Circles of Shadows”

Mysterious Message Arrives

• The chapter begins at the tribal camp. Samer monitors the fortifications while tending to his recent wound. Zayan, battered from his injuries, joins him, maintaining his usual humor.

Zayan (joking): "If I get injured one more time, I'm claiming my share of the spoils, including that armor you love."

Samer: "I promise, the armor will be yours… once you defeat an opponent without injuring yourself."

• As they laugh, a mysterious rider appears at the camp's edge carrying a letter sealed with the emblem of the Kings of Jinn.

Lian (cautiously): "This emblem… I haven't seen it in years. How did this rider make it here?"

Samer: "Open the letter carefully. It might be a trap."

• The letter warns of a "traitor" in their ranks without revealing any identities.

• In the command tent, the sheikhs gather to discuss the letter.

Hazaa: "We can't trust words sent by the jinn. This might be an attempt to sow doubt among us."

Talal: "Ignoring this warning could be a grave mistake. If there's a traitor among us, it could jeopardize all our plans."

• Tensions rise among the sheikhs, especially as suspicious behavior is noticed among some new soldiers.

Hazaa (angrily): "I won't let doubt poison the hearts of our men. But if there is a traitor, I will find them myself."

• In a distant camp, Thargham discusses the war's developments with Shimar.

Thargham: "I sent the letter as ordered. Doubt will destroy them from within."

Shimar: "Good. But don't underestimate them. The sheikhs are not as naive as you think."

Thargham: "Leave that to me. I have my own plan to lure them into a trap."

• At night, a scouting group led by Samer, Lian, and Zayan ventures into the forest to investigate potential leads on the traitor.

• They hear strange noises in the forest and are ambushed by creatures they've never encountered before.

Zayan (smiling despite the tension): "Well, I thought this night would be quiet… I was wrong."

Samer: "Stay alert. These aren't ordinary creatures."

• The fight erupts suddenly as creatures, a mix of beasts and jinn, attack.

Lian: "This isn't a coincidence. Someone led us here deliberately."

Samer: "If that's the case, we'll make them regret it."

• The battle is intense, showcasing the trio's exceptional teamwork, though they notice the creatures seem oddly focused on them.

• During the fight, Samer notices a symbol etched on a tree that feels strangely familiar.

Samer (thoughtfully): "This symbol… it's from long ago. It might be tied to the roots of this war."

Lian (surprised): "How do you know it?"

Samer: "Because it was the emblem of my family. The family that was destroyed."

• The mystery surrounding Samer's past deepens as the symbol raises questions about their enemies' role in his family's downfall.

Hazaa's Clash with Shryar Again

• Elsewhere, Hazaa faces off with his old rival Shryar once more.

Shryar (with a sly smile): "Don't you ever tire of chasing me?"

Hazaa: "I'll tire only when I end this war and see you kneel before us."

• Their fight becomes more psychological than physical as Shryar tries to shake Hazaa's confidence by revealing unsettling truths about the tribal allies.

Shryar: "You fight for men who don't even believe in your cause. What will you do when they stab you in the back?"

Hazaa: "Your words won't sway me from my goal. The truth is always stronger than lies."

• After a long battle in the forest, Zayan devises a clever plan to confuse the creatures.

Zayan (grinning widely): "If you want to stop something mysterious, be even more mysterious."

• The plan works, but they discover a trail leading them to a strange portal at the heart of the forest.

• The portal pulsates with energy, and as Samer approaches, hazy images of the past appear, including scenes of his family's destruction.

Samer (whispering): "What is this place… and why is it showing me all this?"

Lian: "This portal might be connected to our enemies. We must tread carefully."

• They decide to report their findings to the sheikhs, but the mystery surrounding Samer's role deepens further.

• In the command tent, Talal suggests summoning Sheikh Naif, a wise elder renowned for unraveling ancient mysteries.

Hazaa: "Naif is no ordinary sheikh. If there's a secret to uncover, he's the one to do it."

Talal: "But it will take time for him to arrive. We must hold on until then."

• The final scene shows Ragheb and Shimar in their distant lair.

Ragheb: "The tribes are slowly fracturing. But I will deal with these sheikhs personally soon."

Shimar: "You won't need to. My next plan will have them begging for mercy."

….