A Minor Clash of Clans

In the midst of the relentless rain pouring down without end, Yeon-Jin walked steadily, carrying the unconscious Sakti. The dark and cold forest seemed to test his endurance, while the rumbling sound of the rain became the only witness to their journey. Occasionally, Yeon-Jin's gentle gaze would fall on Sakti's face, ensuring that the kid was still breathing despite his weakened state.

However, his steps suddenly halted. From the darkness between the trees, a masked figure appeared, shorter than him, calmly sitting on one of the large branches hanging low. His face was hidden behind a metal mask that covered his entire face, while a hooded brown-turquoise cloak wrapped around his body, giving off an aura that was both threatening and mysterious.

In a cold yet firm tone, the masked figure said, "Sorry, Sir. Could you please hand over the kid to me?"

Yeon-Jin took a decisive step, although his gaze briefly lingered on the brown-turquoise cloaked figure blocking his path. The figure’s face was hidden behind a full metal mask, its gleam reflecting the dim moonlight. However, Yeon-Jin showed no signs of fear. He wasn’t someone who liked to stir up trouble, but he also wasn’t one to hesitate in dealing with it.

With one swift movement, Yeon-Jin raised his hand. An invisible force struck the figure, knocking him down unconscious.

Or so Yeon-Jin thought.

"What makes you in such a hurry?" The voice sounded again—cold, calm, and full of mystery. Yeon-Jin flinched. His gaze lifted, and there, the figure who had just been knocked down was now casually standing, leaning against the nearby tree branch.

This time, Yeon-Jin stopped in his tracks, fully facing the figure.

"Fine," he said flatly, though his eyes were sharp. "You’ve got my attention. Who are you, and why should I care?"

The figure chuckled softly, his/her voice echoing faintly from behind the metal mask.

"I’m not interested in you," he/she said nonchalantly. He then shifted his position, his body briefly disappearing from sight.

"I’m only interested in this kid."

Suddenly, the figure’s voice sounded again, this time from behind Yeon-Jin. Yeon-Jin’s heart raced. He turned quickly, only to find the cloaked figure standing not far from him, his shoulders relaxed as if he were simply enjoying the game.

Without thinking twice, Yeon-Jin drew his dagger and swung it toward the figure. However, the empty air he cut through seemed to mock him. His eyes widened when he realized his dagger had vanished from his grasp. In an instant, his dagger was now in the cloaked figure’s hand.

Yeon-Jin’s eyes widened, his steps halted. Doubt mixed with shock was clearly reflected on his face.

“It’s impossible... Could it be you?” he asked, his voice almost trembling.

The masked figure didn’t answer immediately. A soft laugh echoed from behind his metal mask, filled with mockery.

“Indeed, Sir. None of your tricks will defeat me,” he/she answered calmly, as if his/her statement were an undeniable fact.

Yeon-Jin clenched his fist, trying to calm himself even though his mind was filled with speculation.

"What makes you so confident?" he asked, this time with a firmer tone, trying to suppress the uncertainty in his heart.

The masked figure tilted his/her head slightly, allowing the moonlight to dance on the surface of his metal mask.

"Because I have defeated you before," he/she said. He/She lifted the dagger he/she had taken from Yeon-Jin’s hand, playing with it gracefully between his/her fingers. "And I can continue defeating you... until you die from exhaustion."

Yeon-Jin’s eyes sharpened as he observed carefully. He took a deep breath, calming himself before focusing his gaze on the figure.

"I can see it in the faint glimmer in your eyes behind your mask... and a few strands of hair peeking out," his voice rose, full of certainty. "You’re no mistake. You’re a Turquoise."

The masked figure tilted his head slightly, his/her cold voice echoing again.

"It’s annoying when you mention that without the name Akatara," he/she said, stepping forward, letting the night wind stir the edge of his/her brown-turquoise cloak. "Are you, from a clan that is even hated by the Akatara Clans, too ashamed to speak the name of your first ancestor?"

Yeon-Jin didn’t respond, but his gaze grew sharper, revealing the anger that had been simmering beneath the surface. However, the masked figure didn’t stop there.

“Am I exaggerating, Dae Yeon-Jin of Akatara Indigo?” he/she said in a lower voice, but with such emphasis that it felt like a hammer breaking a mystery in the air.

And at that moment, something that had been hidden for so long was revealed. Yeon-Jin’s eyes, which had rarely been shown clearly before, now became the focal point. The unique pattern in his iris was finally exposed. This pattern was not just a mark; it was the emblem of the Akatara Indigo lineage, just like other Akatara members—a striking identity that couldn’t be hidden.

Those eyes spoke of pride long buried, of strength rarely seen, and of deep secrets possessed only by those of Indigo blood. Yet, behind their gleam, there was a heavy history—of betrayal and destruction—that haunted the clan, turning it into a shame in the eyes of the other Akatara.

Yeon-Jin clenched his fist tighter, his eyes burning with anger. But deep down, he knew that the words of the masked figure were not just mockery—they were an undeniable truth.

“I know he hates me. But you don’t sound like a Maragüay, nor do you have the build of one,” Yeon-Jin said, carefully observing the masked figure.

“Stop your speculations, Sir. You won’t find any answers about me,” the mysterious figure replied, his/her voice still calm and emotionless.

Yeon-Jin remained standing tall, not in a hurry to make a decision. “Then why should I hand over this kid to you?”

The masked figure smiled faintly, as if he/she had been waiting for that question. “Finally, you asked,” he/she said. “To put it simply, Sir. Sukma and Kamala entrusted Sakti to me.”

Yeon-Jin still didn’t fully believe it, narrowing his eyes. “If you want me to believe based on your words just now, then I’d be a fool. Anyone could say that, even the Fool Mute Council in this Kingdom.”

The masked figure sighed, as if not wanting to waste any more time. “It’s difficult to give a full explanation, as there are many things I must keep secret,” he/she replied, still calm despite the tension surrounding his words.

“Then everything you say is just nonsense,” Yeon-Jin declared firmly, no doubt in his voice.

“Even if the outcome is already certain. But fine, at least by beating you, I’ll reduce the number of questions you have,” the mysterious figure answered confidently, as though the result had already been decided. Instantly, the air around them became much tenser.

The battle between two members of the Akatara clans was now inevitable. Akatara Indigo, the master of the mind, would face Akatara Turquoise, the master of time.

Yeon-Jin, still carrying Sakti, moved first. With incredible speed, he ran towards his opponent. However, just as his opponent prepared to receive the attack, Yeon-Jin vanished in an instant, surrounded by hundreds of bird-wing illusions dancing in the air.

“He really meant to escape,” the mysterious figure said, surprised by the unexpected change.

However, despite seeming to flee, Yeon-Jin quickly realized that his plan had gone as expected. "I knew it, he prepared this meticulously," he muttered, panting even though his steps didn't falter. "This is what he meant—making me die of exhaustion."

Yeon-Jin seemed to be running away, but in reality, he was just circling in the same place. His opponent had cast a time loop spell that trapped him in an endless cycle of time.

Yeon-Jin searched for a way out by distracting his opponent, and in an instant, he disappeared from sight. "How about this?" he thought, and then his body became transparent, invisible.

"It’s a bit early, but I must perform this ritual quickly," he thought, determination showing on his face. With swift motion, he bit his tongue until blood flowed. Then, with trembling hands, he pressed his blood onto his wrist, performing a ritual that could no longer be delayed.

A symbol of a palm appeared, initially just a drawing, then slowly it materialized into a real hand that grew larger and reached outward. The massive hand began to grip Yeon-Jin and Sakti tightly.

Moments later, both of them vanished from that place, transported to a distant location far beyond the reach of their opponent’s attacks.

However, once again, things didn't go as expected. "Damn... how could this fail?" Yeon-Jin muttered, frustrated. He realized something strange—he had ended up somewhere he shouldn’t have. He felt sand seeping into his shoes, and when he looked around, there was no doubt: he was in a barren desert.

Turning around, he heard the voice of someone who had been waiting for him.

“That ritual, I’ve seen you do it dozens of times. I know its pattern now,” said the mysterious figure, squatting down and playing with the sand scattered around them.

Yeon-Jin, still trying to keep his composure, was about to voice his anger and confusion, but his words were cut short as pain spread throughout his body. "You... ah..." he gasped, stopping because of the wounds he had just realized were on his body.

The mysterious figure only smiled cynically. “Enough with this, sir. You're hurting yourself more than you're hurting me.”

Yeon-Jin collapsed to his knees, feeling blood flow from the wounds that were becoming more apparent. "You... how did you bring me here?" His voice was hoarse, full of confusion.

The mysterious figure shrugged. “I’m just following your madness. Technically, I can't erase someone's memory or take someone to the future.” He/She smiled coldly. “But seeing you like this, it seems like you erased your memory of me to stay calm when you ran away from me yesterday.”

“Yesterday, you say?” Yeon-Jin asked, his confusion deepening.

The mysterious figure looked at him sharply. “Oh, so it’s really like that. Sir, we’ve been at odds since last night. Although most of the time, you always run away with your rituals.” He/She pointed to Yeon-Jin's body, covered in wounds. “Your injuries speak louder than your words. We fought in the forest, on the mountain slope, by a lake, on the beach… even on a sailing ship. We kept going to an island across the way, and finally ended up here, in this desert.”

“Your body still looks as fresh as it does now... You must have sacrificed tomorrow's condition for today's,” Yeon-Jin said cautiously.

"Exactly, sir. But don’t think I’ll let this cat-and-mouse game last until tomorrow," the mysterious figure replied with absolute certainty.

He/She smirked slightly before continuing, "I mean... sure, go ahead. But are you really sure that pathetic body of yours will be able to last any longer?"

The mysterious figure chuckled softly, then playfully scattered the sand in his/her hands. The grains were swept away by the wind and hit Yeon-Jin's face, forcing him to wipe his eyes in frustration.

"Stop that!" Yeon-Jin snapped, his loud voice reflecting a nearly overflowing rage.

"So, sir," the mysterious figure continued in a mocking tone, "are you going to run away again? Your blood has already been drained quite a bit, and look what you've summoned here."

He pointed towards a group of blood curse creatures that had taken on humanoid forms. They staggered towards their location, exuding a deathly aura that sent a chill down the spine.

"The elders always said," the mysterious figure suddenly shifted to a seemingly unrelated topic, "that the desert is the safest place from threats like them. But of course, its natural resources do not support life at all."

Yeon-Jin paused for a moment, then muttered softly, "I didn’t bring any food supplies for Sakti. Soon the mental influence I’ve placed on him will wear off, and he’ll wake up... in a very bad condition."

His voice faltered, betraying the desperation he couldn't hide. "I’ve truly run out of options."

"Then, Mr. Yeon-Jin, make your decision now," the mysterious figure urged in a flat but sharp tone.

Yeon-Jin stared at him with tension in his gaze. After a moment, he finally spoke, "I just want to know one thing... are you involved with one or maybe more members of my clan who are making trouble in Tantrakuta?”

"I can't explain everything in detail. But one thing is certain, Sakti’s death is the first thing that will never happen—if you’re asking me about something impossible," the mysterious figure replied, his/her voice firm and authoritative. Behind the full metal mask he wore, his eyes glowed sharply, filled with conviction.

"What exactly are your plans for him?" Yeon-Jin asked, his tone flat, but laced with suspicion.

The mysterious figure tilted his/her head slightly, his/her mask reflecting a faint light from the surrounding environment. "On the contrary, I want to know your plans for him. Are you planning to hand him over directly to your boss?" he/she asked with a probing tone.

"No," Yeon-Jin replied quickly. "I don’t intend to take him there directly. I know the dangers, regardless of the fact that his biological father is there.”

The mysterious figure chuckled softly, the sound muffled behind his/her mask. "In other words, you’re deliberately defying your boss. And that’s enough to put Sakti in even greater danger," he/she said with a mocking tone.

Yeon-Jin glared at him sharply. "I still have allies. With this kid by my side, I will never be alone," he said with conviction.

However, the mysterious figure remained unfazed. "Don’t forget that you were the one who sparked the mob’s rampage against the three of them. At least, that’s what he saw," he/she said in a low, piercing tone.

Yeon-Jin paused for a moment, his jaw tightening. "That’s why I want to take him now. If I stay too far from him... I’m afraid this misunderstanding will make him hate me even more," he murmured. But within seconds, his voice returned to a firm tone. "And that’s why I can’t just hand Sakti over to you."

He stared at the masked figure with an expression full of demand. "Now, let me hear your plan first."

"To put it simply—I’ll take him back to be raised in Tantrakuta," he/she said casually, as though his/her plan was trivial.

Yeon-Jin was stunned, his eyes widening. "Are you insane?" he shouted, his voice breaking with emotion. "After saying my plan is more dangerous, that’s what you suggest?!"

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, then continued, "I risked everything to bring this kid out of there! The deception by unknown forces has made me lose so much, things that should still be with me now!"

Yeon-Jin glared at the mysterious figure, his anger nearly unbearable. Behind the mask, the figure remained calm, like a rock in the midst of a storm.

"And you... so easily say you'll take him back there?" Yeon-Jin's voice thundered, filled with suppressed emotion. "I don’t need to explain further what that kid would experience if he goes back to that place."

The mysterious figure paused for a moment, his eyes hidden behind the mask seeming to pierce into Yeon-Jin's soul. "I just want to make sure of something," he/she said in a low, yet sharp tone. "Do you care for him because he's Sakti... or do you care because he's an Akatara Red?"

"Stupid question," Yeon-Jin replied sharply, his eyes radiating an unshakable resolve. "I would even fight Master Naraka himself if he tried to take Sakti’s life from me!"

"So, you're ready to die for him?" The mysterious figure leaned slightly forward, his/her voice like a challenge.

"Yes!" Yeon-Jin replied loudly, without a trace of hesitation. "Because that is my purpose in life!"

The mysterious figure was silent for a moment, as if weighing something. "It seems that’s the only way to convince you," he/she said finally. He/She stepped closer until the distance between them was nearly nonexistent. "You’ve said it, Mr. Yeon-Jin, so you must truly take responsibility for it," he/she added with a firm tone.

He/She then moved even closer, his/her shadow fully enveloping Yeon-Jin. With a sudden movement, the mysterious figure grasped Yeon-Jin's arms tightly. His/Her touch felt cold and powerful. "Explore my mind," he/she said softly but firmly. "And reflect on what you can do with the remainder of your life."

Yeon-Jin was startled, but his body reacted instinctively. He read every thought in the figure's mind, delving into memories that unfolded like forcibly opened pages. What he saw wasn’t explained, but his body began to tremble violently. He released his grip immediately, his breath quickening, his face turning pale.

"You... how could you... all of this feels like a world so different from the one I know," Yeon-Jin murmured, his voice shaking. "What kind of truth is this?"

The mysterious figure stood upright, watching Yeon-Jin's reaction in silence. "You already know what has happened... and what must be done," he/she said coldly.

Yeon-Jin chuckled bitterly, helpless. "Hahaha... So now I'm not allowed to intervene in the events that are about to happen?" he asked, more to himself.

"Your fate was sealed," the mysterious figure answered firmly, "the moment you chose to trust me in such an extreme way."

Yeon-Jin sighed deeply, lowering his head. "I have nothing else to ask," he said weakly. "So this is it... I really am destined to be an adventurer."

The mysterious figure leaned his/her masked face closer, leaving only a thin gap between them. "To prove that you can trust me..." he/she said slowly, "I will take you back to last night's time."

"Is that really necessary?" Yeon-Jin asked, skepticism evident in his voice.

"It must be done," the mysterious figure replied in a firm tone. "Because a single day we spent could greatly alter the future."

Yeon-Jin exhaled deeply. "Why do you have to choose the hard way? Playing this cat-and-mouse game all day when you already know you always have the upper hand?" His gaze was sharp.

The mysterious figure chuckled softly, his laugh flat but meaningful. "That's true," she/he said. "I could kill you whenever I want, whether here or even after I rewind time to last night."

Yeon-Jin tensed, but the figure continued without pause, "Yet here I am. Choosing to wait for you to surrender. Because only by doing so can I make you realize that I have no ill intentions toward you."

The mysterious figure smiled faintly, sensing Yeon-Jin's skepticism. "Yes, you're right. There's more to it," he/she said, his tone softening. "Your importance to Sakti is undeniable. That's why I tried to prevent you from venturing into my mind, to spare you from unnecessary pain."

Yeon-Jin scoffed quietly but couldn't suppress the faint smile tugging at his lips. "How touching," he replied with a hint of humor.

"Now," the mysterious figure said, his/her voice firm once more, "are you ready to return to a time when everything was still intact?"

Yeon-Jin responded with nothing but a knowing smile, his silence enough. The mysterious figure raised his hand, and from beneath his mask, a calm yet brilliant turquoise light radiated. With a fluid motion, he traced intricate patterns in the air, and the light began to envelop them—his own body, Yeon-Jin’s, and Sakti’s, who was nearby.

In that instant, the world seemed to freeze. The turquoise light turned into a swirling vortex of time, showing snippets of events rapidly rewinding—each second, each fragment of reality slipping backward to the night before.

In the blink of an eye, they were transported back to that night. The dark sky, the crisp air, and a sense of everything being reset, as if time itself had been rewritten.

"Hey... I have a disciple from your clan," Yeon-Jin said, his voice firm yet meaningful. "I know that exploring the realm of the future is not that simple, without a corresponding sacrifice."

The mysterious person seemed to pause for a moment, as if reflecting. "I may have sacrificed," he/she said quietly, "but I don't consider it a sacrifice. What I've been doing since yesterday is just trying something, to ensure something."

He/She took a deep breath. "Enough about me," he continued, then with a gentle gesture, he shook Yeon-Jin's hand, helping him to his feet.

"We are together to embrace a better future," Yeon-Jin said, his voice full of resolve.

"Any other questions?" the mysterious person asked, his/her voice deep and firm, yet there was a tension beneath it.

"Its's fine, I'm a pretty meticulous man. I understand the basics. Isolde, Master Naraka, and Lord Seiryu—all the explanations for them have been shared individually," Yeon-Jin replied, his tone steady, though there was a turbulence beneath his words.

The mysterious person nodded slowly, as if carefully considering Yeon-Jin's words, before speaking again, "Don't doubt one thing, Mr. Yeon-Jin. I will not allow Sakti to live hating you."

Yeon-Jin sighed deeply, his gaze falling on Sakti, still lying weakly beside him. "What you’ve shown me... has been enough to help me understand the true meaning of my life. I’m truly grateful for that." Yeon-Jin's hand gently caressed Sakti's hair, as if sending a promise with every movement—a promise that he would protect this ki, no matter what he had to face.

The mysterious person didn’t say a word, just stood in silence, watching the deeply meaningful scene. The air around them seemed to grow heavier, as if even time itself hesitated to move.

"Goodbye... and I hope this time we succeed, Mr. Yeon-Jin," the mysterious person said, his words spoken with a calmness that was almost suffocating.

With a small gesture, Yeon-Jin began to walk away, his steps growing further, more confident. However, as he quickened his pace, his shadow began to fade, slowly disappearing—like being swept away by the wind, vanishing with the illusion that was always a hallmark of him. His departure was silent, but it was felt deeply.

And with that, Yeon-Jin vanished into the shadows of the night, heading toward a destiny that either awaited or challenged him.

With slow, cautious steps, the mysterious figure walked toward Sakti, who was peacefully asleep, leaning against a large tree. Above them, the sky began to show signs of grace, the heavy rainfall from before slowly easing, leaving behind a meaningful silence.

Without a word, the mysterious figure removed his/her mask. The soft light from the sky, now clearing, illuminated his face, and with gentle movements, his/her long turquoise and white hair unraveled, flowing gracefully down his/her back. There was an unspoken depth to his/her face, and with every strand of hair that fell, it seemed as though all the secrets of the past, the future, and hidden hopes began to reveal themselves.

Suddenly, the figure collapsed onto the wet ground, sitting without a word. The tears that had been held back began to fall, striking the earth with unexpected tenderness. The droplets that fell to the ground were not only from the sky, but from a heart that had been hidden all this time, filled with emotion, happiness, and unspoken sacrifice. She was a girl, with beautiful warm-medium skin, and her eyes were full of tears—tears of joy, happiness, and sacrifice that were left unspoken.

Gently, she placed both hands on Sakti's cheeks, feeling the warmth that was so real beneath her fingertips. Then, with deep affection, she brought her face closer, pressing her forehead against his. In the profound silence, there was only the two of them, connected in a moment that transcended time.

"Finally... I can save you," she whispered softly, her voice filled with an overwhelming sense of relief. Sincere words and tears of emotion that remain a mystery, words and tears of emotion that might not only be for Sakti but also for herself-a promise that she might have held for a long time, now fulfilled.

And under the rain that had ceased, the world seemed to pause for a moment, giving space for the hope that was now born.