Hunter Village: Calm Before the Storm

13 October 2005 – The day before General Roar arrived

Location: Hunter’s Village, atop the Asfa Mountain

[Early Morning, Inside Saim and Ahtesham’s Hut]

Saim: Wake up, Ahtee! It's almost breakfast time. Get up and get ready already.

Ahtesham: Come on, big bro! Let me sleep just a little longer.

Saim: This is your routine every day. What will you do if I’m not around someday?

Ahtesham: Hey! Don’t say things like that. If anything happens to you, I’ll die right beside you. I’m not leaving you—just like how Mom and Dad left us.

Saim: Alright, alright. Forget what I said. Just get up.

Ahtesham: Fine, fine. So, what’s for breakfast today?

Saim: Roasted rabbit.

Ahtesham: What? Again? Ughhh!

---

[After Breakfast]

Ahtesham: Come on, you lazy punk. We’re late for hunting.

Saim: Oh really? And whose fault is that?

Ahtesham: Now's not the time for arguing. Let’s go!

Ahtesham: I’m gonna reach there first!

Saim: In your dreams!

Sofia: You two are late.

Ahtesham: It’s Saim’s fault!

Sofia: Yeah, yeah. I figured.

Ahtesham: Ow! Why did you punch me?

Sofia: For blaming others, obviously.

Ahtesham: You always take his side…

Sofia: What was that?

Ahtesham: Nothing! Nothing at all!

Saim: Alright, enough. Let’s get going.

---

[Near the Village Gate]

Elder Joan: Good morning, children. How are you today? Beautiful weather for a hunt, isn’t it? Are you all ready?

Saim: Yes, Elder. We’re ready.

Ahtesham: I’m going to hunt that bear today for sure!

Sofia: You’ve said that a hundred times. Just stick to rabbits and leave the bear alone.

Ahtesham: Why? Are you in love with the bear or something?

Sofia: Laughs Good one!

Saim: Let’s go before we come back empty-handed.

---

[Same Night – Village Feast]

Elder Joan: Saim, the deer you hunted today was very healthy. It'll bring us a good profit.

Saim: Thank you, Elder.

Elder Joan: You all did great today, as always. Let’s pray and enjoy this meal together like one big family. May God keep our village at peace. I pray every night for our unity and prosperity.

Everyone: Ameen.

Elder Joan: Let’s eat.

Saim: Elder, any news from our brothers at the border?

Elder Joan: Nothing yet, son. But have faith. They’ll return soon.

Ahtesham: I want to fight on the front lines too.

Elder Joan: If everyone goes to the front lines, who will protect the village?

Ahtesham: As if the Hoolers care about our little village.

Saim: Watch your mouth, idiot!

Ahtesham: What?

Elder Joan: Laughs You two remind me of your parents. Ahtesham, your time will come. Be patient. Enjoy your youth.

Sofia: Worry about the bear first, then think about the border.

Ahtesham: One day I’ll make you eat those words.

Saim: I believe in you, Ahtesham. You’ll get that bear tomorrow.

---

[Next Morning – Chaos Begins]

Gunfire and shouting in the distance

Ahtesham: What’s all that noise, brother?

Saim: Hooler forces—they’ve won the war! Ahtesham, get up and run to the forest now!

Ahtesham: No way! I’m staying to fight beside you!

Saim: Not now! Just do as I say!

---

[Center of the Village]

Elder Joan: What do you want from us?

Inspector Shaiq: Your king has fallen. Doant now belongs to us. From now on, you’ll pay us a 20% monthly tax. Obey, and we won’t harm anyone.

Saim: We won’t give you anything. Leave us alone!

Shaiq: Are you threatening me, kid?

Elder Joan: He’s just a child. But you better listen to him.

Shaiq: You old fool. You better listen to me—or I’ll burn this whole village down!

Suddenly, an arrow pierces Shaiq’s chest

Shaiq: What the…?

Ahtesham: Oops… just missed a little.

Saim: Ahtesham! I told you to run!

Ahtesham: I told you—I’m staying. We fight together!

Shaiq: Soldiers! Kill them all!

Elder Joan: Defend the village!

Saim: Idiot! If you’d listened, you’d have a better chance of surviving!

Ahtesham: I’d rather die fighting!

Elder Joan: Protect the women and children!

Elder Joan: Saim, protect your brother! Take him to the cave at the top of the hill—it’s safe there!

Saim: I can’t leave you, Elder!

Elder Joan: It’s an order!

---

[5 Minutes Later]

Jameel: They killed the Elder! Don’t let them escape!

Saim: Ahtesham, hide in that cave. Move the rock at the entrance once you’re inside.

Ahtesham: You brought me here just to hide?

Saim: I had no choice. Live—for me, for Elder, for everyone.

Hooler Soldier: There they are!

Saim: Go! Now!

Ahtesham: I won’t leave you!

Saim: Fine! Then follow me. We’ll climb that rock and defend ourselves.

---

[Moments Later – Intense Battle]

Ahtesham: Brother… I think this is the end. We’ll meet in the next world.

Saim: I’m sorry, my brother. Please forgive me for this…

Saim pushes Ahtesham off the cliff toward the river below

Saim (thinking): I hope the river saves you. If I survive, I’ll find you. If not… forgive me.

---

[Hours Later – Aftermath]

Shaiq: They were tougher than expected. How many men did we lose?

Hooler Soldier: 73, sir.

Shaiq: Damn these hunters…

Hooler Soldier: What about the women and children?

Shaiq: Kill them all. Burn the village.

To Be Continued…

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