Between Reality And Fantasy

It was another school day, but this time, there was a palpable change in the air. After the teacher moved Khaled to a seat far away from the bullies, he finally felt a relative sense of safety and calm that he had long been missing. The class passed without any harassment, leaving Khaled feeling a rare sense of peace and satisfaction.

When the lessons ended, instead of heading straight home as he usually did, Khaled decided to take a walk. He needed some time to clear his mind and organize his thoughts. Without planning it, he found himself in front of the small library near the school.

He entered the library hesitantly, wandering between shelves filled with old and new books. The scent of aged paper filled the air, and the library's quietness enveloped him in a comforting tranquility. As he carefully browsed the books, one in particular caught his eye: a book with a simple cover and a mysterious, intriguing title.

Reaching out, he picked up the book and quickly flipped through its pages for a glimpse of its content. Captivated by what he saw, he searched for a quiet corner to sit and read. As he made his way toward the corner, the sound of light footsteps caught his attention. Looking up, he saw Sarah standing on the other side of the aisle, holding a stack of books.

"I've never seen you in the library before," Sarah said with a light smile. "I didn't think you were into books."

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Khaled responded with a faint smile of his own, "Hello, Sarah. I wasn't planning to come here—I just decided to stop by for a bit."

Noticing the book in his hands, Sarah asked, "What kind of book are you reading?"

Khaled glanced at it briefly before answering in a quiet tone, "It's an adventure novel... about a hero who gets reincarnated in another world."

Sarah chuckled softly and teased, "I didn't think you'd be into that kind of light-hearted fantasy. It's so unlike your serious, gloomy personality!"

Khaled smiled shyly, scratching his head nervously as he asked, "What about you? Do you have a particular type of book or story you like?"

Sarah's face lit up with enthusiasm as she replied, "I love suspenseful stories that make you think—especially mysteries and thrillers. I enjoy the thrill of trying to solve the puzzle before the big reveal. It makes reading such an exciting experience."

Khaled looked at her with genuine interest. Sarah then gestured toward the book in his hands, her curiosity piqued. "And you? Why do you like these kinds of fantasy stories?"

Khaled paused, as if the question had unlocked deeper thoughts. Then, in a low voice, he said, "For me, they're not just stories. They're... an escape. When I read them, I feel like I'm diving into different worlds filled with magic and strange creatures. They let me forget everything for a while and give me some peace."

He hesitated before adding, "Maybe that sounds strange..."

Sarah studied him thoughtfully, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Sometimes we need those worlds to give ourselves a break," she said gently. "Escaping into fantasy isn't weakness, Khaled—it's a way to recharge. What matters is that we always come back stronger, ready to face reality with a renewed spirit."

Khaled looked at her, momentarily stunned. Her words carried a depth and understanding he hadn't expected. For the first time in a long while, he felt seen, without judgment.

He smiled and quietly said, "I didn't expect you to understand... Thank you."

Sarah laughed, tilting her head slightly. "And I didn't expect you to be someone who loves fantasy and adventure worlds. I guess we've both surprised each other."

At that moment, Khaled felt a sense of ease he hadn't known before. Her words were like a small window of light in his dark world, offering him a warm sense of acceptance and reassurance.

Back at home, Khaled was eager to retreat to his room. Once he closed the door behind him, he quickly turned on his computer, feeling an unstoppable flow of inspiration. Sitting before the screen, an image of his story's world began to form in his mind.

He was transported to the realm of his imagination:

a grand hall with a high platform at its center, where an elderly man with long, white hair cascading to his shoulders and a beard reflecting the wisdom of the years sat in authority. His eyes glimmered with knowledge and experience. Beside him sat the village elders, each with a distinct presence. Among them was Noor's father, seated directly next to the leader—a mark of his high status in the village. Noor sat behind his father, feeling tense. For him, this meeting carried an ominous air, as though the peace of the village was about to be shattered.

The village leader broke the silence, saying, "Elder Tariq, tell us what you've discovered in the forest recently."

All eyes turned to Noor's father, who spoke gravely. "Lately, I've found fresh tracks of Boreal Wolves deep in the forest. I fear they've started becoming active again."

Noor's heartbeat quickened as he recalled tales from the elders about the Boreal Wolves—creatures with silvery-white fur and eyes that glowed blue or green in the dark, giving them a ghostly appearance. These wolves were known for their massive size and incredible speed. Noor had never seen them himself, but the thought of their resurgence filled him with an unfamiliar sense of dread.

Elder Kailan, a burly man with a prominent mustache, spoke sternly. "We haven't seen any sign of these wolves for many years. We thought they had vanished for good. We cannot underestimate their presence—they've always been a source of devastation in the past and have cost us dearly in lives. Whenever they appear, they bring chaos and destruction."

Elder Lian, a renowned healer in the village, sighed. "If the Boreal Wolves have returned, it may be a sign that a new and powerful leader is guiding them. They've always followed a strong alpha, and without one, they scatter and lose their strength."

Quietly, Elder Asher, a lean man in green robes, interjected, "There's no need to overreact. We've fought these wolves many times before and always prevailed. While they're more dangerous than ordinary wolves, their low reproduction rates have always limited their threat."

However, Elder Ryan, with his pale complexion and calm demeanor, countered, "Their numbers may have been low in the past, but we can't trust that to still be true. The Boreal Wolves have been gone for years—what if they've been quietly growing stronger and increasing their numbers? I suggest we raise our defenses to the highest level. A moment of carelessness could cost us dearly."

As silence fell once more, all eyes turned to the leader, awaiting his decision. He spoke resolutely, "We cannot forget that night twenty years ago when the wolves invaded the village, causing immense losses. Our previous leader sacrificed his life to kill their alpha, scattering their packs and giving us the chance to eliminate many of them. That night was historic, but I don't want history to repeat itself. Who knows—there could be another high-Elite alpha wolf leading them now."

Noor's thoughts raced. Creatures are classified into five tiers:

Ordinary Beasts: Weak and possessing limited abilities, often serving as training targets.

Elite Beasts: More powerful, some even develop special skills such as danger sensing or advanced hunting tactics.

High-Elite Beasts: Far superior to ordinary elites, presenting a significant challenge to knights and hunters. They may possess basic communication and intelligence comparable to humans, allowing them to lead large groups of beasts.

Beast Kings: Not only formidable in combat, but their charisma attracts weaker beasts to serve under their command. They're often found in hidden places or deep forests, surpassing all lower-tier creatures.

Beast Emperors: Shrouded in legend, their existence is debated. Said to possess power equivalent to entire armies, these creatures have fantastical abilities such as mind control or manipulating time and space, and they can alter climates and influence their surroundings with ease."

If a high-Elite alpha is leading the wolf packs," Noor thought with a sharp gaze, "then we're in serious trouble." He could feel the looming danger, and with so much at stake, an unsettling anxiety gripped him tightly.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense, and Noor felt the weight of fear pressing heavier on his heart.

The leader continued sternly: "We must prepare as if the worst is coming. Elder Kailan, gather the village youth and begin training them. Elder Lian, form a medical team and head into the forest to collect all available medicinal plants. It's essential to replenish our stock of medicines. Elder Tariq, guide them through the forest and steer them away from any danger. As for the rest of us, we will start planning for a potential confrontation."

The elders responded in unison, "Understood."

At the other end of the hall, Noor observed the scene, feeling as if something monumental was about to unfold, and that the tranquil moments of peace were on the verge of vanishing.

Noor returned home after the meeting with a pale face and a mind burdened with worries. His heavy footsteps echoed through the quiet corridors until he reached his room. He closed the door softly behind him, as if the sound of the latch mirrored the weight of the thoughts he carried.

He sat down on the wooden chair next to a small table illuminated by faintly flickering candles. Their dancing light cast long, mysterious shadows on the walls, adding a somber mood to the room. Noor glanced at the blank papers before him, then picked up his pen, attempting to untangle the web of thoughts spinning in his mind.

"Boreal wolves..." he murmured under his breath. The idea of their return, led by a high-ranking alpha, terrified him. The memories of the ominous night mentioned by the leader during the meeting haunted him. How could the village face a threat of this magnitude, especially if the current wolf leader possessed abilities beyond imagination?

He tried to calm himself by recalling his recent training sessions with Jack, Daniel, and Zaid. They had always been an unbeatable team, but with this new threat, he no longer felt confident their skills would suffice.

Questions swirled in his mind. Who was the current wolf leader? Was he truly of a high-ranking elite level? And why had the wolves returned now? Were they seeking revenge, or was there another reason?

As Noor was lost in thought, his father entered the room. His face bore a firm expression, tinged with parental concern.

"Noor, I know you're worried about what you heard today. But you must understand, this isn't the first time we've faced such a threat. Our ancestors fought and sacrificed greatly to ensure the safety of this village."

Noor replied in a steady but curious tone, "Father, are the Boreal wolves truly that dangerous? And have you faced similar situations before?"

His father sat beside him and said calmly, "Yes, Noor, these wolves are unlike any other creatures. They exhibit an unusual intelligence, work together as a cohesive unit, and have an incredible ability to adapt. If their leader truly is of a high-ranking elite level, the challenge ahead will be far greater than you can imagine."

Noor felt a mix of fear and excitement as he said, "I want to be part of the team, Father. I want to help protect the village. I don't want to stand by and do nothing."

His father placed a proud hand on his shoulder, smiling. "I know, son. That's why I'll be training you intensively in the coming days. We won't let any opportunity slip by. It's time to prepare you for whatever lies ahead."

Noor smiled, feeling a new surge of energy coursing through his veins. This time, he was certain that the upcoming battle would be a true test—not only of his strength but of his faith and courage.