Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 2:00 AM

Anifath Bidé abruptly woke up from her bed, drenched in sweat. Despite the fan running at full speed, she was sweating heavily. Anifath gasped for breath for a moment, then shuddered. It was clear that she was not alone in this room. Everything was dark, and she felt as if she could make out some shadows… Anifath turned on her bedside lamp to reassure herself. But there was no one there. She had never gotten used to this way of life.

Every night, it was the same. She could only manage to sleep for a few moments, and then the cycle would begin again. They always came to harass her. Anifath burst into tears. Tonight, she was truly exhausted after such a long day, and she wished she could sleep longer.

This story began when she was in her first year of high school. Something mysterious had happened in her house. On the night of her 16th birthday, she had a strange dream in which a man told her that he was her real father. When she woke up, she told her father (the one she had always known), but he didn’t pay attention to her words. Her mother didn’t care either. They must have thought it was just a nightmare, like all the others.

Then things worsened over time. In the weeks that followed, Anifath began having increasingly strange nights. She could barely manage 3 hours of deep sleep during the night. As soon as she closed her eyes, she had the same dream. Every night, she saw this man and many others who invited her to join them. When she refused, they would beat her.

In the morning, she could feel pain in certain parts of her body, as if she had really been beaten. When she agreed to follow them, not wanting to be beaten, what happened was much worse. Anifath found herself engaging in sexual relations with this man and all those who were with him. It all seemed like a dream, but she felt as if it were real.

By dawn, she felt tainted and dirty. The cycle repeated every night. As a solution to this situation, Anifath forced herself to sleep only in the early morning. It was only at that time of day that nothing would happen. This had affected her grades and academic performance, but she had learned to live with this pain. She had tried to talk to her various boyfriends, but no one understood her.

Seeing her wake up traumatized every night, her parents eventually took the situation seriously. She had seen many professionals and psychologists with no results. She was then taken to marabouts. There was no real improvement. Even her health had suffered.

Today, alone in her bed, Anifath was at her breaking point. This situation had only gotten worse. She could now feel their presence in her room even when she wasn’t sleeping. She had resorted to drinking alcohol to fall asleep. She had even tried powerful sleeping pills that were sold on the black market of the UST. Maybe if she slit her veins or took some pills, it would all stop, a voice sometimes whispered to her. It’s all your fault. You only get what you deserve.

Anifath sat up in her bed and leaned against the wall, crying in despair. She checked the time on her phone: 2:30 AM. Four more hours until dawn. Would she be able to sleep? She closed her eyes, and the images came back to her. They were still there. They were waiting for her on the other side… She opened her eyes again and started counting the seconds. The night would be long as usual…

***

UST Cabin D5, 3:00 AM

It’s time.

Haris Ekora, 25 years old, sat at his study desk and opened his Black Book. Behind him, his roommate slept like a baby. Once again, Harris had made sure to cast a deep sleep spell on him before starting his ritual. A cold wind filled the room. BOB always carried a lot of chill with him. The book was on the table.

The Black Book, a deep and intense black grimoire, embodied the very essence of the darkness that resided in the soul of its possessor.

Its leather cover was aged and worn, marked by the passage of time and the extensive use by its numerous owners over the years. The edges of the grimoire were adorned with esoteric patterns drawn in silver ink, resembling intertwined serpents.

Through its yellowed pages, each line was imbued with forbidden secrets and knowledge that was not meant to be known. The words inscribed within seemed to vibrate with malevolent energy, ready to be unleashed by an unwitting reader.

The grimoire exhaled an intoxicating scent, a blend of heady and unhealthy fragrances. The esoteric symbols and magical formulas found within the book were etched with precision and diabolical intent.

A dark, hypnotic energy emanated from each page. The Black Book was more than just a collection of spells. It was the tangible reflection of its owner’s tormented soul, his darkest aspirations, and especially his insatiable quest for power.

Harris’s book was invisible during the day and appeared only when Harris Ekora uttered the required words. Tonight’s encounter was about to begin. On the book’s cover, in small silver letters written in French, were the words, “Open me, and you are in the other world.”

Harris opened the book and let himself be carried away. In an instant, he felt his astral body detach from his physical one and plunge into the book. It was one of the portals to the other world. He found himself in a courtyard, a sort of garden. In front of him stood a large, soberly lit black building. Several people, like Harris, appeared in the courtyard and silently made their way toward the chapel.

— “I think we are late,” said a voice near him. — “I know, BOB. I don’t need you to remind me,” Harris replied coldly.

The voice came from a giant creature standing just behind the young man. Like most members of the cult, Harris had a guardian spirit assigned to his protection, which had to obey his every command. He had named it BOB because he couldn’t pronounce the full name of the spirit. He only forced himself to call it by its full name when he had no choice or when the spirit tried to harm him.

Guardians were actually unstable and unpredictable beings who could take the life of their master at any moment. Dr. Robert, the man who had initiated young Harris into black magic a few years ago, had taken the time to explain to him what he was getting into by joining the cult. It was an extremely cruel world where the slightest sign of weakness could mean death. But it was also a world of power and domination.

Harris was curious and ambitious, and above all, he had a personal goal to achieve. His thirst for power had led him to this group. He didn’t regret his choice. He had done dark things, but it had all been worth it, he told himself. Guardians could not read their masters’ thoughts, but they could perceive emotions. Fear, compassion, sadness… these were the emotions a guardian didn’t want to witness. And Harris knew that.

The young black mage walked toward the chapel, and the demon followed in silence. When they reached the door, another creature of the dark welcomed them and gestured for them to enter. It was half-human, half-horse. They were better known as centaurs. As usual, the chapel exuded a sinister atmosphere of death and terror. Harris had never gotten used to this dark aura.

Most of the members were already present. The young member of the Morning Twilight cult walked toward the large table and took his seat. There were some people Harris recognized in the real world, but they did not talk. It was strictly forbidden to discuss cult matters outside of this space. Other members took care to hide their faces due to their strategic positions in the real world.

The Morning Twilight cult extended its influence beyond the UST. For recruitment, Ekora had been approached by his medical reference three years ago. Harris had great admiration for this man, who was considered a genius in the country’s entire medical field.

Dr. Robert was a very skilled surgeon. It all began when, during an ordinary conversation on a break, Dr. Robert had a lengthy discussion with Harris about the need for power in this world in order not to end up at the bottom of the food chain. He explained that the world was more complex than Harris thought. If Harris wanted to go far in the medical system, especially as a renowned surgeon, he needed to be smarter and use certain advantages. Harris didn’t fully understand what his elder was talking about.

After some hesitation, Dr. Robert had finally told him about a small group that shared true knowledge about the inner man and the mastery of the energies circulating in the world. “There’s a book where you’ll find all the answers to your questions,” he had said.

Harris had shown great interest. Dr. Robert had scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to him.

“Don’t lose it. There are two formulas on this paper. You’ll pronounce the first formula at 3 AM when everyone around you is asleep. Say exactly what you read. It will send them into a deeper sleep. Then you’ll pronounce the second formula. And something will come into your room. Don’t be afraid. Just do what it asks and you’ll become like me.”

Like him? How, like him? Harris had not felt it necessary to ask. Dr. Robert was a brilliant surgeon renowned in the subregion. He was respected in the entire medical field, and he exuded a certain charisma. One of the few people to impress Harris.

That evening, while everyone slept in the house where Harris lived, he had pronounced the first formula. He noticed nothing unusual. He then recited the second. Automatically, the light from the bulb dimmed in intensity. A book appeared on his table. He saw the letters appear on the cover. The book warned him about what would happen if he turned this cover.

The young doctor had been torn between fear and curiosity. Curiosity won. He opened the book and experienced his first astral journey. He found himself in a place where a chilling atmosphere reigned. A garden in deep darkness. Only a green star illuminated the sky. It was a small full moon. Harris wondered if he was dreaming, and if not, where was he? He had walked for a moment in the darkness, and a man had come to meet him. It seemed creepy, but Harris felt he could not turn back. Well, it suited him. He hadn’t intended to.

In this New World, he felt filled with a strange force. On the evening of his first visit to the sanctuary, as they called this place, Harris had met the guide. An incredibly beautiful, yet equally cold being. It was actually the only time Harris saw him at the sanctuary. He was asked to sign a document with his blood. In exchange for which, he would gain glory and power? All the power in the world.

Harris reflected on all these events as he sat down. The master of ceremonies sat at the other end of the large table. Most of the people present wore black robes with hoods that slightly covered their faces. The room was dimly lit by floating candles in the air.

— “You’re late, Brother Anger,” he said, addressing Harris. — “Yes. My apologies.” — “You’re lucky the Guide is not here.” — “I know.”

Harris showed the same coldness as the members of the room. It was important not to express fear in such an environment. The spirit assigned to his protection stood just behind him. It came closer and whispered something in his ear. Harris nodded, and the spirit disappeared.

The master of ceremonies then addressed the assembly.

“Thank you all for honoring us with your presence at this meeting. As you all know, there are only a few weeks left before the completion of the plans set by the Guide. Overall, things are going as expected. However, we have a problem. We have some interference… A force field has already stopped our guardians from entering the school several times to complete their task. Someone has been inviting the Other lately, and it needs to stop. Brother Anger, these things are happening in your territory. A solution to fix the situation?”

Harris cleared his throat.

— “Of course. It’s Horel Assani causing us trouble. But he’s alone. My guardian spirit had difficulty entering his dormitory, but that’s just a setback. I assure you, everything will be resolved soon.” — “It better be. You don’t want this matter to reach the Guide.” — “It will be sorted in time…” — “Good…” — “Will the Guide not come?” asked Harris. The looks turned toward him. He could barely make them out in the glow of the floating candles. — “No, he’s busy, you know,” replied a member to the right of the master of ceremonies. “Do you really want to meet him?” — “Not for now.” — “Take care of the watcher,” said the master of ceremonies. “Then you’ll be able to speak to the Guide.”

Harris nodded. He returned from his astral journey at 4:00 AM. His roommate was still asleep. The black mage left his desk and walked toward his bed. His body had rested a little during the meeting in the other world. He could just continue his sleep until dawn. Before falling into the arms of Morpheus, Harris thought about that boy in cabin B12…

This text is an excerpt from the book SENTINELS: FIRST GUARD TOWERS written by Charles SANDAH.

We invite you to read the following article, THE SPIRIT OF REVELATION.