An old friend

Skull crusher and his mercenaries were hot on Ashhad and his friends trail as they reached the forest Skull crusher said

Skull crusher : I have been to this forest a few times but I to often get lost in it.

Dean : don't worry I have fully mapped out this forest and I know a few places where they might be hiding.

Skull crusher : you never cease to surprise me.

Dean : by the way, how badly do they outnumber us?

Skull crusher : what do you mean?

Dean : what I mean is that how many people are they?

Skull crusher : I ... seriously don't know.

Dean : can you atleast give me a rough estimate?

Skull crusher : I'd say about 6 to 7.

Dean : really, that's it?

Skull crusher : it's just a rough estimate, their could be more.

Dean : oh well, be they 7 or 70 their all gonna die.

Skull crusher : let's hope so.

Dean led the way and the rest followed but unaware to them a warrior mounted on a horse had seen and heard everything, this warrior had a cloak on their face so no one could see it, they went behind Skull crusher and his group back at the lake Ashhad and the rest were seated around a small sheet, placed on it were cookies, fruits and vegetables as Ashhad said

Ashhad : finally I'm so hungry.

Aaron : dig in.

suddenly Ashhad felt as if his hearing senses got bolstered, he could hear all the animals and birds of the forest but then he heard footsteps, Ashhad was very confused but he could hear people speaking and the sound of the footsteps getting louder, just as his senses returned to normal Ashhad stood up and said with frightened expression

Ashhad : someone's coming.

everyone looked at Ashhad in confusion as Hussnain asked

Hussnain : Ashhad is everything alright?

Ashhad : I don't know I .... felt as if my sense of hearing skyrocketed and I could hear people and footsteps and ....

Ashhad looked at a bush and said whilst sweating

Ashhad : someone's coming.

Zulqarnain : calm down Ashhad I think it's just your ....

but then they all heard footsteps and people coming their way as Aaron said

Aaron : I don't think he's bluffing.

Nizaam : who do you think it could be?

Humzah : Maybe the royal guards.

Nizaam : oh no.

Hussnain : calm down Nizaam.

Zulqarnain : girls packup the food we've got company.

just then from the forest came out Skull crusher and his mercenaries and when Skull crusher saw Ashhad and his group he shouted

Skull crusher : look their they are!

but then he saw Zulqarnain and stopped dead in his tracks, the commotion was followed by a confused silence as Skull crusher was left in disbelief, he had a small flashback

[ FLASHBACK ]

it was a dark and stormy night in Stevenburg Skull crusher and Zulqarnain were standing in the balcony of the royal palace as Skull crusher asked

Skull crusher : so you're leaving tomorrow.

Zulqarnain replied with a smile

Zulqarnain : yes brother.

Skull crusher : are you taking any backup with you?

Zulqarnain : no.

Skull crusher : but why?

Zulqarnain : those who are close to God fear no one but him.

Skull crusher : you are such an optimist.

Zulqarnain : no brother I'm a devotee, not an optimist.

Skull crusher : fair enough.

Zulqarnain noticed how Skull seemed a bit disappointed, so he asked him

Zulqarnain : George, you alright?

Skull crusher sheded a few tears, Zulqarnain saw this and asked

Zulqarnain : George, what's wrong?

Skull crusher : I'm gonna miss you Zulqarnain, promise me you'll return one day.

Zulqarnain : promise.

George smiled as Zulqarnain said

Zulqarnain : now I want you to promise me something.

Skull crusher : what?

Zulqarnain : promise me that you and I will stay friends till the end of our lives.

Skull crusher replied with a smile

Skull crusher : promise.

[ FLASHBACK ENDS ]

Zulqarnain's eyes were filled with tears, the man whom he had befriended on his first day in this world had turned on him , Ashhad went and stood by Zulqarnain's side, despite their massive number Ashhad didn't seem intimidated but then he noticed Zulqarnain was weeping, on the other side Skull crusher sheded no tears but his expression was a mixture of shock, anger and most importantly sadness, Dean unimpressed by the Ashhad and his friends shouted with full excitement

Dean : time for some blood!

Dean let out a violent roar and raised his sword, all the other brothers drew their swords out to, this act left Ashhad a bit intimidated as he took a step back Zulqarnain drew out his sword a fine blade with a black handle and coated in gold as he looked back at Ashhad tears still in his eye and said

Zulqarnain : let's do this.

Ashhad closed his eyes took a deep breath then drew his sword, as he nodded and then looked back at his friends and said

Ashhad : well what're you guys waiting for?

hearing Ashhad's statement Humzah, Hussnain and Aaron drew out their swords, Alyne drew her sword out and Aliza got behind her, Aaron looked at Nizaam and asked with temptation

Aaron : are you not armed?

Nizaam opened his inventory and took out his dagger and looked back at Aaron as Aaron said

Aaron : good.

the brothers came charging at Ashhad and his friends, despite being deaf they could speak and had functioning vocals, the roar they let out stunned everyone including Zulqarnain as Ashhad shouted with full fury

Ashhad : SHOW THEM WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!!!!

the battle began.