***
{Inside The Projection}
Malik looked left. Then right. Then forward to Kabir.
"...It seems I did right by choosing you."
Kabir swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.
"Thank you, Lord."
Malik's eyes then swept across the camp, piercing into each rebel's soul.
"Though they outnumber us, these bandits won't rush us."
A heavy silence fell.
Even the youngest among them could tell this was strategy, not hope.
"They'll stay just inside the dome's edge. Let the Holy Relic bleed me—us dry. Fire arrows. Wear us down. They know not to provoke me outright. Not yet."
Kabir clenched his jaw, as did many others.
"They'll wait... until I'm weak. Until I'm on my knees. Then he'll send in the ten Jinn."
Ten. Jinn.
Most of the Banu Sasan winced.
"Time is on their side, and we'll be taking advantage of that."
Only Kabir appeared unfazed, hanging on his Lord's every word.
"You... my people. You must not let them tighten the noose."
