Boom!
The explosion went off. Sharim covered his ears but couldn't stop the waves from hitting his body.
"Sharim!"
Someone's voice, desperately reaching for his hand in blurring and all hissing.
Duuush.
He was weakly thrown to the air unable to do anything despite the hands reaching out to him. He almost groaned at his helplessness.
Since when did everything change this murky?
Sharim questioned himself when he was only able to collapse frozen on the unpaved tar.
Since when did he need someone's shoulder just to stand up straight?
Before, he was once their backbone, their protector, and their hero.
So...
... Since when did he become this weak?
The pale crescent moon shone brightly and was as sharp as a silver claw covered with stars, stretching out until the sky sank to dark. A mass of cloudy clouds marched across the sky, tinged with dim velvet in the flicker of fireworks.
Pppttt—Boom!
It's as if 'their' laughter still echoes in his head and stays there forever— until he's buried, a beautiful burst of fireworks breaks the silence. A sea of oranges spread as wide as the petals of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis— huh, 'cynical' as tonight. (T/N: In Malay 'sinensis' has almost the same spelling as cynical— like a pun?)
Sharim almost choked at his lame jokes.
"—rim!"
Sharim jerked upright and the glaring red eyes stared at him straight, beating all turmoil behind their back. Short silvery hair, softly waved against the streak of prettiest night sky.
"—No time to mourn!"
A pale hand grabs his hand tightly, pulling him up. Sharim looks at the young man's hands. It was so delicate and smooth, and if he wanted to, he could crush that hand through an embrace of fingers despite being in such a weak condition.
However.
"Ugh."
That hand also supported him to step forward during his weak and crumpled times.
"Sharim."
Sharim could only stare blankly at the youth in silver when his name was called. He almost closed his eyes, comtempleting.
This man... No... Hibion Izan HATES him— Sharim Ihsraq.
He hated him so much that he was willing to use the opposite direction every time they met face-to-face.
The refrained groan every time they were on the same team or, a deep scowl clouded Hibion's face when Sharim was in the cafeteria at an unexpected time.
The sarcasm on the teenager's lips was obvious to Sharim... There was no room for him to make up for his mistake to the boy.
Clattering!
Metal shards from the ruins of the building, clatter and dance against the bricks scattered in flames.
Cold sweat, dripped from Hibion's forehead down his chin. The pale boy's chest undulated uncertainly.
Sharim had enough.
"... Leave me."
"HUH?!"
An angry look flashed across Hibion's face, daring him to repeat those cursed words.
However, unbeknownst to Hibion; a young teenager with a long fresh scar just below the eyebrow to the neck, still flowing with fresh blood— Sharim had enough.
"I SAID LEAVE ME!"
"GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION WHY I MUST LISTEN TO YOU?"
Hibion also exploded. His face crumpled like a paper would crumple in a fist.
"PLEASE—!"
Sharim gritted his teeth when Hibion almost tripped but still pushed forward for them both to stand upright even though his legs were shaking uncontrollably and were about to give up.
"... I don't have time to argue with you."
"... That's why you better leave me."
"YOU-"
"YOU KNOW I CAN'T FIGHT ANYMORE!"
"?!"
Sharim was satisfied for a moment when Hibion's mouth opened and closed as if a freshwater fish had landed on the land, before mourning on his own weaknesses. He is completely, useless to anyone... No... Since he was captured by their enemy.
Sharim bows down to the ground.
The severity of Sharim's wound was too much. The blood ran from Sharim's ankle to his heel, starting to pool and form a puddle.
Something black slithered like a snake would, as red as meat and tore from the flesh, just the now silver uniform, smeared with blood. Sharim almost choked, as if something 'like that' could still be called a 'leg'.
< "First of all, 'We' must 'incapacitate' Temenos warrior and proud treasure until he is incapable of fighting anymore." >
HE managed to 'incapacitate' Sharim.
Too incapable that Hibion's [Regress] Stigma was unable to undo Sharim's severed leg.
He limped supportlessly without Hibion's shoulder to hold.
< "... Sorry." >
He was so useless, that Hibion Izan, the entity famous for his arrogance towards Sharim, said with such a miserable expression.
< "「Concrete Stigma」is everything that is (power of) physical." >
Sharim, at first, did not understand a single explanation from a natural genius like their teacher, Izaeris Faaz.
However, finally, he understood the statement in a hard way— when their enemies broke and crushed Sharim's body— until there was no hope of returning.
< "Although, 「Concrete Stigma」 is more pragmatic compared to 「Abstract Stigma」, it is undeniably easily broken by「Abstract Stigma」" >
Their enemies were meticulous in ensuring Sharim remained destroyed and unable to regain his use of physical abilities— knowing too well his Stigma depended entirely on his physical strength.
< "Ability that depended too much on sense." >
And.
They are not wrong.
Because of that.
"... Why?"
He couldn't understand Hibion.
Why would he stay save him? Isn't it better if he let Sharim die by sewer monster, as the owner of the ruby pupil hoping?
< "I hope your reflection comes when you die to the sewer monster one day!" >
Hibion is right.
He is at fault.
He is the reason.
He is the source of all chaos.
He is the beginning and the end.
He is the cause of this world on the brink of apocalypse.
< "Sorry. I will have to entrust everything from now on to you, Sharim." >
A smile appeared on his lips. Thick, glittering eyelashes fluttered sadly. Eyes bright as amber gazed softly at the broken ring fragment inside his palm. There was no anger nor disappointment from behind those visible amber-rimmed eyes— just full of gentleness when meeting Sharim's pupils.
His teacher. His saviour. His parent.
Izaeris Faaz was all meaning to him.
< "I will put my hope on you, Sharim." >
The figure under a soft long cerulean coat then slowly disappears from reality— slowly but surely similar to bubbles.
< "I trust you." >
The hiss of the wind blows and pierces the bone, in griping cold.
"...Sharim."
The hissing died out and Hibion finally talked— almost felt unbelievable and false for Sharim.
"Do not give up."
Sharim's eyes welled up.
Allah u Akbar,
Allah u Akbar!
< God is Great, God is Great! >
Ash-hadu allāilāha illallāh!
< I testify that there is no god except Allah. >
The call to prayer echoed throughout the horizon in the setting east, waiting for the dawn.
Wait... Call to prayer?
Sharim looked up almost impulsively and in disbelief towards the dark starless sky. Wandering in no direction in particular. Afraid he was too late and all hope would be gone by then.
The bright emerald color of the mosque dome is the highest pillar and last of the torch still standing vividly under a night thick as the Red Sea.
... Someone is still chanting the call to prayer?
The corner of Sharim's eye finally overflowed with tears.
Sharim just once again discouraged himself in vain because even amid this misery—
Allah u Akbar,
Allah u Akbar!
< God is great, God is great! >
—The grace of Allah Azzawajal, The Almighty God is still there. It was not too late.
Ash-hadu allāilāha illallāh!
< I testify that there is no god except Allah. >
Imam closes with the last kalima.
The moment Sharim was about to raise his hands, to pray.
Beep-!
<< ℅ωㅠ⚜︎⎋⌛︎⚠️‼️ >>
<< Alert! Enemy approaching from behind! (°□°;) >>
Yugen's (system) desperate voice echoed.
"Avoid-!"
Fwoop-Vwooooz!
They almost fell victim to the missile explosion if it wasn't for Hibion's quick act to dodge at once, pushing them both away.
Dhoom!
"—Acckk!"
"Urgh—!"
However, it did not change the fact that they remained thrown into the air because of aftershocks.
Prak!
Something was broken inside.
"Gah—!"
Sharim held his breath as the pain suddenly pierced his chest and back altogether.
"Ugh."
A few feet, Hibion is struggling wobbling to stand upright but fell to the ground again. His hand is now all bruised up and swollen red. His eyes wrinkled deeply.
Clap! Clap!
Applause and clapping of someone, quiver the gloom.
"Impressive."
Sharim immediately stops crawling toward Hibion. He could hear someone approaching from behind.
Dap. Dap.
The mischievous voice continued.
"Izaeris Faaz's students are remarkable and quite... Durable."
Sharim was unable to move.
Something or anything from behind him— preventing him from moving simply through his/her presence.
It was terrifying.
Sharim's heart was pounding hard and he was almost unconscious for a moment. He could only tremble under those pressure.
"I didn't think you would survive until now."
Sharim's heart sank immediately.
"But, this game of tag shall end now."
In the twilight night— moon disappears and reappears from the recesses of the clouds. Pak. A pair of tall boots in black, halt in front him. Sharim tried to gaze up toward whoever they were, but was unable to recognize the voice nor his/her appearance.
<< The Hunter uses an exclusive Stigma to enclose the identity. >>
Stigma to disguise self-identity.
Sharim reaches towards Hibion.
< "Sharim. If something happens to me—" >
Why does the distance between him and Hibion feel like an eternity despite he wasn't too far out?
< "—Please protect Hibion." >
"I don't have time to care about you."
Deep black boots covered in dried blood, kicked Sharim's hand without a second hesitation.
Pak.
Hands covered in blood and mud then droop back and fall helplessly to the ground.
"We only need the Synodic Incarnation… Aaah… With Izaeris Faaz finally gone— our plan no longer seems impossible—"
He sounded truly relieved while sighing.
But.
"I—"
He was being careless.
Pak.
Hibion immediately interwinds all his fingers together, forming a fist and clutching it.
And.
"[Regress]!"
That second carelessness from their enemy was enough.
Prak!
The flickering light rose high and engulfed the figure into a mysterious misty haze— disappearing quietly.
"Ho—!"
A stunned sneer mixed with amazement crossed his/her lips before dispersing into a rush of blowing dust and soil.
"That's why-"
Tick. Tick. Hibion gasped. Viscous blood ran down his nasal cavity to the chin but, was immediately wiped using the sleeve now tattered with dirt and blood.
"—we don't have time to argue."
Sharim wasn't someone naturally moved to tears.
Even when his Apotalesma (Calen) was destroyed— or his Stigma [Taurus's Wrath] was seized by their enemies— or one by one his loved ones passed away and breathed their last— Sharim shed no tears.
He did not despair.
However.
"... Stop crying."
He couldn't help but notice a warm liquid seeping back into the corners of his eyes.
"Haa. Sharim."
Sharim's weep in tears and his bruised hand was now in Hibion's grasp. Hibion hand, which was already pale, grew paler between his fingers. A soft sigh escaped the boy's mouth. Hibion was on the verge of exhaustion.
Synodic wasn't a warrior and wasn't supposed to protect.
Sharim was instead supposed to protect them.
However, he failed to fulfill his promise and role.
He failed.
As a Temenos warrior and Hibion's protector.
Everything was his fault.
"You have God."
Sharim spontaneously looked up. Not expecting those unlikely statements from such as Hibion.
However, Hibion wasn't done yet.
"I live a life without a God... No... I was bounded by 'multiple' God."
Hibion's ruby eyes flickered and burned as bright as Laal's gem behind the curtain night. No matter how soft or sulky the teenager became, those scowls and coldness did not seep from his face.
"Those ways of life finally caught up to me and destroyed me inside out but, if it is you..."
However, this time. Such a look—
—Sharim couldn't name such facial expressions on Hibion face.
... Repentence?
When those strange words crossed his mind.
<< Switching [Regress] Stigma owner possession to Hunter Sharim Ihsraq. >>
Yugen's voice, (Hibion's Apotalesma) broke the silence, once again startling Sharim.
Hibion, what you...
"W-What are you doing?"
Sharim's voice almost stuck in the chord. He could only stare at Hibion in terror.
"Whatever you are doing, you better stop now Hibion—"
"This is a bet, no, this is my trust toward 'Kun Fayakun' in The Almighty God's will."
Hibion just continued ignoring Sharim's effort to free himself from his grip.
Hibion was fully prepared to exert all his energies when this moment came.
"I believe in God, you and I worship. I pray for your dua will be answered by Him, The Almighty."
"Hibion—"
Sharim's hand was held tighter.
Beep-! Beep-!
<< Alert! Alert! The enemies are approaching! >>
"You—! $#@%*!"
An enraged roared across the night.
And.
Between piles of rubbles—
"This dimension and world timelines couldn't be saved anymore and already lost all meanings but..."
Hibion's powerful and firmness forced Sharim to keep his eyesight on those bright ruby eyes despite the gloominess behind them.
"... But, not in another world."
<< Preparing to temporarily switch owner [Regress] Stigma to Hunter Sharim Ihsraq. >>
"Please save Izaeris Faaz."
<< Do you wish to continue? >>
"I WON'T ALLOW IT!"
Zwoooo—!
Fireworks hissed and burst across the night sky.
"Sharim."
However, Sharim remained unable to divert his attention from those glassy ruby eyes.
"Please teach me the shahadah."
Ashhadu allaa ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.
Dhoom! BAAANG!
Something exploded behind them.
< I bear witness that there is no God except Allah and I bear witness that the Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. >
.
.
.
.
.
"Al-Kabiyr, Al-Khalid, Al-Samiy'u."
"If the opportunity for me in this world has concluded. Al-Wahhaab, grant opportunities to 'me' in another world— another life, if the 'me' in that world exists."
"Protect 'me' in that world, Al-Hafiyzhu."
"Save 'me' in that world, Al-Muhaymin."
"Help 'me' in that world to overcome all obstacles and trials, Al-Waliyyu."
"Al-Maani'u. Prevent 'me' in that world from making the same mistakes as I am— as I lead this world to the brink of destruction.
And,
Save 'me' in that world from meeting the same fate as me in this world, As-Salaam.
Al-Alim, Al-Baariy, Al-Mu'iyd, Al-Mujib."