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Asad's Duel
Asad fixed his gaze upon the enemy standing before him; he was absolutely certain that he would be unable to extend a helping hand to his comrades unless he first eliminated this foe.
In an instant, it seemed as though he dissolved into the air… then a resounding clash of steel echoed powerfully, filling every corner. It was the collision of his sword with that of the dueling monkey. The monkey grinned wickedly. They withdrew, then engaged once more, again and again, as if rings of red and purple light expanded and clashed, producing sparks from the friction of metal in every strike.
It was evident that the combat was perilously balanced.
For a moment, both Asad and the monkey halted to catch their breath. Asad's scarlet-crimson aura gradually intensified, while the monkey's face grew even more grotesque, and a foul, black-purple aura thickened around him—portending doom and provoking nausea.
Asad raised his sword overhead.
Whoooosh…
The blade descended vertically in a slow, ponderous arc… unleashing a razor-sharp "air blade." The monkey parried it with an arc of his purple aura. The impact of the two strikes erupted into a blindingly dense light that dazzled the eyes.
When the light dissipated…
Hssss… shhhh…
A clean thrust pierced the monkey's shoulder. Asad had burst forth from behind the wall of light and taken him by surprise with a direct stab.
The monkey recoiled in pain, shock etched across his features…
BOOOOM!
Abruptly, his purple aura detonated outward, and he spewed a viscous, corrupted liquid onto the side of Asad's face.
Asad flashed back with lightning speed, clutching his face fiercely as he retreated.
"Arrrggghhh…"
Asad's body trembled violently; he collapsed to his knees… whispering desperate supplications to his Creator.
A demonic plague spread like black fissures across half his face, and his afflicted eye turned stark white. He felt the black mist seeping through his veins like venom. He released his spiritual aura to protect himself from this satanic sorcery, only to realize the greater disaster: the soldiers surrounding them were succumbing to the spreading plague, falling unconscious one after another.
He understood that time was pressing desperately, that the battle must be resolved in the moments ahead—or all would perish. Summoning every ounce of resolve, he rose and advanced, trading equal blows with the monkey as the curse continued to spread and devour his body… He forced himself onward, biding his time for the perfect instant to bring it to an end—even if it proved to be his final act.
Hilal's Last Stand
Hilal struggled to his feet after the violent collision. His right arm was utterly shattered—he could not move it—and blood streamed profusely from his head. Before him loomed the colossal chimpanzee, barring his path like an immovable mountain. He knew he was no match in sheer physical power, yet he refused to yield.
A translucent silver aura emanated from him, and he rose into the air by manipulating air pressure. Against such a giant, the optimal strategy was to become the aggravating "fly."
The behemoth charged after him, swinging wild punches through empty space while Hilal evaded them with masterful agility. The assaults accelerated, yet the pattern remained unchanged. Suddenly, Hilal heard the sickening sound of flesh being torn apart…
The giant was heedlessly trampling his own mutant soldiers underfoot.
A broad smile spread across Hilal's face; this was a "blessing in disguise." He began luring the monster toward the supply stores and clusters of mutants, attempting to rescue the human soldiers from the monsters' siege by turning the giant against his own kind.
The attacks intensified and came in relentless succession until Hilal was forced to use air pressure to divert the giant's fists by mere centimeters—surviving each time by the narrowest miracle.
"Arrrggghhh…"
Asad's tormented cry reached Hilal's ears. His mind wavered for a split second—and that was sufficient. The giant's fist descended upon him. Hilal cushioned the blow with compressed air, hurtling backward through the sky before regaining his balance and refocusing on the battle…
But a black-purple mist had already begun to pervade the battlefield.
The giant's eyes darkened to pitch black, glowing purple lines etched across his body—and the same transformation afflicted all the mutants… The tide had turned completely. Soldiers were collapsing in droves, the mutants grew far stronger and more savage, and reinforcements had ceased to arrive.
The giant's movements had become several times swifter; resistance was now utterly impossible for Hilal.
He was trapped like a mouse in a snare.
The giant struck him from the right, then instantly pivoted left to deliver another blow, smashed him skyward, then hammered him downward with devastating force—and before he could hit the ground, struck him yet again… With each impact, more bones shattered. He became a ragged doll in the monster's grasp.
Finally, with one ultimate overhead smash, the giant drove him deep into the earth.
Hilal exhaled his final breath in this worldly life. Though his mangled facial muscles could no longer form a smile, he smiled inwardly.
He had fulfilled his duty, slain on the battlefield while defending the truth against the enemies of God. His longing for his Creator's boundless mercy was immense, for the divine promises granted to those who strive in the arenas of righteousness are magnificent.
He was certain he would reunite with his beloved wife "Rose" in the life that precedes eternal existence. He yearned for God to open, while he awaited in the barzakh, a portal overlooking his assigned place in Paradise… so that he might later enter it in the everlasting life and abide with her eternally, forever and ever.
In the air, Commander "Salam" flew with his body toward the Boar, surrounded by his dark yellow aura burning like a cyclone. With all his remaining strength, he brought his sword down...
The Boar raised its massive forearm and received the bare blade with its skin. Its feet sank into the ground from the sheer pressure.
BWOSH!
A deep wound opened in the mutant's forearm, and strange, viscous, disgusting blood splattered, but it was not enough to stop it.
WHOOSH...
With lightning speed, the Boar's other palm clamped onto Salam's head. The Commander was exhausted, his body covered in bruises and his clothes torn. The monster did not grant him a moment to respond.
THWACK!
The Boar slammed Salam's head against the hard ground. Once... then again... then a third time. Salam's consciousness began to fade, and darkness crept over his eyes...
Suddenly, a green light flashed, accompanied by fine sandy threads.
SHLAAACK!
The Boar's forearm holding Salam was severed, and the giant hand fell, along with Salam's battered body. "Shams" caught him quickly before he hit the ground, and began pouring concentrated healing potions into his mouth, pumping her energy to repair what could be repaired.
Beside her, "Firas" covered their retreat with his sand. He signaled to her and the soldiers toward the inside; his sharp intelligence realized the open arena was exposed and that a deadly ambush was surely being prepared inside.
Now, the Boar stood with one severed arm and the other bleeding, but the pain only increased its madness. It forgot its wounds and lunged out of pure vengeance at "Aws," who appeared before it as the final barrier.
The monster fought with its body, feet, and head. It inflicted several external injuries on Aws, and its claws tore the hero's skin in several places, but they were not fatal. Aws danced with death, imprinting one wound after another on the exhausted monster's body.
The Boar's strength began to fade, and its movements slowed. Aws approached it slowly, his eyes shining with a cold golden hue. The fight was over; only the final decapitating strike remained.
Clop... Clop...
The sound of galloping horse hooves pierced the silence of the end. Aws turned for a moment and found "Zahra" on her horse, storming the arena with courage. Her intuition told her the battle here was decided, so she headed directly toward the base to help Hilal and the others.
Aws moved to turn his gaze back to the Boar to finish it... but...
BOOM!
He received a treacherous, brutal punch to his stomach.
Aws's body flew and rolled several times on the hard ground until he propped himself up on his knee, vomiting blood. With a pale face full of exhaustion, he looked up to see the nightmare renewing itself.
The Boar's skin turned black as burnt charcoal. Its eyes turned completely black, centered by a crimson red pupil radiating pure evil. With a terrifying sound, tissues tore and rebuilt themselves; the severed arms regenerated in seconds!
The mutant gestured with its hand in the air...
WHOOSH... WHOOSH...
A massive sword spun through the air, returning from over the wall like a magnet until it settled in the mutant's hand. The sword seemed perfectly suited to its magnitude.
Above the wall stood a relatively small creature, watching the scene with a malicious smile and absolute confidence...
Yes, it was the traitor "Zilal".
Aws took out a small bottle, downed its contents in one gulp. Healing energy flowed through his veins, and his exhaustion eased slightly. He stood tall and gripped "Al-Battar".
The Black Boar moved with insane speed; nothing could be seen of it in this darkness except the trails of its red eyes like two lines of blood in the air. With its giant sword, it began striking Aws, trapping him in a ring of relentless, destructive attacks.
Above the wall, Zilal was assured of victory. His smile widened as he saw Aws retreating. Zilal leaped lightly and descended into the arena, approaching to feast his eyes on Aws's final moments and to confirm his death personally.
When the Boar thought Aws was finished, it struck him with the hilt of the sword, knocking him to the ground.
Zilal approached and stood next to the giant Boar, like a master and his minion. The Boar raised its massive sword high to bring it down and end the hero's story...
At that moment...
Aws disappeared.
He didn't move... he vanished in a flash of pure light.
He appeared behind the Boar and Zilal, holding his sword in a finishing stance, while his strength completely failed him and he fell to his knees, his back to the enemy.
A second of silence passed.
Then, the upper half of the Boar slid slowly.
The cut was diagonal, precise, and passed directly through the heart. The massive upper half holding the giant sword tilted... and fell toward Zilal.
Zilal's vision was just recovering from the effect of the bright flash. He raised his head to find a mountain of black flesh and the steel sword falling upon him.
His eyes widened in horror, and he tried to flee...
SSSSS... CRASH!
Fate showed him no mercy. The giant sword fell with the Boar's body upon him, bisecting and crushing him simultaneously. The expression on his face was one of shock, and his eyes froze on the scene of his ironic end.
His crimson blood mixed with the Boar's putrid blood, forming a single pool of disgrace.
Dawn had broken, and the first threads of the sun began to shine on the battlefield, announcing the end of the nightmare...
Suddenly, dense darkness gathered in the sky, and dark clouds obscured the newborn sun, as if the war refused to end...
"Asad" gathered every ounce of remaining strength in his exhausted body and unleashed his final strike. It was a desperate blow, everything he had left, and deep in his heart, he screamed silently, praying to his Creator to guide his aim and grant him victory in this last breath.
The Dueling Ape smiled maliciously and raised its sword skillfully to block the blow and end Asad... but suddenly...
CRUNCH...
The Ape lost its balance. Its body tilted strangely and suddenly, as if the ground had been pulled from under it.
Asad seized the opening.
SHLAAACK!
Asad's sword bypassed the collapsing opponent's defenses, and the thrust penetrated its heart directly. The Ape's smile froze, and its sword fell from its limp hand to hit the ground with a metallic clatter, followed by its body, lifeless and still.
Asad panted heavily, his consciousness and hearing gradually returning to perceive his surroundings. He looked behind him and found "Firas" standing there, his hand extended and his fingers moving with focus. Asad looked beneath the dead Ape's foot and found that the sand had turned into a shifting trap that swallowed the Ape's ankle and bound it unawares, allowing the thrust to strike the heart.
He nodded to his companion with gratitude, then suddenly remembered... "Hilal"!
He turned eagerly to see the situation. He found "Shams" moving with lightning speed across the field, throwing purification vials and healing potions onto the injured soldiers, then...
Shams launched like a green lightning bolt toward the Titan Chimpanzee that was slaughtering everyone. She leaped with amazing agility and plunged her shining daggers directly into its eyes.
GRAAAAAH!
The Titan roared in pain and blindness, staggering randomly.
At that moment, Firas seized the opportunity. He moved his hands violently, and the sand rose beneath the Titan's feet like a wave, pushing it to fall backward with force.
The fall was not random; Firas had directed it toward a sharp stone spike protruding from one of the shattered buildings.
Shams leaped into the air and kicked the falling Titan's body with her feet to increase the speed of impact.
SQUELCH!
The spike pierced the Titan's neck and exited the other side. The monster gurgled and its limbs thrashed for moments, then its movement ceased, and it died.
Amidst this chaos, Asad glimpsed a horsewoman storming the field. It was "Zahra".
Zahra spotted Hilal's motionless body on the ground, leaped from her horse before it stopped, and rushed running toward him. She knelt beside him, placed her hands glowing with warm green light on his chest and head, and began pumping her healing energy with all her might, her tears mixing with the light of healing.
The foggy darkness began to clear from Hilal's vision. He opened his eyes slowly...
"What?... Am I not dead?!"
He whispered in a weak voice, seeing Zahra's anxious face above him. He realized the truth; no, he had not died. The time of his death had not yet come, and the door to meet "Rose" had not been opened for him.
He sighed, mixed with a strange feeling of relief and spiritual disappointment, but he praised God nonetheless.
Shams and Firas began moving quickly between the ranks, providing aid to the wounded and trying to organize what remained of the army.
On the horizon, golden threads of the sun began to rise over the battlefield, announcing the start of a new day, as if nature were celebrating their hard-won victory.
The soldiers breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the nightmare was over.
But suddenly...
The air stopped moving.
A heavy, suspicious silence prevailed, heavier than the silence of graves. Instead of the morning light shining, a dense black shadow began to creep across the sky, swallowing the disk of the newborn sun. Dark clouds gathered with unnatural speed, turning their day into a pitch-black night.
A great omen of doom settled in the atmosphere...
Suddenly, and without warning, "Aws" felt an immense mental pressure, as if the mountains of the earth were clamping down on his skull to grind it a million times over. It was not physical pain, but pure terror that transcended the senses.
From the heart of the pitch-black darkness that covered the sky, a misty black entity emerged. It had a humanoid form, but was distorted by smoke, and its crimson eyes glowed like two embers in Hell.
The Demon did not speak. It raised its hand coldly, forming a ring with its ethereal thumb and index finger. Dark, compressed energy gathered above its finger...
BANG!
With a mere flick of a finger, the energy launched like a black bullet breaking the sound barrier.
In a desperate attempt, despite the pressure paralyzing his limbs, Aws raised his sword, "Al-Battar."
CLAAANG!
The blade took the hit, but the kinetic force was greater than human capacity. Aws's body flew backward like a broken doll, smashing through the rocky wall, and rolled violently until he settled amidst his exhausted comrades in the arena.
"Asad," "Firas," and "Shams" were horrified and tried to move to help him, but...
HEAVY...
The "Pressure" descended upon them all. Their feet were nailed to the ground, and they felt as if the air had turned into suffocating glue. None of them could move a single muscle.
The Demon appeared again, floating above them. It raised its hand once more, forming another bullet of darkness, larger and more concentrated, aimed directly at the heart of Aws lying on the ground.
At that moment, "Shams" resisted the pressure with force. She screamed a silent scream and pushed her body to stand in front of her husband as a final shield.
The Demon exhaled a cold breath, then fired.
THWACK...
There was no time for goodbyes.
The bullet penetrated directly through the center of Shams' forehead.
The beauty fell dead instantly. Demonic energy surged through her veins, turning her pure skin black, and the green light in her eyes corroded, replaced by a desolate void.
Time froze.
The Demon slowly turned its eyes toward Aws and raised its hands to finish the mission.
Panic settled upon everyone, and the atmosphere was weighed down by the silence of death.
Tears poured profusely down Aws's face, hot as lava. His heart burned with conflicting emotions: loss, helplessness, oppression, and despair. Those emotions condensed and condensed until his chest could no longer contain them.
He opened his mouth and let out everything in his soul in a single scream for help that shook the pillars of his spirit:
"MY GOOOOD!"
BOOOOM!
It was not an explosion of fire, but an explosion of Light.
A pillar of pure white light descended from the sky, piercing the demonic darkness and dispelling it as if it had never existed. The Demon's raised hand fell, and its misty entity trembled.
Everyone focused their terrified gazes toward the source of the light.
It was a luminous being, lacking defined features due to its sheer brightness. It had sixteen extended wings covering the horizon. It descended in an ethereal form the size of a human, holding the Demon's head with its luminous hand as one holds a wretched fly.
A voice echoed through the surroundings—not a voice heard by the ear, but by the soul—a voice filling the universe with tranquility and majesty, reciting Verses from the Book of God:
"Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."
With every word, the Demon's body melted and disintegrated into the air. The darkness dissipated, the corpses of the mutants vanished, the blood disappeared, and the world returned pure under the dominion of the Light.
This scene made the Commanders rethink everything they believed. They thought Aws approached perfection in power... but they now realized the truth. He was just a human. Before the true soldiers of God, before the Angels... human power is merely a joke.
With a signal from the Angel's hand, a majestic spatial gate formed, its frame golden and its core swirling like stars.
With another signal, Aws's body was lifted from the ground and gently thrown inside the gate. Then the Angel pointed to the corpse of "Shams." Her physical body crumbled and turned into particles of warm light, which floated in the air and followed Aws into the spatial gate.
The gate closed slowly.
The Angel beat his sixteen wings and ascended into the sky, leaving behind the stillness of dawn.
Outside the base's walls, after everything had calmed, Commander "Salam" was inspecting the losses.
He found something crawling on the ground. It was what remained of "Zilal."
His body was half-crushed, crawling weakly with his arms. Zilal raised his face toward Salam. His eyes were full of tears of genuine regret, and his mouth moved silently asking for forgiveness, asking for another chance to repent.
Salam looked at him for a long time. There was no anger in his gaze, nor gloating, but deep pity... pity for a soul that chose darkness of its own free will when the light was available.
Salam stood tall, turned his face away from him, and then set off toward the inside of the base to check on his soldiers.
Zilal's head fell onto the dirt in absolute despair. He realized that the door of mercy had closed when it was too late. The sparkle of life vanished from his eyes, and he died alone, forgotten, and very small.