Chapter 6: The Mysterious Elder's House and Ali's Test
*(In the previous chapter, Ali, Junaid, and the elderly man traveled all night to reach the city of Junagadh. They were about to meet a mysterious elder who might have the answers to Ali's questions.
Meanwhile, Ameer Tahir's spies were also scattered throughout the city, searching for Ali.
Now, the story continues...)*
---
[Morning – Outskirts of Junagadh]
(Ali, Junaid, the elderly man, and his grandson made their way through the narrow streets of Junagadh, finally arriving at the outskirts, where an ancient and mysterious house stood.)
Ali (in astonishment): "This door looks very old! It seems like it hasn't been opened for years!"
Elderly Man (smiling): "You are absolutely right, Ali. This door hasn't been opened for many years, and very few people in Junagadh even know if anyone lives here or not."
Ali (curious): "But if the mysterious elder lives here, then why hasn't the door been opened?"
Elderly Man (in a serious tone): "He did this to protect himself from Ameer Tahir and his men. We won't enter through this door. We must go through the back entrance."
(They all moved towards the back of the house, where another door awaited them.)
Ali (stepping forward to knock on the door):
"I will knock on the door!"
Elderly Man (stopping him):
"Wait, Ali! The door is already open. We should go inside."
(Ali and Junaid exchange glances and then step inside. But what they see inside shocks them!)
---
[Inside the House]
(The walls of the room bore the marks of time—cracks that seemed to whisper ancient secrets.
Torches were mounted on the walls, illuminating the entire chamber.
The air was damp, carrying a strange scent, as if no one had breathed in this space for centuries.)
Ali (in astonishment):
"There's no one here! But you said the elder lives here."
Elderly Man (in a low voice):
"He is here… but beneath this house."
Junaid (shocked):
"Beneath? What do you mean?"
Elderly Man (pointing):
"Come with me, Ali and Junaid."
(They enter an old room where a mat is spread on the floor.)
Junaid (looking around):
"But there's no one here either!"
Elderly Man (smiling):
"Ali, do you have the courage to face the truth? If so, look beneath this mat."
(Ali lifts the mat, and both friends are stunned!
Underneath it, a hidden staircase is revealed!)
Junaid (in amazement):
"A staircase! Does it lead to the elder's home?"
Elderly Man (seriously):
"Yes, this is a secret passage that no one knows about.
You both must keep this secret safe forever."
(They all carefully descend the stairs and place the mat back in its original position.)
---
[Mysterious Underground House]
(As soon as Ali and the others step inside, they are left speechless.
An incredible sight lay before them!)
(A magnificent underground house!
The pathways were clean, torches were burning, and it felt as if they had entered an entirely different world—a world full of secrets!)
Ali (in awe):
"Does the elder really live here? And who stays with him?"
Elderly Man:
"Yes, this is his home.
He lives here with an old servant and a caretaker."
(They all move toward the door of the underground house…)
(Ali knocks on the door. After a few moments, an elderly servant opens it.)
[The Servant's Surprise]
Servant (in surprise):
"Uncle? And who are these people?"
Elderly Man (calmly):
"This is my grandson, and this is Ali—the last heir of the Azamgarh Sultanate and the true owner of the Al-Amaanah sword. And this is his friend, Junaid."
Servant (respectfully):
"Welcome, last heir of the Azamgarh Sultanate and his companion!"
(They all step inside.)
---
Ali (eagerly):
"We need to meet the elder as soon as possible!"
Servant:
"Wait, Ali! I must speak to him first."
(The servant goes inside to inform the mysterious elder.)
---
[The Mysterious Elder's Response]
Mysterious Elder (in a serious tone):
"Ali has arrived? The last heir and the rightful owner of the sword!
But he is showing impatience.
Tell him to be patient. He must first go through many trials."
(The servant returns and conveys the message to Ali.)
Mysterious Elder (calmly):
"Ali, remember, impatience ruins many things.
Be patient. That will be better for you."
(Ali bows his head in acceptance.
His fists clenched. He realized that his impatience was his greatest weakness.
There was regret in his eyes, but at the same time, a newfound determination.
'I will learn… I must learn,' he told himself.)
(Ali and Junaid begin to wait for the elder's arrival.
Meanwhile, Amir Tahir's spies were searching for Ali all over the city.)
---
[Amir Tahir's Camp – Junagarh City]
(Amir Tahir's soldiers stand before him.)
Amir Tahir (angrily):
"Did you find Ali and Junaid?"
Soldier (hesitantly):
"No, Sardar! We searched the entire city, but they were nowhere to be found."
Amir Tahir (furiously):
"You are all useless! I give you wealth, power, everything… and in return, I get nothing but failure!"
"Ali must be found as soon as possible!
If he reaches the sword, my dream will be destroyed!"
(Just then, a spy steps forward and speaks.)
Spy:
"We will not let your dream of ruling the world be ruined, Sardar!
And we already have the map that leads to the sword. Should we begin our journey?"
Amir Tahir (angrily):
"Not yet! If we don't find Ali and his friend Junaid in the next two months,
then we will go in search of the sword ourselves!
But until then, put all your strength into capturing Ali and his companion!"
---
(Just then, another spy comes running.)
Spy (folding hands respectfully):
"Sardar! We have received news that Ali and Junaid have entered Junagarh city with an elder!"
Amir Tahir (with a cunning smile):
"Excellent! We leave for Junagarh immediately!"
(Amir Tahir and his soldiers mount their horses and head towards Junagarh.
There, two soldiers break into an old house.)
---
[The Danger Increases!]
Soldier 1 (noticing footprints near the door):
"Could they be hiding here?"
(They enter the house. As soon as they lift a mat, a staircase leading underground is revealed!)
Soldier 2 (smirking):
"Look at Ali and Junaid's cleverness! Let's go down and find them!"
---
❓ Questions to Ponder:
Ali and Junaid have no idea that Amir Tahir's men are closing in on them. Will they get caught?
What are the trials that the mysterious elder mentioned?
Will Ali get all the answers to his questions?
✨ Find out in the next chapter… Chapter 7!
To be continued…