Chapter 4 – The Truth Revealed | Part C (Final Chapter 4)

Kaivan sped through the cold morning, the wind seeping in through the gaps of his helmet, carrying with it the scent of dew and damp leaves. His black jacket clung tightly to his frame, while his sharp eyes stared straight ahead—tired, yet unwavering.

The motorcycle came to a stop in front of a grand house in Hegarmanah. Surrounded by tall walls and ancient trees casting shadows over the yard, the place looked serene, yet held an odd stillness. Kaivan dismounted, removed his helmet, and hung it on the handlebar. His gaze carried both hope and unease. “Please let Grandma still be here.”

He pressed the bell. Once. Twice. Silence. Only birdsong replied. No movement stirred behind the tightly shut windows. He tried again, doubt rising in his chest. “Has she already left?”

He stepped back slowly, eyes sweeping over the house’s walls, then reached into his small bag. He opened the Tome Omnicent carefully. The symbol on its cover pulsed faintly, as though aware of the moment. “Sorry, Grandma,” he whispered. The book revealed a door code—brief, but clear.

The gate opened with a groan of old iron. The air inside was colder. Silent. Kaivan’s footsteps echoed as he entered. The rooms were spotless, yet carried the emptiness of long abandonment. He walked cautiously, passing through the living room and into the kitchen.

On the table lay a slip of paper, scrawled in hurried handwriting: “keep reading.” Just as he was processing the message, footsteps sounded softly behind him.

“Oh, Kaivan!” A warm, gentle voice—bright like sunlight. From the side door, the old woman appeared, her smile blooming like the first dawn. “Come, sit down, dear. What brings you here again?”

A quiet smile spread across Kaivan’s face, releasing the weight lodged in his chest. The old chair embraced him like the arms of memory, and every corner of the modest yet elegant home wrapped him in a peace that was impossible to explain. He had only visited twice before, yet it felt like returning to a time he never had.

“How are your friends, Kaivan?” the grandmother asked, pouring tea into porcelain cups etched with the patterns of time. Her voice was tender, filled with love.

“They’re fine, Grandma. But… there’s been so much lately. It makes me think a lot.” Kaivan turned the cup in his hands, his gaze drifting toward the lace curtains by the window, as though trying to piece together the scattered fragments in his mind.

Their conversation flowed warmly. In that silence that was anything but awkward, Kaivan felt an uncanny closeness—as if he had found again a missing shard of his soul, lost who knows how long ago.

Kaivan hadn’t come only to sip tea and silence. A question he could no longer bury pressed on his lips. “Grandma… did your husband ever faint while holding this book?” His voice trembled, careful, as if brushing against an old wound.

Her gaze lingered, then she shook her head. “No. He was happy with it… though sometimes burdened.” Her words were soft, but a faint shadow of doubt flickered in her eyes. She added, “But his friend, his assistant back then… he always got headaches whenever he touched the book. What was his name? Grandma can’t remember.”

The answer struck Kaivan in silence. Felicia often complained of headaches too. Was it coincidence, or the echo of fate repeating itself?

Before he could ask more, her tone shifted, firm yet gentle. “Kaivan, next year—February 2010—I will go. If you want to visit, just come inside. You’ll be able to open the door with the Tome Omnicent.”

February. Go. The words sank into his mind like mist. What did “go” mean? To die? To vanish? Or something else entirely?

“Grandma… what do you mean?”

She only smiled—a small smile that seemed to know everything, but chose to let time answer instead.

When Kaivan finally bid farewell and mounted his motorbike, his steps felt heavy though his hands carried nothing. The road home stretched quiet, yet his mind churned loud. The morning wind slipped beneath his jacket, but what pierced him wasn’t the cold—it was the question that refused to leave. “Why February 2010?” he muttered, his eyes empty on the road ahead. Her gaze—peaceful, yet holding so much—haunted his thoughts. The Tome Omnicent had turned a new page, and Kaivan knew there would be no turning back.

His motorbike stopped before the workshop—an old brick building alive with youthful energy. The clamor of machines, bursts of laughter, and the ringing of metal welcomed him. This was more than a workshop. It was a heartbeat, a forge of dreams shaped from scraps.

As Kaivan stepped down, Radit waved an oily wrench in hand. Frans greeted him with a confident grin. Zinnia nodded quietly from the corner, fingers deftly sorting through electronics. Felicia stood tall, while Thivi bounced cheerfully, carrying a glass of iced tea.

“You’re finally here, Kaivan!” Radit called out, voice full of energy. “Remember? Today’s the big push!”

Kaivan answered with a faint smile, warmth spreading in his chest. Yet beneath it, he knew something had changed. The Tome Omnicent was no mere book. It had opened a door—of power, secrets, and burdens growing silently within.

He set his bag down and moved to the tables crowded with tools and broken tech. Radit and Frans were already dismantling phones.

“Come on, Kaivan, we need your hands here,” Frans urged with a grin.

They worked in rhythm—Radit fast, Frans meticulous, Kaivan driven. The sound of screwdrivers, the snap of parts, and the chime of loose metal blended into a music born of determination.

At another table, Felicia carefully extracted gold from circuit boards. Her touch was gentle yet firm, her eyes sharp on every detail. Amidst the noise, her calm was almost prayer-like.

Meanwhile, Thivi and Zinnia prepared drinks. “Iced tea, anyone?” Thivi sang out, carrying a tray. Her smile softened the heavy air.

“Me!” Frans raised his hand without pausing his work. Thivi passed him a glass, teasing, “You’re always first.”

Zinnia approached Felicia quietly. “Don’t forget to drink, okay?” she reminded with a soft smile. Felicia nodded, returning the gesture.

Time flowed. The heat pressed in, but laughter and resolve kept spirits alive. The workshop was not just a room—it was a home of struggle and dreams.

By sunset, golden light danced across the floor. The day’s work was done: 150 phones dismantled, 134 grams of pure gold gathered. A small victory that felt immense.

Kaivan slumped in the corner, exhausted yet content. Felicia approached with a small fan, waving cool air over his face. “Tired?” she asked gently.

Kaivan only nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Then Frans chuckled, smirking. “Damn, that’s the life. Being pampered like that.”

Radit elbowed him with a grin. “Call your girlfriend too, Bro. Make it fair.”

Laughter spilled through the twilight air. Amid sweat, gold, and fatigue, there was a warmth no coin could buy—friendship. And quietly, love.

Felicia’s lips curved in a thin smile as she stayed by Kaivan’s side. “Come on. Time to train,” she said softly, yet firm. Not the type to let a chance slip away.

Kaivan glanced at her, weary and puzzled. “Now? I just finished a whole day’s work,” he groaned. But deep down he knew—resisting Felicia only delayed the inevitable.

Without another word, Felicia seized his hand and pulled him to his feet. “We don’t have time to slack off,” she said, dragging him out before he could even think of an excuse.

Radit chuckled at the sight. “Look at that, being dragged away. Want the same treatment, Frans?”

Frans sighed, feigning ease. “Nah, I’m fine being myself,” he replied, masking the faint envy he refused to admit.

On the upper floor of the old building turned training space, the glow of twilight carved long shadows across the worn-out boards. Felicia stood tall before Kaivan, finally releasing his hand.

“Push-ups. Now,” she ordered firmly, her eyes leaving no room for refusal.

Kaivan groaned and lowered himself to the floor. Felicia watched closely, cold yet attentive. After a few counts, she stepped forward—and sat squarely on his back.

“Hey! Too heavy! This is insane!” Kaivan gasped, struggling for breath.

Felicia laughed, her cheeks tinged red. “Am I really that heavy?”

“It’s not you... I’m just not used to push-ups with the weight of life itself,” he panted, half-serious.

Felicia rose, still smiling in embarrassment. “Fine, take a break. I’ll bring you something to drink,” she said, descending the stairs and leaving him sprawled on the floor, chest heaving and silence pressing against his heart.

Kaivan lay there, eyes fixed on the ceiling, breaths shallow. To him, Felicia’s care was no more than kindness between friends. He never once imagined there might be something deeper quietly blooming within her.

Her steps down the staircase were steady, yet halted midway. At the far window, Radit sat perched on the sill, a cigarette glowing faintly in his fingers. The dying light painted his face in somber hues, contrasting his usual carefree air.

“Radit, back then… when you attacked Julian’s place, who went in with you besides Kaivan?” Felicia’s tone was calm, but curiosity lingered beneath.

Radit raised a brow, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. “It was just me and Kaivan. Thivi and Frans stayed outside, but they rushed in and got caught. So yeah, only the two of us actually went inside,” he answered casually, as if it were nothing.

Felicia nodded faintly, her eyes distant. “So it was only the two of you, huh,” she murmured, almost inaudible.

Radit narrowed his eyes, catching the shift in her expression. “Why do you ask?”

Before he could press further, Felicia moved suddenly, faster than he expected. She grabbed his collar with one hand and yanked him forward. His eyes widened, body dragged despite his strength.

“Hey! What the hell?!” Radit barked, his voice echoing in the empty room. Felicia said nothing. Her face remained calm, as though her decision was already made.

From the corner, Frans lowered his magazine with a crooked smirk. “Good luck, Radit,” he muttered, waving lazily, his chuckle sharp and mocking.

By the doorway, Thivi and Zinnia paused mid-conversation, eyes widening at the sight of Felicia hauling Radit like a sack of rice. They exchanged baffled glances.

“What’s going on?” Thivi whispered.

“No idea,” Zinnia replied flatly. “She must have her reasons.”

Felicia finally stopped when they reached the upper floor. She let go of Radit, leaving him standing stiff, his body tense from being dragged so roughly. He glared at her, irritation clear.

“What was that for?! You dragged me like a damn sack! Why do I have to train too?” he demanded, his voice sharp with protest.

Felicia met his glare with unwavering eyes, her voice calm but resolute. “I won’t let you be a burden to Kaivan. You have potential, but your body needs to be sharpened again.” Her words fell like hammers striking his pride.

The word “burden” struck Radit hard. His fists clenched, anger sparking. “Burden? You think I’m a burden?” His voice rose. He stepped closer, eyes fierce. “I’ve never been dead weight. For the record, I’ve always been reliable!”

In the corner, Kaivan sat silently, watching without much reaction. To him, this was no more than routine training. He failed to grasp the hidden intent behind Felicia’s actions, thinking it all just part of practice.

Felicia glanced between Kaivan and Radit, a small smile curling her lips. “Both of you, come at me. I want to see just how far you can go.”

Kaivan and Radit’s eyes crossed, hesitation lingering, yet there was no turning back. Felicia stood calmly, like a gentle breeze concealing the storm within.

Radit charged first, his anger fueling his strength. His fist shot forward, but Felicia merely dipped her head, twisting lightly before striking his stomach. Not too hard, but enough to shake him. Radit staggered back, coughing.

Kaivan came next from the other side, his leap sharp and quick. Felicia pivoted, lowering her stance before sweeping his legs. Kaivan collapsed, breath stolen from his chest.

“It’s not about strength,” Felicia said, her voice like dew on a cold morning. “It’s about rhythm. About cooperation.”

Radit slowly rose, clutching his stomach. “Damn it, shouldn’t have smoked earlier,” he muttered, half angry, half impressed.

Kaivan remained silent, eyes fixed on Felicia, searching for something he couldn’t grasp.

She stood tall, unshaken. “You both have potential. But you’re not strong enough yet. In a real fight, there’s no room for a single misstep.”

Radit looked at her, not with protest this time, but with a respect that was steadily growing. Felicia wasn’t just a sparring partner. She was teaching them something deeper: to survive, they had to move as one soul.

This training, no matter how harsh, wasn’t for herself. Felicia wanted Kaivan and Radit to become strong—not burdens, but guardians of one another.

In the corner, Kaivan sat on the floor, his breath ragged, sweat dripping down his forehead. Yet his mind wasn’t on the ground—it was stirring inside him. Something was awakening from deep within—not pain, but awareness.

“Accelerated thought…” he murmured.

Beside him, the Tome Omnicent slowly opened. Its pages turned on their own, glowing with words:

“When you fainted, your brain’s capacity increased by twenty percent. Against Julian, you used it unconsciously.”

Kaivan held his breath. A world inside him seemed to unfold. “But… how?” he whispered.

The book answered, its words like a whisper:

“Control it like fear, like adrenaline. When you’re afraid, your body grows cold because blood is redirected to vital organs. The brain triggers survival mode. Now, you can access it faster. The world will slow—because your mind will accelerate.”

Kaivan read every word carefully. This was more than an ability. It was a miracle. Yet before euphoria could cloud his reason, another warning appeared:

“Without control, this power could destroy your body. A body unprepared may collapse under its weight.”

Kaivan clenched his fists. Not out of fear, but from the realization: something inside him had changed. There was no going back.

Dusk painted the sky in hues of copper orange. On the workshop’s upper floor, Kaivan stood, his breath heavy but his gaze sharp. Felicia watched him closely, a faint smile curving her lips. Something about him was different—calmer, more resolute.

“Felicia,” Kaivan said firmly. “Let’s continue.”

Felicia raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised, but didn’t object. She crossed her arms. “Are you sure you’re ready to get serious?”

Kaivan nodded. “There’s something I want to try.”

Without another word, Felicia prepared herself. Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, arms raised. Her eyes sharpened, filled with control. Kaivan mirrored her stance, stiff but determined. He listened closely—to the wind’s whisper, Felicia’s breathing, his own heartbeat.

For a few silent seconds, time stood still.

Then Felicia struck. Her hand shot toward Kaivan’s shoulder. He tried to dodge but failed, her strike landing and forcing him back. Pain flared. Frustration.

“Focus,” he whispered. Taking a deep breath, he recalled the Tome’s words: accelerate your mind.

Felicia attacked again. Blows and kicks rained down. Kaivan tried to evade—failed. A kick nearly struck his ribs. But in that instant, the world slowed.

He saw it all: the angle of her punch, the rhythm of her breath, the flicker of her eyes. The world dragged into slow motion. Kaivan moved. Sideways. Dodging. Then countering, his hand flashing toward Felicia’s shoulder.

Felicia retreated, surprised. But then she smiled. “Good, Kaivan. But don’t get satisfied so soon,” she said, returning to her stance.

Kaivan stood firm, his body trembling, but his heart steady with newfound conviction. He had just touched a new threshold within himself. And this… was only the beginning.

The acceleration faded almost instantly. Kaivan tried to attack again, but his body was weak, breath heavy against his chest. Felicia rushed forward—her strike landed squarely on his shoulder, knocking him down.

She stood above him, her own breathing uneven, yet her smile was genuine. “You’re faster,” she said, offering a hand. “You even managed to strike back before I took you down. And I was serious.”

Kaivan took her hand and rose slowly. His body trembled, but his eyes burned with resolve. Felicia’s words dug deep, igniting a spark he hadn’t realized he needed.

The sun was sinking, painting the sky with a soft violet glow. Felicia drew a breath before speaking again. “I’ll head home first.”

From the wall, Thivi, who had been lounging casually, called out, “That’s unusual! Normally you wait for Kaivan.”

Felicia only gave a faint smile. “My younger siblings must miss me. I haven’t been home for days.”

Thivi narrowed her eyes playfully but said nothing more. Kaivan watched Felicia walk away, his chest hollow, though he didn’t know why.

When she was gone, Kaivan opened the Omnicent Tome. Its pages stirred slowly, words forming across the surface:

“Felicia returns home to prepare her uniform. Starting tomorrow, she will attend your high school.”

Kaivan read quietly, lips curving faintly. “Poor thing, trying to surprise me but already caught,” he murmured.

The twilight dimmed further. Kaivan readied to leave, with Thivi hopping on the back of his motorcycle.

The bike moved at an easy pace, streets bathed in golden orange that melted into deep purple. The wind brushed their hair, and only rustling leaves accompanied their silence. Yet Kaivan’s heart remained restless. Something had shifted. Ordinary days were over.

Breaking the silence, Kaivan asked flatly, “You’re not going to class on Monday? Don’t you have to go home?”

Behind him, Thivi smiled softly, her blue eyes glowing under the twilight. “I want to meet your mother. My father wants to speak with her.”

Kaivan furrowed his brow, mind freezing for a moment. “Your father? About what?” he muttered, but didn’t press further.

Thivi remained quiet. Her silence lingered like a riddle, and Kaivan could only keep riding, chased by shadowy possibilities.

When they arrived home, Thivi went straight to Kaivan’s mother, who was watching television. Calmly, she handed over her phone. “Ma’am, this is from my father. He wants to talk.”

Kaivan’s mother accepted it with a worried look. She glanced at the screen before answering. Her voice was steady, yet brimming with unspoken questions. Kaivan stood at the doorway, listening silently.

The conversation was brief. When it ended, an uneasy quiet filled the room. Her eyes shifted between Thivi and Kaivan, before she finally spoke clearly, though softly. “Thivi will be staying here for a week. She’s on school break.”

Kaivan simply nodded. He couldn’t tell if he should feel happy or uncertain. Warmth bloomed, but unease lingered. Thivi always arrived wrapped in mystery.

Night soon embraced the house. Exhaustion weighed Kaivan down—after dismantling hundreds of phones and training hard with Felicia, all he wanted was a shower and bed.

Without a word, he stepped into the bathroom. Just as he reached for the faucet, hurried footsteps approached from outside. Something was about to happen.

The door swung open suddenly, revealing Thivi with a bright, eager smile. “You’re not happy, are you, Kaivan? That I’ll be staying here for a whole week…?”

Her voice cut short. Her blue eyes widened as she realized Kaivan was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. Her face flushed crimson. “Waaah!” she cried, slamming the door shut. Yet instead of leaving, she stayed inside, her voice trembling playfully from behind the door. “I… I can help scrub your back if you want,” she teased, though her embarrassment was obvious.

Kaivan pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated. “Thivi, what are you doing? Get out! What if someone in the house finds out?” he hissed sharply.

But as always, Thivi refused to back down. Calmly, she locked the bathroom door and stepped closer. This time, she slipped off her jacket, leaving only her bra and underwear. With a mischievous smile, she tilted her head. “Relax. I’m not naked, so it’s fine, right? Now then, where do you want me to start, Kaivan?” she asked boldly, as if the situation were the most natural thing in the world.