Chapter 15: The Mystery of the Figures and the Fear of the Poisonous River
In the previous chapter,
you read about how Ali and Junaid encountered old enemies in the cave and fought them.
Thanks to Ali's wisdom, they won the battle and managed to pass through the cave. However, as soon as they stepped outside, they were stunned to see some mysterious figures carved on the walls, which left them in shock.
Now, let's continue...
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The Mysterious Figures of the Cave
The sunlight was beginning to fade as the sunset approached.
A cold breeze blew outside the cave, creating an eerie rustling sound.
The ground was covered with small dry trees and shrubs, but they seemed ready to be blown away by the wind at any moment.
Some distance away, twisted and bent dry trees appeared as if they had been burned!
As Ali and Junaid stepped out of the cave, their eyes fell on the figures carved on the outer walls of the cave.
They froze in place. Their eyes widened in astonishment.
Junaid (confused): "Ali, this figure... I don't understand. Is it telling a story or is it just a warning?"
Ali (looking at the figures in awe): "I don't understand much either. We need to observe them carefully."
Both of them began to examine the figures closely.
"In one large figure carved on the cave wall, a king stands with his sword raised high.
Behind him, his army is organized, while in front, another king with his army is in an attacking stance. Between them, a mysterious river flows, with strange symbols carved in the waves—could this be a clue?"
Ali looked closely, and then something seemed to click in his mind.
Ali (thinking deeply): "Junaid! I think the king in this figure is holding the same special sword—Al-Amaanah!"
Upon hearing this, Junaid remembered something.
Junaid (excitedly): "Ali! Do you remember when we were inside the cave?
We found a picture there, and it had this same king holding this same sword!"
Ali (surprised): "You're right, Junaid! The same king was in the picture inside the cave, and now he is carved on the outer wall of the cave!"
Junaid (uncertain): "But Ali, in this figure, there is another king in front, and his army too! What could that mean?"
Ali (seriously): "I think this king held the special sword Al-Amaanah.
But the other king wanted to obtain this sword. Maybe that's why a war broke out between them."
Junaid's gaze shifted to the river between the figures.
Junaid (startled): "Ali! But why is there this river between the two kings? It seems strange to me!"
Ali thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice—
Ali (in a grave tone): "Could this be the same poisonous river?"
Junaid (surprised): "I think you're right! It could be the same poisonous river you were talking about!"
Ali (pondering): "Sheikh Hamza told us that if we walk straight after leaving the cave, we would encounter the poisonous river after a short distance.
If the river shown in this figure is the same poisonous river, it means we will definitely face it on our way!"
Junaid (concerned): "Then we will have to cross it... but how will we do that?"
Ali (seriously): "We should leave that for now and move forward. After all, it's getting late."
Both of them began walking forward from the cave.
The Strange Path and Ali-Junaid's Conversation
As Sheikh Hamza had mentioned, the path was indeed straight.
But it felt very strange—
At some places, there were lush green trees, at others, only dry trees stood, and in some areas, there was absolutely nothing, as if they had entered a desert.
Ali (looking at the path): "Junaid! Look at this strange path."
Junaid (looking around in surprise): "You're right, Ali! This path is really strange."
After a while, Junaid spoke—
Junaid (smiling): "Ali! Can I say something?"
Ali: "Go ahead."
Junaid (laughing): "Ever since the journey started, only strange things have been happening!"
Ali (laughing): "You're absolutely right! Ever since this journey began, everything has been so strange!"
Then Ali said seriously—
Ali (with enthusiasm): "But Junaid! We must not fear this dangerous journey.
We have to face it with courage and make sure we reach Ameer Tahir's hideout to get the map!"
Junaid (feeling inspired): "Ali! Your words always fill me with new courage and determination!"
Ali (smiling): "What kind of courage and determination?"
Junaid (enthusiastically): "The courage and determination to fight through every challenge!"
Ali (happily): "I expected nothing less from my best friend! And believe me, we will definitely succeed in this journey!"
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The Terrifying Sight of the Poisonous River
As Ali and Junaid continued walking, the poisonous river grew closer. After walking for a while, they finally spotted a river in the distance.
Junaid (startled): "Ali! Look, a river! Could this be the poisonous river Sheikh Hamza warned us about?"
Ali (looking closely): "Yes, Junaid, this is the poisonous river!"
Junaid (surprised): "But from a distance, it looks just like any other river. The water looks blue!"
Ali (in a serious tone): "That's the most dangerous thing about it. Sheikh Hamza told us that this river would look like an ordinary river from a distance, but in reality, it's extremely poisonous!"
Junaid (fearfully): "Let's go closer and see!"
Both of them reached the riverbank, and what they saw stunned them—
The river was indeed poisonous. It was so deep that the water appeared dark blue.
Black smoke was rising from the river, and a strange odor emanated from it, which seemed highly poisonous.
If anyone drank from it, they would instantly faint and turn blue.
There was strange movement in the river.
Sometimes a dark shape would appear, and sometimes glowing white eyes would peek out from beneath the water.
A giant snake with red-yellow eyes was lurking in the water, as if waiting for its prey.
A large venomous scorpion was slithering toward the shore, its tail raised high, and many small but dangerous creatures were making strange movements beneath the water's surface.
Junaid (in fear): "Ali! This river is really poisonous, and from a distance, it looks just like any other river!"
After hearing Junaid, Ali says:
"Junaid! Often, things from afar deceive us; from a distance, something may appear one way, but as we get closer, it turns out to be completely different."
Junaid (in fear):
"Ali! Don't solve riddles now! I'm scared just looking at this river.
My condition is getting worse by just seeing it, and we have to cross it—how will we do that?"
Ali (slightly scared):
"I'm a bit scared too! But Junaid, stay strong, we will surely find a way to cross it."
Junaid (again in fear):
"How will we cross it? If we even touch the water, we will end up in the same situation,
and don't you see the dangerous poisonous creatures in the river?"
Ali says:
"You're right, Junaid! If we get trapped by those creatures, we are finished, but we must find a way to cross this river."
Junaid:
"What hope do we have of crossing it? I don't think we'll be able to cross it."
Ali (angrily, scolding):
"Junaid! Stop saying foolish things, be quiet, and let me think! You think too and come up with something!"
Now, both Ali and Junaid were thinking when suddenly a shadow moved along the riverbank.
Someone was standing there—a thin man, whose eyes were filled with strange fear.
He slowly walked toward them and whispered:
"Wh-What are you two doing here? No one even comes close to this river!"
Ali says:
"My name is Ali, and this is my friend Junaid. We need to cross this river for an important task."
The stranger (anxiously):
"What did you say? You want to cross it? No one even dares to look at it, and you two want to cross it?"
Ali (calmly):
"Look, it is very important for us to cross this river!"
After this, the man says:
"Whatever the task, no one will want to cross this river!"
Ali says:
"Look, there must be some way to cross it! It's very important for us."
The man says:
"It's already evening. Do you want to cross it right now?"
Ali says:
"No! We want to cross it tomorrow morning!"
The man:
"Do one thing. I have a small house nearby where I live alone.
You two come with me, and we'll think about crossing the river there."
After this, Ali silently gestures to Junaid to ask if they should go with the man.
Seeing Ali's gestures, Junaid says:
"We should go with him. It's already evening, and we don't have a place to stay.
Plus, we have to cross the river, and maybe there will be a solution."
Ali then says to the man:
"Okay, we will come with you, and remember, we must think about crossing the river tonight."
Ali and Junaid then start walking with the man towards his house, but as soon as they begin walking, strange movements occur in the poisonous river.
Suddenly, the river water began to stir... first with gentle ripples, then a sudden boil. Ali and Junaid froze in place.
Something heavy was rising from the depths of the water. Then... suddenly, a massive shadow emerged.
Two glowing eyes... and a growling sound—it was no ordinary creature.
Ali and Junaid's hairs stood on end. This was no ordinary creature—this was something far worse!"
So, who was the giant creature that scared Ali and the others?
Will Ali and Junaid find a way to cross the poisonous river during the night?
To find out, read the next chapter
Chapter 16...
To be Continued...