Ahmad and Khalid

The laughter of children echoed through the palace, a melody of pure innocence that Jack Lennox, or rather, the Angel of Death as he was known in other circles, found himself cherishing with a fierceness that bordered on primal. Ahmad, his eldest at four, was a whirlwind of energy, his small hands gripping a toy sword as he charged at an imaginary foe, his giggles infectious. Khalid, two years his junior, toddled behind, a determined frown on his face as he tried to keep up, his own miniature plastic rifle clutched in his fist.

Jack watched them from the shaded alcove of a sprawling courtyard, the weight of his FN SCAR-H a familiar presence against his side, a stark contrast to the soft linen of his desert robes. Reaper, a hulking shadow of muscle and loyalty, lay by his feet, his large head resting on his paws, intelligent eyes tracking the boys' every move. Even in this moment of domestic peace, the dog’s vigilance was a constant, a silent sentinel reflecting Jack’s own hyper-awareness.

"Father, look!" Ahmad shouted, skidding to a halt before Jack, his chest puffed out with pride, the toy sword held aloft. "I defeated the sand monster!"