Ascension: The First Ending

"This...?"

Bayu picked up a small wooden whistle. There was nothing special about it.

"A whistle?" Syafina frowned. "Why is there a whistle here?"

"No idea," Bayu said while observing the small whistle in his hand.

The wooden whistle felt strange, as if an oppressive aura was emanating from it.

"Hmm..." Bayu suddenly had a random idea. What if he just tried blowing it?

It wouldn't hurt, right?

"What are you going to do with that whistle?" Syafina asked, crossing her arms.

Bayu glanced at her, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Syafina, watch over me in case something happens, okay?"

"Hah? What are you planning to do?"

Bayu only smiled.

"... Don't tell me you're actually going to blow that whistle?"

Bayu stayed silent, not answering. But Syafina knew—Bayu was really planning to try it.

"Don't be reckless, Bayu. We don't know if that whistle is safe or not," Syafina warned.

Bayu remained silent before replying, "That's why I need you to watch over me if anything happens."

"Do whatever you want. I've already warned you," Syafina said.

Bayu cleared his throat in response to Syafina's words. He wiped the small whistle clean before bringing it closer to his lips.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed away the doubts that had been holding him back. Then—

Fiiiuuuuuu—!

The sound of the whistle was clear, long, and sharp.

Bayu blew it again. But slowly, the sound became fainter, as if disappearing.

"Yu?"

His vision darkened. Then—

Thud!

"Bayu!"

---

Bayu woke up to the sound of screams.

He looked around. People were running, screaming in terror, while some had already been devoured.

Chaos.

That was the only word that could describe this entire situation.

What happened?

Where was he? Where was Syafina?

Bayu slowly stood up, watching the events unfold.

In front of him, a familiar creature appeared.

Tall, thin, with pale skin, and surrounded by red roots. Its eyes were black, bleeding in the same crimson hue. Its mouth had no definite shape, adding to its terrifying presence.

Bayu froze in place, his hands frantically searching for the sword he always carried.

Where?!

Where was his sword?!

But his panic came to a halt when the creature simply passed through him—as if he wasn't there.

Bayu flinched as he saw a man running straight through his body.

He looked at his left hand—it appeared slightly translucent at the fingertips.

"This... What is this?" Bayu muttered.

He frowned as he felt something in his right hand. He opened his fist, and what he saw shocked him to the core.

The small wooden whistle from before.

Fuuuuiiii—!

Bayu flinched. He looked around, trying to find the source of the sound.

Then, suddenly, he was somewhere else.

Dark, cramped, and silent.

Bayu felt liquid pooling beneath his feet. He looked down, his eyes widening when he realized it wasn't just any liquid.

It was blood.

Shock ran through Bayu's body, making him take several steps back.

Then, a soft voice echoed.

Bayu couldn't even tell if it was male or female. But it was gentle, yet cold. Like a whisper carried by the wind.

"Raindrops fall, along with fate awaiting. The wind carries hidden messages, secrets untold."

Bayu shuddered. The voice slipped into his right ear like a creeping breeze, sending chills down his spine.

"Shadows dance on shattered mirrors, weaving lies with broken threads. The sky whispers between the thunder, carrying lost signs yet to be found."

"Stop it!" Bayu shouted, clutching his head.

A sharp pain pierced through his skull, spreading throughout his entire body.

"Bayu Mahendra Saputra."

Bayu groaned, his head felt like it was about to explode. The more he heard the voice, the stronger the throbbing pain became.

"See you soon."

---

Bayu gasped for air, sweat dripping down his forehead. He was back to reality.

"Bayu!"

He turned to see Syafina rushing toward him, her face filled with worry.

"What is wrong with you?! I told you not to blow that whistle!" Syafina scolded, frustrated.

Bayu ignored her words, staring at his hands instead.

Was that just a dream?

But why... did it feel so real?

The terrified screams, the chaotic atmosphere—he was sure that wasn't just a dream.

Then, Bayu looked around again.

Busy, crowded with people going about their activities.

Where were they? This... wasn't the last place they were before he passed out.

"Where... are we, Syafina?" Bayu asked.

Syafina answered, "MRT¹ station."

MRT¹?

"After you passed out, some people came over. One of them offered us a temporary shelter," Syafina explained.

"I was suspicious at first, but we had no other choice. If I refused, another creature could have attacked, and we would've been done for."

Bayu nodded slowly at Syafina's explanation. So that's how they ended up at the MRT station.

Then, something clicked in Bayu's mind. "Syafina, where's the whistle?"

"In your uniform pocket."

Bayu immediately checked his pocket, sighing in relief when he found the wooden whistle still there.

Footsteps approached.

"Are you feeling better now?"

Bayu and Syafina turned at the same time, looking at the man standing before them.

Bayu frowned but remained cautious.

"...Who are you?"

The man gave a slight smile. "Ah, where are my manners? I'm Langit. Nice to meet you."

"...Bayu," Bayu responded briefly.

"Alright, Bayu. How are you feeling?"

"Normal."

An awkward silence filled the air.

Bayu kept his guard up, feeling strange about someone acting friendly in a world that was falling apart.

Langit was still smiling as he spoke again. "Can we talk in private?"

Bayu was silent for a moment before sighing and standing up.

"Bayu?"

Bayu looked at Syafina. "Wait here for a bit."

He followed Langit toward a corner of the MRT station. Langit leaned against the wall, his gaze sharpening.

"Alright, straight to the point. Where did you get that wooden whistle?" Langit asked without hesitation.

Bayu stiffened. How did Langit know about the whistle?

"What does it have to do with you?"

Langit chuckled. "Do you know what that item is?"

Bayu frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The thing you have—it's an artifact."

"Artifact?" Bayu shook his head. "Don't mess with me."

"You don't believe me?" Langit stood up straight, crossing his arms. "Try holding the whistle and thinking 'item information' in your mind."

Bayu gave Langit a skeptical look but still took out the wooden whistle from his pocket.

'...Item information,' Bayu thought.

A blue screen appeared before him.

---

[Item ID: 0099-S]

Name: Dream Whistle

Type: Artifact

Class: Special

Owner: Unbound

Item Description:

A wooden whistle once used by a renowned dukun² in an ancient village. The whistle allows the user to see memories of the place they used it in—through dreams.

Limitations:

Can only be used once every two days.

[Dream Whistle Cooldown: 47:59:03 ]

---

Bayu stared at the blue screen in disbelief. So that was why he suddenly passed out after using the whistle?!

"Now you believe me, don't you?"

Bayu looked at Langit, still wary.

"What do you want?"

"Honestly, I was thinking of taking it by force. But... I still have some humanity left," Langit said plainly.

Bayu immediately put the Dream Whistle away.

"Relax," Langit said, looking elsewhere. "I'm not interested anymore."

"Then what's your real reason for talking to me?"

Langit met Bayu's gaze.

"I need your help with something."