Episode 11 : Standing

The Arab soldiers moved with Zawaq to their operational area after resting at midnight. Zawaq rode in one of their Jeeps, sitting in the back passenger seat.

They traveled with Zawaq, bringing their essential supplies and weapons. Their journey took about two hours. They arrived at an abandoned, empty town.A building was brightly lit with a bonfire. They stopped around the building.

They all entered the building, escorting Zawaq as if he were an important officer among the Arab soldiers.Some Arab soldiers stood guard outside their operational center, using nearby buildings as watchtowers to ensure the area was safe and free of enemies.

It was easier to detect enemies from a distance by being on the highest floors of the town's buildings."I've heard a lot about you. Please sit down," said the bearded Arab officer to Zawaq.Zawaq sat in a chair in front of the Arab officer's desk.

Zawaq looked around. The small, two-story building was bustling with Arab soldiers handling communications and war strategy. Two large tables held maps of the town and other cities.

"What is your name?" the Arab officer asked Zawaq.

"Zawaq," he replied.

"I believe you are on our side, and I've heard about your extraordinary abilities," the officer praised Zawaq, but Zawaq only nodded.

"Where are you from?" the officer asked."Israhell," Zawaq answered, catching the attention of the Arab soldiers in the building.

"You are from Israhell, and I have reports that you are fighting against your own people and trying to protect the Palestinian people," the Arab officer explained.

"Yes," Zawaq confirmed.

"Why do you fight so fiercely against your own people and protect the Palestinians?" the officer asked, looking at Zawaq seriously.

"My people in Israhell are not human. I protect the Palestinians from the inhuman cruelty," Zawaq replied.

The officer nodded. Zawaq watched as the officer closed his eyes, thinking and evaluating Zawaq's statement.

"Can you tell me about yourself and the extraordinary people from Israhell? You and the others seem to have similarities. Explain in more detail," the officer requested.

"No problem. I'll explain from A to Z," Zawaq replied.

An hour passed, and Zawaq had finished his lengthy explanation. The Arab officer pondered Zawaq's honest account.

"A scientist who then became a super soldier?" the officer asked for confirmation.

"Everything I told you is true. I didn't lie," Zawaq said.

"Alright. You can rest now. It's three in the morning," the Arab officer said. Zawaq was escorted by four Arab soldiers out of the small office building to a larger building.

Zawaq lay on a bed with other Arab soldiers in the same room on a high floor. He fell asleep until the next morning.

Zawaq was awakened by an Arab soldier at noon. Zawaq walked back, escorted by four Arab soldiers for further questioning. Zawaq spent the time from noon until sunset answering questions.

The Arab officer looked at a map on a large table, marking the locations of Israhell's operations. Zawaq was escorted by four soldiers to a building where many Arab soldiers were eating together. Zawaq took the food provided.

Zawaq sat cross-legged on the floor with the other soldiers, eating rice with his hands. After dinner, Zawaq wandered around the Arab soldiers' operational area while being watched by the other soldiers.

Zawaq arrived at an open area where the soldiers performed the Maghrib prayer in congregation as the sky and surroundings darkened.

Zawaq watched them stand in formation. The leader led the prayer, reciting long and melodious Arabic phrases.

The Arabic recitation was not understood by Zawaq because the prayer language was different from everyday Arabic. Zawaq sat nearby, leaning against a wall, listening to the recitation.

Zawaq's eyes opened upon hearing a commotion. He sat up quickly. All the soldiers were moving swiftly, holding their weapons.Zawaq immediately ran towards the operational office building. An Arab officer still sat in his chair, reading documents on his desk. Zawaq was puzzled to see the officer calmly reading, his arms crossed.

"What's happening?" Zawaq asked the officer.

"Israhell soldiers are here now," the officer replied.

All the Arab soldiers fired in the direction of the Israhell soldiers. They used MAS-36, M1 Garand, Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk 3, Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk 1, Mauser Karabiner 98k, Hakim Rifle, Karabiner 43 (K43), The Hotchkiss M1909 FM24/29, Hotchkiss M1914, MG34, Bren Light Machine Gun, Tokarev SVT-40, Vickers Machine Gun, Mosin-Nagant 91/30, Mosin-Nagant M44, and M1919 Browning.

Bullets rained down on the advancing Israhell soldiers. Dozens of Israhell soldiers fell dead as they moved forward. Zawaq quickly climbed the stairs to the floor where the Arab soldiers were shooting.

Zawaq took nearby binoculars and observed the motionless Israhell soldiers. Seven Arab soldiers were assigned to move towards the Israhell soldiers' bodies.

They inspected the bodies and checked for any survivors. They took their weapons and ammunition. The bodies were gathered and buried, with five other soldiers digging a large grave for the many Israhell soldiers.

A seven-foot-deep, fifty-meter-long grave was dug. One by one, the bodies were pushed into the grave. Other soldiers collected papers and maps from the bodies.

"They know our location. We're lucky," said the Arab officer in his office.

"The clouds moved away, revealing the bright moonlight that exposed the Israhell soldiers. Thank God," one of the soldiers reported to the officer.

"Thank God," the officer responded.

"Our location has been exposed. What do we do now? Our informants indicate more Israhell soldiers are coming. They are all focusing on our location, even though we have many other operational sites," the soldier explained.

"Alright. We move now. We abandon this operational site and merge with our other hidden locations," the officer declared firmly.

Another Arab soldier arrived at the entrance. His face looked pale. The soldiers in the office turned to look at him.

"What's wrong?" the officer asked."We're under attack! Many corpses are rising!" the soldier shouted.

A hand emerged from his chest. The left hand had pierced through his chest, blood gushing out. The soldier was impaled. All the Arab soldiers raised their weapons towards him. The body was pushed off the hand and fell face-first.

In front of them stood an Israhell soldier at the entrance. Two Arab soldiers rushed to protect the officer, firing their FN-FAL rifles. All the soldiers in the building fired at the Israhell soldier.The blood-soaked Israhell soldier did not move, taking the shots. The soldier transformed. His two arms and face turned black.

His face was no longer human. Many bullets fell to the floor, unable to penetrate his body even before he transformed. All the Arab soldiers were shocked and quickly reloaded their empty magazines.

Outside the office building, an Israhell soldier sped towards the nearby Arab soldiers, slapping their faces, shattering their faces with one blow, exposing their internal organs.Zawaq quickly charged at the Israhell soldier, slamming him into a nearby building wall. The wall crumbled upon impact.

Zawaq then punched the soldier's face multiple times. The Israhell soldier pushed Zawaq away.

"Who are you?! How can you fight me?! What are you?! A super Arab soldier?!" the Israhell soldier questioned.

"Arab soldier? No," Zawaq replied.

Zawaq grabbed the Israhell soldier's face, pushing his head into a nearby pillar. The pillar shattered upon impact. The Israhell soldier grabbed Zawaq's left arm.