RAIWAN AGAINST THE DIVINE

Chapter 5 – Light of Farewell

A proclamation rang out through the kingdom, carried by the voices of the king's heralds.

With it came confusion, fear, and for some, sheer terror.

But to Raiwan, it was an enlightenment.

The pieces that had once seemed scattered now aligned, forming a clearer picture of what was happening—or, more precisely, what was about to unfold.

"I'm so sorry it has to be this way, my son, but we are running out of time," Lisa whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Raiwan clung to her tightly, as though he could stop the hands of fate from pulling her away. As though, by sheer will, he could keep this moment from slipping through his fingers.

"Say no more, Mother," he choked out, his own tears falling.

They all knew time was slipping away, yet none of them dared to let go.

Raiwan felt a dreadful certainty—this might be their last moment together.

Lisa and Rahiq knew better.

And so, they held each other in a desperate embrace, shutting out the world, if only for a moment.

At last, Rahiq cleared his throat, stepping in when the silence became unbearable.

"Go to Uncle Idamm," Lisa said, wiping away her tears, along with Raiwan's.

The djinn already knew what had to be done.

While Lisa and Raiwan shared their final moments, Rahiq and Idamm spoke in the quiet language of the mind.

'Listen closely, Idamm. This will be my last order to you.'

Idamm stiffened. Though he had sensed it, hearing it said aloud struck like a knife to the heart.

'Is it really this serious, Master?'

'Yes. Don't interrupt me. There's no time. You must take Raiwan and hide. You know this is all about him. They won't stop until he's dead. Train him. Teach him to stand on his own. Make sure he's strong enough to survive. Will you do that for me?'

'But Master… would it not be wiser if I stayed to fight alongside you? With my strength, our odds would—'

'No. It won't change anything. You must flee from anything that can bring Lisa and me down. Promise me, Idamm.'

For a moment, Idamm was silent.

Then, with uncharacteristic solemnity, he replied, 'My only wish has always been to serve you and make you proud. Protection was never on my list of duties. I wanted to fight by your side, to defend you with my life… but it seems that wish will go unfulfilled.'

Even without words, Rahiq could feel the pain through their mind link.

'If this is your final wish, Master, then so be it. I will carry it out—even at the cost of my own life.'

Raiwan finally stepped toward Idamm, while Rahiq returned to Lisa's side, squeezing her hand in silent comfort.

Looking at her now made his heart ache.

But he swallowed the pain. For her, he had to be strong.

When Raiwan reached Idamm, he turned back one last time.

His parents stood there, watching him with unreadable expressions.

His heart pounded.

He had never felt such pain.

His mind was a storm of thoughts—none of them good. All were dark premonitions.

He didn't want to leave.

But he didn't want to defy them either.

He was torn between duty and love, trapped between obedience and desperation.

Idamm gently grasped his wrist, urging him forward.

They stood there for a long moment, whispering silent farewells.

Then, the air around them changed.

The wind howled, violent and unrelenting. Sparks of crimson light flickered around them, crackling like embers in a storm. Objects in the room rattled, lifted, tossed about like playthings in a raging tempest.

Raiwan's heart clenched.

Why?

Why did they have to go to war?

Why couldn't they just stay with him?

He wanted to scream these thoughts. To beg them to change their minds.

But when he opened his mouth, all that came out was—

"I… I… I love you, Mother. Fa—"

A sob tore from his throat, cutting him off.

Lisa sniffled as a tear slid down her flushed cheek. "Take good care of yourself, dear. Train hard, but know when to rest—that too is part of training. When you're upset, go outside. Don't try to solve everything with your fists… but don't use your tongue either." She gave a weak chuckle before her voice wavered again. "Just… avoid trouble. Never let greed consume you. Never become the villain of this world. If you do… you will bring doom upon yourself and everyone else…"

Her words tumbled out between stutters and hiccups, until finally, her voice failed her completely.

Raiwan was crying too. His clothes damp with tears, his chest aching with grief.

"It's okay, Lisa. That's enough," Rahiq murmured, giving Idamm a solemn nod.

Lisa closed her eyes. A shudder ran through her, a final tear slipping down her cheek.

Rahiq wanted to stay strong.

But seeing Lisa like this… seeing Raiwan like this…

His resolve cracked.

His eyes burned.

How cruel was time?

Did it speed up on purpose, just to tear them apart?

Curse it.

Idamm raised his hands.

The winds roared. The crimson sparks spun faster and faster, forming a blinding vortex around them.

Raiwan and Idamm began to rise.

Raiwan's gaze never left his parents, his vision blurred with tears.

Then, with a final surge of power, the light flashed.

And when it dimmed—

They were gone.

For a long moment, there was silence.

Then Lisa broke.

The dam shattered, and her tears spilled forth, raw and unrestrained.

She didn't bother to wipe them away. They soaked her clothes, dripped to the floor.

Rahiq turned, pulling her into his arms.

"Let it out, Lisa," he murmured. "Let it all out."

There was no point in comforting her.

Not when the grief was too vast, too deep.

He could only hold her and bear it with her.

'I've never known anyone like you, Lisa. You are as strong as you are warm. On the battlefield, you make even me shiver. But when you're with Raiwan, you are the sun itself. I love you so much.'

Lisa stiffened.

She had heard that.

She shouldn't have.

But she had.

Rahiq's eyes widened in realization—he had forgotten to sever their mind link.

Lisa pulled back slightly, her lips trembling. 'I love you too.'

For the first time since this nightmare began, a small, broken smile crossed her lips.

Then she turned away, staring at the empty space where Raiwan had stood.

"Be safe out there," she whispered. "Train. Become strong. Your enemies are powerful… but make them fear you. Avenge us. Bring justice to the world.

Let them all tremble at the name Raiwan."