It was the afternoon period at school.
Wael left his classroom with heavy steps, exhaustion clearly visible on his face. The weather was warm, and spring was gradually making its presence known.
He sighed and muttered:
"I'll wash my face... Maybe that'll wake me up."
He entered the bathroom and turned on the faucet, but not a single drop came out.
He frowned and struck the faucet with his palm.
"Even you chose this time to break down?"
He turned to leave, but suddenly heard the sound of rushing water.
He quickly turned around.
Water had begun flowing from the faucet.
He approached it, muttering:
"Finally..."
But the moment he bent down to wash his face, the water suddenly rose on its own and shot directly toward his face.
He recoiled in alarm.
"What's happening?!"
A voice came from outside the bathroom.
"What's wrong, Wael? It's just water."
Wael rushed outside.
A boy was standing at the door, about a year younger than him, with a blue aura swirling around his hand.
Wael stared at him for a few moments.
"Sif...?"
The boy smiled.
"Yeah."
Then he added:
"Amin told me you needed my help."
"So... here I am."
After school ended, the two headed to Wael's house.
They sat in his room, and Wael told Sif everything that had happened, from the first time his energy appeared to Yassin's disappearance.
Sif listened in silence before saying:
"Let me make one thing clear from the start."
"My Element isn't a combat Element."
"I can defend myself to some extent, but I've never trained to fight before."
Silence fell for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"But I can still be useful to you in another way."
He raised a finger, and a pale blue aura formed around it. He quickly brushed it across Wael's arm, leaving a small wound.
Wael looked at him in confusion.
"Why did you..."
Before he could finish, Sif grabbed his arm.
The aura flowed into the wound, and the skin gradually began to heal until the wound disappeared completely.
Wael's eyes widened.
"This..."
Sif smiled.
"I can heal injuries."
Wael continued staring at his arm before saying:
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"That's more than enough."
At sunset, Elias arrived at Wael's house with Amira.
As soon as they sat down, Wael asked:
"Where's Amin?"
Sif answered:
"He said he wouldn't come."
"He told me to tell you that he'll only intervene if a fight becomes necessary."
Wael sighed.
"All right..."
Then he turned to Elias.
"What about the person you wanted to recruit?"
Silence fell for a moment.
Then Elias said worriedly:
"I talked to him, and when the time came for us to meet..."
He clenched his fist.
"Bahaa kidnapped him."
Wael straightened in his seat.
"Kidnapped him?!"
Elias told them everything that had happened, from his meeting with Zaki to the moment the portal disappeared before his eyes.
Silence fell over the room, and concern spread among them.
Amira then said calmly:
"We may not know what Bahaa is planning... but we know why we're fighting."
She looked at the three of them.
"As long as that reason hasn't changed, don't let fear get ahead of you."
Wael smiled.
"You're right, Amira."
Then he said confidently:
"We'll figure something out."
He continued:
"But our problem now is that we know they'll attack us..."
"We just don't know when."
Sif asked:
"What do you suggest?"
Wael answered:
"I think we should stay together."
"If they attack us, we can fight as a team."
Elias shook his head.
"I suggest the opposite."
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
Even Amira said:
"Separate?"
"But that would make you easier targets."
Wael sighed.
"Don't listen to him... I think he's rambling."
Elias looked at them seriously before saying:
"Think about it."
"If Bahaa can open his portals whenever he wants..."
"Then why hasn't he attacked us directly?"
He looked at Wael.
"He could have brought himself, Mark, and Raouf here right now."
"Or opened a portal beneath our feet and transported all of us."
"But he didn't. And during our last encounter..."
"He waited until we were worn out from fighting before making his move."
Then he said:
"And don't forget... there's a fourth person working with him."
"The same person who kidnapped Zaki."
He looked at everyone.
"Do you really think he killed him?"
He shook his head.
"No. I'm certain he did something else to him."
He sighed.
"Everything that's happening is strange."
"And I don't think we understand his plan yet."
Then he said firmly:
"That's why I think staying together right now is more dangerous than separating."
"Each of us will fight alone if necessary."
"As for Yassin's location..."
He shook his head sadly.
"We can no longer reach him."
Wael raised his palm. Golden energy appeared above it, with a strange symbol at its center.
"I think Yassin did something before he disappeared."
He looked at the symbol.
"And I think I can still get there."
Elias nodded.
"Good."
"Then you go, and Sif and I will find another place."
Wael remained silent for a few moments. He didn't like the idea, but he quietly exhaled.
"I don't like this plan. I think it's a bad one."
Then he smiled.
"But you have more experience than I do."
"That's why I'll trust your decision."
He turned to Sif.
"Protect him well. He can't fight."
"And you'll need him if you get injured."
Everyone agreed.
But Amira lowered her head as tears began filling her eyes.
She spoke sadly:
"Please... bring Bahaa back to himself."
Then she looked at Wael.
"I'm begging you..."
"Do whatever it takes to bring him back."
Then she turned to Elias.
"You know he isn't like this."
"Something strange is controlling him..."
She wanted to continue, but Wael gently interrupted her.
"Don't worry, Amira."
He took her hands.
"Count on us. I promise we'll bring him back."
Then he added jokingly:
"It might only take a few punches to bring him back to his senses."
Amira laughed through her tears.
"That's fine..."
"Just... bring him back."
Wael smiled.
"I'll take her with me."
Elias didn't object.
Amira went inside to gather her belongings, leaving Wael and Elias alone.
Elias approached and held out his fist.
"Fight well."
Wael smiled and bumped his fist against Elias's.
"Don't worry about me."
Then he added:
"Take care of yourself."
The two exchanged a silent look before setting off on different paths.
While Wael was flying through the sky with Amira, he noticed the golden symbol on his hand beginning to glow.
His blue aura surrounded his body, while Amira rested in his arms, carrying a small bag.
The wind swept around them as the blue sky stretched above the clouds.
Amira shouted as she looked toward the horizon:
"Wow! What a beautiful view!"
Wael laughed.
"See?"
"I told you there's nothing like the feeling."
She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the cool air.
"Where are we even going?"
Wael shrugged.
"Honestly... even I don't know."
She looked at him in confusion.
He smiled.
"That place... it's as if it's everywhere, yet at the same time, it's not easy to reach."
Then he raised his hand and looked at the glowing golden symbol in his palm.
"But it looks like we'll be there in a few moments."
Elsewhere...
Sif stood in front of Elias's house, waiting for him.
He looked toward the door.
"Are you still not done packing?"
Elias's voice came from inside.
"All right, all right... I won't be long."
Sif sighed as he waited.
Suddenly...
The grass beneath his feet began growing rapidly, wrapping around his legs.
His eyes widened.
At the same moment, he formed a blade of water in his hand, cut through the plants, and jumped backward.
But someone rushed directly toward him.
A powerful kick sent him crashing to the ground.
A black portal began opening beneath him.
It was Zaki.
But before Sif could fall completely, Elias appeared in a golden flash.
His kick struck Zaki first, sending him flying away.
Elias grabbed Sif and pulled him away before the portal could swallow him.
Sif breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks."
Elias nodded, then raised his head.
Zaki stood before them.
His eyes were covered in black, while his green aura had become intertwined with dark threads.
A strange smile appeared on his face.
He extended his hand.
Dozens of explosive green spheres shot toward Elias.
Elias vanished from his position.
The explosions passed one after another without hitting him.
He appeared directly in front of Zaki.
Before Zaki could retreat...
A punch to the stomach.
Zaki's body doubled over from the force.
An elbow struck his back, followed by a kick that sent him crashing to the ground.
Zaki tried to get up, but Elias grabbed his arm and threw him over his shoulder.
He slammed into the ground, but Elias gave him no chance to recover.
Another kick sent him several meters away.
Zaki struggled to his feet and unleashed vines from the ground, but Elias tore through them with his bare fists without using any energy.
He approached again.
Zaki exchanged several punches with him, but Elias blocked every one of them with ease.
Then he struck Zaki hard in the chest, followed by a spinning kick that sent him flying.
Zaki rolled across the ground, gasping for breath.
Elias stood calmly before him.
"Is that all you've got?"
Then he said mockingly:
"Can't you even force me to use my energy?"
He looked at him with contempt.
"Looks like Bahaa recruits anyone..."
"...then sacrifices them for some trivial goal."
Zaki laughed.
"Me?"
"I haven't shown you anything yet."
Then he smiled.
"And I'm leaving now."
"There's no reason for me to stay any longer."
A black portal opened before him.
He stepped inside and disappeared.
Elias watched the spot anxiously before quickly turning around.
"...Sif?"
He was gone.
The place was empty.
All that remained was a patch of grass covered in ice.
Elias became furious and shouted:
"Damn it!!!"