The evening sky began to turn dark , with the sun setting in the west. The air felt damp, carrying the distinctive aroma of trees and moss. A gentle evening breeze rustled the leaves softly, accompanied by the sounds of crickets and nocturnal birds beginning their symphony. Amid the towering trees, the shadows grew darker, slowly cloaking the forest in silence.
Revan stood alone in the middle of the quiet clearing. His bright greenish-blue eyes fixed intently on the creation he had just brought to life. A large trampoline made of water glowed softly, reflecting a gentle light that contrasted sharply with the wild surroundings.
"Quite decent for something I made in a hurry," he muttered, inspecting the trampoline from different angles. His face remained expressionless, yet his mind brimmed with satisfaction. Folding his arms across his chest, he let out a long sigh.
"Now… how do I get rid of it?" he asked himself.
He stroked his chin, pacing back and forth in front of the trampoline. His eyes narrowed as he tried to recall a part of the spellbook he hadn't fully read. His steps came to an abrupt halt. I should have read that book to the end earlier, he grumbled in a flat tone.
After several minutes of pacing, an idea finally emerged. He stopped and gazed at the trampoline with a determined look. "If I can't destroy it, maybe I can… dispose of it," he murmured confidently.
He began crafting a serious plan in his mind. Alright, for this to work, I'll need several steps.
First, Revan realized he would need to create a strong push for the arrow to cover as much distance as possible. I'll use wind magic to create a passive, constant thrust, ensuring its speed increases like lightning.
Second, he thought about the shape of the arrow. I need to make it as aerodynamic as possible to minimize air resistance. That way, its speed can continue without significant drop-off.
Third, he decided to utilize his physical strength. If I combine wind magic with the power of my throw, this will be the perfect launch.
However, one final consideration gave him pause. Wait… if I throw it straight, it could hurt or even kill anything in its path. But if I aim for the sky…He glanced up at the darkening sky, calculating the trajectory carefully.
If I throw it vertically and give it enough initial velocity, gravity won't be strong enough to pull it back down. Add the wind magic's thrust, and the arrow will fly far beyond the atmosphere. This has to work.
With a solid plan in mind, Revan began moving his hands, focusing all his concentration. He controlled the water trampoline with his energy, shrinking and condensing it until it formed a long, sleek arrow that shimmered like crystal.
"Let's give this a try," he whispered to himself, his eyes fixed intently on the arrow.
Revan closed his eyes, feeling the wind around him. He recalled what he had learned from the spellbook. Bright green energy enveloped his body, creating a vortex of wind spiraling around his right arm.
The water arrow began to glow, emitting a soft humming sound, and the pressure around him intensified. Leaves scattered, and small stones on the ground were flung away by the unleashed magical energy.
Revan gripped the arrow tightly, took a firm stance, and concentrated all his strength into his right arm. With unwavering confidence, he prepared to launch it.
"Here goes!"
With a swift, powerful motion, Revan hurled the arrow skyward.
The arrow shot off like lightning, leaving a brilliant green trail glowing in its wake. Its sound was a blend of a soft yet sharp rush of wind, like a fragmented melody. Its speed continued to increase, breaking through the clouds above and leaving a massive hole in the sky.
Revan activated his enhanced vision. He could still clearly track the arrow, though it now appeared as a tiny speck. But as it soared over 100 kilometers away, he finally lost sight of it, as if it had vanished into the darkness of space.
The ground around Revan trembled slightly from the release of such immense energy. He slowly lowered his hand, exhaling deeply. Though his plan had succeeded, a lingering sense of unease weighed on his mind.
"At that speed… if it doesn't stop somewhere, who knows what could happen," he murmured, gazing at the now-silent sky.
Unbeknownst to him, the arrow had already traveled far beyond the atmosphere. It hurtled past the orbits of distant stars until it collided with a nameless small star in another galaxy. The star's light dimmed gradually before shattering into pieces.
Revan stared at his hand, the same one that had launched the energy arrow. A mix of awe and fear crept into him as he contemplated the potential of his newfound ability. His earlier success left him feeling confident, ready to attempt something even more challenging.
Revan recalled the elemental magic theory he had once studied.
"Water, fire, wind, and earth. If I can combine all four elements... perhaps I can create something extraordinary," he murmured. Though his face remained expressionless, his eyes burned with determination.
He began moving his hands with slow, deliberate gestures. "Calm like water, strong like fire, swift like wind, and steady like earth," he whispered, embedding the traits of each element into his mind. "Each element opposes the other, but if united in harmony, they can become an unparalleled force."
With unwavering resolve, he stood up and began his experiment. His movements grew more fluid, blending seamlessly with the rhythm of the natural world around him. Gradually, water droplets materialized in the air, gathering into a sphere floating before him. Wind began to swirl gently, encircling the sphere. Flames ignited, flickering around the spinning air without extinguishing the water, creating a mesmerizing sight. Then, soil from the ground rose and coiled around the energy sphere, completing the radiant fusion of elements.
However, as he tried to merge the energies, something unexpected happened. The sphere began expanding rapidly, slipping out of Revan's control. Its light grew blinding, and fierce winds surged, scattering leaves everywhere.
"No... it's too big!" he exclaimed. His voice remained flat, but his mind was engulfed in panic. The energy sphere swelled until it nearly covered the sky, emitting a pressure that cracked the ground beneath it.
He struggled to calm and control the sphere, but his efforts were futile. The more he tried, the more chaotic the energy became. Suddenly...
"Yeh hodob! Apa gnay umak nakukal! Tapec kirat ilabmek umrihis uti mulebes uak nakrucnahngem hurules ualup!"
A shout echoed from behind the trees. Revan turned swiftly, his eyes catching the sight of a woman with shimmering green hair standing under the moonlight. In his usual monotone voice, Revan replied, "What are you saying? I don't understand."
The woman didn't answer. Instead, she sprinted toward him. Before Revan could react, her small yet firm hands gripped his shoulders from behind.
Revan was startled. For a moment, he was captivated by the woman's beauty—her emerald-green hair, her glowing green eyes, and her long white gown that made her look like a princess from a fairy tale. But he quickly refocused his thoughts when she shouted again.
"Sukof!"
The woman's touch brought an unfamiliar sensation. Revan felt the chaotic, wild energy particles begin to separate one by one, as if an invisible hand was helping to untangle them. The giant energy sphere gradually shrank, dissipating into mist that blended with the night air.
When it was all over, Revan collapsed to the ground, exhausted. His breathing was labored, yet his face remained blank. The woman approached him, raising her right hand and placing her palm on Revan's head.
A green-golden light radiated from her hand, bringing a warmth that slightly relaxed Revan's body. Within seconds, the woman's voice echoed clearly in his mind, this time in a language he could understand.
"Now you understand me, right?" she asked sharply.
Revan looked up at her, his expression unchanging. "Yes, now I understand," he replied flatly.
"You're a fool!" she scolded, her gaze piercing like arrows. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to play with power you don't even comprehend?"
Revan stared at her blankly, though a flicker of curiosity shone in his eyes. "Who are you?" he asked succinctly.
The woman sighed, then offered a faint smile, though her anger still lingered in her eyes. "My name is Liora. And you... you almost destroyed this island."
"Island? Destroyed?" Revan repeated, processing her words.
"Yes, island. Don't you know?" Liora replied with a skeptical tone.
Revan paused, slightly surprised by her statement. In his mind, he wondered. So, all this time, I've been on an island? No wonder I haven't found other people. But why is she here? She seems to know something.
He looked at Liora again and, in his usual monotone voice, said, "I didn't know. I don't even know where I am or why I'm here. Do you know anything?"
Liora tilted her head slightly, scrutinizing Revan with suspicion, but eventually answered. "This island is called Kalimaya Island—" She stopped mid-sentence, then stared at Revan more intently. "Wait, why are you the one asking questions? You haven't answered mine! Why were you creating such dangerous magic?"
Her angry tone was clear, and she crossed her arms, tapping her foot on the ground while gritting her teeth, producing a faint growl that sounded more cute than intimidating.
Revan remained unaffected but slightly furrowed his brows. "I was experimenting," he answered briefly.
"Experimenting?" Liora echoed, her voice rising. "Do you realize your stupid experiment nearly blew up this entire island?"
Revan nodded slightly, accepting the fact with indifference. "Now I know. And I'll be more careful."
Liora let out a long sigh, covering her face with her hands as if trying to suppress her frustration. "What kind of person are you?" she muttered, half-talking to herself.
"But it's strange. At first, everything went smoothly, but then it suddenly spiraled out of control," Revan murmured, staring at his hands. Confusion clouded his thoughts. Did I miss something?
"Of course, you idiot! Do you even realize how massive your magical power is?" Liora retorted sharply, her eyes glaring at Revan like a scolding parent.
Revan shook his head. "No idea," he replied bluntly, without the slightest hint of guilt.
Liora sighed again before explaining, her tone still tinged with irritation. "Your magic is as vast as a mountain but so dense, like a black hole that consumes everything. It seems like something is restraining it from spreading. If that barrier breaks, your magic could engulf the entire world. That's why most creatures on this island are afraid to come near you."
Her explanation was so serious that Revan finally paid closer attention. He began to grasp the danger he posed. "So... how do I control it?" he asked, his tone now sounding more serious.
Liora shrugged, her face still annoyed. "I don't know. Figure it out yourself!" she said dismissively.
Then, without giving Revan a chance to respond, Liora turned and quickly walked into the forest, leaving Revan alone.
"Wait, I'm not done asking," Revan called out, raising his voice slightly.
"Don't care!" Liora replied from a distance without looking back.
Revan tried again. "Can we meet tomorrow?"
"Whatever!" Liora answered curtly, waving her hand dismissively as she disappeared into the trees, her attitude clearly showing she was still upset.
Revan watched her retreating figure until she vanished among the foliage. Though his face remained expressionless, a strange sensation stirred within him—a feeling of happiness.
"For the first time, I talked so much with someone." His mind filled with a joy he couldn't quite understand. Revan stood up, then made his way back to the giant tree.