"Ruins of Victory"
**The following morning, military leaders witness the devastation in the city of Malta, once a symbol of resilience and bravery. In the 11th century, the city was reduced to a wasteland under the weight of fire and combat. Rubble and debris fill the streets, with burning buildings casting faint lights across the city. Amidst this chaos, Maxan and his army leaders stand determined to assess the losses and plan for the future.**
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Maxan and his army leaders begin assessing the human and material losses. The leaders inspect the aftermath of the fierce battle. Hundreds of corpses litter the ground, and the damage is severe.
**Maxan** (looking from the top of a hill at the ruined city): "Victory did not come without a cost. We need to assess the losses precisely."
**Abdullah** (holding a brief report): "Preliminary reports show around 350 soldiers dead, 50 with severe injuries, and 400 with minor injuries. The defenders lost about 800 soldiers, and the defender's leader, Ali bin Murad, is resting to recover."
**Maxan** (with a grim face): "The losses are significant, but the victory is important. We need to evaluate the losses on the enemy's side."
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A team of artisans and workers move through the rubble, documenting the damage and assessing the extent of the destruction. Buildings that once bore witness to the city's history are now mere ruins, and the main roads are covered in debris.
**Artisan** (examining the condition of a building): "The damage is immense. Most of the essential buildings are severely damaged. We estimate that the reconstruction process could take three years."
**Maxan's Assistant** (reviewing maps and plans): "Repairing these damages will be a major challenge. We need to work quickly to provide the essentials for the city."
**Maxan** (placing a hand on the assistant's shoulder): "Document every detail. The reconstruction will be a long and arduous process, but we need to restore the city as soon as possible."
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**Time: Noon**
Maxan stands among the medical tents, where wounded soldiers from both sides are being treated. Injured soldiers are receiving care, and leaders are anxiously reviewing the details of the losses.
**Maxan** (looking at the wounded with concern): "The injuries are numerous, and we must ensure everyone receives the necessary care. These men have sacrificed everything."
**Abdullah** (overseeing the treatment): "We need to bolster the medical teams and provide resources as quickly as possible. Ensure that all the injured receive proper care."
**Maxan's Assistant** (providing a report on the enemy): "The Seville forces suffered heavy losses. Around 1500 soldiers were killed, and 1000 were captured. The rest, including Jaber and Muhammad, have retreated."
**Maxan** (with a saddened expression): "These losses highlight the scale of the battle. Despite everything, we need to prepare for the remaining enemy forces."
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**After a grueling day of fighting and reviewing the losses, Abdullah chooses to lie down in his tent, exhausted and weary. Overcome by the strain of the battle and its difficulties, he quickly falls asleep.**
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**In his dream, Abdullah finds himself in a battlefield that seems unlike any he has seen before. Everything around him takes on a mythic dimension; flames rise on the horizon, and surrounding sounds merge into a horrific symphony. Abdullah appears in this scene with extraordinary physical power, wearing shining armor and wielding a heavy sword.**
**Abdullah** (gazing at himself in awe): "What is this? I feel like a legend... as if I possess invincible strength."
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**Abdullah advances through the battlefield, where he encounters Seville's defending soldiers. The scene is full of movement; combat rages around him, and flames light up the sky. He meets one of the enemy leaders, who wields a sword and appears fortified by strong armor.**
**Enemy Leader** (in a deep and threatening voice): "You are late, but you will pay the price now!"
**Abdullah** (preparing for the confrontation, his sword drawn): "If death is your fate, you will find no salvation. Today, you will pay for all you have done."
Abdullah engages with the leader, feeling the first blow land on his opponent. The power he possesses in the dream makes each movement more forceful. He delivers powerful strikes and feels his sword penetrate the enemy's armor.
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**Time: A Critical Moment in the Dream**
The battle rages around them as Abdullah delivers swift and powerful blows. He finds an opportunity to kill the leader, and with a decisive strike, he sees his sword pierce through the enemy's armor. The scene slows suddenly, as if time is standing still. The leader looks at him with eyes filled with terror as he falls to the ground, while Abdullah stands over him, breathing heavily, his face reflecting mixed feelings of triumph and internal conflict.
**Abdullah** (staring at the dead leader, his emotions conflicted): "This is the price we pay... killing is not just an act; it's a burden. How do I deal with this feeling?"
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**Time: Dawn**
The light of dawn seeps into Abdullah's tent, waking him from his deep sleep. He rises, feeling tense, with the events of the dream still vivid in his mind. Sweat beads on his forehead, and his face shows signs of exhaustion and deep thought.
Abdullah begins his day, but the impact of the dream weighs heavily on him, leading him to reflect on the effects of violence on himself and his actions. As he prepares for the new day, he faces the realities with a new depth of understanding and feeling.
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**Time: Dawn**
In his cramped tent, Abdullah sits on the edge of his bed, staring into the dim space. The dreams he had are still fresh in his mind, making him feel as though he carries a heavy burden on his shoulders.
As he wakes, Abdullah feels a tremendous pressure. He approaches Maxan, who is in the command tent, and expresses his concerns about the impact of the dream on him.
**Abdullah** (calmly and with concern): "The dream gave me a feeling of strange ?"
**Maxan** (soothingly): "It's natural. This is your first time killing, and remember, you fought to defend your land and protect the people. Master yourself and make the right decisions. Use your strength wisely and don't let it control you."
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**Time: Afternoon**
As Maxan continues to assess the damage, he walks through the ruins and inspects the destroyed buildings. Grief fills his heart as he contemplates the scale of the destruction and the losses.
**Maxan** (looking at the devastation with emotion): "Every loss represents a part of our heritage. We must rebuild what we have lost, not just in terms of buildings but in morale."
Elsewhere, among the medical tents, injured soldiers talk about their suffering, expressing their pain and anxiety about the future.
**Injured Defender Soldier** (weakly): "The pain is not just physical but also emotional. My brother died in the siege. How will we recover from all this?"
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**Time: Evening**
In a meeting tent, Maxan meets with the leaders of the Bani Issa tribe, acknowledging their bravery and skill in battle. The tribal leaders appear proud after their heroic performance.
**Maxan** (with gratitude): "The Bani Issa tribe, you have shown extraordinary courage and skill. Your role was crucial in achieving victory. Thank you for your dedication."
**Bani Issa Tribe Leader** (with a proud smile): "It is an honor to be part of this victory. We are here to support you in every step towards rebuilding."
**Maxan** (placing a hand on the leader's shoulder): "Our cooperation was key to success. We will continue to work together to overcome this hardship and rebuild what was destroyed."
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As the day ends, Abdullah continues to reflect on the impact of the dream on himself and ponders how to move forward. While everyone gathers to plan the city's future, each person reflects a part of the hope and challenges they will face in the process of rebuilding Malta.
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**The next day, Maxan and his army leaders receive a message from the envoy of the Seville army, Muhammad and Jaber, proposing a five-year truce and suggesting the release of prisoners in exchange for a specified ransom. Maxan convenes a meeting with leaders Omar, Abdullah, and Tamim to discuss the proposal.**
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**Time: Morning*
In the
**command tent, Maxan meets with leaders Omar, Abdullah, and Tamim. The leaders are discussing the proposal put forward by the Seville envoy.**
**Abdullah** (confidently and with enthusiasm): "I believe we should continue the fight. In the previous battle, the Seville army lost half of its strength, while we only lost a small fraction of ours. We are in a strong position and can exploit this to achieve a complete victory."
**Omar** (realistically): "Continuing the fight doesn't necessarily guarantee victory. Even if we win the next battle, the victory may only be a step towards negotiations. We are far from our lands, and the military and logistical costs will be high. Furthermore, if someone declares war on us, our situation will become more difficult."
**Tamim** (listening intently): "But we lack clear information about the enemy's current movements. Do we have any updates on their upcoming strategies?"
**Omar** (calming): "It's not just about winning a battle; it's about what comes after. We have the option to negotiate now and preserve our forces, or continue fighting with the risk of greater losses."
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**Time: After Discussions**
After hearing the opinions of his army leaders, Maxan makes a decision regarding the proposal.
**Maxan** (thoughtfully): "We face a difficult decision. Prolonging the war may be costly and uncertain, while a truce provides us with a chance to rebuild our strength and avoid further losses. I will inform the envoy of our acceptance of the truce."
**Abdullah** (surprised): "But this means we will stop fighting while we are in a strong position. Are we sure this is the best choice?"
**Maxan** (with confidence): "We need to be pragmatic. A five-year peace will allow us to restore our strength and reinforce our position in the region. We can use this period to build alliances and strengthen our defenses."
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**Time: Afternoon**
Maxan meets with the envoy from Seville to convey his decision.
**Maxan** (firmly): "We have decided to accept your offer. We will agree to the five-year truce and will release the prisoners in exchange for the specified ransom."
**Envoy** (smiling): "We will convey this decision to our leader. Thank you for your cooperation, and we hope this truce marks the beginning of a more stable relationship between us."
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