As he continued walking, the nameless young man glanced back briefly to check on Kairav, who had regained consciousness after fainting.
A look of confusion was evident on Kairav's face as he stared at the unfamiliar figure before him. "I'm the one who saved you," the young man stated simply, his tone flat.
He glanced back again when he realized that several seconds had passed without a response from the boy.
It was then that he noticed the fear in Kairav's eyes, locked onto the Sunfire Gaze, which hovered close by, following their every step. "It's just a ball of fire. There's no need to be afraid," the nameless young man said in the same emotionless tone.
Kairav remained silent, his fear still apparent in his gaze. He wasn't sure whether to trust this stranger who was carrying him.
Then suddenly, a familiar barking sound reached his ears, making him snap his head to the side. Relief flickered across his face as he realized that his old beagle had been trailing behind them the entire time.
A surge of realization hit him, something important he had momentarily forgotten amid the chaos of recent events. "Did--did you see my younger brother, Sagara...?" he asked hesitantly.
The young man in the silver mask paused, his thick brows furrowing slightly. "He's in this forest too?" he asked.
Kairav slowly nodded. "Did you see him?" he asked again, hope flickering in his anxious, desperate eyes.
But the nameless young man chose not to answer that question. Instead, he asked another, "What exactly happened? Why are you in this forest?"
The boy lowered his head. "Sagara and I were chasing after our dog when she ran into the forest," he said softly.
He hesitated for a moment before his voice grew weaker, "But we got separated... because a terrifying monster was chasing us."
"What did the monster look like?" the young man asked.
Kairav's hands began to tremble, his eyes welling up with tears as he recalled the traumatic encounter. "It was big, covered in thick black fur, and had red eyes... Its teeth were sharp and terrifying..." he whispered, his voice shaking.
The description immediately reminded the young man of one of the Shadowrift Abominations, commonly known as an Orang Gadang—the Giant Man.
He remained silent for a moment, sensing the boy's lingering fear. "Did you see anyone else there?" he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Kairav shook his head weakly. "No... There was only the monster and... a unicorn," he murmured, his gaze darkening as he lowered his head further.
There was no surprise in the young man's dark eyes. He simply continued walking before finally saying, "It's okay. I'll find your brother."
Kairav lifted his head slightly, curiosity flickering through his tear-filled eyes. Then, in a barely audible voice, he asked, "Bro... are you my guardian?"
The nameless young man suddenly halted. A brief flash of confusion and surprise crossed his usually impassive face. "No."
"But you saved me," the boy replied, frowning slightly.
"I'm just a stranger."
"But all this time, my father always told me that Sagara and I had a guardian. I call him the Silent Guardian because he is never seen, like the silence of the wind." Kairav's voice carried an unusual determination, his eyes unwavering.
The young man remained silent, his pace steady as they finally emerged from the forest. "That's your house," he said as a large home with a vast yard came into view at the forest's edge.
Kairav frowned slightly. "How do you know where I live? Have you been here before?" he asked, puzzled.
Before his confusion could deepen, a frantic voice suddenly called out his name.
"Kairav!"
The boy turned his head and saw a middle-aged man wearing glasses running toward him from a distance.
"Father!"
Kairav quickly jumped out of the young man's arms and ran straight into his father's embrace. "I was so scared! I thought I'd never see you again!" he cried, his sobs shaking his small frame.
Satya immediately wrapped his arms around his son, his worry evident. "My son... Where did you go? I was terrified when I couldn't find you..."
He cupped Kairav's face, his concern deepening when he noticed the wound on the boy's forehead. "Are you hurt? What happened? Where is your brother?"
Tears streamed down Kairav's face as he clung to his father. "I don't know... Sagara disappeared. I couldn't find him... He will come back to me, right...?"
Satya stiffened, his anxiety and fear growing stronger. "What...?" he breathed shakily.
"Sir..."
A voice interrupted him, making him lift his head. It was only then that he noticed the silver-masked young man standing nearby. "You...?" Satya murmured, recognizing him.
The nameless young man simply nodded, a silent command passing between them.
Satya understood. He turned back to Kairav and said, "Son, go inside first. I'll treat your wound soon."
Kairav wiped his tears, his expression still hesitant. "But... what about Sagara?"
Satya gently patted his head. "I will find him for you. I promise. Now, go inside."
With a small nod, Kairav looked at his father, then at the stranger who had saved him. Finally, he obeyed and walked toward the house.
Once Kairav had disappeared inside, Satya turned to the young man. "Commander—"
"Kairav accidentally used his power," the young man interrupted.
Satya bowed his head slightly. "I apologize for my negligence."
The dark-eyed young man studied him. "He has seen things he shouldn't have," he stated. "I will find a way to make him forget. But from now on, ensure he never removes the necklace I gave him," he ordered.
Satya nodded. "I understand."
"And about your younger son, Sagara. I'm not certain, but he may have been captured by the Darkconians. I saw a Crimson Sphere Essence flying toward the Dragon Serpent constellation while I was in the forest," the young man explained.
Satya's face turned pale.
"I will do my best to find him," the masked young man continued. "But for now, you must return to the Nusantara Kingdom. This country is no longer safe for Kairav."
After hearing that command, Satya slowly furrowed his brows, looking slightly hesitant. "But... is it safe for us to leave through the portal now? I'm worried that those people might still be in the forest."
The nameless young man nodded without hesitation. "I'll scout the forest first. We can leave tomorrow morning."
Flashback End
***
Enigma Island – Nusantara Kingdom, Year 2023
The dark hue of the storm clouds gradually faded, allowing the moon to cast its pale glow. Yet, the soft drizzle continued to fall relentlessly, merging with the raging sea and the foamy waves that rolled over the frigid waters of the Mystic Tides Strait.
Fallen ancient trees, scattered branches, and remnants of a shattered airplane—
All were drifting amidst the fragments of human bodies, grim evidence of the violent storm that had ravaged the area around a small, uninhabited island, nestled between Enchanted Island and Sapphire Island.
Cold waves repeatedly crashed against an unconscious body lying on the shore. The caws of crows circling the sky, along with the strange whispers that had been haunting his mind, began to stir his senses.
Ping!
[ System: Detecting Current Location... ]
Detection: 85%... 95%... 100% Complete!
Location: Enigma Island
Habitat: Blue Jellyfish Monsters
Side Mission: Discover the Weaknesses of the Blue Jellyfish Monsters