C12 Chapter 12: The Mystery of the Cave and the Map

In the previous chapter, you read that Ali and Junaid reached the upper part of the Junagadh hills, where they decided to rest. But an unseen danger awaited them.

Now, moving forward...

The night had deepened. The moonlight was faint, and the mountain air carried a strange chill.

Ali and Junaid, exhausted, had fallen into a deep sleep. Silence surrounded them... but not for long.

Suddenly, the bushes rustled. Two shadows moved forward cautiously. Their faces were hidden in the darkness, but the sound of their heavy breathing echoed in the still night.

First Bandit (whispering):

"Look, two young boys! Today's prey is ours!"

Second Bandit (hesitant):

"But who are they? I’ve never seen them before."

First Bandit (laughing softly):

"What does that matter? We just need to do our job. Besides, we never harm our own!"

Second Bandit:

"You're right. But what's the plan?"

First Bandit:

"It's simple. They're in deep sleep. We'll tie them up quietly and take whatever valuables they have!"

Second Bandit:

"Just be careful. A single mistake could ruin everything."

Both bandits crept toward Ali and Junaid. The first bandit leaned down and gently pulled Junaid’s blanket aside, placing a hand on his shoulder. But the very next moment…

Junaid (startled):

"Who’s there?"

Junaid pushed the bandit with all his strength, making him stumble back. He quickly shook Ali awake—

Junaid:

"Ali! Wake up! We’re under attack!"

Ali’s eyes shot open. Both of them were now fully alert. In front of them stood two unknown figures.

Ali (firmly):

"Who are you? And why are you attacking us?"

First Bandit (mocking):

"There’s no time for questions, boys! Surrender, or you’ll regret it."

Junaid (smirking):

"You came to capture us in our sleep, but now you won’t be able to escape!"

A fight broke out. Ali faced the first bandit, while Junaid took on the second.

The first bandit lunged forward, gripping Ali’s neck tightly, choking him. Ali gasped, struggling for breath. Then, he remembered the sedative pin given to him by the old man. With great effort, he reached into his pocket and jabbed the pin into the bandit's neck.

First Bandit (shocked):

"What… is this…?"

The very next second, he collapsed—unconscious!

Meanwhile, Junaid and the second bandit were locked in an intense fight. The bandit threw a powerful punch, but Junaid dodged skillfully and struck back with a hard blow to his stomach. The bandit groaned in pain.

Suddenly, the bandit swung his fist at Junaid’s head, hitting him hard. Junaid staggered but quickly regained balance. Without wasting a second, he shoved the bandit with full force.

There was no place to land…

But what’s this? The bandit stumbled towards the edge of the cliff. His balance faltered, and he hung precariously over the deep abyss below.

Bandit (panicking, shouting):

"Help! I’m going to fall! I promise I won’t harm you!"

Junaid looked at him dangling over the edge. He paused… then smirked and said—

Junaid (teasingly):

"Stay there! Did you think about this when you tried to capture us in our sleep?"

Bandit (pleading):

"No! Please, don’t let me fall! Save me!"

Ali thought for a moment, then looked at Junaid.

Ali (seriously):

"Junaid, save him. He must have a family too."

Junaid (surprised):

"Are you seriously talking about saving the man who tried to kill us in our sleep?"

Ali (smiling):

"Evil should be answered with goodness. Only then can people change."

Junaid took a deep breath and said—

Junaid:

"Ali! Your kindness always wins me over. Alright, let’s save him!"

Junaid bent down, grabbed the bandit’s hand, and pulled him up. The bandit stood there, shaken, and then, with eyes full of gratitude, said—

Bandit:

"You saved my life… I will always be grateful!"

Just then, the unconscious bandit regained consciousness. The second bandit rushed to him, excitedly saying—

Bandit:

"Brother! These boys are better than us! They saved my life!"

Ali:

"Now, tell me—why did you attack us?"

The bandit hesitated for a moment before speaking—

Bandit:

"We thought you were rich… and we could take something valuable from you. We planned to capture you in your sleep… but now we realize that we made a huge mistake."

Junaid:

"But why did you have to capture us for that?"

Second Bandit:

"You were asleep, and we had no weapons. So, we thought of tying you up and looting whatever valuables you had… but we truly regret it now. Please forgive us."

Ali:

"We don’t have anything valuable that you could have stolen anyway. Now, promise me that from today, you will never engage in robbery again and will earn an honest living instead!"

First Bandit (moved):

"I was already deeply inspired by you… I swear, I will never rob again. I will work honestly and help others whenever I can!"

Ali:

"But why did you turn to robbery in the first place?"

First Bandit (ashamed):

"We were once soldiers of the Azamgarh Sultanate. But when the new king took over, we were dismissed without reason. We searched for honest work for months, but found nothing. Out of desperation, we chose this path… but now, we understand it was wrong."

Ali:

"But now, you won’t take that path again. You have promised!"

Both Bandits (together):

"We will keep our promise! We will work honestly from now on!"

The first rays of the sun touched the hills. Birds chirped in the crisp morning air.

Junaid looked up at the sky and then turned to Ali—

Junaid:

"We should move forward now. It’s time to begin our journey to the cave."

The first bandit suddenly looked alarmed.

First Bandit:

"What? You’re heading to that cave?"

Junaid (curious):

"Yes! Do you know something about it?"

Bandit (worried):

"That cave is extremely dangerous! It has countless pathways. If you take the wrong one, you may never find your way out!"

A look of concern crossed Ali and Junaid’s faces.

Ali:

"Then is there a way to get through it safely?"

The bandit pulled out an old map from his pouch and handed it to Ali.

Bandit:

"My grandfather gave me this map. If you follow it carefully, you will never lose your way!"

Ali and Junaid sighed in relief.

Ali:

"Thank you, friend! With your help, we’ll make it through the cave!"

The two bandits smiled and left. Ali and Junaid now stepped toward the cave.

After some time, they finally reached it.

Standing before the cave, Junaid suddenly fainted.

What happens next…?

What did Junaid see that made him lose consciousness?

Will Ali and Junaid be able to pass through the cave?

Only five days remain before Ameer Taahir sets out on his journey for the legendary sword, Al-Amaanah!

Can Ali and Junaid stop him in time?

To find out, read Chapter 13!

To be continued…