Stevenburg had changed drastically in the past few days, the town which was once a hub of literature, art and museums was slowly transforming into a giant military camp, mass deforestation had taken place and factories were built on that land for the production of war machines like siege towers and catapults, back in Khanville Ashhad had spread the news regarding Nizaam to all his friends and in less than an hour Ashhad, Zulqarnain, Aliza, Hussnain, Aaron and Alyne had arrived at Humzah's house as Zulqarnain knocked on the door in a few seconds Humzah opened the door and they all went inside, Humzah prepared tea whilst Ashhad and the rest were in the drawing room as Nizaam told them what had happened to him
Nizaam : then I made my way here hoping to take shelter at my friend Basit's house only to discover that he isn't alive anymore, thankfully Humzah helped me out and it was through him that I met all of you.
Aaron : must've been tragic seeing your brother die.
Aliza : I hope he pays for what he did.
Zulqarnain : something about this feels wrong.
Hussnain : what?
Zulqarnain : Nizaam are you sure the person who killed your brother was the minister of defense?
Nizaam : yes I'm a 110% sure about it.
Zulqarnain : unless he's dead and was replaced by someone else, I'm sure it must've been Skull crusher.
Hussnain : you know him?
Zulqarnain : maybe, Nizaam do you remember what he looked like.
Nizaam : yeah, he was tall, black and had green eyes.
Zulqarnain : as I had feared.
Alyne : is he the person you were talking about?
Zulqarnain : yes but, I don't understand why would Skull crusher do such a thing when I was the minister of law and relations, he and I were like brothers, he loved the people of Ortania as he had been their minister since the first day, he was recruited as minister of defense by King Orton due to his past occupation as a military general, not only was he strong but also very smart, strategies planned by him had a 87% chance of success.
Ashhad : I wonder how such a noble person could do something like this.
Aliza : people change colours like a chameleon.
Zulqarnain : I believe what you are saying Nizaam but I don't think that Skull crusher is doing this on his own will someone is pulling his strings.
Aliza : perhaps Sufiyan.
Aaron : impossible Sufiyan is rude but not crazy.
Hussnain stood up and said
Hussnain : today this happened with Nizaam tomorrow it could happen with us.
Ashhad : Hussnain's right we need to take action before it's too late.
Zulqarnain : if we leave now we will reach Stevenburg by night time.
Alyne : great it'll be a fun little adventure.
Zulqarnain : quiet the opposite actually.
Alyne : why?
Zulqarnain : because Nizaam is being hunted by Skull crusher and if he sees him their's a chance he might provoke a fight.
Hussnain : he may be strong but not stronger than all of us combined, if he even touches Nizaam I'll make him regret it.
Aliza : yeah and then end up in jail.
Hussnain : no jail can hold the mighty Hussnain.
Aaron : if you say so.
just then Humzah came with the tea and snacks and said
Humzah : no adventure can be done on an empty stomach, eh?
Ashhad picked up one of the cups and said
Ashhad : well said Humzah.
after snacks and tea they all gathered outside ready to leave, they bid their town farewell and began their treacherous journey to Stevenburg, it was North of Khanville, it was a long journey, they had to go through the forests, rough mountainous terrain and more, though throughout their journey they kept calm and in a good mood by cracking jokes, most of which were told by Humzah, by the time they reached Stevenburg it had already become dark, back in the royal palace Sufiyan was sitting on his throne cleaning his teeth with a toothpick when Saad entered the room
Saad : greetings your highness.
Sufiyan : oh hey, how's it going?
Saad : great my lord.
Sufiyan : I hope you have gotten used to living here.
Saad : of course my Liege.
Sufiyan : would you cut that out.
Saad : what?
Sufiyan : the flattery, listen I like it when my ministers praise me with words like highness and lord but you are my prince, you are basically me but with lesser control over the Kingdom so please just refer to me by my name.
Saad : I see very well then from today I shall refer to you as Sufiyan.
Sufiyan : thankyou.
Saad went and sat on the secondary throne as Sufiyan asked
Sufiyan : so Saad what job did you do back on earth?
Saad : I used to give teenage girls debts with interest.
outside Sufiyan's palace Ashhad and the rest had made it to the entrance when their path was blocked by the royal guards it was very late in the night as the first guard came forward and said
Guard 1 : halt who goes their.
Ashhad and his friends stopped as he asked
Guard 1 : who are you and why have you came?
Ashhad came forward and said
Ashhad : my name is Ashhad Khan and I have came to meet the King as he is my close friend.
Guard 1 : ok but why?
Ashhad : I have to complain against someone.
Guard 1 : ok hold on.
the guard went inside while the second stayed outside inside the palace Sufiyan was chatting with Saad about his profession
Sufiyan : I don't really understand why you gave debts to only teenage girls?
Saad : cause they have multiple methods of repayment.
Sufiyan : that still doesn't clarify your past occupation.
Saad : guess I have to tell you then.
Sufiyan : tell me what?
Saad : my father had started a business with a very small amount the day I was born for the next 8 years we lived through many hardships, one economic crisis wouldn't end and another would begin but eventually my father struck a few jackpots and things started to become better, by the time I turned 13 my dad was earning 6 figures a day, during elementary school I was the poorest boy in the class but when I reached high school I had became the richest kid in my town.
Sufiyan : that's all great but where does the debt part come in?
Saad : well you see .....
just then the first Guard came walking in the throne room and said
Guard 1 : your highness some people have came to meet you they claim to be your friends.
Sufiyan : did you get their names?
Guard 1 : yes sir one of them said that his name was Ashhad Khan.
hearing that name Sufiyan said
Sufiyan : yes you can let them in.
the guard left as Saad asked
Saad : I'm sure their here to ask for economic aid.
Sufiyan : no their quite well off.
in a few minutes Ashhad and the rest entered the throne room as Sufiyan stood up and said in a cheerful tone and smiling face
Sufiyan : hey guys welcome to my ....
but then he saw Nizaam and all hell broke loose as Sufiyan became angry and said in a very annoyed tone
Sufiyan : what is that doing here?
Ashhad asked in confusion
Ashhad : huh, what are you talking about?
Sufiyan pointed at Nizaam and said
Nizaam : that horrid abomination, how dare you bring it into my palace.
Nizaam innocently said
Nizaam : are you ..... talking about me?
Sufiyan : yes I am.
Alyne came forward and said
Alyne : how dare you say something like that Sufiyan.
Sufiyan : I had thought that this foul creation of God had left Ortania by now but you brought him straight to me.
Ashhad : Sufiyan he's a human being like you and me.
Sufiyan : don't you dare compare him to me, he's an impure fiend.
Ashhad : that doesn't ...
Nizaam : he's right.
they all looked at Nizaam in confusion as Humzah said
Humzah : Nizaam?
Nizaam : I'm an impure fiend but Sufiyan you are homophobic, degenerate bastard.
Aaron : damn that was hard.
Sufiyan : you dare insult me in my own Kingdom, do you not know who I am?
Aliza : I know who you are Sufiyan, you're a scardie cat who couldn't even stand up to a few bullies and had to call his friends to back him up.
Everyone laughed including Saad as he controlled his laughter and asked
Saad : wait really, when did that happen?
Sufiyan : stay quiet Saad.
Ashhad : why should he stay quiet, Saad laugh all you want so this sick retard can know how it feels when someone insults you.
Zulqarnain : as I had expected, Skull crusher may have killed Umair but it was orchestrated by Sufiyan.
Sufiyan : that blind man and all the others like him were a liability to our Kingdom.
Humzah : no Sufiyan they were not a liability, the only liability this Kingdom has is you.
Aaron : Humzah's right you don't deserve to rule this Kingdom.
Sufiyan : well to bad I'm the King and as King I order you to hand over that third gender to me.
Ashhad : and if I say no?
Sufiyan : I'll burn down your house.
Zulqarnain : try it and I'll burn down your entire Kingdom.
Sufiyan : guess you don't understand when I say it politely, I want you to hand over that third gender, RIGHT NOW!!!!
Humzah : scream all you want you're not getting Nizaam.
Ashhad : come on guys, we've got all the answers we needed.
as they all began to leave Sufiyan shouted
Sufiyan : get back here this instant, guards, ministers, soldiers!!!
Saad : Sufiyan they're all asleep.
Sufiyan : dammit!!!