(Omar returns to Egypt once more, but this time with Hova)
Omar: Alright, I expect we'll have to take a plane from here to get to Egypt.
Hova: A plane?
Omar: Yes, I've seen it being used nowadays to get from one place to another. But we'll have to take a ship to the nearest country first.
Hova: You're overcomplicating things. Give me a map of the world.
Omar: Alright, here you go.
(Hova uses a piece of paper with strange symbols on it)
Omar: What is this paper?
Hova: This is called a Varo sheet. It can transport us from distant places, but it's incredibly rare. I have four of them. One for us to go to Egypt, the second to go to the continent, the third if I need to return to my continent again, and the fourth is a spare.
Omar: Alright, let's go.
(Omar and Hova arrive in Egypt)
Omar: What year is it, old man?
Old Man: We are in the year 1943.
Hova: Time passes much faster when we are inside the continent.
(They see the pyramids, the camels, and the development that has taken place, but he notices that this development has stopped due to the conflicts and wars that occurred a short time ago)
Hova: I've seen Mas's house and my workplace; I want to see yours.
Omar: You won't like it.
Hova: Don't worry, it won't be worse than my sleeping place.
Omar: Do you want the honest truth? When I met you, your smell and the smell of the place were worse than the waste of creatures.
Hova: Well, let's be realistic. I slept in a garbage dump because of that hag, so what do you expect?
(They go to his house)
Omar: Well, I've only been to this house a few times in my life.
Hova: Why are the rooms clean?
Omar: I used to sleep on the floor, waiting for my parents, and then Kwaki came for me.
Hova: Wait, wait! Kwaki, the Lord of Earth's Wars?
Omar: How do you know him?
Hova: We have a story about him. The story tells of a person who was one of three adventurers. One from an ancient lineage from the Third Gate, the second I didn't really know who he was, and Kwaki. They say they parted ways, each to live their own life, having had enough adventures, exploring the world, discovering weapons, and so on. They have expertise in sword making and other things. They used many methods on humans to hide their identities, but in return, they became weak, and their power, which was once considered among the strongest beings in the world, became the strength of a weak human.
Omar: How did you know all this?
Hova: Because Kwaki is one of Morpheus's companions. He wrote his story in books, but when Kwaki met Morpheus, he was alone because they were on separate missions. That's why Morpheus only met Kwaki out of the three.
Omar: This is really bad for me.
Hova: Why?
Omar: Kwaki is dead. And if that's the reason, then I understand why my father died so easily. But it doesn't matter, forget it.
Hova: Do you mean your father is one of those three? I'm starting to understand why Morpheus gave you the three wishes.
Omar: And I understand now too.
Hova: If your father is one of the three, does that mean this is his house? Where is his room? Tell me quickly.
Omar: It's the last room at the end of the hall.
(Hova runs and falls onto the bed, rolling from side to side)
Omar: Please, sleep in any room but this one, or don't even come near this room, because this is disgusting, seriously disgusting.
(Hova gets off the bed)
Hova: Okay, just because one of those three used to sleep here, you think I want to sleep here? Alright, can you tell me why we came here?
Omar: My second wish from Morpheus was a bag of his sand.
Hova: I don't believe it! Did he really give you his sand? He wouldn't even give that damn woman a bed to sleep on, and he gives you his sand!
Omar: I want to ask around here for the best fletcher who can merge this sand into arrows, and I think I know where to find him.
(Omar closes his eyes for a moment to concentrate)
(He opens them, and the location has been set for him)
Omar: If you want me to go and you want to rest here, just tell me.
Hova: No, let's finish this first.
Omar: Let's go then.
(They enter the shop)
Abhara: Look who's visiting us now.
Omar: It's been a long time since our last meeting.
Abhara: Did you give up on bringing the girl back, so you went to collect girls instead?
Omar: You're still the same, man. You look like the dead.
Abhara: It's hard to maintain my appearance as I get older.
Hova: Who is this man?
Omar: This is Abhara, someone who has seen me in all my states.
(Arena enters)
Omar: How are you, old hag?
Arena: You know I'm weaker than you only because of my appearance. Otherwise, you'd be dead by now.
Hova: What do you mean they saw you in all your states?
Omar: They are demons who disguised themselves as humans. They lived for over 300 years, so they saw me when I got married, when I was searching, when I was in love, and when I had children.
Hova: Wait, wait, wait! What? You said three things, each stranger than the last. One, you're demons—I never expected to see demons before. And two, you were married and have children?
Omar: I was. They died a long time ago.
Arena: Omar, why in hell did you manage to reach the Marloa race?
Omar: I'll tell you the latest developments. I met Morpheus.
Abhara: Are you kidding me? You met one of the most powerful kings on Earth? Tell us in detail what happened.
(After he tells them what happened)
Arena: Are you kidding me? Why on earth did you give them the two wishes?
Omar: Honestly, I didn't see any use for the wishes. They were the ones who helped me, and I got what I needed.
Abhara: So, what did you get for yourself?
Hova: Are you going to show us? Seriously, I'm excited.
Omar: This bag has sand from Morpheus. He told me it equals the power of the white stone, but I can only use it in weapons.
Abhara: That's why you came to us. I thought you came to check on us. I'm crying, I don't want to see your face again. Leave.
Arena: Why did you turn into a female like this? It doesn't matter now. Well, there's one weapon I can tell you will be useful when you use this sand on it, and that's the bow.
Omar: But I already have a pistol.
Arena: What? Why didn't you tell us first? Hmm... deal with him.
Abhara: If you have a pistol, why don't you just use bullets and be done with it?
Omar: Because I want to use this sand differently. I want the pistol to have the sand in it, and when I load any bullet, the sand's properties are transferred to the bullet. Do you understand what I mean?
Abhara: You're a genius! You mean when you pull the trigger and fire, the power of the sand propels the bullet?
Hova: But doesn't that mean the bullet will melt from the sheer power of the sand?
Omar: That's why I came to you. I want you to do two things for me: First, make bullets from the strongest material that can withstand the firing power, and merge the sand with the pistol.
Abhara: You got it. This shop used to sell strange items, but today we will make the buyer do strange things. This is madness itself!
Arena: Why are you shouting like that? Omar, I have a question. Where is the sword that you added features to?
Omar: Well, regarding that, I have a sword stronger than it now. So, I melted it down and merged it into my sword.
Arena: Forget it, I was wrong to even ask.
Omar: Hova, show me your sword and your bow.
Hova: With pleasure.
(Omar takes the sword and holds his own sword)
Hova: Stop! You must be kidding! No, no!
(He breaks Hova's sword in half)
Hova: Why? Why?
(Omar takes the bow and breaks it too with his hands)
Omar: As you can see, I want items for her too.
Hova: I want to cry.
Abhara: I want to celebrate! We have a customer who wants real items. How exciting!
(Omar places a bag of gold on the table)
Omar: Here, this should be enough, right?
Hova: Where did you get all this gold? Who are you?
(They finish making the bow)
Arena: Hova, come choose the type of magical element you want.
Hova: Alright.
Abhara: You have all these types in front of you, choose whatever you want. There's the time stone, it slows things down. There are the symbols of Akhenaten, which can paralyze whoever you use the sword on. There's the mercenary's curse, making the sword lighter than a feather and giving you high speed. Or the sunlight, making the sword out of burning sun rays. Or the sealing sword, you can seal any living creature with it after killing them.
Hova: Wait, if there are all these types, why do you use a normal sword?
Arena: Who told you it's a normal sword? This is a sword that, from the power we see in it, if Omar could just drink enough power potions to use it at full strength, he could destroy the world.
Omar: This is a sword made of the steel used by the Wanderers, merged with fragments of the white stone.
Hova: Do you understand that this is the most powerful stone in the universes and worlds?
Omar: Yes, but I can't transform it or have someone transform it into a Potion of Return or use it for anything else. All I could use it for was to transform the sword.
Abhara: Right, why don't you give me the sword, I'll add an enhancement to it from these stones?
Omar: I can't even carry it myself to add anything to it.
Abhara: Why don't I just add a lightning enhancement to make it easier to carry?
Omar: I'm realizing I'm an idiot. Here you go.
Abhara: Are you an idiot? Do you think I can carry it? Put it on the merging tool for me.
Omar: Have you chosen the stone you want to use?
Hova: I don't know, they're all good and better than my sword.
Omar: Ah, Arena, do you have the Guardian's stone?
Arena: Well, I'll look for it. But why would you choose a stone like this for her?
Hova: What is this stone?
Omar: If you lose blood and start getting tired, your sword takes this fatigue and turns it into energy. At the same time, and in addition to the heart stone, it heals you when you hold the sword.
Abhara: When did you learn all this about stones?
Omar: I was looking at these types of stones and their names when I was getting my pistol ready. I saw many types of stones, and also from the books I read. And you choose the last stone, this is a property stone from the ones Arena told you about.
Hova: Sunlight.
(They leave the shop after they finish)
Hova: Can I ask a question while we're on the road?
Omar: Go ahead.
Hova: How old are you?
Omar: I've lost count. My age stopped increasing when I was 17, but I've lived for about 250-300 years, I don't really remember.
Hova: Why do you need me with you if you're strong?
Omar: I can't be alone for my whole journey. I need a strong companion, which is why I didn't let you go alone after you left your continent. And frankly, I'm afraid of the future.
Hova: I understand how you feel. It's an exhausting feeling. You want to cry, you want to stop for a moment, but I haven't had the chance to tell you about my past.
Omar: And I don't want to know it. Whatever makes you sad, we all have sadness. And this life, there's no guarantee for anything. One day we live it, and one day we die.
Hova: What is your goal?
Omar: I swear to you, I don't know. But what I do know is that my heart is breaking up to this moment, so I must find a solution to end this. I'll tell you something that will make you understand who I am now.
Hova: Go ahead.
Omar: When I used to see a beautiful girl, I didn't think to say in my mind, 'How can there be such beauty?' But now, I can control my mind in every word I speak.
Hova: Do you mean I'm beautiful?
Omar: I don't know. I no longer have a way to define beauty or strength. For example, you are strong when you fight, but I can't say you are stronger or weaker than me.
Hova: I understand that.
Omar: I can't say you are stronger or weaker than me.
Hova: I understand that.
Omar: Let me tell you a little bit about my life.
Hova: Go ahead.
Omar: I lived my whole life alone, watching everyone else live their lives. My father, my uncle... everyone left me. I was always the one left behind. That's why I don't want to be left behind again. I don't want to lose anyone else.
Hova: You won't lose me.
Omar: You don't understand. I'm afraid that if I get too close to you, if I start to care too much, I'll lose you too. Just like everyone else.
Hova: Omar, you can't live your life in fear. You have to take risks. You have to open yourself up to the possibility of getting hurt, because that's the only way you'll ever truly experience life.
Omar: It's easy for you to say. You haven't lost what I've lost.
Hova: Maybe not in the same way, but I know what it's like to be alone. I know what it's like to feel like you don't belong anywhere. But I also know that if you close yourself off from the world, you'll never find what you're looking for.
Omar: And what is it that I'm looking for?
Hova: I think you're looking for a reason to live. A reason to keep going, even when things are hard. And I think you might find it with me.
(Omar looks at Hova, his expression softening.)
Omar: Maybe you're right. Maybe I do need to take a risk.
Hova: Then take it. Take a chance on me.
(Omar smiles faintly.)
Omar: Okay. I will.
(They continue walking, the silence between them no longer heavy, but filled with a quiet understanding. The path ahead is uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, Omar feels a glimmer of hope.)
Omar: I can't be alone for my whole journey. I need a strong companion, which is why I didn't let you go alone after you left your continent. And frankly, I'm afraid of the future.
Hova: I understand how you feel. It's an exhausting feeling. You want to cry, you want to stop for a moment, but I haven't had the chance to tell you about my past.
Omar: And I don't want to know it. Whatever makes you sad, we all have sadness. And this life, there's no guarantee for anything. One day we live it, and one day we die.
Hova: Then let me tell you this much.
Hova: My story began when the king offered a reward for bringing children from the village in exchange for a lot of money. That's why my parents sold me, the First Class, for a better life for my siblings. They thought the king would provide a good life for the First Class fighters. So, I don't say they are evil because of this. But when I lived in the ruins of the fight against the monsters I saw, there were also long-standing disputes between us and the opposing land. There were those I loved, but I saw them die before me. That's why I say I understand part of your story.
Omar: So, you were abandoned.
Hova: It's sad, but it's true.
(They reach the house)
Omar: Here, this is the room door key.
(The next day comes)
(Omar is eating, and the Hebi raven is standing in front of him)
Hova: So, what is the goal now? are we leaving or staying? and if we stay, what will we do?
Omar: I will tell you when I finish eating.
Hova: Why didn't you renovate this house?
Omar: I won't have enough money left to renovate the house. Go with the rest of this money and buy yourself some clothes, and may I have a request?
Hova: What is it?
Omar: Go to the house across the street after buying your clothes, and ask the old lady to let you bathe at her place.
Hova: Wait! First, is my smell that bad?
Omar: Seriously, can't you tell?
(Hova had already gone out)
The Raven: President Tom Ford requests your presence; he needs to speak with you. There is a plane waiting for you in Cairo, and there is talk that a war will break out soon in the Continent of Sin.
Omar: Alright, it seems I must go.
(Omar leaves a note for Hova, explaining that he must leave, and that the war has reached her land. He leaves her the rest of his money if she wants to stay)
Here ends the ninth chapter of Sword of Eternity: Journey of the Long Covenant.