They ran toward the palace as all of Arcapura began to change.
The streets, once quiet, were now filled with panic. Residents poured out of their homes, their faces pale. Some carried their children, while others tried to escape through the narrow alleys.
But every exit had been sealed off.
A wall of red energy surrounded the city.
Nothing could break through it.
Above their heads, the once-dark sky turned a deep, blackish red. Clouds spun into a massive vortex directly over the palace.
Every few seconds, flashes of light burst from within the vortex.
Then the ground shook again.
DUM!
Raka nearly lost his balance.
Alya immediately grabbed his arm.
“Don’t stop.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re pale.”
“I can still walk.”
Alya shot him a sharp look.
“You always say that when you’re actually not fine.”
Raka almost smiled.
“And you always know.”
“Because now I can feel you.”
She paused for a moment.
“Don’t forget that.”
Raka looked at her.
The bond that had formed between them still felt strange.
Ever since the red and white lights had merged moments ago, they were no longer merely able to sense each other’s presence.
Their emotions seemed to have become one.
When Alya was afraid, Raka’s chest tightened too.
When Raka was angry, Alya’s heart began beating faster.
Even when one of them tried to hide something, the other could feel it.
And to Raka, that was terrifying.
Not because he didn’t trust Alya.
Quite the opposite. For the first time in his life, someone could see the parts of him he had always kept hidden.
His fear.
His loneliness.
And the guilt he had never truly understood.
“You’re afraid,” Alya said suddenly.
Raka turned toward her.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not afraid.”
Alya raised an eyebrow.
“You’re terrible at lying.”
Dimas, running behind them, cut in.
“If I’m being honest, you two don’t even need to talk anymore. Just looking at each other tells you everything.”
Raka looked at him.
“Focus on running.”
“I am focused.”
“Your mouth isn’t.”
Dimas laughed.
But his laughter stopped when the sound of an explosion came from behind them.
BOOM!
A building collapsed.
Dust billowed high into the air.
Dimas turned around.
“It’s starting to move.”
Raka knew who he meant.
The creature beneath the city.
Something that had been waiting for hundreds of years.
And for some reason, Raka felt an inexplicable connection to it.
As if some part of him recognized that voice.
Even before they reached the palace.
At last, they reached the palace’s main staircase.
Dozens of guards stood there.
But unlike the forces they had faced earlier, these guards did not attack.
Instead, they knelt.
One after another.
Raka stopped.
“What are they doing?”
Alya shook her head.
No one knew.
Then an old man walked out through the palace doors.
He wore a dark royal robe.
His hair was completely white.
His face was covered in wrinkles, but his eyes were still sharp.
Sinta, who had been following them all this time, stopped immediately.
“Your Majesty.”
Raka was stunned.
The king of Arcapura stood before them.
But the king did not look at Sinta.
His gaze fixed on Raka.
Then on Alya.
His expression changed.
“So it’s true.”
Raka raised his sword.
“What’s true?”
The king did not answer.
Instead, he said,
“You should never have made it here.”
Raka stepped forward.
“Then you should’ve explained everything from the beginning.”
The king stared at him for a long moment.
“You look like your father.”
“My father?”
“When he was angry, he never wanted to listen to explanations either.”
Raka clenched his fist.
“You knew my father?”
“Of course.”
“And you knew Alya’s mother?”
The king looked away.
“I know everyone who was involved in that ritual.”
Alya stepped forward.
“Then answer me.”
The king looked at her.
“Who am I?”
For several seconds, there was no sound.
Then the king said,
“You are the reason that war began.”
Alya froze.
“What war?”
“The war between the mage families.”
“Why?”
The king drew a breath.
“Because everyone wanted the power inside you.”
Alya gripped the pendant the old woman had given her.
“And my mother?”
“She tried to protect you.”
“Who killed her?”
The king did not answer immediately.
Raka could feel Alya’s emotions changing.
Anger.
Grief.
Fear.
He touched Alya’s hand.
“We’ll get our answer.”
Alya nodded.
The king watched the gesture.
His expression grew even more serious.
“You’ve already merged.”
Raka looked at him.
“What do you mean?”
“The soul bond.”
The king stared at their joined hands.
“That should never have happened.”
“Why?”
“Because if your souls truly merge, the Third Seal will recognize you as a single entity.”
Dimas swallowed.
“And that’s bad?”
The king answered,
“For the entire kingdom.”
Sinta stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, we don’t have time.”
The king nodded.
“I know.”
He turned around.
“Follow me.”
Raka didn’t move.
“Where?”
“To the place where all of this began.”
Alya looked at him.
“The ritual chamber?”
The king nodded.
“Beneath the palace.”
They followed the king inside.
The palace doors closed behind them.
The rumbling outside grew fainter.
But inside the palace, the atmosphere was even more terrifying.
There were no servants.
No nobles.
No guards speaking.
Everyone still inside the palace stood motionless along the corridors.
Raka saw several people crying.
A young child clung to their mother.
A soldier prayed.
They all knew something enormous was happening.
The king stopped in front of a stone door.
“Beyond this door is a passage leading beneath the palace.”
He took out a key.
But before he could insert it into the lock, Raka suddenly said,
“Wait.”
The king turned.
“There’s something there.”
Raka sensed the energy.
So did Alya.
“Behind the door.”
The king nodded.
“That’s right.”
“The creature?”
“No.”
The king opened the door.
“Something worse.”
The passage was dark.
They descended a staircase that seemed to have no end.
Its walls were covered in ancient carvings.
Raka studied them one by one.
The first carving depicted a king.
The second, a mage.
The third, two children.
Raka stopped.
The carving looked remarkably similar to the image they had seen in the ritual chamber.
But there was a difference.
In this image, the two children stood before a massive figure.
The figure had red eyes.
Beneath it were the words:
First Keeper.
Raka stared at the inscription.
“Keeper?”
The king nodded.
“Yes.”
“So the creature beneath the city is the Flame Keeper?”
“No.”
The king continued walking.
“The Flame Keeper is human.”
Raka frowned.
“Then what’s beneath the city?”
The king stopped.
“The reason the Flame Keepers were created.”
They reached a large chamber.
In its center was a round pool.
The water was black.
Sinta stepped closer.
“This isn’t water.”
Raka sensed energy within it.
“Soul.”
The king nodded.
“The souls of those sacrificed to maintain the seal.”
Dimas went pale.
“How many?”
The king was silent.
Dimas swallowed.
“How many?”
“Thousands.”
The room fell silent.
Alya stared at the pool.
“Why?”
“Because this kingdom was never built on ordinary ground.”
The king looked at them.
“Arcapura was built over a place called the Soul Well.”
“What is it?”
“A place where human energy can be gathered.”
Raka began to understand.
“And the creature uses that energy.”
“That’s right.”
“To become stronger?”
“To stay alive.”
Raka looked at the pool.
“So for hundreds of years...”
“This kingdom has been giving it life.”
Alya shook her head.
“Why?”
The king answered,
“Because without that creature, this kingdom would collapse.”
They continued farther inside.
At the far end of the chamber stood a massive door.
Unlike the others, it was made of black stone.
Three symbols were carved into its surface.
A red symbol.
A white symbol.
And a black symbol.
Raka immediately recognized two of them.
His red symbol.
Alya’s white symbol.
But the black symbol...
He didn’t recognize it.
The king stood before the door.
“This is the Third Seal.”
Raka approached.
“What’s behind it?”
The king did not answer.
“Your Majesty.”
The king looked at him.
“A human being.”
Raka frowned.
“A human?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
The king sighed.
“The one who was supposed to become the first Flame Keeper.”
Alya stepped closer.
“His name?”
The king closed his eyes.
Then he answered,
“Rangga.”
Raka froze.
The name felt familiar.
Far too familiar.
Suddenly, his head began to throb.
A voice appeared.
My son.
Raka clutched his head.
Alya immediately moved closer.
“Raka?”
He closed his eyes.
A vision appeared.
A young man stood before a child.
His hair was black.
His eyes were red.
The man smiled.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Little Raka stood before him.
“Who are you?”
The man knelt.
“I’m your father.”
The vision ended.
Raka opened his eyes.
His face was pale.
“Father...”
Alya held his hand.
“What did you see?”
“Rangga.”
The king immediately looked at him.
“Impossible.”
“He said he was my father.”
The king took a step back.
“Then...”
He stared at the black door.
“...we’re too late.”
A sound came from behind the door.
DUM.
Everyone fell silent.
DUM.
Raka felt his heart beating in time with the sound.
DUM.
Then a man’s voice rang out.
“Raka.”
Raka stared at the door.
The voice came again.
“My son.”
Alya gripped his hand.
“Don’t answer.”
Raka didn’t move.
The voice behind the door grew clearer.
“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
Raka shouted,
“Who are you?”
The voice laughed.
“My own son doesn’t recognize his father.”
Raka clenched his fists.
“If you’re my father, why have I never seen you?”
“Because they imprisoned me.”
“Who?”
“The people you trust.”
The king lowered his head.
Raka looked at him.
“You.”
The king did not answer.
“King.”
At last, the king spoke.
“Yes.”
Raka glared at him.
“You imprisoned my father?”
“I had no choice.”
“Everyone says that.”
Raka stepped forward.
“My father was imprisoned beneath the city for twenty years?”
“Longer.”
Raka froze.
“How long?”
The king looked at him.
“Since before you were born.”
Alya fell silent.
If Rangga had truly been beneath the city before Raka was born, then everything they knew about his family had been wrong.
She looked at Raka.
“Then...”
Raka nodded.
“I never lost my father.”
He stared at the door.
“I just never knew where he was.”
Laughter echoed from behind the door.
“My son.”
Raka moved closer.
But Sinta pulled him back.
“Don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t know who’s speaking.”
Raka looked at her.
“The king said he was my father.”
“The king also hid the truth for decades.”
The king did not deny it.
Alya looked at the door.
“Something’s wrong.”
“What?”
“That voice.”
Raka looked at her.
“What about it?”
“He called you his son.”
“Yes.”
“But he didn’t call me by name.”
Raka fell silent.
Alya continued,
“If he really is your father, he would know about me.”
Dimas nodded.
“Makes sense.”
Raka stared at the door.
“Then who is he?”
Suddenly, the pendant in Alya’s hand began to glow.
White light spilled out.
The black door trembled.
Then the white symbol on the door lit up.
Alya flinched.
“This...”
Raka held her hand.
“What’s happening?”
“I don’t know.”
The light grew stronger.
Then Raka’s red symbol lit up as well.
The two lights met.
The door began to open.
The king shouted,
“Don’t!”
Too late.
The door slid open.
Cold air poured out.
The scent of wet earth filled the room.
Beyond the door was a vast chamber.
Someone stood in the center.
A man.
His hands were chained.
His head hung low.
Long hair covered his face.
But when the light fell across his face...
Raka froze.
That face.
He knew it.
Not because he had ever seen it in real life.
But because it had appeared countless times in his dreams.
The man slowly raised his head.
His eyes were red.
“Raka.”
Raka couldn’t move.
Alya stood beside him.
The man smiled.
“My son.”
Raka whispered,
“Father...”
Rangga raised his hands.
The iron chains rattled.
But before Raka could approach, the king stood in front of the doorway.
“Don’t come any closer!”
Rangga looked at him.
“You.”
His voice turned cold.
“At last, you’ve brought them to me.”
The king drew his sword.
“I won’t let you out.”
Rangga laughed.
“It’s too late.”
Raka looked at his father.
“What happened?”
Rangga didn’t answer.
Instead, he looked at Alya.
His expression changed.
“And you...”
Alya stepped back.
“Who am I?”
Rangga fell silent.
Then he said,
“You’re Laras’s daughter.”
Alya froze.
“You knew my mother?”
“She was the last person who tried to save you.”
“What happened to her?”
Rangga lowered his head.
“She died to make sure you lived.”
Alya held back her tears.
“Who killed her?”
Rangga looked at the king.
“He did.”
The king immediately said,
“That isn’t true.”
Rangga laughed.
“Still lying.”
Raka looked at the king.
“Explain.”
The king tightened his grip on his sword.
“I didn’t kill Laras.”
“Then who did?”
Rangga answered,
“Bastian.”
Alya closed her eyes.
That name again.
Bastian.
Always Bastian.
Raka stepped forward.
“Father.”
Rangga looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Why don’t I remember you?”
“Because your memories were sealed.”
“By whom?”
Rangga looked at the king.
“By all of them.”
Raka turned.
“Why?”
Rangga drew a breath.
“Because if you remembered me, you would find your way here.”
“And?”
“The seal would open.”
Raka froze.
“So...”
“Yes.”
Rangga smiled sadly.
“Since the day you were born, your body has been the key.”
Alya gripped Raka’s hand.
Rangga looked at them.
“And when you joined together...”
He paused.
“...the key became complete.”
Dimas stared at the door.
“So Bastian was right.”
Rangga shook his head.
“Bastian doesn’t know everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Bastian thinks he’ll control your power.”
Rangga looked at Raka.
“But it’s you who will be controlled.”
Suddenly, the sound of applause echoed through the passage.
Slowly.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Everyone turned.
Bastian stood at the end of the corridor.
He smiled.
“What a great explanation.”
Raka raised his sword.
“Bastian.”
Bastian walked toward them slowly.
“Raka.”
Alya stepped forward.
“You killed my mother.”
Bastian stopped.
“Yes.”
Alya froze.
There was no denial.
No excuse.
Only one word.
Raka stepped in front of Alya.
“Why?”
Bastian smiled.
“Because your mother refused to cooperate.”
“For what?”
“To create you.”
Raka frowned.
“Wasn’t the ritual created by Arman?”
“Arman only created the method.”
Bastian pointed at Raka.
“I’m the one who perfected it.”
Then he pointed at Alya.
“And she’s the end result.”
Alya clenched her fists.
“I’m not some experiment.”
Bastian laughed.
“That’s what makes you interesting.”
Raka attacked.
His sword nearly struck Bastian.
But Bastian vanished.
Raka was startled.
“An illusion.”
Bastian’s voice came from behind him.
“You’re still too slow.”
Raka turned.
A blast of energy struck him.
Alya tried to help.
Bastian raised a hand.
Alya’s body froze.
“Alya!”
Raka started toward her.
Bastian said,
“Take one more step and I’ll sever your soul bond.”
Raka stopped.
“Don’t.”
Bastian smiled.
“Finally, you understand.”
Rangga pulled against his chains.
“Bastian.”
Bastian turned.
“Rangga.”
“You won’t win.”
Bastian laughed.
“I don’t need to win.”
He pointed at Raka and Alya.
“They’ve already done everything for me.”
Raka stared at him.
“What do you mean?”
Bastian smiled.
“When you merged your souls, the Third Seal recognized you.”
DUM.
The ground shook.
Rocks fell from the ceiling.
DUM.
Cracks spread throughout the chamber.
The king shouted,
“Everyone out!”
Bastian laughed.
“It’s too late.”
DUM!
A blast of black energy slammed into the door.
Rangga’s chains snapped.
One.
Two.
Three.
Rangga stood.
His eyes began to glow red.
Raka stared at him.
“Father...”
Rangga turned toward him.
For a moment, his gaze was gentle.
Then something changed.
Black energy began pouring from his body.
Alya stepped back.
“Raka.”
“I know.”
Rangga looked at them.
“I’m sorry.”
Raka shook his head.
“Father?”
“Don’t come closer.”
The black energy grew stronger.
Bastian smiled.
“Awaken.”
Rangga screamed.
The sound was no longer human.
It shook the entire palace.
ROOOARRR!
Raka fell to the ground.
Alya covered her ears.
The king dropped to his knees.
Dimas braced himself against the wall.
And in the center of the chamber...
Rangga slowly changed.
A black shadow enveloped his body.
His eyes turned red.
Small horns grew from his forehead.
His fingers lengthened.
Raka stared in horror.
“Father...”
The creature looked at him.
But this time, there was no gentleness in its eyes.
Only hunger.
Bastian smiled.
“Allow me to introduce you.”
He bowed.
“The first Flame Keeper.”
Raka felt his body turn to ice.
He couldn’t move.
The creature stared at him.
Then it opened its mouth.
The voice that came out sounded like the echo of hundreds of people.
“My son...”
Raka stared at it.
“Why?”
The creature reached out a hand.
“Because I need you.”
Alya stood in front of Raka.
“No.”
The creature looked at Alya.
“You too.”
Alya gripped her sword.
“You’re not touching him.”
The creature laughed.
“Your souls have already become one.”
It took a step.
The floor cracked beneath every footfall.
“If one dies...”
It smiled.
“...the other will die too.”
Raka looked at Alya.
For the first time, he felt no fear inside himself.
What he felt instead was courage.
Because Alya was standing in front of him.
And he knew...
Whatever happened, they would face it together.
Raka raised his sword.
“Alya.”
“Yes.”
“We’re not running.”
Alya nodded.
“We fight.”
Red and white light flared again.
This time, brighter than before.
Bastian stepped back.
The king stared at them, his face filled with fear.
Sinta whispered,
“Impossible...”
Dimas swallowed.
“What now?”
Raka gripped Alya’s hand.
“We stop this.”
They stepped forward.
The first Flame Keeper stood before them.
Bastian stood behind them.
And above them, the palace began to collapse.
The war that had remained hidden all this time had finally been exposed.
But no one realized one thing.
Something was also beginning to awaken inside Raka’s body.
A power even Rangga did not recognize.
A power that had never been recorded in any book.
And when Raka raised his sword...
A third symbol appeared in the palm of his hand.
A black symbol.
Raka stared at it in horror.
“What is this?”
Alya held his hand.
Her face turned pale.
“Raka...”
“What?”
Alya stared at the symbol.
“That isn’t a seal.”
“Then what is it?”
Alya swallowed.
“It’s a mark...”
She looked at the creature before them.
“...that you’re part of something much bigger.”
Behind them, Bastian smiled.
“About time.”
Raka looked at him.
Bastian said softly,
“you’re finally becoming who you really are.”