Weeks passed by, and the wedding ceremony neared. During that time, the converging parts of the masterful planning done by Ahmad were set.
Ahmad's plan was simple at face value, yet it was perfect and unstoppable―For a man called the king's snake by most, there was another unspoken title for him, one frowned upon to utter it.
He was known as the subduer.
Ahmad was a feared opponent and a lethal foe because he planned his tactics as if he cherished life and executed them as if he had nothing to lose.
Now, he has a new prey to slay: the royal tyrants.
During the time of preparation for the wedding.
Daghir's house invited their prominent members, who ranged from aristocrats to scientists.
Taz personally wrote an invitation to the high prince of the Aegis tribe, a message that hid a secret calling for aid.
Ahmad used his agents and contacts to spread truthful rumors around the courts of prominence.
The rumor told of a wedding that would occur, one from a fairy tale. It would have fountains of wine, heavenly food served on gold plates and female dancers with beauty never seen before in the land. A wedding only a select few would be able to attend. Even the royals cannot obtain the privilege of being invited.
The Unification of the two houses that held power and wealth was dubbed the ascendance.
In the main camp of the Aegis tribe.
Taz's letter reached the high prince, Na'zaal. The old prince read it silently among his officers.
When they asked what Tanaz wanted from him―the old prince looked at his son, Muhieb and said, "Gather the strong and capable princes of our branches and head to Babilim."
Muhieb stood and said, "How many should I gather?"
Na'zaal rubbed his beard and said, "Twenty men should be enough."
Muhieb departed from his camp that day and hastily rode from one base to another, calling upon their aid.
Prince after prince he brought. When the twenty princes of the tribe finally gathered. Muhieb stood before them and said, "Princes of the respected branches. We have been called upon to deliver aid to one of our own."
Yet the princes were unfazed by the threat they knew they had to face. The only question they asked was, When and Where?
"Babilim, a couple of weeks from now," Muhieb said.
The men rode during the day and rested at night. After a week, they reached their destination. In what appeared to be a military march, they walked into the capital's gate, spearheaded by Muhieb.
They soon reached Ahmad's villa and found none other than the advisor waiting for them outside. Ahmad and Muhieb approached each other confidently and shook hands in a masculine manner.
Muhieb smiled, then said, "Prince Ahmad! Congratulations on your daughter's marriage."
Ahmad smiled, then said, "I'm honored, High prince." He pointed to his house with an open hand and said, "Welcome inside!"
A while later, with Taz and Athir.
They sat alone around a small table in the palace's inner garden. They sipped their drinks while glaring at each other. Taz stared with her notable green eyes with red streaks, and Athir with her brown siren eyes with a yellow shade.
Taz placed down her cup and said calmly, "I usually kill people for staring this long."
Athir placed down her cup and said flatly, "Can you?"
Taz smiled, then said, "I liked your fake personality more. The real you is dull."
"If only we didn't need your uncle's influence, I wouldn't bother indulging your brattish manners," Athir said.
Taz leaned forward, clasped her hands, smirked wickedly and said, "So you can continue your incestuous activities with Nash?"
Athir sipped her drink, stared away and said flatly, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sisters don't kiss their brothers' lips, Athir. That's a privilege for the wife," Taz said.
Athir glared at her and stayed silent, neither affirming nor denying.
Taz leaned back and said, "But don't worry. I'll show my husband how a real woman cares for him."
Slowly, Athir's forehead veins expanded, and she audibly growled. Taz smiled and replied by doing the same while pointing her index finger at her.
Yet, the tension was broken as Daghir whistled loudly, damaging both of their eardrums.
Athir winced, curled and covered her ears.
Taz menacingly and slowly turned her head towards Daghir, who stood to her left in the distance while her ears poured blood, and she glared at him as if she wanted to kill him.
Daghir smiled at her and muttered, "What a feral woman." Unaware of Taz's intentions. He got shot in the leg with lightning.
His leg swung back, and he fell on his back. He gasped and groaned as he panted.
Taz approached him while she healed her ears. She lifted Daghir, took him back to the table and said, "Keep breathing and relax your mind. The numbness should wear off soon."
Daghir groaned in response.
She sat him down in her seat, took a nearby chair, and sat with Daghir and Athir.
After Athir healed her ears, she looked at Daghir and said, "What happened to you!?"
Taz smiled, then said, "He fell. Isn't that right, Daghir?"
Daghir nodded stiffly.
Minutes later, Daghir became responsive and agile.
Athir looked at Daghir and asked, "Are you well?"
"Ye―Yes," Daghir replied.
Taz stared at him and said, "You should try healing yourself. The damage seems stronger than I thought it would be."
Yet Daghir couldn't concentrate on what she said.
Taz sighed, stood, then placed her hand on his nape and healed him. Slowly, his face brightened up, and his concentration was regained.
Taz sat back and crossed her legs.
Daghir looked at her and said, "You almost made me handicapped!"
"Same to you. Consider us even," Taz said.
Daghir rubbed his face, sighed and said, "Forget it." He looked at Taz and said, "I've been told that the princes of Aegis have arrived. They're now at the advisor's home conducting a meeting."
Taz furrowed her eyebrows and said, "They came early. Is Na'zaal with them?"
"No, he sent his son, Muhieb. He's leading the Aegis party," Daghir said.
Taz sipped her drink and said, "What about the Al Namer party? Have they arrived?"
"They'll be here tomorrow," Daghir said.
Taz placed down her cup and said, "Well, that concludes our part of the plan. I'll see you at the wedding." Then she stood up.
Daghir looked at her and said, "Take Nash with you. He should meet the princes."
Athir glared at Daghir and said, "NO!"
Daghir looked at Athir in displeasure and said, "Honestly, Athir, no one gives a fuck about your opinion!"
Athir stood up and growled, "You're crossing the line, Daghir! Did you forget who invented the idea for saving this family?"
Daghir stood and said, "You've done your part." He approached Athir, glared into her eyes and said, "Now, be a good girl and obey what the man says."
Athir gripped Daghir's collar, and when she tried to utter a word. She felt lightheaded and began mumbling.
She let go of Daghir, stepped back as she wobbled, and fell.
Daghir turned to Taz, smirked and said, "Sometimes you need to subdue women to make them obey."
Taz smirked, then said, "Same goes for men."
On the wedding day, in the evening at the palace of Al Namer.
The groom's family has placed security measures.
The guests began arriving one after another.
A sizeable black carpet at the guest's gate accommodated the lines of invited people and armed security to ward off unwanted visitors.
Nearby past the gate was Siraj, who supervised the security. But the pale sisters were in a secluded corner, away from prying eyes.
Afra pinned Noor against the wall and whispered angrily, "Why are you here!? I told you to stay in the villa!"
Noor grabbed Afra's hands and said, "I won't leave you and Siraj in danger!"
Afra leaned closer and said, "We don't need your help! Fuck off and go home!"
"No!" Noor growled.
"Go, or I will tell our master about your pregnancy," Afra threatened.
Noor remained silent.
Afra let her go, pointed to the gate and said authoritatively, "Go home!"
Noor wept, walked away and said, "I wish you were never my sister."
Afra stared at Noor as she left, trying to hide her sad expression.
One hour later, with Talal on the palace grounds.
Talal stood on the balcony, sipped his wine and looked at the courtyard below.
He heard approaching footsteps behind him and looked back. It turned out to be the advisor, Ahmad.
Ahmad approached him while holding a cup of wine and said, "Good evening, High Priest."
Talal looked at the courtyard and said, "Good evening, Advisor."
Ahmad stood beside him, sipped his wine and said, "Enjoying the wedding?"
Talal chuckled, then said, "While it's calm and peaceful, yes."
"The peace won't last for long," Ahmad said.
"Shame, I wanted to experience a nice night with our princes," Talal said.
"I'm not talking about the wedding," Ahmad said.
Talal worriedly stared at Ahmad.
Ahmad smiled at him and said, "You're a man of war. I thought you'd be happy to hear it."
Talal sighed, looked back at the courtyard, and said, "I swear Al Hayja are mentally ill."
Ahmad chuckled, then said, "You're talking as if warfare was exclusively ours."
"You're referring to the tale of our war dance?" Talal said.
"We're doing it tonight. Want to join us, High Priest?" Ahmad said.
Talal looked at Ahmad and asked, "Who will we declare war against?"
Ahmad smiled at the courtyard and said, "The royal tyrants."
Talal sipped his wine and said, "You're on your own. I can't ruin the relationships I've built so far."
Ahmad sipped his wine and said, "You don't need to worry about it. The deaths will increase after this night. There's a chance that your name will be on the assassination list."
"By what authority, Advisor?" Talal asked.
Ahmad turned to Talal and said, "The king."
Talal turned to Ahmad and said, "But why? After all this time―."
Ahmad interrupted by showing Talal his palm, then said, "As I said, there's a chance. A new cleansing within the kingdom will occur; work with me, and you'll live."
Talal placed his cup on the guard rail and asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"I'm offering you a leadership position within a new military force. Will you accept?" Ahmad said.
Talal crossed his arms and asked, "What are the tasks of that force?"
Ahmad crossed his hands behind his back and said, "They'll become parallel to the arrows of Ishtar, with the same amount of authority. An incorruptible force answering only to the king."
Talal rubbed his chin and said, "A parallel―so that force will handle internal matters while the arrows keep their focus on external matters?"
Ahmad nodded and said, "Correct. What do you say, cousin?"
Talal looked at the floor and pondered, then he looked at Ahmad and asked, "Can I keep my position as high priest?"
"If you want to," Ahmad replied casually.
Talal extended his hand and said, "Then I accept your offer, cousin."
Meanwhile, with Caleb, Daghir and Nash.
They stood in a corridor adjusting Nash's clothing.
Daghir wrapped Nash's turban while he knelt and said, "Well, cousin. Are you ready to be officially a married man?"
Nash looked at Daghir and said, "Wasn't I a married man when the contract was signed?"
Daghir tapped Nash's chest and said, "Yes, but traditions demand a formal announcement to become officially married."
Caleb smiled while he leaned against the wall and said, "I'm not sure that's what he meant, Daghir. The little man might've used the opportunity to bed his wife."
Daghir laughed, then looked at Nash and said, "Did you bed your wife, Nash?"
Nash blushed and said timidly, "No."
Daghir pushed him playfully and teased, "You fucking liar!"
Caleb laughed.
Nash chuckled, then said, "I'm telling the truth."
Daghir smiled, pointed at Nash and said, "I can tell you like her. What's stopping you from doing your manly duties?"
Nash looked away and said, "Her eyes are scary."
Daghir smirked at Caleb, then looked at Nash and said, "I'll give a piece of experienced advice, cousin. A man must always fight for what he wants, even his wife's obedience."
Nash looked at Daghir and asked excitedly, "What can I do to make her accept me in bed?"
Caleb covered his mouth as he tried to hold his laughter.
Daghir smiled at him and said, "It's simple. Force your authority on your woman! Whenever you're in the mood for pleasure. Choke your wife and pin her against the wall." He pointed at him and said, "Now, at this point, your woman will defy your authority by fighting back or questioning you. You must slap her harshly and tell her authoritatively that you will plant your seed inside her!"
Nash looked at Daghir in awe and said, "I don't want to harm her."
"Nonsense! Women love to get harmed by their men. If anything, some prefer to get raped in bed. Do you understand, Nash?" Daghir said.
Nash nodded while he blushed. It seemed like the image Daghir planted in his mind made him forget about Taz's profession.
Daghir smiled, then said, "Good man! Now, go meet your guests."
Nash left for the courtyard.
Caleb giggled, then said, "I swear you want the wolf to kill him."
Daghir stood, chuckled, then said, "I'm sure he'll die if he listened to me. I know the wolf better than anyone."
They laughed together while they headed to the courtyard.
One hour later, with Taz and Yara.
Taz stared at her reflection in the tall mirror while Yara stood behind her. She wore a fancy green dress and a light see-through veil.
"You look wonderful!" Yara said with excitement.
Taz smiled, then said, "You did a good job preparing me, Yara."
Yara smiled, then said, "I told you; you can trust me."
Taz turned to her and said, "Well, I'm sure you know why I had doubts."
Yara adjusted Taz's dress and said, "I was the one who prepared the girls when they had important clients."
Taz chuckled, then said, "Let's meet the guests. It would be rude of me not to welcome the princes."
Yara grew worried and asked, "Princes of the royal family?"
"No, princes of my tribe. I belong to the Aegis," Taz replied.
They left the room and headed to the courtyard.
As Taz entered the courtyard, she found a masked guard blocking her way. She glared at him.
The guard looked up and down at her and said, "I can't believe it." He removed his helmet and said, "You're getting married, Taz!"
The guard turned out to be Fadi.
Taz smiled and rushed to hug him.
Fadi hugged her and chirped, "Congratulations, Taz!" Then giggled.
Taz chuckled, then said, "Thank you, Fadi!"
They let go of each other.
Fadi looked at her and asked, "Why didn't you tell me about it!?"
"Because this wedding is―Wait, how did you know about the wedding?" Taz asked.
"Major Nawar sent me here," Fadi replied.
Taz grew worried and said, "Fadi, this wedding is a trap. You should leave before it gets dangerous."
Fadi smiled, then said, "I know, and I still chose to come here."
"Fadi, our enemy is not a joke!" Taz warned.
"I know! But I'm still not leaving!" Fadi replied.
"You could die!" Taz retorted.
Fadi pointed at Taz and said, "You see the enemy as an opposition. I see them as a threat to the people!" He relaxed his hand and said, "I heard about what happened at Al Basra. That's why I want to take them down with you."
"Leave, Fadi! It's too dangerous for you," Taz said.
Fadi wore his helmet and said, "Good thing I'm not obliged to follow your orders. I'll do what the major commanded, then leave on my feet or carried to the grave." Then, he left to continue his patrol.
Taz looked at him and sighed.
Yara approached Taz and said, "Once a man sets his mind to something, he'll not give up on it."
Taz pouted and said, "Let's get this wedding over with."
They headed deep into the courtyard and reached the seating area. It was a lush grassy plaza surrounded by trees.
Muhieb and the other princes turned to her, then clapped and cheered for her.
Muhieb approached and said, "Our cousin looks more beautiful than ever!"
Taz blushed as she never got complimented in public, and being before a crowd of princes made her anxious.
Taz smiled, then said, "Thank you, Prince Muhieb."
Muhieb brought out Nash, held his shoulder and said, "Nash, I expect you to treat my cousin fairly and kindly, or I swear by the moon goddess I'll hunt you down."
Nash laughed, then said, "I won't, Prince Muhieb." He smiled at Taz and said, "I love her." Nash subtly glanced at Daghir.
Daghir gave him a proud double thumbs up while he smiled.
Taz blushed, covered her mouth and laughed joyfully. She approached Nash, kissed his cheek and said, "I love you too, darling."
Daghir looked at Athir beside him and found her displeased with what she had heard.
Daghir nudged her with his elbow and said, "You should be happy for Nash. Why are you frowning?"
Athir glared at Daghir and said, "I heard what you and Caleb told Nash."
Daghir smiled, then asked, "What of it?"
"If something happens to Nash, your heads are going off," Athir threatened.
Daghir leaned closer and said, "I gave you a proper excuse to kill the wolf; this is how you repay me?"
"At the price of my brother's life!" Athir whispered angrily.
"Then, hope Tanaz will turn out to be a submissive wife," Daghir said.
Daghir approached the crowd and asked, "How about I sing a song for the newlywed couple?"
Taz looked at Daghir and asked, "You can sing?"
Daghir chuckled, then said, "You underestimate my vocal capabilities, Tanaz! Me and Caleb are the best singers in the family." He looked at Caleb and said, "Isn't that right, cousin?"
Caleb approached Daghir with a smile and said, "I thought you'd never ask."
Daghir looked at the couple and said, "Will the newlyweds accept our offer?"
Taz and Nash gave their approval.
The crowd took their seats, and the couple sat in the middle.
The servants brought chairs and a couple of instruments for Daghir and Caleb.
The singers sat down, Caleb grabbed a tambourine, and Daghir grabbed the oud. Before they started playing, Caleb looked at Athir and said, "Athir, we can't serenade our guests without you."
The crowd cheered for Athir to participate.
After being called out and noticing how Nash smiled at her, she had no excuse not to step in. Besides, this was an excellent chance to make a proper first impression on the princes of Aegis.
She smiled at Daghir and Caleb and said, "Of course."
She stood behind them, placed her hands on their shoulders and said, "I'm ready."
"I'll lead, and you follow," Caleb said.
Before they started, Athir activated her magic for musical purposes. She used a technique to extend her magic to Daghir and Caleb to amplify their voices and instruments.
Caleb played the tambourine, scaled up to the proper tempo, and set the key. Since they were masters of sound, Daghir and Athir understood which key was played and knew the appropriate rhythm.
Daghir followed by playing the oud and backed up Caleb by playing the key's chords.
Athir backed them by singing vocal notes in a manner proper to her title as the siren.
As the first part of the melody was played.
Athir stopped singing the vocal notes, and Daghir took over by singing the lyrics. He sang about the first stages of love and vividly described the emotions of attraction while Athir acted as the chorus.
After Daghir sang the first part of the lyrics, Caleb took over and amazed the crowd with how his deep voice fitted perfectly within the key. He sang about the second stage of love and vividly described the emotions of serenity and adoration.
After Caleb sang the second part of the lyrics, Athir took over and barged into the melody with harmonic high-note vocals. She sang about the third stage of love, the event of a love-based marriage and vividly described the emotions of joy, then ended the song as she sang about lovers' commitment.
They played the ending melody and finished it with soft-sounding chords.
The crowd cheered, clapped loudly and expressed their gratitude for the song they played.
Nash stood up, rushed to Athir, hugged her and said, "You were amazing, Athir!"
Athir chuckled, then said, "I'm glad you liked it, little brother."
Daghir and Caleb looked at Nash and said in unison, "What about us, you twat?"
Nash laughed, then said, "Thank you, cousins! I'm honored by your performance."
Muhieb stood up while he clapped and shouted, "What a performance by the house of Al Namer!"
Daghir stood while he smiled and said, "I'm still waiting to see your famous war dance, Prince Muhieb."
Muhieb shouted authoritatively, "Get up, men of Aegis, and revive the glorious history of our ancestors!"
Daghir and his cousins returned to their seats, and the servants quickly cleared the space for the princes.
The princes stood in two parallel lines facing each other, and Muhieb stood in the center with his sword drawn.
Muhieb recited poetry about the history of the tribe in the first part, then recited the second part about the emergence of the war dance during the great battle against the Persians.
After he recited the poem, he lifted his sword high and mimicked the grunt of a male camel, and then the princes replied by imitating him.
They repeated twice, and then the lines took over. The first line mimicked the grunt of a camel, and the second line replied by mimicking the roar of a lion while Muhieb did a sword dance between them, going back and forth.
Meanwhile, at the palace's gate.
The private guards, Siraj and Afra, sat around a fire while they drank beverages. It was quiet and peaceful.
Siraj looked at Afra and asked, "Remember when we first met Lady Tanaz?"
Afra chuckled, then said, "I do, before she gained the mass of a man."
Siraj chuckled, then said, "Time flies without us ever noticing. Now she's attending her wedding."
They giggled together.
Siraj nudged her shoulder and joked, "When will you get married?"
"Never!" Afra jested.
Siraj laughed, then said, "Come on, sister. Your brother would like to witness it before he dies."
Afra smiled faintly, rubbed her cup and said, "We might've gotten lucky when Master took us in, but we're not welcome in this kingdom."
Siraj grabbed her shoulder and said, "You could've left anytime you wanted. Remember, we're no longer slaves."
Afra looked at Siraj and asked, "Do you think we'll find our happy ending?"
Siraj smiled, then said, "Honestly―I don't know, but whenever you're ready to seek a happy life. Noor and I are with you."
Afra looked at the fire and said, "Siraj, I must confess something. I―."
The gates were banged as if a beast was knocking with full strength.
Siraj and Afra stood up and grabbed their weapons while the rest of the guards hurried to take their spears.
The gates were banged again, bent outward, and the hinges were engulfed with intense flames. The final strike landed, and the great gates fell to the floor.
In all his might and fury, the golden lion stepped forward, groaned and said proudly, "Sturdy gates, but unequal to my might!"
Asad saw the welcome party to his intrusion. Before his cousins stormed in, he stopped them and said, "Hold it, cousins!"
He approached Siraj and said, "The pale giant, I heard you served the advisor, but I never expected you to sit with those peasants."
Siraj approached and said, "From my perspective, all men are equal. But I daresay the company of peasants is worth more than nobles."
Asad chuckled, then said, "Great jester you are, but I'm a kind man. My father's offer still stands: serve the royals, and we'll pay you more than the advisor."
Siraj drew his great sword and said, "What binds me to my master is gratitude, not wealth."
Asad drew his sword and said, "I'll give you more to be grateful for―wealth, lands, women." He looked at Afra and said, "If you want to, I'll bring you pale women if that's what you fancy."
Siraj held up his sword and said, "Master gave me a final gift that cannot be matched. A rematch against those who enslaved my people."
Asad held his sword and said, "Snow People―What was that saying you people liked to tell? The perfect snow is the one colored red."
Siraj smiled, then said, "Well said, young lion."
Siraj clashed with Asad, and the royalty stormed the entry grounds to secure it.
Siraj struggled at first to parry Asad's strikes. The difference in their physical strength was no laughing matter. Each block felt like he was guarding against the weight of mountains.
Asad swung down on him, and Siraj made a risky move of guarding against it with the back of his sword. Asad kicked Siraj to the ground and said, "Normal weapons would've broken after that strike. Are you wielding a master-class sword?"
Siraj sprung up, panted and said, "Its name is Ox."
Asad approached and continued his clash with Siraj.
Amid their exchange, Siraj found an opening in Asad's guard. He swung on his gut, and his sword landed, but the blade wouldn't go deeper.
Asad groaned loudly, then said, "Impressive, but this is the last of your endeavors."
Asad used his flame on Siraj's hand. It burned, and the skin hung and bloated. As Siraj backed off while he screamed, Asad used the opportunity and impaled Siraj's heart.
He drove his sword deeper and said, "Well fought, Siraj. Go to your proud ancestors and live in eternal peace."
He kicked Siraj away and pulled out his sword. He pulled Siraj's sword from his gut and heard Afra's cry.
Afra jumped at him, but Asad's punch struck her down.
Asad pinned her down as he stepped on her throat, burned her hands beyond recovery, then looked down at her and said, "I don't like to fight women, especially pale ones."
Afra struggled, punched his leg helplessly, spat at him and growled, "Is your false ego stopping you!?"
Asad bent down, stepped harder on her throat and said, "Not quite. I tend to ravish strong women after defeating them."
"Fuck you!" Afra shouted.
Asad stood straight, sighed and said, "Shame, I don't have the time to enjoy your flesh." He activated his reinforcement magic and stomped on her chest with force.
He got off her and walked away while Afra slowly and painfully suffocated to death.
He sheathed his sword and walked into a large, well-lit corridor while his men followed. On their way, they encountered a masked guard blocking their path.
The royal party stopped.
Fadi threw away his helmet, drew his sword and said, "Aren't you cunts eager to ruin a holy ceremony?"
Asad smiled, then said haughtily, "It looks like this peasant lost his way from the slums." He pointed at the exit and mocked, "It's that way if your illiterate, undeveloped mind cannot guide you."
Fadi smiled and mocked, "How can you differentiate a peasant from a noble? Last I heard, you people are a product of incest."
Asad laughed, then looked at his party and said, "I already feel bad for wanting to kill everyone. This wedding is amusing! They hired jesters instead of proper security."
Fadi smiled, then said, "Your fun ends here. Everyone inside was notified of your arrival."
Asad looked at Fadi, approached, bent down to look him in the eyes and said, "Do you know how little of a difference that makes?"
He returned to his party, turned around and said, "This is like telling a lion that an army of rabbits is coming to kill him. The lion would be delighted to hear that news!" He approached Fadi, stood proudly before him and said, "Because that means free food is coming! Flesh to be digested and shat at the end of the day!"
Fadi sighed, then said, "I hope you have no more to say because you'll bore me to death before we fight."
Asad walked back to his party and shouted, "Fight!" He turned around, laughed, then said proudly, "We're not going to fight―you're unworthy to stand before me. I'll merely let my flames feed on your flesh."
Fadi rushed toward Asad, then Asad stomped on the floor, and a pillar of flames rose beneath Fadi. The fire engulfed Fadi. He cried and screamed in agony, but this pain was worth nothing compared to his grudge against the nobles.
The proud peasant willfully marched forward. His body would not rest until his foe bled.
Asad stared at him in displeasure and said, "This is why weaklings should never dream of becoming strong." He kicked Fadi's head, which made him fall to the floor. He stood over him and said, "This is not one of those tales where the heroic peasant achieves greatness."
He stomped Fadi's head and smashed it open. He looked at the headless corpse of Fadi and said, "The greatest thing you'll ever achieve is laying your sight on the epitome of strength that stood before you."
He spat on Fadi's corpse and said, "Your filthy bloodline will be grateful for having my spit on you."
Asad and his party marched forward and stepped on Fadi's corpse.
They neared the entrance of the courtyard.
Asad kept marching, saying, "If you see the tiger, let me handle him. We promised each other a painful death the next time we meet."
Asad stepped into the courtyard and found an unusual sight. The square was less crowded than he thought.
There were only two people, Taz and Daghir.
Asad descended the stairs and said, "I finally got to meet the cat and the dog."
Daghir smiled, then said, "That's more than enough to eliminate a fruity royal."
Asad approached, laughed, then said, "You're not the one to talk about that, tiger! The blue Jinn told us what you did to that Kemetic spy."
Daghir approached and said, "Expect the same fate after I am done with you."
The red tiger and the golden lion stood before each other at a distance.
"I have to say, the most idiotic thing you've done is approach me head-on," Daghir said.
Asad smiled, then said, "That is true―your sound magic is lethal, but I know your pride will not allow you to kill me without a proper fight."
Daghir extended his hands outwards and said, "Look around, Asad. You'll not leave this palace alive. It's either you die, or we both die."
Asad looked around and found the crowd that disappeared was watching from the balconies, but a familiar woman caught his eye.
He squinted his eyes and said, "Athir!? Is that you, my love!?"
Athir rolled her eyes and sighed.
Asad pointed at her and said, "It is you!" He pointed at Daghir and said, "Once I kill your beloved golden boy, I'll take you as my wife and bloat you with my royal seed!"
Asad drew his sword and said, "Let us fight to the death already, Daghir! I need to impress my future wife."
Daghir pulled out his club and said, "Where's your Ifrit?"
"The Ifrit is standing beside him," Qareen whispered into Taz's ear.
"That thing died!" Asad said.
Taz pulled her long sword and said, "If you're not going to fight fairly, I'll shoot you."
"Silence, wench! The men are speaking," Asad snarled.
Taz chuckled, then shot his Ifrit.
The Ifrit manifested while it screamed in pain.
Taz shot it thrice till it fell to the ground and exploded.
The fireball that emerged from the death of the Ifrit swallowed Asad, but he was unharmed by it.
He controlled the fireball and directed it at Taz and Daghir. They quickly rushed out of the way.
Daghir rushed towards Asad and clashed with him.
Taz rushed towards the men who accompanied Asad. She used a new technique against them.
Instead of shooting a bolt with an open palm. She pointed her fingers at them and hit them with intense sparks to lessen their numbers; they reduced from twenty to five.
The first man rushed towards her.
She activated her reinforcement magic, parried his strike, slashed his thigh and cut him in half from the waist.
The second man came to her, but Taz surprised him. She lunged at him, shot his sword arm and disarmed him swiftly. She grabbed his face, slammed him down and electrocuted him to death.
She stood up, glared at the remaining attackers and shouted, "The house of lions isn't equal to the might of Aegis!"
Meanwhile, with Daghir.
The clash was deafening as master-class steel slammed against each other. Asad underestimated the might and preparation of the tiger. Daghir's club, skill and strength matched Asad and reminded him of his impending mortality.
Asad shot flames at Daghir, but he dodged it and swatted it away.
Daghir laughed manically, then shouted, "Already resorting to magic, Asad! Fine, have it your way."
He stepped back, activated his sound magic and shouted at Asad. But the lion was far more cunning than Daghir realized. As soon as Daghir opened his mouth, Asad engulfed it with flames. Daghir screamed, coughed and squirmed.
As the lion took a step to finish off the tiger for good. He was shot in the leg with Taz's lightning.
Taz rushed toward Asad, slashed his right heel tendon and smacked his head with the back of her sword.
The lion fell to his knees, and she stood before him and shot him. Asad fell on his back unconscious.
Taz sheathed her sword, took off her mask, mounted Asad and shocked him into waking up. She rained a flurry of reinforced punches upon him and shouted, "Is this the man who dared to threaten me!? What a fucking joke you turned out to be!"
Yet the lion had one last trick up his sleeve.
He pointed his palm at Taz's face, and a stream of flames burned her face. But what the lion didn't account for was. The wolf was fueled by unrelenting wrath, and he angered her more than anyone.
Taz's hand reached out from the flames, grabbed Asad's throat and electrocuted him more intensely than ever before. The output of magic was so great that sparks flew out.
Finally, the lion perished, and the wolf rose victorious.
She turned around to the observers while her face had nothing but burned flesh and glaring eyes. Whatever human features she had, the flames burned them off.
Taz walked to the center and shouted, "Let what happened before you be a warning to all those who want to cross me! The Jinns could not stop me! The beast hunters could not stop me! The might of Kemet fell before me! The mightiest of the lions fell before me!" She pointed at the crowd and shouted angrily, "Fuck with me! And I swear by Ishtar I will erase your entire bloodline from existence!"
Muhieb, who stood at the balcony, smiled, clapped loudly and shouted, "Long live the wolf!!!"
"Long live the wolf!!!" Muhieb cheered.
"Long live the wolf!!!" The princes of Aegis cheered.
"Long live the wolf!!!" Caleb cheered.
"Long live the wolf!!!" Ahmad and Hajras cheered.
The End