifted into his peripheral vision.
“This universe’s chosen… and the obsidian king,” it said. “If this doesn’t work, then nothing else will.”
Tariq’s mind raced. Universe’s chosen? Obsidian king? What the hell is it talking about!?
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The creature leaned fully into his view, positioning itself between him and Zora, its head tilting back and forth as if studying them.
“You two cannot fail. Ten seconds after I leave, everything will change. You must survive.”
Its black form began to fade, becoming translucent before disappearing entirely.
Suddenly, Tariq’s body was released. He stumbled forward, barely catching himself as control returned.
“Oh my god—what the hell was that!?” Zora blurted.
Tariq turned toward her, his own voice shaking. “What the fuck was that thing!?”
She was on the verge of a panic attack—breathing heavy, eyes darting left and right as if expecting it to reappear.
“I-I don’t know, I—” Tariq stopped.
How many seconds had passed? Six? Seven?
He grabbed Zora by the arm.
“Tariq, what are you doing!?” she cried as he dragged her toward the bathroom.
“Get to a stall!” he shouted.
A burning sensation exploded in his chest, rapidly spreading through his body. He dropped to his knees with a cry of pain.
His breathing turned ragged as Zora screamed and collapsed in front of him.
“No…” Tariq hissed through clenched teeth.
Whatever was happening, they couldn’t be out in the open—even here.
He reached for the sink, grunting as he pulled himself forward. The fire inside him felt like molten shards of glass tearing through his veins.
I—I can’t…
He fell back to his knees. Zora writhed on the floor in front of him.
Slowly turning his head, his eyes locked onto the bathroom door.
I need… to lock it…
Gritting his teeth, Tariq forced himself onto the counter. His vision swam as he shuffled the few feet to the door and reached out, twisting the lock.
Now I need to… s—
The world began to fade as he collapsed onto his side.
As darkness closed in, one final thought cut through the haze.
We have to live.
A woman’s scream ripped him awake.
Tariq’s eyes flew open.
He was staring down at a burning planet.
Despair crushed him as he watched it engulfed in flame.
“See? I told you, uncle,” a child’s voice said from his left.
Turning his head, Tariq saw a young girl wearing simple white pants and a brown shirt, dressed as if she’d stepped out of medieval times. Her eyes were reptilian, glowing a deep purple.
“What have you done!?” Tariq demanded.
“No need to answer him, dear. He’ll be dead soon enough,” a man’s voice boomed from behind. “As will the rest of these... animals, except for you, of course.”
Tariq turned his head—only for it to snap back violently as something slapped him across the face.
“Who said you could look at me, worm?” the voice sneered.
The girl giggled.
“I’m not dead yet!” Tariq growled, fury surging through him. “I will not stand for this!”
His body began to glow blue as he prepared to fight.
Something pierced his chest from behind.
Agony tore through him as he collapsed to his knees. He tried to move, to stand, to keep fighting—but his strength was gone.
The girl stepped in front of him and lifted his chin with two fingers, forcing him to meet her gaze.
“Oh, uncle… your head is going to look so good in my castle,” she giggled.
Tariq’s body shook with rage.
I won’t die here. This isn’t it!
Something sliced at his neck as the world began to tilt sideways.
Still, he stared.
You'll pay, if not by my hand then someone else's, but all of you will pay!
