Destinies: The Origin

Chapter 26: The Shaman King

Adzima POV

Ramadhan joined us as soon as the Troublemakers told him about the team. We returned to the mansion, and I couldn't shake the feeling that our battle with Zalgo was drawing closer. It seemed like everyone else felt the same, as they began honing their abilities. There was something strange about Falco too, every time I looked at him, I felt a deep sadness and longing, knowing I didn't deserve him.
Falco:"Are you okay, Princess?"
He asked when he noticed my gaze, and I answered with a small, calming smile.

Falco returned my smile with his own. Although I couldn't see his eyes directly, I could feel the same longing in his gaze. We continued to stare at each other, and then we heard Aditya sigh from the couch, making us look his way.
Adzima:"What's wrong, Aditya?"
Aditya:"Nothing, Adzima, don't worry. I just miss my brother and I hope he's okay"
Adzima:"You miss your brothers? But you just played with the Troublemakers earlier"
Aditya:"I mean my biological twin, Adzima, not those mongrels"
Adzima:"You shouldn't call your brothers that, Aditya"

I tried to offer advice, but he just grinned. Soon after, a frying pan landed on Aditya's forehead, and the Troublemakers arrived.
Fian:"How dare you call us mongrels, you ape!"
Aditya:"At least I'm still a primate"
At first glance, it seemed like they were about to fight, but I saw smiles on their faces, and then they burst into laughter.
Tetron:"Seriously? Ape? You're getting soft, Fian"
Fian:"I know, I know, that wasn't my best comeback"
The others then approached us.
Elsa:"Ugh, how long are you guys going to keep acting like children?"
The Troublemakers just ignored Elsa and kept laughing.

Falco asked us to gather around the hologram to discuss the next person after the Troublemakers calmed down from their laughter.
Falco:"The person we are going to recruit next is a Shaman"
Tetron:"So, a dark arts user?"
Falco:"No, not a Shaman like that"
Falco:"This one is an Onmyouji"
Aditya:"Onmyouji? That sounds interesting"
Falco smiled hearing Aditya's response, and I noticed that Qori had been standing very close to Aditya the entire time, which made me smile as I watched them.

We entered the dense forest to find the Shaman. Fortunately, the forest had a fairly wide path, so we could explore it by cars.
Adzima:"Wow, this forest is so dark, even though it's still daytime"
Falco:"Yeah, it's the perfect place to hide, isn't it?"
We found a small hut in the forest. In front of the hut, we saw the possessed locals and the Soul Devourers sealed with paper talismans. Anjas tried to burn one of the Soul Devourers with his powers, but not only did the Soul Devourer remain unaffected, the paper talisman also stayed intact.
Arvin:"Whoever did this, they're incredible"

As we approached the hut, we saw another talisman on the door handle. The characters on this talisman were different from those on the talismans sealing the locals and the Soul Devourers outside. Falco knocked on the door, and soon after, a voice came from inside.
Shaman:"Who are you?"
Falco:"We are not your enemies, so there is no need to be wary of us"
Shaman:"Then what do you want from me?"
Adzima:"We are forming a team of extraordinary people to save the world, and we need your help. Will you join us?"

Shaman:"Of course"
Aditya:"Really? That easy?"
Shaman:"Yes, but with one condition"
Shaman:"One of you must touch the talisman on the door"
Shaman:"The talisman will read your heart"
Shaman:"If what you're saying is true and your heart is pure, the door will open"
Shaman:"But if you're lying to me, the talisman will seal you just like the people outside"
Falco patted my shoulder as I looked at him. I then touched the talisman, and suddenly, it ignited into flames. The door of the hut opened by itself.

When the door fully opened, we were greeted by someone wearing modern Onmyouji attire. It turned out that the shaman was Aditya's twin brother, Andika. Aditya immediately ran and hugged Andika as soon as he saw him.
Aditya:"So it's really you, brother! No wonder your voice sounded familiar. I'm so glad you're okay"
Aditya:"I've missed you so much, brother"
Andika was initially surprised, but quickly returned the hug.
Andika:"I've missed you too, brother. I thought the Soul Devourers had taken you"

We all smiled seeing them, but I noticed Qori's smile at Aditya was different—it was sincere and full of affection. I nudged her and gave her a mischievous smile, and Qori immediately blushed when she caught my smile. Suddenly, Andika let go of the hug and threw several charms, which immediately turned into paper bees and flew out of the hut.
Aditya:"Why did you send those Shikigami, brother?"
Andika:"Just wait and see"
When we turned around, we saw that the paper bees had stung and sealed several newly arrived Soul Devourers. The Troublemakers whistled and clapped at the sight.

Fian:"Can you do that too, Tetron?"
Tetron:"No, I can't use Shikigami like that"
Fian:"What about you, Galuh?"
Galuh:"No, I didn’t even know such things existed"
Ina:"You guys, I think it's better we leave quickly before more Soul Devourers show up"
Elsa:"Ina's right"
We all nodded in agreement. Andika quickly packed his things, and we headed back to the mansion. Once we arrived, Aditya and Andika told us how they got separated.
Aditya:"At first, we both stayed together for a while, after all of us separated"

Aditya:"But every time we were together, we were reminded of 'that' accident, which was really painful for both of us"
I immediately lowered my head after he said that, but Falco gently squeezed my hand, which made me smile a little.
Andika:"So, for the first time, we decided to also part ways"
Andika:"We kept in touch for the first few weeks, but over time, we lost contact"
Aditya:"That's when I was crowned King"
Andika was shocked to hear this.
Andika:"What? A King? You?"
Aditya:"I'll tell you later, brother"
Andika nodded.

Andika:"Ah, by the way, guys, who touched the charm in the hut?"
Adzima:"That was me. Why? Did I do something wrong?"
Andika looked at me in awe.
Andika:"No, it's just..."
Andika:"As I said before, that charm reads your heart"
Andika:"And you, Adzima, have a very pure, clean, and beautiful heart"
Andika:"I didn't expect there to be anyone with a heart like that"
Hearing this, I immediately felt embarrassed and covered my red face with both hands, while the others stared at me in awe.
Adzima:"Please don’t look at me like that, guys"

Then I heard Falco quietly chuckling at my reaction, so I turned to look at him.
Adzima:"You too, My Prince?"
Falco:"Come on, Princess, just accept the compliment"
Adzima:"But I don’t deserve that compliment. I know myself better than anyone"
Adzima:"I know I also have a bad side in my heart"
Falco then gave me a reassuring smile.
Falco:"Everyone has a bad side in their heart, but your heart is different, Princess. Your heart is the most beautiful—far more beautiful than anyone I have ever seen"
I blushed even more hearing that.
Adzima:"But what about you, My Prince?"
Falco:"You have seen what I have done, Princess, and you are still asking me that?"
Falco:"My heart is full of darkness"
Falco:"It's evil, cold, and very disgusting"
I immediately hugged him to stop him from speaking.
Adzima:"Please, stop, My Prince"
Adzima:"Please stop degrading yourself, My Prince"
Adzima:"You're not like that, My Prince"
Adzima:"So please, stop, I don't like hearing you insulting yourself"