The room fell silent, every gaze drawn to him. Kaivan took a long breath, sweeping his eyes over their faces. The weight of the day still pressed on his shoulders, yet words had to be spoken.
"There's news," he said quietly, but firmly. "The Tome of Omnicent pointed me to two names. Raphael, in Purwakarta. But before that, I have to meet Ethan. He's the key to everything."
His words lingered in the air, stirring curiosity. Felicia raised a brow, her voice calm but edged with depth. "Ethan? Who is he? Why is he the key?"
Kaivan met her gaze. "The Tome calls him a bridge. Not the final goal, but the path that will lead us forward. I don't know exactly what awaits."
"A bridge? What does that even mean?" Zinnia finally spoke, her tone flat but betraying a hidden worry. Her slender fingers tapped the table in a steady rhythm, a sign her mind was hard at work. "Can we really trust someone we've never even met?"
Kaivan exhaled, fiddling with the strap of the bag on his shoulder. "I'm not sure either. But we don't have another choice. Besides, we all started as strangers, didn't we?"
The serious air was suddenly pierced by Frans, who hesitantly raised his hand. All eyes turned to him. Kaivan blinked in confusion. "Frans? What is it?"
With innocent curiosity, Frans asked, "Kaivan… is it true you bathed with Thivi yesterday?"
The room froze. Kaivan stiffened, while Thivi let out a soft laugh, covering her mouth. Her mischievous smile bloomed, unapologetic. "Why ask like that? It wasn't a big deal. Just bumped into each other in the bathroom, right, Kaivan?"
Felicia rolled her eyes. "Seriously? We're discussing a mission, not absurd jokes," she muttered sharply.
Radit stifled a laugh. "Bro, focus. But… your sister didn't find out, right, Van?"
Kaivan sighed and cleared his throat firmly. "Enough. Let's stay focused. This is important."
The laughter died down. Zinnia's eyes sharpened. "When do we leave?"
Kaivan met their gazes. "I'll head out Friday afternoon. You all stay here. I'll contact you if there's any news."
Felicia, who had been sitting close by, straightened slowly, as if something pierced through her chest. She rarely spoke much, but when it came to Kaivan, her worry always arrived uninvited.
"I don't like you going alone," she said softly, yet the weight in her voice felt like a command. Her crimson eyes glowed, piercing yet warm, fixing on Kaivan. She wasn't one to plead, but within her tone, there was an urgency that trembled faintly.
Kaivan answered with a faint smile. He had known this would come. "I'll be fine, Felicia. If anything happens, I'll reach out right away." His voice was steady, though not without burden. He patted the bag at his side. "Besides, I have this with me."
The Tome of Omnicent. A name that was no longer just an object. It had become both key and silent guardian.
Felicia's shoulders loosened slightly, though unease still lingered. Even Kaivan's most sincere smile could not soothe it completely.
Across the table, Zinnia tucked her hair behind her ear and asked, her tone serious yet lighter, "Friday, then?"
Kaivan nodded firmly. "As the Tome directs. Everything's already prepared."
That answer calmed the room for a moment, softening the tension. But not every thought was silenced. From the corner, Thivi exhaled smoke, reclining casually with her cigarette.
"Oh, right. About the old phone, it's being picked up this week, right?" Kaivan asked, shifting the atmosphere.
Thivi grinned, nodding as she blew out another cloud. "Yep. I'll grab it when I head home later."
Her voice was light, like a breeze opening a darkened room. Kaivan turned to Frans and Zinnia, adding, "You two, go with Thivi to get it later."
No one objected. In a room heavy with plans and unease, his words carried the weight of silent agreement.
Still, not every face looked at ease. Felicia sat lost in thought, quietly biting her lip. Zinnia's voice cut through the silence, gentle yet resolute. "Felicia, I know you're worried. But Kaivan knows what he's walking into. If anything happens, we'll move right away."
Felicia drew a slow breath, then nodded. "I still don't like him going alone," she whispered. Her words fell like stones into still water, small, but sinking deep.
The workshop slowly quieted. The awkward laughter had faded. Only silence remained, dense with unspoken awareness. They all knew this step was not the end, but the gateway to trials that would shake each of them in turn.
Kaivan rose, scanning the faces now firm in their resolve. Without further words, he stepped outside, accompanied by his old motorbike, which felt like more than just a machine now. It was his sole, faithful witness on a road that kept pulling him further away from everyone else.
Destination: Purwakarta. The name Raphael, written on the ancient pages of the Tome Omnicent, had now become the compass of his journey. The farther the wheels turned, the clearer it became, this wasn't merely a quest to find someone, but to rediscover himself in a world that refused to stay still.
Yet life rarely allows a path to remain smooth for long. Amid the dense traffic of Cimahi, an unexpected incident struck without warning.
As he overtook a slow-moving motorcycle, a furious shout exploded from behind. The harsh voice shattered the fragile calm that had just begun to settle in his chest.