It was the day the presidential election results were announced, and it was an official holiday. Everyone had gathered at the headquarters for training. Hamza turned on the news, even though Malek had said he didn't want to watch the official media or hear their voices. But Hamza insisted; he wanted to see what would happen, even if it was just out of curiosity. The screen confirmed it: the President had won again, clinching a preposterous 90% of the vote. Hamza snapped the TV off, the silence that followed louder than the broadcast. Malek’s face was a stoic mask. "It's completely expected," he said, his voice dangerously flat. Marwan, sensing the anger simmering beneath the calm, whispered, "Just calm down, man." Malek didn't even look at him, his gaze fixed on some distant point. "I am calm," he replied, each word measured and cold. "It doesn't matter to me at all." The heavy silence that followed the news broadcast was stifling. Laith, sensing the dark cloud settling over Malek,

Everyone stood silent, their eyes on their leader as he prepared to deliver his speech.Hazim took a deep breath, scanned the faces of his men, and then began to speak."In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.Based on the association's decision, I the leader of The Knights of Askalan group, declare that we will not intervene and will exercise restraint in light of the current events. I declare that we will uphold our duty to protect the people and the sons and daughters of the nation, and we will be present in the streets and anywhere our citizens need us. We renew our pledge and commitment to our principles—the principles of sincerity in jihad, lifting injustice from the oppressed, and resisting injustice and oppressors with a pure intention for the sake of Allah Almighty. We will not hesitate to protect the citizens in the event of an escalation of the dispute between the government and the army, and in the event of chaos, Allah forbid, we will be present to pro

The Black Knight with a face etched with grim determination, pointed to a location on a detailed city plan.“The meeting is here,” he stated, his voice a low rumble. “Tonight. Abo Sarhan is meeting with one of the ghoul generals. This is our only chance to catch him in the act.”Malik leaned in, studying the map. “Just the three of us?” he asked, a hint of skepticism in his tone.“It has to be,” the Black Knight replied firmly. “Any larger group risks exposure. We move quickly, we move quietly. Our objective is to intercept the meeting. If we can capture him and present him to the court with evidence, we will. But if that proves impossible…” He let the sentence hang in the air, its grim conclusion understood by all. After the Black Knight laid out the audacious plan to move against Abo Sarhan that night, a heavy silence fell over the room.The Black Knight turned his intense gaze on Hazim. “There is no time to consult anyone,” he insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Ever

The deal between Abo Sarhan and The general ghoul was about to be secured. The ghoul stood tall, his voice like a hard stone. "The terms are acceptable, human. But our army grows impatient. They need to be fed."General Abo Sarhan nodded, a slick, diplomatic smile on his face. "Once I have full and uncontested access to the Barrier Technology Center's main system, our cooperation will be far more efficient. You have my word." He leaned forward slightly. "And as for our previous agreement, I assure you the human corpses currently held in the Akarma central hospital will be delivered to you. Consider it a down payment."Ta'lab let out a rasping sound that might have been a laugh. "A generous down payment. But do not be late. You have four days to deliver the corpses. My warriors' hunger does not abide by human schedules." With that, the massive Ghoul turned and began to lumber toward a dark fissure at the rear of the cave, his guards falling in behind him.As the meeting clearly drew to

Malik and Hazim had defeated the bat-like ghoul with relative ease, but in its death throes, it released a piercing shriek that echoed through the trees, instantly revealing their position to every other ghoul in the forest.“We have to run, now!” Hazim had shouted, his voice tight with urgency.They fled, their footsteps pounding against the forest ground as a flood of ghouls gave chase. As they ran, Hazim pointed ahead. “The border is close! Once we’re past the barrier, we’ll be safe!”Just as hope flickered, a ghoul with stretchable limbs shot its elongated arm through the underbrush, its cold fingers clamping around Malik’s ankle. Malik spun on his heel, his blade a silver arc in the dim light, and severed the creature’s hand. No sooner had he done so than a smaller, wiry ghoul launched itself from a low branch onto his back. Malik grunted, stumbling as he tried to get rid of the shrieking creature clawing at him.“Hold still!” Hazim yelled. He lunged forward, driving his own dagg