Chapter 27: The Promise, The Secret, and The Journey
In the previous chapter,
you read that the mysterious elder asks Ali to bring him the map of the special sword Al-Amaanah from Ameer Taahir's hideout within three days.
Ali swears on Junayd that he will fulfill this promise at any cost.
After that, Ali asks the mysterious elder what they have to do next…
Now ahead...
The mysterious elder looked deeply into Ali and Junayd's eyes, as if trying to judge the firmness of their intentions.
The lines of experience were clearly visible on his face, and his voice carried the weight of the future…
The mysterious elder looked seriously at Ali and Junayd and said,
"Ali and Junaid! The journey ahead is going to be extremely difficult."
Ali clenched his fist and, with passion in his eyes, said, "No problem, we are ready for it!"
Junayd also said with enthusiasm, "Yes, together we will cross this difficult path!"
The mysterious elder nodded and said, "This is what I expected from you both. I hope you will prove yourselves worthy of this test."
Sheikh Hamza, who had been silently listening all this while, said,
"Ali and Junaid, the journey ahead will surely be very dangerous, but you both are capable of crossing this treacherous path."
Ali asked eagerly, "Elder, please tell us more!"
The mysterious elder said in a serious tone, "Just a little further from here lies a desert."
Junaid raised his eyebrows and said irritably,
"Yes, we've heard of the desert before... Is there anything more specific we should know?"
Ali calmed him and said,
"Junaid! Listen carefully to what the elder has to say, he's about to tell us about the dangers of the desert."
Sheikh Hamza smiled and said, "Ali, you're right. It's good that you're paying close attention to the elder's words."
Ali turned to the elder and asked,
"Elder, please tell us what precautions we should take while crossing the desert, and what difficulties we might face there?"
The mysterious elder took a deep breath and said,
"Do not make the mistake of thinking this is just an ordinary desert. The sun's heat is so intense here that if you hold a few drops of water in your hand, they'll evaporate in seconds.
And as for the nights... the nights are so cold that if you leave a glass of water out, it will freeze by morning!"
Upon hearing this, worry appeared in Ali's eyes, and Junaid bit his lip, trying to keep calm.
Ali said with concern, "Then this is going to be a very dangerous path!"
Sheikh Hamza nodded and said, "Indeed, it is dangerous... you'll have to be very careful."
Junayd suddenly remembered something and quickly asked,
"Sheikh Hamza had also told us about a dangerous man who lives in the desert. Please tell us about him!"
The mysterious elder said in a deep voice,
"That man is extremely dangerous.
He, too, is after the special sword Al-Amaanah, just like Ameer Taahir. But the good thing is, he doesn't know anything about you yet."
Junayd eagerly asked, "But you and Uncle Sheikh Hamza will come with us, right? With you by our side, this journey will be a bit easier."
Sheikh Hamza sighed and said, "Junaid, you are thinking in the wrong direction."
Junayd's eyes widened, as if a sudden hope had shattered. He quickly asked, "What do you mean?"
Sheikh Hamza replied seriously, "I and the elder will not accompany you further on this journey."
Hearing this, both Ali and Junayd were shocked. Ali quickly said, "But why? Are you upset with us?"
Sheikh Hamza, with a faint smile, says,
"No, no! It's nothing like that. We are not upset with you.
Actually, we came here for a special secret mission. Now that it's completed, we will return to Junagarh."
Ali, breathing a sigh of relief, says,
"Oh, I was really scared."
Junaid, curiously, asks,
"But what was that secret mission?"
Sheikh Hamza, laughing lightly, says,
"That we cannot tell you right now. When you return with the map, we will tell you everything."
Junaid nods and says,
"Alright!"
Ali, getting serious, asks,
"Elder, what should we do if we come face-to-face with that dangerous man?"
The mysterious elder, startled, says,
"Face-to-face? Do Dua that you never have to face him. The moment he sees strangers, he turns them into his slaves forever. Escaping his clutches is not easy."
Junayd, terrified, says,
"That means if we do come face-to-face with him, we'll never be able to escape?"
The mysterious elder says,
"No, it's not like that either. Both of you are capable enough to escape him and come out safely."
Sheikh Hamza says with confidence,
"Ali and Junaid! Both of you are very wise and clever, especially you, Ali — you're even more than that. I truly believe that both of you will complete this journey."
The mysterious elder says,
"Now without any delay, you should begin your journey."
Sheikh Hamza nods in agreement and says,
"The elder is absolutely right."
Ali and Junayd bid farewell to the mysterious elder and Sheikh Hamza and start heading toward the desert.
But just then, Sheikh Hamza suddenly stops them and says,
"Ali and Junaid, wait!"
Junayd, startled, asks,
"What happened, Uncle?"
Sheikh Hamza opens his bag and takes out two warm blankets and gives them to Ali, saying,
"Take these, Ali! You might have to spend the night in the desert, and these blankets will help you stay safe from the cold there!"
The mysterious elder says,
"Very good, Sheikh Hamza! You did a great thing. They will definitely need these blankets."
Ali (wholeheartedly):
"Thank you very much! Surely these blankets will be very helpful for us."
Sheikh Hamza (with a slight smile):
"No need to thank me, Ali! Just make sure you return successful in your mission!"
The mysterious elder (in a serious tone):
"Ali! Remember your promise!"
Ali (with determination):
"I remember my promise very well. Junaid and I will surely return successful in our mission."
After this, Ali and Junayd head toward the desert, and Sheikh Hamza and the mysterious elder leave in the opposite direction.
Now Junaid and Ali began to move toward the desert.
As soon as Ali and Junayd moved toward the desert, the scorching sun was burning on their backs like fire.
Sand blew with the wind, and loneliness spread all around!
What dangers are waiting for Ali and Junaid?
Will they be able to cross this blazing desert?
To find out, read
Next Chapter...
Chapter 28...
To be Continued...