This Is My World [High School AU]

Chapter 14

The light died down, along with the intensity of the attack. Solar’s form burned away, and Cahaya fell on his knees, exhausted. His face was blotched with tears, but his sobs died in his throat. The pain was unbearable. He wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

The building hadn’t collapsed, but a massive chunk had been burned off. Among the smoking debris was a figure, unconscious and her clothes smoldering.

Thorn wrapped her arms around Cahaya’s neck. Her face was moist as well, and she buried her head into his shoulder. She’d witnessed her friend hurt his former love. She wished that it was her that was hurt.

A soft thud was audible in the soundless grief, which caught both their attention simultaneously. They turned sharply, to be greeted by the sight if two figures in different shades of blue. Thorn’s eyes widened, and so did theirs.

“Daun?” Taufan demanded, rushing to her side. “What are you doing here? When did you get new clothes? What happened here? Are you alright?”

Thorn looked her brother up and down. “You— you have elemental powers?”

Taufan knelt down and caressed Thorn’s cap. He looked bewildered, and he can’t meet her eyes. Neither could Thorn.

“I—I’m sorry,” Taufan said softly. “For keeping this from you. I wanted to tell you, but…”

Thorn tackled her brother into a hug. Taufan was shocked at first, but he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.

Ais glanced at the debris. As she walked closer, she could see someone familiar, unconscious. Despite her smoking clothes and lack of consciousness, her skin was intact and sparking with red electricity. There was a spear next to her, shattered into dim red shards.

Petir, she realized.

“Stay away from her,” Cahaya croaked. “She’s working for Bora-ra.”

Ais turned to him. She had next to no clue on the situation, but judging from the faint glow that Cahaya was radiating, he, Petir and Daun both possessed individual elemental powers, just like her and Angin.

This world was smaller than she thought.

“Working for Bora-ra,” Ais repeated numbly. “Where’s Tanah?”

Cahaya shook his head sharply. He covered his face with his hands, his entire body trembling.

Ais’s heart sank. She knew the worst had occurred. Gritting her teeth in disbelief, she helped him up by draping his arm over her shoulder.

“So,” Cahaya whispered, tensing at her touch, “element of ice, huh?”

“More accurately, it’s water and ice,” Ais corrected, helping him over to Thorn and Taufan.

The pair had made their peace. All of them stared at Cahaya, and they awaited his explanation. He told them everything, leaving no detail untouched. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Petir.

Halilintar opened her eyes. Acknowledging that they had left her presence unwatched, she used her energy to regenerate most of the damage dealt to her. It was a risky move, since she won’t be able to use her powers for a while, but it was worth it. As their backs were turned, she parkoured through roof and roof in silence, returning empty handed to her master.

When they noticed, all they found were the remnants of the fading electric weapon, along with the siren of police.

Taufan helped them escape before the helicopters arrived.

* * *

Api held his breath as he heard footsteps aboard. Hearing the ship spring to life, he froze as the door to his hiding place slid open.