Time leap

On January 7, 2025, in a dark, almost isolated room, Qusay, with his thick, disheveled black hair, lay down wearing summer clothes despite the winter of life having invaded existence. He held his phone as if searching for something intangible, scrolling through short clips, his eyes empty like windows into a vast void. It seemed as though he was lost in a journey without a map, as if life for him was nothing but a heavy burden.

Qusay, debating with himself: "Is living merely a sufficient reason for life? Can't we just live for the sake of living? Yes, that might be possible... but what the hell is this life? Why does everything seem gray, as if the world is trapped in a fog of despair? Why does my life feel like it's fading without purpose? Why can't I be the hero of my own story? Isn't every person the hero of their own tale? Except me. I can only see it as an incomplete story, where I remain that incompetent being, lacking ability, lacking meaning. Even if I can accomplish something, the fear that someone else can do it better haunts me. I'm always comparing myself to others. But... do these comparisons define my worth? Is the pursuit of perfection what should distinguish us?"

Then, in a moment of deep silence, he said to himself: "Damn you, Qusay. Is it wise to remain stuck in this mental chaos? Perhaps you should accept that you're blessed in ways you don't appreciate, and that life itself, with all its small and conflicting details, is what you should celebrate."

After this internal debate, he jumped up, feeling a mix of excitement and tension. He turned on the lights, filling the room with some activity, then sat firmly at his desk. He turned on his computer and opened the company's website, where he worked as a data analyst. He began reviewing reports and numbers, extracting patterns and trends, and organizing them into tables and reports the company could rely on.

His work wasn't exhausting, usually taking about four hours a day, though sometimes it extended depending on task pressure, but it rarely exceeded that. The job was perfect for him, comfortable and suited to his lifestyle. His monthly income was around 5,000 dirhams, a decent amount for him, as his needs were simple and didn't extend beyond his home.

Most of his expenses went to food, internet subscriptions, and in-game purchases for apps and games that occupied a large part of his time and entertainment. His life was monotonous but free from financial worries, which was enough for him to live in a way that suited him.

At 7:00 PM, Qusay had finished his work duties. He then prepared a light meal, frying eggs and making Moroccan tea, known as "Atay." After that, he brought his food to the table and began eating. While eating with his right hand, his left hand held his phone, scrolling through short videos.

When he finished his meal, he returned to his computer and logged into the game "Legend Online," wasting an hour, two, three, four… Time flew like a sword until midnight struck. Qusay wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for a strange flicker between his hands as he played. At first, the light was faint and flickering, like a candle flame trying to withstand a gentle breeze, but it quickly grew stronger and brighter until it flooded the room with sudden light.

Qusay felt a slight warmth emanating from his palm, so he stopped playing and stared at his hand in astonishment. Suddenly, from between his unconsciously spread fingers, a tiny seed or grain began to form, as if born from nothingness. It took shape slowly, as if the air itself was weaving its delicate threads.

This seed had intricate and strange details. Despite its small size, its right half resembled an hourglass, its grains falling in a shining golden color, while its left half looked like an eye without a pupil, pulsating with a faint heartbeat-like rhythm. But the most bizarre thing was its immense weight, as if it could pierce his palm from its heaviness, despite being no larger than a lentil.

Qusay didn't know what to do, so he kept staring at it, captivated by its beauty and mystery. A mix of awe and a strange excitement filled him, as if this seed held a great secret waiting for him.

It was only natural for Qusay to be shocked and make an involuntary movement upon the seed's appearance, but his reaction was slow, as if he had been waiting for this opportunity since eternity. Without much thought, Qusay looked at the seed, his eyes gleaming with a strange brilliance. In one swift motion, he pushed the seed toward his neck and swallowed it without hesitation. He didn't even try to taste it, as if he knew this was his path to salvation, the right move, the treasure that would change his life.

His heart pounded fiercely, as if something monumental was about to happen. He felt a surge of tension coursing through his body, but he didn't back down. This wasn't just about a mysterious seed; it was about a deep desire to break free from a reality he hadn't chosen. When he pushed the seed toward his neck, he had made his decision, bravely challenging the unknown.

Qusay stood up from his chair, waiting for the surprise. Minutes passed, his heart racing with excitement, fear, and awe. Questions swirled in his mind: "Could this seed be harmful? Wait, am I dreaming? How can a seed form out of nowhere in my hand? What the hell is happening?"

As Qusay lost himself in thought, a strange pain began spreading from his stomach to his internal organs: his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and then his brain. This pain was the worst Qusay had ever experienced. His vital organs were literally being destroyed. Blood began to seep from his teeth and wounds all over his body, turning him into a pool of blood. Qusay couldn't even think about what was happening.

Then, after this agony, even greater pain emerged as the destroyed organs began to regenerate. The organs reformed and merged, but the most excruciating pain Qusay faced was in his brain; his head hurt indescribably, as if it was about to explode. The process of rebuilding wasn't easy at all—it was the most intense suffering he had ever endured. As soon as this torment ended, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious on the floor.

Qusay woke up from his slumber, filled with energy and vitality.

Qusay: "What is this? I feel like I've been reborn!! Such strange energy, but I feel like something's missing!"

"Grrr…" His stomach growled as if protesting its emptiness.

Qusay: "Ahhh, I'm just hungry. I feel like I haven't eaten in ages."

And so, Qusay rushed to the kitchen. As soon as he opened the fridge, a foul smell spread throughout the room.

Qusay: "What's this? All the vegetables have rotted, and even the eggs have gone bad! Wait... how long have I been asleep??"

He ran back to his room to check his phone.

Qusay: "Even the phone's battery is dead!! I'll charge it and turn on the computer. I'm sure at least a month has passed."

He sat at his desk and started the computer. Within seconds, the startup screen appeared, and his pupils darted to the clock and date. It was 3:55 PM on August 10, 2025.