(Chapter - 26)

  [Karu Arfan Rafin (2)]

  Karu's expression hardens with disgust the moment he sees the boy.

  Karu : …What are you doing here??

  The boy smirks with his red eyes glowing.

  Boy : Remember I told you that I'd take care of you later?

  Karu : Ha! Take care of me? Didn't you already realize that you don’t stand a chance against me?

  Boy : Your powers beat mine, but for how long? Fire always burns everything down, sooner or later.

  Karu : No, fire can't burn everything. Because there will always be something that puts out the flames.

  Boy : I don’t care. Listen, you ruined my plan yesterday, so you must pay for it. If you wanna live, then leave your family and run somewhere far away. If you don’t, you’ll end up burned into ashes instead of him.

  Karu : What?

  Boy : Leave your family, or you have to die in front of them. Also, if you stay, your family might be harmed too. I won't rest until I make your life hell.

  Karu laughs mockingly, furrowing his eyebrows a bit. His demeanor remains calm and stern as ever.

  Karu : Haha. Threatening me? It’s useless, because… I was taught not to lose to evil. And you are the ‘Evil’.

  Boy : You'll regret it. I'll make sure you do!

  He swings his hand in front of Karu and shoots fire. Karu dissolves the fire shots using his power, and pushes him out of the gate with another strike.

  Karu : Not. A. Chance!

  He continuously hits the boy with powers. The boy can't keep up with the pace and slowly steps back. A bit of nervousness appears on his face but he tries to hide it. Karu slowly walks out of the gate.

  Karu : You're not worthy of wasting my powers on. And hurting my family? Don't even think of–

  Before he can finish, the boy jumps at him, tackling him on the ground.

  Karu : Ugh! So you want to fight using your hands now?

  Boy : I won't lose to you!

  Karu : You wish!

  Karu grabs his collars, punches him and rolls him over. They keep hitting and punching each other. The boy suddenly chokes Karu, but Karu grabs his hair tightly. He lets go of Karu's neck and grabs his hand instead to release his hair.

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  Boy : Argh! Let go!

  Karu : You didn’t even learn to fight, did you? Your weak grip says it all.

  Boy : I said let go!

  Karu : Only if you get lost and never show your face again.

  Boy : Uhh!

  At that moment, Mrs. Keya returns from the market and sees them fighting like that in front of the gates.

  Mrs. Keya : !!? Karu! What's happening?? Why are you fighting!?

  Karu : Mom?? Ah-!

  Her voice distracts Karu and he loosens his grip. The boy seizes the chance and pushes Karu off him and runs away, panting heavily as if he just got his breath back. Karu stands up as his mother comes towards him, anxiously checking if he got hurt.

  Karu : *What a ridiculous kid! He's not even strong physically. He's just arrogant about his fire powers and purely evil.*

  Mrs. Keya : Are you hurt? Who was the boy? And why were you fighting?

  Karu : Mom! He's the boy who tried to burn another person! I don’t know how he found my address but he came to threaten me! He started the fight and I just defended myself.

  Mrs. Keya : I know you didn't start it, Karu. You aren’t the kind of boy who fights without a reason. Your safety is what matters first, that's why I got worried seeing you like that.

  Karu : Thanks, mom…

  Karu hugs his mother.

  Mrs. Keya : And about his threat, nothing can hurt you as long as I and your father are alive. So never bow your head to unfairness and the bad. And never be afraid to support the right thing.

  Karu : Yes, I'll remember.

  Mrs. Keya : That's my boy! I guess your father's self defense lessons came in handy today?

  Karu : Hahaha!

  They walk into the house together.

  “When he suddenly left like that after losing to me for the second time, I thought that was the end of his story. I thought I had scared him enough to make him realize he was weaker than me. I mean, he just took pride in his fire powers but he knew nothing about fighting, or what’s right or wrong. He might have looked my age but was definitely younger, also shorter than me. His immature behavior said everything. 4 days passed after that and he didn’t come back. So I took that as a good sign that he'd never be back again. But the 5th day was the day of my biggest nightmare.”

  Karu and his mother are in their garden. Mrs. Keya is watering some plants with a pot, at a corner. At another corner, Karu is nurturing a few plants with his powers. Everything feels calm, and cozy, filled with greenery and colorful flowers. Karu smiles seeing the leaves turn fresh and green. Hearing sudden footsteps, he looks back and his smile fades. It's him again — the boy in the dark red cloak. It gets on his nerves to see the boy here in the garden.

  Karu : You again? How dare you step into our garden?

  Boy : You're not gonna run away from here?

  Karu : Are you crazy or something? What's even your problem?

  Boy : I told you I'll make you pay. I even gave you a few days to think. So… You decided not to leave your family?

  Karu : Hey, enough with the nonsense. I'm tired of your craziness!

  Boy : You called me weak that day didn’t you?

  Karu : Uh! Why don’t you just leave me alone!?

  Boy : I may be weaker than you in strength, but do you remember what I said? ‘I won't lose to you’.

  Karu : Hah… Why are you like this? All I did was save a boy who you were trying to kill with your stupid stunts! And now you're obsessed with making me leave my family? I won't run away. So what?

  Boy : Hahaha…

  His cold, empty laugh makes Karu feel unsettled for the first time.

  Karu : *What is he even thinking?*

  Boy : I’ve destroyed many places, this is nothing. That's it then.

  Karu : …?

  Boy : I'll make sure you regret this.

  His malicious words echo in Karu's ears. The boy presses his hand on the wall of grass and it instantly erupts into massive flames, then he quickly swings his hands so the flames become bizarre and spread faster than any action Karu can take. Karu's face turns pale with shock and terror.

  Karu : What are you doing!? Stop it! Stop!

  Boy : This is how you pay for ruining my plan. See? I won. I didn’t lose to you, even if I have less strength! HAHAHAHAHA!

  Karu : Stop the fire!!

  The boy’s eyes glow red just like the fire, and he vanishes into black smoke as he did that day. Karu panics as the whole garden catches on fire and spreads further in less than a minute. He runs around searching for his mother.

  Karu : Help! Somebody help! *I need to find mom! Where is she!?* Mom! Where are you! Mom!... Mom!

  A while later, Mrs. Keya finds Karu and runs to him.

  Mrs. Keya : Karu!!! Let's get out of here quick!

  Karu : The fire is spreading fast!

  Mrs. Keya : Let's go!

  She picks Karu up and starts running towards the exit. Karu holds onto her tight. The fire has engulfed every part of the garden including the gates.

  Karu : Mom, that boy came and did this just now!

  Mrs. Keya : What??

  Karu : I'm sorry! It's all because of me.

  Mrs. Keya : No, sweetie. It's not your fault.

  She's almost reaching the exit but the gates on fire crumble down along with a big tree, blocking their way out. Both Karu and his mother become terrified.

  Mrs. Keya : *Gasp* Oh no!

  Karu : What now??

  Mrs. Keya : Don't panic, we'll figure something out. I'm here.

  Karu : Umm…

  Karu starts shaking while his hands clench tighter. His mother keeps running here and there, holding Karu, thinking of a way out. The garden soon turns into an ocean of fire, and smoke starts to cover the air.

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