Chapter 12: One Battle Won, A War Coming
As the atmosphere settled, the sound of heavy breathing and the rustle of dust on the floor became the only rhythm in the air. Suitomo and his subordinates lay sprawled across the debris-strewn ground, their bodies barely able to move. Rendy, leaning against a cracked wall, his breath ragged, sweat pouring down his temples, was no better off.
The battle had taken everything from them. The air still carried the thick, lingering aura of violence—like a mist that refused to dissipate.
But unlike the others, Ardian had not been physically overwhelmed. Or so it seemed at first glance. His form was upright, poised in a way that suggested he wasn't tired by the chaos. Yet his chest rose and fell with each breath, and the weariness in his eyes told a different story. His focus had been on the strategy—on reversing the sigil, dismantling the curse that had gripped the place. He hadn't fought physically as intensely as his companions, but he had fought with his mind, and that had taken its toll.
He moved slowly, carefully, each step a reminder of the battle fought not only with power, but with patience, cunning, and strategy. His bones ached, his muscles felt like lead, but he kept his gaze sharp, always alert. He knew this wasn't over—not yet.
Ardian approached Rendy, offering a hand. "Good job, bro," he said quietly, his voice hoarse, yet carrying a weight of meaning. His hand trembled slightly as he extended it.
Rendy looked up at him, his smile weak but genuine. He accepted the hand, using Ardian's grip to haul himself up, his legs wobbling beneath him. "Thanks, bro... I didn't think your plan would work. I suck at strategy. Good thing you're around."
Ardian chuckled, the sound coming out more strained than he intended. "Precisely because you 'suck,' you can focus on what you can do, instead of worrying about what you can't do. This plan worked because you played your part wholeheartedly. Everyone has their role."
Rendy squinted, a wry grin tugging at his lips. "Was that a compliment or an insult?"
"I admire you," Ardian replied simply, but with a deep sincerity that cut through the exhaustion.
Rendy let out a soft laugh, his eyes dropping to the floor in a moment of vulnerability. "Ah... you're gonna make me blush..."
"Sheesh... I'm not a gay, bro."
They shared a quiet laugh, a brief but necessary moment of relief. Their breaths, still heavy, mingled with the thick silence that filled the room.
Before they could continue, the sound of slow footsteps reached their ears. Suitomo, his massive form still trembling with exhaustion, rose unsteadily to his feet. Despite his worn appearance, his face held a hint of relief. He walked toward them, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgment.
"Thank you... for your help, young ones. Now, we can live without fear."
Rendy, ever the optimist, flashed a tired smile. "You're welcome, sir..."
But Ardian, ever cautious, narrowed his eyes. His voice, though faint, carried an edge of suspicion. "Now that the Minotaur is gone... are you planning to turn on us? Take over this place?"
Rendy whipped around, his expression one of confusion and concern. "What are you saying, Ar!?"
Ardian's gaze remained steely. "Ren, remember this well..." he said, his voice calm but firm, "their kind never does anything without calculating the gain. We worked together because we had a common enemy. Now that the enemy's gone... who knows if they'll change sides?"
"You don't trust them?" Rendy asked, his brow furrowed.
Ardian's eyes hardened, his body sagging slightly with the weight of the unspoken truth. "Being kind is good but don't be stupid. Don't let your kindness be exploited."
Rendy winced, his chest tightening. He knew that Ardian always thought ten steps ahead, and while he had never fully agreed with his friend's more cynical outlook, there was no denying the logic in his words. His exhaustion deepened as the tension in the room settled in.
Suitomo, sensing the shift, chuckled—a deep, resounding laugh that echoed through the room. "Hahaha... Interesting, young one. But from another perspective, didn't you also use us, sons of Adam?"
His gaze turned sharp, his words a subtle challenge. "Isn't that right?"
Ardian didn't flinch. His voice, though weary, remained resolute. "Your kind are cunning... but humans are worse. And I'll use any means to destroy your kind."
Suitomo's laughter echoed again, but this time it was tinged with a note of respect. "I knew that from the start... But if I fight you now, I doubt I'd win. And even if I did... I know you'd come back tomorrow."
Rendy, eager to change the mood, interrupted. "So...?"
Suitomo let out a deep, almost resigned exhale. "A waste of energy. Better I honor my promise. This building is yours."
"We're cooking, bro!" Ardian declared, his voice gaining a bit of energy as he and Rendy high-fived, their youthful enthusiasm cutting through the remaining tension.
The exchange was brief, but in Suitomo's heart, a strange mix of admiration and fear swelled. He realized that these two—these humans—were no ordinary beings. If they were enemies, they would be a force to reckon with. But as allies, they were protectors, and that realization left him with a sense of unease, but also a reluctant respect.
Suitomo, Ardian, and Rendy made their way to the third floor, where a wave of cheering erupted as they entered. Victory cries echoed from every corner, even as Suitomo's subordinates—grotesque in their monstrous forms—shouted in joy. Their victory had been hard-won, and now it felt like a distant dream come true.
"Long live Lord Suitomo!" The cheers struck like thunder, resounding throughout the building.
Suddenly, Sutri dashed forward, her movements like a blur. She wrapped her arms around her husband, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"My husband... I thought you'd leave us forever…" she sobbed, her voice breaking with emotion.
Suitomo, still panting from the battle, took a deep breath, wrapping her in a warm embrace. "I would never leave without saying goodbye. Alive or dead, we'll always be together as a family."
Sutri pulled back slightly, wiping away her tears, and offered a faint smile. "You're such a sweet talker..." she murmured, still clutching his hand as though afraid the warmth might slip away.
"Well, here we go again, bro. Third wheel as usual," Ardian muttered with a tired glance, though his tone was light.
"Story of our lives…" Rendy rolled his eyes in mock exasperation.
Laughter bubbled from Sutri, Suitomo, and their followers—a laugh that might have chilled any normal human to the bone. But to Ardian and Rendy, it was the sound of victory, of survival.
For a moment... everything felt peaceful.
But peace never lasts long.
After defeating the building's overlord, Ardian and Rendy made their way back down to the second floor. Suitomo, Sutri, and the rest of their followers were already preparing to leave, honoring the promise they had made. The farewell was difficult, but as they knew, a promise was a promise, and it had to be kept.
Then—
Swiing! A streak of white shot past Ardian's face, whispering into his ear.
"He's coming... with his legion."
Ardian's heart skipped a beat, his senses sharpening. His eyes widened, a moment of realization hitting him like a blow. And then—
"KRAAK!" The wooden prayer beads on Rendy's left wrist exploded into fragments, scattering across the floor. Rendy cried out in pain, clutching his wrist as shards of the beads flew in every direction.
"What the hell!?" he shouted, panic flooding his voice. His eyes scanned the floor in disbelief. The heirloom, a talisman passed down from his grandfather weren't just a charm—they were a detection tool, a shield. His fingers brushed against the remains of the shattered beads, the pieces cold and lifeless in his hand.
Ardian exhaled deeply, his expression darkening as he surveyed the surroundings. His face had gone pale. This was far worse than he had anticipated.
"The 'M'... He's coming. And he's not alone."
His voice was troubled, unsure, as if he hadn't expected this turn of events. He had thought the old contract had to do with the High-Ranks... He was right, but the chances of Him showing are almost zero.
And yet...
Rendy's breath caught in his throat. His fingers brushed against the remains of the shattered beads, the pieces cold and lifeless in his hand. The beads weren't just a charm—they were a detection tool, a shield. And they had never once shattered... until now.
Suitomo's sharp eyes darted toward them. He knew. The realization hung in the air like a thick fog. This was no longer about the Minotaur. What was coming now was far worse.
"What do we do, Ar?" Rendy's voice was soft, barely audible over the chaos of his racing thoughts.
Ardian turned toward his friend, his expression grim. Rendy's face was bruised, exhaustion seeping through his every movement. The weight of the battle, both physical and mental, was taking its toll on them both.
With a calmness that belied the storm inside him, Ardian spoke. "You all better leave this place. Let me face them alone. You're all too tired... fighting now would just be suicide!"
"No!" Rendy snapped, his voice sharp with defiance. "I'm not leaving you here! Sorry, Ar… this time I'm not following your plan."
"Ren! You want to die!?" Ardian's voice cracked, his frustration bleeding through his exhaustion.
"Death belongs to God. But the road there—that's our choice!" Rendy shouted back, his resolve unwavering. "I'm your partner, Ar. We go through earth and hell together. Period!"
Ardian clenched his fists, his heart swelling with both warmth and sorrow. He didn't want to drag Rendy into this nightmare, but he knew he couldn't let his friend die for his own pride.
Before the argument could escalate further, a large hand gripped their body.
"You boys are too young to walk this path," Suitomo said, his voice calm but deep, his eyes filled with a mix of authority and concern.
"Hey! You wanna fight!?" Ardian shouted, trying to break free.
"Let go!" Rendy struggled as well, his voice desperate.
But before they could escape, Suitomo spun around and hurled them both toward a glassless window.
"Whoosh!" They flew through the air, their bodies propelled out of the cursed building and into the night sky.
Suitomo stood tall, his figure looming over them. His face was set in stone, and the dark pressure of the impending threat weighed heavily on him.
"My family!" he roared, his voice carrying the force of a thunderclap. "A great danger approaches! If you fear it, leave now. Live your lives freely. I, Suitomo Godomulyo... give you permission!"
But—
No one moved.
No one stepped back.
No one fled.
Instead, Sutri stepped forward, her eyes ablaze with resolve.
"I once followed you to war, even when I was pregnant with our third child. You think I'd leave you now, Suitomo?"
He turned to her, his lips trembling. "But… Sutri…"
She grabbed his hand, squeezing it with determination. "Where you go, I go. Where you fall, I fall."
One by one, the rest of the troop followed, stepping forward to stand by Suitomo's side. They were monstrous
As the air grew heavy with the weight of what was to come, Suitomo stood tall, his broad shoulders square, his posture unyielding despite the exhaustion that clung to his body like a second skin. His eyes, bloodshot and grim, scanned the horizon, sensing the immense power that loomed closer with every passing moment.
Suitomo turned to face them, his voice booming with authority, cutting through the heavy silence like a battle cry. "Listen you all!" His words echoed through the ruined building, reaching the ears of those who had been with him in battle and those who had only now arrived. "There are greater forces coming than what we fought this night. Even if we don't survive this, at least the world won't call us cowards, but the ones who fought till the end of time!"
The raw intensity in his voice sent a ripple of determination through the group. Despite the overwhelming odds, despite the exhaustion that threatened to bring them to their knees, a fire lit in their hearts. The shadows of fear that had been creeping up on them retreated just a little.
Even if the inevitable doom has come for them.