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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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S9eyqdPGm
"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!"276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWjJMXY93e
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo4pywDFaH
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8QX1fqT4K
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdk4ylFw7N
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOdeo4glCF
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Z03sS2bX
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2RS7K9KVh
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQzTacyzJY
"Isn't that wonderful?"276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuJId7FnOr
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9qpgzB8Kt
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!"276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHiOHUfniB
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,276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPNSOGI77h
"Zhang? What is the meaning of this? 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMTtIJCCyd
What are you doing with my daughter? And what is that noise outside?"276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1PlZMBBNs
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!"276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43iuPJG57O
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehHtnbZLkZ
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?"276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWt5v8k5rQ
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt45NOdFmU
A fool and a idiot!276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zUxlvoKtp
He raised his dagger, and said, "And now, you will be a corpse."276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbDwuVkgCr
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0RMUw2V7V
He dodged Zhang's dagger, and countered with a blast of magic. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJBV9ldnI7
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, 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUIMUftGBs
"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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63ynsY1y1X
"What do you have to say Zhang?"276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhMAQS0yag
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."276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMixfFN15eb
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."276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdqsFhZKiP
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."276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GE7Wh4QLB
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV8e5lvEGj
She looked at Omar, and said, "Father, please. Please don't kill Zhang, spare his life. Forgive him, and forgive me. Please, father. Please."276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt5aZyRQYA
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?"276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitCze0oPLm
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RI7JpuHWu
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.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGETYWWx86c
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. 276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXdeBgb0Zi
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..."276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RPzjJ8L52
