Arga's sword was still trembling on the ground where it had fallen from his hand.
Kafka's crimson blade was embedded in the stone floor several meters behind him.
Both of them were now unarmed.
No swords.
No magic.
Only bodies wrapped in mana and raw energy.
Only their bodies.
Only their breath.
The night wind blew softly, carrying the metallic scent of blood flooding the courtyard.
Arga wiped the blood from his lips and let out a small laugh.
"So… this is how it ends, huh."
Kafka didn't answer.
His body was covered in wounds. His bones felt cracked. Yet his eyes remained sharp—like a cornered beast.
Arga raised both hands.
A fighting stance.
"Let's finish this the old way."
Kafka stood up slowly, brushing dust from his clothes.
Arga stepped forward.
"You always wanted to fight without hurting anyone."
He smiled faintly.
"Now there are no swords. No magic."
He opened both palms.
"Come on!"
Their breaths collided in the cold air.
Then,
Arga shifted his feet.
TAEKWONDO STANCE.
Kafka lowered his shoulders.
MUAY THAI STANCE.
From the distance, Rina gasped.
"Their stances…?"
And in the next second—
BOOM!
They charged at the same time.
Arga attacked first.
His leg spun like a whip.
TAEKWONDO – 360° SPINNING HOOK KICK
The air split apart.
Kafka ducked a split second before Arga's heel shattered the angel statue behind him.
CRASH!
Kafka countered with an elbow.
MUAY THAI – ELBOW STRIKE
Arga blocked.
KARATE – AGE UKE
Kafka's elbow slammed into Arga's forearm.
Arga fired back instantly.
BOXING – JAB, HOOK, CROSS
Kafka tilted his head.
Those punches grazed his cheek.
But before Arga could retract his arm,
Kafka spun.
CAPOEIRA – MEIA LUA DE COMPASSO
His heel smashed into Arga's jaw.
BOOM!
Arga was launched three meters before rolling across the ground.
Adam stared in shock.
"What the hell?! That small body can spin like that?!"
Dust scattered everywhere.
Kafka slowly walked toward him.
"Still the same."
Arga stood up laughing.
"You're fast too."
He shifted his stance again.
This time—
SILAT.
Kafka exhaled slowly.
"So you really did learn everything…"
Arga grinned.
"Isn't that what we studied together back then?"
***
Rain hammered against the metal roof.
Young Kafka sat on the floor reading a thick book.
Its title:
"Fundamentals of World Martial Arts."
Young Arga stood in front of him.
"Why do you keep reading these books?"
Kafka lifted the book.
"I want to learn every technique in here."
Arga frowned.
"What for?"
Kafka smiled faintly.
"So if one day I have to fight someone…"
He closed the book.
"I can stop them without hurting them."
Arga rolled his eyes.
"Bullshit."
But that night,
Arga sat down beside him.
And they read the book together.
***
A violent wind swept between them in the present.
Arga lunged forward again.
SILAT – SCISSOR TAKEDOWN
Kafka jumped away.
But Arga had predicted it.
BOXING – CROSS
The punch slammed into Kafka's stomach.
BOOM!
Air burst from his lungs.
Kafka stepped back.
Arga chased him.
TAEKWONDO – 540° SPINNING BACK KICK
Kafka caught the leg.
His hands moved like a serpent.
AIKIDO – PARRY
He twisted Arga's body—
BRAK!
Arga slammed violently into the ground.
The earth cracked.
But Arga only laughed.
He kicked from below.
KARATE – LOW KICK
Kafka's knee buckled.
Arga sprang up and unleashed a combination.
BOXING
Jab.
Cross.
Hook.
Hook.
Uppercut.
Each punch slammed into Kafka's face and body.
Blood sprayed.
"We have to help him!" Yogi shouted.
But Satrio and Ilham immediately stopped him.
"No one can get close," Nadia said hoarsely.
"Not unless Mr. Rahmat were here."
Kafka endured the blows.
He knew Arga have better attack range because of his tall body and long arms.
Then suddenly,
He close the gap between them.
MUAY THAI – CLINCH
Kafka grabbed Arga's head.
Arga's eyes wide open.
KNEE STRIKE!
BOOM!
His knee smashed into Arga's face.
Blood exploded from Arga's nose.
Arga staggered.
But before falling—
Arga spun.
CAPOEIRA – RABO DE ARRAIA
His heel crashed into Kafka's chest.
CRASH!
Arga flew into a stone pillar.
And Kafka flew into the courtyard fountain.
Fragments of memory flashed.
***
A school hallway.
Bullies surrounded Kafka.
They slammed him against the wall.
"Trash."
A punch hit his stomach.
Another struck his face.
Kafka didn't fight back.
He only lowered his head.
The bully laughed.
"You said don't bother people? Fine. I'll just bother you."
Kafka stayed silent.
Then,
THUD!
Someone kicked the bully from the side.
Arga.
He stood in front of Kafka.
Eyes cold.
"Touch him again…"
He raised his fist.
"…and you die."
***
Back in the present—
Arga stepped out from the broken pillar.
Blood ran down his nose.
He smiled.
"Remember that time?"
Kafka remained silent.
Arga walked closer.
"Back in high school…"
He raised his fist.
"You could've destroyed them all."
"Why didn't you?"
Kafka answered quietly.
"I didn't want to become a monster."
Arga laughed loudly.
"Monster?"
He pointed at himself.
"You think I'm a monster?"
Kafka didn't answer.
The guards watched in stunned silence.
They had never seen a fight this beautiful and brutal.
From the distance, Bishop Magnus shouted angrily,
"Hey! Help the hero kill that demon!"
But his voice was swallowed by the night.
Then Arga said something that froze Kafka.
"I told them to bully you."
Silence.
Kafka stared at him.
"…What?"
Arga shrugged.
"Back in high school."
"Adam and the others."
"All my orders."
The world seemed to stop.
Elara gasped, too weak to even speak.
Kafka trembled.
Not from his wounds.
From those words.
"You… did that… on purpose?"
Arga nodded casually.
"Yup."
He smiled bitterly.
"I wanted to see the real Kafka. The real you,"
He raised his fist again.
"And look now."
"I guess it's a success."
Kafka vanished.
BOOM!
He appeared right in front of Arga.
KYOKUSHIN KARATE – STRAIGHT PUNCH
Rina's eyes widened.
"That technique?!"
CRACK!
The punch smashed into Arga's face.
Arga flew backward.
Kafka didn't stop.
He appeared again.
TAEKWONDO – DWICHAGI (BACK KICK)
BOOM!
Arga blocked but was lifted into the air.
Kafka spun.
TAEKWONDO – 360° SPINNING KICK
CRASH!
Arga slammed into the ground.
The earth shattered like glass.
Kafka stood above him, breathing heavily.
Arga laughed through blood.
"There it is…"
He looked at Kafka with satisfaction.
"You're finally fighting."
Arga slowly pushed himself up from the shattered ground.
His body trembled.
Blood dripped from his chin.
Yet he was smiling.
Kafka stood infront of him, breathing heavily.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then—
Arga suddenly lunged forward again.
MUAY THAI – HIGH KICK
His leg whipped toward Kafka's head with terrifying force.
Before Kafka could fully react—
LOW CALF KICK
Arga's other leg smashed into Kafka's calf.
Kafka staggered.
But before he could fall—
his hand touched the ground.
His body spun.
CAPOEIRA – MEIA LUA DE FRENTE
His leg swept upward in a powerful arc.
Arga blocked the kick,
and grabbed Kafka's leg.
JUDO – O GOSHI
He tried to throw Kafka over his shoulder.
But Kafka twisted his body and slipped free mid-motion.
He landed lightly a few steps away.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Arga raised both hands again.
His body lowered.
Front foot light.
A Taekwondo stance mixed with Boxing.
Kafka inhaled deeply.
His guard tightened around his face.
Elbows protecting his ribs.
Feet slightly angled.
Muay Thai stance with a Karate guard.
Silence fell.
Even the wind stopped.
Then—
BOOM!
They rushed forward at the same time.
Arga struck first.
BOXING – JAB
His left fist shot toward Kafka's face.
Kafka tilted his head.
The punch brushed past his cheek.
Arga followed instantly.
BOXING – CROSS
His right fist slammed forward like a hammer.
Kafka raised his arm.
KYOKUSHIN KARATE – GEDAN BARAI
The punch was deflected sideways.
But Arga had already spun.
TAEKWONDO – ROUNDHOUSE KICK
His leg cracked through the air like a whip.
Kafka lifted his elbow.
MUAY THAI – CHECK BLOCK
THUD!
Arga's shin smashed into Kafka's elbow.
The impact echoed across the courtyard.
Kafka stepped in immediately.
He grabbed Arga's head.
MUAY THAI – CLINCH
Arga realized too late—
Kafka's knee was already rising.
KNEE STRIKE
BOOM!
The knee slammed into his stomach.
Air exploded from Arga's lungs.
But Arga reacted instantly.
He slipped his arm under Kafka's armpit.
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU – CLINCH ESCAPE
He twisted his hips.
"ONE MORE TIME!" Arga shouted.
JUDO – O GOSHI
BRAK!
Kafka was thrown over Arga's shoulder and slammed into the ground.
Dust burst into the air.
Arga immediately rained down punches.
WING CHUN – FIST BARRAGE
A rapid storm of fists descended.
Kafka rolled away before the damage became fatal.
When Arga chased—
Kafka attacked from the ground.
CAPOEIRA – RASTEIRA
A sweeping leg scythed toward Arga.
Arga jumped just in time.
But the moment he landed—
Kafka was already spinning.
CAPOEIRA – MEIA LUA DE COMPASSO
His heel smashed into Arga's Hands guarding his jaw.
BOOM!
Arga flew back two meters.
Arga grinned while standing up again.
"Isn't this fun?"
"We've never fought like this before… not with the intent to kill."
Kafka didn't answer.
Arga shifted his feet again.
This time his stance changed.
His body lowered.
Hands open.
MMA GROUND STANCE.
He intended to end it.
Arga shot forward like a beast.
KARATE – STRAIGHT PUNCH
His hand aimed straight for Kafka's throat.
Kafka stepped back half a step.
KYOKUSHIN KARATE – SEIKEN TSUKI
The strike was deflected with Kafka's fist.
Arga spun.
MMA – SPINNING BACK FIST
The punch smashed into Kafka's cheek.
Blood sprayed.
Kafka retaliated instantly.
He stepped inside.
BOXING COMBINATION
Jab.
Jab.
Cross.
Hook.
Hook to the body.
Arga blocked some.
But two punches slammed into his ribs.
THUD! THUD!
Arga stepped back.
Kafka pressed forward.
MUAY THAI – LOW KICK
CRACK!
His shin smashed into Arga's thigh.
Arga's leg trembled.
But Arga seized the moment.
He caught Kafka's leg.
SAMBO – LEG CATCH
Kafka lost balance.
Arga spun.
TAEKWONDO – SPINNING AXE KICK
His free leg dropped like a guillotine.
Kafka caught it with both hands.
The impact shattered the stone beneath him. His hand bones crack a bit.
CRASH!
Kafka stood again.
Blood covered his face.
But his eyes had grown sharper.
He moved lightly.
JEET KUNE DO FOOTWORK
Small steps.
Unpredictable.
Arga attacked.
BOXING – HOOK
Kafka slipped.
WEAVE
He countered with an elbow.
MUAY THAI – HORIZONTAL ELBOW
CRACK!
The elbow struck Arga's cheekbone.
Arga stumbled.
But that blow gives him the range he needed.
Before Kafka could continue,
Arga's legs thrust like spears.
TAEKWONDO COMBO
Ap Chagi/Front Kick
Deul Bal Chagi/Double spinning Tornado Kick
Dwi Chagi/Back Thrust Kick
Kafka block Arga's first kick, evade the two tornados but the back kick hits hard.
"I'll end this!" Arga jumped.
TAEKWONDO – JUMPING 1080° SPINNING KICK
Arga spun beautifully in three full motion.
Kafka focused all his mana on his eyes.
He manages to read that and ducked.
"What!?" Arga froze mid air.
The kick shattered another angel statue.
Stone fragments exploded into the air.
Kafka spun low,
then jumped.
JEET KUNE DO – FLYING KICK
His foot slammed into Arga's ribs.
BOOM!
Arga was blown backward.
But when he landed—
he immediately entered grappling range.
Kafka rushed in.
KYOKUSHIN KARATE – STRAIGHT PUNCH
Arga grabbed his arm.
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU – FLYING ARMBAR
Kafka was dragged forward.
Arga tried to break his arm—
but Kafka reacted quickly.
Arga switched positions.
REAR NAKED CHOKE
But Kafka slammed his head backward.
STREET FIGHT - HEADBUTT
CRACK!
Arga released the hold.
Kafka twisted his hips.
JUDO – IPPON SEOI NAGE
BRAK!
Arga crashed violently into the ground.
Arga rolled aside as Kafka's next strike descended.
TAEKWONDO – AXE KICK
The ground cracked where the kick landed.
Arga stood up again, breathing heavily.
Kafka was already advancing.
He unleashed a brutal combination.
MUAY THAI COMBO
Low kick.
Body kick.
Knee.
Elbow.
Each strike landed like a hammer.
Arga tried to counter.
BOXING COUNTER
For a split second he stole enough time—
to set his stance.
KARATE STANCE
Both of them exploded into another exchange.
Punches collided again and again.
But Arga was slightly slower.
BOOM!
Kafka's elbow smashed into his jaw.
Arga's vision spinning.
Kafka seized the opening.
He spun.
TAEKWONDO – 720° SPINNING BACK KICK
The heel slammed into Arga's raised arms.
CRASH!
Arga flew backward into a stone pillar.
The pillar cracked.
Dust fell.
Arga dropped to one knee.
From the distance, Bishop Magnus growled in fury.
"This is impossible…"
His body trembled with anger.
Kafka slowly walked forward.
Each step heavy.
But steady.
He stopped one meter in front of Arga.
Arga tried to stand.
His knees barely held.
Kafka raised his fist.
Arga laughed weakly.
"So… this is the end."
Kafka stared at him.
But before his fist could fall—
a memory returned.
***
A cold night.
Young Arga sat on the stairs.
Kafka came carrying two pieces of bread.
"This is for you."
Arga took it.
"You're not eating?"
Kafka shook his head.
"I'm full."
But his stomach growled loudly.
Arga stared at him for a long time.
Then he broke the bread in half.
"Idiot. Just because I'm sick doesn't mean I'll die tomorrow."
He handed half back.
"Come on. Let's eat together."
Kafka's fist trembled.
Arga laughed softly.
"Go on."
***
Back to the castle courtyard
Inside his head—
a voice roared.
Rise.
Kill the demons.
Arga was exhausted.
He only wanted everything to end.
Kafka lowered his head.
His breathing was heavy.
"I…"
He closed his eyes.
"…can't."
Arga froze.
Kafka lowered his hand.
"I surrender."
Silence fell.
The night wind returned, sweeping across the blood-soaked courtyard.
Arga stared at his friend standing there with his head lowered.
Then he laughed quietly.
"Idiot…"
But the anger in his eyes was gone.
Only deep sadness remained.
Because in this battle,
they hadn't only fought as enemies.
They had fought as two friends who once shared bread in a cold orphanage.
And that wound ran deeper than any punch.
The guards suddenly rushed toward Kafka to kill him.
But then—
the card in Arga's pocket began to glow.
ZRAK!
Lightning exploded outward.
Every guard was struck at once.
Arga collapsed.
The guards collapsed with him.
Unconscious.
Yogi immediately moved.
"NOW!"
Satrio lifted Kafka onto his shoulder.
Ilham cleared the path.
Rina and Nadia supported Elara, who was barely able to stand.
They ran.
Out of the castle.
The remaining guards chased them.
But the night swallowed them whole.
***
Several hours later,
Deep in the dark forest—
they finally stopped.
Everyone was gasping.
Nadia cried quietly.
Rina stared at the ground.
Yogi punched a tree in frustration.
"Mr. Rahmat…"
Kafka stood silently.
His face was empty.
As if part of his soul had been left behind on the cathedral floor.
And suddenly—
CRACK.
A blade of blood pierced through his chest from behind.
Kafka froze.
His eyes widened.
Warm blood flowed from his lips.
And the world once again turned into a nightmare.
~To Be Continued~