"Yes, Elder brother. Remember, this team consists of Al Maghribi brothers; if they were to step in and anything happened, they have the support of their father who is a member of the City council. Let it be, we can later catch him somewhere and teach him a lesson of his life!"، Olive-skinned Mahâsin whispered in Abdul Majid's ear, whilst restraining him.

"Look. No need to get riled up, alright. I just wanted to introduce myself." Arkaan smiled amiably." I'm Arkaan, nice to meet you too. Jeez, I never thought you lacked simple and common decorum"، Arkaan said, shaking his head disapprovingly, obviously taunting them" With all your bragging about being the fast-rising stars of Tâ Hâ, I thought your propriety increased with that. I never thought you'd just be a bunch of good-for-nothing empty barrels blowing your trumpets ~."

At this, those in the lead of Abdul Majid's group suddenly surged with intense rage as they reclimbed the stairs, to head for Arkaan. Even as they did so, Zak, Ukashah, Harun, and Musa stepped down to block their way." Our beef is not with you, Maghribi brothers, step aside! "، Kifayat roared.

"Arkaan is a guest of Al Maghribi family, and whoever dares to harm a guest of Al Maghribi family becomes an adversary of ours"، Musa's voice suddenly iced up. He was quiet for a long while now. Seeing Arkaan act-up and vent his own feelings which he felt within, he couldn't be more grateful, and thus stood-up for him. No matter what, in the whole city of Tâ Hâ, after the four native tribes, the next most feared family clan was the Al Maghribi, who were also part of the city council; so no one who was an ordinary citizen would dare to challenge them." Do you dare to be our adversary! "At that time, the advancing group suddenly halted, unsure of their resolve.

Arkaan looked down at everyone reservedly. His wild eyes of defiance shone with brilliance as he suddenly came to an understanding of the influence of the Al Maghribi family. They were a reserved, kind and hospitable family, but if anyone dared to cross their limits with them, they would not hold back in seeking retribution and justice, even for the 'weak' under their care.
"No wonder they were ashamed at Haashim's behaviour earlier. They may be reserved and kind, but they do not tolerate oppression! "Arkaan thought with amazement" guess I should ride on that for now, as plan C."

"Look... I'm just giving you back all your words, okay. If you can't stomach them, just admit defeat."، Arkaan said, as if he had been unjustly wronged,"Ten guys coming to gang up on one. Aren't you lot ashamed?" He sighed helplessly.
The Maghribi brothers looked back at Arkaan wryly. It was as if they were meeting him for the first time. Earlier, they couldn't say anything because; it was true. The South district halaqah had degenerated, and for two years now. There was no hope of it coming back; for when the scholar left, he carried with him their spirit and soon after, others began to leave.

Even though Harun, Musa, and Abdullah weren't a part of the previous halaqah due to various reasons, they still had to stand by Ukashah and Zak, the sole remaining students of the halaqah, to give morale against the Eastern Waterfall just now. Also, Zak was their half-brother with Abdullah, and 'family sticks together' as their father had instilled in them since childhood.
"Okay, look ~"، Arkaan said, his arms raised apart in nonresistance," If you really wish to save your face, and prove you're not just empty barrels, you must first defeat 'Inâbah' in a Qur'an competition, right. As the saying goes 'Recitation speaks louder than arms...or was it actions speak louder than muscles...well, forget it!" Arkaan said as he slang his arm around Abdul Majid's shoulder, whom he'd walked towards.
He never would have done this before; now having assessed the situation though ~~. Abdul Majid was boiling within, but looking at the cold-calmness with which the Maghribi brothers looked at him, he didn't attack.

"Yaa Akhii, you're right! Even if the South district halaqah are a 'bunch of losers who do not know what's good for them', I've never heard of the Eastern Waterfall halaqah defeating them in a Qur'an competition before, though I've heard and seen many between the two! If the esteemed Eastern Waterfall halaqah think 'Inâbah' is far below them, whilst they've never won a competition between the two, this is indeed shameful blowing of one's trumpet, without anything to back it!"، a shrill small voice of Abdullah floated in the clear wind, sounding like music in all ears.
"In my estimation, even if 'Inâbah' was still dwelling on past glory and demanding people's respect, it's way better than Eastern Waterfall halaqah who have nothing to flaunt for, and yet openly come to brag about one prodigy. Tsk tsk, our Maghribi family is famous for producing great scholars, alright. Thank Allah, you've received one of ours to save face. Your sincere condolences for your ownselves, even a 'low' beggar would look at you in disdain, much less pity you!" He looked up in the defiance of a little grand scholar.

At the end of Abdullah's speech, virtually everyone's mouth was open agape in shock, even Arkaan who instigated everything. Apparently, Abdullah who was just realizing the power in his family's name was riled up, knowing they wouldn't hurt him if he spoke. Ah ~ the feel of power!
"Y-you! YOU, INSOLENT BRAT!"، Abdul Majid screamed in explosive rage.
"Hey! We may have withstood your open abrasiveness earlier. But I'll not watch as you bully my younger brother. "Zak spoke, his voice calm, yet possessed some dangerous intent that sent a chill down Abdul Majid's spine.
'Bullying who? It's obviously this ungraceful loudmouth who's bullying us, his seniors'، Abdul Majid voiced out in his mind.

"Indeed, Elder brother Abdul Majid previously asked a question ~"، Ukashah started in a dignified tone, with reverence that made everyone quiet so one could hear a pin drop. His calm and reserved nature had earned the respect of everyone, even the contingent who stood against them.
"This is indeed, the exalted place where the infamous halaqah of South district 'Inâbah' was established. You couldn't have heard wrong. We've never asked for reverence and awe from yours, or any other halaqah, or person for that matter, much less on the basis of familial associations." The words from Ukashah followed with such decorum, one could swear he was an esteemed Prince of some great nation.

"Yet, for the Eastern Waterfall halaqah to have some of its students speak inappropriately, when their fellow brother came only to greet his long-seen first cousins, is far below what I would have expected from any of you. I bear respect for each and every person who has the determination to study in any halaqah, and that includes Eastern Waterfall...but I have respect for my fellow companions who studied with me as well in 'Inâbah'.

"For I, who have seen the sweat and dedication, my former companions paid to reach whichever position we reached that others had looked up to us, I'd not tolerate any more disrespect even from you."
"As Arkaan said earlier, even if you have something to say to us, you must at least first prove yourselves!" Even though the words bore down upon them from a youth like themselves, it contained some threat, and a daring that felt oppressive. " Then~, you'd have the right to speak as such. "

"Yh, as um - Ukashah said, Eastern Waterfall halaqah, do you dare?!"، Arkaan said in a serious-like humour. Pangs of joy were radiating in his heart as of now. Who would have throught Abdullah was such a loose-mouth who even surpassed him. And Ukashah ~Ukashah's words were like a kingly decree that all would silently listen to, whilst gnashing their teeth in profound silence!

"We blame ourselves for our insolence earlier, and we hope, brother Ukashah, we'd not lose our respect in your eyes~"، Luqmaan began sombrely. Ukashah's speech now, had surfaced reason in everyone's mind, even Abdul Majid who would not deign to speak again.

"Eh, won't you dare?..."، Arkaan said as he abruptly changed from an elated mood to disappointing surprise. One could see he was particularly aiming for something...

" Since Brother Ukashah, one of the famous top Quraa of Tâ Hâ, and beyond recognizes our humble halaqah, then ~ in appreciation and a jihad to prove ourselves... We'd stand for a competition. In one month's time, we'd hold the competition at the Eastern Waterfall masjid at dusk, after the asr prayer! I'll speak with our Uztaz and gain his approval."، Luqmaan said, with a meaningful look at them. Even though Abdul Majid had earlier looked like the Leader of this group from his dressing and open-mouth, it was now clear the true leader was Luqmaan. Based from how he spoke, they could see that if he wanted the Eastern Waterfall halaqah to organize a Qur'an competition, he could very easily gain the approval of the Uztaz of their halaqah. It would be no less official, and would also attract the attention of most of Tâ Hâ; one of the three East 'Kings' halaqat vrs The southern 'saint emperor' halaqah 'Inâbah', their famous epithets!

"~on a certain condition..."، Luqmaan continued in a similar revered tone," That, brothers Ukashah and Zakariyya who were part of the five infamous reciters of Tâ Hâ do not - participate! Any other ordinary member of your halaqah may do so. Now the question is: Does the halaqah of the South district 'Inâbah' accept the challenge?! "

"Of course we do~"، Arkaan said, a matter-of-factly, without waiting for Zak and Ukashah's responses. No matter how you look at it, it was funny, because Zak and Ukashah were the only two formal students of the halaqah 'Inâbah' present in their group at the moment, and also they were what was left of the former halaqah. As to what Arkaan had in mind, no one could fathom at the moment.
Zak smiled warily; with time Arkaan was unfolding like an intriguing canvas filled with surprises. Ukashah's eyes glinted unnoticeably with irretrievable shock. Even Musa, Harun, and the contingent from Eastern Waterfall were overtly surprised. Only Abdullah smiled in open approval of Arkaan.

" Very well~"، Luqmaan continued, seeing none in Ukashah's group would refute Arkaan's word ,"We'd send details of the nature of the Qur'an competition in ten days time. In shaa Allah, in a month's time, we'd hold the competition."

* * * * *
What future awaits the South district halaqah 'Inâbah'? And what ideas does Arkaan have in mind? Would Ukashah back off at the last minute, after all, he and Zak can't participate, even if they miraculously gain new recruits, would these novices be up to the former southern saint emperor - would they be able to pull some miracle, revive Inâbah', and raise it to the stars once again, could they stand to represent Tâ Hâ against cities of pure genius like Yâ Sîn, and Sâd? Would Arkaan discover Hilya's secret? Where is Zayn-al-Aabidîn? What is the path to Allah, and how does one transverse it? Would Arkaan find his mother, or would his grandfather get to him first?

You can read on to find out, or even comment your treasured thoughts and expectations for the story.
Once again, shukran (Thanks) for all the support and encouragement.
May Allah bless us all with good. Aamin

In shaa Allah, the next crescent would be within the next seven days....its quite a lot of typing:-)