Chapter 17:You're part of the family now

The city of Marid was in chaos. The news of Duke Jakobo's involvement with a cult that sacrificed people spread like wildfire, leaving the citizens in a state of disbelief and fear. The Royal families, alerted to the situation, swiftly decided to remove the Duke from his position and appoint the local Baron as the new head of the city. This meant Nita's father would now be in charge, a bittersweet victory for the Niziari.

The city's underground, including the cult, was exposed. Members scattered, fleeing the city, leaving behind the remnants of their twisted beliefs. The Ashari, their presence in Marid now a fleeting memory, vanished into the shadows, their plans thwarted, their puppet master gone.

Adi, however, remained troubled by the masked man's words. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the Ashari than met the eye. He sought out Al Mussad, his mind filled with questions.

"Can I join you back to Niziari?" Adi asked, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and determination.

Al Mussad, his eyes filled with warmth, welcomed Adi's request. "Of course," he said, his voice a low rumble. "You're part of the family now."

Adi, his heart swelling with gratitude, sought permission from the Marid branch members. They gathered for a farewell party, a bittersweet celebration filled with tears and laughter. Adi, his heart heavy with a mixture of sadness and excitement, bid farewell to his comrades, his new family.

Al Mussad, his caravan of Niziari members, set off towards Niziari. The journey was long and arduous, taking months to complete. They endured harsh weather, including sandstorms, and spent nights camping under the vast, star-filled sky. They traveled through bustling cities and desolate landscapes, their purpose unwavering, their resolve unyielding.

Finally, after a grueling journey, they reached Niziari, the heart of the Niziari society, a place of secrets and power, a sanctuary for those who walked in the shadows. Adi, his eyes wide with wonder, his senses heightened, stepped into the heart of the Niziari world, ready to learn, to grow, to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Adi and Al Mussad stepped into Niziari, the familiar scent of incense and old parchment filling their nostrils. Adi looked around, his eyes scanning the bustling courtyard, the towering buildings, the intricate gardens.

"Well, this place looks the same as the last time I was here," Adi said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Al Mussad chuckled. "What can you say? Old folks here don't want change." He paused, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "Anyway, we need to go to the Elders. We need to ask permission to use the library. The records of the Ashari are there."

Al Mussad strode towards the main building, his steps confident, his purpose clear. He entered the building, leaving Adi to wait outside. Adi, his mind filled with memories, wandered the courtyard, his eyes tracing the familiar walls, the hallways where he'd trained, the weapons he'd learned to wield. A wave of nostalgia washed over him, a bittersweet feeling of belonging, of being home.

He recognized a few faces, the merchant who sold him his first dagger, the Masters who had trained him, their faces etched with the same stern expressions he remembered. But most of the faces were new, a testament to the passage of time.

Al Mussad returned, his face beaming. He held a set of keys, the keys to the library, the keys to the secrets of the Ashari.

"Permission granted," he said, his voice filled with a quiet satisfaction. "Let's go."

Adi, his heart pounding with anticipation, followed Al Mussad into the library. The air was cool and still, the scent of old paper and leather filling the air. Rows upon rows of books lined the shelves, their titles a mystery, their contents a secret waiting to be unveiled.

Adi and Al Mussad, their eyes scanning the shelves, their minds filled with a sense of purpose, began their search. They were on a quest for knowledge, for answers, for the truth about the Ashari. The library was their weapon, their guide, their key to understanding the darkness that threatened to engulf the world. The journey had just begun.