I opened the door with difficulty to find Nawa sitting in a corner, covered in blood. As soon as I tried to ask him, he spoke.
Nawa: "Thank God you came. After twenty minutes, I thought everyone was dead when they attacked our room at the same moment the test started. And Louay had…"
Younes: "How do you survive every time alone? Are you a death envoy?"
Nawa (tears streaming): "Do you think you're the only one upset about this? I would have traded my life for theirs if I had a way… You can't imagine the feeling of seeing your friends torn apart before your eyes and being powerless!"
Younes: "Sorry… I know I got a little emotional, but can you tell me what happened in your previous test and how you survived it?"
Nawa: "It was like a mass slaughter…"
He told me a ten-minute story I could barely believe or disprove. The image of my kind friend, who wouldn't harm a single animal, was destroyed in this test, so I could trust no one anymore. Yet, his story was perfect enough to convince me it was fabricated. Until I had evidence, I would remain silent.
We heard the hounds approaching, so I rushed to close the door and barricade it with furniture. As soon as I closed it, I saw blood spilling across the floor. I spat blood from my mouth as I realized a dagger had pierced me from behind. I turned to see Nawa's eyes shining for the first time. I couldn't speak, so I simply said, "Why?"
Nawa: "Don't take it personally, but I know you doubt me, and I can't let you leave. As for your previous question, I'll answer honestly this time: 'Yes… I killed them all myself.' Imagine seeing them beg me to spare their lives. Even Safaa, who represented strength over you and caused these wounds, had her last moments crying and screaming for her life. I mean, a person's true nature shows in their final moments, and they all proved to me they were just cowards, haha… And of course, the demons that I bound helped me. Those were secondary reasons for killing them. But frankly, with a high-ranking demon in the mansion, I couldn't guarantee we'd survive after the test, so I decided to kill it! To do this, I must free my counterpart, On, which requires ten prepared sacrifices before dawn. Yes, I am the envoy of death. So, Younes, whom I considered my friend, will you allow your final sacrifice to save me?"