Chapter 69
The next day at school was nothing like his previous adventures.
Hallways were crowded, but Alok felt invisible like his punishment had isolated him from the world.
He sat at his desk under the watchful eyes of teachers.
Every step outside class felt like a reminder of his home punishment.
During lunch, he tried to explain things to his friends.
Daniel: "So… you fought a Devourer and survived?"
Alok: "…yeah, basically."
Elama : "Cool… but why weren't you answering your phone for ten days?"
Alok rubbed the back of his neck.
"Mom's punishment. Phone confiscated. No explanations allowed."
Whispers traveled fast across the room.
Some classmates stared in awe.
Some in disbelief.
Alok tried to hide the pendant under his shirt, but it pulsed faintly reacting to his stress.
During P.E., Alok's strength betrayed him.
Running, jumping, dodging all felt like a mountain he couldn't climb.
Rihan tried to cover for him, but even he couldn't shield him from the teachers' suspicion.
Teacher: "Alok, are you unwell?"
Alok (forcing a smile): "I'm fine… just tired."
The pendant's light shimmered faintly beneath his shirt.
It seemed almost alive, judging him, urging him to keep going.
Alok looked down at it.
"Hang in there… just a little longer…"
Evenings at home were brutal.
Chores were endless.
Homework stacked like mountains.
His mother checked everything meticulously.
> Mom: "Alok, why is your math homework sloppy?"
Alok: "I… I tried…"
Mom (sternly): "Try harder. You are grounded from games and outings. No excuses!"
Dinner was tense.
Rihan tried to help, but Alok's mother made him sit silently through lecture after lecture about responsibility, duty, and the dangers of disappearing without notice.
> Mom: "Do you understand now? One day, if something truly happens to you, no one will save you. Not Rihan. Not me. Not even you a friends."
Alok swallowed hard, guilt gnawing at him.
He glanced at the pendant beneath his shirt.
It pulsed once. Warmth. Comfort. Hope.
"I… I will be careful," he whispered.
Life in Punishment Mode
Days passed.
Alok's routine became painfully monotonous:
Wake up, school, endure teachers' questions.
Lunch in silence, hide the pendant.
Return home, finish chores, homework.
Go to bed early, dream of battles past.
Yet, even in this mundane life, subtle things reminded him of his recent adventure:
The pendant glimmered faintly during stress or danger.
Sometimes he could feel Extera's echo faintly, just a whisper in his mind.
He dreamed of the labyrinth collapsing, of Rihan running with him on his back, of the golden-violet light fusing into the pendant.
Rihan stayed by his side, loyal as ever.
"Bro… you'll get through this punishment too," he said, smiling.
Alok grinned weakly.
"Yeah… just… barely."
At night, alone in his room, Alok whispered to the pendant:
"Ceya… I hope you're I'll see you again… I promise."