The orange sky greeted Kaivan's slow stride toward an electronics store. Inside, the neon lights reflected on dozens of screens. His gaze fell upon a single glowing phone behind the glass.
"So advanced…" he whispered. His fingers brushed the surface, and for a brief moment, the world felt like it was his.
This thing would never hurt him, unlike people. He smiled faintly, barely visible, but within that smile was a promise. That pain could become control. That defeat could be reshaped into direction.
Kaivan gazed at the phone displayed behind the glass. "How much is it?" he asked quietly.
The clerk answered quickly. The transaction went by with few words, and soon the new phone slipped into his pocket. Kaivan walked away from the store, as if leaving behind a weight that couldn't be seen.
At a small roadside stall, he handed cash to a middle-aged man. Without a word, the man returned the lost ownership papers for Kaivan's motorcycle. His fingers trembled as he held it, not just a document, but a symbol of what had been stolen from him.
Yet peace didn't come. His steps carried him into an antique shop, where the scent of aged wood and forgotten stories filled the air. Without hesitation, he bought back the Tome Omnicent. His fingers brushed the worn leather cover, and a faint smile crossed his lips. A promise to himself: "We start again."
On the other side of the city, the orange sky loomed over chaos. Tania stood amidst the crumbling remains of a gang slowly regaining consciousness. Confused faces turned to anger once they realized their belongings were gone.
Among them stood Darius, his face burning with fury. "Who the hell stole my bike?!" he roared.
Tania stepped forward, her hair disheveled, her body limp, but her eyes gleamed with cunning. A thin smile flickered beneath her weary face, the start of a perfect act. Torn clothes, staggering steps, every detail crafted to evoke sympathy. She was ready to play the victim.
She controlled her breathing, her voice deliberately trembling. "The one who took your bike… and beat all of you… goes to the same school as me," she said softly, yet each word struck with purpose.
The crowd fell silent. Dozens of eyes turned toward her.
"His name is Kaivan," Tania continued, her gaze laced with feigned pain. "He's the one who humiliated me at school."
Darius frowned, his jaw tightening. That name reignited a bitter humiliation. "Kaivan? That short freak? He dared do this? He stole our stuff, beat us up… and took my bike?!"
Tania inhaled deeply, suppressing a smirk. Her eyes shimmered as if about to cry. "It wasn't just that…"
The crowd held their breath.
"He… he assaulted me," she whispered, her voice almost inaudible, but it was enough.
Like thunder under a calm sky, rage erupted. Faces twisted with shock and fury.
"He said… I wasn't worth loving," Tania continued, her voice cracking. "That I only suited being his toy."
Silence turned to uproar. Heavy breaths filled the air. Someone shouted, "That bastard! Let's hunt him down now!"
Darius didn't hesitate. His hand trembled as he grabbed his phone. "Dad… we've got a problem. My bike's been stolen, "
Tania bowed her head, hiding her victorious smile. The stage was burning, and her script unfolded perfectly.
Amid the chaos, she stood still, eyes glistening, lips quivering, body trembling. Yet beneath it all, a thin, invisible smile curved across her face. Every move was precise, every emotion calculated, not for pity, but to ignite vengeance. And she succeeded.
The seed of hatred was sown. Tania knew the storm would come, not by chance, but by her own design. This wasn't revenge. This was art.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the city, Kaivan sat alone. The setting sun warmed his skin, but his heart remained frozen. On his lap lay the open Tome Omnicent, heavy, not from its binding, but from the fate it carried.
"Depart for Purwakarta. Meet Raphael. Bring Felicia and Radit."
The words glowed faintly, as if whispering destiny. Kaivan exhaled slowly, his heartbeat steady, then quickened. A direction. A mission.
He closed the book gently. Just as he rose, a calm voice broke the silence.
"Going somewhere again?"
Ethan emerged from the shadows, leaning against a wall, hands in his pockets. His gaze was sharp, his presence cutting through the air like a peaceful blade.
Kaivan turned to him, silent for a moment. "To Purwakarta. There's someone I have to meet."
His tone was firm, though a faint tremor betrayed his unease.
Ethan stepped closer, steady and deliberate. "Who? And why does it matter?" His voice was calm, but his eyes demanded truth.
Kaivan took a long breath. "The Tome Omnicent told me to. I'm just following its guidance."
Ethan stood before him, unblinking. "You trust that book completely? You don't even know what's waiting for you."
Kaivan met his gaze. "Every time I followed its direction, I found something important. Even you, that was because of it. I can't ignore it."
Ethan smirked slightly. "Then I'm coming with you."
Kaivan hesitated, but seeing Ethan's calm expression, he nodded. "Alright. But this won't be safe. I can't promise anything."
"Relax," Ethan said, patting his shoulder. "I'm used to uncertainty. Besides, you still owe me a favor, remember?"
Without another word, they prepared to leave. Ethan fastened his helmet, his expression neutral as if this were just another trip. As the motorcycle sped forward, its soft engine hum sliced through the quiet dusk.
Evening wind brushed their faces. The air was cool, tinged with the scent of damp earth and distant trees swaying in the fading light. Neither spoke, but both minds were fixed on the same thought: something awaited ahead.
Kaivan steered with one hand, the other pulling his phone from his jacket. His fingers typed quickly. Silence hung in the air, but his decision was made, the journey had begun.
Meet me at Jatiluhur Lake. Now, he texted Felicia, hoping she'd arrive in time to help with whatever awaited them.
As they drew closer, the atmosphere shifted. The forest thickened, shadows deepened, and the sounds of nature grew louder, alive, yet strangely foreboding. Ethan's expression turned serious. "You know…" he said quietly. "I can feel something worse than before coming our way."
Kaivan said nothing, his eyes locked on the road ahead. In the distance, Jatiluhur Lake shimmered like a mirror reflecting the last light of dusk. He slowed down, and Ethan knew, this wasn't going to be an ordinary meeting.