RAIWAN AGAINST THE DIVINE

Chapter 18: Life is Fragile

Raiwan woke up feeling refreshed yet strangely hollow. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, as memories of the previous day flooded his mind. So much had happened.

So much could change in the span of twenty-four hours.

Everything was fine this time yesterday.

I hope you're both okay, Mom and Dad...

He remained in bed, lost in thought. Some memories filled him with rage, others brought a fleeting smile to his face, and some left him uncertain about the future.

How fragile is life, really?

Eventually, he forced himself to get up and went to the bathroom to relieve himself. A few minutes later, he emerged, droplets of water trickling down his damp hair.

Grabbing a towel, he dried his face, hair, and the rest of his body, which he had splashed with water in an attempt to shake off the lingering exhaustion.

As he stepped out of his room, the sound of movement from the kitchen caught his attention. It had to be Malina's mother.

Raiwan walked over and, as expected, found Manika washing dishes.

"Good morning..." He hesitated for a moment, unsure what to call her. After a brief pause, he decided to address her the same way Malina always did. "Good morning, Mommy."

Manika turned to him with a warm, incandescent smile that seemed to light up the room.

Raiwan felt a sharp pang in his chest. It looks so much like Mom's.

For some reason, she kept reminding him of his mother—the sincerity in her kindness, the way she looked at him, the way she cared. It was almost painful.

Maybe that's why...

Shoving the thought aside, he returned her smile. "Do you need a hand?" he asked.

"Oh! Please, don't trouble yourself," Manika replied. "Just go and relax, alright?"

But Raiwan had already started rolling up his sleeves as he stepped forward. "I insist, Mom. I'd just get bored doing nothing."

Manika sighed, though there was amusement in her eyes. "Alright, then. Help me arrange these in the locker," she said, nodding toward the dishes she had just washed.

Raiwan grabbed a towel from a hook on the wall and began drying the plates before carefully placing them in the cabinet.

When they finished, Manika started preparing breakfast, and Raiwan helped her. Together, they made potato chips, a rich, savory sauce, fried eggs, and hot groundnut juice.

By the time they were done, the enticing aroma had already roused Malina and her father from sleep. Malina came downstairs, sniffing the air like a curious cat, a bright smile on her face. Her father followed soon after, drawn by the scent of food.

Both of them settled at the dining table, anticipation clear in their eyes.

Manika and Raiwan brought the food out of the kitchen, and everyone gathered around as Manika served breakfast.

They ate, talking and laughing, unaware of how quickly the meal disappeared.

Then, just as they were about to leave the table, Ankas spoke.

"Stay."

His tone was firm.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, they all turned to him. The room grew quiet.

Ankas cleared his throat. "Raiwan, this is about you."

Raiwan's heartbeat quickened. Was Ankas about to scold him for what had happened yesterday? Or worse—was he going to ask him to leave?

Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Raiwan said nothing and waited.

Ankas continued, "After everything that happened, Manika and I have decided that you should stay here until we receive news from San Raza. Of course, only if you're willing. We won't force you."

Raiwan frowned. "How long will that take?"

"It depends. Minor matters may take a month or more. But for something as significant as this, I doubt news hasn't already arrived. Even so, it's likely contained within the royal inner circle. By the time it reaches common ears, it will be twisted into exaggerated, ghastly rumors."

Ankas paused, allowing Raiwan to process his words.

Then, after a moment, he added, "What I suggest is that we wait until my friend Ainsdle returns. He left for San Raza on business a few months ago, and I'm sure he's on his way back by now. After a disaster like this, many people will be fleeing the city. So, when he arrives, I'll invite him here. We'll hear the truth from someone who witnessed it firsthand."

Silence stretched between them.

Raiwan sat still, his eyes burning as his emotions warred within him. His fists clenched under the table.

Then, without a word, he abruptly stood and left the room, retreating to his bedroom.

No one stopped him.

They understood.

The entire house felt heavier in his absence.

---

Ankas had underestimated Raiwan's understanding of the world of Divinants. What he failed to realize was that Raiwan's knowledge far surpassed that of any mundane—and even many Divinants.

Lisa had made sure of that.

Raiwan knew the terrifying power of Sovereigns. He understood the devastating lethality of their abilities. He knew that when Sovereigns clashed, they didn't just destroy cities. They erased them.

Yet, despite all of this knowledge, he had clung to denial.

He had discarded reason.

He had ignored the truth.

But reality was merciless. His parents might truly be dead.

The thought sent a fresh wave of pain crashing into his chest.

But how?

They were Sovereigns—the most revered as long as they lived. His mother... who could possibly kill her?

She was the Sister of Death herself.

Who could make Death take its own kin?

Tears streamed down Raiwan's face.

"Mom... please, Mom, don't die. Dad, don't die. Please. I don't want you to die!"

His voice broke, each word slicing through him like a blade. The mere possibility of their deaths was unbearable—a torment that gnawed at his soul.

And then, again.

Ankas had said his friend was returning from San Raza.

How?

How could a mundane survive a battle between Sovereigns?

The sheer force of their clash would have obliterated everything.

The only way was if the Sovereigns themselves allowed it.

But would they hold back for weak, insignificant humans?

Hell no.

But his parents?

His parents would.

Of course, they would.

That was who they were. They would fight with restraint, even if it placed them at a disadvantage.

Raiwan clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.

If only they didn't hold back...

If only they fought with everything they had...

Then maybe—just maybe—they would—

The thought horrified him.

He shuddered.

What?!

Did I just wish for others to die so my parents could live?

Wasn't that what Lisa had warned him about? It was her last lesson for him before their departure.

"Fuck" he muttered, his voice trembling with self-loathing.

He remembered his mother's words.

'Selfishness is the vilest seed. Feed it, and you will become the villain—justified in your own eyes but blind to the harm you cause.'

She had warned him about selfishness again and again.

But why?

Why had she feared it so much?

Surely, it wasn't just an ordinary lesson. It had to be something more.

Something... beyond mundane reasoning.

Raiwan gritted his teeth.

He felt torn, drowning in guilt and despair, hating the dark thoughts that had crept into his mind.

"Fuck! Fuck... Fuck it all!"

He slammed his fist into the wall, his body trembling.

And for the first time since the nightmare had begun—

He felt utterly, completely powerless.