Departure

In the morning time, in an open field near Taz's farm

Taz wore her usual homey garments and stood alone in a spacious green area.

She gained in-depth information from Abu Barq and learned new ways to use her element. One of which allowed her to float. Another allowed her to attract objects with metal properties, and her skill set grew as time passed.

Without a doubt, she neared breaking the ceiling of advanced magic and became one step closer to becoming a master class magic user.

After the intense daily training, she packed her small bag and clay water jug to return home. But once she turned to her farm's direction, she spotted a panicked Yara running her way.

Taz grew worried, hurried towards her and waved at her.

Yara approached her and said fearfully, "There's a giant that refuses to leave before he meets you."

"What do you mean a giant? Is it a royal?" Taz questioned.

"He's even bigger than the royals I've seen and has a scary mustache," Yara replied fearfully.

Taz rushed to her farm at full speed. Usually, she'd take her time, but the risk was too high with her farm and crops at stake.

Yara's sense of danger was accurate yet misguiding. The warning she gave was half true. When Taz reached the farm, she saw Haider standing before her home, looking around at the fields with a prideful posture.

Taz sighed, then muttered, "That girl will drive me mad!"

Haider noticed Taz, approached her and said, "Daughter of Hayja, you have an excellent farm."

Taz stepped back and said, "Why are you here, Haider? I believe our relationship is not that of friends."

Haider stopped, crossed his arms behind his back, smiled and said, "You're referring to the incident of Thabit."

"I'd have a hard time thinking you bear no grudge against me," Taz said.

"I don't. You have the liberty to think I'm untruthful. As far as I know, what you and Daghir did was within the kingdom's law and followed Kurigalzu's standards," Haider said.

"I don't see Qutaibah thinking the same way as you," Taz said.

"Qutaibah sometimes gets emotional, but after all, he leads a small band of warriors. I lead the entirety of the Mesopotamian forces; emotions have no place for a man in my position," Haider said.

"I know what happened at the execution. If you want us to start on the right track, I advise you to leave the lies," Taz said.

Haider turned to the fields and said, "I'm a father, Tanaz." He looked at her and said, "Once you have children of your own, you'll know why I acted the way I did."

Taz approached him and said, "Sadly, I'm infertile. I can never relate to how you felt."

Haider looked at the fields and said, "My condolences."

Taz stood beside him, looked at the fields and said, "What brought you here?"

Haider crossed his arms and said, "Kurigalzu entrusted me with fulfilling your final wish. I'll be your guide to attain the enchanted sword you want."

"Why is it difficult to attain one? Even the late king said he couldn't give one to me," Taz asked.

"Simply because it's impossible to attain one through normal means. Only one nation can make it, and their kingdom is far, far away," Haider said.

Taz looked at him and asked, "Who are they?"

Haider looked at her and said, "They're called the kingdom of Aad, a nation of Arabs located in the very south of the peninsula."

In the evening time.

Abu Barq took over, or in other words, his shift started as Taz's pocket encyclopedia.

Before Abu Barq wrote down his knowledge or broke the known ceiling of information about lightning studies, he went outside the house and tested his theories with Taz's magic.

It was a rare chance for him. No more waiting for lightning to occur naturally when he's in the body of a magic user.

Abu Barq, or Taz, for people ignorant of the new resident in her body. She looked around to check if no one was around her.

"I'd go outside, but I can't risk harming the girl," Taz muttered.

She practiced for a short while, mostly fine-tuning the output of her lightning. But while deep in focus, she got spooked when Nash came to her and said, "Still playing with my wife's body?"

Taz jolted, turned around and said, "God dammit, lad!! Are you trying to get yourself killed!?"

Nash leaned against the wall, crossed his arms and said, "I want my wife back!"

Taz opened her arms and said, "I already gave you an offer to sleep with me, but you refused."

"Because I'm not a fruity man!" Nash retorted.

Taz lowered her arms and said, "As things stand, I'm in a woman's body; nothing fruity about that."

"You're an old man! A relic that should've stayed dead!" Nash snarled.

"Wrong, you dumb cunt! I'm now a healthy young woman! If you can't suppress the urge of your prick, look for another woman to sleep with," Taz retorted.

Nash approached him and growled, "Consider yourself lucky you're in my wife's body, or I would've killed you!"

Taz approached him, flashed her bicep and said proudly, "Have you seen this arm!? I will end you by the third hit!"

Nash groaned angrily and left.

"That's right, you cunt! Run away as usual," Taz taunted.

Nash went into the house, leaned against the wall and grunted.

"I can't stand this anymore!" Nash muttered angrily.

He climbed the stairs, and before he went into his room. He remembered there was another woman who was living with them. A vile and impure thought crossed his mind. He chuckled as his urges encouraged him more.

He quickly undressed, left only his underwear on him and threw his clothes on the floor. He strode to Yara's room and muttered, "Fine, I'll fuck another woman, you old man."

Nash snuck into Yara's room and saw her sleeping soundly, wearing a homey white dress with no blanket over her. When he saw her, he couldn't help but smile. A long month passed without a woman's touch, but all that waiting would end now.

With no regard for Yara's safety or sanity, Nash pulled her roughly and pushed her face against the mattress.

Yara cried and whimpered in distress.

Nash pulled her hair forcefully and said, "Make a sound, and I'll break you. Speak of what will happen, and I'll make sure you die painfully."

On that grim night, Nash had committed a crime against his wife, and their vows of fidelity were broken.

On the day of departure, near the gate of Babilim, in the early morning.

Taz arrived with her trusty horse. She packed her bags and brought her weapons and mask.

She stood near her horse and waited for Haider to arrive, but to her surprise, another travel companion had come. It was none other than her partner.

Taz looked at him in confusion and said, "Daghir?"

Daghir smiled at her, approached and said, "Taz! What a nice coincidence to see you again."

Taz chuckled, then asked, "You're coming with us, right?"

Daghir opened his arms and said, "Of course, I can't let my lovely partner go alone."

Taz laughed, then said, "You're full of shit!"

Daghir smirked and said, "Since I made you laugh, you're okay with me tagging along?"

Taz crossed her arms and said, "I don't mind, but hopefully, Haider will agree."

Daghir waved and said, "Ah, don't worry about Haider. I already convinced him."

"Do you even know where we are going?" Taz asked joyfully.

"To the mythical kingdom of Aad, I've always dreamt of going there," Daghir replied joyfully.

Haider strolled out of the gate and noticed Taz and Daghir chatting. He wandered to them and said, "You're both here, good. Are you ready to depart?"

They both turned to him and replied, "Yes."

"Our journey will be lengthy and full of danger. If you have anything to do, now is the time," Haider said.

"I've never been more ready for death," Daghir replied enthusiastically.

Taz gave Daghir a confused look, then looked at Haider and said, "I've sorted all my matters. I'm ready to depart."

"Good," Haider said. He walked a few strides away and whistled. Out of thin air, a large black horse appeared and approached Haider.

Taz and Daghir looked at him in awe.

Haider rode the horse, then looked at Taz and Daghir and said, "Aren't you coming?"

The trio took off and headed to the land of insanity, the peninsula.

The End