Chapter 16: The Poisonous Water Falls on Junaid
In the previous chapter, you read that Ali and Junaid crossed the cave and reached the poisonous river.
Seeing the terrifying sight of the river, they were a bit scared, but Ali kept his courage.
They met a stranger and were heading toward his house when suddenly there was a disturbance in the river...
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The Terrifying Crocodile of the Poisonous River
Suddenly, there was an odd movement in the river.
At first, it seemed like the waves were rising due to the wind, but then... the waves became stronger, as if something was moving underwater. And then... a huge shadow came closer to the surface.
Ali and Junaid's hair stood on end. This was no ordinary creature—this was something else entirely!
It was a crocodile, but not just any crocodile.
Its body was seven times larger than an ordinary crocodile!
Its red, fiery eyes were burning with anger.
Its black, thick skin was so tough that if someone sat on it, it would feel like sitting on a rock.
Its teeth were so large and sharp that anyone would run away in fear.
"Ali looked into the crocodile's eyes. There was a different kind of fire in them. 'This is no ordinary creature...
this is the Sultan of this poisonous river!' Ali said softly, his voice slightly trembling."
The Stranger (in fear):
"Look! This is the most dangerous creature of this poisonous river! I bet you've never seen a crocodile this big before!"
Junaid (astonished and scared):
"Seen it? We haven't even heard of such a huge crocodile!"
The crocodile was not alone. Behind it were many other dangerous, poisonous creatures, looking as if they were its soldiers.
A gigantic poisonous snake, its eyes glowing.
A terrifying large fish, its teeth as dangerous as the crocodile's.
A massive poisonous scorpion, standing with its tail raised.
And several smaller but equally dangerous creatures, turning this river into a death trap.
Seeing this, Ali's heart began to race.
Ali (with doubt):
"I think this crocodile is the Sultan of this poisonous river!"
Suddenly, the crocodile whipped its long, thick tail out.
Seeing this, Ali, Junaid, and the stranger were shocked. The crocodile's tail was so long and heavy that it could strike from where it was!
Then, with a swift motion, it slammed its tail hard into the river.
As soon as the tail hit the poisonous water—
The poisonous water splashed into the air and started moving rapidly toward Ali and Junaid!
The Stranger (shouting):
"Run! The crocodile is attacking! Quickly, move back!"
Ali immediately retreated, but Junaid had no time!
The Poisonous Water Falls on Junaid
As soon as the poisonous water hit Junaid, he screamed!
Wherever the water touched his skin, it began to turn blue, as if a poisonous snake had bitten him!
The poisonous water fell on his hands, feet, and face!
Junaid (panicking, shouting):
"Ali! The poisonous water has fallen on me! It's burning... so much burning! Help me!"
---
The Effect of the Poison and Ali's Anxiety
Junaid's body began to turn blue before Ali's eyes.
Ali (panicking):
"Junaid! You'll be fine! I will help you!"
Ali immediately turned to the stranger.
Ali (angrily and anxiously):
"Do something! The poisonous water has fallen on Junaid, his body is turning blue!"
The Stranger (seriously):
"The poison of this river is very dangerous...
I don't have any cure for it! But quickly, let's go to my house. We might be able to do something there!"
Ali (to Junaid):
"Junaid! Can you stand up?"
The Stranger (shaking his head):
"No! The poison is so deadly that Junaid's body is paralyzed! You will have to carry him!"
Junaid couldn't speak anymore. His eyes were closing, and he was slowly losing consciousness.
Ali (shouting):
"Junaid! Open your eyes! Don't leave me!"
But Junaid had already passed out...
Without wasting any time, Ali picked up Junaid in his arms.
But Junaid's body had become completely numb. With every step, his heartbeat was getting faster.
"Just a little further... Junaid, you'll make it!" he murmured to himself as he ran with all his strength toward the stranger's house.
---
Trying to Save Junaid's Life
The stranger's house was a small, old hut, not far from the river. There were three large trees around it, with some birds sitting on them.
But inside the hut, the atmosphere was tense.
Junaid's body had turned completely blue!
Ali quickly laid him on a mat and, panicked, said to the stranger:
Ali (in a hopeful voice):
"Now treat my friend! His body is completely blue!"
The Stranger (in despair):
"There's no cure for this poison... at least I don't know of one!"
Hearing this, Ali's heart sank.
Ali (shouting in anger):
"No! I will not leave my friend like this!"
And then...
Ali remembered—
The bottle of herbs that Sheikh Hamza had given him!
Ali (shouting in excitement):
"I found the cure! I found the cure!"
The Stranger (in surprise):
"How? I've heard there's no cure for this poison!"
Ali (smiling):
"I have the bottle of herbs that Sheikh Hamza gave me! This is the antidote to this poison!"
With trembling hands, Ali took out the bottle.
"Sheikh Hamza, your herbs must work!"
He started applying the herbs to the burned parts of Junaid's body.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
Then... slowly, the blue body began to return to normal.
The herbs started to restore Junaid's skin. His fingers, which had been numb before, slowly started to move. His breathing gradually returned to normal.
But his eyes were still closed... would he wake up?
Ali (happily):
"See! These herbs are truly amazing!"
The Stranger (seriously):
"But... when will Junaid regain consciousness?"
Ali was about to say something when...
👀 Junaid's eyes opened!
Junaid (weakly):
"Where am I? What is this place?"
Ali (smiling):
"You're fine now, Junaid! We're at this stranger's house. The poisonous water from the river fell on you, and after that, I carried you here, and your body turned blue."
Junaid (with a worried tone):
"It turned blue? Then how did I get better?"
After this, Ali says:
"Sheikh Hamza had given us a bottle of herbs.
It was that herb that I applied to you, and after a while, you regained consciousness."
Junaid (expressing gratitude):
"Thank goodness for Sheikh Hamza! It was his herbs that helped me get better!"
Ali (interrupting):
"Thank goodness for this stranger too, who doesn't even know us but still brought us to his house!"
Junaid then thanks the stranger as well.
The stranger (laughing):
"No problem! I'm always ready to help others!"
Immediately after, the stranger (with a slight smile on his face):
"But I'm not a stranger to you. I know you both—Ali, the last heir of the Azamgarh Sultanate, and his younger brother Junaid!"
Upon hearing this, both Ali and Junaid are shocked.
Ali (in disbelief):
"What did you say? How do you know this?"
The stranger (with a smile):
The stranger gave a slight smile. There was something in his eyes that Ali found familiar.
"You know me too, Ali!"
Ali's heartbeat quickened. This voice... he had heard it before.
"I know you, but how?"
He asked slowly, as if a hidden truth was about to reveal itself right in front of his eyes.
Then, Ali is even more surprised and says:
"I know you, but how?"
The stranger took a deep breath and slowly removed his mask. As soon as his face appeared, Ali and Junaid's eyes widened.
There was a shadow of disbelief on their faces.
Ali (in shock):
"N-No... how is this possible? You... you're Sheikh Hamza?"
The stranger smiled slightly and replied:
"Yes, Ali, it's me. Your journey isn't over yet.
In fact, the real test is about to begin!"
"But how is Sheikh Hamza here?
Was it just a coincidence, or is there a bigger conspiracy going on?
And the biggest question—will Ali and Junaid be able to cross this poisonous river?
The answer will come in the next chapter... where they will face another terrifying truth!"
To find out, read the next chapter...
Chapter 16...
To be continued...