CHAPTER 24: SEPARATED BY ILLUSION

Kairi and Rafiz walked side by side. Ever since going through the challenge in the dark forest, they have become accustomed to it and are no longer intimidated by the atmosphere. When they got somewhere, they stopped.

"We're resting here." Rafiz sat on a large rock.

"Okay. Finally, we've arrived." He could see Antonia's city wall.

"Even then, we're not sure if our test is over or not. Be more ready after we enter," told Rafiz.

Kairi nodded. Later, Rafiz removed the remaining supplies. They both still were alert to their surroundings while enjoying the meal. After the meal, they closed their eyes to rest.

They only sleep lightly because they do not want to be attacked by anything. Not long after, the two opened their eyes again and started a little warm-up to wake themselves from drowsiness.

"Let's go."

Rafiz walked towards the wall and Kairi followed. When Rafiz looked ahead, Kairi behind him gave a small grin. The irises turn red for a moment before returning to their original colour. He then walked alongside Rafiz.

"Why are you moving so slow, Rafiz? Hurry up! Hurry up!" Kairi ran ahead.

"Yes, yes." Rafiz smiled and ran alongside him.

"Why are you so passionate?" He asked.

"Because we're almost in Antonia! The land of the Bright Stars and also... The historical place of my ancestors! I want to see it all!" Kairi was so happy that he left Rafiz behind.

Rafiz shook his head before the irises of his eyes turned red and disappeared as soon as they appeared. He chased Kairi.

They arrive at the gate where Virgo and their friends had entered. The door automatically opens for them. Surprisingly there were no guards or soldiers around the gates nor anyone above the wall.

"Where is everyone?" Kairi feels strange.

"Maybe they went to a festival. Look, there are people over there." Rafiz pointed ahead.

"Oh, you're right! Festival! It's so awesome! Rafiz, let's go there!"

Rafiz grabbed his arm before he could leave. "Wait, Kairi. Virgo and our friends are probably waiting in the palace for us. We need to go there first. After that, we can have fun at the festival."

Kairi looked dejected but Rafiz was right. So, they walk toward the palace.

"Is this Antonia's Palace?" He was astonished.

A huge and tall skyscraper palace was in front of him. Surrounded by the skyscraper were buildings made of the same material. There was also a mountain as big as the skyscraper behind it.

The most magnificent thing about the buildings was the pattern of stars stated on top of all of them, shining gloriously for everyone to see. Windows was also made of shining smooth gemstone, indicating it has hidden power on it. Kairi guesses the gemstone windows were probably the palace defence shield.

"Let's go in." Rafiz unknowingly had walked through the open palace gate.

"Huh, Rafiz? Isn't he the one who said we should be careful? Why is he walking leisurely as no one would stop him?" Kairi was confused and more complicated because there were no guards around.

Was the palace not afraid of the enemy coming inside? Probably not. This was after all their base. Who would dare come openly? So, his heart felt no more worries after guessing that the Bright Star was strong.

"Kairi, stop! This palace is not a playground!" Rafiz whispered angrily to Kairi who was turning a knob of an unknown room in the palace.

When they entered the palace, Kairi excitedly went around. They saw a lot of people but they ignored him and Kairi. Rafiz also senses power restriction but why would anyone do that? He could understand if they want to be careful of their enemies coming in but did it not also restrict their power?

"Since no one is stopping us, why not check every room. After all, we're in a safe place." Kairi replied with a smile.

"This... Kairi!" Rafiz felt exasperated because Kairi still went inside the room.

Under pressure, he had to follow Kairi in. He was stunned after entering it. In front of him, there was a large round table with chairs of various colours and patterns of stellar users surrounding it. Their friend was enjoying a light meal. They all turn to look at him with a welcoming smile.

"Hey, you finally arrived! Welcome to Antonia!" Virgo walked to Kairi and Rafiz with a smile.

"Everyone... And Miss Perseus?" Kairi saw a beautiful lady that he didn't know.

He recognized her through the emblem chain around her neck.

"No need to use formal words, my lord. Just call me, Perseus. I welcome you to Antonia on behalf of all Bright Star."

Perseus had walked towards him and then fell to her knees respectfully as her head bowed to him.

"Welcome home. We have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Miss Perseus! You don't have to do this!" Kairi was panicking because of her respect. Perseus got up again and smiled softly.

"If that is my lord's wish, I will follow."

"Thank you. Let me introduce my brother. Miss Perseus, this is Rafiz." Introduce Kairi to Rafiz who is behind him.

"Nice to meet you," Rafiz said.

"You too." Perseus nodded.

"Since you guys have arrived, let us show you around the palace," suggests Aries.

"Yes! Let's go, let's go!"

Kairi said twice because that was their plan. But, then he stops. His body shivered suddenly because he felt a terrifying aura nearby.

"What's wrong, Kairi?" Agi asked.

Kairi shook his head.

"Nothing. Let's go!"

He followed his friends out of the room but his mind was elsewhere.

"This is the monument of Queen Siarah, your ancestor, Kairi," Virgo explained to Kairi and Rafiz.

Kairi gasped in awe. Queen Siarah was beautiful and looked elegant. Agi told them more about the story of the ruler while Rafiz was silent by their side.

"What's wrong, Rafiz? You look like something was playing in your mind." Virgo asked.

"Sorry, I was paying attention to Agi's tale. It is fascinating." Rafiz told a lie.

He did not listen to it at all because he has been focussing on all of their movement and expression. Finally, he understood something.

These people were not his friends. They were just probably an illusion made to test Kairi and him. But, the problem was... Where is the real Kairi? Since when did they get separated?

"Let's go to the next place!" Aries took Kairi's arm and pulled him to follow her.

Rafiz didn't follow them, causing them to look at him in confusion.

"Rafiz?" They call him.

"Who are you?" Rafiz asked back.

"Huh? What are you talking about, Rafiz? We're your friends." Virgo replied while scratching his head.

"A real friend would not tell you they are your friend. Tell me now. Where's the real Kairi?!"

His fierce anger stunned all of those fake friends.

"Kairi! Kairi!" Aries called when she saw Kairi was staring somewhere.

"Yes?" Kairi turned his head to her.

"What's playing in your mind? I called many times but you didn't hear me."

"Sorry. I was looking at the window gemstone. Is this real?" Kairi lied.

He didn't want to make Aries and the others suspect him because he was now sure they were not his real friends. Even Rafiz was not real. He needs to find a way to free himself from these fake and find the real Rafiz.

Someone's applause caught his attention. His eyes widened after he looked at the newcomer. It was a tall man with long black hair. His glowing green eyes were staring at Kairi.

"Impossible... You shouldn't be here...." Kairi shook his head in fear.

"Why not? Have you forgotten me, Ordany?" The man asked while mentioning Kairi's real name.

He also approached Kairi with his cold aura. Kairi's eyes turned green without him realizing it. It can also appear when he was under pressure or stress.

The man lifts his right hand. With a single movement from his palm, a long sickle with a gold-patterned and green handle appears. Under the sickle blade, there was a small pike that began to move faster like a wheel after he lifted it.

Kairi felt his heart at the top of his throat when the man got close to him. His pike was placed around Kairi's neck but not so close that Kairi could get hurt from it. At the same time, the fake friends around them disappear.

"It's been a long time since I left the Knight Seeyer. I also forgot the last time we met, little brother."

Kairi didn't reply and his body has been shivering since the man appeared. Suddenly, a shout came from above them. The man immediately jumped away when an old sword almost came slashing down at him.

"Ra... fiz...?" Kairi stuttered after seeing Rafiz land in front of him.

The tears in his eyes that he didn't realize were formed by his fear, drip down to his cheeks.

"Are you okay, Kairi?" Asked Rafiz who could not turn to look at Kairi's condition.

Kairi nodded before saying, "I'm fine..."

He quickly wiped away the tears with his arm. Hearing it, Rafiz let out a sigh of relief. He glared at the man.

"Dark Kurumi, it seems you have invaded this place earlier. May I ask why are you here?"

The man, Dark Kurumi, was quiet for a moment. His gaze was on Kairi.

"I am visiting my blood kin... But, it looks like you have taken care of him diligently."

Rafiz frowned. He knows that Dark Kurumi was from the Knight Seeyer clan but to say he has a blood relationship with Kairi, what does that mean?

Rafiz didn't listen to Dark Kurumi calling Kairi his little brother so he was guessing on his own.

Dark Kurumi was silent for a moment.

"I just want to meet Ordany..." He replied soon after.

"Yes, I know you were one of his clan but you had nothing to do with Kairi once you became a member of the Deorc Star," Rafiz growls.

He wants Dark Kurumi to leave. Dark Kurumi has betrayed the Knight Seeyer by joining the Deorc Star. All ties should have been severed and he would no longer be accepted into the clan.

"Oh, looks like you did not tell him about our relationship, Ordany." Dark Kurumi looked at Kairi.

"What did he mean, Kairi?" Rafiz turns suspicious.

Kairi didn't answer and was still silent.

"Kairi?"

Then, he realised he overstepped his boundary.

"Sorry, I shouldn't ask you about your matters."

He does feel a little disappointed but he understands that there were a few things he didn't know about Kairi. Kairi looks at him with guilt and remorse for himself.

How should he tell Rafiz about Dark Kurumi?

"You are getting weaker, Ordany. It seems that the efforts of our clans to make you our leader were in vain. May you succeed next in becoming the King of Bright Star." Dark Kurumi shook his head dissatisfied.

Then, he withdrew his weapon and walked away.

Rafiz and Kairi were startled. They saw a fogging cloud suddenly appear and obliterated Dark Kurumi from their sight. When the fog disappeared, so did Dark Kurumi.