Aws and Shams muttered at the same time, their eyes trembling with astonishment:
"Demons?"
Aws gathered some of his composure and asked Hilal hesitantly:
"Do demons dwell in this city… a city meant to be righteous?"
Hilal burst into laughter:
"Hahahahahaha!"
Aws was startled, and Shams snapped out of her stillness at that strange laughter; he had been calm the whole time, yet that sound shattered every impression. Hilal slowly returned to himself, then said:
"Why do you think Divine Providence exists? Why would the Divine Path reward people if there were no obstacles? I told you earlier that people deviate from the Divine Path. Do you think they do so willingly? Who would deliberately give up their extraordinary gifts? No—our battle is with our inner demons as much as with the outer ones. And do you imagine we fight demons merely as species? We also fight their satanic arts—like sorcery."
Aws replied, his tone uncertain:
"Like sorcery?"
His voice did not quiver with fear, and Shams showed no sign of dread either. Hilal's face hardened, and he said sternly:
"You think sorcery is a game? It is a destructive power that makes you a slave to demons. Do you expect any good to come at the end of that path?"
The two exchanged looks of denial and confusion. Then Shams asked softly:
"But isn't it just control over water, fire, and such things?"
Hilal took a deep breath and calmed himself:
"By God… where do the two of you come from? Sorcery is curses that alter the world: it can kill a man, sicken him beyond remedy, separate lovers, ruin a business, or even take away children… all manner of evil acts. And such power is only wielded by one who has offered his soul to the demon. Yet there is another power, nearly as dangerous—envy."
Aws raised his eyebrows:
"Envy?"
Hilal nodded:
"Yes, envy. It is a vile force that springs directly from the heart, unrelated to either the Divine or the demonic path. But it is easier to cleanse, for its root is simple: a single thought in the heart… and boom—envy is born. Sorcery, on the other hand, requires incantations, talismans, and images of the victim. That makes it far more complex and harder to undo."
Shams felt a wave of sadness. There was no whimsical, cinematic magic here—no enchanting fireballs or heroic spells, but a truth grim and terrifying. She whispered to herself:
"So… no magic after all…"
Hilal caught her whisper and replied:
"I never said that borrowing the forces of elements and creatures is impossible. Those are blessings from Divine Providence—but they belong to the higher levels. Most blessings grant a person added strength, skill, or even the love of people… all gifts tied to the individual. But these rare ones? They are borrowings of the might of God's hosts upon the earth: fire, water, beasts… small measures of authority entrusted to a servant."
Shams's eyes sparkled with excitement, and Aws gazed at her gently before turning to Hilal:
"Brother Hilal… you spoke of sorcery and envy. Sorcery you have explained—but envy… what exactly is it? You said it arises only from the heart. Every human has a heart, so all are vulnerable. I must know it to guard myself."
Hilal's eyes lit with joy, and he thought to himself in secret:
*What a profound question! I sensed something in him before, but not like this… Surely, a great task awaits him. Divine Providence is what led him to me, and made me the one to teach him.*
Then, aloud, he said:
"Hah! You receive Divine Providence even before stepping onto the Path itself!"
He glanced at Shams as well, uncertain of her place in this unfolding matter, yet included her nonetheless. Then he caught the spark of admiration Aws held for her, and he smiled inwardly, whispering to himself:
*So that's how it is… The mission is his, truly—but Divine Providence has granted him supports. And I, too, have been made part of this whirlpool of destiny.*
Suddenly, he burst into laughter once more:
"Hahahahahaha!"
Aws stared, baffled by the strange reaction to his question. He almost asked, but Hilal cut him short:
"Envy is an act of the heart—it is the wish for a blessing to vanish from another, not to come to you instead…"
As they sat together, they suddenly heard a voice flowing from the Divine House—words so sweet they soothed the soul. Hilal raised a hand, bidding them to be silent, then began repeating what he heard. Aws and Shams joined him in the recitation, until the voice ceased.
Hilal then stood and asked:
"Would you like to see it?"