In the following day, as dawn broke and the warm sunlight spread across the kingdom, Basil and Hamza prepared themselves for a new day full of discoveries. Both of them were excited to explore new areas and learn more about the details of the kingdom.
While Basil and Hamza were walking through the streets of the kingdom, their attention was drawn to Finn, the boy who had sparred with Morani the previous day. He was holding one of the boys and hitting him forcefully, while the others ran away quickly trying to stay away from him.
When they saw him, Basil and Hamza decided to intervene to stop him.
Finn heard a voice calling from Basil and Hamza's direction, so he turned toward the sound and saw them approaching. At that moment, he released the boy from his grip.
Basil approached him and asked, "Why are you picking a fight with them?"
Finn replied sadly, "They mock me. They say I don't look like one of the Mazi tribe."
Hamza asked sympathetically, "What makes you different from them?"
Finn answered with sorrow, "I have a genetic defect. I was supposed to be large like the men of the Mazi, but I inherited the genes of the Estrason race, which is known for the lines on the face and the smaller body size. That's what makes me different."
They felt sad for what Finn was going through. Basil placed his hand on Finn's shoulder and said in an encouraging tone, "You don't have to be like others to be great… it's enough to be yourself."
Hamza added, "Don't let them make you feel less than them. Being different is not weakness; it is strength if you learn how to use it."
Finn contemplated their words for a few moments, then a faint smile appeared on his face, as if he had seen a glimmer of light in the darkness of his doubts. He began to feel that being different might be a strength, not a burden as he had always believed.
After Finn felt better, Basil said with a smile, "What do you think, Finn? Would you like to be our guide today? We'd like to see the kingdom from your perspective, the places you know and that are special to you."
Finn looked at them with excitement and smiled, saying, "Of course! There are amazing places I can show you! Let's go."
As they wandered through the streets of the city, Finn led them to new areas they had never seen before. Their attention was drawn to towers spread across its edges, with iron structures and spherical domes above them, from which long wires hung with suspended vehicles.
Basil asked curiously, "What are these towers? They look somewhat strange."
Finn replied, "These towers are part of an old system in the city. The spherical domes and the wires from which the vehicles hang have been here for a very long time, but I don't know much about the details of their use or function."
Hamza added thoughtfully, "Could they be an old means of transportation?"
Finn shook his head and said, "Maybe, but I've never heard anyone talk about using them. Perhaps they worked in the past, but now they are just metal structures."
Basil looked at the towers thoughtfully and said, "It seems this city is full of secrets."
They continued walking, amazed by the details of the ancient architecture surrounding them. As they talked, they approached the middle of the city, where a massive statue of a man fighting a dragon stood tall, surrounded by beautiful fountains reflecting the sunlight, giving the place an aura of grandeur and enchantment.
Hamza asked, "Finn, do you know the story of this statue? I've heard about the hero who defeated the dragon, but I'd like to know more."
Finn smiled and replied, "Yes, this statue represents the legendary hero Taig Lee, nicknamed 'The White Fist.' After he defeated the dragon that threatened the kingdom, it is said that the king offered him to stay and train a group of warriors in his combat techniques. But he refused at first, saying he feared that these techniques might be used for evil purposes."
Then Finn continued, "But Ateen, the commander of the royal guard, insisted that he teach her those techniques so she could protect the kingdom if the dragon returned again. After her persistent insistence, he finally agreed, and her training continued for a full year before Taig Lee left the kingdom to continue his journey."
Hamza looked at the statue with admiration and said, "It's amazing how one person can leave such a lasting impact."
They continued walking, while the statue remained behind them, a witness to the courage of those who came before them, and an inspiration for what is yet to come.