11:15 AM, PILAR Arena. Dust still floated in the abandoned city-themed arena as Team C's victory siren echoed.
Dhoost, in his dusty camouflage cloak, stood at Team A's base which he had just claimed. Radhif lowered his shield, panting after fending off Han Dirga's attacks. Nadhyfa grinned in relief despite the sweat drenching her face. Dzoavha, his AR glasses glowing, inspected his drone returning from its reconnaissance mission.
But their cheers of victory were cut short by Ryn's echoing shout.
"REY!!"
Ryn ran after Rey Gustastu, who was walking with Team A toward the arena exit. The small cutter in Ryn's hand glinted under the lights, his eyes filled with rage.
Rey turned, his face frozen. Before the cutter could reach him, Radhif and Dhoost moved swiftly, restraining Ryn's arms.
"RYN! STOP!" shouted Radhif, his voice loud.
Nadhyfa ran closer, glaring at Ryn. "Hey, Ryn, have you gone crazy?!"
Team A backed away, Han Dirga watching Ryn warily while Rey remained silent. Agent Khai stepped forward with a stern expression.
"Agent Ryn Dandelions!" his voice boomed.
"This action violates PILAR regulations!Weapons not compliant with tournament rules and attacks outside matches are strictly prohibited!"
Two other PILAR Mentor Agents, Agent Rusdi and Agent Fuad, appeared and restrained Ryn, taking the cutter from his hand.
In the headquarters hall, the five mentor agents held a quick discussion. Ryn stood with folded arms, no trace of remorse on his face.
"Ryn Dandelions, you are suspended from the final match of the PILAR tournament," said Agent Rusdi, his voice cold.
"Your actions demonstrate unsportsmanlike conduct and endanger other participants.Team C will compete without you tomorrow against Team B."
Radhif, Nadhyfa, Dhoost, and Dzoavha stood behind, their faces a mix of shock and anxiety. Nadhyfa opened her mouth to protest, but Radhif shook his head slowly, stopping her.
Ryn simply nodded, his eyes still fixed on Rey, who had now disappeared with Team A down the headquarters corridor.
"I'll never regret today," Ryn murmured, his voice soft but full of resentment.
---
That afternoon, Maykarta's city square was bustling with the sounds of playing children and street vendors. On the grassy field near the fountain, Team C sat in a circle, their mood far from cheerful.
Radhif stared at the grass, trying to process the earlier events. Nadhyfa plucked at the grass irritably. Dzoavha looked up at the evening sky. Ryn sat with a blank expression, the cigarette in his hand emitting thin smoke.
Dhoost checked his PILAR watch, breaking the silence. "Let me check the standings," said Dhoost, his voice soft but clear.
The holographic screen on his watch showed the latest data.
"Team D +2 points, Team C 0 points, Team A 0 points, Team B -2 points."
He took a breath. "Team D is definitely the champion by calculation. Tomorrow, if we win against Team B, we can take 2nd place. But if we lose, Team B moves up to 3rd place."
Nadhyfa slapped her forehead. "And we have to compete without Ryn? It's just four of us against five people! So unfair!" She glanced at Ryn, who just stared at his cigarette without saying anything.
Dzoavha adjusted his glasses, opening the team profile menu.
"Wait, let me check Team B's profile first."
His screen displayed five names, all female. Alice Nubia (Anchor, rank 17), Putri Yuneko (Shadow, rank 16), Aurelie Nash (Techno, rank 19), Aliyya Arviant (Marksman, rank 18), Awrelie Safine (Support, rank 20).
"Their rankings are all at the bottom," said Dzoavha, his voice hopeful.
"We should be able to win, even 4 vs 5. My drone can eavesdrop on their strategy before the match starts, Radhif's shield is strong, Dhoost is good at sneaking, Nadhyfa's bracelet... well, it's decent enough." He grinned, trying to lighten the mood.
Radhif nodded, though his face was serious. "We need to plan our strategy. Without Ryn, we can only focus on their base, we can't engage in prolonged one-on-one fights. Dap, check their equipment first."
Ryn suddenly stood up, putting out his cigarette on the grass. "I'm going home first," he said, his voice flat.
He looked at Nadhyfa. "Nad, go home with Dzoavha, okay? You're going the same way anyway."
Nadhyfa nodded slowly, though her eyes were full of concern.
Dhoost closed his screen, then stood up. "Let's stay united. We should disperse too, give Ryn some time."
Radhif and Dzoavha nodded, though the atmosphere was heavy. They parted ways at the square, the Maykarta sunset sky orange, enveloping the city in a gloomy mood.
---
Ryn arrived home. He went straight in, threw his bag on the sofa, and walked to the bathroom. Cold water soaked his body, but his mind was still filled with Rey's face and the never-fading shadow of Mila.
After showering, he locked himself in his room, sitting on the edge of his bed. With trembling hands, Ryn opened the small desk drawer next to his bed. Among piles of paper and cigarette packs, he found an old photo, its corners slightly torn. The photo showed him and Mila, smiling in front of Mila's house, the evening sunlight illuminating their faces. A photo taken just before they left for the limestone hill.
Ryn touched the photo with his hand, his eyes teary.
"Even the locals knew that Rey was the one who killed you, Mila...," he murmured, his voice full of anger. "But the judge said otherwise."
He hugged the photo, lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Outside, the night atmosphere of Maykarta was faintly audible. But in Ryn's heart, there was only burning resentment and pain.
---
The next day, Friday noon. The Maykarta sky was overcast, reflecting Team C's mood. In the SMAN 4 Maykarta corridor, Radhif and Nadhyfa walked quickly, looking for Ryn's classmates.
"Asked everyone already, Nad?" asked Radhif.
Nadhyfa shook her head in annoyance. "Everyone said Ryn didn't submit the letter. He's absent!"
Nadhyfa took out her phone, calling Ryn for the umpteenth time. The screen showed the dial tone, but no answer.
"Please, Ryn, pick up!" she muttered, frustrated.
Radhif patted her shoulder. "Nad, better stop for now. Let's give Ryn some time alone. Let's focus on Team B, the match is tomorrow."
Nadhyfa snorted but nodded. "Okay, but I'm still worried, Dhif. He was... really weird yesterday."
They walked to the school canteen, their thoughts divided between Ryn and the tournament.
---
That afternoon, the old warehouse on the outskirts of Maykarta once again became Team C's emergency base. The neon lights flickered, the smell of solder still lingering from the previous equipment modification session.
Radhif, Dhoost, Dzoavha, and Nadhyfa sat around a wooden crate, without Ryn. Dzoavha's drone buzzed softly in a corner, Dhoost's wire rope knife lay on the floor, and Radhif's portable shield leaned against the wall.
Dzoavha opened his PILAR watch, the screen displaying Team B's profile.
"We're only four, but their rankings are really at the bottom," said Dzoavha.
"We need to play fast, my drone can scout their positions and eavesdrop on their strategy. Dhoost, sneak into their base as usual. Radhif, hold the front. Nadhyfa... Just spam your laser."
Nadhyfa slapped her forehead. "A four versus five match is really so unfair! How could PILAR do this to us. But no matter what, we have to win!"
Radhif nodded, his voice firm. "Just focus on their base. Don't engage them head-on for too long. Dhoost, you're our only hope."
Dhoost just nodded slowly, his eyes sharp, still thinking about Ryn.
They practiced quick movements in the warehouse, testing their equipment. Dzoavha's drone hovered, capturing their practice sounds through its microphone. Dhoost's wire rope knife shot out, tying around a wooden crate as a simulated enemy. Radhif's shield transformed, blocking simulated laser shots from Nadhyfa's bracelet. But without Ryn, the atmosphere felt incomplete.
---
Saturday morning, the Maykarta sky was clear, but the mood at Ryn's house remained gray. School was closed, and Radhif, Dhoost, Dzoavha, and Nadhyfa decided to visit Ryn before heading to PILAR Headquarters. Their motorcycles were parked in front of Ryn's house. Ryn's mother, with a friendly but tired smile, invited them in.
"Ryn is in his room. But... he hasn't come out since yesterday," she said, her voice full of worry.
In the narrow corridor leading to Ryn's room, the four knocked on the locked wooden door.
"Ryn, please open up!" called Radhif, his voice firm but caring.
Nadhyfa pressed her ear to the door. "Ryn!, we're going to hang out! Don't you want to join?!"
Dzoavha tried knocking softly, but there was no response. Dhoost stood behind, silent, his eyes fixed on the door.
Finally, they gave up.
Radhif sighed. "Let's go. He still needs time."
Nadhyfa nodded, though her eyes were teary. As they walked out, Dhoost stopped in front of Ryn's bedroom door.
He knocked once, his voice soft but firm. "Ryn, I know you can hear me behind this door. I understand how you feel, but your actions weren't right either. Maybe there's another way to get back at Rey." He waited a moment, but only silence responded.
With heavy steps, Dhoost followed the others to PILAR Headquarters.
---
The holographic arena at PILAR Headquarters transformed into an old port theme, with rusty containers, holographic water, and a thin floating mist. Team C stood at their base, equipment ready.
On the other side, Team B took their positions, their faces determined despite their low rankings.
The match started quickly. Dzoavha launched his drone, the microphone capturing Yuneko's sneaking movements.
Radhif, with his shield and sword, held off Alice in the central lane. Nadhyfa fired lasers from her bracelet, assisting Radhif. Dhoost, with his wire rope knife, sneaked through a side lane, avoiding Aliyya's shots.
Despite being only four, Team C moved cohesively. Dzoavha's drone trapped Aurelie Nash. Dhoost, as he did against Team A, sneaked into Team B's base, tying up Aliyya with his wire rope before claiming Team B's base.
The victory siren sounded. Team C wins! Team B's main base claimed!
In the other match, the holographic screen showed Team D defeating Team A, cementing their dominance. The final standings appeared. Team D +3 points, Team C +1 point, Team A -1 point, Team B -3 points. Team D from PILAR Asia officially became Season 1 champions, followed by Team C in second place, both earning the right to become official PILAR Agents.
The PILAR Headquarters hall was filled with cheers. Holograms displayed highlights from this season's matches, from Katarina's swarm bots against Team C to Dhoost's wire rope knife against Team B. All teams gathered, congratulating each other. Team C and Team A, although tense due to the incident between Ryn and Rey, still shook hands.
Han Dirga patted Radhif's shoulder. "You guys really deserve to be PILAR Agents. You can still dominate even with one member missing."
Rey, on the other side, only gave a stiff nod toward Team C, avoiding eye contact.
On the podium, Team D and Team C ascended together. Minji, with her bow on her shoulder, made eye contact with Dhoost. Dhoost, usually quiet, smiled nervously, his hand gripping his equipment. Nadhyfa, beside him, nudged his arm.
"Don't be so nervous, Dhoost. Just relax," Dhoost glared at Nadhyfa, his face red, prompting small laughs from Dzoavha and Radhif.
Agent Revie stepped onto the podium, her voice echoing. "Team D and Team C, congratulations! You are now officially PILAR Agents. Each member will receive a special Agent suit to serve and protect Maykarta someday."
Ten portraits from Team D and Team C were displayed on the PILAR headquarters hall ceiling. Although they failed to become champions, Team C's five portraits were still displayed. This was because they were the first local trainee group from Maykarta to successfully become PILAR agents. And someday, if Maykarta faces trouble, these ten will play a role in safeguarding the city of Maykarta.
— ✦ END OF TOURNAMENT ARC ✦ —