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You see, Liang and Aisha had planned to leave the oasis at night, when everyone was asleep. They packed their travel bags with some clothes, food, and water, and also took a few items of magic artifacts that Aisha had secretly collected from the palace.
They hoped that these would help them in their journey, and also serve as souvenirs of their love.
Meeting at the gate of the palace, and embracing and kissing each other passionately. They were ready to start their brand new life together, away from the oasis and its troubles. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7AK0Ur7vV
"But!"
They did not notice that someone was watching them from the dark shadows, someone who had been spying, overhearing their private conversation and had followed them.
"It was Zhang!"330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWIcQCYt0K
Zhang felt a surge of anger and betrayal, as he saw Liang and Aisha embrace. He had trusted Liang, and treated him like a son. Teaching him everything he knew, and shared his secrets with him. He had also planned to use him for his mission, to infiltrate the oasis and steal its magic for Hassan.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu7chd0q3C
He had been working for Hassan for years, ever since Hassan had saved his life from a nasty bandit attack. Because ot that, he sworn loyalty to Hassan, and followed his orders without question. Over time he had also grown to admire Hassan, and his vision of uniting the lands under one holy ruler.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwfYhzDfXN
Zhang had pretended to be a merchant, and traveled the Silk Road many times, gathering information and contacts for Hassan. And also befriended Omar, and gained his trust and respect. He had waited for the right moment to strike, to reveal his true identity and allegiance, and to take over the oasis.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqaBqEXuzm
But now, he saw that his plan was in jeopardy, because of Liang and Aisha. They were going to escape, and alert Omar and the others. They were going to ruin him. Everything. He could not let that happen. He had to stop them, and he had to do it now.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEXKYDR9ED
So, he drew his dagger, and crept up behind them. He aimed for Liang's back, and stabbed him with all his force. Liang gasped and moaned as he fell to the ground. Aisha cried, screaming as she turned to face him. There was shock and horror in her eyes, as she recognized who he was.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJA7XDpbXi
He smiled, and said, "Hello, my dear. I'm sorry to interrupt your sweet romantic getaway, but I have some urgent business to attend to. You see, I'm not really a merchant, but a spy. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4IWmW2sX6
And I'm here to take your father's magic, and give it to my master, Hassan. For only he is the true ruler of this land, and will soon be here to claim his prize. And you, my dear, you will be his bride. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYyK7zp47X
"Isn't that wonderful?"330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7LniWD514
He then grabbed Aisha by the hair, and rode off with her towards the palace. Her cries and pleas for help fell on deaf ears. And her attempts to free herself proved futile. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOBS422gwO
Upon reaching the palace, he kicked the door open. And shouted, "Omar! Omar! Come out and face me! I have a nice surprise for you!"330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWASgqQPn1T
He heard some footsteps, and saw Omar appear at the top of the stairs wearing a robe of purple silk, and a crown of gold. He looked quite calm and dignified, but also very curious and concerned. He said,330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsV1ak4bHn
"Zhang? What is the meaning of this? 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uFTcNB5zo
What are you doing with my daughter? And what is that noise outside?"330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A32LeUgrI
Zhang looked outside, and saw a cloud of dust on the horizon. He knew that it was Hassan and his army, coming to attack the oasis. "Ha!" That, my friend, is the sweet sound of your doom.
That is Hassan, the conqueror of the world. He is here to take your oasis, and all your precious magic. And he has sent me to deliver this vital message. You have two choices.
"Surrender, or die!"330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLW0kaKCJX
He threw Aisha at Omar's feet, and said, "And this, this is your daughter. She was going to run away with that traitor, Liang. You remember him, don't you? The boy you welcomed into your home, and treated like a son. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7fUGvGLrR
The boy who stabbed you in the back, and betrayed you. The boy who is now dead, by my hand. How do you feel about that, Omar? How do you feel about your daughter, and your son?"330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9mMktDU4x
He laughed, and said, "You see, Omar, you have been fooled. You have been deceived. You have been played. How does it feel to have been a complete fool, Omar. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvT89Hg2FE
A fool and a idiot!330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRiG1yA1gb
He raised his dagger, and said, "And now, you will be a corpse."330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3RDNGuJjF
He lunged at Omar, and tried to kill him. But Omar was not a fool, nor a corpse. He was a sorcerer, and a warrior. He had sensed Zhang's treachery, and prepared for his attack.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhQ9JnHjY1
He dodged Zhang's dagger, and countered with a blast of magic. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkewWWKpVet
The force hit Zhang violently in the chest. Sending him flying across the room. A gash in his stomach opened up, and he began bleeding quite profusely from the wound.
Omar said, 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfdYnPeYnj
"You are the fool, Zhang."
A fool to betray me, and a fool to have underestimate my powers." You failed, Zhang. Failed your master, and yourself. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nouD9YOCF
"What do you have to say Zhang?"330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxz99KwG7y
He walked towards the wounded Zhang, who was now lying on the stained floor, desperately gasping and groaning. He yelled,
"You will pay, Zhang. You will pay with your scandalous life."330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqQLdrpitd
He raised his hand, and prepared to finish him off. But before he could do so, he heard a sweet voice behind him. "Father, stop. Please, stop."330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8jRIys7ky
He turned around, and saw Aisha. She was standing up, and holding Liang in her arms. Liang was alive, but barely. He had somehow manage to climb on his camel, though severely wounded. His clothing was blood stained and torn. And he looked pale and weak, but also happy and relieved. He said,
"Aisha, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I love you, Aisha. I love you."330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgtBVcWjCL
Aisha said, "I love you too, Liang. I'm sorry for hurting you, and for hurting my father. I should have obey you, and not lied. I love you, father." I love you.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7i7wI3naU
She looked at Omar, and said, "Father, please. Please don't kill Zhang, spare his life. Forgive him, and forgive me. Please, father. Please."330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrv078egVn
Omar looked at Aisha, and felt a wave of emotions. Anger, pain, sadness, and love arose inside his heart. He soon felt conflicted, and confused, also torn. Not knowing what to do, or what to say.
"How should he react or feel?"330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrEMLAzdjv
He looked at Liang, and saw his daughter's happiness, and his own mistake. Perhaps he had misjudged Liang, and treated him harshly. Maybe he had not seen his true character, and his true feelings. Had not given him a chance, or a choice. And been wrong, unfair, and cruel.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPBkfjaR1b
He looked at his choices, and saw their dire consequences, and their implications. There was a decision to be made between vengeance, and forgiveness. A choice to find balance between pure tradition, and innovation. He had to be pragmatic, and idealistic, but also realistic.
He looked into his heart, and search his feelings, and thoughts. To trust his love, and wisdom. That he was after all a human. Despite being a sorcerer.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRztN3TjsU
He gazed at his precious daughter, and saw his past, present and future. Regrets and fears he would have to embrace. memories, dreams, hopes, to accept. Now there was only the role of a father, and a friend.
He looked at his only daughter, and smiled. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKyVOSV19h
He said, "Aisha, my dear. You don't have to be sorry or apologize." You don't have to beg or even cry. I forgive you, I only desire your love and happiness.
"Come, let us take care of your love, Liang..."330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyohDuegC6
