Qusay was mesmerized by the bustling alleys of Egypt, the vibrant energy of the lively markets filled with overlapping voices, fragrant scents, and vivid colors that painted the scene. But soon, his thoughts drifted elsewhere—this time to Morocco, specifically to the outskirts of Chefchaouen, to his room in Douar Al-Jeer. In an instant, the scene shifted from the noisy, lively markets to complete silence and absolute darkness in a dimly lit room, where his twenty-something body lay on the bed.
Qusay muttered to himself as he stared at his own body: "Am I really seeing my own body? So, all those previous scenes were part of the present reality? With a power like this, I can observe the world from my room? But I don't know much about it... When does it activate? How do I stop it? How long does it last?"
Countless questions swirled in his mind, but he decided to enjoy the ability for now. "Let me savor it and explore different parts of the world. Hahahaha, what a crazy power! But I don't think it's suitable for direct combat. Anyway, the world is still at peace, so I won't need to fight."
And so, Qusay began to roam the world. He started in Paris, where he found himself floating above the Eiffel Tower, watching the sparkling lights of the city that never sleeps. Then he moved to Tokyo, where he saw the crowded streets filled with cars and pedestrians, and the neon lights illuminating the night. After that, he found himself in the Amazon rainforest, where the green nature and wild animals lived in harmony.
But Qusay didn't stop there. He decided to visit even stranger places, like Antarctica, where the white ice stretched endlessly, and the sky shimmered with the northern lights. Then he moved to the Rub' al Khali desert, where golden sands stretched under the scorching sun.
With each transition, Qusay felt increasing excitement, but he began to notice something strange. After each shift, he felt a slight fatigue creeping into his consciousness, as if the ability was gradually draining his energy. Yet, he didn't pay much attention, as he was too immersed in his explorations.
However, things started to escalate. After visiting New York, where he saw towering skyscrapers and dazzling lights, he felt a mild pain in his head. He thought it was just temporary fatigue and decided to visit another place. This time, he chose the Himalayas, where snow-covered peaks and clear skies awaited. But the pain in his head intensified, feeling like sharp knife stabs.
"What is this pain? Is this ability consuming more energy than I can handle?" Qusay wondered as he tried to take deep breaths. But he ignored the pain once more and decided to visit one last place: Bali, with its golden beaches and crystal-clear blue waters.
This time, however, the pain was unbearable. He felt as if his head was about to explode, and his vision began to blur. He tried to return to his room in Douar Al-Jeer, but he found himself unable to focus. Everything around him began to fade into a fog of pain and confusion.
"No... I can't... I have to go back!" he screamed internally, but the pain was stronger than him. Suddenly, he felt a complete collapse, as if the world around him was crumbling.
Qusay woke up abruptly in his room, drenched in sweat, his heart racing. He looked around in shock, convinced he had been dreaming, but the pain in his head was real. "What happened? Was all of that real? Or just my imagination?" he wondered as he touched his aching head.
But one thing was certain: his ability was real, but it came at a high cost. Qusay decided to take some time to rest and reflect, knowing that his journey to discover this new world was only just beginning.
Qusay slowly got out of bed, feeling as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. The pain in his head began to subside, but he still felt a faint throbbing. He looked at his hands, as if confirming he was back in his real body, then turned his head toward the window to see the golden sunlight filtering through the curtains. "A new morning... but how much time has passed since I lost consciousness?" he wondered.
He gently massaged his head, trying to shake off the remnants of the pain, then headed to the bathroom. He turned on the hot water and let the steam fill the room before stepping into the shower. The warm water was like a remedy for the lingering fatigue in his body. He closed his eyes and relaxed under the stream, trying to gather his thoughts. "All those places I visited... were they real? Or just a dream?" he wondered, recalling Paris, Tokyo, the Amazon, and even Antarctica.
After finishing his shower, he wrapped himself in a towel and stepped out of the bathroom. He headed to his room, where his phone lay on the nightstand beside the bed. He remembered placing it on the charger when he first woke up after his long coma, as its battery had been completely drained. He picked up the phone and turned on the screen, only to find dozens of notifications and text messages. He noticed, however, that his call balance was still intact. "Ah, right... I bought credit when I was in Tengoub for household supplies," Qusay recalled with a smile.
He began scrolling through the list of missed calls. Most were from his boss at work, along with some text messages from colleagues. He opened the messages to find one from his boss that read: "Qusay, where are you? You've missed a lot of meetings. We're worried about you. Please call back immediately."
Qusay paused for a moment, thinking about what to do. "Everything has changed... the world isn't the same anymore, and neither am I. Is work even important after all this?" he wondered. But he decided to call his boss to reassure him, at least.
As he searched for his boss's number in the call log, he noticed the phone was running slowly, as if it needed an update. "Eight months without use... even the phone needs time to get back to normal," he said with a chuckle.
Finally, he found his boss's number and pressed the call button. After a few rings, he heard his boss's voice on the other end: "Qusay! Finally! Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!"
Qusay: "Hello... I'm sorry for the long absence. I've been through some tough health issues, but I'm fine now. I'll be back at work soon."
Boss: "We're glad to hear you're okay. But... a lot has changed here. We'll need to talk in person to discuss a new work contract."
Qusay: "Of course, I'll be there soon. How about tomorrow? I'm free then."
Boss: "That works. Don't forget to bring the necessary documents."
Qusay: "Understood."
He hung up the phone and placed it on the nightstand, then sat on the edge of the bed, thinking about everything that had happened. "The world is changing, and I need to change with it. But first, I need to understand this ability I have and how to control it."
He got up and began to dress, ready to face the world anew. But this time, he knew he carried a powerful secret within him—a secret that could change everything.
Afterward, Qusay decided to head outside to take a stroll and explore the nature around him. The feeling was entirely different from what he had experienced during his virtual journey around the world. This time, he was in his real body, feeling the air brush against his skin, touching things with his hands, picking flowers, and tossing small pebbles into nearby streams. Everything was tangible and real, as if he was rediscovering the world.
As he walked among the tall trees and green grass, he remembered what he had heard about those with absorption abilities. "I've heard that those with absorption abilities draw their energy from the natural energy around them. Since I live in a natural, mountainous area, I don't think I'll face any issues with energy depletion. Maybe if I go to the peak of Mount Souna, where natural energy is strongest and most concentrated, I can recharge my ability more effectively."
And so, Qusay decided to head to Mount Souna, the towering peak that overlooked the entire region. He began his journey with a calm walk through the mountain trails, surrounded by nature on all sides. The ancient trees, wildflowers, and the sound of babbling streams created a picturesque scene. With each step, he felt his condition improving, as if natural energy was slowly flowing into him.
When he reached the halfway point, he stopped to rest under the shade of a large tree. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths, trying to feel the energy around him. "Can I really feel it?" he wondered. He focused on the air around him, the trees, and the ground beneath his feet. After a few moments, he began to feel a faint stream of energy flowing into him, as if nature itself was embracing him.
With growing confidence, Qusay continued his ascent toward the summit. The higher he climbed, the stronger and more concentrated the energy felt. When he reached the peak of Mount Souna, he found himself standing on a rocky ledge, overlooking a breathtaking panoramic view. The sprawling mountains, green forests, and vast blue sky filled him with peace and a sense of connection to the universe.
Qusay sat on a large rock and closed his eyes once more. This time, he tried to draw in more energy. He took deep breaths and opened himself to the nature around him. He felt his body filling with energy, as if every atom of air, every leaf on the trees, and every drop of water was sharing its strength with him.
"This is true power," Qusay whispered to himself. "The ability to connect with nature, to be a part of it. Here, at the peak of the mountain, I feel stronger than ever."
After a while, he opened his eyes and felt a strange vitality filling his body. He decided to test his ability once more. This time, he raised his hand toward the sky and tried to draw in energy from his surroundings. He felt a strong current of energy flowing into him, as if the mountain itself was sharing its strength.
"This is amazing!" Qusay exclaimed aloud, feeling the energy coursing through his body. "If this is the power of nature, I can do anything!"
And so, Qusay spent hours at the mountain peak, exploring his ability and enjoying the energy nature provided. When he decided to return, he felt like a new person, filled with energy and confidence. He knew his journey to understand his ability was just beginning, but he was now on the right path.
As he immersed himself in this feeling, his meditation was interrupted by whispers coming from below the mountain. Qusay listened intently, trying to discern the source of the sound. The whispers were muffled and unclear, but he managed to catch scattered words. "Here... up here... no one will find us..." The phrases were interspersed with faint laughter, as if coming from people who were drunk or in an altered state..!?