Ali opened his eyes slowly and was faced with a gray ceiling. He realized after trying to lift his left arm that he was bound down by steel cables. Feeling the cables cut into him following slight movement, he remained static to avoid further injury. Then, he heard a door open and footsteps that got louder until he felt a presence nearby.

“Why did you join him? Was Thomas that charismatic? Did you believe in his vision that much?”

“Thomas didn’t give a damn about other people. They were merely stepping stones he used to reach his goal. I realized that after our conversation.”

“Yet you picked him over me!”

Ali had never seen Ahuru lose control of his composure before.

“Remember our talk about Marciso and your desire to change lives?”

“Yes, we were discussing why you wanted to seek power. You never gave me an answer then.”

“And you asked me if I wish to rule over a nation. My answer is yes. I have been at the bottom of society since I was born. Nobody cared if I lived or died. I had to rely on myself. Where were you when I needed someone to give me a hand?”

“We didn’t meet before so…”

“Exactly! You can only help those around you. Those you meet are the only ones you can assist. If I rule over a nation, I will change all of that! I will make laws that give everyone within that nation a chance. The strong always rule the weak. However, there are many strong individuals who are crushed under the foot of the weak because they just happened to be born into poverty. I will change all that!”

“What makes you think you won’t become the next Thomas?”

“I had hoped to learn from his mistakes but he died prematurely.”

Ahuru then changed the topic by mentioning that both Belen and Kurata were worried sick about him. Ali said that they were wasting their time with a nobody. It would be better if they simply forgot about him and moved on with their lives.

“What about your other friend?” asked Ahuru.

“Friend?”

Despite wracking his brain, Ali couldn’t think of anyone else on the airship he would consider a friend. Except for Belen, he hung out with no one else. It was fairly common for teenagers to form their own groups and be opposed to outsiders.

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“He’s very bulky and came with you through the portal. He admitted he once served in the liberation army.”

“Kamis?”

Once Ahuru confirmed that was the name he was given, Ali asked what happened to his friend. Despite the cable drawing blood, the teenager still struggled to get an answer. To his surprise, Ahuru made a signal with his right hand that resulted in his release. The man then gestured to Ali to follow him down the hallway until they arrived outside a cell similar to the one he was in. They walked in to see Kamis held down by both metal beams and cables.

“How are you feeling, Kamis?”

Ali felt relief knowing that his friend was still alive. Those at the base were to be killed or captured for execution. For the time being, they escaped death. Yet, he didn’t know how long their luck would hold out.

“I’ve felt better,” said the bulky teenager. “Where are we?”

Ali admitted that he didn’t know and, like Kamis, he was a prisoner. He only had the luxury of not being bound to a bed. He turned to Ahuru, asking what would happen to the two of them. The man told him that they would decide on that after he was reunited with Belen and Kurata arrived. The two of them wanted to see him again.

“What do you know about the lightning god?” asked Ahuru as he led Ali back to his cell.

“The lightning god’s name is Umaru. He was once my roommate.”

Ali proceeded to share what happened to him at the training facility but he mostly focused on Umaru. He mentioned how weak the teenager was until one fateful day when he went from a literal nobody to an individual many called god. He didn’t know the details but he suspected some outside factor that played a role in the whole thing. Overall, he was suspicious if Umaru’s growth was even natural. Ahuru listened intently the whole time, not interrupting once. As soon as Ali finished, the man left the cell and closed the door behind him. Left alone, the teenager remained sitting on his bed.

Well, my fate is no longer in my control. Now that I think about it, it hasn’t been in my control this entire time. What will I do once Belen gets here?

The teenager’s rehearsals ended up being useless as he couldn’t figure out how he should apologize. He knew his own selfishness not only cost them the promotional exam but he also made them worried. After all, the three of them were left in a foreign place filled with only strangers so they only had each other. As Ali experienced firsthand, it was very dangerous too with terrorists operating within the town.

I deserve whatever scolding and insults they have for me. That’s the least I can do.

Ali looked up when he heard the cell door open. He watched as Belen dashed towards him before embracing him.

“You idiot! You got us so worried! What are you trying to do? Play the hero?”

The comments made no sense so Ali turned to Ahuru who stood beside Kurata. The man explained that Ali was foolish enough to go after Thomas after what happened to Marciso. Understanding the situation, Ali mouthed a quiet thanks before he turned to Belen.

“I’m sorry, Belen. I screwed up and none of us are getting promoted.” The teenager turned to Kurata who shed a few tears. “I don’t expect forgiveness. If we work together in the future, I will give it my best.”

Following the emotional reunion, Belen and Kurata exited the room. Once they left, Ali looked up at Ahuru.

“What happens to Kamis now?”