Rihan Daniel (1): The Forgotten Little Dragon

The story begins 20 years ago in the frozen winter in 10th month of the Year XX67.

My name is Rihan Daniel Vaiskyler. Personally, I dare not say that I am the eldest son of the current Lord of the Dragons—the mighty and respected Vaiskyler family head. The reason is quite simple, because I believed, and everyone believed, that in my veins there is none single drop of the dragon's blood. I was purely born as a human. The legacy of my mother, Freya Natalia Grey.

This is my story. Everything that is told here is purely based on my point of view, my thoughts and my own determination.

It started when I was 3 years old. The tribal tattoo symbol that was supposed to appear as a mark and status to be one of the Dragons didn't appear on me. At that time, my dad—Ares Kennrich Vaiskyler—and my mom were still optimistic, perhaps because of I was born with a mixed blood between dragon and human which resulting of the late appearance. Well! That reason was inciting at that time.

Then, in the same year, my brother, Raka Gilbert Vaiskyler was born. Also, dad began to prepare for my training to become a future knight or maybe the future Lord. He taught me the basics of dragon's roar and breath in preparation for the next level transformation into the form of gigantic creature which could shake both the sky and land.

I can't do it properly even after so many attempts. I know I'm not talented enough since I'm not a little dragon. But I will definitely try harder.

A year later and now I am 4 years old. This year I am still training hard under dad's guidance. No progress at all. I'm getting worse and frustrated.

At the age of 5, this was my toughest year. Raka looks more promising even though he just 2 years old. The tribal tattoo symbol was also clearly visible on his left arm, yet I… still had nothing. At this point, dad started to give up teaching me since I couldn't master the most basic of roar.

No matter how hard I tried, dad never looked at me with the same optimistic face anymore. Raka has totally snatched away that gentle figure from me. But I never hated Raka. I just kept wondering to myself. What's wrong with me?

Guess, I was officially considered a non-Dragon. Being set aside. Isolated. Forgotten. Just like my mom.

Such a long day is very difficult to pass. Kids at my age don't want to play with me as a non-Dragon. They tend to bully me. That's why I prefer to play alone at home or somewhere far away from crowded. Like for example the mountain behind the castle or the top of the ancient temple—it's actually a sacred and forbidden for any visitors, but I often go there secretly. After all, no one knows.

I don't have many friends to play with. It can even be counted on the fingers. There's my little brother, Raka, that's when he's not training. Then there's mom who care and loves me very much and always tells me a lot story about the human world. Ah! Also, there's one more friend who often played with me. The daughter of the ruler of the Ifrit from the North, daughter of Luna Endley and Rei Nathanael. The two of them I have considered as my very own mother and father. They are very kind and always take me to play to various interesting places over Beta Urora.

As for their daughter's name… if I'm not mistaken it is Alvi Veenessa Endley. Her name is very long and hard to remember and also she is several months younger than Raka.

For these straight two years, every night, towards midnight to be exact, I always went out secretly to practice that 'roaring' thing. Even though dad has given up on me, but I haven't given up on getting dad's acknowledgement. To be honest, if I just being ostracized and considered as a failed child, I think I still can bear with all of those attitudes. But until one day, there was one incident that ended up changing my whole life and the way I see this world.

I remembered clearly, that night when I was exhausted after two hours of self-training. Then suddenly a voice whispered. The voice sounded clear with a bit stuttering. But at that time and in that place, there was no one except me.

"Is this what is called mind communication?" I guessed in not so sure.

The voice whispered again with a low tone. "A disembodied spirit… under the sea… Who? Who is connecting…?"

"Wh—Who is there…?" I spoke with a shaky voice.

"Daniel? Is that you, little Daniel?" Rei Nathanael asked in an excited voice which was instantly replaced by a short painful cough.

"Un—Uncle Rei?" From the voice and way of speech, I think Uncle Rei is not doing well. Is he sick? I only dared to guess without daring to ask too many questions.

"Q—Quickly call your dad, or your grandfather, or Rourga is fine too." Rei Nathanael said again after his cough subsided.

I don't really remember what I did after that. Father's voice suddenly appeared in my head and the communication between them was some how established. I don't know why. But that night only I could receive such messages while the others could not. The only logical reason I can deduce is because of the blood factor.

The strange yet complicated fact is that Rei Nathanael is actually my mom's uncle. My grandmother from mom side is actually the half sister of Uncle Rei. They shared the same father but with different mother.

Uncle Rei looks like a man in his mid-30s. Due to one and many things that happened in the past, uncle who was a human received enormous power and effected on slowing down of his aging. With a face that is still around 30 years old, it would be very rude if I called him grandpa. Hence, I followed my mother to call him uncle.

Uncle Rei himself didn't mind. He even looked happier.

Alright, back on topic. The communication between father, grandpa Evanosk, uncle Rourga and as well as uncle Rei was finally established without knowing that I was the first one to receive the signal.

"Rei, what happened?" Arken asked in a panicked.

"We were ambushed. Nega has died, and all that's left is me and a few Ifrits." Rei explained in heavy breath.

"Nega died? Where is she? Where are you guys? I'll be right there in moment!" Arken had transformed into his dragon form when Rei Nathanael intercepted his action.

"Arken, don't! Stop it! It's useless… the ambushers already know our location and the Ifrits are struggling to hold them. I'm not sure it would last long." Rei said while holding back the vomit of blood from his mouth. A hole seemed to gape in his stomach.

"Rei, what do you mean? You're not this weak, Rei!" Arken raised his tone. Upset and frustrated.

"Nathanael, tell us your location. At least we can come pick up your body if you're… really dead." Evanosk's voice was deep and depressed.

"Grandpa! Rei can't possibly die! He will not lose!" Arken denied using all of his emotion.

"No need. You won't be able to find my body." Rei still refuses to reveal his exact location.

"This is my last message. You have to be wary of the south. A disembodied spirit moves among us," said Rei. Then the communication was suddenly cut off from Rei Nathanael's side and was never connected again.

I, who had not dared to speak, finally sat down limply. It was a terrible last message. What really happened to Uncle Rei? Isn't uncle a great man who even exceeds father or even grandpa?

"A disembodied spirit… under the sea… the southern region…." I repeated those words over and over.

Sorry, but sea is not your territory, Arken. It's useless to tell since the entrance has been destroyed.

"Uncle…." I stood up when I heard that familiar voice again. How come I still connected?

Little Daniel, you being able to take my message means you are not a complete failure. You have something more special.

If you can hear me now, don't hate the Dragons. Don't hate your dad. You still have your mom and also grandpa Evanosk who always cherish you. Loves you. No matter what happens in the future, promise me to keep on protecting those affectionate feelings.

Then lastly, I want you...

I nodded in understanding. I always remember Uncle's words and I keep them tightly as a treasure. The promise he asked me for… I wasn't sure I could do it. But I will always remind myself about tonight. Don't hate and keep protecting.

Then a year just passed. At the age of six, the Arinas through the name of Samsara attacked and destroyed Tanah Agra. Grandpa was killed and Uncle Rourga disappeared. The situation was very chaotic and dad ascended to become the new Lord of the Dragons.

They said only pure-blooded dragons were worthy of being the future Lord and also head of the Vaiskyler family. It was clear that they doubted the quality of my little brother, Raka Gilbert Vaiskyler. Dad couldn't do much because he didn't want this problem to be dragged on forever. Thus, that night, for the first time I saw dad and mom not talking to each other. Mom looked very sad and hurt. Before I knew, a week has passed and my father married Demita Waldermar, the future head of the Waldermar family.

It was at the end of that year that I made a big decision that made the Dragons and my family even more despised me. I chose to betray the Dragons and join Samsara who was recruiting members.

That day is exactly in the year XX70.