But still, he didn't waver.
With a low, steady voice, Kaivan asked one more question, one step further.
"Who else must I find… to complete it all?"
The words left his lips like a blade of resolve. His eyes narrowed, thoughts spinning rapidly. The Tome of Omnicent stirred again; black ink bled onto the ancient page, forming words that pulsed like whispers from another realm:
"One more person, a woman who will play a crucial role here. She is not from the island of Java."
Silence fell. Breaths hitched as everyone exchanged looks, trying to grasp the meaning buried beneath those lines. Kaivan clenched his jaw. If it was true that someone beyond Java would be significant, then this was more than coincidence, it was a summons that defied logic.
Frans leaned against the wall, his face a mix of fatigue and reason. "Outside Java… that's thousands of kilometers away. We don't even know where to start."
Tension thickened. But as always, Radit was the one to break it. He raised his hand high, eyes sparkling with reckless enthusiasm. "Alright! Let's find cheap plane tickets! Operation 'Omnicent Tome Soulmate Mission' begins now!"
For a moment, silence turned into laughter. Frans chuckled, Ethan covered his face, and Zinnia hid a faint smile. Yet beneath the humor, an unspoken unease lingered. This wasn't just a journey. It was a test.
Zinnia folded her arms, her gaze sharp. "It's not just about ticket prices, Radit. 'Outside Java' is huge. Kalimantan? Sulawesi? Papua? We don't even know which direction to go."
Laughter faded, replaced by the weight of realization. This wasn't an adventure, they were stepping into something far beyond them.
Ethan leaned back, his tone pragmatic. "Then… when will we meet her? Kaivan, ask the tome."
All eyes turned to him. Kaivan opened the tome slowly, fingertips tracing its worn surface as if aware that the next answer could alter everything. Then, with a calm but steady voice, he asked:
"When will we meet her?"
Ink began to flow again, shaping words across the glowing parchment.
"On January 2nd, 2010."
The room froze. The date hung in the air like a spell. Frans swallowed hard. Zinnia furrowed her brow. Ethan crossed his arms tighter. The moment felt both close and distant, as if destiny itself was watching from behind a thin veil.
Zinnia quickly did the math. "That means we have twenty-one days left." Her voice was quiet but heavy, like a hammer striking truth. Time was no longer theirs, it had become a countdown.
Kaivan clenched his fist. A sense of duty began to stir, demanding action. "Alright," he said sharply. "We need money. We'll find a way to fund our trip."
As the atmosphere thickened again, a soft voice broke through. Thivi lowered her gaze, a faint blush touching her cheeks. "Um… sorry to interrupt, but… my birthday's on December 12."
They fell silent. Not because they had forgotten, but because they suddenly remembered what it meant to pause. In the midst of chaos, there were still moments worth cherishing. A birthday wasn't just a date, it was a reminder that they were more than allies bound by purpose. They were friends sharing time.
Kaivan, usually quiet, smiled faintly. His voice softened. "Then let's celebrate it. A small dinner, at least."
Radit immediately raised both hands high, laughing. "But let's pick a place that doesn't make our wallets cry! I'm not eating instant noodles for a week again!"
Laughter broke out once more, sweeping away the heavy air. Within that laughter, they found breath, a small refuge from the weight of the unknown.
Zinnia, ever attentive to details, glanced at Kaivan as he fiddled with a bundle of wires. "How about renting a villa? It'd be more comfortable… and we could stay longer."
Kaivan paused. "A villa? That sounds expensive."
Ethan, who had been silent, stepped forward with a confident grin. He set a small battery on the table. "I happen to know someone in Ciwidey. If we book two nights, I can negotiate. It's big enough for all of us."
Kaivan's eyes lit up. He turned to the others. "Then… how about a two-night trip to the villa tomorrow?"
The room erupted. Frans nearly jumped, his face bright with excitement. "Our first trip together? This is gonna be awesome!"
Raphael smiled faintly and nodded. "It's been a while since I've had a proper break. We really needed this."
Felicia spoke softly, her voice almost shy. "I've never stayed in a villa before. It sounds fun."
Isabel bit her lip, eyes lowered. "I don't know... my parents will definitely ask questions if I suddenly disappear."
Kaivan stepped closer, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Raphael can talk to them for you."
Raphael chuckled lightly. "Relax, Isabel. I promise they won't be able to say no once I talk to them," he said with his usual confidence.
Isabel hesitated for a moment, then smiled faintly. Her worry eased, replaced by the warmth of their support.
As the sun sank below the horizon, Kaivan, Raphael, Ethan, and Thivi made their way back to Kaivan's house. They had spent the entire day in the workshop dismantling and rebuilding old phones, exhausted, but their bonds grew stronger.
Once home, they lazily kicked off their shoes and jackets. The room felt warm and peaceful, a small haven away from the noise of the world. But that calm didn't last long. The doorbell suddenly rang, snapping them out of their comfort.
Kaivan, halfway to sitting down, turned his head. "Who could that be at this hour?" he muttered. Before he could stand, the door opened, and there, standing firmly in the doorway, was Felicia.
Thivi raised an eyebrow, her tone flat. "Why are you here too?"
Felicia narrowed her eyes. "I'm not letting you bathe with Kaivan again."