She watched as thousands of portals appeared worldwide, sliced open from thin air in cracks of red. And through this void, the demons and their creatures pass through. They were as large as the average human but had powers foreign to Akar. On the other hand, their creatures were unlike anything Akar had ever seen. The most familiar creatures to her were the reptiles. They stood on all fours and killed her people indiscriminately. Death powered them, and they grew more and more powerful as the dead surrounded them. Hundreds of thousands of demons marched through their continents, killing anyone who dared to stand against the invaders.

But her world was not one to give up easily. Millions of soldiers, all wielding tenaga, marched against the demons. The demons were organised, armoured, and wielded large curved swords. The army of Akar charged in their green armour, with the banner of the golden Garuda on their backs. The two armies clashed as elements, blades, and canons coloured the battlefield. But as more death occurred on the battlefield, the demons became stronger.

A giant demon wearing intricate armour with horns large enough to be swords protruding from his head took to the air. He brandished his sword, and the dark red of death covered it. He lifted his sword, ready to strike thousands of Akar soldiers below. But the Akars had no fear; they knew their champion was present. The golden Garuda wielded their tenaga from amongst the battlefield and rose to the sky. The Garuda's tenaga enveloped the champion's body in golden light, covering them in golden feathers. Then, the two champions clashed.

Her vision turned white before it returned. An undead soldier knelt against a dead Akar in what remains of a battlefield. The soldier placed a palm on the body, and then the body began to move as if death could not confine its soul. The undead soldier rose and joined the ranks, with millions of the other recently dead.

The priestess opened her eyes and looked down at the golden ball in her palms. She was in a carriage, and she could hear her Bhayangkara escort chat as they rode on horses around her. Time was running out, and she knew it. She had prayed to Garuda for answers, but the god had given her the same reply every time. "Soon".

————————————

Lycan stood watching the second day of the tournament. The priestess and the Bhayangkara had left, but the crowd was still as packed as the day before. Adriani looked bad if Lycan would describe it kindly. Every inch of Adriani's body was covered with bandages up to the neck underneath his brown uniform, as per usual. But Adriani's even darker eye bags hung underneath his tired, bloodshot eyes. Adriani may have just looked nervous to everyone else, but Lycan knew better. Something was not right.

"He doesn't look right," Lycan told Mataram, who was watching the tournament beside him.

"No, he doesn't," Mataram concurred, sounding nervous.

The tournament officially began, and the next challenger entered. He was a visioner and lowborn, and he was a good one. As he walked, the visioner had two small knives floating on each side of his body. It was a showoff, and everyone in the crowd knew it. Nonetheless, telekinesis was nothing short of spectacular, especially for a recruit, and the crowd cheered for it.

But it did not take Adriani a long time to beat the visioner. It was a quick fight by normal standards. Adriani parried the incoming knives and struck the visioner with the butt of his sword. However, it was slow when compared to Adriani's speed yesterday. Lycan had expected Adriani to rush in, dodge the incoming knives, and immediately end the fight.

"His breathing looks heavy," Lycan said.

"Really?" Mataram asked, unsure. "I can’t really tell."

"Definitely," Lycan replied. "I was taught to pay attention to these details since I was young. And this is as obvious as it comes."

"I hope he'll be fine," Mataram said nervously.

Lycan clenched his fists. "I hope so, too."

----------------------------------------

The tournament continued, and Adriani won again. He was panting now, leaning on his sword.

"He looks tired," Loran commented on her brother.

Lycan wanted to tell Loran the truth about her brother then and there. Adriani did not look right, and Lycan thought that Adriani's life was at risk. But Mataram replied first.

"He probably is just a bit tired. Imagine the nerves." Mataram said.

"Well, he hasn't lost yet," Loran shrugged.

After the sixth fight, Lycan noticed a drop of blood dripping out of Adriani's right nostril. Adriani wiped his nose with his sleeve immediately.

"Mataram," Lycan whispered. "We need to do something."

"Let him fight," Mataram replied. "He knows what he's doing."

"Mataram," Lycan protested. "The experiments he did on himself. It's straining him. He could die."

"What?" Mataram asked, surprised and with more urgency in his voice.

"Yesterday, that crystal we helped attach to him last night sat right above where his core should be. I think his core is damaged, and that crystal somehow helps him transmute tenaga."

"I could tell," Mataram replied

"Yeah, but I don't think the backup stone he has right now was meant to be used like this. I think it could kill him if he continues."

"Shit," Mataram muttered and then thought for a while. "I still think he knows what he is doing, and I'm sure he'll give up before it gets to that point."

Lycan disagreed but did not voice his opinion. Adriani was not one to give up. Anishi's smile was nowhere to be seen; it was replaced by a painful yet focused expression as he faced his eleventh opponent of the day.

After the thirteenth round ended, the blood flowed freely down Adriani's nostrils.

"Damn it," Lycan cursed. "Sorry, Mataram, but I won't sit back and watch him die. Then Lycan shouted. "Healers! He's bleeding profusely! Shouldn't you go check on him?"

Adriani's eyes turned towards Lycan, staring daggers at the man. "I'm fine," he said to the healers. "It's only my nose. I'm far from strained."

Mataram grabbed Lycan's wrist. "What are you doing?"

"He's going to die if this keeps going. Do you wanna watch him die?"

"Of course not."

"Then help me put an end to this fight," Lycan's eyes met Mataram's. "Or do you wanna do nothing as our friend kills himself."

"But..."

"Hasn't he helped you a lot so far? And now he needs our help. He doesn't know what he's doing."

Mataram's eyes widened as he realised the full extent of the danger of the situation. "You're right."

"So help me."

"Alright."

Lycan ran down the seats and jumped into the arena, running towards Adriani.

"Step back to your seat, recruit," Professor Bakar said sternly.

Lycan ignored the Professor and kept moving towards Adriani until they were close enough to whisper without risking being overheard.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"What do you think you're doing?" Adriani asked angrily.

"Saving your life."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not!" Lycan said. "You're going to kill yourself. I know whatever stone you're using is not meant to be used extensively like this. You need to end this."

"The stone is fine, and I'm not ending this fight. There are only a dozen more recruits left."

"I can't let you do that. This is for your own good. So surrender and don't force me to do something I don't want to."

"Oh shut up, you peace of shit!" Adriani said with hatred for the first time. "You know I'm going to win this, and you're just scared that I'll be the one to join the Bhayangkara! You only want me to surrender for your own benefit!"

"That's not what this is about, and you know it," Lycan replied. "Now surrender!"

"That's not going to happen," Adriani said, and his words were final. "Now go away. Or is this how you'll repay me for all the help I've given you?"

"I'm sorry, Adriani," Lycan shook his head. "But I'm going to repay your kindness by saving your life." Lycan turned and made his way towards Professor Bakar, who had his back turned away and was being distracted by Mataram.

Adriani rushed towards Lycan, aiming the butt of his sword towards the man's head. However, he stumbled midstride and fell as he felt the air in his lungs suddenly escape. He stared up from the ground and saw Mataram watching him. Mataram’s eyes were wide as it met Adriani’s.

Sorrow and betrayal filled Adriani’s voice as he spoke to who he thought was a friend. “So is this how you repay me for all I’ve done for you?”

Adriani watched Mataram’s eyes, making sure he got the full attention of the traitor. “You’re worse then the highborns you always told me you hate. I hope you know that.”

"What is the meaning of this?" Professor Bakar snarled.

"Professor, Recruit Adriani Anishi cannot continue this bout," Lycan said

Professor Bakar looked down to Adriani’s fallen form. "He's only bleeding from his nose, not his eyes nor ears. He's fine."

Lycan gulped and prepared himself to betray Adriani. "The circumstances are different, professor."

"Hmm?" Professor Bakar raised one of his eyebrows. "Explain."

Lycan explained the situation to the Professor, including all the details of what happened in Adriani's room last night. And Mataram was there to confirm it.

Meanwhile, Adriani, having swallowed the bitter feeling of betrayal, got up and approached the Professor. Adriani did not know what to say, but he would try anyway. But before he could speak, Professor Bakar grabbed him by the collars of his uniform and tore out the bandages that covered his chest. The crowd gasps in shock. And there it was for all to see the scars and active experiments he had conducted on himself.

"Professor, I can explain," Adriani muttered.

"Quiet, recruit!" Professor Bakar said. "I can already recognise the power stone currently attached to your jugular. How dare you cheat in front of the priestess and the Bhayangkara."

"They're not. These are just..."

Flames immediately erupted around the arena as quickly as they died down. "I did not give you permission to speak." Professor Bakar warned.

Professor Bakar looked up toward Dean Anders without speaking. The silence felt like years for Adriani, hearing the whispers talking about his scars, self experiments, and how he had cheated. He was not sure if the whisphers he was listening to were real or just his mind replaying a nightmare.

Dean Anders's voice boomed as he announced. "Adriani Anishi had been found to have used an external power stone, which is prohibited under our rules. Recruit Adriani Anishi. You are disqualified from this year's tournament. Further repercussions will be added pending a meeting from the Academy board."

Adriani's stomach dropped, and his anger flared. He kept quiet, though; nothing he could say would change the situation. He felt the eyes of the crowd bore into him. Those two. Adriani had helped them, and they repaid his kindness by betraying him. They did not hesitate as soon as there was a chance to eliminate competition. How naive had he been?

Among the crowd of highborn families, the head of the house, Anishi, Adriani's father, stood up. "Adriani," he said to his son, loud enough for the crowd to hear. "Your actions have brought shame to our family. House Anishi extends its apologies to all the recruits and everyone here. In the name of the Garuda, Adriani Anishi, you shall no longer bear our name from this day and onwards! A cheat you have become, and a cheat you shall be known as. As the head of house Anishi, I strip you of your name!"

-----------

Loran's chest threatened to burst as she stood among the highborns, watching one of the worst days of her life unfold. She silently begged her father to stop once he began his speech. Most of the lowborns were watching the scene with curiosity, but the highborns knew precisely what was about to happen when the head of a house announced to a large crowd in that matter.

When her father finished, the crowd erupted. There were yells supporting the decision, while some insulted her brother. She was quiet, but she was screaming internally in anguish. She no longer had a brother.

She watched the arena below as Adriani limped out. When Lycan and Mataram tried to help, he batted an arm forcefully. He exited the arena alone. Loran wanted to jump down, avoid the recruits asking questions, and embrace Adriani. To tell him she will be there. Instead, she ran to his room.

--------------

Adriani limped to his room. People stared at him as he walked, bleeding through the academy towards his room. Some people he knew wanted to help or asked him what was wrong. But others who must have heard what happened shooed them away. Words travel fast in here, he thought.

He found the side of his dorm completely empty. He did not mind, though; he just wanted to be alone. He knew it would not happen when he reached the door to his room. The door was unlocked, and the handle was lying on the floor in several pieces. He took a deep breath before entering.

His sister sat on the bed, her head slouched. When he entered, she looked up at him. Her eyes were red, and tears were flowing down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," he choked the only words he could.

"Why?" Loran asked through her tears.

"I did what I can." Adriani stood in front of his door, unmoving.

"No!" she yelled. "You tell me everything. No more hiding things." She wiped her tears with her forearm. "It's too late for that."

Adriani leaned his back against the wall and slid down to sit. "I wanted to win." He removed his shirt, showing her the scars on his body. "I did what I needed to do."

"What happened?" Loran asked. "You never told me of your scars. And why have you hid it from me?"

"Happened long ago," Adriani started. There was no more reason to hide his shame. "I got into an accident in the workshop."

"No more lies," his sister cut him off. "I was with you basically every day. I would know if you were in an accident. You did those experiments on yourself. No more lies, Adriani."

Adriani took a deep breath. "I was experimenting in the workshop by myself. Mother and father would not have allowed me to do it if they knew what I was attempting to make."

Loran listened.

"You walked in. And I faltered."

"No more lies, Adriani," she begged. "Please."

He looked at his twin sadly. "I was trying to make a new version of the power stone. But instead of pulling tenaga slowly from the air. The new power stone would pull it rapidly. When you walked in, something happened." Adriani smacked his head repeatedly. "I've been trying to remember what went wrong but can't."

Loran lept, grabbing his arm and stopping him from hitting himself.

He looked into her eyes, her sad black eyes. "The next thing I remembered, the bindings on the stone shattered. I lept on top of it to shield you from the worst of its effects. Next thing I know, I woke up with seven healers working on me."

"I don't remember this," Loran shook her head.

"I don't know why you don't remember either," Adriani said. "Mother and father taught it would be best if you didn't remember. Mother told you I was away on a trip with father."

Loran remembered their mother telling her Adriani was away on a year trip with father.

"Father brought me to the best healers around the empire. But the damage was done. My core has shattered."

"Why didn't you tell me? I would've...." Loran faltered. "I would have looked after you. Looked after you better."

"There was nothing you could have done, Loran," Adriani said. "There was nothing anyone could've done."

Adriani began to giggle at his dread, and Loran watched worriedly. She tried to reach for his cheek, but he slapped her hand away.

"When father took a look at what remained of the stone. Turns out the damage would not have been that bad if I had not jumped onto it,” Adriani said through his giggles.

Loran was horrified by her brother’s demeanour and stayed silent. She wanted to say something, thank him or apologise, but she knew it would only worsen the situation.

Adriani wiped a tear from his eye. As his giggles slowed down, his face turned dark. Adriani’s dark eyes met Loran’s. She had never seen her brother’s eyes like this; so filled with resentment.

"I told you not to disturb me," Adriani muttered. “I told you not to enter my workshop without permission.” The venom in Adriani’s voice kept rising as he continued. "Why did you enter, Loran?"

"I don't..."

"WHY DID YOU ENTER, LORAN?" Adriani yelled, immediately following it by covering his mouth with a hand. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks. "I'm sorry," he muttered, unable to believe he just said what he said.

Loran embraced him, her tears joining his. "I'm sorry."

"I resented you at first," Adriani said. But I know it was not your fault. We were children, and you always wanted to join me in the lab. I shouldn't have pushed you away. I'm sorry."

"No," Loran shook her head. "As you said. We were children."

The twins embraced silently for a long moment. The other recruits have either yet to return or choose to leave them alone.

"I'll talk to them. We can figure something out." Loran broke the silence.

"No," Adriani shook his head. "They didn't want me to go the academy. They told me I was already enough."

"They can't just abandon you."

"They didn't want to. But it was the only way I could attend the academy." Adriani gripped his sister's shoulders. "I have my dreams, too."

"What will you do?"

"I'm going to leave. The academy will not let me stay once they assess the extent of the damage." He looked at his sister and saw new tears threatening to fall. "I'm sorry. I don't want to leave you either."

Loran steeled herself, stopping the tears from falling. "Where will you go?"

"I have a few ideas," Adriani said. "As much as I hate that this happened. I have made some plans for if it were to happen."

"Where will you go?" Loran asked again, not letting Adriani talk himself out of it.

"I can't tell you because I'm not sure myself," Adriani answered. "I've read about a few temples here and there. Maybe there'll be secrets there that can fix me."

Loran cupped her brother's cheeks and gazed at him. He had grown, she realised. Long gone was the cheerful brother who would hold her hand as they hiked the hills by their mansion. What remained was a determined man. Lost, broken, and desperate. But determined, nonetheless. She would kill him, she realised, if she made him stay.

"Just tell me this isn't one of those Nirvana legends you told me about when we were young," she joked.

Adriani smiled at her jester. "Who knows," he said. Then his face grew serious. "Be careful with Lycan and Mataram. They will use you to gain any advantage they can. Then, they will betray you once they get everything they can."

"They saved your life," Loran protested.

"Just watch yourself around them. Better yet, don't associate with them once you graduate."

"But..."

"Promise me," Adriani said determinedly.

Seeing how serious her brother was, Loran nodded. "I promise."

"Thank you," Adriani said, beginning to pack his things. "I'll be leaving as soon as possible."

"Let me walk you out," Loran said. "We don't have to talk to anyone on the way."

Adriani nodded. "That would be nice."