Years later, in the early morning.
In a small room inside Ahmad's villa.
Adult Taz stood by a water barrel. She leaned down, washed her face and arms, then went to the tall mirror next to the barrel and gazed at her reflection.
She cut her long silky brown hair short and styled it boyishly. She had olive-green eyes and round eyebrows. She had a feminine, sharp jawline and dry light-pink lips.
Her body changed dramatically in those years spent in training.
She became reasonably tall. Her muscles grew big and more defined. She had a horizontal claw scar on her abdomen and minor cuts all over her arms.
Taz touched her abdominal scar gently and sighed. Then she heard someone knocking on her room's door and spoke.
"My lady, everyone is waiting for you at the gate."
"I will come down shortly. Give me time to get dressed," Taz replied calmly.
Taz went to the drawer beside her bed and wore black wool garments and a leather waistband. She wrapped a black wool cloak around her shoulders and exited her room.
At the villa's gate stood Hajras next to his mother, Ra'ina, and five meters behind them stood A'saal and Nasya.
Ra'ina was a pale, slim, ill-looking woman in her late forties. She wore a white cotton dress and a head veil.
Ra'ina steadied herself on her thick wooden cane with her right hand and called out to Taz in a weak voice.
Taz went to her, and she kissed the back of her left hand and the top of her head.
Ra'ina looked at Taz with weary eyes and said, "It saddens me to see you leaving, Tanaz."
Taz stood straight, looked at Ra'ina, and said, "We all knew this day was coming, Aunt Ra'ina. I must pay for my crime."
"If you ever come back to Babilim in the future, my door is always open for you, Tanaz," Ra'ina said.
"Thank you, Aunt Ra'ina. I will never forget your kindness and generosity," Taz replied.
Taz then approached Hajras.
Hajras grew into a capable man.
He was tall and broad, and his skin tone was beige. He wore a thick brown coat and a brown turban.
Hajras looked at Taz with a broad smile and said, "There's my favorite cousin!"
Taz chuckled and replied, "Not only your favorite cousin but also your only cousin."
Hajras laughed, hugged Taz, then whispered, "I hope you get torn to shreds by the wolves."
"I hope your favorite prostitute kills you in your sleep," Taz whispered.
Hajras chuckled, stepped back, and said, "Stay safe, cousin. You will be missed."
Taz smiled and replied, "You too, cousin. farewell."
Taz then went to A'saal and Nasya.
She approached them and said, "It's rare to see you two standing together."
Nasya smiled and said, "Because we have a farewell gift for you."
"Which I paid for fully," A'saal said.
Nasya looked at A'saal in displeasure and said, "Don't ruin the moment, you bitter coffin-dodger."
A'saal smiled, looked at Taz and said, "The girl has the right to know who cares about her the most."
Nasya gasped, looked at A'saal in disbelief and said, "You old bitch! I poured my heart and soul into making her a warrior."
Taz chuckled and said, "If I didn't know better, you two act like siblings every time you are together."
"I would rather slit my throat," A'saal replied in disgust.
"Whenever you decide to do that, I will gladly offer my spear's blade," Nasya replied contemptibly.
A'saal rubbed her forehead, sighed, and said, "Just give her the damn blade."
Nasya pulled a dagger from her waistband and handed it over to Taz.
Taz took the blade and looked at it.
The blade's quiver was black leather, and the gray handle had two distinct symbols on both sides. The first symbol was the head of a lioness facing the tip, and the second symbol was the head of a cheetah facing the hilt.
Taz pulled off the quiver and inspected the blade. She placed it closer to her nose and sniffed it.
She looked at them and asked, "Is this a silver dagger?"
Nasya raised her eyebrow and replied, "Yes, how did you know?"
A'saal smirked and said, "It's a little trick I taught her."
Taz sheathed the dagger and strapped it to her waistband.
"Thank you, both of you. This blade will be of great use to me," Taz said.
"You're welcome, Tanaz," A'saal replied.
"Stay safe out there. The battlefields are harsh and brutal," Nasya said.
Taz hugged them both and said, "I'll miss you two."
Taz kept hugging them for a moment while the felines glared at each in contempt, and after exchanging farewells, she left.
A prisoner's carriage was parked on the sandy road outside the villa's gate.
Standing beside it was Nawar, wearing the same guard uniform as always.
She approached him, and they greeted each other.
"Time flies, Tanaz. how are you?" Nawar said.
"I'm doing well, Nawar. I heard you are getting married at the new year's celebration," Taz replied.
Nawar chuckled and said, "You heard about that, huh? Yes, I'm getting married."
Taz looked away, sighed, and said, "Shame I can't attend your wedding, but I wish you and your wife well."
Nawar grabbed Taz's shoulder and said, "Don't talk to me like it's the last we meet, Tanaz."
Taz looked at Nawar and said, "It might be. I don't know if I am going to come back here."
"A warrior's life is cruel and difficult, but you focus on survival no matter the cost. That's how old soldiers lived to tell the tale," Nawar replied.
A white man with short hair and a rugged beard stepped out of the carriage's box. He was wearing the same guard uniform as Nawar.
He looked at Nawar and said, "Are you done talking to this mad dog? We have a task to do."
Nawar looked at him and said, "Apologies, Major." He looked at Taz and said, "Sorry, kid, I have to cuff your hands."
Taz extended her hands and said, "It's fine, Nawar."
Nawar cuffed Taz's hands.
"Nawar, catch!" the Major said.
He threw a steel muzzle, and Nawar caught it.
Nawar looked at the muzzle, looked back at the Major, and said, "A muzzle? The generals haven't ordered us to use it on her."
"Correct, because this is an order from your Major. Now be a good soldier and muzzle that mad dog," The Major replied.
Nawar went behind Taz and strapped the steel muzzle on her head.
He grabbed her left arm and whispered, "Sorry, kid."
They walked to the prisoner's carriage and climbed inside, and the carriage took off.
Inside the carriage's wooden box.
Nawar sat next to the Major, and Taz sat before them.
The Major glared at Taz and never took his eyes off her. Yet Taz was unwavering and glared back at the Major.
"Is something wrong, Major?" Taz asked calmly.
"Not something, but everything," The Major replied.
Taz kept glaring in silence.
The Major leaned forward and said, "Your existence, family, and your damn Uncle." "The day after you killed two of my men, the royal guard stormed into my office and forced us to keep our mouths shut about that night. I wonder what was the reason that made them protect a criminal like you?"
"Only one man died. The other lived," Taz replied.
"Was that one of your Uncle's lies? The second man died, and the worst part about it? His elderly mother couldn't recognize her son's face," The major said.
Taz kept silent.
"That old woman kept screaming, 'No, this corpse can't be my son. I will not accept it,' as we were forced to lie to her face by saying her son got killed by a group of revolutionaries." "But the reality was her son got killed by the same people we fought a long time ago, and now we are protecting their remnants by the terms of an amnesty made by our king and your fucking uncle."
"Are you expecting me to start caring? Or cry over your sob story?" Taz replied.
The Major shoved Taz's head against the box's wall and pressed his dagger's blade onto her throat, then yelled at her, "What you should care about is to know whom you are talking to, you little bitch!"
Nawar yelled at the Major and said, "Mahdi, Stop!"
Mahdi glared at Taz and said, "Keep yourself seated, sergeant; that's an order."
Taz locked her eyes with Mahdi's and calmly said, "Calm down, Mahdi. Before you get hurt."
Mahdi was almost about to shove his blade deeper into Taz's throat, but he heard a loud snapping sound from below. He saw Taz's hands coated in lightning sparks and her hardened, dry, and torn palms aimed at his testicles.
"I wonder what's faster, Mahdi. Your blade or lightning?" Taz threatened calmly.
The carriage stopped.
Mahdi sheathed his dagger and sat down. He looked at Taz and said, "Justice will be served sooner or later. Now get the fuck out of my carriage and never step into my city again."
Nawar stood up and opened the door. He stepped outside of it and waited.
Taz stood up and said, "It was nice meeting you, Major."
She stepped outside and stood in front of Nawar. He unlocked her cuffs and muzzle.
"Stay safe out there, Tanaz," Nawar said.
"Farewell, Nawar," Taz replied.
Nawar stepped in the carriage, and it took off inside the city walls. Taz looked around and recognized her location. It was the northern city wall.
"That cunt dropped me in the wrong place," she muttered.
She started walking hastily towards the north. Crossing the bridge above the river and kept going on the cobbled road with palm trees on both sides.
Taz later arrived at the location.
It was a small clay building with a dome surrounded by royal guards and soldiers.
A woman rushed towards her, clad in white armor, with two short swords strapped to her hips.
"You're late! And where's your escort?!" She shouted.
"Oh, shut the fuck up, Noor. Next time how about you send a proper escort to the villa," Taz replied.
They both went inside the clay building hastily. Noor opened the door, and Taz went inside.
The room had small windows carved in the walls, barred with thick wood. In the middle of the room was a long table placed horizontally where all the people of interest sat.
Ahmad sat on the head of the table to the right, and behind him were Siraj and Afra, wearing armor like Noor's.
In the middle were the four generals of the Mesopotamian military. Rugged old men. They wore turbans and colorful uniforms.
To the left head of the table was a man wearing steel armor.
He had a short thick beard and medium-length, straight black hair combed back. He was well-built and looked well in his prime.
Behind him stood two men with dark skin tones.
The man on the far side was bald and had a goatee. He was prominent in size and height.
The man to the close side was shorter and smaller. He had a short afro and a short thick beard.
Taz stepped closer to the long table and stood straight as Noor went to stand alongside her siblings.
From Ahmad's side.
The third man leaned forward and said, "You're late."
"The guards' Major dropped me at the northern gate and left," Taz replied.
"I warned you about it, generals. The military should've handled the escort," Ahmad said.
"The guards' general wouldn't allow it, Advisor," the first general replied.
The man on the left head of the table leaned back, crossed his arms and said, "Who is the boy?"
"It's a girl," the bald man replied.
"Whatever it prefers to call itself, why is it here?" He asked.
"That's the new member you requested, Talal," Ahmad replied.
"Is this some rich joke I'm too poor to understand?" Talal mocked.
"You asked for a fighter who can use magic, and you got one," the fourth general replied.
Talal stood up, approached Taz slowly and looked at her.
He looked back at the generals, stepped closer to them and said, "So you hand me a magic user unconditionally? What's its deal?"
He walked to Taz, looked at her and said, "It's hard to believe our dear generals grew a heart and decided to share magic users around the military instead of hoarding them in the royal guard or those pricks you call the royal army."
"Her deal is between minding your own fucking business and following your orders, Talal," Ahmad replied.
"Orders? By what authority, Advisor?" Talal replied.
"By the authority of the military generals. Tanaz is a member of Al-Mutahirun, starting today," the second general said.
Talal looked at the generals in frustration and sighed.
"You're dismissed, Talal. The girl will follow you shortly," the second general said.
Talal walked out of the room, followed by his men; as they passed by Taz, they glanced at her briefly and left.
"Well, generals, that concludes our old deal," Ahmad said.
"We get to claim a magic user in our ranks, and you get to ensure your niece doesn't get executed," The third general replied.
Ahmad stood up and said, "Also, the minor details, generals."
"Don't worry about that, Advisor. We'll keep our word," the fourth general replied.
"If you will excuse me, generals. I need to have a word with my niece," Ahmad said.
He walked to Taz, grabbed her shoulder and whispered, "Come with me."
They both walked out of the room, followed by the siblings.
Ahmad and Taz stood on the road as the siblings watched over them from the pathway of the building.
"Are you ready, Tanaz?" Ahmad asked.
"I don't have a choice, Uncle," Taz replied sadly.
Ahmad held Taz's face gently, looked into her eyes and said, "Tanaz, the battlefields aren't forgiving for those who hesitate."
Taz looked at her uncle and said, "I know, uncle. I only wish for a forgiving future."
"I wished for the same thing once when I was about your age. In return, my little brother died, my wife is cursed, and now I must watch my dear niece fight against her will," Ahmad said.
Taz looked at Ahmad sadly, pouted and said, "Uncle…."
Ahmad looked into Taz's eyes and said, "I may have never told you or Hajras, but living in this world is a constant battle. In your lifetime, you will suffer, lose loved ones, and your mind and body will shatter, but does that mean you should give up and submit? No, to subdue the world, a person must be strong, cunning, and most importantly, you must have the willpower to survive in desperation."
"Even at the price of innocent lives?" Taz asked.
Ahmad pointed at Taz and spoke angrily, "Even at the price of your own family's lives, if it comes down to it."
Taz stayed silent.
Ahmad leaned closer and whispered, "Survive! no matter the cost." then walked away.
Taz watched Ahmad as he walked away, followed by the siblings.
As Siraj passed Taz, he said, "Good luck, my lady."
"Farewell, Siraj," Taz replied.
As Afra passed Taz, she said, "I wish you well, my lady."
"Farewell, Afra," Taz replied.
As Noor passed Taz, she said, "Farewell, my lady."
"Fuck you. You pale whore," Taz replied.
Noor shook her head and sighed as she walked away.
Taz heard heavy footsteps from behind. She turned around quickly and pulled out her dagger.
The bald man stopped quickly, pulled his hands up, smiled and said, "Whoa there, I'm not going to harm you."
Taz sheathed her dagger, sighed and said, "Apologies, It's a force of habit."
The bald man relaxed his arms and said, "My name is Hilal. I am one of the team's officers. Major Talal ordered me to fetch you once you're done."
"Talal? That prick is our leader?" Taz asked.
Hilal laughed, then said, "Yes, Talal might be unfriendly, but he's a good man."
"Can't be helped," Taz replied calmly.
"Come, Tanaz. You should meet the rest of the team," Hilal said.
Hilal and Taz left together until they reached a naval military outpost next to the river.
It had a large portside with two wooden warships docked.
The fortress had high stone walls, a tall tower and a relatively large building with a sizeable courtyard.
They reached the large wooden gate and stood before it.
A watchman shouted, "Identify yourselves!"
Hilal shouted back, "You know who I am!"
"I don't know any talking baboons!" The watchman replied.
"Don't make me climb up there and beat you," Hilal said.
"Spoke like a true baboon! Welcome back, sergeant," The watchman replied.
Hilal sighed and murmured, "Cunt."
The wooden gate opened slowly and heavily as the sounds of rusty hinges cracked and squeaked.
Taz and Hilal went into the courtyard. It was lightly crowded, the soldiers inside mainly chatted, and a few were training. Some swung their swords to perfect their form and technique, and some sparred with wooden swords.
Taz looked around the courtyard and said, "This is not how I imagined a military outpost would be."
"The nations are at peace, so the soldiers have nothing better to do," Hilal replied.
"So why did our leader request a magic user since there's peace?" Taz asked.
"Our team's task is to purge anything that disrupts the peace of Mesopotamia," Hilal replied.
"Anything?" Taz asked.
"Anything, starting from beasts down to bandits," Hilal replied.
"How does the team handle those tasks?" Taz asked.
"Depends on the task itself. Handling a beast takes more preparation and the presence of a beast hunter. But if it comes to handling Jinn and bandits, that's a different matter," Hilal replied.
"Did you say Jinn? I thought they were a myth," Taz said.
"They are not, and they exist in greater numbers than humans," Hilal said.
"Then how come we can't see them?" Taz asked.
"Jinns are a secluded species and can't be seen with a human eye, yet if a jinn decided to show itself, it could manifest into a form comprehensible to the human mind," Hilal said.
"Is there a creature that can see them?" Taz asked.
"I have only heard rumors and folktales, but from what I can gather, felines, canines, and owls can see a Jinn's proper form," Hilal said.
"If beast hunters have the eyes of an owl, does that mean they can see Jinn?" Taz asked.
"Maybe, but how did you know what a beast hunter's eyes look like?" Hilal asked.
"I… read about it in a book," Taz replied cautiously.
Hilal looked at Taz in suspicion.
A woman approached them as they stood in the courtyard.
She had a noble air around her, how she walked, smiled, and looked. She was a white woman in her thirties. She had curly black hair that reached her shoulders and wide brown eyes that asserted her feminine charm.
"Chatting with everyone, as usual, Hilal?" The woman said.
Hilal looked at the woman, chuckled and said, "Apologies, vice-leader. I was explaining to our recruit the nature of our tasks."
The vice-leader looked at Taz, smiled, extended her hand and said, "You must be, Tanaz. A pleasure to meet you. I am Roheen."
Taz shook Roheen's hand, smiled and said, "A pleasure Roheen. I have to say you're gorgeous."
Hilal chuckled.
Roheen laughed softly and said, "My, my girl, is that a way to address your vice-leader?"
Taz blushed, chuckled and said, "Apologies."
Roheen smiled and said, "Come, both of you. Talal is waiting for us in the meeting room."
Inside the meeting room.
It was a small square room with a round table in the middle and five chairs placed in a pentagon shape. It was dim as oil lanterns lighted it, and movable wooden boards covered the windows.
Talal sat in the far middle from the door at the round table, and two of his men on the sides.
Numair sat to his left, and Fadi sat to his right.
Numair was the other man who attended the meeting with Talal and Hilal.
Fadi had short black hair and a beige skin tone. He had a defined jawline and a recently shaved beard.
"The meeting with the generals threw us off, leader," Numair said.
"Can't be helped, Numair," Talal replied.
"What is more concerning is the advisor," Numair said.
Talal sighed and said, "He's more dangerous than he looks. Advisors wield the same power and status as nobles, nothing more, nothing less. But he commands with the authority of royals."
Numair leaned forward and said, "He's not a royal family member. How could he do that?!"
"The guards won't speak, even if they wanted to. I asked around with old friends within their ranks, and they said, 'if we told you, we would be charged with treason.' I tried bribing and persuading them, but nothing worked," Talal replied.
"It's not like anyone would know, and they trust you," Fadi said.
"The problem wasn't with trust, Fadi. The real problem was that they acted like someone was watching them," Talal replied.
"What was the advisor's involvement in the meeting?" Fadi asked.
"The advisor provided us with a fighter who can use magic, and the generals were there to oversee the transfer," Numair replied.
"If it was a simple aid, the generals don't have to be involved directly," Fadi said.
"Everything about that damned meeting was suspicious. The generals and the royal guards were present, and inside the capital, there was a stir among the guards," Talal said in frustration.
"All of that commotion because the advisor decided to provide us with a fighter?" Fadi asked.
"We know nothing of that fighter, and we don't even know if it's a boy or a girl," Talal said.
"My brother already told you it's a girl," Numair replied.
"Nonsense, no girl would present herself in such a manner," Talal replied.
The room's door opened.
Roheen came in first. She took a seat and said, "Greetings."
Hilal came second. He took a seat and said, "Leader."
Taz came last. She looked around briefly, stood beside the door, leaned against the wall, and crossed her arms.
Talal looked at Taz seriously and asked, "Are you a girl or a boy?"
The team looked at Taz as some were already smirking and holding their laughter.
"Neither. I am a goat," Taz sarcastically replied, then smirked.
The team chuckled, except for Talal and Fadi.
Talal didn't like Taz's childish response, but Fadi started to remember someone from the past with the same youthful attitude and looked familiar to Taz.
Fadi looked at Taz and said, "Are you Tanaz, daughter of Radhi Al-Dakheel?"
"Indeed, I am," Taz replied.
Fadi stood up, leaned forward, placed his palm on his chest and said, "Don't you remember me? It's me, Fadi. We used to play together in the Temple's playground."
"I remember," Taz replied.
"That's it? That's your answer?" Fadi replied in frustration.
"I came here to do what I am told, not spark old friendships," Taz said.
"We will have this discussion later. For now, let's get this meeting done," Talal said.
Fadi sat down and sighed in displeasure.
Talal looked at Taz and asked, "Did the advisor explain your position in this team?"
Taz stepped forward and said, "I will work with the team as one of the generals' fighters."
"And do you know what that implies?" Talal replied.
"The ethics and rules of the military don't apply to me," Taz said.
"Correct. Since the generals issued the order to make you a team member, you will follow my orders and obey the team's rules. Did I make myself clear?" Talal said.
"Yes," Taz replied.
Talal stood up, placed his hands on the table, leaned forward and said, "The team's rules are simple. Threaten or harm a team member, and you die. Betray the military of Mesopotamia, and you die. Is that understood?"
"Yes," Taz replied.
"For strategic purposes, tell us about your combat skills," Talal said.
"In terms of magic, I use Destruction, reinforcement, and healing magic. In terms of weapons, I use a sword and a dagger," Taz replied.
"What about your combat experience?" Talal asked.
"I have none," Taz lied.
"What about your training?" Talal said in frustration.
"I was trained at home," Taz replied.
"By whom?" Talal asked.
"A combat trainer," Taz replied.
Talal frowned and stared at Roheen.
Roheen pouted and shrugged her shoulders lightly as she couldn't assist.
Talal stood straight and sighed in displeasure. He looked at Hilal and said, "She's under your supervision, Hilal."
"Understood," Hilal replied.
Talal stepped back and said, "As you were, Tanaz."
Taz stepped back and leaned her back against the wall.
"The generals assigned us a new mission in a coastal village near the southern borders. We received reports that there was a Jinn on a rampage, it destroyed properties and harmed humans, and when the locals tried speaking to it, it demanded to talk with the king or his heirs," Talal said.
"That Jinn could've gone to Babilim. Since it didn't, it's confined to that village," Roheen said.
"How does someone confine a Jinn in a place?" Numair asked.
"Not someone, something confined it to that village. It's rare that humans successfully imprison a Jinn. So, the only logical reason is that Jinn was detained by his kind," Roheen replied.
"Why imprison one of their own? Jinn aren't known for their morals," Hilal asked.
"They're not, but they have social bonds, societies and rules. That Jinn must've done something atrocious in their eyes to be detained," Talal replied.
"What is considered atrocious to them, leader?" Fadi asked.
"We don't know, but we know that Jinn threatened to rape every living creature in that village If its demands were not met," Talal replied.
"How is a Jinn capable of raping the living?" Taz asked curiously.
"Do I look like a fucking Jinn sex expert, Tanaz!?" Talal mocked.
"I was just asking," Taz said in displeasure.
"Any further questions about the supernatural, you go to Roheen, not me," Talal said.
Taz nodded.
"When are we going to depart, Talal?" Roheen asked.
"The generals want us to depart after tomorrow," Talal replied. He looked around the table and said, "Any questions?"
"No," they said.
Talal looked at Taz and said, "Tanaz?"
Taz shook her head slowly.
Talal crossed his arms and said, "Hilal, Numair and Fadi, go into Babilim and bring two barrels of holy water."
He looked at Roheen and said, "Roheen, Tanaz, you two will be together until the day of our departure. Remind every soldier who gets ill thoughts about her that she's under the generals' authority,"
"Understood, Talal," Roheen replied.
"This meeting is concluded. Everyone is dismissed," Talal said.
Numair, Hilal and Fadi walked out of the room.
As Numair passed by, he glared at Taz with distrust.
As Hilal passed by, he gently smiled and nodded at her.
As Fadi passed by, he avoided looking at Taz as if she didn't exist.
Roheen stood up, approached Taz and said, "Come, Tanaz."
"I forgot to mention, Roheen. The advisor sent a letter to Tanaz. Make sure she receives it," Talal said.
"Understood, leader," Roheen replied.
Roheen and Taz went out of the room and onto the courtyard. They saw soldiers gathered in a circle as they reached the yard; they shouted and cheered.
Taz turned to Roheen and said, "What's happening?"
"Probably a fight," Roheen replied.
"Can I go see?" Taz enthusiastically asked.
Roheen chuckled and said, "Sure."
Taz ran to the circle and made her way between the crowd until she reached the front row and saw the fighters.
On the left was Hilal.
A soldier about Hilal's size faced him. He had a thick brown beard and short hair.
On the row facing Taz stood Fadi and Numair.
Numair was crossing his arms and observing the fight with care. He wasn't worried about his brother's well-being. He was more concerned about knowing his brother's unarmed fighting skills.
"I told you I was going to beat you," Hilal shouted.
"With what, you baboon? with your weak arms?" The challenger shouted back.
Hilal charged at his challenger as he roared deeply.
The challenger responded with the same.
They collided, resulting in a loud thud. If one wasn't watching their fight and heard the noise, it resembled the sound of two boulders crashing into each other.
The crowd cheered and shouted louder as the fight began because the battle between those two giants was long-awaited.
The fighters grabbed each other by the waist, forcing the other to be lifted off the ground, but such a thing was impossible. Lifting a camel would be easier than raising one of those two.
As the fighters quickly realized that lifting each other was unwise, they shoved each other, distancing themselves.
Hilal panted and stared at the challenger.
"You're heavy," Hilal said.
"Hah! I could say the same to you," the challenger replied.
"Then let our fists decide the victor!" Hilal challenged.
The challenger raised his fists and said, "So be it."
Hilal raised his fists as well and began approaching his challenger.
The soldier rushed and swung a powerful right hook onto Hilal's face. Hilal stepped back after receiving its power.
"Too fast for you?" The challenger mocked.
"I've seen little girls who can hit harder than you," Hilal mocked.
The challenger rushed again and swung another hook, but Hilal countered it with a powerful right uppercut.
The soldier stepped back, gathering his senses after receiving that punch.
"Too fast for you?" Hilal taunted.
The challenger rushed again. They started punching each other with power and fury. Neither wanted to block nor evade, for this was a fight of strength, not skill.
As their punches flew and landed, the sounds of grunts, groans, and roars dominated the place.
Their brawl continued until both men stood away from each other at a distance. They panted, groaned, and glared at each other.
Hilal glared at the challenger, bloodied, bruised, and with a broken nose.
The challenger glared back at Hilal, bloodied and bruised. His right eye was swollen and bright red, and his left ear bled.
They wabbled towards each other. With each step, they moved faster and raised their fists high. Their distance grew closer. They shouted and exerted all the strength they could muster into one last strike.
Hilal swung with his right, and the challenger with his left.
Their strikes landed, and the sound of a mighty thud roamed.
Both collapsed onto the ground next to each other, unconscious. Hilal fell on his face and the soldier on his back.
Silence took over, and the crowd was shocked.
One of the men in the front rows shouted, raising his fists high, and the crowd followed.
They cheered and roared. What unfolded in front of their eyes was inspiring, unique and electrifying!
The soldiers were reminded once again. Of what it means to be a warrior. Of what it means to be a man amongst men.
Taz watched as the crowd's cheers grew wilder. She couldn't help but be excited and enticed by the violent aura emitted from the soldiers, her hands shook, and she gritted her teeth. She smiled and chuckled wickedly.
From that moment, she knew.
A life filled with blood, violence, and brutality was the perfect life for her.
The End