A wave of black light rolled over the presence of a dim golden-brown glow, its radiance fading further as the darkness slowly engulfed it.
Thunder roared, streaking through the sky in relentless flashes. The wind howled, thrashing wildly in every direction, while the rain poured down as if the sky itself had been torn open.
A deafening roar suddenly echoed across the sky. A golden-brown tiger spirit, his body adorned with black stripes, struggled helplessly as a massive black dragon serpent spirit coiled tightly around him.
"But I don't see anything..." Kairav murmured, frowning in confusion. All he could perceive was the blinding flashes of lightning beyond the plane's window.
"Tsk! Didn't I already tell you? You're blind!" Casildo snapped, exasperated.
Ignoring Kairav's frustrated scowl, he continued watching the intense battle that only he could see. "There are two things off about this," he suddenly muttered.
"First, the Silent Ghost Tribe never leaves the depths of the Northern Lushwood Island, let alone reveals their presence—much less engages in battle."
"And second... It's been a long time since the Darkconians were last seen, yet now they've reappeared, picking fights with other Astral Conjurers after all this time."
Kairav scowled even more. "You keep talking about things I don't understand! Can't you at least explain it to me properly?!"
Casildo's playful smirk suddenly vanished. His face turned grim, a rare look of resignation settling over his features. "It's too late, brother... The energy from those two—"
"Huh??"
Casildo let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. "What an unlucky fate. Instead of dying to a monster or the Stellar Essence explosion, am I going to meet my end at 55 years old because of a plane explosion...?"
Roar!!!
A thunderous roar erupted across the sky as the tiger spirit finally sank his sharp fangs into the dragon serpent's body. The force of the bite tore into his foe, breaking his constricting hold. Seizing the opportunity, the tiger spirit bolted away.
But the dragon serpent refused to accept defeat. He coiled back and gave chase, soaring through the stormy sky.
The two massive spirits streaked across the horizon, colliding with the plane mid-flight. The impact triggered a violent explosion, shattering the aircraft into countless burning fragments.
Boom! Kaboom!
Ping!
[System: First Side Mission Has Arrived!]
Mission: Find the Weakness of the Blue Jellyfish Monster
Location: Enigma Island
Reward:
• Unlock Stellar Essence (Grants Access to Spirit Connection with the Unicorn Spirit and Radiant Soulforge Awakening)
***
Flashback - Bentala Kingdom (11 Years Ago, Year 2012)
A somber memory lingered in the small kingdom of Bentala, located on the Nirwana Continent.
That evening, the sky was overcast. Seagulls soared above the vast expanse of the Eternal Celestial Strait, the body of water separating the island of Nusantara kingdom from the Coral Reef Peninsula of Bentala.
Waves crashed against the shore, fishermen's boats swayed at the docks, tethered in a peaceful coastal village.
Near the mangrove forest, far from the other villagers' homes, a seven-year-old boy played in his yard with an old beagle.
A small black cord necklace hung around the boy's neck, adorned with a deep crimson gemstone pendant.
"Big Brother!"
Kairav turned at the sound of a cheerful voice calling him. At the open door of the storage shed, his four-year-old younger brother ran toward him, holding something in his hands.
"Look what I found!" the little boy exclaimed excitedly.
Kairav approached him with curiosity. "What is it, Sagara?"
Sagara's brown eyes sparkled as he stretched out his hands, revealing a small bronze statue. "I found it in the storage room, among Dad's old things," he said brightly. "But big brother, why does this horse have wings?"
Kairav took the old bronze figurine from his brother, his brows furrowing as he examined it. The statue depicted a horned horse with outstretched wings.
"I've heard of unicorns in fairy tales, but I've never heard of a horse with both a horn and wings..."
"Then what kind of animal is it?" Sagara asked, his expression puzzled.
Kairav shook his head. "I don't know."
Seeing his younger brother's disappointed frown, he smiled and gently patted his head. "We can ask Dad. Since you found it among his things, he probably knows."
Sagara's face instantly lit up. "Let's go!" he cheered, turning on his heel and dashing toward the house.
Kairav followed behind, but before they could go far, loud barking suddenly erupted.
Woof! Woof!
"Big Brother, why is Nala barking like that?" Sagara asked, confused.
Kairav frowned, watching their old beagle standing by the fence, growling and barking fiercely at the dense trees of the mangrove forest. It was as if something inside had disturbed the dog's instincts.
Slowly, Kairav approached his pet. "Nala, what's wrong—?"
Before he could finish, Nala suddenly leaped over the fence and bolted into the forest.
"Nala!" Sagara cried, immediately chasing after the dog.
"Sagara! Stop! Don't go in there, it's dangerous!" Kairav shouted, running after his younger brother.
Panic gripped him as Sagara's small figure disappeared into the dense trees. Even Nala's barking was no longer audible.
"Sagara! Come back!"
His small feet struggled to move through the swampy terrain, his hazel eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of his brother or the dog.
"Saga! Sagara! Nala!"
He called their names repeatedly, his voice nearly drowned by the rustling leaves and distant waves.
Just then, he heard a faint, pained whimper. "Nala...?" he whispered, his heart pounding.
He rushed toward the sound, relief flooding him when he saw Sagara standing beside a mangrove tree, seemingly unharmed.
"Sagara!" he gasped. "Why did you run off like that?"
But his frustration quickly turned to concern when he noticed Sagara standing rigidly, staring ahead in terror.
"Saga, what's wrong?" Kairav gently shook his brother's shoulder.
Sagara, trembling, slowly lifted a hand and pointed.
Kairav followed his gaze, the pained whimper of Nala suddenly becoming clearer—alongside a deep, guttural growl.
Growlll...
His body stiffened, his face drained of color.
A towering, twelve-foot creature with thick black fur and a primate-like face emerged from the shadows. Its sharp claws carved deep gashes into a nearby tree. Glowing red predator eyes locked onto the two children.
Saliva dripped from its fangs as it bit down on Nala's wounded body. The dog whimpered in agony, deep gashes covering her frail frame.
Then, the monster's hungry gaze shifted to Kairav and Sagara.
The creature—one of the Shadowrift Abominations, known as the Giant Man, or 'Orang Gadang' among the locals—spat out Nala's body into the mud. With a chilling screech, it lunged toward them.
"Sagara! Run!!"