Rihan Daniel (3): My Name

One request from Lady and I unhesitatingly went to Tanah Agra which had been 'wrecked' near the northern region of Beta Urora.

"Subject 4-42-1 is Samsara's most important prisoner. Samsara needs the Deadly Black Flame to win this war. I only trust my own people to take care of her. However, during these 4 years, I have lost many soldiers due to the cursed and the power of the Deadly Black Flame. She's dangerous, yet very important. I'm confused, my sweet Lucie."

"Lady, what do you want me to do for you?"

"Lucie, you are very special. You're unaffected by her power and it's more than a surprised. A miracle. I need your help. But I'm worried about one thing. Your secretive side and my indecisive heart. I couldn't read deep into your thoughts. You locked it really tight."

Lucie reminds silent.

"My sweet Lucie, I need a proof of your loyalty so I can entrust Subject 4-42-1 and the Deadly Black Flame to you."

"Lady, you can find someone more suitable than me."

"Why? Aren't you happy with this new task?"

"I don't fit in. Also, I do not like."

"This is what I like about you, Lucie. Dare to refuse. Not like the others that always do as I want just to make me happy."

"Lady, you can find someone more worthy than me."

"No, dear Lucie. You are the most deserving person."

"Lady, is this an order?"

"Lucie, I hate having this method to make you obeyed. Why can't you please me once in a while like a sweet loyal dog?"

"…."

"Fine, Lucie. I give up. This is an order and must be done as soon as possible."

*****

Tanah Agra is already visible to my eyes and every step I take become heavier. After so many years of running and hiding, I didn't expect to come back so openly like this. The sacred land of the Dragons is still the same as it used to be. Full of majesty and awe.

I tried to suppress this overwhelming feeling and walked straight to the Sacred Stone Wall where the names of the Dragons were engraved. My steps were slow enough that I could read some familiar names. Finally, my feet stopped right in front of the engraving of my own name. I stared at my name long enough that I didn't realize the Dragons had gathered around.

"Traitor! You still dare to come back!?" One of the Dragons shouted harshly. "What are you here for?!"

Anger after anger I received without being able to reply. Mom and dad were there too. But they remained silent. Dad looked so furious that no words could come out from his mouth. While mom looked at me with a glimmer of hope and gaze. Hope that I finally changed my mind and come back to her.

That day I did not wear my mask. I smiled scornfully as I folded the sleeves of my white shirt up to my elbows. "Looks like everyone here already. Very well. I don't have to bother making a fuse to gather all of you to here." I started my narration. My heart ached at that moment but I had to bear it!

"Your betrayal is enough to embarrass the Vaiskyler family! Is that still not enough?! Do you intend to destroy the entire Dragons like Samsara has been doing all this time?!"

I don't know who shouted from the crowd behind.

The smile on my lips grew wider. "Great idea. But today I have more important business."

I started to pull out a black penknife with a yellow line in the middle of the blade. Most of the Dragons probably don't know what I'm about to do. But my mom and dad realized my crazy decision.

"Daniel! Don't be reckless!" Dad reflexively shouted loudly.

But unfortunately my hand movement is faster. The blade of the penknife had left a vertical imprint on the engraving of my name on the Sacred Stone Wall. A very deep scratch had ruined the name of Rihan Daniel Vaiskyler.

"As of today, I am no longer a member of the Vaiskyler family. No longer a Dragons." I said hoarsely.

Actually, I didn't expect to say such heartless words. My feeling is sore and numb. Likewise with mom and dad. I know how hurt they are.

*****

Even though I've erased my own name from the list, it doesn't mean I lost my name. Rihan Daniel is the name that my parents gave to me. It will forever be my identity. Except the Vaiskyler.

The wall clock shows 7PM when Alvi Veenessa Endley has just been escorted by the lab guards to her prison room. Seeing my face, they just act normal while thinking that I was a mere low-level guard. Ironic… without a mask, I'm nothing in this place.

But all of this was expected since Lady herself also didn't want to reveal the fact that Lucie, the number 6, was sent to guard a prisoner. It's also a good thing that I always show up wearing a mask.

Alvi at that time was 7 years old. She looked so weak that she couldn't even walk by herself and had to be dragged into the cell. It seems that she is drained all day from morning to evening. Approximately 10 hours in the research lab. Every day.

I saw her fell asleep immediately, and things goes on routinely until three months has passed.

I haven't had the courage to speak or approach her, too many eyes are watching behind the shadow. So, I… need the right timing to make a move.

Then the day I had been waiting for arrived.

Lady suddenly requested me to meet her.

"How?" Lady is seen sitting relaxed in her private room on the 45th floor.

"All good." I answered curtly as usual.

Lady glanced at me, looking displeased. My answer seemed to spoil the joyous mood in his heart. "Subject 4-42-1 is a crucial prisoner for the war against Beta Urora and the Dragons. So please elaborate, Lucie."

"Don't the research labs always send you the reports?" I lower my head and very careful with my word.

Lady snorted in annoyance as she turned her face away from me. "What is written on those papers is just garbage wrapped in sentences to please my heart." She snapped in disgust.

"Fatigue. Blank stare. Weak body. For a child who is only 7 years old, her mind is already broken. So do the power which always been exploited for 10 hours every single day." I report as it is.

Lady looked at me with a serious face. "I know that you used to study medicine. How long do you think she will last?"

I thought for a moment. "2, or at most 3 months. Even though she lives longer, she will only become a body without soul. The power will becoming more unstable and the research team will find a hard time in the future," I replied.

Lady suddenly vented her anger by throwing all the reports at me. I was shocked and instantly took two small steps back and kept bowing.

"Read!" Lady very rarely uses a commanding intonation when speaking to me.

I picked up random report which splattered over my feet and started speed reading. What I said did prove to be true. The research team's report shows no significant developments over the past year. Many studies have passed the deadline and affected on the next research schedule.

No wonder Lady looks so displeased.

"The war is getting closer yet our preparations are far from complete." Lady opened her mouth in a deep voice. "I hate having to rely on people-above-the-sea. But look at my own People. It's been 4 years and nothing had done!" She screamed in anger and frustrated.

"Lucie, I only trust 5 among the 14 strongest warriors of Samsara. You're the one. I want you to find the way for me. Anything is fine." Looks like Lady met a dead end.

I'm a bit confused to guess Lady's plan. Either she was telling the truth, or she was just digging a hole to trap me. I silently waited for her next word with unchanging expression.

"It's up to you how to execute it, just make her feels happy and more alive in this place. This research can't be stopped." Lady is asking something very impossible from me.

"But I—"

"Do I have to use the 'order' word again this time?" Lady seems so tired of my stiff attitude.

"Is all authority in my hands?" I asked very carefully.

Lady immediately cast a probing glance at me. After a moment she smiled resignedly. "What am I worried about? You are no longer the Dragons. You proved your loyalty in the most nasty way, my sweet Lucie. You throw away your name, your family, and their trust. All for the sake of gaining my trust. If it turns out that you are a spy, then which side are you on?" Lady did not find a third party which stronger than the Dragons and Samsara to be sided on.

"I must appreciate all your efforts and sacrifices, Lucie. I leave the subject of 4-42-1 completely in your hand." Hence, this is the final statement from Lady.