Gulnaz’s hands were calloused but skilled, weaving intricate patterns into the vibrant fabric of the carpet spread before her. The sun streamed through the small window of her modest home, illuminating the dusty room with a warm glow.

Her adoptive grandmother, Teta, sat nearby, her frail fingers busily crafting delicate lace for a new dress. The rhythmic sound of the loom was a comfort, a reminder of the simplicity of their life in the village. Her house was at the end coast of the village which is very far from center of village and connected to forest.

But today was different. Today, an ominous feeling hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury.

The tension in the village had been palpable for weeks, whispers of unrest echoing among the market stalls. Gulnaz had brushed it off, too busy with her work and the care of Teta, who relied on her for everything.

Suddenly, the peace shattered. The sound of galloping hooves filled the air, growing louder and louder until a squadron of soldiers burst into the village square.

Clad in dark armor, the Sultan’s emblem glinting in the sun, they charged through the marketplace, scattering vendors and patrons alike. Gulnaz's heart raced as she instinctively moved closer to Teta, the old woman’s eyes wide with fear.

“What’s happening, Gulnaz?” Teta whispered, her voice trembling.

“I don’t know, Teta. Stay close to me,” Gulnaz replied, gripping her grandmother’s frail hand.

The soldiers began barking orders, forcing villagers to the ground, shouting threats to anyone who dared to resist. Gulnaz watched in horror as one soldier grabbed a merchant by the collar, dragging him to the center of the square.

“You dare to defy Sultan Rashid?” the soldier roared. “You will learn the consequences of your insolence!”

Gulnaz’s breath quickened, her mind racing. She had heard of Sultan Rashid—his cruelty was the stuff of nightmares. He was a man feared across the land, his merciless reign marked by blood and suffering. The thought of him loomed over her like a dark cloud, chilling her to the bone.

As panic spread through the crowd, Gulnaz felt an overwhelming urge to escape. She turned to lead Teta away, but before they could move, a soldier blocked their path. He was young, perhaps only a few years older than her, but the menace in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

“Where do you think you’re going, girl?” he sneered, stepping forward. “Stay put!”

“Please, we mean no harm,” Gulnaz begged, her voice shaky. “We just want to go home.”

“Not so fast,” he replied, smirking as he grabbed her arm. “You’ll have to entertain us a bit first.”

“Let her go!” Teta cried out, her voice filled with defiance despite her frail stature. “You have no right!”

The soldier turned his gaze to Teta, his smirk widening. “And who will stop me, old woman? You?” He laughed as he launched his sword in Teta’s stomach, and the sound echoed like a death knell in Gulnaz’s ears.

Panic surged within her. Her heart raced, and the weight of the situation bore down heavily. She could feel her honor slipping through her fingers like sand, and the thought of losing it was unbearable. Suddenly, desperation clawed at her throat, and she screamed "grandma, grandma p-please"

"Ru..run my daughter, ru..run save you..your honour from this monsters, for m..me run" grandma uttered as she took her last breath, suddenly as one soldier was about to come close to her gulnaz put some dust in his eyes and made a run.

Gulnaz’s heart raced as she sprinted through the chaos of her village. The shouts of soldiers echoed in her ears, mingling with the terrified cries of her fellow villagers. The market that had once been a place of laughter and camaraderie had transformed into a battleground, with chaos erupting around her.

Her sleeve was torn from the scuffle, the frayed edge hanging limply at her side. In a moment of panic, she secured her scarf tightly around her shoulders, the fabric a feeble shield against the humiliation she felt creeping closer with every step. Desperation coursed through her veins; she had to escape.

Gulnaz had always been the quiet, obedient daughter of her late parents, raised by her wise Teta. She had been taught to endure, to keep her head down, and to weave dreams into the fabric of her work. But today, as the soldiers terrorized her home, all those lessons felt irrelevant.

“Run, Gulnaz! Run!” she whispered to herself, urging her weary legs forward as she navigated through the alleyways. Her breath came in shallow gasps, and just as her vision began to blur, she stumbled into an open space near the edge of the village.

As she blinked away the darkness creeping into her vision, she spotted a man standing just beyond the chaos, partially concealed by the shadows of a nearby building. He was cloaked in dark fabric, his form both imposing and enigmatic. A shiver of recognition flickered in her chest, but she couldn’t dwell on it.

“Please! Help... me..” she cried out, desperation pouring from her voice before loosing her consciousness.