The Third Month of the Year XX87

17 years later in Yi Lu province.

This province is located southwest of Alice Nebula, where Alice Nebula itself is the center of Beta Urora as well as the city that is said to be the last defense against the power of Samsara.

Yi Lu is written in Chinese characters which means 'One Way'. From the naming alone, it already describes the identity of the province. The atmosphere of Chinatown with a single main road stretches across the province. To be honest, don't think about Yi Lu as a sprawling province with several large cities within it. Yi Lu was just a small province with only has one single city. Yes, only one city!

One day in a bright sunny afternoon, Yi Lu's main street looked so busy. Not because of rush hour or traffic jams by motorized vehicles, but purely because of the people themselves. Simply, because today was the Long Night Festival.

At that time, 3 foreigners just arrived in Yi Lu. 2 women and 1 man. They looked tired and full of dust. Their car was block at the road entrance and forced to walk into city.

The eyes of these three foreign swept the main road carefully. On the left and right side, there were full of stalls selling local culinary and mini games. The stalls was simple but decorate with luminous light. Obviously because they wanted to attract more customers.

After making sure the situation was safe, the three of the foreigners continued their journey. "Too crowded…" grumbled one of the women who had the sharpest and most unfriendly gaze. Her eyes were red and seemed to smolder like magma. She looks furious as her gestures showed that she was really uncomfortable in the middle of the crowded who were not the same Kind as her.

"Should I ask what's going on here?" The man asked the woman. His voice was low and a little hesitant.

"Yes." The answer the man got the answer from another woman. Then he rushed to the nearest stall and asked a few questions.

Meanwhile, the woman who just gave the respond kept walking as if something suddenly caught her attention.

"Alvi, I already asked the local. Apparently today was the Long Night Festival. It's an annual festival and the locals will spend the whole night partying and having fun." The man jogged over to his two friends.

The woman called Alvi didn't seem to have heard the man's words. Her attention was completely focused on the stage in front. On the stage there were several people who were preparing everything for the peak of the festival later. Four people were seen decorating the stage, two were arranging the sounding and three were in charge of adjusting the position of the spotlights.

In the midst of so many activities, there were one figure caught Alvi's attention. A man. His hair was disheveled and he was sitting on a chair in the center of the stage. The man's appearance was very-very-unpleasant. A pink T-shirt with a big bear's head in front of the chest, and then covered up with traditional Chinese clothes with red, yellow, blue floral motifs that were intentionally not tied neatly.

"Is he sure he will come out looking like that?" the sharp-gazed woman commented with a condescending expression. She wanted to continue her trashy comment when a sweet melody infiltrated her ears.

The melody comes from an array flute which closely resembles to a traditional Chinese musical instrument—Dizi. No wonder, because now they are in Chinatown, right?

Despite having a very-very-unpleasant style of dress, but unexpectedly, the man on the stage was able to play the Dizi very well. The rhythm was smooth that it immediately caught the attention of the people near the stage.

But unfortunately, the song was only played a little while when a shadow suddenly jumped and disrupted the stage.

About three to four hound dogs with black fur attacking people ferociously. Including the man who is playing the flute. In the midst of the shock with not time to react, a black flame suddenly appeared and burned the mad dogs to nothingness. Even bones!

Everything happened so fast that people began to doubt what they had just seen. The hound dogs disappeared and were replaced by black flames. Is this some kind of magic trick for tonight's show?

"Damn, they've caught up this far." Regina Waldermar, the woman with a sharp gaze cursed in annoyance.

"Hound hunters… we should have wiped our tracks back in Rami." Raphael Andra Waldermar, the man commented.

"Never mind Gina, Andra, let's go before the other dogs start gathering." Alvi invited his two friends to hurry leave the main road.

*****

The lights are turned on and illuminate the small living room with size of 4x5 meters. The interior is clearly visible on the left. Two sofas arranged to form the letter L complete with a guest table. Then a little behind, there is a minimalist kitchen. Also, there are two rooms located on the right side where one is a bedroom and the other is used as a study room.

Rihan Daniel puts his Dizi on the table. That thing with a combination of dominant black and yellow stripes rolled twice on the table while Rihan strongly smack himself on the sofa.

He closed his eyes with the back of his palm rested on his forehead. He sighed tiredly. Today was a hell for him. Attacked by a hound dog ​​that came out of nowhere, then the chaotic of the festival performance as a result of his bad play.

...and this chaotic day doesn't seem like met the end because there was a loud noise from the backyard. Usually Rihan was just ignored it. At most only drunk resident who are vomiting.

But today was different, Rihan really upset and wanted to curse someone. Whoever it is!

With a passionate heart full of anger, He got up and walked towards the back door of his house. He then opened his mouth ready to curse when a flash of light shot toward him. Rihan shifted his position slightly before a very dangerous cold object stuck to his throat.

"Shut up! Don't make a sound or I'll kill you!" A firm voice spoke near Rihan's ear.

Rihan swallowed his dry saliva.

"Andra, quickly bring her in!" This time the voice focused on two figures hiding not far from the backyard. One of them appeared to be seriously injured. Her stomach was bleeding profusely. While, a man called Andra carried his friend into the house.

Rihan couldn't do much because the knife was still tightly attached to his neck. He could only silently watch the blood dripping on the floor of his house.

After making sure it was safe outside, Regina Waldermar pulled Rihan inside and closed then locked the door.

Under threat, Rihan act obediently as Gina pushed him into the living room. Andra looked up while Alvi was already unconscious lying on the sofa.

"How is she?" asked Gina half anxious half trembling. This attitude is in stark contrast to that directed at Rihan.

"The incision is too deep. The blood didn't stop coming out. If only we could sew… or… or stop the bleeding…." Andra was still trying to suppress the cut using a cloth that had turned into a deep red color.

Both Rihan and Gina's eyes were fixed on the wound on Alvi's stomach before turned to the young woman's face. Alvi seemed to be trying really hard to endure the pain.

"Err… sorry…." Rihan was about to say something. But before he could say more, the knife on his neck had pressed deeper. Rihan suddenly shut his mouth tightly and only moved his index finger to the cupboard in the kitchen.

"Gina, it looks like he has some medicine." Thankfully, Andra is much wiser and understandable.

Gina gave Rihan an unfriendly look before saying, "Really?"

"Y-Yes…." Ryan nodded slowly.

Of course Gina did not immediately believe it. She thought for a bit moment before finally pushing Rihan's shoulder roughly. "Watch out if you dare to act strangely." She threatened.

With half a grimace in annoyance half rubbing his shoulder, Rihan walked towards the cupboard. He took out a white box that said 'first aid'. Then he handed it to Andra.

"Threads, needles, bandages. All in here." He said one by one as if the whole sentence had been torn apart by the knife that still attached to his neck.

Andra accepted the white box with pleasure. But not until a second he turned back to Gina. "I can't sew up the wound. Can you do it?" he asked.

Gina shook her head quickly in response.

Andra got up and handed the white box back to Rihan. "You certainly can. It's impossible to keep a needle and thread if you can't stitch up the wound yourself."

Perfect analysis! Additional points for Andra! As if Rihan may comment. Unfortunately he has no such rights.

Rihan glanced at Gina as well as the knife around her neck. He seemed to be waiting for a permission.

Andre took a step forward. One hand kept the blade away from Rihan's neck while the other hand was still holding out the white first aid kit. "Please." He pleaded.

Rihan took a deep breath. He accepted the box and knelt down to carefully examine the wound in Alvi's stomach.

"Move her to the table." Rihan said as he removed the Dizi from the table without much attention.

Andra and Gina immediately recognized the flute because of its unique shape and color. The object was played during the preparation of the festival stage this afternoon. No wonder from the beginning they felt this man was very familiar. If Rihan had worn a pink t-shirt with a large bear's head on the chest, maybe they would have recognized him immediately.

"We have to clean the wound first." Rihan spoke again. His hands moved swiftly to remove antiseptic. Then start cleaning Alvi's wound.

Alvi's body spontaneously gave a rejection reaction when she received a stinging feeling in her stomach. Especially when the first stitch penetrated the skin and flesh.

"Please hold her." Rihan is a little commanding. He didn't want the needle to go wrong and cause another injuries.

Andra and Gina obeyed. Both of them rushed to hold Alvi's body and the sewing process took place quickly.