Another week passed on the banks of the Ubhia River. Zakia had recovered somewhat, but she was still weak.
Her large, frightened eyes still held traces of trauma. Occasionally, she would whisper,
"Ammi… where are you?"
And Musa would remain silent. Words didn't come easily anymore.
One morning, Saeed said,
"Musa, keeping Zakia here isn't ideal. She needs proper medical care. This village can't provide that."
Musa stared out the window. The river was calm, but inside him, a storm raged.
"I know. We'll take her elsewhere. But first… one task remains."
Saeed frowned.
"What task?"
Musa turned to him, his face resolute.
"I need to meet with the people from my organization. They are somewhere in this area. I have to find them."
Saeed hesitated.
"I can help. But be careful. Soldiers are patrolling. Since Crane became president, security has tightened."
Musa smiled—a cold, calm smile.
"Soldiers? I have no fear of them."
That afternoon, Musa prepared to leave, taking Amir with him.
Saeed had advised, "Take Amir. He knows the area. And if he's with you, no one will suspect."
Amir was excited. Only six years old, but brave like his father. Holding Musa's hand, he asked,
"Uncle, are we going to fight bad people?"
Musa smiled.
"Little friend, we're only going to meet some good people."
The market lay at the edge of Ubhia town. Small shops lined the streets, and crowds of people moved about.
Musa's eyes scanned every face, searching for the agents of his organization.
They had a distinctive mark—a black ring on the index finger of the right hand.
Suddenly, Amir shouted,
"Uncle, look over there!"
Musa looked and saw four soldiers approaching. They wore the military uniform of Imolodia. One carried a rifle; the others patrolled the street.
The soldiers stopped near them. One demanded,
"Who are you? You're new in this area."
Musa's voice was calm.
"We're locals. Just walking through the market."
The soldier's gaze narrowed.
"What's your name?"
Musa smiled—a smile with fire hidden behind it.
"My name? I have many names. But for you… I am Musa."
The soldier's eyes widened.
"Musa? The Musa? The one everyone thought dead?"
Before Musa could say more, the soldiers raised their weapons. Amir, frightened, hid behind Musa.
One soldier barked,
"Grab him! President Crane's reward… that's him! He's alive!"
Chaos erupted. The market emptied as people screamed and ran. Shops closed. Dust and scattered items covered the ground.
Musa turned to Amir.
"Close your eyes, little friend. It'll be over very soon."
Amir obeyed.
The first soldier lunged to grab Musa. With a single pull, Musa threw him to the ground and seized the rifle. The second soldier approached from behind. Musa spun and kicked him in the stomach, sending him sprawling.
The third soldier drew a knife. Musa smiled.
"A knife? I would have shown you a sword, if I had one."
As the soldier advanced, Musa grabbed the knife from his hand. He lightly struck the soldier's shoulder, not to kill, only to incapacitate.
The fourth soldier tried to run. Musa caught him, broke his rifle in half with one hand.
It was over. Four soldiers lay on the ground—unconscious or crippled, but none dead. Musa had no desire for blood here.
He called Amir.
"Open your eyes, little friend. It's done."
Amir looked around in awe.
"Uncle… you are so strong!"
Musa ruffled his hair gently.
"Strength is for good. Not for evil. Remember that."
From the crowd, a man stepped forward.
Black ring on his right index finger.
He approached Musa and bowed slightly.
"Commander, we've been waiting for you. We're glad to see you alive. We recognized you instantly from your fighting style."
Musa smiled at him.
"It's been a long time. Come, we need somewhere to talk."
The man nodded.
"We are ready."
Musa held Amir's hand and followed the man. Behind them, the market lay in ruins—four soldiers defeated, and no one could believe a single man had overpowered them all without killing a soul.
Back at Saeed's house, Musa introduced the agents.
There were three of them: Hamza, Yusuf, and Bilal.
The man with the black ring was Hamza.
Hamza spoke first.
"Commander, we have been waiting for your orders. The organization is ready. What is our next step against United Ameron?"
Musa stared out the window at the Ubhia River, still calm. But he knew this peace would not last.
"Wait. Now is not the time. Zakia must fully recover first. Then, we move to the next phase."
Hamza nodded.
"As you command, Commander. We will remain in your shadow."
Musa turned, eyes burning with quiet fire.
"Be careful. Crane now rules Imolodia. He is a puppet of United Ameron. Dealing with him won't be easy."
Hamza replied confidently.
"We know. But with you, we can do anything."
From the adjacent room, Zakia's voice called in her sleep.
"Ammi… Abbu…"
Musa closed his eyes for a moment, then whispered,
"Go. We'll see each other later."
The agents left. Musa went to Zakia's side. The little girl slept, her face still marked with traces of pain.
He whispered softly,
"Zakia, I will help you grow. I will fulfill the dreams of your parents. And those who killed them… justice will find them. I promise."
Outside, the sun set. Its red glow reflected on the Ubhia River, like a promise written in blood.