The Secret Ritual
The throne room was heavy with tension. A royal physician stood before the king — trembling.
“You promised me answers,” the king growled. “And yet my daughter still sleeps like the dead.”
The doctor fell to his knees. “Your Majesty… we’ve tried everything. Herbs, potions, chants—”
“Lies!” the king shouted. “You’re useless!”
With a swift command, the guards stepped forward. And with one clean strike, the physician fell — his blood staining the marble floor.
The king stood over the body, voice low. “Someone cursed my daughter. And I will find them.”
Far away, hidden by fog and shadows, the secret council of cursed jokers had gathered.
Each wore a mask. Each carried an aura of madness and magic.
One of them spoke first.
“The king still seeks a cure.”
Another joker laughed coldly.
“Let him seek. I created a spell so strong, she will never wake.”
A third joker chuckled. “And its weakness?”
“Simple,” the joker grinned. “Say the name 'Jaber' three times into her ear.”
They laughed again — until another joker stood, proud and wicked.
“That’s nothing. I’ve trapped Joker Ahmed himself.”
“I bound him with a charm of weakness. And guess what? Same solution — say ‘Jaber’ three times.”
The group roared with twisted delight.
From the shadows… someone watched.
The spy. The prisoner. The one who had nothing left to lose.
He held his breath, memorizing every word. Every laugh. Every weakness.
Back in the palace, the king sat in silence beside his sleeping daughter.
The doors burst open. A guard shouted, “Your Majesty! A man claims he can wake her!”
“Bring him,” the king ordered.
When the stranger stepped in, the king narrowed his eyes.
“You are the hundredth man to claim this. You seek to marry my daughter, no doubt.”
“No,” he replied. “I don’t want the crown. I want justice.”
“Very well. But fail… and you die.”
He approached the princess… leaned in… and whispered:
“Jaber. Jaber. Jaber.”
Nothing.
The king stood, furious.
“You mock me with fairy tales? GUARDS—”
But suddenly… she gasped.
The princess opened her eyes.
The entire court gasped with her.
The king froze.
“It… worked.”
Then his eyes narrowed.
“You knew the curse. That means you were close to the ones who cast it.”
“No! I only heard—”
“LIES!” the king bellowed.
“Guards! Take him outside! Let the people watch him die!”
The man stood still. Calm. Eyes steady as the world turned against him… again.