Zayyad

17. Ridiyya gets the upper hand.

17. Ridiyya gets the upper hand

The soldiers from the camp of Amatra exchanged glances. Anaz suddenly spoke, "Some people only know how to talk but no fists. Being young doesn't mean that you can't fight?" Naturally, they knew who he was speaking with. 

Zayyad didn't show any interest because the person he wanted to fight hadn't moved yet. Since Bilal was itching to fight him, he will wait and teach him a lesson. 

Hussein disliked Anas's behavior and retorted, "I can't believe that a loser is busy running his mouth here." 

"Heh," Anas sneered. "Why don't you go and fight then?" 

"Do you think I wouldn't dare?" Hussein returned but Adnan held his shoulder.

"Fight someone that will help you train and not get beaten in seconds." He said to him and walked to Wisaam. "I will fight." 

Wisaam nodded and Adnan walked out, tightening his scarf. He knew Mu'az was strong but he decided to fight for them. 

He greeted Mu'az who returned their greeting and they got ready. Adnan tightened his fist and attacked first, which Mu'az blocked with his palm. Adnan was surprised that he couldn't move an inch. Mu'az sent his otter fist and Adnan could only block with his arm. He was pushed back and he felt the stinging pain in his hand. 

"I can't lose badly," he reminded himself and went for another struggle. Even after being thrown on the ground several times, Adnan didn't give up until he couldn't move anymore. Mu'az helped him up and escorted him to their camp where his friends received him. Wisaam was impressed even though they lost. 

"Never knew you were this fierce." Husein grinned at the tired Adnan. Adnan glared at him, before shifting his gaze to regain his strength. 

Unlike the others who fought earlier, Mu'az didn't look tired. He immediately challenged Al Jabisha. They lost again and he challenged Amatra too who lost again. Mu'az then went back to his camp, after winning Ridiyya four wins. Ridiyya got the upper hand easily. 

"Continue!" General Arafat announced. The fights continued and as the men got this chance to move their muscles, they didn't realize that time was moving fast. Only when they heard the Adhan. It was time for Zuhr. 

"Seize!" General Arafat raised his hands and the fighters in the ring stopped. He walked to the middle and said, "I can see that there is strong blood amongst you. We will stop here for now and have another round after Asr. The ranking now is Ridiyya with the highest wins, then Al Jabisha, and lastly Amatra." 

Ridiyya not only had the highest score but men who hadn't fought, because the challengers they sent mostly won two fights before resting, which made the other camps lose a fighter while they retain theirs. Al Jabisha was better but for Amatra, they were fewer in the first place and after losing some fights, their number was reduced more.  

"Go and pray and get ready for the evening exercise." General Arafat said and left them alone. The group walked back together to pray. 

Before Zayyad entered their tent, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Already knowing who it was, he turned and looked at Bilal. 

"Why haven't you fought yet?" Bilal asked. 

"The same reason you haven't." Zayyad returns and Bilal narrows his eyes. 

"Where did this guy become your friend?" The twins suddenly appeared beside them as Hussein asked. 

"Friends?" The two inquired. Hassan eyed them and said, "I thought all Muslims are brothers. " 

"Hey," Bilal turned to him. "Say that when we are on the battlefield but for today, we are competitors. Too bad your camp might be eliminated soon." 

"Is that the reason your camp is number two?" Hussein asked him. 

"That's because I wasn't the leader. If not.. hmmph." Bilal snorted. 

"There is fire on your head." Hassan suddenly said. Bilal's eyes widened as he roughed his hair quickly. "Where?!" He glared at Hassan. 

"Oh. That's your pride." Hassan added before walking away.

"You…." Bilal pointed at his back. He turned to Zayyad and exhaled. "I won't bicker around with you guys, but make sure that when you see me in the ring, you better come out. Don't be a coward then." 

"We will see about that." Zayyad placidly returned. Bilal smiled and went over to his tent. 

"He needs water to be poured on that fire. " Hussein shook his head. 

"Ignore him," Zayyad said and pulled him inside. The tent was unusually quiet because of the fight. They met Adnan on the way and he said, "Let's go meet my father," 

Since it was rest time and they were meeting an older soldier, his friends agreed and they left the tent. 

They headed for Rajab's tent and were told that he was at the gates. They took a walk and met Rajab there with another soldier in the interior. Outside was heavily guarded and two soldiers had to be stationed inside for sending information. 

"Assalamu alaikum!" Adnan raised his hand, drawing his father's attention. 

"It's you, boys. I thought you were training. " Rajab smiled. 

"We got a break. The fight continues in the evening." Adnan said. 

"Oh, the ring fights?" The other soldier, A

Badr inquired and shared a knowing smile with Rajab. 

"Very exciting," Hussein exclaimed. "And Adnan fought but he lost." He laughed. 

"Oh," Rajan looked at his son. "No wonder he looks worked up." Adnan on the other hand was glaring at Hussein. He then turned to his father and said, "It's a challenging fight and I got a strong guy. He defeated four people in a go. I fought to my ability and I'm much better than someone who hasn't fought at all." 

"Stop making fun of each other." Rajab shook his head and looked at Hassan and Zayyad. 

"You two haven't fought yet?" He asked. 

"There is still time," Zayyad said. 

"The fight won't likely end today," Badr reasoned. "When we first had a ring fight, the same thing happened and in the last part, every group always had a surprise." These made the young men's eyes shine. 

"A harder test, that's it," Rajab added. 

"I just missed it." Adnan roughed his hair. 

"I will beg the leader to let me fight later," Hussein blurted out and Hassan slapped his shoulder. "Do you think that Amatra wants to lose any further?" He berated his brother. 

"Stop looking down upon me." Hussein pouted. Zayyad then asked, "What type of surprise?" 

Rajab calmly answered, "They change it time by time and during our time, the last fight was a rumble." 

"How?" Hassan asked. 

"The remaining soldiers fought with no specific rule. Three challengers entered from each camp and they fight until one loses. Another soldier is sent in to replace the losers. This continues until two are just left. The last man standing was rewarded. " Rajab answered. 

"That will be interesting." Hassan smiled, folding his arms.

"But yours might be different." Badr reminded them. 

Hassan looked at Zayyad and they could see the anticipation in each other's eyes. Zayyad narrowed his eyes. He knew that after Bilal finds out about this, he will delay fighting too. What surprise will General Arafat prepare for them?