37. Stoic.

The final match drew a crowd as large and enthusiastic as ever. They cheered and reveled, oblivious to what had unfolded.

Throughout the night, Safiya struggled to sleep, haunted by the horrifying scene. Those bodies, burnt and unrecognizable, and the black smoke hovering around them were so disturbing, it seemed otherworldly. Was it possible that some sort of spirits were at play here?

The words of Uncle Zurak about the tree in the desert resurfaced in her mind. A tree thriving in a desert and its leaves possessing healing powers for minor ailments also seemed unreal; she had been pondering about it. And the pendant with the etched sword also felt inexplicable.

Was something bad truly going to happen? Would what she saw happen to the rest of them? Malik had told her not to tell anyone, but would keeping quiet solve anything? What was all of this? It was troubling and confusing. Were their lives in danger?