I nodded, my heart filled with a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. The path ahead was uncertain, but I knew I wasn't alone. With the Unveiled by my side, I was ready to face whatever challenges came my way.
As we descended in the elevator, a comfortable silence settled between Aca and me.
I was still processing the whirlwind of information I had received, the realization that I was part of a secret society of individuals with extraordinary powers.
"So," I finally spoke up, my voice barely above a whisper, "what exactly am I getting myself into?"
Aca chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Just a little bit of adventure, think of it as a superhero origin story, but with a modern twist."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Superhero, huh?"
"Well, not exactly, but we do use our powers to fight for good. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be saving the world from an evil corporation or something."
I smiled, a sense of excitement bubbling within me.
The idea of using my powers to make a difference in the world, to fight for justice and protect the innocent, resonated with me on a deep level.
When we reached the lobby, Aca retrieved her motorcycle from the parking lot. I climbed on behind her, my arms wrapping around her waist as she revved the engine.
The city lights blurred as we sped through the streets, the cool evening air rushing past us.
I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of freedom and possibility. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly alive.
As we pulled up to my house, Aca turned to me, her eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. "Get some rest, Xian. Tomorrow, your training begins."
I nodded, my heart pounding with anticipation. I knew that the path ahead would be challenging, but I was ready to face it head-on. The world of the Unveiled awaited, and I was eager to discover my place within it.
As I walked into the house, the delicious aroma of dinner wafted from the kitchen. I made my way towards the source of the tempting scent.
"Hey, Mom, what are you cooking?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe.
My mother turned to look at me, a spatula in hand. "Oh, you're back, did you have fun with your cousins?"
"...How did you know?"
"They messaged me to let me know they were picking you up," she explained, returning to her cooking. "So, how was it?"
"It was fun," I replied, omitting the details of our secret mission and newfound powers. I couldn't risk upsetting her with the truth.
"That's good, now go change out of your school clothes and put your whites in the right-hand basket in the laundry room."
"Alright, Mom," I replied, heading upstairs to my room.
I changed into more comfortable clothes and headed to the laundry room, my mind still buzzing with questions.
I couldn't shake the image of Hana's tormented face, the pain and anger etched into her spectral features.
I have to find a way to help her, I thought, a renewed determination surging through me.
I tossed my white clothes into the designated basket, my thoughts returning to the conversation with my new family. The Unveiled. The idea that I was part of a secret lineage, descended from ancient kings with extraordinary powers, was both exhilarating and terrifying.
I returned to my room, the weight of my newfound knowledge heavy on my shoulders.
I sat down at my desk, opening my laptop and beginning to research the old Javanese words my grandmother had mentioned. Mata batin, wahyu, kesadaran...
The search results were sparse, mostly leading to esoteric websites and obscure forums. But as I delved deeper, I began to piece together a picture of an ancient tradition, a spiritual practice that sought to awaken the hidden potential within oneself.
Mata batin referred to the "inner eye," a concept found in many mystical traditions, including Hinduism and Buddhism.
It was believed to be a spiritual organ that allowed one to perceive the subtle energies of the universe and access higher states of consciousness.
Wahyu was a Javanese word for "revelation" or "divine inspiration."
It was often associated with prophecies and visions, suggesting a connection to the future and the unseen.
Kesadaran meant "awareness" or "consciousness."
It was often used in the context of spiritual awakening, signifying a heightened sense of self and a deeper understanding of one's place in the universe.
As I pieced together the meaning of these words, a sense of excitement grew within me. Could this be the key to unlocking my own hidden potential? Could these ancient practices help me unseal my Eye of the Unseen and gain control over my powers?
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. "Mata batin, inner eye... this ability has so many names, it's making my head spin trying to remember everything."
I turned back to my laptop and typed a simple question into the search bar: "Are ghosts real?"
The search engine flooded my screen with a myriad of results. Articles, blog posts, scientific studies, and personal anecdotes – all offering different perspectives on the existence of ghosts and the supernatural. I skimmed through them, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and skepticism.
The scientific consensus was clear: there was no concrete evidence to prove the existence of ghosts. Most sightings could be attributed to psychological phenomena, hallucinations, or misinterpretations of natural events.
But the testimonies of those who claimed to have encountered ghosts were compelling. They spoke of chilling encounters, unexplained phenomena, and a sense of otherworldly presence that defied rational explanation.
I closed my laptop, feeling more confused than ever.
Was I simply delusional, a victim of a malfunctioning brain? Or was there something more to this, a hidden reality that science couldn't explain?
My thoughts drifted to Hana, her spectral form a constant reminder that I wasn't alone in this. There were others who could see what I saw, who shared my burden and my destiny.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a notification from the Unveiled Family group chat.
[Irune: @XianYing, how's it going?! Any side effects from the supplements?!]
Ah, Irune is worried about me.
I quickly typed a response:
[Me: It's okay. No side effects so far.]
[Irune: Okay! 😊]
Just then, a notification popped up from my classmate group chat.
[Rayhan: Does everyone know that we're having a police visit tomorrow?]
[Marcel: What?!]
[Nadine: Why?! Did someone from our school get into a fight again?!]
[Marcel: Hey, Rayhan, answer us!]
[Marcel: Oi! @Rayhan]
[Marcel: Nerd, answer me! @Rayhan]
[Rayhan: Geez, wait a minute! I just got informed. They're coming to talk to us about preventing brawls and gang violence, not because anyone did anything wrong. So, tomorrow we're going to have an assembly in the schoolyard for that.]
[Marcel: Okay.]
Police... A knot of dread tightened in my stomach. I hope that guy, Asmar, isn't the one coming.
I closed my phone, my mind racing. I touched my bicep, feeling the thrum of energy beneath my skin. My heart is beating faster than usual...
I got up from my desk and collapsed onto my bed, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. The day's events had taken their toll, and I longed for the oblivion of sleep.
< Chapter 026 > Fin.