A Broken Heart, A Rising Power

A moment before the disastrous reunion occurred.

"Why did you decide this on your own, Kamala? You should've known Yeon-Jin would look down on our decision. I'm sure nothing good will come from dealing with him again," Sukma muttered as he ran, lamenting the hasty decision Kamala had made.

The full moon was cloaked by a sky that glowed red, and Sukma ran hastily down the hill, his breath heavy, his right hand clutching the wound that bled warm blood. In the distance, he saw the guards who usually watched over the Canyon now descending, confused, trying to comprehend the disaster that had struck. Occasionally, he glanced back to ensure the distance between himself and whatever was relentlessly chasing him.

Far below, the city neared its destruction. Sporadic explosions obliterated buildings, streets, and lives, leaving behind smoldering embers. Thick black smoke billowed high, choking the horizon. Sukma growled softly, not from the pain in his hand, but from the heavier burden that weighed on his mind. However, the sound of hurried small footsteps behind him pushed him to increase his pace.

"Sukma!" The voice was loud, sharp like a dagger. A small child drew closer from behind, eyes filled with vengeance. Sakti, chasing with labored breath, his small body hiding immense strength. His gaze burned at Sukma with an unquenchable fire.

"You took him from me!" Sakti screamed, his voice trembling. Sakti, furious over the death of the fox who had been his companion in the quiet Canyon woods.

As he recalled the moment he had held Sakti when he was still a baby, Sukma paused for a moment, his gaze filled with guilt, but he only continued running, descending the hill hurriedly, even though each step made his wound throb painfully.

"Do you want me to kill you?! Is that what you want?!" Sakti shouted again, this time with more emotion. Sukma remained silent. His lips moved slowly, but no sound came out. There was something he wanted to say, but he chose not to.

Sakti growled, his hand reaching for a rock near his feet. He threw it with surprising force for such a small body. Sukma dodged, the stone missing but nearly hitting his back. Sakti grabbed a long branch lying on the ground and hurled it toward Sukma. The branch soared through the air, crashing into the ground hard as Sukma narrowly avoided it. He continued running, but each missed attack made him lose his balance. His foot slipped on the slick rocks, and his body tumbled down the slope. Sharp branches scratched his skin, and he finally came to a stop at the bottom, his body halted by a large rock. Sukma tried to get up, but his leg ached with pain.

The moment Sakti had been waiting for came. He approached, then kicked Sukma's face with an unexpected strength for such a small body. Sukma fell again, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. Sakti stood over him, raising the branch like an executioner ready to carry out a death sentence.

"Stay down there, Sukma!" Sakti's voice was hoarse with emotion.

As the branch descended, Sukma raised his hand. The air seemed to vibrate. The branch stopped, hovering in the air for a moment before being hurled aside, crashing into the ground with a loud thud. Sakti was stunned, his body lifted off the ground, sent flying backward, and slammed into a large tree with a forceful impact.

"Maybe this is the first time we've played tag," Sukma whispered with a smile.

"You should've seen this earlier, Kamala. Sakti is more than what I feared. If the tragedy you're planning makes him think badly of humans, it could very well be the beginning of their end!"

His wounded hand trembled, as though sensing a dark omen about what was to come.

"If he inherits this power, I’m not sure if I can hold him back."

Sukma, limping, continued running, while Sakti, his body still stuck to the tree in an unnatural way, felt as if his body was glued like rice sticking to a cheek. The surroundings blurred, and his head spun, as though everything was spinning beyond his control. When he tried to move his arms or body, it felt like an invisible force was holding him back. Only a faint buzzing sound could be heard around him.

"What is this strange thing?" Sakti muttered in confusion, trying to comprehend the heaviness in his body. Despite his efforts, it felt like he was trapped in a secret he couldn’t solve.

With growing frustration, Sakti looked toward Sukma, who was moving further away. "Is he trying to hold me here?" Sakti wondered. "Sukma isn’t an ordinary human—that’s clear. People in this world definitely have something different."

Suddenly, the force that had been holding him vanished. The mysterious power that seemed to embrace him disappeared, causing Sakti to fall hard to the ground. His breath came in short gasps, but there was no time to rest. The decision was made—he had to chase Sukma, he had to ensure he couldn’t escape.

With hatred and determination, Sakti slowly began to move, forcing his legs to run after him. The pain that still lingered in his body, especially in his shoulder, didn’t stop him. "I will kill you, Sukma. Even if I have to destroy this body of mine," he whispered, determined to finish what was left unfinished between them.

Sukma ran through the city gates, cutting through the chaos that enveloped him. His steps were fast and determined, every second feeling like the last moment of his life. Thick black smoke covered the sky, mixing with the sounds of screams and the creaking of collapsing buildings. The trail of destruction behind him was a silent reminder of how deeply the wounds had been carved into this city.

But Sukma didn’t care. His mind was locked on one thing—Kamala. He had to find her. No matter what he had to go through. No matter how dark or deep the destruction was.

His steps rang out quickly, dodging the debris that covered the streets. The fierce wind blew around him, carrying the smell of burning and ruin. Sukma didn’t care. The only thing on his mind was ensuring Kamala’s safety. His overflowing power was unstoppable, and amidst the turmoil, it felt as though the world was spinning faster, urging him to run farther, faster.

His chase toward Kamala brought him closer to the heart of the city, where the thick black smoke rose high, signaling the epicenter of the chaos. Another feeling began to emerge within him—worry, pain, even a sense of anxiety that he couldn’t shake off.

Sukma approached the place shrouded in smoke, and he could see it—the sight that tore at his heart. Kamala, the woman who had always been his savior, was falling, her face contorted in pain, being pulled by strong, merciless hands.

Kamala sobbed in the grip of her master's harsh hold. "Master? Why?" Kamala cried, her voice trembling with confusion.

Sukma could feel a shift within himself. In an instant, the power he held within surged through his body. Without a second thought, he gathered his energy, ready to unleash the strength he had long kept suppressed.

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

Sukma, facing Yeon-Jin, sensed another threat approaching. His sharp senses quickly detected the rapid footsteps of someone moving from behind. Before he could turn, Sakti emerged from the shadows, a dark figure with a small dagger in hand, moving swiftly to strike.

Without mercy, the dagger was aimed directly at Sukma's neck. In an instant, the sharp blade was nearly upon him.

However, Sukma moved faster. With honed reflexes, he spun around, his hand swiping at the attack. The dagger, which had almost reached him, cut only through the air. In one powerful motion, Sukma launched a devastating punch toward Sakti.

Sakti couldn’t evade it, and Sukma’s forceful blow struck his body with tremendous impact. His body was thrown into the air, soaring so far that it crashed into a stall across the street. Pain immediately assaulted his body, but he had no time to feel it—there was only one thing he could hear now, Sukma’s cold, warning voice.

“Stay back, Sakti. That’s a warning," Sukma said, his voice firm and filled with power. His gaze locked onto Sakti’s, full of an undeniable warning.

Still reeling from the force of Sukma’s punch, Sakti swayed, his body trembling. But then, his gaze suddenly shifted, drawn to something else. Amid the chaos, he saw Kamala, tangled in a grip by someone familiar. Kamala appeared to be sobbing, enduring intense pain.

Confusion washed over Sakti.

"Father... is that you?" he said, his eyes wide with disbelief.

His eyes widened further, unable to accept the reality that the figure who had long been gone had now returned, but in a form so changed—Yeon-Jin.

"Yeon-Jin? Wtf? Has this man lost his mind?" the captain said, bewildered, as Sukma referred to their master, Adikara, by the name of one of the most wanted fugitives in the world.

"Holy crap! This kid, why is he here too?!" the guards muttered, their confusion clear.

"That's the situation, gentlemen, as you can see. Sukma brought his little brother and his lover here with the intention of destroying the city together," Yeon-Jin said.

"What are you thinking, Yeon-Jin! How dare you throw your actions onto me!" Sukma shouted, his voice rising in anger.

"Enough, Sukma! What's going on in that head of yours? You called Lord Adikara by that asshole's name?!"

Sukma jolted, his mind suddenly filled with the realization of something that could only have been done by Yeon-Jin.

"Exactly, my son," Yeon-Jin's voice echoed in his mind, calm yet piercing like a cold dagger. "I have deceived them all. What they see is not reality, but a shadow I’ve shaped to my will."

Yeon-Jin chuckled softly, his tone full of arrogance. "Just like the three years you've endured, right? Tell me, my son—what have you truly gained from the illusion this girl has given you?"

"But didn’t she just punch her brother?" one of the guards asked.

"We all know, Sukma lost his mind after that expedition," Yeon-Jin’s voice continued through Adikara’s illusion. "That explains everything—why he thinks of me as Yeon-Jin. Perhaps he misses that man so much, he went as far as destroying the city just to get his attention."

The voice was cold yet full of certainty, making the illusion of Adikara appear even more real to the confused guards.

"This is starting to make sense, Sukma! Tell me, is it true?!" the captain shouted, dozens of weapons coated in blazing fire now aimed directly at Sukma, Sakti, and Kamala. Tension was at its peak, each second hanging like a sharp blade in the air.

Sukma opened his mouth, about to deny the accusation. But before any words could escape, the familiar cold voice whispered once more in his mind.

"Be careful, Sukma," Yeon-Jin's voice sliced through his thoughts like a knife, filled with hidden threats. "What you do next will determine this girl's fate. One wrong move, and her life will end in my hands. Don't answer until I give you permission."

Sukma clenched his fist tightly, his body tense. The words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat, while his gaze flickered toward Kamala, still trapped in danger. He was fully aware of what Yeon-Jin was capable of.

In Sukma’s mind, anger surged. "What do you want, you bastard!" he screamed inwardly, though his lips remained sealed.

Meanwhile, Yeon-Jin, still cloaked in Adikara’s illusion, spoke in a calm yet piercing tone. "Gentlemen, I don’t mean to undermine you," he said, his voice so convincing it kept the guards focused on him. "But let us consider this for a moment. Sukma has yet to attack us, even after I’ve treated his girl this way."

He stepped forward slowly, adding pressure to the atmosphere. "This suggests he may have a reason. Wouldn’t it be wiser if we didn’t act aggressively toward him just yet?"

His words were hypnotic, stalling any impulsive actions, while Sukma could only stare in fury, feeling Yeon-Jin’s grip tightening with every step.

"This girl appeared at a noble’s party and became the center of attention. A few hours later, sporadic explosions rocked the party, killing many important people present."

Yeon-Jin paused for a moment, his gaze sharp like a blade. "Amidst that chaos, a criminal organization seized the opportunity, infiltrating and attacking various corners of the city, including the residence of Hizashizora."

Yeon-Jin’s gaze sharpened as he watched the guards, a cold smile curling at the edges of his lips. "It seems the pieces of this puzzle are falling into place," he said with a chilling certainty, eyes never leaving Sukma.

Turning back to Sukma, he continued with a slow, deliberate tone. "As I was saying, your little brother’s presence here was never just a coincidence. And your involvement in this chaos... well, it's all starting to make sense, isn't it?"

He took another step closer, his voice laced with venom. "You’ve been playing us all along, Sukma. Pretending to be innocent, but all the while feeding into the destruction of this city."

The air was thick with tension, each word a sharpened blade that seemed to pierce deeper into Sukma’s mind. "And now, with your ties to the general, it's clear—you're trying to bring down the very foundation that holds us all together. Your motivations are clearer than ever, Sukma."

A guard, shaking with disbelief, stepped forward. "Could it be true... Is Lord Tagumpay involved in this conspiracy too?"

Yeon-Jin chuckled softly, cold and full of cynicism. "Lord Tagumpay? He’s just an old man forced to sit in the seat of power. His ability to think rationally has long disappeared. The only thoughts that come from his head are just following his little granddaughter’s orders."

The words left a sharp silence, as if the air around them grew heavier with every sentence uttered.

"So now, how will you explain all of this, Sukma?" Yeon-Jin said, his voice full of pressure, like a knife hanging over Sukma's neck.

He stepped closer, his cold eyes scanning Sukma’s face. "Honestly, because you’ve lost your sanity enough to call me Yeon-Jin, I almost believe you really aren’t directly involved in this chaos," he continued, his tone mocking, laced with sharp irony in every word.

A brief silence lingered, as if waiting for a response that never came, only to make the atmosphere even more tense.

"Innocent lives have been lost, and death is the price to be paid by anyone who planned this chaos," Yeon-Jin said in a firm voice, his gaze sharp as it focused on Sukma. "But Kamala is definitely guilty. She has indirectly weakened our national defense."

His voice growing colder. "So, Sukma, to get out of this situation, I'll give you three choices."

"1. Kill yourself, and let your brother carry on your legacy. Kamala will only be sentenced to life imprisonment. 2. Kill Kamala, and choose who should live between you and Sakti. 3. Kill Sakti, and I'll let you and Kamala live—together in prison," Yeon-Jin said flatly, as if the choices were just a routine decision to be made.

His gaze was calculating, filling the room with an unspoken tension.

"So I just sit here listening to nonsense like that?" Sukma spat with rising anger, his voice shaking with the hatred boiling inside him. "You're dead wrong if you think I'm weak."

Kamala, who had been silent, finally spoke. Her eyes were full of concern, but her voice remained firm. "No, Sukma. This has to be your decision."

Kamala’s words hung in the air as Sukma felt the weight of the choices pressing down on him, his emotions raging within.

"I warned you, Sukma," Yeon-Jin's voice echoed coldly in his mind. "I'm the one controlling this situation. Don’t forget, I can make these people lose their minds and attack you at any moment. That way, I can take Sakti with me without any obstacles."

Sukma clenched his fists, holding back the boiling fury. "So this is what you want? Chaos like this? Why didn’t you just take the kid quietly in the Canyon from the start?" he snapped, his mind full of frustration.

Yeon-Jin chuckled softly, full of mockery. "As if you would just hand his over for free. Let me ask you something, my boy. Who do you think paved the way for this invasion plan? It’s your girl, Kamala. Without her plan to weaken the city's defenses, how could we have infiltrated this far?"

Every word Yeon-Jin spoke felt like a needle piercing Sukma's heart, intensifying the guilt and hatred that mixed within him.

"You haven't contributed anything, Sukma. Nothing at all," Yeon-Jin said sharply, his words cutting deep. "Three years of your life spent here, only lamenting the failure of that expedition. You were defeated by your own soft heart, and that... is disappointing. I had placed my hopes in you, but you shattered them."

He paused for a moment, his gaze cold yet filled with unspoken disappointment. "That's why I chose Sakti. He will carry on our dreams because he's like a blank sheet of paper. Unlike you, who is already broken, my child. It's not that I don't love you, but because I can't overcome the mental control that has stolen who you truly are."

The words landed like a heavy blow, hinting at how the past expedition had destroyed Sukma's identity. Behind Yeon-Jin's cold tone, there was a faint shadow of regret—though not strong enough to stop what he had planned.

"Those choices were merely steps to ensure I am freed from any resentment that might grow in Sakti's heart toward me," Yeon-Jin said, his voice flat but sharp. "I no longer need you or Kamala. My only goal now is to take Sakti away from here."

Yeon-Jin stepped closer, as though wanting to drive his words deeper into Sukma's mind. "Your task now is to convince Sakti that this kingdom is his enemy."

Yeon-Jin paused for a moment, giving time for his words to sink in. "Kamala has atoned for her mistakes, and now it’s your turn to do the same—for the great cause our people have dreamed of for so long."

A cold smile spread across his face, concealing the cruelty beneath it. "You have three choices, Sukma. The first option, kill yourself. Tell Sakti that you love him dearly, and that it is this kingdom that caused all the suffering in the Canyon. Make him believe that your death is proof of the kingdom’s hatred for blood of both of you."

"The second option, kill Kamala. Tell Sakti that Kamala tried to free you both, but she was caught. Tell him that you had no choice but to kill her to save Sakti's life. After that, I will make myself appear as Adikara in his eyes, giving the illusion that I am his greatest enemy."

"Your final choice," he stepped closer, his voice shifting into a whisper laced with threat, "pretend to kill Sakti. Make him believe that this kingdom despises your blood so much that one of you must die. At that moment, I will move to save him, take him from you, and leave both of you behind. In doing so, you will be free from the wrath of the people, for I will reveal myself as the mastermind behind this tragedy."

Yeon-Jin inhaled deeply, his sharp gaze fixed on Sukma with cold calculation. "Whatever your choice, my goal remains the same—to make Sakti despise this kingdom enough to join me. With us, he will become the one to replace you in achieving the success we’ve dreamed of."

The third option felt like a trap. Sukma knew deep down that he didn’t want Sakti to fall into Yeon-Jin's hands. But it seemed like the only way to ensure neither of them would lose their lives. Then, Kamala's voice broke through his hesitation.

"Don’t think too much, Sukma. Choose the second option!" she said, though her body looked weak and her breath ragged.

Sukma was startled, his eyes widening. What Kamala had just said seemed irrational to him. It was as if she was ready to surrender her life. But why? Didn’t the third option make more sense? Didn’t it offer them a chance to save Sakti one day?

"Trust me," Kamala said, her voice trembling as she fought through the pain of her burn wounds.

Sukma saw the determination in Kamala's eyes, but he still couldn’t fully understand. It was as though Kamala had something else planned behind her words.

Suddenly, Yeon-Jin's cold voice echoed in Sukma’s mind. "Will you really continue to follow the words of your woman until the very end?"

Sukma was confused. His thoughts and emotions clashed endlessly. The third option seemed like the only logical way out, but Kamala's plea to choose the second option shook his heart. He knew Kamala well. The girl was intelligent, calculating, and often unpredictable.

Yeon-Jin had always seen Kamala as a bad influence, someone who led Sukma toward destruction. But Sukma knew that wasn’t true. If not for Kamala, Sakti might have already become the Kingdom’s pet. Kamala wasn’t like Yeon-Jin thought—Sukma knew that with all his heart.

Then the city guards shouted at Sukma. "Decide now, Sukma, our work is not meant for here."

"Please, this is the last time," Kamala said in her low voice.

Sukma stood frozen, his mind filled with chaos and the haunting shadows of the past. He took a deep breath, trying to dispel the restlessness gnawing at him. With heavy steps, he walked toward Kamala. His face showed despair, yet his eyes gleamed with resolve.

Sukma’s hand rose slowly. He clenched his fingers into a fist, and something invisible began to vibrate in the air around him. A subtle pressure seemed to spread, as if a force was pulling and pushing at once. It was Gaya, a mysterious power embedded within him, a power he knew could destroy—but this time, he felt he had no choice.

His steps grew closer. His eyes were locked on Kamala, his body nearing her, fist brimming with energy. When he was only a few feet away, the fist lunged, aimed directly at Kamala’s chest.

But something strange happened. Just as his fist was three feet away, Sukma felt something different—like it was breaking through an invisible wall. The air around him trembled, and the scene began to crack like a shattered mirror, the fragments of illusion revealing the reality beneath.

As the illusion shattered and crumbled, Sukma stood frozen, his eyes widening in horror as reality struck him. His whole body tensed as he realized what was truly happening—this was all Yeon-Jin’s illusion.

It turned out, Sukma hadn’t been walking toward Kamala. His steps had been leading him toward Sakti. His fist, charged with magical energy, was ready to strike with enough force to obliterate. But before the blow could reach the Kamala-shaped illusion of Sakti, a shadow moved swiftly.

With the last of her strength, her torn wings flapping, she flew to shield her little brother. In an instant, she positioned herself between Sukma and Sakti, her back turned toward him. Sukma’s fist tore through her chest with devastating power. And it was Kamala.

Everything seemed to stop. Blood slowly oozed from the wound in Kamala’s body, soaking her clothes and the earth beneath her. Sukma froze in place, his eyes wide as the painful truth hit him.

And before Kamala, Sakti sat paralyzed, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. His lips trembled, unable to process what had just occurred.

Kamala’s eyes, though filled with suffering, radiated a tenderness. She gazed at her little brother with a faint smile full of love. "Sakti... you... you're okay, right?" she whispered, each word seeming forced from her bloodstained lips.

"Big sis... why...?" Sakti’s cry shattered the air, his small voice trembling with an unbearable sense of loss. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his body shaking as he watched his sister fall into the arms of death to protect him.

Then Kamala forced out her final words, blood staining her lips. “Whatever happens... don’t let that bastard have Sakti!”

Sukma was jolted by Kamala's words, but his body remained frozen, unable to accept the reality before his eyes.

"RUN, SUKMA!" Kamala shouted with the last of her strength.

But before Sukma could move, something cold and sharp pierced his body from all sides. The guards, seemingly under Yeon-Jin's control, attacked him mercilessly. More than five blades stabbed into him at once, his blood splattering onto the ground.

Amid the agony, heavy footsteps echoed, and Yeon-Jin, still in Adikara’s form, approached slowly. This time, Sakti saw him as Adikara, not Yeon-Jin anymore.

"Don't think you can escape from me," Yeon-Jin said coldly, his voice dripping with arrogance. His face remained expressionless as he watched Sukma kneel, powerless.

Then one of the guards slashed Sukma’s right arm and left calf.

"Such a troublesome girl, she’s ruined everything," Yeon-Jin muttered, visibly frustrated.

The crowd grew thicker, their shouts and curses filling the air like a sea of hatred ready to devour anything in its path. Those under Yeon-Jin's control stirred with fervor, planting deep resentment toward Sukma, Sakti, and Kamala. The accusation that they were the masterminds behind the city’s destruction had ignited the crowd’s fury. Their eyes burned with hatred, seeing them as pests that must be eradicated for the safety of everyone.

The curses echoed through the air, creating an increasingly oppressive atmosphere. Some people, not of the Knight faction, wielded makeshift weapons—sticks, knives, even stones.

But amidst the hysteria, Yeon-Jin's calm yet commanding voice cut through the chaos. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he called, his voice loud but strangely soothing. "I understand your anger. I too feel the deep loss of what has happened to this city. But we must think long-term. One of these two siblings must remain alive."

The crowd fell silent for a moment, though their eyes were still filled with suspicion and hatred. Yeon-Jin continued, his tone now more assertive. "If we erase them from this world, what will happen? Our nation will become an easy target for other countries once they hear that the two siblings of this rare bloodline have been wiped out. We will lose the power that has long been part of our history and protection!"

Some in the crowd seemed uncertain, but the majority remained angry.

Yeon-Jin let out a dramatic sigh, then said, "From this moment on, we must follow the example of the Dhahabbiyah. They control these monstrous beings with wisdom and authority. We must reduce their numbers, but not destroy them all. We must take strategic steps for the future of us all!"

The crowd began to whisper among themselves, some appearing calmer, while others still seethed with anger. Yet, Yeon-Jin's powerful influence started to take hold, making him the central figure controlling the situation.

Kamala, with the last of her strength, reached for the wounded Sukma and Sakti. Her wings were torn, and her body was weak, but she flapped them into the air, pulling away from the increasingly violent crowd. Fresh blood dripped from the wounds on her body, each flap of her wings felt like an unbearable burden. But her determination was stronger than the pain, pushing her forward to protect the two siblings.

"Chase them! Don’t let them escape!" Yeon-Jin shouted loudly, using his control over the crowd. In his imposing and dignified Adikara form, he led the mob, running with fervor. "They are a great threat! They’ve conspired with the Dark Faction! Rather than handing them over to that organization, it's far better we eliminate them here! Destroy them, and one pillar supporting their grand purpose will collapse on its own!"

Yeon-Jin’s shouts reignited the crowd’s hatred. Hundreds of people ran after them, carrying makeshift weapons and even torches. Chaos spread across the city, with the sound of footsteps and angry cries echoing through the air.

But Kamala forced herself onward. She managed to escape through the city’s western gate, though her body trembled violently from exhaustion. She moved forward aimlessly, each step driven purely by instinct. The cold night wind struck her face, adding to the stinging pain of her wounds.

Her wingbeats grew slower, and she nearly lost her balance several times. Gasping for breath, Kamala struggled to steady herself, though her mind was filled with worry. How much longer can I hold on? she thought. Cradled against her chest, Sakti and Sukma hung limp, both gravely injured, yet they remained her unshakable responsibility.

The pursuing mob began closing the distance, their shouts still threatening and cruel. Kamala knew that if she fell now, it would be the end for all of them. I have to keep flying, no matter what, she resolved, her determination burning even as her body screamed for rest.

Sukma groaned in pain, his voice weak but pleading. “Kamala... stop this... stop torturing yourself,” he begged, his words punctuated by labored breaths. Blood still poured from his wounds, and his face was pale, a testament to how much life was draining from him.

Kamala clenched her fists, though her body grew weaker and her wings threatened to give out. Her vision blurred from the pain, but her resolve remained unwavering.

“No, Sukma. If I am to die, then I will make sure the two of you are as far away from their grasp as possible. Until my final breath, I won’t stop,” Kamala declared firmly, her voice a mix of agony and determination.

Sukma let out a long, resigned sigh, as if surrendering to the unchangeable fate looming over them. “What decision is left for us, Kamala? We’re both too broken to be saved. Death is only moments away,” he said bitterly.

“Living in solitude again or dying together—that’s all we can offer Sakti now,” Sukma added, his tone heavy with sorrow.

“If we let you live, it is the greatest cruelty we could inflict upon you. But if you choose death, it’s our final act of love. At least we’ll die together, embraced by unity,” Kamala continued, her voice trembling yet resolute.

Sakti, his shoulder bearing a deep wound, could barely speak. His voice was hoarse and faint, only managing to form a few fragile words. “I... I’m with... you,” he whispered, his tears sliding silently down his cheeks, their warmth a stark contrast to the cold night enveloping them.

Suddenly, amidst their despair, Kamala and Sukma exchanged glances, their faces marked by deep confusion. It was as if a sudden understanding struck them both at once.

"Sukma! Do you know him/her?" Kamala asked, her voice sharp and urgent. Sukma frowned, his voice hoarse with exhaustion and uncertainty. "Who is he, Kamala? Why does he know everything about us? About all of this?"

Kamala hesitated, him/her mind racing. "But… his words sound convincing," he/she admitted.

Sukma shook his head slowly, his jaw tightening as he struggled to contain the storm of emotions inside him. "Should we trust him/her?" he asked, his tone filled with inner conflict, as though searching for clarity in the chaos surrounding them.

With great effort, Kamala flapped her tattered wings, fighting through the unbearable pain. She carried Sakti toward the edge of a cliff, trying to reach a safe place. But under the shroud of the dark forest, glints of metal suddenly emerged.

Spears and arrows shot from the shadows, striking Kamala's wings. She lost her balance in the air, her wings trembling, unable to hold her body any longer. Kamala faltered, spinning uncontrollably, and the three of them were thrown apart.

Time seemed to slow. With the last ounce of strength left in her, Kamala struggled to toss Sakti up onto the cliff, ensuring her little brother reached safety. Sakti was flung roughly, his body tumbling over the rocky ground—but he survived.

On the other side, Sukma hung precariously on the edge of the cliff, clinging on with his remaining left arm. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling as his strength waned. He glanced down and saw Kamala slowly descending toward the ominous shadows below.

Below, the forces of the Dark Faction were clearly visible, moving like a deadly tide. They stood in the depths of the forest, their forms like harbingers of doom, waiting for their prey. In the distance, Sukma could also hear the enraged shouts of the mob drawing closer, their fury pounding like a hammer against his soul.

"Kamala!!!" Sukma screamed with all the strength he could muster, his voice echoing with despair. He watched helplessly as Kamala’s weakened body drifted downward, no longer able to fight or resist.

Kamala looked up at Sukma from afar. Her weary eyes still carried a sense of peace, as if she had come to terms with her fate. Her lips moved faintly, shaping words that sounded soft and almost drowned out by the wind:
"I... love you..."

With a faint smile and her eyes gently closing, Kamala's body continued its descent into the darkness. Sukma kept shouting her name, his voice raw and cracking, but all his efforts were in vain.

Kamala’s figure vanished into the shadows of the trees, leaving Sukma clinging to the cliff, consumed by a pain that cut deeper than flesh—a searing sense of loss burning within him.

“In the depths of my heart, I couldn’t bear to watch Sakti and you die… But I knew keeping Sakti alive would only prolong his suffering. I just… couldn’t make the choice.” Kamala’s final words echoed in her mind as her body slowly slipped away, disappearing into the darkness below.

Sakti, his body battered and his steps heavy, struggled toward the cliff’s edge. His trembling frame swayed, but his resolve to save Kamala or Sukma pushed him forward. His gaze swept downward, searching for Kamala, who was no longer visible, then shifted to Sukma, dangling precariously at the cliff’s edge, his strength nearly spent.

“Sukma!” he shouted, his voice hoarse and desperate.

But Sukma was at his limit. His left hand lost its grip, unable to bear his weight any longer, and he plummeted from the towering cliff. Sukma fell freely into the chasm below. Sakti, reaching out in a futile attempt to catch him, lost his balance and tumbled after.

Kamala was gone from Sakti’s sight. All that remained before him was Sukma, his brother, falling ahead of him. Sukma looked up at Sakti, and for a moment, the world seemed to halt. With a bittersweet smile on his face, Sukma spoke, “I’ve always loved you.”

Tears streamed down Sakti’s face, his sobs breaking free for the first time, raw and childlike, echoing in the emptiness between them. Sukma saw it, and his heart shattered. Yet, amidst the anguish, there was something else—something that made him smile, faint and pained.

"The decision has been made... I will fall first, and die first," thought Sukma. "I should have been born with a little more vengeance."

But suddenly, Sukma raised his remaining left arm. A faint yet tangible energy began to gather, slowing his fall. Sakti was falling closer to him. With all his remaining strength, Sukma moved two of his fingers and tapped Sakti’s forehead.

Sakti suddenly stopped mid-air, his body frozen as though time had ceased for him. Sukma gave a faint smile, feeling that this was the best he could do for his little brother. What happened next would be an event that would change the fate of many worlds.

Red energy erupted from Sakti’s body, enveloping him with an intensity that was terrifying. His dark brown hair slowly turned into blood-red. A glowing red mark spread beneath his eyes. Then, he opened his eyes. His irises turned a deep red, with a pattern in his corneas unlike any human’s.

Sakti appeared to lose consciousness. However, in the midst of his transformation, he radiated an aura of immense power, as if he had become something different, something greater than himself. Sukma, still falling slowly, watched the change with a mixture of shock and relief in his eyes.

"I have unlocked something... something that perhaps should never have been opened," Sukma thought with a grin. Then his body continued to plunge into the dark abyss, leaving Sakti, now a new figure in the air, surrounded by shimmering red energy.

Sukma crashed to the ground violently. His body was shattered, his breath ragged, and blood began to stain the earth around him. His vision slowly faded, but in his heart, he still thought, "That is our true form. Do you know, Sakti? That’s what has made us hated all this time, including the change that happened to me. It’s all because I failed to bear the responsibility of this power."

Sukma closed his eyes for a moment, enduring the intense pain, then continued in his heart, "This is your farewell gift at the age of twelve, a gift that is a curse. I entrusted you to someone—someone who may be far better than me. Live freely, Sakti, and find a meaning to life better than what I’ve had."

With his last strength, Sukma slowly raised his hand, watching as the energy that remained began to gather in his palm. For the first time, his face was illuminated by the light of that power—a face marked with wounds and exhaustion, but his eyes radiated a fierce determination. In the distance, Sakti hovered in the air, surrounded by a fiery red aura.

Sukma smiled faintly. "Sakti... You may be able to change the future of our kind. No, I must believe—you will change the fate of the Akatara and the entire world."

Sukma, lying helpless, felt his body begin to be consumed by the phenomenon that had cursed their world for thousands of years. His eyes widened as he realized the monsters were closing in on him. The scene around him was a living nightmare, a grotesque tableau of horror. From the gaping wounds on his body, blood flowed endlessly, evaporating into thick black smoke that twisted and writhed, desperate to penetrate his very soul.

The once-sturdy tree trunks nearby cracked and split open, disgorging terrifying creatures shaped like half-formed humans—limbs twisted and incomplete, their faces frozen in agonized grimaces. From the ruptured earth, nightmarish figures clawed their way to the surface, bringing with them the suffocating stench of death and decay.

They moved slowly but with an eerie inevitability, all converging toward Sukma’s vulnerable, prone body—a harbinger of darkness poised to consume him completely.

Slowly, Sukma placed his hand over his chest. With a slow yet determined motion, the energy around him began to form a massive vortex. Blinding red light engulfed his body, gradually erasing all traces of his existence, leaving nothing behind except the final flash of his resolve.

At the exact moment Sukma vanished, Sakti, who was floating in the air, opened his eyes. A blinding beam of red light shot out from his body, ascending into the sky and illuminating the dark night. The energy continued to rise, as if consuming him entirely. A pair of small red horns began to sprout from his head, connected to the mysterious mark beneath his eyes. Sakti was unconscious, but the power flowed through him, like a boundless monster, wild and dangerous.

In the distance, on a balcony of a grand palace bathed in the twilight, a man stood, gazing at the rumbling sky. The terrifying phenomenon in the sky was clear from his vantage point.

The man spoke, "A new era has come, Your Majesty."

The woman on the balcony, holding a cup of tea, paused before taking another sip. Her expression shifted to one of cold displeasure, a hidden distaste simmering beneath the surface. She gazed at the sky with a sharp, calculating look, as if trying to decipher the meaning behind the strange phenomenon. The evening breeze whispered softly, carrying an air of emptiness and mystery.

Meanwhile, in the silent desert, a group of people rode camels. Among them, a man, his lower face obscured, stared into the distance, watching the sky burn with the red light from the recent event. In a barely audible voice, he whispered, "Goodbye, old friend..." The words echoed, laden with a thousand regrets, hinting at a past relationship that had never been spoken—an old memory buried deep within history.

Elsewhere, two men were evacuating a young girl, gravely injured. Behind them, several corpses—presumably the girl’s siblings—lay lifeless. They passed through the ruins of a destroyed home. One of them glanced at the sky, filled with flashes of red light, and muttered, “You’re the worst...” His voice was full of hatred, yet tinged with regret, as if directed at someone responsible for this devastation. His companion shook his head, his face heavy with sorrow. “It shouldn’t have been like this...” he whispered quietly, full of remorse for the fate that had befallen them.

Meanwhile, on the edge of an empty beach, the wind howled fiercely as a man dressed in dark faction attire with flowing orange hair ran swiftly. He clicked his tongue, feeling frustration at what he had witnessed.

A man with green hair stood frozen at the site of the confrontation between Sukma and Yeon-Jin. He appeared to be processing every moment, trapped in the tension that hung thick in the air. His face was obscured, but the expression in his eyes revealed a complex mix of emotions—sorrow, confusion, and uncertainty about the future.

Meanwhile, beneath Sakti, who was floating with newfound power rising within him, the mass of pursuers arrived at the scene. They paused for a moment, watching as Sakti seemed to be gaining an overwhelming strength. Fiery red light blazed from his body, tearing through the surrounding darkness, signaling the massive change that was taking place. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, as if time itself had momentarily stopped.

An unspoken fear enveloped the pursuers. Some instinctively took a step back, but their retreat was halted by a collective force—there was no turning back. They were trapped in this moment, caught beneath the gaze of the red eyes that blazed with fury and unimaginable power.

"Can we survive?" muttered one of them, his voice hoarse and filled with anxiety. Most of the others remained silent, trying to avoid the gaze of Sakti, whose eyes were full of confusion and fear. Yet, despite the fear that gripped their hearts, their bodies moved forward, compelled by a force stronger than mere terror. They ran, but each step felt heavy—laden with uncertainty, with the awareness that every move they made could be their last.

Even the air around them felt thick, suffocating, as though the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for what would come next. Would they survive? Or would they become victims of the power that had just awakened before them? Each of them wondered, but no one could provide a definite answer. Now, all they could do was move forward, stepping into the darkness brought on by Sakti, who might not even be able to control himself.

"Welcome to this world, Sakti. With that power, I hope you come to despise humanity and vow to exterminate them. Something I could never hope for from Sukma. Rise stronger, fiercer, and more merciless, the last Red Akatara!" said Yeon-Jin, now in the form of Adikara, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

The unexpected contradiction began to unfold at that very moment. From a distance, a familiar figure could be seen running alongside Ausad, someone Yeon-Jin referred to as his junior. Their eyes were filled with worry.

"He can control Cora too, this shouldn’t be possible, Senior!" Ausad exclaimed in confusion and frustration, his gaze shifting toward the hooded figure walking beside him.

The hooded man swiftly raised his face, pulling back his hood slightly to reveal a sharp jawline and indigo eyes that cut through the distance with a piercing gaze. "They’ve started to reveal themselves," he said in a heavy voice. And with those words, the observers suddenly realized that the man before them was the true Yeon-Jin!

If the true Yeon-Jin had met Sukma first, would fate have been vastly different? And what kind of power does the Red Akatara clan possess?