x
You see, Liang and Aisha had planned to leave the oasis at night, when everyone was asleep. They packed their travel bags with some clothes, food, and water, and also took a few items of magic artifacts that Aisha had secretly collected from the palace.
They hoped that these would help them in their journey, and also serve as souvenirs of their love.
Meeting at the gate of the palace, and embracing and kissing each other passionately. They were ready to start their brand new life together, away from the oasis and its troubles. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O8iy4zoE1
"But!"
They did not notice that someone was watching them from the dark shadows, someone who had been spying, overhearing their private conversation and had followed them.
"It was Zhang!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yGuVZIQUv
Zhang felt a surge of anger and betrayal, as he saw Liang and Aisha embrace. He had trusted Liang, and treated him like a son. Teaching him everything he knew, and shared his secrets with him. He had also planned to use him for his mission, to infiltrate the oasis and steal its magic for Hassan.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPSb2ZMh7p
He had been working for Hassan for years, ever since Hassan had saved his life from a nasty bandit attack. Because ot that, he sworn loyalty to Hassan, and followed his orders without question. Over time he had also grown to admire Hassan, and his vision of uniting the lands under one holy ruler.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU1I6ltPCB
Zhang had pretended to be a merchant, and traveled the Silk Road many times, gathering information and contacts for Hassan. And also befriended Omar, and gained his trust and respect. He had waited for the right moment to strike, to reveal his true identity and allegiance, and to take over the oasis.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYs15KhHPL
But now, he saw that his plan was in jeopardy, because of Liang and Aisha. They were going to escape, and alert Omar and the others. They were going to ruin him. Everything. He could not let that happen. He had to stop them, and he had to do it now.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTccSSoHeOi
So, he drew his dagger, and crept up behind them. He aimed for Liang's back, and stabbed him with all his force. Liang gasped and moaned as he fell to the ground. Aisha cried, screaming as she turned to face him. There was shock and horror in her eyes, as she recognized who he was.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rzqe0dCsM
He smiled, and said, "Hello, my dear. I'm sorry to interrupt your sweet romantic getaway, but I have some urgent business to attend to. You see, I'm not really a merchant, but a spy. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EAhjjHnoc
And I'm here to take your father's magic, and give it to my master, Hassan. For only he is the true ruler of this land, and will soon be here to claim his prize. And you, my dear, you will be his bride. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGL5ysKa3K
"Isn't that wonderful?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTqdpg9RNc
He then grabbed Aisha by the hair, and rode off with her towards the palace. Her cries and pleas for help fell on deaf ears. And her attempts to free herself proved futile. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD9ts6kbAI
Upon reaching the palace, he kicked the door open. And shouted, "Omar! Omar! Come out and face me! I have a nice surprise for you!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvUnYmPayE
He heard some footsteps, and saw Omar appear at the top of the stairs wearing a robe of purple silk, and a crown of gold. He looked quite calm and dignified, but also very curious and concerned. He said,184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJlSZCM2AD
"Zhang? What is the meaning of this? 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GU9ginCtu
What are you doing with my daughter? And what is that noise outside?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbnOm7QkIF
Zhang looked outside, and saw a cloud of dust on the horizon. He knew that it was Hassan and his army, coming to attack the oasis. "Ha!" That, my friend, is the sweet sound of your doom.
That is Hassan, the conqueror of the world. He is here to take your oasis, and all your precious magic. And he has sent me to deliver this vital message. You have two choices.
"Surrender, or die!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcPxrbdWZ2
He threw Aisha at Omar's feet, and said, "And this, this is your daughter. She was going to run away with that traitor, Liang. You remember him, don't you? The boy you welcomed into your home, and treated like a son. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCE10FEz2r
The boy who stabbed you in the back, and betrayed you. The boy who is now dead, by my hand. How do you feel about that, Omar? How do you feel about your daughter, and your son?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19dagwwLsA
He laughed, and said, "You see, Omar, you have been fooled. You have been deceived. You have been played. How does it feel to have been a complete fool, Omar. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF3K5MvyZ8
A fool and a idiot!184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQEB5AkYgm
He raised his dagger, and said, "And now, you will be a corpse."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBapb951Bs
He lunged at Omar, and tried to kill him. But Omar was not a fool, nor a corpse. He was a sorcerer, and a warrior. He had sensed Zhang's treachery, and prepared for his attack.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa4oABsdJO
He dodged Zhang's dagger, and countered with a blast of magic. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscUQBm1qMT
The force hit Zhang violently in the chest. Sending him flying across the room. A gash in his stomach opened up, and he began bleeding quite profusely from the wound.
Omar said, 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCwJWvZ2mJ
"You are the fool, Zhang."
A fool to betray me, and a fool to have underestimate my powers." You failed, Zhang. Failed your master, and yourself. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtUfVROxLZ
"What do you have to say Zhang?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTr75Co4xv
He walked towards the wounded Zhang, who was now lying on the stained floor, desperately gasping and groaning. He yelled,
"You will pay, Zhang. You will pay with your scandalous life."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAHOOKw6Tt
He raised his hand, and prepared to finish him off. But before he could do so, he heard a sweet voice behind him. "Father, stop. Please, stop."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfjZelk6Mg
He turned around, and saw Aisha. She was standing up, and holding Liang in her arms. Liang was alive, but barely. He had somehow manage to climb on his camel, though severely wounded. His clothing was blood stained and torn. And he looked pale and weak, but also happy and relieved. He said,
"Aisha, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I love you, Aisha. I love you."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgaoUSYXaL
Aisha said, "I love you too, Liang. I'm sorry for hurting you, and for hurting my father. I should have obey you, and not lied. I love you, father." I love you.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK52DE4NwJZ
She looked at Omar, and said, "Father, please. Please don't kill Zhang, spare his life. Forgive him, and forgive me. Please, father. Please."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5yNCL8Map
Omar looked at Aisha, and felt a wave of emotions. Anger, pain, sadness, and love arose inside his heart. He soon felt conflicted, and confused, also torn. Not knowing what to do, or what to say.
"How should he react or feel?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UoP0ISvek
He looked at Liang, and saw his daughter's happiness, and his own mistake. Perhaps he had misjudged Liang, and treated him harshly. Maybe he had not seen his true character, and his true feelings. Had not given him a chance, or a choice. And been wrong, unfair, and cruel.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUH5tEyh5C
He looked at his choices, and saw their dire consequences, and their implications. There was a decision to be made between vengeance, and forgiveness. A choice to find balance between pure tradition, and innovation. He had to be pragmatic, and idealistic, but also realistic.
He looked into his heart, and search his feelings, and thoughts. To trust his love, and wisdom. That he was after all a human. Despite being a sorcerer.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTorq99JEF
He gazed at his precious daughter, and saw his past, present and future. Regrets and fears he would have to embrace. memories, dreams, hopes, to accept. Now there was only the role of a father, and a friend.
He looked at his only daughter, and smiled. 184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpGsXUk52L
He said, "Aisha, my dear. You don't have to be sorry or apologize." You don't have to beg or even cry. I forgive you, I only desire your love and happiness.
"Come, let us take care of your love, Liang..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf4rsqcQsU
