Hadi and Haitham had made their camp in the vast, open desert, but they were not alone. A group of Bedouin tribesmen, who had flatly refused to evacuate, shared the space with them. Their leader, an old man his face worn out from his long rough desert life had declared, "Our families are safe in the north, we told them to go while we stay. We will fight for our land with our last breath."Their weapons were simple and outdated: ordinary rifles, knives, and a few hand grenades. Haitham had convinced Hadi of their value. "These men are the legendary desert warriors," he'd argued. "They are used to hardship and facing the unknown. We can learn from them, and their knowledge of this land is a weapon in itself."All the surrounding areas had been evacuated, save for these stubborn desert dwellers. They had sent their women and children to safety, while the men remained as a living shield in the south.One of the remaining warriors was a retired military man, The veteran leader himself. As

The sun was like a merciless hot coin in the endless blue sky. Hazim moved across the sea of dunes, a solitary figure against the vast, suffocating emptiness. The wind carried the heat, and the only sound was the sound of Hazim's own heavy breath.His destination was the camp where Hadi, Haitham and the desert warriors were waiting for him. He made a plan with the Black Knight. Once everyone was prepared, they would launch a unified assault on the Ghouls army. The Black Knight had received reinforcements from the Association—a battalion of thirty Knights from various groups, they were assigned as vanguards under his command, a crucial shield against any sudden advance. The black knight and this battalion will stand on guard and secure the southern borders till the others arrive.Hazim who had a heart of gold and a will of fire was on his way to his friends to reclaim his position as the leader of Askalan group, yet the desert itself seemed determined to stop him. On the journey, Ghoul

A rare, tenuous calm had settled over the Knights' headquarters. Inside the main workshop, Ali and Professor Riyad were immersed in their work, their hands moving over blueprints and armor components. Sparks flickered as they calibrated a new power core. Fadi was there too, assisting them by running diagnostics and managing the flow of data, his presence a quiet but crucial support.Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard, the air was filled with the sounds of disciplined training. Marwan, his head still bandaged but his voice firm, drilled the new recruits Harith had brought. Harith and Malik moved among the soldiers, correcting stances and demonstrating combat techniques. The new battalion was quickly taking shape.This fragile peace was constantly tested. The army attempted to harass them on multiple occasions, but the mere presence of Harith was enough to deter them. He became their primary shield against official intimidation. Every time soldiers showed up at the headquarters with thinl

Marwan was shocked when Ali, Malik, and Laith returned after only two days. Laith puffed out his chest with pride as he recounted their mission. "We saved the city of Jenin with ease. It's a small city, and we're used to covering much larger areas."Malik, ever the pragmatist, interjected with a more honest assessment. "To be frank, that's not the real reason. The truth is, Ali is the one who saved the situation. He broke Jameel and his lieutenants out of prison. Once Jameel was free, he inspired his men once again and organized the defense. Jameel was the one who took control of the situation, and he managed to turn the table on the Ghouls. So it's only fair to say that Ali takes credit for winning this round."A faint smile flickered across Marwan's face, but he quickly concealed it. "Where is Ali now?" he asked them.They told him that Ali had gone to meet someone important but hadn't said who.---Ali had gone to meet Haneen. She had requested a secret meeting at an old, abandoned

The desert wind whispered secrets across the sand as Haitham and Hadi stood facing the Bedouin elder and his brave warriors. The meeting was brief, they exchanged a few words and reached an agreement."The Knights will move to engage the main Ghoul army at the southern border," Hadi stated, his voice carrying the weight of command. "It is the only way to draw them into a decisive battle."The old leader nodded, his eyes, sharp as flint, scanning the horizon. "And our place?""Is here," Haitham added, his tone respectful but firm. "Guard these lands. You are the shield at our back. If the line at the border falters, if we are overrun or flanked..." He let the grim possibility hang in the air for a moment. "...we will call for you. Your support will be the difference between holding and breaking."The elder placed a hand over his heart in a solemn gesture. "The sand sees all. We will be watching. When you call, we will answer."It was not a promise of victory, but a pact of blood and s