Echoes of Chaos

As I felt the pain from Sukma's blow, I saw Kung still pestering him. A moment later, after taking a deep breath and closing my eyes briefly, I realized I could no longer hear Kung's usual noisy sounds. The whole event happened so quickly, it felt as if time had stopped for a moment. I sat frozen, my eyes unable to look away from the small, furry body that had been thrown to the side of the room, a large wound in its stomach. That bastard Sukma... he killed Kung with his dagger.

Before I could snap out of my shock, Sukma stepped closer, and with a swift motion, he drove his dagger into my right shoulder. He then spoke, his voice cold and deliberate:

"You should have hated me. You should have killed me while I slept. You should have poisoned my food. But you didn't, and now you've made everything even more complicated."

Sukma's words made no sense to me, as if he had always wanted me dead.

“If only you had never been born,” he continued, his voice low, tears streaming down his face.

With the physical wound, and the deeper wound he had inflicted on my heart, Sukma turned and left me, lying in a pool of blood, surrounded by nonsensical words that I couldn't understand.

Sukma ran, breathless, toward the cliff to meet Kamala, who was in the city, while recalling the letter from Kamala.

"There is no other way, Sukma. Our only hope is to create a tragedy. We have failed and can only rely on our teacher and little sibling. If you hear an explosion, run to the city and make sure Sakti follows you. If Sakti truly follows you, I beg you, for this time, trust him and show him that."

"Someone must die between us, Sakti. We are not meant to live together as siblings. The whole world will always oppose it," Sukma thought to himself, before stumbling.

"Kamala may be right. But I am not ready to entrust that great responsibility to you," Sukma continued as he rose, still unwilling to let go of something about Sakti.

As he ran toward the small lake below the cliff, Sukma closed his eyes, crossed his arms in front of his face, and directed his hands toward the surface of the lake. He leaped onto the surface, and was propelled upwards toward the top of the cliff. It was a miraculous event, one that Sakti still couldn’t fully comprehend. And because of this suspicion, just before Sukma was thrust upwards, Sakti threw a lasso toward him. The momentum made it impossible for the lasso to bind Sukma. However, just before Sukma reached the top of the cliff, it seemed that he had done something.

"Even with a wound like that, you're still determined to chase me. Is it for the innocent fox from earlier?"

"Whatever it is, it’s enough to show your unwavering determination to fight for something."

"Your future will be decided after this, Sakti."

Sukma sighed, smiling and touched. Then, he extended his left hand and pulled the lasso, which should have fallen short, until it successfully ensnared his left leg. In an instant, Sakti was also pulled up to the cliff alongside Sukma.

"Stubborn brat! This is your choice. If you want to die, follow me. But if you want to live, kill me," Sukma said, as if indifferent to Sakti, even though he had good intentions toward him.

Sukma ran toward the city, while Sakti, landing roughly on the cliff, still faced downward with the eyes of a vengeful man, clutching his shoulder. Then he muttered:

"Sukma, you bastard. To me, Kung was far more valuable than you. He was the family Kamala gave me. Don't you ever understand? There's only one thing I wanted most. It was a family, not something selfish like the questions you always answer with blows. But now, you've taken the family closest to me. And I no longer care about the questions that have filled my mind."

He rose, his face full of rage!

"You said I should hate and kill you, right? This time, let me show you what I've gained from my solitude in the Canyon."

Back at the site of the explosion in the city, over 100 bodies of those present at the Bhuana feast suddenly exploded sporadically. It was clear that something was causing all of this. Chaos erupted at the scene, with those who had not partaken in the feast's offerings pushing and shoving each other. There was also a victim elsewhere— a man who was holding hands with two girls when he suddenly exploded. This man was also an invited guest who had left early, indicating that the explosions were only from the invited guests of Bhuana.

A loud crash shook the room, shattering the atmosphere of the previously lively party filled with laughter and clinking glasses. Golden flashes mixed with red tore through the vision, bringing the scent of metal and burnt flesh that filled the air. Some people who were not special guests stumbled and fell, their bodies hurled by the shockwave of the blast.

One by one, small explosions followed, sounding more like bursts that exploded human bodies from within. The floor, once adorned with luxurious carpets, was now covered in blood pools, fabric fragments, and broken glass. Amidst the chaos, a man could be seen shouting, but before any words could leave his lips, his chest exploded. His stomach tore with a piercing sound, creating a spray of dark fluid that splattered onto the face of the guest next to him.

A young woman, standing too close to the first explosion, now lay lifeless on the floor. Part of her face remained intact, but her body… her abdomen was torn wide open, revealing fragments of organs hanging from the remains of her ribcage. In another corner, an old man struggled to crawl, letting out weak moans while clutching at his torn abdomen.

"What is this?!" someone screamed in despair. But even their voice was drowned out by the next explosion, and the one that followed.

Bodies fell one after another, each emitting small bursts enough to destroy their stomachs or chests, creating horrific holes in human flesh. Fragments of bodies floated through the air, painting the walls with shades of red and black, while the sounds of breaking glass and screams mixed together into a symphony of destruction.

Amidst this hellish scene, a man with a vacant stare stood upright, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He appeared confused, then suddenly his body trembled, and with a terrifying "Bang!" he was split open from within. Pieces of flesh and his entrails were hurled onto the dining table, knocking over plates full of food now stained with dark liquid.

Nothing remained of the opulence of that night's party except a pile of corpses, disfigured remnants of bodies, and a thick, suffocating scent of death that filled every corner of the room.

The city, once filled with joyful laughter and carnival cheer, was now drowned in destruction. The Annual Fair, which was usually a celebration bringing people together in happiness, had turned into a living graveyard. Thick smoke hung in the night sky, obscuring the stars that once shone brightly. All that was left were scattered ruins and lifeless bodies.

Amidst the wreckage, a woman fell to her knees, her face streaked with tears. Her hands trembled as she tried to grasp the hand of the man lying lifeless before her. Blood still flowed from his body, torn apart by the explosion they couldn't avoid. The woman sobbed, her cries breaking free uncontrollably, her body shaking violently as she bowed her head, kissing the hand of the man she loved, now reduced to pieces. "Why... why..." her words faltered, halted by the increasing intensity of her sobs. Grief overwhelmed her heart, and the world around her blurred. Then, from the darkness, a man appeared, his steps calm, an aura of power surrounding his form. His face was shrouded in shadow, and his smile was faint, full of secrets.

"Madam, You want him back, don't you?" The man's voice came calmly, teasingly.

"Can you bring him back?" she asked, her voice trembling with hope.

"Of course," the man replied, his words full of conviction. "With the power we possess, the power from a God considered a Devil."

The woman stared at the mysterious man, her eyes full of confusion, her heart filled with questions. "Who are you really?" Her voice cracked as she sought an explanation.

The man smiled faintly, his expression unchanged. "Madam, your choices are simple: yes or no." He replied with a smile that was slightly intimidating.

The woman stepped back, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at the man standing before her. He wore a black robe with a symbol that was all too familiar clothing from the criminal and terrorist group that had recently thrown the world into chaos. The group was notorious for their deep ties to the dark world and the power they held.

"No..." The woman's voice caught in her throat, fear gripping her heart. "I can't do it."

The man smiled coldly, his smile full of firmness and devoid of empathy. "You have no choice, Madam."

The mysterious man then controlled the blood scattered around the chaos, pulling it with an unseen force. The blood began to move, flowing toward the body of the dead man. Slowly, the red liquid solidified, reshaping the broken limbs, reconstructing the shattered body into its original form. However, despite the body being restored, his eyes remained empty, devoid of life. The man's soul was gone. What was awakened was no longer human, but merely a pawn, a vessel with no will, entirely controlled by the mysterious man.

The woman was frozen, unable to believe what she was witnessing. "Isn't this a sacred city?" Her voice trembled. "Why this curse... why can you use that power here?"

The mysterious man smiled coldly, his eyes sharp as he stared at the woman who was beginning to choke. "It's because what you've believed all along is what has bound you," he replied with a voice full of terrifying certainty.

Suddenly, the corpse that had just been revived moved quickly, gripping the woman's neck with cold, strong hands. The woman was startled, her body trapped between the grip of death. Her breath stopped as the pressure increased.

The mysterious man watched with an innocent expression. "Hmmm, truly the end of love, as cliché as it is," he said softly, "Just like the laws of this world."

The woman could not resist and eventually fell lifeless, her body limp in the hands of the revived corpse.

However, shortly after, the body of the undead began to decay, melting into thick black liquid. The liquid quickly flowed toward the small ball the mysterious man carried, as if it were sucking up all the remaining life within.

The man gazed at the ball with a satisfied smile before calmly holding it. "Don't worry, I’ve also brought your woman," he whispered, his voice soft and full of satisfaction.

Then he walked towards his colleague, and the man, sitting on the roof of the destroyed building, mockingly said, "Disappointing, you should have enjoyed that explosive candy too. Senior," referring to the object that caused this chaos.

"Well, I'm still not sure those dates are safe to eat either. Junior," the man replied, and then the dates disappeared, showing that it was just an illusion.

With a slightly annoyed tone, "Huhh, you're a d*ck as a always. But, I appreciate your savagery, Senior."

"This isn’t over yet, Junior. My beloved students haven’t arrived here. Don’t you have a task that needs to be completed soon?" said the Senior, urging Junior to continue his duty.

"Remember this, Senior, I still don’t trust you. After all, this will be a reunion between father and son," he said with a mocking laugh.

"Dealing with that boy does require extra effort. That’s why I actually wanted you to stay here," the Senior replied.

Then, a group of city guards appeared, seemingly preparing to surround them. "But Junior, shouldn't you finish your business first?"

"Don't die stupidly, and meet me at the place we agreed on," said the Junior as he quickly left for his business.

Before the guards come, The Senior walked toward the source of the explosion.

"Come down, girl. They're here," said the Senior to a winged woman whose wings matched the color of her hair as she floated in the air.

That woman was Kamala, and her presence alone explained why she was still alive after the horrifying event that had thrown the entire city into chaos. Even so, she had sustained burn marks on the right side of her body.

The Senior in question wasn't referring to the guards, but to the two siblings from the Canyon. Sakti and Sukma who were now running straight toward him!

"Even though you say we're working together, I can’t help but feel like you’re trying to kill me. Master!" said Kamala, her breathing ragged before she collapsed to the ground.

"That’s terrible acting. They might misunderstand and think I was the one who hurt you," said the Senior, whom Kamala called Master.

"I must be honest with you, Kamala," her Master said, his voice cutting through the air with a cold finality. "Your naivety has been a burden to me. I won’t call this a partnership, not in the way you might think. Yes, it is a partnership, but in a different sense entirely."

"You can still help me" he said, stepping closer to Kamala.

In one swift motion, he grabbed her hair, yanking it back so she could feel the sharpness of his grip. His gaze never wavered, cold and piercing. "This," he said, his words heavy with intent, "will be the redemption for your sins."

Kamala's master roughly dragged her to the edge of the bustling street, where the guards had already gathered, preparing to encircle him. On the other side, Sukma appeared exhausted and battered, as though he had just been beaten by someone.

"Call the reinforcements, gentlemen... Sukma has gone mad," Kamala's master murmured, his voice rising from the shadowed corners, as the smoke from the explosion still clung to the air, thick and oppressive. then the guards exclaimed in unison, "Lord Adikara!"

One of them hurriedly approached. "This is bad, Captain! I’ve just received word. The members of the Dark Faction have attacked the Hizashizora residence! Several of their family members have been killed!"

"What did you say!?" the captain exclaimed in shock. "My Lord, do you mean reinforcements for there or here?"

"Calm down, Captain. Look, I have someone responsible for this chaos," he said, motioning to the person being dragged.

"Isn't that the woman?" the captain replied.

"Yes, Captain. We will settle this today. Is Sukma an enemy or an ally. The decision rests with him—loyalty to humanity, or arrogance for his own gain."

Sukma finally arrived, with Sakti hot on his heels, clearly intent on attacking. Sukma came to a halt, his gaze fixed on Kamala's dire condition. Fury began to well up within him. At that very moment, Sakti lunged from behind, aiming to strike with the dagger in his hand. But in a flash, Sukma spun around, landing a powerful blow that sent Sakti crashing across the street.

With a thunderous shout, Sukma cried out, "Yeon-Jin!!!!!"

Thrown across the street, Sakti opened his eyes and was met with a sight he wished he hadn’t seen—someone he cherished hurting another he held dear. His voice trembled as it escaped his lips, small and fragile:

"Father?"