Familiar Face
As midnight approached, Qusay returned to his room, feeling a slight weariness envelop his body after a long day of wandering and surveillance. Yet, he knew his body needed real fuel before he could dive back into the world of meditation. He headed to the kitchen with slow steps and began preparing a light but satisfying meal.
He boiled potatoes until they were tender, then carefully mashed them in a large bowl. He added a pinch of salt, pepper, and cumin, then kneaded the mixture until it formed a cohesive dough. With skilled hands, he shaped the dough into small balls, each about the size of his palm. After that, he seasoned the balls with a blend of traditional Moroccan spices: cumin, turmeric, and a hint of saffron. He then coated them in flour, giving them a crispy outer layer.
He placed a frying pan on the stove and added olive oil, heating it until it was hot. He began frying the balls one by one until they turned golden and crispy on the outside. The aroma of fried potatoes and fragrant spices filled the kitchen, making Qusay feel even hungrier. Once he finished frying, he placed the balls on a large plate and garnished them with fresh parsley.
Qusay sat at the kitchen table and slowly enjoyed his meal, savoring every bite. The taste was delicious, and the focus on preparing the food had relaxed him. After finishing, he quickly washed the dishes and decided to step outside.
He took a small mat and went out to the backyard. The air was cold, and the moon shone brightly in the sky, casting a silvery light on the ground. He lit a small pile of firewood and placed a small teapot on it to prepare tea. As the water boiled, he spread the mat near the fire and sat on it in a crouched position.
He closed his eyes and began to meditate. He felt the natural energy flowing toward him from all directions: from the cold night, the moonlight, and the burning fire in front of him. He slowly absorbed this energy, as if diving into a sea of calm and power. He no longer felt himself, completely immersed in this exhilarating sensation.
Qusay remained in this state for hours, absorbing the cold night's energy and the bright moonlight. As dawn approached, the morning's energy began to flow as well, mingling with the night's energy. Qusay felt a strange sensation, as if two opposing forces were clashing within him, yet they harmonized in a peculiar way. He felt more refreshed, as if his body had been filled with new strength.
But suddenly, he felt a drastic and strange change. The energy he had absorbed began attacking his brain, as if it were fighting within him. He felt an excruciating pain in his head, as if a nail were being driven into his brain. He tried to open his eyes and end the meditation, but the pain was so intense that he couldn't move. It felt as if his brain was about to explode.
Before he could do anything, Qusay completely lost consciousness. He fell onto the small mat, which wasn't enough to accommodate his tall frame.
Qusay woke up at noon, as the sun's golden rays rose above the horizon. He felt strangely rested, as if he had slept for hours. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. The small mat was still beneath him, and the fire had long since gone out, leaving behind warm ashes. The teapot was still beside him, now cold.
He got up slowly and began to regain his balance. He felt something different inside him, as if a new energy was flowing through his body. He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to sense this energy. He was certain that his ability had evolved, but he also knew he hadn't yet reached the second stage. Instead, he felt he had reached the peak of the first stage, where his power had become stronger and more focused.
"I've evolved," Qusay whispered to himself as he opened his eyes again. "But I haven't reached the second stage yet. This is the peak of the first stage."
He began to recall the pain he had felt before losing consciousness and how the night and morning energies had clashed within him. Perhaps this clash had pushed him to the peak of his current ability. He felt satisfied, but he knew the road ahead was still long.
After regaining his balance, Qusay went back to the kitchen, bringing the teapot and mat with him. He placed the teapot on the stove and began preparing a quick meal. Once he finished, he headed to his computer. He turned it on and entered the Tor browser to check if the intelligence agency had left him a message. After several minutes of searching, he found nothing. Frustrated, he closed the browser and decided to go to bed to use his power again. This time, he aimed to shift his consciousness to where the girl, Ghadeer, was.
---
Qusay was amazed by Ghadeer's progress when he found her in a massive military training center located in a remote area in America. She was handling weapons with confidence and strength, as if she was born to be in this place. He felt immense admiration for her, as if she had become a completely different person from what he had seen before. "This girl is incredible," Qusay whispered to himself. "She's reached the third stage of training. Who knows what she'll achieve in the future?"
The facility was surrounded by high walls and watchtowers, with searchlights scanning the area at night. Inside, there were multiple buildings dedicated to training in various military skills. Ghadeer was in the shooting range, standing in line with a group of other trainees, all wearing uniforms and carrying advanced weapons.
As Qusay observed, he heard Ghadeer speaking with a fellow trainee named "Michael," a tall young man with cold blue eyes. Their conversation shed light on the stages Ghadeer had passed and the difficulty of her current training.
Michael: "Ghadeer, how are you finding the third stage? I heard it's the hardest so far."
Ghadeer: (with determination) "Yes, it definitely is. The first stage was just improving my physical fitness—it was tough but straightforward. The second stage was running and general exercises, which were exhausting but fun. But this stage... shooting training, it's completely different."
Michael: "What do you mean?"
Ghadeer: (looking at the weapon in her hand) "In the third stage, it's not just about accuracy or speed. It's about absolute focus, controlling every movement, every breath you take. If you make a mistake, even a small one, it could cost you your life on the battlefield."
Michael: (smiling) "But you make it look easy."
Ghadeer: (shaking her head) "No, it's not that simple. Every shot I take has to be perfect. Every target has to be hit with precision. That kind of pressure... it consumes you."
As Qusay listened to the conversation, he noticed that the current training required extraordinary precision. Ghadeer stood in a steady position, firing at fast-moving targets. Each shot required intense focus, and she showed signs of exhaustion after each round. Qusay saw how Ghadeer was sweating, her hands trembling slightly after each shot. She breathed deeply, as if trying to calm herself. "This training... it's incredibly exhausting," Qusay whispered to himself. "But she seems determined to succeed."
Through the dialogue, Qusay understood that Ghadeer had passed two difficult stages before reaching the third. The first stage was improving physical fitness, where she trained for long hours running and lifting weights. The second stage was running and general exercises, which required her to be fast and agile. "It's been a grueling journey," Qusay whispered. "But she made it here thanks to her determination."
---
Qusay didn't linger long and shifted his consciousness elsewhere. This time, he wanted to see the progress of the Russian Bear, Daniel. He found Daniel within a massive army divided into groups, each wearing a uniform with a specific emblem on their shoulders. Daniel was part of the "Heroes of the Tundra," and their emblem was a powerful white polar bear standing on a backdrop of cracked ice, with a snowy glimmer around it, symbolizing strength and resilience in the harshest conditions. The bear appeared to be gazing confidently at the horizon, with a strong grip symbolizing control over the harsh environment.
Each group stood in orderly rows, with a leader standing three steps ahead of the rest. The leader of the "Heroes of the Tundra" was a massive man with harsh Russian features. He stood over two meters tall, his bulging muscles visible even through the thick military uniform. His short blond hair gleamed under the cold sunlight, and his cold blue eyes looked confidently at the soldiers he led. He wore a thick white fur coat, with the polar bear emblem on his shoulder, making him seem like part of the tundra itself. His voice was deep and commanding, delivering orders with confidence and authority.
Outside, in a vast training ground surrounded by snow, the Russian president stood surrounded by his top generals. He wore a thick black fur coat, with medals gleaming on his chest. He began delivering a passionate speech, his voice echoing in the cold air, rising with determination and power, as if every word pulsed with life:
"Brave heroes! Today, you stand at the heart of the battle, at the core of history that will be written in letters of blood and courage. This new batch of heroes standing before me is a fresh reinforcement for our great army, which continues to advance steadily and will not stop until we achieve victory. You are the arms that will prove Russia is not just a force on the map, but an invincible power!
Poltava, the city we seized a month ago, represents the cornerstone of our strategy. It is the launching point that will open the doors to victory. However, despite our control over the city, there are those plotting in the shadows to destabilize us. Intelligence reports indicate that the European Union plans to send a team of their elite-trained heroes in an attempt to retake the city that has long been a symbol of our strength. But I have no doubt that they will not succeed in breaking our resolve.
Your mission is clear. Your mission is to ensure Poltava remains under our control, a living testament to our unyielding will. Your mission is to prove to the entire world that Russia does not know defeat, that our strength is invincible. You are the heroes who will carry the responsibility of preserving this victory on your shoulders. You will not be mere soldiers in an ordinary army; you are the makers of history, the ones who will write the next chapter in this conflict. With our hands, Poltava will remain ours, and Russia will remain the great power that no one can shake.
Today, as you head to the battlefield, remember that behind you stands an entire nation, waiting to hear your voice echo across the world, waiting to see determination and resilience in your eyes. We will not allow anyone to disrupt the victory we have achieved, and we will accept nothing less than this city, this land, remaining under our control forever.
Go forth, heroes, and prepare, for history will immortalize your names, writing about you in golden letters. Move forward now, and let our strength determine the outcome of this battle, and let our resolve remain victorious in every battle to come!"
The president's words stirred enthusiasm in the hearts of the soldiers, who stood firmly, their eyes fixed on their leader. Daniel, who stood in the ranks of the "Heroes of the Tundra," seemed more focused than ever. He knew this mission would be a true test of his abilities, and that he would face elite heroes from the European Union.
Qusay, observing the scene from afar, felt a wave of anxiety creeping over him. "This conflict won't be easy," he whispered to himself. "Daniel and his group are facing huge challenges. But they seem ready for anything."
Then Qusay paused for a moment and wondered, "Why is it that every time I come to observe, I find myself in the middle of a speech?! Even the first time I saw the Russian president, he was giving a passionate speech. Is this my luck with speeches? Or do the Russians just love passionate speeches?"
Qusay continued to observe the scene for a long time, contemplating the developments that might occur in Poltava. He knew these events would be part of a larger conflict, and the whole world would be watching what would happen.
---
Qusay decided to return his consciousness to his own area to examine the situation more closely. He began observing Mount Souna and its surroundings, Douar El Jir, Aghbalou Stadium, Douar Biyata, Douar Bni Bohar, and other places that seemed entirely ordinary. He noticed nothing unusual—just vast lands, scattered houses, and people busy with their daily tasks of farming, irrigation, and herding. Everything seemed as quiet as always.
However, despite the apparent calm, he decided to head down to the lower area where the forest was. As he approached, he spotted a familiar face. He moved closer, focusing his eyes more intently. It was that man, the same man from the group he had escaped from on Mount Souna, the group the police had arrested because of the "Chefchaouen Operation."
Shock painted Qusay's features as he stared at the man's face in disbelief: "What? What is he doing here? How?"