This Isn't Your World

Chapter 9

The measly entrance of the cave was merely a watered-down illusion. As the common saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover, this might be the exact definition of it; just without the book or covers.

The earth elemental scowled at the darkness that awaited them. "I've seen clubs shadier than this."

Neither Petir nor Cahaya dared to question. Tanah stuffed his hands into his pockets and entered the cavern. The two quickly followed his proactive assertion.

Cahaya and Tanah walked at the front, side by side, their footsteps heavy. Their heights have barely changed at all. The only difference was the sudden whiteness in Tanah's hair and skin. Petir followed behind them in wariness, arms hugging each other as she stared at their darkening silhouettes.

As they progressed into the grotto, the light abandoned them bit by bit.

Cahaya transformed into his elemental form. One of its base natures was to emit light, and it pretty much served as a walking flashlight.

The journey was carried on in utmost silence.

Petir's sharp yet dull eyes darted around the cave. The area was larger than a house, walls shaped of rock and crystals. A gold glow bounced through the crystals as Solar passed through the front, gifting the area a playful banter. Through the reflections of the crystals' reflective surface, they were able to navigate themselves through this cave without any mishaps.

She stared at the two's silhouettes, their figures strangers to her.

She didn't belong anymore. Perhaps she did, in the past as an ordinary elemental—as much as a depressed state of mess level of ordinary—but now? She's a freak. Her power doesn't belong to her. She was just another essential of her elemental form, unable to part with it or live with it.

Moist caramel eyes stared at her rough hands. It was time to stop crying. It was the moment to fix everything else, not wallow in self-pity.

Her eyes fell on her boots, guilt tearing at her.

Ever since she'd woken up, there was an invisible tidal wave that kept crashing over her, attempting to drown her. Her instinct said to close her eyes and allow herself to be swept away by the current, by her master's commands. Her conscious told her to fight for her freedom of will, but it seemed pointless now.

And ever since she arrived here... the feeling intensified. It was like there was a string inside her forehead, attracting her to the centre of this island. That's where they seemed to be going, anyway.

Why were they helping her? She'd betrayed them. She'd hurt them. She couldn't even be called a human anymore. She was a monster. Ever shred of humanity ever since she took up sword-fighting.

Everyone's hopes and dreams and futures were burnt in flames, all for what? Because of her little mishap. Due to her pathetic little insecurity. If she hadn't revealed herself to Tanah back then... would they still be whole? Would everything still be normal?

Why wouldn't they just let her go?

She will get the both of them out of here alive, no matter what it costed her.

Solar stopped abruptly in his footsteps, forcing the pair of siblings to halt, nearly tripping over their own feet in the process. Tanah released a torrent of unfriendly profanities and interesting slang terms, which the both of them could only assume the definition of.

The tracker indicated that they were close to it, but there was no path. They had walked into a clearing the size of half a football stadium, its ceiling as tall as a ten-storey building. Emerald-like crystals were embedded in the walls and grounds and ceiling, all reflecting Solar's golden illumination.

Tanah and Petir stared at the miniature miracle in awe. The crystals that reflected Solar's gentle light resembled mini universes draped in liquid gold. It almost seemed magical.

A creak.

Petir's ear perked. The boys didn't seem to be aware, but something else was in this place. Her eyes shot upwards, but she had only managed to catch a glimpse of a shell before it disappeared.

She frowned. "Solar," she said. "Give me light up there."

Solar's perfect eyebrow arched. "Hm? Okay."

He stabbed his glowing finger towards the ceiling, forming a harmless torch. Petir grabbed his wrist and turned it wherever she deemed as suspicious, but it resulted in Solar being the victim in an accidental backflip.

Tanah snorted. Idiot.

"What did you see?" Tanah tried to follow Petir's rushed inspections of the area, but she proved that her instincts were still faster.

Petir released the light elemental's hand in mercy.

"What was that for?" Solar complained, shaking his arm.

Petir's eyes remained on the ceiling. She saw a yellow sensor, then another. The pair of robotic sensors suddenly enlarged at an alarming rate and the air pressure became dangerously high, which Petir managed to push the two out and dodge the robot's body. Petir landed across the room from Solar and Tanah, who were surprised at the escalation of events as well.

Groaning, Petir supported the upper-half of her body by her arm. There were some minor scrapes and scratches, but there was no actual damage. The arm guard on her right arm had also been torn apart, which she cursed the low-quality materials.

The black veins on her right arms were completely exposed now. She tried to ignore it, to relieve her panic, and she turned her attention towards her family. They recovered faster than her, and they were trying not to move to not attract the robot's attention.

The robot resembled a hermit. Its hide was red-coloured metal. It had six legs in total, with three on each side. There were two flexible wings on his back, though she doubted that it would grant him any altitude.

"Who are you?" it rasped, voice throaty as if it was speaking from the barrel of a cannon. It stared at Petir solely, as if it did not acknowledge Tanah or Solar's presence, despite one of them is a walking light bulb.

Petir stared at the majestic robot before her. It was old and worn down, but the aura of war had yet to fade. There was damage on its body that resembled battle wounds or scars obtained through a mean battle against a lawnmower.

"My name is Petir." The steel in her voice surprised her. "The final lightning elemental on earth."

Solar and Tanah exchanged confused glances. Maybe she had learned something from Bora-ra when she was serving as his liege.

The power sphere's sensors dimmed lightly, which she could only assume that it was blinking as if it was reminiscing past traumatic memories. She could relate.

"I am Klamkabot," it responded carefully, words woven in an unnatural string of voice. "One of the first ever generations of all power spheres. I see Earth has not fallen."

Petir bit the insides of her cheeks, drawing blood from the previous wound that she'd created previously.

"We need your help," she continued, eyes falling on the two males. The power sphere turned around, feet clinking on the stone floor as it whirled around.

Solar swallowed. "We're looking for a laboratory."

"And it is one that I am aware of." Klamkabot nodded. "I can assist you. However, I must also ask of you for a favour."

Tanah groaned. "Sure. Why the fuck not?" He threw his hands up in exasperation.

The power sphere glared at him, but Solar held an arm up to defend him. "Sorry. He's not always like this. What do you need?"

The power sphere rose to its full height, lording over them in a dramatical manner.

"I need you to defend me from a hunter—Bora-ra."