The words pierced the air like black fog. Kaivan froze. Not from shock, but from the faint, curved smile he caught on Tania's lips. A cold smile. A trap.
The chief exhaled sharply, signaling his men. "Record every statement. We'll investigate." His eyes fixed on Kaivan. "Until then, you'll stay in custody."
Kaivan leaned back slowly. His strength drained away. No protests. Only silence, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling. In his eyes, resignation. He was caught in a web of power.
Footsteps echoed from the hall outside, steady, commanding. The door creaked open.
"Wait a moment."
The voice was deep, cool. Everyone turned. A tall man in black stood in the doorway, tablet in hand. His stare cut through the chief.
"I have more reliable evidence."
Raphael.
He stepped forward and showed the screen. A video played. Voices could be heard, Kaivan was seen only retrieving Darius's motorcycle key after knocking out his gang, saying, "I'll pawn your bike to get mine back." There was no assault, no harm. Tania was calm, unharmed.
The chief squinted, silent.
Then Governor Heri stepped forward. His tone was soft but resonant. "So Kaivan fought back because his bike was stolen by the councilman's son's gang. I suggest… we resolve this quietly. Such a case could stain your reputation too, couldn't it?"
Arman opened his mouth to argue, but no words came. Darius lowered his head, his face burning red. Tania stared at Raphael, stunned, her shock barely concealed.
"Why… did that man have the video… at just the right moment…" she whispered faintly, too quiet for most, but Kaivan heard.
Heri raised a brow, turning toward Arman and Darius. "Even if this case continued, Kaivan would win. There's indication your son tried to lure him toward the terrorist group. This could backfire on you."
Silence filled the room. The tension was heavy.
Finally, Arman sighed, voice stiff. "We… withdraw the complaint."
One by one, they left. Darius walked behind his father, not daring to look back. Tania was last. But before stepping past the door, she turned. Kaivan had risen, his eyes fixed on hers, sharp, unwavering. It wasn't hatred. It was a promise, that he would never forget.
Outside the police station, the night sky had softened into a gentle shade of gray. The streets were quiet, touched by the calm breath of the evening wind. Tania walked with light steps, yet her mind refused to rest. She turned once more toward the station behind her.
"Why… why is Kaivan so close to the governor…?" she thought. Her face tensed. Uncertainty began to crawl through her thoughts, clouding the calm of the night.
Their steps were calm as they left the police station. The night wind brushed against Kaivan's face, cold, yet not enough to still the storm within him. The sky shimmered with scattered stars, as if trying to erase the darkness left behind.
"Where did you get that recording?" Kaivan asked quietly, curiosity lacing his tone.
Raphael stopped, folding his arms. "Ethan recorded it. He was there when you fought them. And when you took back what was yours."
Kaivan's eyes widened. The fragments of the puzzle began to connect. "Ethan…"
Raphael gave a faint smile. "I asked him about what happened in Cimahi, and he sent me everything, photos, audio, the whole thing."
Kaivan exhaled, a mix of relief and bitterness. "I don't know… how to thank you."
Raphael pulled a small karambit from his pocket and offered it. "You can repay me later. Someday."
Kaivan took the blade, gripping it tightly. A symbol of trust. No words were needed, only a shared glance that said everything. A faint smile crossed his lips, not of victory, but of a bond that would not easily break.
The rumble of a midnight train split the silence. Kaivan stepped aboard as Raphael escorted him to the door. "You'll make it through," Raphael said, patting his shoulder. "Just… don't be too hard on yourself."
Kaivan nodded, gratitude soft in his gaze before the doors slid shut. As the train began to move, he looked out the window, watching the city fade into the distance, its lights flickering softly amid the chaos that had just passed.
On his lap, the Tome of Omnicent lay still. The book felt alive beneath his fingertips, quiet, yet humming with an energy not yet fully revealed. He opened it slowly, each line rekindling the echoes of his struggle. The Tome was more than a tool, it was a witness.
His thoughts drifted, to the gang of boys, Raphael's loyalty, and the moments when everything had nearly fallen apart. The memories formed patterns, like pieces of a puzzle. But one question haunted him still: what would come next? The world was not done chasing him.
The night blanketed Bandung in silence. The dim station lights cast a gentle glow as Kaivan stepped off the train. His eyes were steady, though his mind lingered on the message glowing faintly across the Tome's page: "Guide a lost girl named Isabel back to her home."
A mix of curiosity, unease, and faint hope stirred in his chest. Who was Isabel? Another test? Or a hidden message from the power he barely understood? Whatever it was, he knew one thing for certain, his path was already set, and he wouldn't turn away.
His gaze swept across the station, searching for a stranger who might be Isabel. It didn't take long. In the dim corner of the platform, a restless girl stood alone. Her long hair fell freely over her shoulders, her wary eyes darting around. There was something fragile in her gaze, fear, but also a silent plea to be saved. Kaivan felt his heartbeat quicken. "Why am I nervous?" he wondered, denying the strange warmth rising in him.
"Beautiful… like a goddess," he murmured, then quickly shook the thought away. He knew this wasn't just another encounter. Something lay beneath the surface.
Steeling himself, Kaivan approached carefully, making sure not to startle her. He spoke softly, "Hey, what are you doing here all alone?"
But Isabel's reaction caught him off guard. Her stance shifted defensively, eyes sharp yet uncertain. "I'm not selling myself, okay? Sorry, but I'm still in school," she snapped.
Kaivan froze, stunned by her words. He took a slow breath, trying to keep calm. "This is going to be more complicated than I thought," he muttered inwardly.
He offered a faint, reassuring smile. "Ah, sorry. My name's Kaivan. I didn't mean to scare you. Can I ask what you're waiting for?"
Isabel glanced at him, still cautious, though her tension began to ease. "My friend told me to wait here," she said softly. Her tone remained guarded, but the edge in her eyes had softened, replaced by the faint flicker of doubt.