ASTAKONA [COURSE EIGHT]
Chapter 4

Hushion ran towards the front door with a thumping heart. However, his father managed to hold him by firmly holding his shoulder. Hushion was confused by the evil smile engraved on his father's face. Anxiety began to fill his mind as his father brought his lips closer to his ear and whispered in a stern warning tone.

"Hushion, if you step out, let's just say today is the last day you know him."

Those words made Hushion even more confused and felt like a fool.

"What do you mean, Dad?" ask her with a trembling voice.

His father let go of his hand and walked to the table. He grabbed the upside-down glass and poured the coffee previously made by Zack. Without the slightest hesitation, his father sipped the coffee quietly. Then he said in a cold tone, "As far as you are. The choice is in your hands now."

Hushion felt as if he was being challenged by the words of his father. He soaked his slippage without caring about the possible consequences that would ensue. His thoughts were only with Zack, who had left the house. He ran out looking for his sister, thinking of nothing but finding and saving Zack.

On the way to find Zack, Hushion contemplates his father's words. He felt full of doubt and confusion. But, in his heart, there was no wavering feeling to protect Zack. They were brothers, and Hushion promised to always be there for his sister, no matter what.

The day grew darker and dark clouds covered the twilight of the evening. Slowly, raindrops began to fall heavily. Zack continued to walk through the forest, going deeper and further away from home. Each step was accompanied by a sense of fatigue that infiltrated his body.

Finally, Zack stopped at a large tree. He felt very tired, and his gaze was increasingly limited by the darkness of the forest and the increasingly heavy rain spatter. With a breath of breath, he laid his back on the root of the great tree, then put his feet tightly together to warm himself.

He hugged his legs with both hands, trying to ease the feelings of confusion and sadness that haunted his heart. Her tears were mixed with rain water running down her cheeks. Zack felt a deep physical and emotional exhaustion. He was still in a state of fixation, his heart was wounded by his father's sharp and painful words. She felt humiliated and unappreciated as part of the family.

The rain was getting heavier, creating a rumbling sound that filled the forest. Rain drops fall heavily, making the bushes and foliage wetter.

However, suddenly his father appeared right before him, carrying an umbrella to protect him from the rain, as well as carrying a chicken lamp that illuminated the place, a feeling of confusion grew increasingly in his heart. He was confused as to how his father could tell of his existence here.

His father looked at him with a caring expression, even though he was insulting his son. His father spoke softly, trying to explain the intent behind the exam he gave.

"Is this how weak you are, Zack? I just wanted to test your skills, but didn't expect that you were still at the level I expected. If you've given up on hurtful words, how will you survive a hard, obstacle-filled life? The astakona academy is not a place to play around, but rather a training field that presents a formidable challenge."

Zack looked at his father with a face of hatred and sadness clearly visible in his eyes. His face was swollen with tears flowing down.

"There is no use for Astakona, if the thorns are already in the streets. There's no use for Astakona, if you're drowning in the ocean. Criticism and humiliation are not the only solution. In fact, it will be a ruin" Zack said.

His father put the chicken lamp next to Zack and looked at his son's face.

"Huh~ You still don't understand why dad did all this. To be honest, you are a burden to our family. I've tried to talk to you repeatedly, but you still don't understand it. You're the son who brought bad luck to our family. From birth until now, this shit continues to befall us. So I want to end this relationship so as not to drag on. By killing you, I'm sure this shit will be gone."

Zack was silent, his eyes were round.

His father placed an umbrella next to Zack, causing both of them to be drenched in the rain, then he smiled.

"You think you're that mean, Zack? Your father and brother love you."

His father knelt in front of Zack. They looked at each other with eyes full of feeling and hugged their child.

"But for the good of your brother, I was forced to break up the two of you. Forgive me, father."

Then, he placed his hand over Zack's head. Zack doesn't know what his father's gonna do. Suddenly, his body became stiff as a rock, and his mouth felt tightly locked. In front of him, he saw his father talking to something invisible. Evil aura appeared around the two of them. Zack became frightened, feeling like he was seeing someone who was no longer his father.

"Budiman Mack. Day by day, time changes. You will forget all the stories that have happened in your life, including those you love. Hushion Budiman and your father will never appear in your life, and you will never know who they are."

"The 4th Purple Astakona, Memory Astakona. It's gone!" said father.

Zack surprised. His world became pitch black. The mixed feeling he had felt disappeared in the blink of an eye. Finally, he fell down in that place.

His father picked up the languidly drooping Zack.

"I'm sorry dad. I know this is wrong, but it's for the good of our family."

Hushion was desperate. He knows the danger out there. So he decided not to continue his journey into the forest, especially since it was late at night. Finally, he decided to return home praying that Zack would be safe and return safely.

Hushion, with his clothes soaked, stepped inside the house.

His eyes were on the living room sofa. His father was seen sitting there casually, as if nothing had happened.

"Hushions. That's enough. Just leave him."

Hushion was very angry.

"Dad will never understand how I feel! I went home, took the responsibility of looking after Zack like I promised my mother before she died. And what did dad do? I just want to separate me from Zack!"

Father's silent. He put down the cup he was holding and then stood up, approaching Hushion. He held the shoulder of his beloved son.

Hushion's body suddenly felt stiff. He looked at his father. Their eyes met in meaningful gazes. His heart is beating fast. He sensed the strong presence of Astakona surrounding him, until his gaze slowly blurred. He tried to counter Astakona's influence, but he felt defeated.

"If so, you better forget your promise. Mom died a long time ago and you yourself know the cause of her death. I know, you love her, but life has to go on because we only live once. Remember, Hushion, the enemy will not stop until they destroy our security. Your presence in the academy is not without reason, you are protecting the people of our country. In the meantime, you can protect Zack, too." Said father.

Then his father put his hand on Hushion's head. A purple light emerged from his hand, this time brighter and more intense.

Budiman Hushion. Day by day, time passed by so quickly. You will forget all the stories that have happened in your life. Your life goal is to be the ultimate hero, the Astakona holder. Zack Budiman is just a burden to your success, and he will never be in your life. You won't know who he is."

"The 4th Purple Astakona, Memory Astakona. It's gone!"

After his father cast the spell, Hushion collapsed helplessly on the floor.

Next day. Hushion had prepared his bag to go to the academy. He was wearing a neat typical outfit, and his white hair was neatly tied up.

Zack sees Hushion riding in a vehicle with eight legs and four wheels. He was confused and wondered who the white-haired young man was.

On the other hand, Hushion also noticed the short red-haired child. He was also confused as to why the little boy was inside his house.

The two stared at each other from a distance, yet they did not recognize each other. A mysterious destiny has erased their memories, leaving them in confusion and misunderstanding.

In his home, goats who had long been loyal friends were sold. Her father decided to pay Mak Zalilah as Zack's nanny and guardian. Although the wages given are not much, but enough to meet the needs of their kitchen.

At the time Zack was about to depart, Mak Zalilah arrived with a warm smile when he met his father. He attentively took Zack away from their home. Before parting ways, his father gives Mak Zalilah a secret message, so as not to let Zack go to a dangerous place.

A sum of money from the sale of goats was then given to Zack as a gift. After Mak Zalilah brought Zack home, his father and Hushion prepared to leave home to head to the port. They will start the journey to the destination, Nakasta, a city that became the center of the kingdom for 8 countries where the Academy is located there.