Destinies: The Origin

Chapter 6: Ardnahc

Adzima POV

After waking up, I went to Falco's room and knocked on the door to check if he was really resting. When he opened it, he is still wearing his sunglasses and cap, so I ask him about it. 
Adzima:"Do you always wear sunglasses and a cap when you sleeping?" 
Falco:"I have been awake for a while, Princess. I waiting for you to wake up so you wouldn’t doubt me. As for the sunglasses and the cap, it’s just because I don’t like others seeing my face" 

I observed Falco closely, noticing he was only wearing a black long-sleeved turtleneck and trousers, without his coat, gun holster, or military boots. He was still wearing his black gloves though. I am very curious about why he always fully covered himself, but I chose not to ask, because I know I didn’t have the right to ask that.
Adzima:'For now at least'
We then got ready and contacted the others to gather. A hologram of the Earth displayed videos and images of a circus show. 
Falco:"The person we are going to recruit this time is a magician" 
Hearing the word 'magician,' Artha sighed deeply. 

Falco:"Her stage name is Ardnahc" 
Fian:"A magician, huh? That sounds interesting" 
While Artha looked indifferent, I was excited to see the magic show on the hologram. 
Adzima:"Oh, I love magic! This is going to be so much fun" 
Everyone noticed my excitement, even Falco smiled a little, which made me blush slightly. Artha, however, remained uninterested. 
Artha:"What's so fascinating about magic? It's just a series of tricks to deceive the audience" 
Adzima:"That is exactly the point, Artha. People are drawn to the mysterious and the unknown. Magic captivates them because they are curious about how it is done. Besides, many just enjoy magic shows for the entertainment" 

Artha:"That is ridiculous, Adzima. Who enjoys being deceived?" 
Falco:"Why don’t you come with us and see for yourself?" 
Artha:"Fine, although I’m sure it will be very boring" 
Falco:"I highly doubt it. Fian, you are coming with us too, we are going to need your ability as well" 
Fian:"Okay!" 
With enthusiasm, Fian immediately agreed. We all headed to the circus show displayed in the hologram, ready to see what Ardnahc’s magic had to offer. 

When we arrived at the circus tent, we found that the show had already started. We sat down and began watching, although Artha kept grumbling. At first, we were just curious about the show, but soon we got swept away by the performances. Even Artha stopped complaining and started enjoying the show. However, our attention suddenly shifted when we heard someone clapping very loudly beside us us, and it turned out to be Falco who was applauding. 
Falco:"Be focus, everyone!" 
Adzima:"Sorry...." 

The host then announced the next performer: Ardnahc. To our surprise, Ardnahc turned out to be Galuh, another one of our junior high school classmate. Artha then jumped to his feet, ready to call out to her, but Falco quickly stopped him. Strangely, even though they blocked the view of the other spectators, no one scolded them. 
Artha:"What?" 
Falco:"Not now, Professor" 
Artha:"Why? Isn’t she the reason we came here?" 
Falco:"Look around you" 
Following his instruction, we looked around and saw that the audience around us had turned into dried corpses or skeletons, some still wearing old clothing.

Seeing the dried corpses and skeletons around us, we were all shocked, especially because the clapping and cheers from the dead audience could still be heard. 
Fian:"What the fuck is happening here? Where are these sounds coming from?" 
Falco:"This is not an ordinary circus; this is the Circus Illusion. If you get trapped in its illusions, you’ll be stuck here forever. That goes for the performers, too" 
Adzima:"Doesn’t that mean Galuh is also trapped here?" 
Falco:"Yes" 
Artha:"Then, what are we waiting for? We have to get her out of here immediately" 
Falco:"As I said, not yet"

Artha and Falco then sat back down, and we continued watching Galuh's magic show until it ended. After she went backstage, the lights in the circus tent suddenly went out. Falco gave us a signal. 
Falco:"Now" 
We immediately ran to chase after Galuh. When we reached her, Artha suddenly hugged her from behind. 
Artha:"I missed you so much, Chandra" 
However, Artha was suddenly thrown back by a powerful burst of yellow energy. Galuh then turned to face us with a blank look on her face, restraining our bodies with the same yellow energy, making us unable to move. 
Adzima:"Galuh, what are you doing? We are your friends!"

Fortunately, Artha, who had been thrown earlier, wasn’t restrained like us and could still move freely. He tried to approach Galuh again, but she used her yellow energy to push him back repeatedly. Undeterred, Artha streched both his hands out to her, determined to reach her even though the energy kept pushing him away. Desperate to let go of his touch, Galuh hurled various objects at him with her yellow energy. Despite her efforts, Artha managed to keep his hands stretched. When the objects hit him, he was forced to release his grip, but he didn’t give up, still trying to reach her.

Though hurt by the objects thrown at him, Artha refused to give up. Ignoring the pain, he continued to advance toward Galuh. With unwavering determination, he embraced her tightly and whispered gently in her ear. 
Artha:"I’m sorry…" 
At his words, the yellow energy restraining us suddenly disappeared, and the flying objects stopped. We were finally free to move again, and Artha and Galuh remained in an embrace, a moment of reconciliation amidst the chaos.

Galuh then returned Artha’s hug, crying on his shoulder and apologizing. 
Galuh:"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m very sorry" 
Artha gently stroked Galuh’s back, trying to comfort her. I was so moved by the scene that I unconsciously leaned my head on someone’s shoulder next to me. The touching moment lasted until Fian cleared his throat loudly to remind us of the situation. 
Fian:"Ahem, remember the situation, everyone" 
Artha and Galuh quickly let go of each other, their faces red with embarrassment. 
Artha:"Sorry…" 

I chuckled at their reaction, but then Fian looked at me. 
Fian:"Ahem, you too, Adzima" 
At first, I didn’t understand, but then I realized I was leaning on someone’s shoulder. Since Fian was near Artha and Galuh, that meant I was leaning on Falco’s shoulder. 
Adzima:"S-s-s-sorry!" 
I blushed deeply and immediately moved away from him. 
Falco:"It’s alright, Princess, I don’t mind" 
Falco gave a calming smile, while Fian smirked at my reaction. Galuh then looked over at Artha with a question. 
Galuh:"Is he Adzima’s boyfriend?" 
My face reddened even more at her question, and Fian burst out laughing. Artha only shrugged in response.

I quickly turned my face away to hide my flushed cheeks, only to realize that we were no longer in the circus tent but standing in the middle of a forest. The circus tent had vanished without a trace. Seeing my confused expression, the others also noticed the change. 
Artha:"What’s going on here?" 
Falco:"You finally noticed. We were kicked out from the circus as soon as Artha and Ardnahc embraced each other" 
Adzima:"What? How?" 
Falco:"As I mentioned earlier, that circus is the Circus Illusion. Anyone who realizes the effect of the illusion will be released, and the circus will seek new victims"

Falco:"That is why. Even though I managed to track down the circus, stopping it is very difficult" 
Artha:"So that’s why you stopped me from acting recklessly earlier? We would be kicked out with the slightest mistake, and Chandra couldn’t be saved"
Falco nodded.  
Galuh:"Thank you for saving me, everyone" 
Adzima:"No need to thank us, Galuh. We’re gathering a team of people with extraordinary abilities to save the world. Will you join us, Galuh?" 
Galuh:"Yes, I’ll gladly join you" 
With Galuh’s agreement, we immediately returned to the mansion.