The Gnawa Master: The 64-Day Mystical Isolation (Part 2)

When I finally arrived at my spiritual master's place in Senegal, I was accepted before he even tested me. The reason was the Jinn soldier who had accompanied me throughout my entire journey across the Sahara. This was a clear sign that I had a profound connection with the unseen entities. They had accepted my presence among them. However, for anyone entering this mystical world, severe trials are mandatory, and the ultimate decision always rests with the Kings of the Jinn.

I moved immediately to the second trial. My master asked me to choose the duration of my "Khalwa" (The Mystical Isolation/Dark Retreat). I had to choose between 27, 42, or 64 days. Before I could answer, he warned me: "Keep in mind, this isolation is not easy. If you choose a duration, you must complete it. If you break the retreat and leave early, I cannot guarantee what will happen to you." He added, "Whatever you see or experience inside, do not show fear. Learn how to deal with it."

I remained silent for a moment. I don't know why, but I confidently chose 64 days. He looked at me and asked, "Do you even know the rules?" When I said no, he laid them out:
First, you will eat exactly two dates a day. No more. You will take 128 dates with you for the entire 64 days.
Second, you will take exactly 16 liters of water—just enough for one small cup a day.
Third, you will enter the isolation completely naked, exactly as your mother gave birth to you. During this entire period, you are forbidden to wash or clean yourself.
And finally, whatever the entities ask of you, you must do it without thinking.

I just nodded, accepting the terms. Keep in mind, I was still a young boy, yet I was undertaking a ritual that grown, hardened men could not endure. But as my master used to say, I wasn't like the others; I was uniquely tied to the unseen, dealing with entities that go far beyond typical folktale horror.

I entered my isolation in a bizarre, ancient cave located at the very peak of a treacherous mountain. If I told you that no human could reach it on foot, you wouldn't believe me, but the terrain was impossible. You might wonder, "How did you get there then?" I will tell you this: I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I was inside the cave. I know this sounds surreal, but I am not here to make you believe me. I am just telling my truth as one of the deepest true jinn horror stories you will ever hear.

The First Days

The first few days passed in absolute darkness. I did nothing but eat my two dates, drink my small cup of water, sleep, and wake up. The cave had a tiny candle that barely illuminated my feet. I couldn't tell day from night. Just silence and void.

Day Seven: The Red Shadow

By the seventh day, the candle suddenly began to burn brighter, illuminating a large area of the cave. I was wide awake, anticipating something. The flame turned deep, bloody red. Out of the shadows, a massive, faint silhouette walked toward me and just stood there. I felt absolutely no fear. In fact, I was waiting for it to speak, but it said nothing. The towering shadow just stood near me. Then, the candle went out completely. I waited in the pitch black, but nothing else happened. Eventually, I fell asleep.

The Old Man and the Fire

When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in the cave anymore. I found myself inside an old, decaying wooden and mud hut. I walked outside to see where I was and found a very old man sitting by a fire with his dog. He was leaning heavily on a wooden staff, staring into the flames. I said, "Peace be upon you," but he didn't answer. I walked closer. His face was hidden behind a massive beard; only a glimpse of his eyes was visible.

He suddenly spoke: "Why did you choose 64 days?"
I stayed silent for a second, then replied, "Because I can handle it."
He asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"
I replied, "No, why would I be afraid of you?" Then I asked him, "And you, aren't you afraid of me?"

He slowly lifted his head, turned to me, and whispered, "I am only afraid of one thing."
"What is it?" I asked.
"You know what it is," he said. "We all fear it."
"No," I replied firmly. "I fear nothing."
He chuckled darkly. "We shall see."

Then he asked, "Why are you here?"
I answered, "You are the ones who summoned me."
"Who is 'we'?" he challenged.
"The ones who want me here," I replied.

I could feel him getting angry. He felt I was playing mind games with him. He asked one last question: "If two people came to you, and you were the judge, and each gave you a different version of their story, who would you believe?"

I paused, looked right at him, and said, "I am not a judge to rule between people."
He growled, "Who do you think you are?"

I stepped closer, looked directly into his terrified eyes, and said with absolute authority: "I am your Master. When you speak to me, never speak to me with that tone again."

I saw pure terror wash over his face. He stood up slowly, bowed his head, and said, "I hear and obey, my Master."

I went back inside the wooden hut and went to sleep. When I woke up, I was back in the mountain cave. The little candle was back to its dim, weak light. This is part 2 of my journey into the depths of spiritual horror.