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.

It was dark, and there were next to no hiding places. Instinctively, he rolled under the bed before the lights were turned on.

Through the gap, he could see a pair of black boots specialized for combat. A thud resonated from the bed, and the owner must have sat down.

Sobbing.

Api realized that they weren’t his. It was low-pitched, but definitely a female. The voice seemed familiar.

Could aliens cry? He had no idea. Remaining as still as he was able to, he tried to glimpse at the person’s reflection through the smooth metal wall, but the girl was covering her face. He could see that she wore black clothing with the crest of Bora-ra on her chest.

Wasn’t that the dude that tried to kill Tanah? He knew KikiTa was on the crew as well, but this girl didn’t seem to have green skin or have a box for a head. Suppose she was human? Why would a human work for an alien? They didn’t have the currency.

The female repeated muffled apologies over and over, the cries growing louder as she progressed. A crack boomed from the ground, and Api flinched at the sudden escalation. A watch laid dejected on the ground, its features consisting of a black peripheral iron with a red lightning bolt as the crest.

She screamed. It held no words, but it was filled with agony and grief, something he was familiar with all too well.

The crying died down. She might have calmed down. Sighing, she picked the watch back up, and that’s when Api saw her face.

He yelped. At the same moment, Petir’s gaze fell on him. They stared at each other in bewilderment before they reacted. Api rolled out and pointed an accusing finger at her.

“Why are you working for Bora-ra? I thought you and Tanah left the country!” Api scorched.

Petir’s emotionless façade returned as she calmly wiped her tears away.

“Why are you here?” Her voice was even.

“ANSWER ME!” Blaze’s figure blazed with fire. Petir’s eyes widened before she realized that she was at a disadvantage. She might be the best swordswoman, but she was disarmed and going against a fire elemental with bare hands might not be the best option.

Petir regained her composure. She held her watch, but her grip was unstable. It was like a life support that she can’t live without but she despised it.

“Bora-ra needs me to bring you and Daun into custody,” Petir warned. “You are in no condition to fight me. This ship is in hyperspace. Unless you want to die and let your sister grieve about your unsolved death for her life, you will stay put and come with me.”

“Daun?” Blaze demanded. “Why her?”

Petir glared him down. “You should know why.”

Blaze’s fire extinguished. His mind drifted to Air and Angin’s disappearing silhouettes.

Petir turned to the exit. “You’re in my custody now.”

She didn’t elaborate further.

Blaze returned to Api. Staring at Petir’s back, he could only hope for the worst.

Petir heaved a sigh, something that he’d never seen her done before.

“You can’t change it now,” Petir said softly. “It’s not your fault.”

The door closed behind her, sealing his fate.

* * *

Petir was on her knee, waiting for her judgement. Api was being held at gunpoint by KikiTa.

“So,” Bora-ra boomed, “you failed, huh?”

Petir held her head low. Her expression was blank as ever, her movements relaxed as if she’d given up struggling.

“No matter.” Bora-ra turned. He turned to Yoyo Oo. “Bring them in.”

The glass-headed alien nodded in contempt before pressing down a button. The entrance opened once more, and revealed a figure with black clothes and golden streaks.

Petir shot up. “Tanah…?”

Gempa did not respond. He walked past her and stood next to Bora-ra, golden eyes gleaming.

She snapped to the alien. “What did you do to him!”

Api couldn’t breathe. Tanah also had elemental powers. He felt like everything was a lie.

“Do not fret,” Bora-ra said. “This is a mere experimentation. It is temporary. Your brother is safe.”

The screens behind him blared to life. It displayed the cells, and Tanah was pacing in the small space, indeed as he said, safe and sound.

Petir turned to Gempa and to the screens. “But—”

“It separates you lot from your elemental forms,” Yoyo Oo rasped. “Sadly, we only have the resources to use it on only one.”

Api’s heart sank. He knew where this was going. Despite this, he couldn’t do anything. He was powerless in this situation.

“After all,” Bora-ra continued, “it’s an honour for a lieutenant to serve me eternally.”

Petir glanced at her brother’s segregated elemental form and back to the screen.

Without hesitation, she nodded.