A sliver of light began to touch the edges of the sky. Dawn broke, replacing the darkness that had framed last night's battle. The gentle rustle of leaves brushed by the breeze seemed to erase the chaos that had once deafened the air. Birds chirped, and the distinct scent of the forest brought a rush of fresh oxygen.
The sky grew bluer. Sunlight, without hesitation, illuminated the villa that had lost its shape. Walls had collapsed, glass lay shattered, and dust scattered before being swept away by the wind. What had once been a complete structure had crumbled, leaving behind unrecognizable debris and ruined belongings.
From the outside, it looked as though nothing had changed. The main door still stood firmly in place. The living room remained untouched, its items neatly arranged as if nothing had happened. But stepping further inside revealed nothing but devastation.
Upon seeing what remained of the villa, Pra and his men could only stand frozen, unable to utter a single word. The same went for Rilen, who had come with high expectations of humiliating Kala—those expectations vanished instantly.
"What happened here?" Pra murmured, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"It looks like this place was bombed, Sir," one of the men closest to him replied.
Pra pressed his fingers against his temple. "What kind of bomb only destroys the middle of a building? This was a fight." He paused briefly before letting out a rough exhale. "Search the entire place! Find the girl or anyone you come across."
Once he finished speaking, Pra shifted his gaze toward where Rilen stood. Only emptiness reflected in the child's eyes.
"My dear, I promise I'll bring Kala to you." Pra approached and gently stroked Rilen's back.
"She's… still alive, right, Pa?" There was no emotion in Rilen's gaze.
"She has to be. That way, you'll be satisfied."
Rilen's body swayed, nearly collapsing if Pra hadn't quickly caught him.
Rilen had not expected to be greeted by the aftermath of chaos. He noticed stains of red and black on the floor—any ordinary person would know that a tragedy had taken place here. The thought that Kala might truly be dead stirred a faint sense of sympathy within him. No, in truth, he didn't want that girl to leave this world just yet. Kala had to see how Rilen once longed to become her. Now, it was the opposite. Kala had to long for Rilen. He wanted to see Kala in misery, begging the universe for a life like the one he now lived.
Yes, Kala had to live a long life to experience all of that. She had to feel envy, had to burn with jealousy at Rilen, who now possessed everything.
But… was Kala really safe? And what was that burnt residue over there? The smell reached his nose, sharp and suffocating. Rilen had to hold his breath as the scent grew stronger.
"How about we step outside first? We'll wait for good news somewhere else." Pra tried to guide Rilen away from the scene.
Rilen complied without protest. His legs felt weak from the shock. Dust clung everywhere, and the air he breathed was tainted with unfamiliar odors. He would rather leave than endure something so unpleasant.
In the front room, Rilen sat on the sofa, and Pra followed suit. Rilen had once said that Kala, dead or alive, had to be brought before him. But now that death might truly claim her, he realized he couldn't accept it. He didn't want to see her corpse. He wanted to face Kala whole and unharmed.
"I told you not to come. Even if I didn't expect something like this, it's still too risky for you."
"I had to see it with my own eyes after all this time of you failing to bring her." Hein pulled his hand away from Pra's grasp.
"Not everything goes according to plan, my dear. Like now—problems always find a way to appear." Pra leaned back against the sofa.
"It's like the whole world is protecting her from us." There was a slight tremor at the end of Rilen's words.
One of Mahatma's men interrupted them, bringing their conversation to a halt.
"Sir, we didn't find anyone. Out of everything, only the central area is destroyed."
That statement sparked all kinds of speculation in both of them. It showed in Pra's confusion, while a faint glimmer appeared in Rilen's eyes at the possibility that Kala might still be alive.
Why did the universe and everything in it seem to favor Kala? She always escaped danger—something Rilen himself might not survive. While Rilen had struggled desperately against the harshness of life, Kala seemed to be enjoying how easy life could be. She even had a bodyguard—anyone could see how fiercely she was protected. Someone who granted her ease without asking for anything in return. Unlike him.
"Have you searched outside as well?" Pra's voice slightly startled Rilen, pulling him out of his thoughts.
The man immediately spoke to his colleague through a walkie-talkie. After receiving an answer, he reported back.
"Yes, Sir. No signs of escape or further fighting."
"Damn it!"
"No sign of any vehicle?"
"No, Sir. The cars are parked neatly in the garage."
"You're sure everything's been checked?"
"Yes, Sir. Even the hidden spaces listed in the villa's blueprint have been examined. There's no one here." The man bowed.
"Useless! All that effort to steal the blueprint from Hagar, and for what?" Pra crossed his legs and leaned back again, maintaining his calm despite the fury brewing inside him.
"Pa, did we lose her again?"
"Wherever she goes, I will catch her." Pra took out a cigarette and placed it between his lips.
As one of his men moved to light it, Pra raised his hand in refusal. Rilen was still beside him—he didn't want to recklessly expose him to the smoke. Instead, he tossed the cigarette back to the man. His gaze then fell on Rilen's lips. He needed a different kind of release now—something sweet, something that could ease his frustration.
As Pra leaned in, Rilen suddenly turned his head, halting him mid-motion.
"I need this." Pra brushed his lips briefly against Rilen's.
"Why is Kala so lucky?" Rilen ignored his words.
"You're lucky too, my dear."
"Pa, do you hate Kala as well?"
"No." Realizing he wouldn't get what he wanted, Pra leaned back again, his eyes fixed on a branch that seemed ready to snap under the wind.
"Then why did you try to kill her back then?" Rilen stared at him intently, waiting for whatever answer would come.
"Because it seemed like only her death could make you happy."
A strange sensation flickered in Rilen's chest. Hearing that unsettled him. Pra had been willing to kill Kala just to make him happy? Should he feel pleased—or disturbed?
"Isn't she too arrogant? Watching her grow up like that irritates me. Sometimes she deliberately looks down on others. Well… I suppose that's normal for someone from a wealthy family like hers." Pra gave a bitter smile.
"They just don't realize they're still human. Just because they have what others don't, they think they can act however they want." Rilen clenched his teeth, his fists tightening as he poured his anger into memories of what he had once endured.
"As long as I'm here, no one can treat you that way. Believe me."
Feeling the arm wrap around his waist, Rilen slowly loosened his fists. Yet Pra's last words only stirred more anger, reminding him that he came from a lower class—expected to accept the arrogance of those in power.
"Sir—ah, my apologies!" One of Mahatma's men immediately turned away upon seeing Pra press his lips against Rilen's.
At the interruption, Rilen pulled back, while Pra remained where he was, casting a sharp glare at the man—how dare he interrupt a moment he had been waiting for.
"We found a pig, Sir."
"A pig!?"