Erabis' shattered body disintegrated into nothingness. A giant black orb floated briefly from the remains before sinking into the earth below. The tyrant had been defeated. After years of torment under Erabis' reign, the dark chapter of the Renok Empire had finally closed. The prisoner's cries of relief and joy reverberated throughout the ruined palace.
Zirko materialised beside Purnama.
"Purnama, we have to move to the second floor immediately. Suria has broken the prison gate, and the villagers are coming to release the prisoners. Let's leave now," Zirko urged.
Purnama leaped onto Zirko's back, who instantly formed an icy path, spiraling upwards to the second floor. The prisoners stared in awe at the display of Celestion's power.
As they reached the upper level, Purnama jumped onto a stable part of the floor.
"In there, Purnama," Zirko directed him to a room locked behind heavy iron chains.
Purnama quickly removed the chains from the door and opened it. Inside, he discovered a man in his mid-fifties, unconscious, disheveled, and shirtless, with both his hands and feet bound. Surrounding the man were heaps of treasure, but what caught Purnama's attention was the man's condition—he had been tortured.
"That's the king of this land," Zirko said gravely. "He should be restored to power."
"To see a king subjected to this... It's a travesty," Purnama said softly, carefully unfastening the bonds on the wretched man.
A prickle of unease made Zirko's eyes dart left, where something glimmered in the periphery.
"... now I see why Ria assigned you to this mission. Look over there—a jade frame holding a glass tube. That relic doesn't belong here. Take it and give it to her."
Purnama quickly tucked the tube into his shirt and turned his attention back to the king. He carefully laid the king across Zirko's sturdy back. Together, they ascended to the top floor. Purnama retrieved his cloak, which lay by the door. He carefully laid the king leaning on the front door and covered the king's body with his cloak.
Zirko reverted to his calf form, and they began descending the circular stairway towards the gathering square. Suria came into view as they neared the ground, standing triumphantly amid a pile of defeated orcs.
"Hey! What took you guys so long?!" Suria shouted, surrounded by the remains of her battles.
"We ran into some trouble with Erabis," Purnama replied, surveying the scene.
The villagers, who had been gathered earlier, were no longer in sight, and Purnama noticed the iron fence near the stairs had been destroyed by Suria.
"It's weird... but where are the rest of the Orcs? I thought reinforcements from Yurok would be here."
"Guess they didn't get the message." Suria shrugged. "Or maybe… they're just scared of me, haha!" Suria chuckled, pointing at herself.
The Orcs she had defeated gradually transformed into small black orbs, which vanished into the air.
"If Erabis were here, he would've forcibly extracted their life orbs. The orbs he consumes are weak—their cycles aren't complete. You'd think they'd have learned after all this time. Guess there are still some foolish ones left," Purnama explained.
"Yeah, well, we're done here anyway. Let me check the map... what? Why isn't this working, Purnama?" Suria frowned at the map in her hands, tapping it as if that would help.
"I've never understood how that thing works either. Let's head back to Yurok first and ensure everything is secure before proceeding to our next destination."
Still concerned for the villagers' safety, the three sprinted from the square, dashing through the tunnel and into the residential area. A heavy, disconcerting silence hung over the limestone houses.
"Looks like all those noble merchants have fled," Suria observed.
"HIYARGHHH!!" A bloodcurdling scream pierced the air, echoing through the silent streets. The sound seemed to originate not far from there. They sprinted towards the source of the sound.
When they neared, the atmosphere grew thick with fear. Noble merchants' faces, pale with terror, stood frozen in place, their eyes fixed on something unseen. Purnama and Suria moved closer until they spotted a girl with long, flowing hair seated triumphantly on a mountain of dead Orc soldiers, almost blocking the path.
"Huh? There you are! I've been waiting for you guys!" The girl stood up, brushing off her hips before hopping down.
"Ria?!" Zirko visibly startled and instantly dissolved into a cloud of ice dust.
"Seriously, Purnama? A scaredy-cat for a companion?" Suria burst out laughing, mocking her brother.
"Hmm. I'm still in the dark about them," Purnama muttered. "But it's clear now, isn't it? This is what happened to all those Orcs in Yurok."
"Hello there, my dear Purnama!" Ria exclaimed, her lengthy hair shaping into a heart as she beamed at him. Seeing that Ria's attention was focused on the twins, the terrified merchants seized the opportunity to flee, disappearing as fast as their legs could carry them.
"Not this again," Suria muttered, clearly annoyed.
"Oh, my sweet Purnama, how long has it been? I almost forgot how much I missed you! Thank goodness you're here. Otherwise, I might've had to kill a merchant or two just for fun," Ria teased, wrapping her hand around Purnama's right arm.
"Ria! If you wanted to help, you could've shown up sooner," Suria scowled, her tone dripping with irritation.
"Why should I help humans? They're terrible living species!"
"Uh... how are you, Ria?" Purnama asked, his voice a mix of surprise and relief.
"I'm wonderful, my love! Oh, what's that? Is it for me?!" Ria's eyes sparkled as she noticed a glass tube peeking from Purnama's shirt.
"Yes... This is for you. Zirko asked me to retrieve it," Purnama said, handing the tube to Ria.
"That quirky little moose finally did something useful, huh? I always wondered what moose meat would taste like," Ria mused, staring intently at the red particles swirling inside the glass tube.
The orcs' bodies dissolved into tiny orbs, and before they could dissipate, Ria swiftly pulled a tiny clay pot from her sleeve and threw it to the ground. The pot expanded rapidly, absorbing all the orbs before sealing itself shut. Then, as if by magic, it shrank back to its original size. Ria tucked it neatly into her sleeve once more.
"So, what brings you here, Ria? Shouldn't you be busy with royal matters? Or are you just collecting useless orbs for fun now?" Suria taunted, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
"Bwekk, I'm not talking to you," Ria retorted childishly, sticking her tongue out at Suria.
"Everything seems fine now. We should leave this place." Purnama said.
"How about we try this instead?" Ria smirked, hoisting the jade frame. With deliberate care, she tapped a single red particle from the glass tube, releasing it into the air before resealing the frame with a soft click. "Hold on tight." Ria grinned.
The particle hovered momentarily before creating a red swirling hole that pulled all three of them into its depths. And then, they were gone, swallowed by the swirling abyss.
The gathering square erupted in a din of joy. Families, long separated, embraced with tears of relief, their hearts lightened by the defeat of Erabis. Laughter and the clinking of cups filled the air as the villagers feasted on the food and drink intended as a tribute to Erabis.
With his grandson clutching his hand, Hrakas scanned the celebrating villagers, his gaze fixed on finding the true saviors of the empire, but Purnama and Suria were nowhere to be seen.
"PEOPLE OF RENOK!"
A powerful voice rang out across the square, silencing the celebrations.
"Erabis has been defeated! Now it's time for us to rebuild!" Despite his exhaustion, King Yusof—the rightful ruler of the Renok empire—stood at the platform, rallying his people.
"Together, we will rise from the ashes and create a brighter future for Renok!" King Yusof's voice, filled with determination, echoed through the square, igniting hope in the hearts of his people.
"Long live King Yusof!! Long live King Yusof!!" The crowd chanted in unison, their cheers echoing through the square as they celebrated the return of their just ruler, their unity a testament to their victory.
Far from Renok, beneath a large, shady tree with thick branches full of leaves, a red portal opened in mid-air, expelling Purnama, Suria, and Ria out onto the grass.
"Ouch! W-what was that, Ria?!" Suria groaned, having crashed into the tree upon being thrown from the portal.
"Are you stupid, Suria? It's a portal," Ria replied smugly, barely fazed as her long hair cushioned her fall, preventing any harm.
"It... it seems like it works similarly to a Dykin seed, but it's more advanced," Purnama said thoughtfully. "Instead of teleporting individuals, it affects an entire area and doesn't drain any Shakti. Hmm, that means even an Atman can use it."
"Wow, Purnama. You sound brilliant but look ridiculous at the same time," Suria teased, glancing at her brother, who was still lying upside down on the ground.
"That's correct, Purnama. It only affects living subjects within a small area." Ria said, her tone more serious now. "I don't know how these particles ended up here, but they're not from Earth... and they attract evil. We need to seal them in Alexandrite."
"But what does that have to do with you collecting orbs?" Suria is still suspicious of Ria's intentions.
Ria's face grew serious as she gazed at Suria.
"Do you know what truly defines a woman, Suria? When she can take matters into her own hands."
Suria narrowed her eyes.
"Sometimes, Ria, I'm curious which side you're on. It's crazy enough being friends with someone as unpredictable as you. Remember, if you ever cross the Celestion, I'll be the first to face you."
Purnama stepped in, calm as always.
"That's enough, Suria. Ria must have her reasons."
Ria's stern expression softened into a grin.
"I wouldn't dare mess with the bird princess. Now, here..." Ria handed Suria a new map and gave Purnama a leather pouch she retrieved from her sleeve. "Your new mission map and a pouch of Sagga."
"A new map...? Did the old one stop working because of this?"
"Yes. And that's the rendezvous of the Skyrea. It's time for both of you to return home. There will be a grand meeting. You have the next fifteen days to complete your new scouting mission from here to the marked location. Remember – fifteen days."
"We-We're going back to Aurea?!" She exclaimed with a hint of disbelief in her voice. "Hey, that's new, I never thought you'd be the one delivering good news, Ria."
"Bwekkk!" Ria tried to annoy Suria before she stood from the rock she had been sitting on. "Alright then, I have to go. Safe journey, both of you. Let's meet in Aurea and enjoy a nice dinner together." She broke a Dykin seed with a sly smile, disappearing through the portal.
"...I think we forgot to ask her about the seed, Suria," Purnama said, scratching his head.
"Well, we still have a few left." Suria is looking at the new mission map.
A holographic display of the Earth's surface zoomed out from their location, highlighting a flashing point in the southeast labeled 'TAMBORA' in ancient script.
Purnama, studying the map, advised Suria that the destination was far and it would be wiser to conserve their Dykin seeds. And without further delay, the twins resumed their journey southeastward.
Meanwhile, back in Renok...
Hrakas and a group of street traders began their return to Jyala village. Some chose to remain in Renok to assist King Yusof in the aftermath of Erabis' fall. As they approached the Yurok fortress, Hrakas remained on guard, unsure if any Orc soldiers still lurked nearby. To his surprise, the fortress wall had collapsed, a giant hollow, exposing a path across the quicksand berm, allowing a clear view of Jyala from a distance.
"What on Earth happened here? Is this Purnama and Suria doing? Celestion is really something," he murmured slowly.
Cautiously, Hrakas and the others approached, only to find a group of prisoners huddling behind a crumbling wall, visibly shaken. After ensuring the area was secure, Hrakas relayed the news of Erabis' defeat.
"Everyone! Erabis has been defeated! King Yusof has returned to power! We no longer need to live in fear. Let's rebuild this land together!" Hrakas proclaimed with passion.
The terrified prisoners, initially hesitant, began to rise. Overcome with relief, the people of Jyala welcomed them with open arms. These prisoners, who had endured long-term captivity, mental and physical torment, were now free.
One young man, trembling violently, staggered toward Hrakas. He gently shook Hrakas and, in a voice filled with dread, repeated the exact words.
"I... I've seen it... that...that woman... she... she's a monster... A MONSTER!!" The young man stammered, his body shivering uncontrollably.
Though unsure of the young man's cryptic message, Hrakas offered comfort, wrapping him in a cloth and helping him into the carriage alongside his grandson. Together, they continued their journey to Jyala to spread the news of their victory.