Episode 28 : Ground

The enemy's back hit the ground, falling from the sky along with Zawaq, except Zawaq landed on the enemy, standing on one leg-his right.

Zawaq kicked the enemy, driving the enemy's body into the ground. The enemy vomited a lot of blood. His eyes turned white, with his pupils hiding beneath his upper eyelids.

All the bones in Zawaq's leg shattered, splintered, and crumbled inside. His right leg turned limp like a boneless squid. Zawaq collapsed on the ground beside the enemy, screaming in pain as he held his right leg with both hands.

An Arab fighter jet flew low, blowing away the dust cloud obscuring the surroundings. The drifting sand revealed Zawaq and his unconscious enemy.

"The pilot died, crashing to the ground after his parachute was destroyed by the enemy, but Zawaq is unharmed," the pilot reported to Afiq through the microphone on his helmet from inside the jet.

"Fly back to headquarters. Send the report and request reinforcements. We'll move out now. The enemy is defeated. A ceasefire begins now," Afiq instructed the pilot.

"Understood. Take care," replied the pilot.

Afiq turned off the radio switch located on the ground in front of a cave, where it was connected to a large battery.

"Let's get Zawaq," Afiq said to the Arab soldiers.

Two military trucks arrived at the scene, where Zawaq had defeated an enemy. The soldiers were stunned to see Zawaq still alive.

"Congratulations, Zawaq. You defeated him. You need medical attention," Zaqwan said, running toward Zawaq.

"It wasn't just me. Together, we defeated this wretch," Zawaq replied, enduring the pain while glancing at the unconscious enemy.

Zaqwan inspected Zawaq's right leg, then looked at Zawaq, who was groaning in pain.

"You need immediate surgery, or you'll die from severe blood loss," Zaqwan said to Zawaq.

"No need," Zawaq replied.

"You might heal on your own without treatment, but you'll lose too much blood before that happens," Zaqwan warned, worried.

"What are you doing?" Zawaq asked the soldiers, who were lifting the enemy's body into the back of a military truck and injecting him multiple times with a sedative.

"Orders from headquarters: bring the enemy's body back for investigation and research," Afiq explained, glancing at the motionless enemy.

"Hopefully, it helps you and gives an advantage in the war," Zawaq said, lying on the ground.

"For now, there's no war. Israhell has won the battle. We soldiers need to return home," Afiq replied.

"I understand," Zawaq said, turning his face toward the sky.

"Sorry, Zawaq. We'll stay with you until you recover. After that, you can choose your own path," Afiq said, kneeling beside Zawaq's lying body.

"Thank you," Zawaq responded.

"Also, we're sorry we couldn't save your parents and friends who were taken captive," Afiq added.

"It's not your fault. You had tasks and orders to follow," Zawaq replied.

"Sorry, Zawaq. If we could, we really wanted to help," Afiq said regretfully.

"It's my fault. I've created enemies too difficult for you to fight. Let me bear this burden and fix my own mistakes," Zawaq said.

Afiq and Zaqwan exchanged glances, then looked at Zawaq.

"Thank you for standing with me and accepting me in our fight against our enemies," Zawaq said.

"Enough, Zawaq. Stop talking. Stay quiet. You need to recover. What's your blood type? We'll find a soldier with a matching type," Zaqwan said to Zawaq.

"Alright," Zawaq replied.

Zawaq was carried by the soldiers and placed into another military truck, which took him back to their base.

---

Two weeks later, Zawaq walked around the base. The Arab soldiers were packing up, storing their belongings into military trucks. Afiq, Zaqwan, and other soldiers approached Zawaq.

"Zawaq, if fate allows, we'll meet again in the future," Afiq said to Zawaq.

"Thank you for everything," Afiq added, extending his right hand for a handshake.

Zawaq shook Afiq's hand. Other soldiers, including Zaqwan, also extended their hands, and Zawaq shook hands with all of them.

Some Arab soldiers placed several crates in front of Zawaq.

"What's this?" Zawaq asked.

"These are supplies to help with your journey. We no longer need them. Anti-Israhell soldier bullets," one Arab soldier explained.

"Zawaq, take this sword. We've maintained it, ensuring it doesn't rust or dull. This anti-Israhell soldier sword will be your loyal companion," another soldier said.

"Thank you. I truly appreciate you all for stepping into my life, even if only briefly," Zawaq said to the Arab soldiers.

"Goodbye, Zawaq. May God protect you," Zaqwan said to Zawaq.

The Arab soldiers began boarding their vehicles and left Zawaq alone. Many of the soldiers waved at Zawaq as they drove back to their homeland.

Zawaq waved back until the military trucks disappeared from sight. He opened the crates left behind by the Arab soldiers and inspected them.

Zawaq sat beside the crates filled with weaponry. He gazed at the sky. Once, he fought alongside his comrades, but now, he would continue the battle alone.

After resting for a day, Zawaq walked out of the cave that had once been the Arab soldiers' hideout. Birds soared high in the sky. The air shimmered as it rose into the heavens. Step by step, as the sun climbed, its bright forehead illuminated the earth.

Zawaq also took steps, leaving the cave behind. He carried a sand-colored military bag. His long journey took him over hills, mountains, and deserts.

Whether by day or night, Zawaq pressed on relentlessly toward his destination.

After a week of travel, he halted at noon. The sun was directly overhead. Zawaq's eyes focused on a location 3,000 kilometers away.

Taking cover behind a nearby tree, Zawaq loaded a drum magazine into his PPSh-41 SMG.