CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 9.6 : DIAR

In a hidden room within one of Makazhar’s towering buildings, a quiet but serious gathering was underway. The space was large yet dim, lit only by a bluish hue from overhead neon lamps. Carved stone walls bore ancient symbols, and shelves lined with thick tomes and old documents loomed in the shadows. At the center stood a massive round table of dark wood, encircled by twelve chairs. On one side of the wall hung a gilded nameplate:

’Southeast Asian Spiritual Combat Association’

People began to assemble, taking their seats around a long steel table. Among them were representatives from Makazhar’s various martial arts dojos and magician communities—including Rina and her dojo master, Bahar. Another familiar face stood at the head of the gathering: Elder Rayapati, who had once supported Al when the incident with Idham occurred.

The group was discussing the recent incident in the heart of Makazhar’s forest. The energy they had been tracking was gone, leaving behind only a burnt-down house. The first response team hadn’t even caught sight of the structure. By the time the second group arrived, all they found was a charred ruin, and the traces of the energy they had come to investigate had already vanished.

One of the magicians suggested that the building might have been hidden by an illusion barrier. Several martial artists in the room scoffed at the theory, skeptical of any power that didn’t come from internal energy. The tension between the magic users and martial artists quickly escalated—until Elder Rayapati raised his voice.

"Then explain this," he said sternly, holding up a photograph of the forest’s destruction. "What caused this level of devastation? Why is everyone bruised and unconscious?"

They began recounting the events.

"There was... someone," one of them began. "Wearing black. Seemed like a man. He had a mask. He just—appeared, right in front of us."

"We didn’t even realize he had attacked until it was too late," another added. "It felt like being slammed by a truck. We were thrown back instantly... and everything went black."

Rina exchanged glances with her master, Bahar. They had arrived too late to witness the attack firsthand.

"That’s because you’re weak."

A deep male voice echoed from the doorway.

Two figures entered. One was a middle-aged man in a white-gray-red martial arts uniform, with a black belt. The other, a young woman dressed in a sporty yellow-red-black outfit—Vianna Virellano. Both were representatives of the White Lion Dojo.

Vianna cast a brief glance at Rina before looking away. Rina scowled but said nothing.

Some in the room looked offended.

"You talk big," someone snapped. "If you had been there, you’d be dead too."

But Arul, the White Lion Dojo master, smirked arrogantly.

"Good thing he didn’t run into us. If he had, that would’ve been his end. Knocking out weaklings like you isn’t impressive," he scoffed.

"You bastard—!"

A member surged to their feet, ready to fight—

WOOSHHH!

A powerful aura erupted from Elder Rayapati, instantly silencing the room. The two White Lion members backed down.

"You’re late, Arul," the elder said coolly. Then, turning to the girl, he added, "And welcome, Miss Vianna."

"Thank you for having us, Elder," they both replied respectfully, bowing before taking their seats.

Once the room settled, Elder Rayapati continued with a grave tone.

"If my suspicions are correct... they are those people."

A few people looked confused.

"What do you mean, Elder?" one of them asked.

Elder Rayapati met each person’s eyes before speaking.

"Have you ever heard of dimensions beyond the human realm on this planet? Parallel dimensions?"

Some shook their heads.

"Isn’t that just a theory?" one asked.

"Just a myth, right?" another chimed in.

Elder Rayapati shook his head.

"Believe it or not, this planet houses two dimensions—the human realm and the dark dimension," he said. Then, he turned toward one of the magician representatives dressed in a black-accented uniform. "Isn’t that right, Mr. Irhas?"

The man—Shaman Irhas, a traditional dark magic practitioner often referred to as a ’dukun’ in the region—nodded in solemn agreement.

"That is what we believe," he confirmed.

Many eyes turned to him, still skeptical.

Then Irhas asked, "What does that have to do with the current situation?"

Elder Rayapati continued.

"I’ll explain. Listen carefully."

Silence fell.

"Each dimension has its own native inhabitants. Humans belong to this realm. The dark realm is inhabited by beings we know as spirits, djinn, or demons. These entities are the inverse of us, just as we are to them. Our energies are opposites—so the two realms coexist, but cannot merge. However... certain anomalies blur this divide."

"What kind of anomalies?" someone asked, intrigued.

Elder Rayapati gave a grim smile and pressed on.

"There are at least three known anomalies. This information is classified, but I’ll reveal it now to prevent further misunderstandings. The first: Dark Magicians or Shamans, including dark martial artists," he said, glancing at Irhas.

"These are people who have successfully harnessed power from the other dimension—at the cost of soul corruption."

Irhas gave no response. He simply closed his eyes.

Elder Rayapati continued,

"While dangerous, shamans are manageable. Some commit terrible acts, but others use their power for good. Corruption exists in every profession, so the shamanic path, like others, remains tolerated within limits."

The group nodded, slowly absorbing the information.

"The second anomaly is something out of legend—Demi-humans."

"Demi-humans? They’re real?" someone asked, wide-eyed.

"Maybe," the elder answered. "They are said to be born from the union of human and dark entity. I don’t know how it happens, but these beings are born with untainted souls and inherently corrupted bodies—unlike shamans, whose souls are what’s corrupted."

Gasps filled the room. This was news to most of them.

"But that’s not the focus today," Rayapati said.

"What I want to discuss is far worse."

He raised his voice slightly.

"These are beings whose body and soul are both corrupted. Rejected by both dimensions. The World Magical Association calls them: DIAR."

"DIAR? What are those?" several people asked in panic.

The elder’s expression darkened.

"They are people who—by choice or accident—entered the dark dimension, survived, adapted, and returned to the human dimension. They’re no longer human, nor are they truly part of the dark dimension. Their essence is broken. Their existence... is a disaster waiting to happen."

He clenched his fist.

"DIARs have immense power and unstable emotions. One was discovered and allowed to live peacefully once. But you might remember what happened... the Kuwaru Massacre in Northern Kanadia, North America—thirty years ago."

Shock rippled through the room.

Everyone knew about the bloodbath. A teenager who had vanished for a year returned... seemingly mature, only to later destroy an entire village, slaughtering its people in horrifying ways—alone. He was ultimately executed by the global magic task force.

No one knew he was a DIAR—until now.

"What does that have to do with this incident?" asked Arul of the White Lion Dojo.

"I believe," Elder Rayapati replied, "that the person who attacked you... was a DIAR. His immense power, the surge of dark energy in the forest, the black uniform—it all fits."

"Why do you think that?" asked Bahar.

"Lately, rumors have circulated within the global spiritualist association. Reports of powerful individuals in black uniforms appearing worldwide—always at night. Some DIARs have attacked civilians, though not all are linked to the uniformed group. That suggests... some DIARs are organized, while others remain rogue."

He pulled out a stack of documents.

"These last two decades, many missing persons have resurfaced after 1 to 5 years. Some, identified as DIARs. Many cases go unreported, especially in remote regions. This is likely related to the recent emergence of DIAR groups."

"What do they want?" someone asked.

"No one knows. But it seems... they want to reintegrate. To be accepted again as humans."

The room went quiet. That idea—while terrifying—made a strange kind of sense.

Then Elder Rayapati dropped the final blow.

"But the council has made its decision. If you encounter one—do not treat them as human. You are to kill them. Even if it’s... your friend. Or family."

Shock froze the room.

"Hahaha! Don’t worry, Elder," Arul laughed coldly. "We’ll wipe them out."

"Unlike these weaklings," he sneered.

"You say something?" another growled, slamming the table and rising to his feet.

Arul didn’t flinch. His aura flared, radiating pressure.

"Arul, enough!" Bahar snapped, unleashing his own aura in defiance. "Do you have no respect? Elder Rayapati is right here!"

"Don’t lecture me," Arul hissed, eyes narrowing.

Their auras clashed violently.

But—

"Enough. Stop this childish display," Elder Rayapati barked. "We must unify our strength now more than ever."

He closed the meeting with a call for deeper investigation and tighter surveillance around Makazhar—where the DIAR threat loomed largest.

And with that, the meeting ended.

---

Meanwhile...

After the battle, in a remote part of the forest...

Al stepped slowly through the underbrush, his mission complete—every trace erased. The scent of damp earth and scorched leaves lingered, but the night had fallen quiet again.

He didn’t return home.

The night was still young. Stars flickered overhead. Though his body could endure days without food—thanks to intense training and the flow of energy within him—there was one thing he still sometimes craved:

Human food.

Not from hunger—but as a reminder.

That he still belonged to this world.

A fragile, beautiful world worth protecting...

Even if, someday, that world might reject him too.

But just as he emerged from the forest trail and neared the edge of the settlement—he saw something.

Something he should not have seen.

His body froze. Eyes narrowed.

The night wind shifted—colder, quieter.

As if the world itself... was holding its breath.

Whatever it was...

It wasn’t supposed to be there.

---