It was night. The intensity of the weather had slightly subsided.
"Do people really get sentenced to death just for stealing? Even if it's an adult, giving someone the death penalty for theft alone doesn't seem right. What do you think?" Azam asked, glancing toward Haman, who sat near the window lost deep in thought.
Haman didn't respond—he was so consumed by his thoughts that he didn't even realize when Azam had arrived.
Azam had never seen Haman this distressed before. He walked over and sat in the chair across from him, saying,
"Haman! Don't be so worried, my friend. Life tests everyone, but every darkness brings a message of light."
"Azam… you know very well that there's no place left where Ajal can't reach. It he can appear anywhere, anytime. It's not that I'm afraid… but how can I face all of this alone? I don't know what to do anymore. Sometimes life brings us to such a point where all we see is darkness. It's like falling into a well with no way out," Haman replied.
"I understand what you're going through. But this time too shall pass. Just stay strong. And who said you're alone? I'm here with you—so what is there to be afraid of? Also, I won't give you a motivational lecture like everyone else does—but I will say this: the Haman I know never gives up, no matter how hard things get. Your anger is so intense that stress, tension, and anxiety all resigned together, saying:
'We're not working in this lunatic's brain!'"
Azam laughed at his own words—and for the first time in a while, Haman laughed along with him.
Neither of them realized that a child had been listening to their conversation. The child stepped forward and said,
"I know a place where you can go."
They both turned to the child.
Azam asked, "Son, why are you still awake?"
The boy didn't respond to the question and continued instead,
"And that place… is an underground city called Demara."
Both of them looked at each other in astonishment. Then Azam burst into laughter and placed a hand on Haman's shoulder, saying,
"Kids these days come up with the wildest stories."
The boy replied calmly,
"No, this isn't a story. It's the truth. I'm from that city too."
Azam's laughter faded instantly.
"Are you telling the truth, kid? Or are you just playing a prank on us?" Haman asked.
"No, I'm not joking. I'm telling the truth," the boy replied earnestly.
"Then why didn't I know about this? Could it be that Ajal knows about it?" Haman thought to himself.
While Haman was still lost in his thoughts, the boy continued,
"That's exactly why King Ajal sentenced me to death—because I'm from Demara, the underground city. This whole story about stealing… it's just a cover."
"Ajal hid this from me. But why? That means he's kept many other things hidden—from me, and from everyone else. But what could his reason be?" Haman wondered.
"Oh wow! This kid isn't a child—he's a firecracker!" Azam said, amused. Then he asked,
"Son, how old are you?"
"Uncle, I'm ten years old," the boy replied.
"You look more like you're six," Azam said with a smile.
"Yes! That's what everyone says," the boy replied with a cheerful grin.
By the way, we haven't even asked your name," Azam said to the boy.
"It's Momin," the boy replied.
"Child, can you take me there?" Haman asked Momin.
"Yes, absolutely," Momin replied.
"Then take me there right now," Haman said firmly.
"I'm coming with you, Haman," Azam said.
"No. I've already put you in enough danger — I can't put you through more," Haman said.
"You know very well that if Ajal finds out you've given shelter to me and Momin, he won't spare you. He'll kill you the moment he gets the chance."
"You're right that you've already put me in great danger," Azam responded with a smirk,
"So why not add a little more? Because I'm ready."
"Azam, this is not the time for jokes. I'm serious. I don't want you to become Ajal's next target. He's a monster… a real monster," Haman said, his voice heavy with concern.
"Fine then. If I've become a burden to you, I won't weigh you down any further," Azam replied, clearly upset.
"No, that's not what I meant! You're my right hand, Azam. I just don't want to see you in danger," Haman said, placing both hands on Azam's shoulders.
Azam softened and gave a nod of understanding.
Azam watched them as they left.
____
The night had grown darker.
With every step they took, the darkness seemed to deepen around them. The weather here was colder than the place they had just come from.
Now, thunder rolled across the sky, and flashes of lightning lit up the clouds. The atmosphere was becoming ominous—almost terrifying.
They finally stopped in front of a forest called "Saya."
"Saya? Is Demara City really beneath this forest?" Haman asked Momin.
"Yes. The entrance to our city lies within this forest," Momin replied.
"That's why Ajal banned people from entering this forest some time ago," Haman thought to himself.
_______
The forest looked terrifying in the darkness—especially in weather like this.
A flash of lightning cracked across the sky, and Momin flinched in fear, clinging tightly to Haman.
"Don't be afraid, son. I'm here with you," Haman reassured him gently.
They continued moving forward until they stopped in front of a massive cave.
This cave is the entrance to Demara City," Momin said.
"Are there no guards protecting this city?" Haman asked Momin.
"There are," Momin replied.
"Then where are they? Why can't I see anyone?" Haman questioned again, scanning the area.
Inside the cave's entrance, the walls aren't solid rock as they appear—they're hollow in places, with narrow, hidden chambers built for Demara's elite guards. These spaces are carved so seamlessly into the stone that no one would notice them from the outside.
Each chamber has tiny spy holes—no bigger than a coin—positioned strategically to give guards a clear view of anyone approaching the entrance. These holes are disguised as natural imperfections in the stone: cracks, dark spots, or moss-covered dents.
The guards inside remain silent, communicating with one another through coded knocks on the inner stone, and if needed, they can emerge instantly through sliding stone panels that blend perfectly with the cave wall.
Our guards are expert night-watchers. No one can match their skill. They are highly trained and earned this rank only after passing a series of special tests," the boy added with pride," Momin explained.
Then the boy picked up a stone and began tapping it against the cave wall in a specific rhythm.
Within moments, two guards silently emerged.
The two guards immediately recognized the boy, but Haman was a stranger to them. Seeing him, they stepped forward and demanded,
"Who are you, and why have you come here?"
Before Haman could say a word, Momin answered,
"He's with me. He saved my life. Please, let him enter."
One of the guards responded in a deep, angry voice,
"No! Outsiders are not allowed inside. And for bringing him here, you could face punishment as well."
______