The room was silent.
Pure white walls.
A single bed.
A mirror fixed to the wall.
No windows.
No clock.
No sense of time.
Farouk sat slowly on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor.
Outside the metal door, two men dressed in white stood guard without moving.
Farouk leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
His mind replayed everything that had happened.
The interrogation.
The accusation.
Mendes' name.
And the Master's words.
"If we are discovered… sacrifices will be made."
Farouk clenched his fists.
"So this is it…"
He let out a bitter laugh.
"They really threw me away."
Just then—
The door opened.
Farouk looked up.
Several figures walked inside.
They were all dressed in white.
Their faces completely covered by white masks.
For a moment they simply stood there, surrounding the room.
Then one of them stepped forward.
A woman.
Her movements were calm.
Confident.
She removed the hood covering her head.
Her sharp eyes studied Farouk.
"My name is Maeve."
She spoke calmly.
"Assistant Director of the OOTP."
Farouk frowned slightly.
"So the big bosses finally decided to visit."
Maeve smiled faintly.
She walked closer.
"I was curious."
She tilted her head slightly.
"How does it feel?"
Farouk narrowed his eyes.
"To be used…"
She paused.
"…and then discarded."
Farouk looked away.
"You people already know the answer."
Maeve smirked slightly.
Then Farouk looked back at her.
"If you know I didn't do it…"
His voice hardened.
"…then why punish me?"
Maeve didn't hesitate.
Her smile became colder.
"To make you an example."
The words hung in the air.
Farouk stared at her.
Maeve continued walking slowly around the room.
"Chaos spreads quickly in environments like this."
"But fear…"
She glanced at him.
"…spreads even faster."
She stopped in front of him.
"You became the perfect scapegoat."
Farouk's fists tightened again.
"You're disgusting."
Maeve chuckled softly.
"Perhaps."
Then her expression turned serious.
"But eventually…"
She leaned slightly closer.
"…all your comrades will be caught."
Farouk froze.
Maeve watched his reaction carefully.
Then she smiled again.
"You see, Farouk…"
She clasped her hands behind her back.
"Many of you candidates keep asking the same question."
"How did we even get here?"
"How does this facility exist?"
"How does everything feel so… real?"
She leaned slightly closer.
"I can answer those questions."
Farouk looked up slowly.
Maeve's voice became quieter.
"But only if you answer one of mine."
Her eyes locked onto his.
"Tell me everything you know…"
She paused.
"…about Timor."
Farouk's heart skipped a beat.
The name echoed loudly in his mind.
Timor.
Maeve watched his reaction carefully.
Farouk stared at her.
But for the first time since she entered the room…
He didn't know what to say.
Meanwhile…
Inside the cafeteria…
Candidates were once again gathered around the screens.
The system interface appeared.
The familiar mechanical voice echoed through the hall.
"Attention candidates."
Everyone looked up.
"The investigation regarding the system breach has concluded."
A pause followed.
Then the next announcement appeared.
"Matchday 5 will begin in one week."
A wave of excitement spread across the room.
"Candidates are advised to use this time to prepare."
Then the screen changed.
A large table appeared.
GROUP STANDINGS
Ten groups.
From Group A to Group J.
Each showing the rankings of candidates based on points earned so far.
Candidates immediately began searching for their names.
Some cheered.
Others frowned.
Then the screen changed again.
MATCHDAY 5 FIXTURES
A list of upcoming matches appeared.
Several candidates leaned closer to the screens.
This next round would decide a lot.
Because every point now mattered.
Hours later…
The facility had grown quiet.
Most candidates had returned to their dorms.
But inside his room…
Daniel couldn't sleep.
He stared at the ceiling for a few seconds.
Then sat up.
Tunde noticed.
"Where are you going?"
Daniel stood up.
"Just taking a walk."
Ayo groaned half-asleep.
"Don't get kidnapped."
Daniel chuckled softly and left the room.
The facility at night looked different.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
The lights reflected beautifully across the glass architecture of the complex.
Daniel walked slowly through the open courtyard.
Looking around.
Taking everything in.
The buildings.
The training fields.
The massive stadium in the distance.
Sometimes he still couldn't believe it.
How had they all ended up here?
So suddenly.
So mysteriously.
Eventually he reached the training field.
The grass moved gently with the night breeze.
Daniel sat down on the bench near the field.
His mind drifted back home.
His family.
His normal life.
He sighed softly.
"This tournament really messes with your head…"
Then suddenly—
A voice spoke behind him.
"You're not the only one."
Daniel turned quickly.
And froze.
Fatima stood there.
Wearing a light night gown.
Her hair loose.
Daniel immediately looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"W-what are you doing here?"
Fatima laughed softly.
"I went to get a drink."
She walked closer.
"And I saw you sneaking out like a mysterious hero."
Daniel rubbed the back of his neck.
"So you followed me?"
Fatima shrugged.
"Maybe."
She walked over and sat beside him.
For a moment they both looked out at the empty field.
Fatima spoke first.
"So…"
"How are you holding up?"
Daniel exhaled slowly.
"This whole tournament…"
He shook his head.
"…is mentally exhausting."
Fatima smiled softly.
"Tell me about it."
They began talking.
About the tournament.
About tactics.
About their playing styles.
Sometimes they joked.
Sometimes they argued playfully about strategies.
Eventually Daniel leaned back slightly and smiled.
"I really needed this."
Fatima tilted her head.
"This?"
"Yeah."
He gestured around.
"Just… normal conversation."
Fatima smiled warmly.
"Anything for you."
Daniel blinked slightly, surprised.
Then laughed awkwardly.
Eventually he stood up.
"Come on."
"I'll walk you back."
Fatima nodded.
They walked together across the quiet courtyard toward the dormitory building.
When they reached her dorm entrance, Fatima waved.
"Goodnight, strategist."
Daniel smiled.
"Goodnight."
He turned and walked back toward his dorm.
Inside the girls' dorm room…
Fatima opened the door and stepped inside.
But she stopped.
Fiona was awake.
Sitting on her bed.
Watching her.
Fiona raised an eyebrow.
"So…"
She smiled slightly.
"You really like this Daniel boy."
Fatima sat down on her bed.
She thought about the question for a moment.
Then she shook her head.
"You're wrong."
Fiona tilted her head.
"Oh?"
Fatima leaned back against the wall.
Her eyes thoughtful.
"Liking someone…"
She paused.
"…and wanting to use them…"
Her lips curved into a small smile.
"…are two very different things."
Fiona stared at her for a moment.
Then slowly smiled as well.
Because the tournament was becoming far more interesting than anyone expected.