Algeria
8:30 AM
University of Al-Afroun
Under a gray sky that hinted at a cold day, the student stepped out of the dormitory with sluggish steps, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his black jacket while loud music streamed directly into his mind through his earphones. His feet barely touched the damp ground as he carefully avoided the small puddles left behind by last night's rain. The world around him seemed dull, with no sound overpowering the flood of music in his ears, except for a few hushed conversations exchanged by students chatting on either side of the path leading to the faculty.
He was a slightly stocky young man—neither bulky nor thin—his features carrying the traces of exhaustion, as if his years of study had drained the youthful spark that should have been at its peak. His dark eyes were weary, drowning in thoughts heavier than the backpack he barely bothered to carry on his shoulder. His entirely black attire—a dark shirt under a black leather jacket, dark jeans, and worn-out sneakers—reflected his mood more than it did a particular fashion choice.
"I'm so tired of this..." he thought, exhaling a long sigh. The cold air turned his breath into visible mist, carrying a part of his frustration with it. "Student life is just an endless loop... I'm twenty-four years old, yet I still don't have a stable job… even my studies aren't what I had hoped for." He swallowed hard, feeling like every new day was no different from the last—every step he took toward the faculty was nothing more than a dull repetition of a routine he had grown to despise.
He paused for a moment, lifting his head toward the sky, now covered in dark clouds, as if they shared his melancholy. With a bitter smile, he muttered under his breath—barely audible amid the surrounding noise:
"If only something extraordinary would happen... something that would change my life completely, just once."
He didn't know that fate might have been listening at that very moment...
With heavy steps, Zak continued his way toward the Faculty of Law, as if each stride carried a weight far beyond its physical mass. The air was cold, yet he felt no refreshment—only a suffocating gloom wrapping around him like an invisible cloak. Upon reaching the faculty entrance, he paused momentarily, took a deep breath, then raised his hands to remove his earphones. The loud music vanished, replaced by the murmurs of students scattered about—chatting, laughing, or hastily reviewing their lecture notes.
He entered the lecture hall at a steady pace, heading toward his usual seat in the second row by the window. He didn't sit at the back to avoid looking disinterested, but he also stayed out of the front to keep from drawing attention. Dropping his bag onto the desk, he pulled out a disorganized stack of papers, a black ink pen, and a small eraser that barely showed signs of use.
Just as he started arranging his papers, a girl and a boy approached him. The girl stopped first at the edge of his desk, placing a hand on her hip, while the boy gave him an amused look, as if anticipating a particular reaction.
"Today's research is so easy; we're going to present it perfectly, right, gloomy one?" the girl teased with a smirk, tapping her finger lightly on the desk.
Zak glanced up at her with little enthusiasm. He recognized the lively voice instantly—it belonged to Zahia, the most energetic and enthusiastic person in the group, and probably the sole reason the research had been completed on time. Beside her stood Mohamed, a tall and somewhat lanky young man, whose eyes always carried a mix of sarcasm and warmth.
"Why not? You guys did a great job gathering the information," Zak muttered, acknowledging their efforts without sounding particularly grateful.
Mohamed chuckled, shaking his head before adding in a theatrical tone:
"Indeed, if it weren't for Zahia, we'd be in deep trouble right now."
Zahia crossed her arms and tilted her head upward, pretending to bask in her own glory:
"Then praise me—I'm your savior!"
Zak raised an unimpressed eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Mohamed before replying dryly:
"Long live the savior."
Before Zahia could respond, the professor entered with firm steps, placing some papers on the desk before addressing the students in a calm yet authoritative voice:
"Good morning, everyone. Those presenting today's research, please come forward so we can begin."
Zak took a deep breath, straightened in his seat. The moment of presentation had arrived...
—
An hour and a half later, the lecture finally ended.
Zak slumped into his chair as if every ounce of energy had been drained from him. He rested his head on the desk for a moment, contemplating the remaining hours of study ahead. Life felt like it was slipping away—like fine sand trickling between his fingers, impossible to grasp.
He had barely sunk into his thoughts when Mohamed approached, tapping his palm lightly on Zak's desk to grab his attention.
"Get up. The day isn't over yet—you still have about five more hours of classes," Mohamed said, his tone balancing between jest and sympathy, as if delivering an inescapable verdict.
Zak slowly lifted his head, exhaling a deep sigh before replying:
"I want to skip, but I don't want my name removed from the attendance list… Do you have a solution?"
Before Mohamed could respond, Zahia chimed in—eager, as if she had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to lecture him.
"You're always like this—there's no hope for you!" she said, placing her hands on her hips, striking the pose of a teacher scolding her lazy student.
Zack glanced at her from the corner of his eye before replying coolly,
"I'm listening. Why should I adjust my posture?"
Without warning, Zahia struck the edge of his chair with enough force to make it wobble, forcing him to instinctively sit up straight. She smirked mischievously and said,
"That's why you don't have a girlfriend, you clumsy idiot!"
Zack raised an eyebrow, looking both mildly surprised and completely uninterested. "What?"
Zahia continued with exaggerated seriousness, as if she were giving him a free life lesson,
"Change your clothes, wear something more cheerful, fix your hairstyle, adjust some of your behaviors and the way you talk... maybe, just maybe, you'll get a girlfriend someday."
Mohammed couldn't hold back his laughter. He clapped Zack on the shoulder and said theatrically,
"Looks like you're in trouble, buddy!"
Zack simply looked at them, then rested his head back on the table, muttering in a low voice,
"I wish something unusual would happen... something that changes my life completely."
Zahia stared at him for a moment before raising an eyebrow with clear sarcasm.
"That's all you wish for? Get back to reality, you idiot! Maybe there's a girl who likes you, and you just don't realize it." She waved her hand dramatically as if giving him a profound lesson in life.
Zack slowly lifted his head, staring at her with an empty expression for a moment before leaning slightly forward, resting his elbows on the table. A surprisingly serious look crossed his face as he spoke in a quiet yet teasing tone,
"Zahia… You look like a beautiful angel. Do you really seem like a loving and devoted wife when you're like this?"
For a few seconds, silence fell. Mohammed stared at Zack as if his brain had shut down, while Zahia's eyes widened in shock, her cheeks flushing slightly. But she quickly regained her composure and slammed Zack's table hard enough to make his papers tremble.
"Shut up, you shameless idiot! Since when did you dare say things like that?!" she shouted, while Mohammed burst into laughter beside her.
"Hahaha! Zack, I didn't know you had this kind of boldness!" Mohammed said, gripping Zack's shoulder as if congratulating him on this rare moment.
Zack merely smiled faintly, resting his head on his hand as he watched Zahia, who was trying to hide her embarrassment by mumbling about how stupid and ridiculous he was. He hadn't been serious about what he said, but he enjoyed seeing her reaction. His day had started out dull, but this small moment was enough to add a little excitement to his usual routine.
After a long day of classes, the three of them left together, heading toward the student bus station inside the university. The station was crowded with exhausted students waiting for transportation to take them home after an exhausting day. The weather was pleasant, with a cool breeze sweeping through the air, while the sun began to sink into the horizon, painting the sky in soft orange gradients.
When the bus heading to Blida arrived, Mohammed turned to them with a half-tired smile and said,
"Alright, I'll leave you two now. Try not to kill each other on my way home."
"No guarantees," Zack replied flatly, while Zahia waved and said,
"Don't forget to review your lessons, you slacker!"
Mohammed laughed and waved before boarding the bus, leaving Zack and Zahia alone. For a moment, silence reigned before Zack spoke in a calm tone while looking at Zahia,
"Let me walk you to the train station."
She raised an eyebrow slightly but saw no reason to refuse, so she simply nodded and said in a teasing tone,
"I never thought you were such a gentleman."
Zack smirked lightly as he got on the bus with her, then replied as they took their seats,
"I'm a gentleman because I'm the knight you dream about."
Zahia gave him a long look before raising her hand and lightly hitting his shoulder, saying,
"In your dreams, idiot!"
Zack chuckled, turning his gaze toward the bus window, watching the streets gradually swallow the sunlight. Maybe today wasn't extraordinary, but at least it wasn't as boring as he had thought in the morning...
During the ride to the train station, Zack and Zahia talked a little about their studies—the difficulty of some subjects, the professor who never stopped lecturing like he was in a race, and the upcoming exams looming over them like a dreadful nightmare. Though the conversation started seriously, Zack couldn't help but throw in a few sarcastic remarks, making Zahia sigh and say,
"You're hopeless—there's no saving you."
Zack lazily smiled as he looked out the window, then suddenly changed the subject,
"Forget about studying. What's the last song you listened to?"
Zahia raised an eyebrow but went along with the question, and their conversation shifted into something different. They exchanged thoughts on music bands and favorite songs. Zack realized that Zahia's taste in music wasn't as bad as he had assumed—she even liked some of the songs he enjoyed.
Time passed quickly until they finally reached the train station
The two stepped off the bus and walked together toward the platform where the train was set to arrive in a few minutes. Zahia stood a step away from him, looking at the screen displaying the departure times, then turned to him and said:
"We'll meet again in two days, but before I go... I want to ask you something."
Zak looked at her with mild interest and gestured for her to continue.
"Did I really look like a wife in your eyes?"
He gazed at her for a moment before a mischievous smile formed on his face. Then, in a calm yet playful voice, he answered:
"No, you looked like a monster capable of destroying the world with a single punch."
Zahia stared at him in shock, then furrowed her brows in clear frustration. "You...! Idiot!" she snapped angrily as she rushed through the train doors just as they were about to close.
But before they shut completely, Zak smiled again and called out to her in a loud voice while waving:
"Actually! You looked like an angelic wife sent from the heavens!"
Zahia turned to look at him from inside the train, seeming for a moment as if she was considering a response. But before she could say anything, the door closed, and Zak could only see her surprised expression as the train pulled away.
He smiled as he turned back toward his dorm, wondering if Zahia would remember his silly words the next time they met.
Zak headed to a café near the train station, one of those places where the scent of coffee mixed with cigarette smoke, where university students gathered after a long day to chat or unwind away from the lecture halls.
As he entered, he glanced around quickly, noticing how lively the place was—most tables were occupied, conversations overlapped, and the espresso machine hummed softly in the background at intervals. The air was thick with the fresh aroma of coffee, intertwined with the lingering scent of cigarettes, while the café's warm lighting gave it a cozy yet bustling atmosphere.
He scanned the room briefly, searching for a suitable spot, until he found a table in the corner—far enough from the direct noise but with a clear view of the entire place. He walked over quietly and sat down, relaxing into his chair before calling the waiter.
"A cup of coffee and a small bottle of water," he said in a calm voice, then added as he played absentmindedly with his cigarette pack:
"When pressing the coffee, don't let the first few drops into the cup, and keep it slightly light."
The waiter nodded silently before heading toward the espresso machine.
Now alone, Zak pulled out his phone, opened the popular video platform, and began scrolling aimlessly… until a breaking news notification caught his attention.
"A Strange Weather Phenomenon: The Entire Sky Will Be Covered in Clouds at Dawn Tomorrow!"
He clicked on the video, and a live broadcast from a major news channel appeared. The anchor, her face filled with concern, spoke in a tense voice:
"In an unprecedented phenomenon, meteorological agencies around the world have confirmed that tomorrow morning, the entire sky will be completely covered in clouds—without exception for any region on Earth. What's strange is that satellites have been unable to determine the source of these clouds, and their movement does not align with normal weather patterns..."
On-screen, a weather expert appeared, trying to maintain his composure as he spoke in a steady yet cautious tone:
"This is not just an ordinary storm or a familiar climatic event… What we're seeing now is unnatural. Physically, this shouldn't be possible, but the data doesn't lie. We are witnessing something unprecedented, and it's far too early to predict its impact on the climate or daily life."
Zak couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Interesting..." he muttered to himself before pulling out a cigarette and lighting it calmly.
The smoke curled upward, swirling around his face as he stared at the screen, watching satellite images—thick gray clouds beginning to form on the horizon, moving rapidly toward the world's cities as if they were gathering to engulf the entire planet.
At that moment, the waiter returned, placing a cup of coffee in front of him, its rich aroma rising with a faint bitterness. Zak nodded in acknowledgment without looking up, then lifted the cup and took a small sip, savoring the precise balance of flavor he had requested.
He took another slow drag from his cigarette, exhaled the smoke, then pulled out his earbuds and put them in, immersing himself in the growing coverage of this mysterious phenomenon.
Something unusual was happening… but he wasn't sure if it had any significance for him, or if it was just another bizarre event that would be forgotten in time.
What he didn't know was that this night would be the last time he ever saw the sky as he had always known it.
—-
The Next Morning
Zak woke up feeling the lingering heaviness of sleep on his body. He lazily pulled himself out of bed, got dressed as usual, but couldn't ignore the strange sensation that crept into his mind the moment he opened his eyes.
"Today might be different..." he muttered to himself as he slowly slipped on his jacket.
Leaving the student dormitory, he walked through the narrow hallway leading to the main gate. Instinctively, he lifted his head toward the sky. The thick gray clouds the news had talked about the night before stretched endlessly, covering the entire sky like a dense veil blocking out any natural light. No sun, no blue sky... just a dull darkness overwhelming everything.
"This isn't normal... even the air feels heavier."
He started walking toward the bus station, his steps steady, but his mind was racing with everything he'd heard the previous night. The events were already bizarre, but seeing them with his own eyes made them feel even stranger.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a new notification. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. The headline stood out:
"Breaking News: Mysterious Lightning Strikes Various Locations Around the World!"
He tapped on the video, and a live broadcast appeared. The news anchor looked even more tense than yesterday.
"Ladies and gentlemen, things are escalating at an unprecedented rate! Since the early hours of dawn, strange lightning strikes have been recorded in various parts of the world. Some of them appear normal, but eyewitness reports confirm that others are displaying unusual colors—blue, red, green, and even purple! Scientists don't have a clear explanation yet, but there's one common factor: in every location struck by this colored lightning, mysterious energy spheres have formed on-site!"
Zak's eyes widened slightly. "Energy spheres...?"
But before he could process it further
A deafening clap of thunder roared across the sky, followed by a blinding flash of orange lightning. And then, in an instant, something struck him directly!
For a moment, the world flipped upside down. There was no pain, no burning sensation, no electric shock… just an overwhelming warmth engulfing him entirely.
Before he lost consciousness, he saw it—
A swirling black energy sphere mixed with orange and gold formed around him, pulsating with an erratic glow, as if it were alive.
His phone slipped from his hand, landing on the ground, its screen still displaying the live broadcast. The camera feed switched to other locations… and in every place where the colored lightning had struck someone, a similar energy sphere had formed, each radiating its own unique hue.
But there was one crucial difference
Zak didn't die.
Something else had happened entirely.