I opened my eyes and found myself in a warm room with sunlight streaming through the window. I turned to my left and saw an empty chair.
Ahmad: Oh, what a terrible nightmare that was; I'm glad I woke up.
??: Knock knock, may I come in?
Ahmad's face turned as he realized it was not a nightmare, and everything was real.
Commander Osama: So you've woken up, boy; he came and sat in the chair next to me.
Ahmad: What happened to Noor? Tell me!
Commander Osama: She's dead!!
Ahmad: This can't be. It's impossible. She sacrificed her life for me.
Commander Osama (tearing up): Then don't let her death be in vain. What did Noor sacrifice her life for? For a useless person who only knows how to complain and cry?
Wake up, Ahmad. You bear the mark; don't become like the other heroes. Become stronger and take revenge for Noor, and for all the souls lost in this quest for vengeance.
Ahmad: But I don't know how to fight.
Commander Osama shook Ahmad's shoulder: And did anyone come out of their mother's womb knowing how to fight and having gone through countless battles on the brink of death? Do that and this is how you will become stronger.
But if you lack the will, know that you've wasted my dear daughter's life in vain.
Ahmad stood from the bed, tears streaming from his eyes.
Ahmad: Yes, sir! I will take revenge for Noor and for those who destroyed the village, and I will make that so-called Shadow regret it deeply.
Commander Osama stood and said: Good, I knew you would react this way, and you haven't let me down; therefore, I've enlisted you in the Eastern Region Army.
You and Adil will start training starting next month. You better become stronger, or I will eliminate you.
Ahmad: Alright, Commander. We will meet one day on the battlefield.
Commander Osama: Oh, and I forgot to tell you something before I leave.
Please don't become like the previous heroes. Be the first to change this generation.
(And Commander Osama left)
Ahmad: What? The previous heroes? What do I have to do with them?
Anyway, it doesn't matter. I will meet Adil tomorrow.
Several weeks later...
(Ahmad told Adil everything)
Adil: What do you mean? The army? Are you crazy? We are farmers; we can't even hold a weapon. We are not like the fighting families who train their children from a young age. We can't withstand a monster considered the weakest among ranks.
Ahmad: Do you want something like what happened before to happen to us again? We almost died! Do you want to live your life this way? This is an opportunity we never dreamed of!
Adil: You have a point, but I know my limits and my strength. Courage and determination won't take you to the top!
Ahmad: Alright, let's make a bet between us. We will train in the army, and we will go on our first raid. If we succeed, we will continue; if we fail, we will definitely withdraw, and I will forget about the army altogether.
Adil: (sighs): You're stubborn. I have no choice but to go along with you. You will still be my brother, even if you're walking to your death; I will come with you.
And when the promised day arrived.
Ahmad: Wow, Adil, there are so many people here! And look at their clothes and swords!
Adil: That's right; as I told you, the army consists of fighting families, and we don't even have swords. I don't know how we will withstand ourselves in this place.
Ahmad walked, amazed, when suddenly he bumped into a man who appeared to be wealthy, of average build, and elegantly dressed.
Ahmad: I apologize; I wasn't paying attention.
?? (smiling): Don't worry; just watch where you're going.
Ahmad (thinking): Oh, he resembles Noor incredibly.
Ahmad: Excuse me, may I ask you what your name is?
Everyone turned to look at Adil and Ahmad with a look of disdain and began whispering to each other.
??: Of course, my name is Osama.
Ahmad: No way! Could you be from the same family as Commander Osama?
Osama: Who do you mean?
Ahmad (confused): No way! Shouldn't Commander Osama be famous?
Osama: I have never heard of him.
Ahmad: Never mind, my name is Ahmad; it's a pleasure to meet you.
Ahmad extended his hand to shake, but then someone came and raised their hand.
??: Who are you to dare shake hands with someone of such a high status?
After that, many people gathered, and Ahmad felt nervous and didn't know how to respond.
Osama: Enough! You have no business with this.
??: But he's just an ordinary farmer, not even on your level!
Osama: How can you mock people? Aren't you here to protect them?
General Ziad: Enough of this child's play, everyone line up!!
Ahmad: Thank you.
Osama: No worries.
General Ziad: You little sprouts have come here to train and become strong. In this place, your ranks mean nothing.
You are all here to fight, and I will tell you this: you will experience hell itself. Whoever wishes to leave may do so now. I have no time to train fools; death may be your fate and your friends'.
Now, whoever wishes to join, head to the testing ground.
Deputy Yahya: It seems we have a large number this time. I look forward to getting many trainees.
(They all headed toward a large green field, and in the middle of the field, there was a monster tied up)
General Ziad: Alright, as you can see, there's an ogre tied up before you.
Each person will have one minute to free the beast, but with some sedatives, we have weakened its power by 60%. You have the freedom to fight during this time. After that, I and the other trainers will accept members based on their performance.
Ahmad, recalling the terrible memories of that day, began to shake and mutter.
Adil: Ahmad, don't worry; we can do this.
Ahmad: Do you remember what happened? We almost died because of one!
Adil: The situation is different now. Look, it's tied up and almost powerless. Where did all your courage and those words go?
??: Hahaha, look at the farmer trembling at the sight of just one ogre. By the way, my name is Mohammed, and I will lead this army in the future.
Ahmad (looking at Mohammed): Just one monster?
Ahmad remembered what happened to Noor and the negative moments, and he recalled Commander Osama's words. His fury was so intense that everyone around him felt his rage.
Ahmad: Adil, let's destroy this beast and every monster that comes our way.
Adil: That's the spirit we need!
The fights began, and people defeated one after another, when suddenly someone called out.
Candidates from Commander Osama: Ahmad, Adil, Osama, Mohammed, Leila, Badr. "Step forward!"
People whispered among themselves, "How can farmers be nominated by Commander Osama?"
Ziad: Ahmad, step forward and choose your weapon.
Ahmad: The time I've been waiting for has come!
Ahmad wandered among the weapons but found nothing better than a lightweight axe to hold.
General Ziad: I don't know what Commander Osama might be thinking to nominate farmers, but let's wait and see what happens, and Ziad shouted: Come on, candidates, step forward.
The ogre was three times Ahmad's size!!
Ahmad: Okay, I need to find a gap. My only option now is to move behind it like I saw Commander Osama do and strike.
Ahmad started running quickly toward the ogre.
Ziad: Oh, he's fast for someone who hasn't trained in his life!
Ahmad reached the ogre and moved behind it!!
Ahmad: I did it! All that's left is to land my strike.
Suddenly, the ogre turned around quickly!!
Ahmad: This is impossible! How could it turn that fast? I can't dodge it!
Ahmad blocked the ogre's hand with his axe, but he couldn't withstand the force of the strike and was launched high into the air.
Ahmad (coughing): What is this? It truly hurts. If he had been at full strength, I might be unconscious by now.
Mohammed: Just as I suspected, he's just an ordinary farmer.
Ahmad: I must think of what to do to defeat this monster.
A monster that exceeds me in strength, size, and speed—what should I do?
While Ahmad was thinking, the ogre rushed at him and tried to kick him!!
Ahmad: I don't have time to think! I must dodge his attack!!
Ahmad jumped with all his strength to the right, but the ogre's leg grazed his waist, sending Ahmad flipping through the air.
Ahmad (blood dripping from his head): That was close! My body feels heavy from exhaustion; I can't move quickly. I need to act now!!
Suddenly, an idea flashed in Ahmad's mind. The ogre rushed to kick Ahmad, but Ahmad stood still, not moving.
Ahmad: Come to me! It's either me or you now!
The ogre kicked Ahmad with all its might, and as the ogre's foot collided with Ahmad's stomach...
Ahmad: I can't see! The world is going black, but this is my only chance!
While the ogre was kicking Ahmad, Ahmad plunged the axe into the ogre's foot and held on tightly.
Ziad: Not bad at all.
Ahmad: I can't feel my body! I'm starting to lose my hearing; what is this feeling? I won't give up! I will make them accept me, no matter the cost!!
Ahmad pulled the axe out again, and the ogre bent down to strike with its hands. But Ahmad drove the axe into the ogre's wrist, yet the ogre didn't stop and struck Ahmad until he slammed him into the ground, and he lost consciousness afterward.
Adil: Wake up!
Ahmad: What happened?
Adil: The test is over.
Ahmad: What? Did I pass?
Adil: Yes, in fact, those who passed this year are no more than fifty people.
Ahmad: What about you?
Adil: Of course, I didn't leave you alone; I passed too.
Ahmad began to sigh with relief.
Adil: Come on; we have a meeting with Deputy Ziad. Let's go!
Ahmad, filled with excitement: Yes!!
They gathered with the successful ones, and General Ziad came.
To be continued...