As long as you are breathing

Spess

“I am sorry for being so harsh, but that’s what I think, man,” answered Sajid.

“Well, I think you do have a point, and the way the three of you made your plan is based on the chances of survival,” answered Kalil, “But that is not how I planned things. I was intending to go out alone in the search for Zahid and I would have gone out alone if none of you followed me and I intend to go alone if you all decide to leave me for the city. You can clearly see that survival isn’t my main priority.”

“Then, what is your priority sir?” asked Sajid, “Is your priority to find Zahid? Even though if you two become the last survivors you will have to kill him anyway? I am sorry sir but this is childish.”

“Call it childish or whatever you want. My priority is simple. To not completely be a pawn to the system or the aliens,” answered Kalil.

The answer shocked everyone. How is that even related? They stared at Kalil hoping for further explanation.

“To preserve my identity, my philosophy, my beliefs that is how I will rebel. I won’t become a pawn to them and lose my identity. I won’t become who they want me to be. I want to stay who I am and still win this thing,” continued Kalil.

Then he took a deep breath and gazed into the sky limited by an artificial ceiling. “And the Kalil I know would stick to hope in every little thing he can,” he added with a smile.

“That was amazing sir!” replied Khalid.

“My heart is beating like hell right now,” continued Walid.

“I am sorry for doubting you sir,” apologized Sajid.

“It’s okay,” Kalil replied calmly.

Khestri stayed silent in admiration of Kalil’s principles. The silence he was in after they joined didn’t let them have the opportunity to witness how amazing Kalil was.

With all the doubts out of the way yet again, they all decided to explore forward. Their journey led them through a forest to a two-way path. One goes downhill and the other goes uphill.

“Which way should we go sir?” asked Khalid.

“Downhill sounds like the safer option. Fewer chances of falling from there,” added Walid.

“But I think Zahid would choose uphill. Because our master uses his fearless yet compassionate heart more than his brain,” continued Sajid.

Then they all looked towards Kalil waiting for an order.

“I suggest we go upwards. Not only do we have more chances of finding Zahid there but also, our enemies would have fewer chances of being there,” explained Kalil, “If downhill is the safer option as you say Walid, that would suggest that our enemies are more tempted in choosing that option. Thus the uphill has fewer chances of consisting an enemy or enemy team.”

“Oh! We can proceed there more relaxed,” answered Khalid.

“Umm… I am not sure,” replied Khestri, “We are not the smartest people out there, you know. Maybe the enemies would also go there thinking that the upper slope is safer?”

“You have a point, Khestri,” remarked Kalil.

“And, there are chances that enemies spawned on the other side or are coming from that side towards here,” added Khestri.

“The risk is equal on both sides after all,” commented Kalil.

“Then what do you suggest we do, sir?” asked Walid.

“I personally want to embrace the risk while maintaining caution,” said Kalil.

But after Kalil’s speech that day, they didn’t feel hesitant about the risky decision anymore. “Then we will do so as well,” the three of them cheered.

Thus, they began their journey uphill in the scorching light from the high ceiling. The light may be artificial but the scorch is the same as the usual afternoon Kalil faced back on Earth. The grassy terrain would have tempted anyone to feel tranquil through their bare feet. But in the game of life and death, that is definitely not the thought in anyone’s mind for a second.

Anyone but one.

“Who made a flag here?” asked Khalid.

“Should we call it a flag?” asked Walid.

“Well, there’s a piece of garment and it's hanging by a stick. So, yes?” answered Sajid.

Kalil came to inspect what happened and to his surprise, “That…..is Zahid’s underwear.”

“Oh wow! We actually took the right track,” exclaimed Khalid.

“Can’t imagine how someone would be in the mood of playful games like this though,” added Walid.

“That’s our master for ya,” continued Sajid.

Khestri hid her face with two palms trying to hide her blushing. She totally didn’t expect to see a man’s underwear hanging like a flag on a battlefield where only one survives.

“Well, it’s kind of miraculous how we happen to choose the exact same path as Zahid,” remarked Kalil, “That makes our journey more worth it.”

In the end, near evening, they faced another option, as the road divided uphill and straight again.

“We go uphill again, right?” asked Walid.

“No, it’s almost evening,” answered Kalil, “Look in front.” He pointed at a cave in the straight path.

“We take shelter there this night. Tomorrow morning we walk back here and take the upwards direction,” commanded Kalil.

“Sir, yes sir!” all three of them ridiculously answered with a salute and step like an army. Khestri giggled a bit.

They all walked towards the cave and unexpectedly yet not surprisingly, they found a group of bats inside.

“What now boss?” asked Walid.

“How about we try to slowly step in and sleep without disturbing them,” suggested Khestri.

“I will go first. You guys stay here,” said Kalil.

“Master is so kind,” cried out Khalid.

“And so awesome,” added Walid.

“And self-sacrificing,” continued Sajid.

Kalil smiled a bit and mumbled, “I finally caught ya here Zahid.”

As soon as he took his first slow and careful step, the faint sound that he made was enough to wake up the bats as the sound echoed the whole silent dark cave. All the bats opened their eyes at once. They all started flying towards Kalil as Kalil took a defensive stance.

But they weren’t after Kalil, they were scared and trying to escape the cave. He calmed down and went back to his relaxed stance.

“Come in. It’s safe and empty now,” answered Kalil.

They all entered to find a group of seven baby bats on a rock.

“Boss, we found our dinner,” said Sajid.

“What happened to the fishes?” Kalil asked.

“We ate them in the afternoon, sir,” answered Khalid.

“I don’t know about this,” said Khestri, “They are babies. Plus I heard that Covid started due to some Chinese eating bats.”

“Umm… I don’t know,” said Walid, “But I don’t think we will get Covid eating bats only once in our lifetime. Especially if we fry well.”

“Well, bats aren’t really the food that is accepted as permissible in our religion. Then again our religion does tell us that we will be excused when it's a matter of survival,” suggested Kalil.

Thus, they all had to feed on baby bats that night.

The next morning they woke up refreshed and rejuvenated. They are all full of energy especially after spending a day full of no violent fighting against any other groups. They stretched their body out to get ready for the next day.

“Let’s go,” said Khalid pretty excited as he jogged cheerfully out of the cave only to be met with a punch.

Everyone quickly rushed out and took position beside Khalid. Fortunately, they have the advantage in number this time around as they stood face to face against a team of four.

Three strong and stout-looking persons with the same stance and height along with similarities in their face and one comparatively short person.

“Get ready!” said the short guy and Kalil simultaneously.

“Sir, yes sir!” answered both the trios on Kalil’s side and the opponent’s side.

“Cool, you have got an army in your side too, huh?” Kalil smirked.

“Correction Mister. These are Navy soldiers,” answered the leader.

“And who are you?” asked Kalil.

“Asking an introduction before introducing yourself? What courtesy!” answered the leader.

“My apology. My name is Kalil. I am a Muay Thai fighter,” said Kalil.

“Muay Thai fighter, huh?” said the leader, “Things are going to be interesting then. We are going to find out which is the better kicking martial arts as I am Spess, the Savate fighter.”

“Umm…” Khestri nosed in, “I am Khestri. And I am an Aikido fighter.”

The environment went silent for a second. The whole opponent team burst out in laughter soon after that.

“A girl? On top of that Aikido?” spouted Spess, “This can’t get any more hilarious.”

“She probably joined the game to win money for a new handbag,” laughed one of their soldiers.

“Or a lipstick,” laughed another.

“Probably heels,” laughed the last.

Khestri pouted. But Kalil said, “You guys are going to regret that. For disrespecting her as a girl and definitely, as an Aikido fighter.”

“What's the plan boss?” Khalid whispered.

“No whispers necessary,” said Kalil, “I shall announce the plan right in front of them and they are still going to lose.”

The laughter from the opponent team stopped at the insult. Yet, they kept their ears keen on what Kalil had to say.

“The three of you armies attack the three Navies while I attack Spess,” said Kalil.

“And I sit around, I know,” said Khestri as she pouted even more.

“Definitely not,” continued Kalil, “While the army team is fighting them, you join and help each of them one by one as I hold Spess back. After which, you all join me in stomping Spess.”

“Alright!” shouted out Khestri.

“Don’t get too confident,” said Spess while cracking his knuckles as their team walked towards Kalil’s.

Kalil popped his neck as their team also started walking.

The three armies and three navies met sooner and started their aggressive punch exchange. Kalil and Khestri walked side by side from behind the army as Spess came from behind the navies.

Khestri left towards the soldiers as they left midway as Kalil exploded a jumping teep on Spess which missed its mark as Spess jumped backward.

“Whose scared now huh?” said Kalil.