Chapter 32: The Glimmer of Swords in the Dark
(In the previous chapter, you read that due to the approaching night, Ali and his companions decide to stay near a pond in the desert, and during the same time,
Sultan Salar Shah and his men are searching for them...)
The night in the desert was like a mysterious veil, swallowing everything within it. The cold wind lifted grains of sand, sending a strange shiver through the air.
A silver blanket of moonlight was spread across the vast stretch of sand. Ali, Junaid, and their remaining companion were sleeping buried in the sand behind a small dune.
After a long journey, hunger, and thirst, when they finally found a safe place, exhaustion took over. There was silence all around—only faint camel sounds rustled in the air from afar.
Suddenly, a faint torchlight appeared nearby. It was a caravan—about eight to ten camels, some armed men, quickly moving toward them.
Ali's eyes opened slightly in his sleep. He mumbled to himself —
Ali (lifting his head, startled) — Whose… whose shadows are these?
His eyes fell on the approaching caravan, armed and ready.
Ali (wiping sweat, suddenly sitting up, fear and alertness in his eyes)
— Junaid! Hussain! Wake up… Someone's here! A caravan is approaching us… with weapons!
Junaid and Hussain's eyes shot open in worry.
Junaid (panicking) — Who could they be? Why are they coming toward us at this hour?
Ali (in a sharp tone) — Hussain, do you have any idea who they might be?
Hussain (looking carefully, turning serious) — Wait… let me look closely.
(Hussain squints his eyes sharply, looks toward the caravan, and suddenly his face turns pale)
Hussain (fearfully) —
Ali… Junaid… it looks like everything's coming to an end… we're caught in Salar Shah's trap!
Junaid (shocked) — It's over…? Tell us everything!
Hussain (holding his breath, trembling voice) —
No… these… these are Salar Shah's men. They've finally found us. Looks like they've recognized us. We're in their crosshairs now!
Junaid (softly, with a hint of hope) —
Can… can we still hide, Ali? Maybe they won't see us…
Hussain (shaking his head) —
It's no use. These are Salar Shah's special men. When they move this fast, it's always for a big reason.
Ali (firmly) — If that's the case… then both of you get ready for a fight. We have to face them.
Hussain (in a frightened tone) —
It's very difficult, Ali… defeating Salar Shah's men is impossible.
Junaid (shrugging) — Have they never been defeated?
Hussain (seriously) —
Don't think of them as just men, they're an entire army. Salar Shah has a massive force hidden somewhere in this desert.
Ali (with fire in his eyes) — No matter what happens… we'll fight back. And we'll try our best to win. Be ready!
(Just then, the caravan reaches right next to Ali and his companions)
First Soldier (raising his torch) —
I told you, my spy saw them right here!
Second Soldier (laughing) — Now that the prey has walked into the trap on its own, the hunter won't have to try too hard!
First soldier (pointing towards Hussain) –
And this slave… who ran away from our chief's palace… he's not going to be spared!
Ali (roaring in anger) – Beware! If anyone dares to touch Hussain… then no one will be worse than me!
Second soldier (mockingly) – Look at this boy… threatening us!
First soldier (laughing) – Be thankful our commander isn't here… otherwise you'd have been finished by now.
Junaid (with glaring eyes) – Say as much as you want… scaring us won't work! Your words don't affect us.
First soldier (in a dangerous tone) – Wow! Trying to act like lions? Come on, breaking your claws will be fun!
(He draws his sword.)
First soldier – Now I'll end your arrogance in just a few moments.
Second soldier (with a dangerous laugh) – You dare to glare at us in our territory? Today you'll feel the true heat of the sand!
Ali (shouting) – We're not the ones who get scared! We'll fight as much as we can… and we'll show who truly holds the power!
(The first soldier lunges toward Ali with his sword.)
First soldier – Here! Take my first strike!
(The sword slashes through the air —
Swishhh…
The sword sliced through the air.
Ali, with lightning speed, ducked down to dodge it, and without wasting a moment, twisted the soldier's wrist and landed a punch on his chin with his right fist, sending him crashing onto the sand.)
First soldier (falling back) – Ugh… well done, Ali! You dodged my first strike. But now you won't survive!
(He gets up again and strikes his sword toward Ali's stomach.)
Swishhh…
(Ali swiftly leaps to the right, the sword brushes past his hair…
and in the next moment, his fist charges like lightning toward the soldier's neck.
Then quickly he pulls out a stun pin from his pocket and pierces it into his neck.)
First soldier (holding his head) – Ah…
(He falls unconscious onto the ground.)
Second soldier (shocked, in disbelief) –
Ali… you have the skill to fight. You fought like a true warrior… but you're not strong enough to escape all of us.
Junaid (clenching his teeth) – Ali is not alone! His friends are with him… right, Hussain?
Hussain (tightening his grip) – Yes! I'm with Ali too!
Second soldier (laughing) – It's of no use… we're seven. You're just three… and Ali is already exhausted.
Ali (panting, but with fire in his eyes) – The body is tired… but the spirit is still alive!
Second soldier (laughing) – These are just words… none of you will survive now.
Junaid (eyes sparkling) – That'll be known after the fight.
Second soldier (spinning his sword) – Then get ready… all of you!
(The remaining seven soldiers draw their weapons and surround Ali, Junaid, and Hussain from all sides.)
"And just then… swords sparkled in the dark — as if destiny itself had declared war."
---
"Swords were gleaming all around… and the three friends knew – now it's either victory, or captivity!"
"Will this dark night witness their defeat…
or will it become the beginning of a dawn whose echoes will be heard for centuries to come?"
To know more, read…
Chapter 33 –
To be Continued...