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Chapter 21 - Chapter 19. The Castle of Crimson Illusions

The castle in front of them looked like something from a fairytale. Big, shiny windows, tall towers, and clean stones. But deep inside, the students knew—something was very wrong.

Zanib Aman whispered, "This place feels fake… like it's hiding something."

Mehk looked around. "Yeah, too clean. It looks like those scary games my brother plays."

Hamna held her stomach. "Guys, I'm hungry! That chocolate land was fake! I didn't even get to eat properly."

Mehk laughed, "Seriously? We almost died and you're thinking about snacks?"

Hamna gave a dramatic sigh. "If I'm going to die… at least let me eat first."

Noor ul Huda smiled, but then she looked at Minha, who was walking silently behind them.

Minha was wearing her black hoodie. Her steps were calm, but there was something… strange about her.

"You don't eat when your soul is empty,"

Minha suddenly said in a soft voice.

Everyone looked at her in shock.

"What?" Noor ul Huda asked.

Minha smiled sweetly, "Nothing."

They pushed open the heavy castle doors. Inside, there was a huge dark hallway. The walls were cold. Strange whispers echoed from somewhere far.

"Turn back… Go away…"

"Is someone talking?" Mehk whispered.

"No," Minha said quickly. "It's just your fear."

They kept walking until they reached a big room.

It looked like a theatre. Red curtains, golden lights, and a big stage in the front.

"Are we supposed to watch something?" Hamna asked, confused.

Minha stepped forward slowly. "This room is… perfect."

"Wait," Mehk said. "How did you even get here? You weren't with us before."

"I followed you," Minha said with a creepy smile. "You were loud."

Zanib Aman frowned. "You're hiding something…"

Suddenly, the lights went off.

Everyone froze.

Minha walked to the middle of the room.

She started removing her mask.

"No… don't," Noor ul Huda warned.

It was too late.

Minha took off her black mask—

and her face was gone.

No eyes. No nose. No lips.

Just smooth, white skin… like a haunted doll.

Everyone screamed.

Minha's voice changed. Now it sounded like many voices together.

Suddenly—her face changed.

She now looked like one of their classmates.

But which one? No one knew.

Minha attacked.

She moved like lightning—fast, silent, deadly.

Mehk threw fire at her.

Hamna used wind to blow things away.

Zanib made a shield of water.

Noor tried to stop her with future sight.

But Minha laughed. "You think you can fight me?"

Her powers were dark. She disappeared and reappeared. Her smile stayed even when they attacked her.

The students fought with all their strength.

But Minha was too powerful.

One by one, they fell.

Blood hit the red curtains.

Screams filled the air.

And then… silence.

Minha stood alone in the center of the stage.

She picked up her black mask and placed it back on her face.

She whispered in a cold, soft voice:

"The doors have spoken... and they chose pain.

Every smile hides a scream. The sweet land was the trap.

You walked in as students… but you'll leave as secrets.

One by one… your truths will bleed out.

The castle remembers. And it never forgives.

This is not the end… it's just your beginning in the dark.

Masks fall. Shadows rise. Let the truth burn."

She turned and walked away—

leaving behind silence, shadows… and a room full of death!...

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