The cold mountain air slowly gave way to the city's humid heat. Darian Atmaja, a well-built mountain boy with sharp eyes, stood at the Javaris City bus terminal.The smell of vehicle fumes and the hustle and bustle of the city made him dizzy. The long journey from his village, which involved several public transportation changes, had exhausted his body, but his spirits remained high.“Is this the famous Javaris City? It's amazing,” Darian murmured, his eyes widening at the sight of the towering skyscrapers. He breathed in the city air, different from the fresh mountain air.The smell of vehicle fumes and crowds filled his senses. Before he could enjoy the view, a cry of “Help!” broke the silence. The voice came from a narrow alley, where an older man was lying on the ground, surrounded by three well-built thugs.Darian, without hesitation, immediately ran towards the alley. Darian ran towards the source of the sound, his muscles tensed. He saw an older man, Grandpa Ronan, lying on the

One morning, Darian received a phone call on his cellphone—a gift from Grandpa Ronan. Conversely, a distressed older woman’s voice delivered terrible news. The woman was Grandma Asih, Grandpa Darian’s neighbour in the mountains. Grandma Asih informed Darian that his grandfather, Grandpa Surya, was seriously ill.The news hit Darian like a blow to the chest. He felt torn. He needed to return to the mountains immediately, but he also had to ask for permission from Grandpa Ronan, his employer. With a pounding heart, Darian nervously approached Grandpa Ronan in his study.“Grandpa,” Darian called, his voice slightly trembling.Grandpa Ronan turned, his gaze sharp but warm. “What is it, Darian?”Darian took a deep breath. “I… I received some bad news, Grandpa. Grandpa Surya, my grandfather in the mountains, is very ill.”Grandpa Ronan furrowed his brow. He paused for a moment as if processing the information. The room grew quiet; only the faint ticking of the wall clock could be heard.“I

Darian’s sob caught in his throat. A dark shadow flickered at the edge of his vision, a swift, indistinct movement beyond the dim light illuminating the cottage.The next moment, two figures cloaked in black stood in the doorway, their faces hidden behind dark hoods. Only the silhouettes of their bodies were visible, sinister and menacing.The air suddenly grew cold, raising goosebumps on his arms. The old wooden door creaked open slowly, allowing a sliver of dim light to seep into the dark room. Darian felt his heart pound, the rhythm echoing in his ears. He smelled a strange, threatening scent.Without hesitation, Darian rose, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He clutched the necklace given to him by Elder Surya, squeezing it tightly in his hand.The onyx felt cold, offering a small measure of comfort. One of the cloaked figures moved, their footsteps slow but deliberate on the wooden floor, creating echoing sounds in the cramped room.“We have come to claim what is rightfully

Darian attempted to communicate with one of the giant insect-like creatures. He thought of a question in his native language, and the words were instantly translated into a language understood by the insect.The next day, Darian sat cross-legged in the spacious training room. Soft light from the ceiling panels illuminated the room, creating a calm yet energetic atmosphere. In his mind, Kai’s voice sounded clear and calm. “Today, we will focus on controlling telekinesis,” Kai said. “Try moving small objects first, like dust or feathers.Focus your mind, imagine energy flowing from your body to the object, and control its movement smoothly.”Darian followed Kai’s instructions. He focused his mind, trying to feel the energy flow within his body. Initially, he struggled.His mind was still cluttered, not yet accustomed to his new powers. However, slowly, he began to feel it. A speck of dust floated in the air, moving according to his will. A small smile appeared on his face. He had succee

A chilling silence fell over the room. Everyone was frozen in place, their eyes fixed on Darian. They felt something strange, something controlling their minds.They couldn’t move or speak, yet they didn’t cry or show remorse. They were transfixed, hypnotized by Darian’s power.“Karina,” Darian’s voice remained low but laced with power, “You betrayed me. You shattered the hopes I placed in you. You will face the consequences.”“Reynand,” he continued, “You stole my fiancée. You, too, will face the consequences.” One by one, he named the members of the Adinata family, insulting them with sharp, piercing words.He forced them to submit to his will but didn’t force them to cry or regret their actions. They remained silent, frozen, under Darian’s hypnotic control.The room was filled with a suffocating silence, punctuated only by Darian’s steady breathing. Darian stood in the doorway, his long shadow falling across the polished wooden floor. The room was silent, save for the ticking of an