Destinies: Separate Ways

4th Fate: The Useless Professor

Artha pov

It all started with the fire—the fire that destroyed everything and burned away our friendships. About a month has passed since that accident, and everything has changed. The atmosphere has turned gloomy and sad, and some people have left. The only one who remains with me now is Chandra.
Chandra:"What's wrong, Artha?"
Artha:"I still cannot accept all of this, Chandra"
Artha:"It shouldn't have ended this way"
Artha:"We shouldn't have separated like this"
Artha:"There must be something I can do to fix everything"
Chandra:"Fix everything? How will you do that?"

Chandra:"All of these started with Fadli's sacrifice to save Adzima"
Chandra:"If you want to fix everything, then you have to bring him back from death"
Artha:"If that is what it takes, then I will do it"
Chandra:"That is impossible, Artha"
Chandra:"There are no medicines or potions that can bring people back to life"
Chandra:"Even if you can make it, playing with the dead will never end well"
Chandra:"It's unethical, and you will get the consequences for it"
Artha:"So be it! I don't care about the consequences"

Chandra:"I'm afraid I can't stay with you anymore if you stay like this, Artha"
I immediately got angry and shouted at Chandra after she said that.
Artha:"Then go! I don't need you or your negativity here!"
She slapped me hard right after I shouted at her. The force of the slap made me realize the gravity of my words. Seeing her cry filled me with guilt. I tried to apologize, but she ran away from me immediately.
Artha:"Great! I'm so stupid!"
I tried to chase after her, but she had already vanished from sight. I touched my cheek where Chandra had slapped me.

The slap didn’t hurt, but it symbolized how my world was crumbling due to my own stupidity. I had hurt someone precious to me—someone who had always been by my side. Now, I’ve lost her, and I feel utterly foolish.
Artha:"I'm sorry, Chandra"
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A week has passed since Chandra left. Currently, I am at a science conference in Quatro. There are many intriguing theories, but one in particular has captured my full attention: the theory about the elixir of immortality. I immediately approached the scientist who proposed the theory to ask for more details.
Artha:"Excuse me, Mr. Richard, I'm interested in your theory about the elixir of immortality, so I would like to ask you a few things"
Richard:"Sure, what do you want to ask?"
Artha:"Can that elixir be used to bring someone back from the dead?"
Mr. Richard was surprised after I asked that. He, who initially smiled at me, immediately turned serious.
Richard:"Playing with the dead is not a good thing"
Richard:"I want to make an elixir to prevent death, not to cancel it"
Richard:"Why do you want to know about that?"

I then explained "that" accident to Richard and shared my plan to fix it. Richard remained silent for a moment, appearing to contemplate my plan deeply.
Richard:"Fine, I will help you. Follow me"
Richard then took me to his laboratory in a building called Sekawan Tower.
Artha:"Sekawan Tower? That is a very unique name for a building"
Richard:"I agree, I am not the one who named this building though"
Richard's lab is on the top floor of this building, and I am very impressed with his lab.
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One month into our experiment to create the elixir of immortality, we hadn't made any significant progress. Additionally, I noticed that Richard had become increasingly pale and weak, often coughing during our experiments, which worried me greatly. For instance, today, he coughed again just as we were about to test a new combination for the elixir.
Artha:"Are you really okay?"
Richard:"I'm fine, Artha"
Richard:"Let's just focus on the experiment, the faster we finish this, the better"

Richard pressed the button to test the new combination, but suddenly the lab siren went off, indicating an error. Before we could investigate, the combination exploded, and I felt a splash of chemical liquid hit my face before I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I found myself in the infirmary, with Richard looking at me sadly.
Artha:"Ugh"
Richard:"Thank goodness you are finally awake"
Richard:"Do you feel anything wrong with your body?"
Artha:"No, why?"

Richard:"I have a bad news for you"
Richard:"The chemicals that hit your face before you fainted entered your body and seem to have altered your DNA, transforming your body into rubber"
Artha:"What? Rubber? Like Mr. Fantastic from Fantastic 4?"
Richard:"Yes"
I tried to pull my thumb, and to my surprise, it stretched and became very flexible, like rubber.
Artha:"Wait, What about you?"
Richard then coughed blood right in front of me.
Richard:"I guess I still have a few days left to live"
Artha:"What? So you really are sick after all, why did you never tell me?"

Richard:"I don't want you to lose focus. You have your own reason, right?"
Artha:"But if only you told me, we could make the elixir faster and cure you"
Richard just shook his head.
Richard:"We can't, Artha, we can't even create that elixir when we are focused, let alone if you lose your focus"
Richard:"I don't care about that elixir anymore because you are here"
Richard:"I'm glad i met you Artha, I'm glad that you are my successor"
Richard:"I know someday you will definitely make that elixir"
Richard:"So I will leave everything to you, this tower, and everything inside it are all yours"
Richard:"Take care, Artha"
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Several days later, Richard finally breathed his last breath, and I buried him not far from the tower.
Artha:"Rest well, professor"
After I placed flowers on his grave, I heard someone calling my name, and when I turned around, I saw Agus walking towards me.
Agus:"Artha, long time no see"
Artha:"Agus? Hi buddy, how are you?"
Agus:"I'm good, what are you doing here?"
I glanced at Richard's grave, then smiled at Agus.
Artha:"Visiting a friend"

Agus also glanced at Richard's grave, and then he hugged me.
Agus:"Please accept my condolences, my friend"
Artha:"Thank you"
I then invited Agus to chat at Sekawan Tower and shared everything that had happened to me. Agus also recounted his story, revealing that he, too, had been involved in an accident that granted him an ability similar to mine. However, while my power allows me to stretch and flex my body like rubber, Agus’s ability enables him to transform any part of his body into earth and stone, which he can then shape into weapons or armor.

After chatting for a long time, I invited Agus to stay in the tower with me, and he happily accepted. We formed a team and trained together to master our abilities. We also used our powers to help residents, such as now, when we’re assisting the police in evacuating people trapped on a Ferris wheel that suddenly stopped working. I was repairing the Ferris wheel’s engine while Agus held one of the broken support poles. Suddenly, a tremendous earthquake struck, causing the Ferris wheel to shake violently and several large bolts to come loose and fall.

I saw the bolts falling towards a group of children anxiously watching their friends trapped on the Ferris wheel. Suddenly, Ina appeared and blocked the bolts with an invisible barrier. Meanwhile, another support pole for the Ferris wheel broke, causing the Ferris wheel to tilt. Agus struggled to keep it upright but was clearly overwhelmed. I then saw Anjas run toward the broken poles and shout at Agus.

Anjas:"Agus, hold it a little longer!"
Agus nodded and used all his strength to hold the Ferris wheel, while Anjas released fire from both hands and welded the broken support pole using his abilities. Once Anjas finished welding the pillar, I managed to repair the Ferris wheel engine, and it started moving again, allowing us to evacuate everyone trapped inside. Afterward, I invited Ina and Anjas to the tower for a chat. However, before I could say anything, a broadcast about Zalgo appeared on TV, and when I looked out the window, I saw the Soul Devourers attacking and possessing the residents.

I immediately tried to get out to help them, but Agus held my hand, shaking his head and looking down. Ina and Anjas also looked down sadly.
Agus:"It's already too late, Artha"
I immediately punched the wall in anger after hearing that.
Artha:"Shit!"
I'm truly useless. I hurt Chandra, who was always there for me. I couldn't help Richard, who taught me everything. Now, I can't even assist the residents being attacked right in front of me. I really am The Useless Professor.