We were finally entering the Isolated Dimension.
As soon as we crossed ten light-years inside the Isolated Dimension, Yash would use Heavenly Gates to teleport us into the Gretoling Empire.
The Ganas would depart from the Capital of Greto after a week and head toward Planet Morco.
Nothing could possibly go wrong...
Right?
That...
...would become the greatest misunderstanding of my life.
For what was about to happen in the following days.
16th May, 2005
We had finally entered the Isolated Dimension!
Ganaraj and I were dancing again.
That's right.
We're the kind of people who find happiness even in the smallest things.
The others were busy having dinner.
Yash...
He looked suspicious.
Of something.
Or perhaps...
Someone.
His eyes silently scanned every single one of us.
Every movement.
Every expression.
Let's just ignore it.
After the feast, Ganari was patting Surya's head while Surya laughed and told her something.
I guess they've developed a mother-son bond.
Nini stood nearby with her cheeks puffed out.
Come on...
Don't get jealous over something like that.
Everything looked peaceful.
We had finally made it...
Osh casually walked toward the table to pick up a bottle of Spirytus.
Yash suddenly stood up.
Everyone's attention shifted toward him.
Osh handed him the bottle.
The very next instant—
Yash fired a magic blast.
Osh dodged it effortlessly, wearing nothing but a confused expression.
[Pratik]: Hey! What are you doing?!
I shouted at Yash.
At this point, everyone looked equally confused.
Everything had been completely normal just moments ago.
What happened?
Yash's uncle was still sitting comfortably on the sofa.
The blindfold still covered one of his eyes.
The restraints and seals remained intact.
It couldn't be his doing...
Right?
He simply sat there with a calm smile.
What is happening, guys?
Osh...
Started laughing.
A deep...
Relaxed laugh.
[Osh]: Seems my cover has already been blown.
...
What?
What was he talking about?
[Yash]: This man...is not Osh. He is the smartest Seven-Starred Personnel. The one who has taken over Osh.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Even Yash had a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.
The smartest Seven-Starred Personnel?
Who?
Osh?
No...
That guy...
Wasn't Osh.
What is happening here?
[Osh]: Very well. Allow me to introduce myself.
The impostor's body slowly changed.
His appearance twisted before everyone's eyes.
A tall man emerged.
Sharp canines.
Black hair.
A pair of large wings spread behind his back.
Yet...
His face still resembled Osh ever so slightly.
"My name is Grahan Ert. I am the smartest Seven-Starred Personnel...or so everyone says. A pleasure to meet you all."
He said with a smug smile.
Ganaraj immediately stepped in front of us.
Positioning himself like a living shield.
Ready for battle.
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
At that moment...
Nothing mattered to me.
Nothing...
Except one thing.
What had happened to Osh?
[Pratik]:What...did you do to Osh?
I asked.
The words escaped before I could stop them.
Yash looked at me with tense eyes.
I knew why.
My face...
It must have looked terrified.
Yes.
I was scared.
What happened to Osh?
[Grahan]: Isn't it obvious? I killed him. The moment you all landed on Planet Asen... Grandor's territory. After killing him...I took his powers. The ability to see fifteen seconds into the future. Quite an impressive power, wouldn't you agree? I defeated him in a game. His defeat cost him both his life...and his powers.
He finished with a hearty laugh.
He...
What?
No, I couldn't control myself.
I lunged toward Grahan.
I coated my fists with Dark Energy Reserves and another layer of Plasma.
Grahan simply watched me with amusement.
Just as I was about to punch him, my fist was blocked.
It wasn't Grahan.
It wasn't Yash.
It wasn't Mala.
It wasn't Ganaraj.
It wasn't Grimori.
The one who stopped me was Haidoro.
A giant Dragoling had somehow appeared inside our spacecraft.
[Haidoro]: Seems the appliance worked perfectly.
[Grahan]: Hoho, praise me more if you like.
My neck...
It felt as if I am losing my consciousness.
I am just a big infront of this monster.
I can't avenge my ally.
I am too powerless.
A wave...
Haidoro left the grip of my neck.
He widen his eyes.
It was massive Asura wave that stunned Haidoro.
I fell on ground and in this very moment Yash grabbed me back to their side.
It was an Aura Wave Release from Yash's uncle.
As soon as I started thinking rationally, I healed my wounds with the help of Shadow Lord's Garden.
"Seems like things have turned quite ugly."
Said Yash's uncle calmly.
[Grahan]: Do not worry, Haidoro. That guy has countless seals and restraints placed on his body. He can neither transform nor use any kind of Sorcery. He isn't much of a threat to us anymore.
Grahan said with a calm smile.
[Yash] clenched his teeth.
He had been tricked.
Now he understood everything.
One of Grahan's abilities was forcing his opponents into making the wrong decisions.
Yash had already figured out Grahan's identity long ago. His original plan was to eliminate him quietly during the night while everyone was asleep.
However, Grahan's passive ability had subtly interfered with his judgment.
Instead of waiting, Yash attacked him too early.
Although Grahan himself hadn't realized that Yash had exposed his identity, that very ability ended up saving him.
It bought him enough time to summon Haidoro.
*
Pratik finally understood something else.
Perhaps...
That same ability had also influenced him.
The rage he had felt after hearing about Osh...
It had exploded far too quickly.
Was that truly his own anger?
Or had Grahan nudged his emotions just enough to make him lose control?
Pratik slowly clenched his fists.
He hated abilities like this.
Abilities that manipulated decisions instead of strength.
To be continued...