The first shadow leapt toward Feroz.
He raised his hands without thinking. The light answered again—smooth, controlled. A sharp wave burst forward and slammed into the creature, throwing it back into the trees. It vanished with a hiss, like smoke in the wind.
Feroz stared at his hands. "I didn't lose control."
Yusuf nodded. "Because you did not fight the power. You listened."
More shadows rushed in from both sides. Mrs. Aliya lifted her arms, her voice low and steady. Symbols formed in the air, glowing faint blue. The shadows slowed, trapped as if the air itself had turned thick.
"Focus, Feroz!" she shouted. "One thought. One aim."
Feroz closed his eyes for a second. He thought of the park. The tree. The future he kept seeing.
I choose when, he told himself.
When he opened his eyes, the light around him sharpened. He moved forward, releasing short, precise blasts. Each one hit its target. Each one faded cleanly.
Within moments, the forest grew quiet again.
Silence.
Feroz's chest rose and fell. He felt tired—but clear.
Yusuf stepped closer. "This is the first lesson. Power is not anger. Power is decision."
Mrs. Aliya looked around nervously. "The scouts will report back. We don't have much time."
Yusuf turned toward a narrow path hidden between rocks. "There is a place ahead. Safe for now."
As they walked, Feroz felt something strange—like the forest was pulling at him. His steps slowed.
"Yusuf," he said, "why do I feel like I've been here before?"
Yusuf stopped.
"You have," he said.
Feroz frowned. "That's not possible."
"Not in this life," Yusuf replied.
Mrs. Aliya turned sharply. "Yusuf… are you sure we should tell him now?"
Yusuf looked at Feroz, his eyes serious. "The truth will reach him sooner or later."
He pointed ahead. "That park you keep seeing. That tree."
Feroz's heart pounded. "What about it?"
"It is not just the end," Yusuf said. "It is also the beginning."
Feroz felt cold. "Beginning of what?"
Yusuf's voice dropped. "Of the moment the world finally notices you."
They reached a small hill. From the top, city lights could be seen far away, faint and distant.
Behind them, somewhere deep in the forest, a horn sounded—low and long.
Mrs. Aliya whispered, "They're calling the Hunters."
Feroz clenched his fists, light flickering again between his fingers.
"Then let them come," he said.
Far away, under a tree near a quiet park, the future waited patiently