The morning sun was growing hotter, and the lone lake of Orundal Island shimmered beautifully under its light. Yet on one quiet bank—where a single tree stood atop a ridge—something waited beneath, a secret patiently biding its time to be discovered.
"Whoa… what's this hole?" shouted the spiky-haired boy, his voice echoing.
"Go check it out, Jack," said the pale-skinned one, giving the order. His name was Kiliyan.
"Why me? You're the strongest among us—why don't you go first?" Jack protested, glancing nervously into the dark.
"Fine. Let's go in together," Kiliyan decided at last.
The five boys behind him nodded in agreement, Jack included. Carefully, they stepped into the passage, each footfall wary, until they reached the metal door—already open.
"Ssst… wait. Let me check what's inside first," Kiliyan whispered, raising a hand to signal them to halt.
Inside, Kael was already hidden behind the door, perfectly still. He'd sensed their approach long before they reached the ridge, his awareness stretching outward like a net.
"Come on, it's fine—no monsters, no traps," said the red-haired boy, crouching forward.
"How do you know that, Fan?" Kiliyan asked the short-haired redhead, whose name was Ofan.
"I tossed some dirt and gravel in earlier. Nothing reacted," Ofan explained confidently.
Without another word, Kiliyan took the lead, and the group followed. They split up, scanning every corner of the dark, damp chamber. The air was thick and stale; some of them muttered complaints about the smell and the poor visibility.
Gradually, though, their eyes adjusted. Dim shapes began to take form along the walls—enough to see faint carvings, though not enough to understand them.
"Hey, let's get out of here. There's nothing worth seeing," Jack called out.
"Yeah, it's creepy. Just a bunch of weird carvings," Ofan agreed.
Kiliyan nodded, silently signaling everyone to gather. They lined up along the faint beam of light slanting from the half-open door.
Drap drap drap…
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the tunnel. A silhouette burst in through the entrance.
Braak! A solid thud.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Jack barked at the newcomer who'd collided with him.
"Ah—sorry, I couldn't see; it got dark so suddenly," the boy replied, then pushed past and kept running deeper inside.
"Wait… wasn't that the seventh-year kid?" Ofan said, frowning.
It was Ruby—rushing in, clutching two books, one in each hand. He'd run all the way from Kael's house after being delayed by his mother's lecture.
"Kael! I brought what you asked for!" Ruby shouted, breathless as he neared the chamber.
"Kael? Where are you?" His voice echoed through the room.
Plak!
A hand smacked the back of his head—not Kael's, but Kiliyan's.
"Did you just say Kael?" Kiliyan hissed, his expression darkening.
"Eh? What are you guys doing here?" Ruby blurted, still confused.
"We should be asking you that," Jack snapped. "You came barging in."
"Yeah, exactly," Ofan added, his tone sharp with suspicion.
It took a moment for Ruby to realize what was wrong—Kael wasn't the only one down here anymore. The suddenness of his arrival had blinded him to the obvious.
"Where's Kael? What did you do to him?" he demanded.
"Something's wrong with your head," Jack scoffed. "We got here first, and there was no one else. Then you show up, crash into me, and start throwing accusations?"
"Enough, Fan." Kiliyan grabbed Ofan by the collar, pulling him back. "No, he's right about one thing… this kid knows something."
"Oh? So what is it then?" Jack sneered. "Did you find some treasure here?"
"N-no… there's nothing here," Ruby stammered.
"Check what he's carrying," Ofan suggested, eyes narrowing.
"Forget it. I'm more interested in the name you shouted earlier," Kiliyan said coldly. "You called out for Kael, didn't you?"
"Yes, but he's not here now," Kiliyan continued. "When we arrived, this place was empty."
"That's impossible! If he's not here, where is he? You must've done something to him!" Ruby shouted back.
"Watch your mouth," one of the boys growled.
"Quiet," Kiliyan ordered. "Let me handle this."
"So, you think Kael was here earlier?" Kiliyan pressed.
Ruby stayed silent, scanning the dark corners for any sign of Kael.
"Answer me," Kiliyan hissed—and grabbed Ruby by the throat.
Ruby didn't resist. He kept his lips sealed, refusing to say a word.
["Kael, where are you? If you left before they came, good. Because if you'd faced Kiliyan…" ]
"You deaf?" Kiliyan snarled—and crack! slapped Ruby across the face.
Buk—buk—buk! Three hard blows followed, slamming into his stomach.
"Ughk—kugh…" Ruby choked and fell to his knees, clutching his abdomen with both hands, the books still clutched tightly.
"Now talk. Where is he?" Kiliyan demanded again.
"Didn't I ask you that first? If I knew, I wouldn't be asking, would I?" Ruby snapped between ragged breaths.
Wuussh—pak!
A foot swung toward his head—but stopped midair, caught firmly in a hand.
"You…?" Kiliyan froze.
"What is it you want?" Kael's voice was cold as steel, his grip unyielding on Kiliyan's leg.
"Let go of me first, and—"
Pak—pak—bwuk!
Two punches to the sides of the head, followed by a heavy blow to the gut. Kiliyan crumpled, breath knocked out of him, his leg still caught in Kael's grasp.
"Get him!" Jack shouted.
The four remaining boys charged at once, swinging fists and kicks from every angle.
Wush! A punch from the front—dodged with the smallest tilt of Kael's head.
Swash—pak! Two kicks came from either side—but Kael simply bent backward, letting their legs crash into each other.
"Ah—damn it!"
"Idiot!" Jack and Ofan cursed in unison, stumbling.
Another two came from behind. Kael twisted, using Kiliyan's limp body as a shield. Their attacks crashed into their own leader instead.
The fight was over almost before it began. In seconds, Kael's movements blurred—swift as teleportation. One by one, the boys dropped, unconscious, leaving only Kiliyan writhing on the ground.
Seeing himself cornered, Kiliyan tried to think fast. Kael approached slowly, his eyes cold.
Then—
Swoosh—darrr!
Flames burst from Kiliyan's palm, surging toward Kael's face.
Kael deflected it effortlessly, a flick of his wrist sending the fireball aside into the floor.
"How… how did you block a spell?" Kiliyan gasped. "Can you use Arkanum?"
Kael didn't answer. Instead, he stepped closer.
Krrttt—aaarggh!
A sharp twist, followed by Kiliyan's scream—the sound of bone snapping.
"Isn't this backwards?" Kael said quietly.
"W-what do you mean?"
"I'm supposed to be the one asking questions."
"O-okay… ask whatever you want."
"Why were you looking for me?"
"Kael, are you okay?" Ruby's voice came from behind before Kiliyan could answer.
"I'm fine. Stay there," Kael said curtly.
"I think I know why he's after you," Ruby offered, stepping closer.
"No need. I don't want what—I want who." Kael's gaze hardened again as he turned back to Kiliyan.
"Let's hear it then. What will come out of your mouth?"
"You think I'll just let this end easily?" Kiliyan spat—and kicked with his free leg, a burst of wind slicing toward Kael.
Wuut—buak! Kael ducked and countered, his leg sweeping forward and slamming into Kiliyan's face.
"That wasn't an answer to my question," Kael said coldly.
"Kael—he's Setnov's brother!" Ruby shouted suddenly.
"Hm? Is that true?" Kael's eyes flicked toward Ruby, then back down.
"Heh… hahaha! Yeah, I'm Setnov's brother. So you do know who I am," Kiliyan sneered, hoping to buy mercy—maybe even a chance to strike.
Kraak—aaargghh!
Another snap. Another scream.
"Are you insane!?" Kiliyan yelled in pain.
"I think you're the one misunderstanding," Kael said, voice low but burning with pressure.
"What do you mean, damn you—"
"I have nothing left. So don't assume I'll hold back for threats that mean nothing."
"H-huh… huh…" Kiliyan's breath came ragged, his hands gripping his broken leg.
"Why did you even do this? I didn't lay a finger on you!"
Kael didn't answer. He hesitated, mind clouded with an unfamiliar confusion.
["Why did I go this far? What was the point? Why am I even here—getting dragged into this mess?"]
His gaze drifted toward Ruby. Something unspoken flickered behind his eyes.
"Is it… because of him?" Kiliyan wheezed, glaring past Kael.
Kael's hand snapped up, grabbing Kiliyan by the hair. "What do you mean by that?"
"Hah… isn't it obvious? You said you've got nothing left to protect. Then what's this, huh? Hahaha… clearly—"
Bhek! Kael's palm struck the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious mid-sentence. Silence fell again, heavy and humid.
"You sure you're okay?" Ruby asked softly.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about it. Now… where are the books?" Kael replied, changing the subject.
Ruby handed them over, and for a while, the room was filled only with quiet.
Pages turned, soft and steady. Faint light glimmered across the carvings as Kael conjured small flames from his fingertips to illuminate them.
"Are those carvings… writing?" Ruby finally asked, breaking the silence. His tone wasn't idle curiosity—it was the same analytical wonder Kael often carried.
"This will take a while," Kael murmured, half to himself. "By the way, did you bring your phone?"
"No. We left for a morning walk, remember? Why would I?"
"Then check their pockets," Kael said, nodding toward the unconscious boys.
Ruby sighed but obeyed, rummaging through their clothes one by one.
"Here—found two." He held out a pair of phones in his palm.
Kael took them, checked if either was unlocked, then used one to take photos of the wall.
He moved slowly, methodically, capturing every inch of the script, every curve of the carvings, leaving no part undocumented.
To be continued…