System: Daily login!!, jackpot on the first day!!!

- Outside Realm.

The moment the violent tremor struck, everyone's expressions shifted to alarm, but none more so than Anugerah's.

Her face went pale, her eyes wide with worry as she instinctively took a step forward, as if she could rush to Kiara's side through sheer will alone.

Before the fear could fully consume her, a gentle hand settled on her shoulder. She turned, startled, and found Jenn standing beside her. Jenn's touch was firm yet warm, her eyes meeting Anugerah's with quiet reassurance.

The others stood behind her, their faces marked by the same concern, but they all tried to project calm for Anugerah's sake.

"There's no need to worry, Anugerah," Jenn said softly, her voice calm despite the tension betraying her in trembling hands that clutched the fabric of her dress. "Our husband is there. Nothing bad will happen to Kiara. Let's trust him... And wait"

Despite her own fear, Jenn forced a small, encouraging smile. It wasn't just words; it was a vow wrapped in shared faith.

"...I know, Jenn... But Kiara is just a little girl. I just can't shake the feeling that maybe something's happened to her," Anugerah whispered, her voice cracking as she hugged her arms close to her chest.

Jenn's hand remained on her shoulder, grounding her. Before she could speak again, Gaia stepped forward, her presence calm and steady like the earth itself.

"We understand, Anugerah," Gaia said gently. "Kiara is our daughter too. We know exactly what you're feeling… But didn't he say it himself? Nothing bad will happen to her"

Anugerah lowered her gaze, the weight of worry still etched across her face, even as Gaia's words offered a sliver of reassurance.

Then... Footsteps.

Measured, yet urgent.

"Mother, what's all this about?"

Aksara's voice cut through the tension as he stepped into view, his sharp eyes scanning the group. Erelythe walked beside him with her usual grave elegance, while Amanda and the (former) Queen followed close behind. Both women mirrored the same concern etched across Anugerah's face, drawn by the same disturbance and fear.

"...Aksa, where have you been?"

Gaia's voice rang out, sharp with barely restrained frustration. There was worry laced in her tone, but also the unmistakable edge of a mother's anger.

Aksara flinched slightly at her words. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, eyes darting toward Erelythe as if silently begging for support. But Erelythe, ever composed, turned her gaze away, pretending not to notice.

"...I'm sorry, Mom," Aksara said with a sheepish sigh. "Forget about that for now... What's going on here? Where's Father?"

Gaia's expression softened, but only slightly.

"Your sister, Kiara… she was taken by someone, to an unknown Realm. And your father, along with your uncle Akh'sha, has gone after her"

A hush fell over the group. Even the air seemed to grow still. Aksara's eyes widened, his awkward demeanor replaced instantly by a sharpened focus.

Aksara's breath caught in his throat.

"Taken? What do you mean taken?" He asked, his voice lowering, trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. "How could someone even reach her? She was supposed to be safe…"

His fists clenched tighter, but then... Something flickered in his mind. A memory. A detail he had brushed aside at the time, not realizing its importance.

He turned sharply, eyes wide.

"Wait… Does this have anything to do with the whispering sound Kiara heard back then? When we first arrived here?"

"It is Young Master," Shasha answered, stepping forward hesitantly. "Something… Something has been calling to the Young Miss in her sleep. I believe it's the same whisper from before... The same presence"

A heavy silence followed her words.

"…Then what is the situation right now?"

The question came from Taufik's grandmother, her voice calm but edged with quiet urgency.

"We're still waiting, Mother," Taufik's mother replied, glancing toward the distant wall where the portal had opened. Her hands were tightly folded in front of her, knuckles white. "It's been several minutes already since he entered"

The air felt heavier with every second.

Jenn turned to Shasha. "Was Kiara asleep when it happened? Or was she pulled while awake?"

"She was asleep," Shasha said, her voice trembling as she wrung her hands. "I tried to stop her… But it was too late, she already entered the portal"

Aksara's jaw clenched, his eyes burning with frustration.

"Then this wasn't just some random abduction," He muttered. "It was a summoning. And whatever did it… It's had its eyes on Kiara"

His hands balled into fists, the weight of helplessness pressing on his shoulders.

"Shit!" The curse slipped through his clenched teeth. "If only I'd been in the castle when it happened… If I hadn't gone off... Kiara wouldn't have had to go through this"

There was a heavy silence. No one offered false comfort because deep down, they all knew Aksara might be right.

Then, without warning, the air rippled. A soft hum, like the ringing of distant chimes, echoed through the dim Corridor.

A portal bloomed open before them, swirling with dim light and faint shadows.

"…Why are you guys so serious?" Taufik's voice cut through the tension like sunlight through storm clouds.

Everyone turned sharply.

He stepped out of the portal, cradling Kiara gently in his arms. Her small body was wrapped in his warm hands, fast asleep but safe and unharmed.

Behind him, Akh'sha emerged, his expression unreadable but his posture relaxed. The threat, it seemed, had passed, and behind Akh'sha were three unconscious figures they did not recognize hovering in the air aided by magic.

For a moment, no one moved. No one spoke.

Then...

"Kiara!" Anugerah's voice broke the stillness as she rushed forward, tears already streaming down her face.

Gaia let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Jenn clutched her chest and stumbled back a step, overcome with relief.

Aksara, frozen in place, slowly lowered his fists… And smiled.

--------

Inside the family room, everyone had gathered.

The atmosphere was warm but heavy with unspoken questions. Kiara lay sound asleep in Anugerah's gentle embrace, her breathing steady. Relief lingered in the room, but tension still hummed beneath the surface.

All eyes eventually turned to Taufik, who stood near the hearth, arms crossed casually as if he hadn't just returned from an unknown realm.

Aksara was the first to speak, breaking the silence.

"…So, what happened, Father?"

Taufik scratched the back of his neck, glancing at Kiara and then at the others.

"Hmm? Nothing too serious. Just some perverted ancestor who thought he could use Kiara for his twisted plans. But it's all dealt with now"

The room went still.

"Perverted ancestor?" Amanda repeated, her voice rising slightly.

Jenn narrowed her eyes. "Define 'nothing too serious', please, dear?"

Taufik waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. He didn't lay a finger on her. He was trying to manipulate her through whispers, using blood ties to reach her subconscious. But I made it very clear that wasn't going to happen again"

Akh'sha, leaning against the wall, gave a small, cold smirk. "He won't be bothering anyone ever again. Let's leave it at that"

Gaia's expression darkened. "Who was it?"

Taufik paused for a moment, then muttered, "… I think he called himself Wyrmheart, The First and Eternal King of the blue dragon"

The name sent a ripple of discomfort through the family.

Anugerah held Kiara tighter, a protective instinct flaring in her eyes.

"Is it really over?" Aksara asked, not looking fully convinced.

Taufik met his son's gaze, his tone shifting into something more assured, almost playful.

"Yes, my son, I already killed him…"

Taufik said, then with a casual flick of his wrist, a glowing object materialized in his palm... A deep blue sphere pulsing with faint, ancient energy.

"…And I got this"

Gasps rippled through the room, especially Shasha who unconsciously touched her chest, where her Core was located.

In Taufik's hand rested what looked like a condensed, living ice wrapped in scales of translucent energy.

Aksara stepped closer, eyes narrowing.

"Is that…?"

"Wyrmheart's core," Taufik confirmed, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Same kind of core that I used as a power source for Shasha. But this one's far more ancient... It contains the magic, skills, and knowledge of the oldest Blue Dragon to ever exist"

A low murmur swept through the room. Even Erelythe's usually composed expression shifted slightly, her gaze fixed on the core with newfound interest.

"And what do you plan to do with that core, husband?" Rani asked, her voice calm but eyes sharp with curiosity.

Taufik looked down at the pulsing relic in his hand, the warm light reflecting in his eyes.

"…I plan to give it to Kiara," He said quietly. "Not now. Maybe… Later. When she's ready"

Silence followed.

"You want her to inherit the legacy of a Blue Dragon, Father?" Aksara asked, slowly. "That's not just power... That's a burden"

Taufik nodded slowly, his gaze firm yet heavy with concern. "I know. That's why I won't force it on her. But… The world is changing, Aksa. You felt it too, haven't you? The balance is shifting. She was already targeted once, and you know exactly who my enemy is. You know that something like this isn't just possible... It's inevitable"

He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, resolute tone.

"If it happens again, I won't let any of you be caught off guard. I'll make damn sure every one of you is ready. Not just her... All of my children need to be prepared for what's coming. That includes you, Aksa"

His eyes glinted with a flicker of power as he added, "And don't forget... Kiara has the blood of the Blue Dragon running through her veins. That legacy means something. It carries weight, power, danger... And opportunity"

Amanda sighed, rubbing her temples. "And here I thought this was going to be a pleasant vacation"

Taufik smirked. "You should know better by now, Sis"

....

...

..

.