Between Us

Rihan pulled his body to stretch the stiffness of back muscles. Home sweet home, especially when there's nothing to think or worry about. Now he had more time to enjoy the scenery, play the Dizi or having fun with Lily in backyard.

The snow leopard seems to really miss Rihan. He lay spoiled and kept pulling Rihan's hand asking the man to keep rubbing her stomach.

"Now that I think about it, you lied when you said Lily was sick and being cared for by your friend outside Samsara?" Alvi's question stops Rihan from his activity.

Lily suddenly rose and jumped cheerfully encircle Alvi. That pure white furry creature with black spots always looks happy whenever she sees Alvi.

Alvi knelt down and patted Lily's head. "Because shortly after, Raka attacked Samsara. You already know it."

"Mnn…" Rihan didn't argue.

"Why didn't you tell me? If I had known, we could have left together from that place." This time Alvi stood up and approached Rihan who was still squatting with his back to her.

Rihan also got up but remained with his back to Alvi. "To be honest, I never plan about it. Nor leaving that place." Rihan answered honestly. He turned and his eyes immediately met Alvi's.

"The plan even the scenario about your freedom. I was the mastermind. That's why the person you meet at the exit is not another soldier, but me. It's the same with the scenario you stabbed me." Rihan explained with a light tone.

Like a thunderstorm striking to Alvi's mind. She is speechless.

"I not that weak to point of not realizing your position and the sword in your hand." Rihan gave a bright smile. "Sorry… I always ask you to stay alive. But I couldn't keep my own words." There was a hint of regret behind that sentence.

Alvi unexpectedly wrapped her arms around Rihan's waist. She buried her face in that man chest while hugged him tightly.

"I don't know why… but I feel so happy, I'm relieved that the sword didn't kill you that time," said Alvi in remorse. "Sorry, I'm really sorry for stabbing you." This time it was Alvi's turn to apologize.

"What can I do? It's your biggest wish. If I don't play a little drama and let you stab me at the same time, will you ever be as strong and as tough as you are now?" Rihan gently stroked Alvi's hair.

"Thanks for everything." After saying sorry, now is thank you. Rihan raised an eyebrow not too understanding.

"I know you are doing a lot for me secretly. I don't know the reason and don't know how to pay the debt. So, I can only say thank you." Alvi raised her head and look at Rihan's brown eyes.

Rihan couldn't help but laughing. A naughty laugh but full of joy. "We are not that strange to saying sorry and thank you to each other, right? You say that once before." His eyes stared warmly at Alvi's.

It was a comforting and a relief at the same time.

"Forget about this gloomy topic. How about accompany me for a walk?" Rihan immediately grabbed Alvi's hand and took her for a leisure walk to various places in Tanah Agra. It's quite empty since the Dragons were still gathering in the castle.

Lily seemed run cheerfully to any random directions. The snow leopard disappeared for a while then reappeared out of nowhere. He seemed enjoy to play by his own.

"Ryan, can I ask you something?" Alvi finally opened the conversation after a long silence.

"Yeah?" Rihan nodded in agreement.

"I'm still thinking about what Julius said about you entering Samsara because of me. What are you thinking at that time?" asked Alvi very curious.

"Oh..." Rihan seemed to reminisce about the events of that day. "Well, someone ever said something like; don't hate, protect that love and…"

"And?" Alvi believes that there is something more powerful than the words don't hate and protect. Something that can make a kid took a strong determination for the entire 20 years.

Rihan smiled even more mysteriously after finding Alvi's curious expression. "And a promise with your dad... secret promise between me and Uncle Rei." He revealed.

Hearing her dad's name being mentioned, curiosity mixed up with pain suddenly emerged within Alvi's chest. She looked sad while replying the memories about her father and mother stories which being told by Freya or Arken. But as time went on, the story began to feel bland. What was the point of hearing so much when she would never have a chance to meet?

"Don't make a face like that." Rihan pinched Alvi's cheek affectionately. "You are not alone in this world. There's me, mom, dad and many others who care about you."

That's right… there is still Auntie Freya and Uncle Arken who love her very much. Both of them already consider Alvi as their own daughter. Then there are Julius, Gina, and Andra who always take care of her. Plus, the two siblings, Rihan and Raka. Nothing to regret on.

"Looks like you need some extra energy to lift your spirits." Rihan smiled mischievously as he planned on something.

"Lily let's go for a walk!" Lily responded to the call and followed them from behind.

They did not go somewhere in Tanah Agra, but to the south city called Biika.

*****

Basically, Biika is a mediocre city. There is nothing special about this place. But today is a little different. When returning to Tanah Agra this afternoon, Rihan happened to be passing through this place and saw a large banner regarding the fireworks festival. He thought this was a good opportunity to bring back Alvi's happy spirit.

The clock shows almost 7 PM. The perfect time to watch the peak of the fireworks festival. Rihan took Alvi to the center of the crowd while look at the sky in huge smile. Even though they had to be crammed together, but from here they could see the fireworks closer and clearer.

The long shrill sound and end up with a loud DUAR! sound was quite deafening. But after that the night sky will be decorated with various forms of giant glowing flower in variety colors. Everything looks so harmonious and beautiful. Alvi barely blink in amazed.

Rihan smiles satisfied. He tightened his grip on Alvi's hand and continue to enjoy the fireworks show.

But unfortunately the festival can not be enjoyed longer. The crowd suddenly shouted in panic and people scattered away from a point which was quite far from Rihan and Alvi's position. Seeing the sudden flow of movement, Rihan pulled Alvi to a safer place.

Something winged and about three meters tall stood up in the middle of the crowd. His stature is emaciated with dark brown skin. His face looks cruel and has two horns sticking out of his forehead. A pair of membrane less bat wings folded neatly as the horrific figure began to wail miserably.

"Ifrit…" Alvi could not forget the stature of her own People. Since childhood she was always afraid of that horrific appearance. But actually, Ifrit is a solitary creature who rarely appears especially in crowded. Also, Ifrit suppose to be extinct along with the attack to the North by Samsara.

"Veena, where are you going?" Rihan holds Alvi who is about to approach the Ifrit.

"Of course, help him." Alvi replied without hesitation.

"Did you forget that the Ifrits should have been extinct by Samsara? It's so strange that we suddenly approach an Ifrit in this place. Just, just observe a little longer." Rihan tried to convince and asked Alvi to be patient while keeping an eye on the situation.

The Ifrits looked around in confusion. This time the vicious face was more clearly visible. A pair of completely black eyes looked so intimidating and sweeping through the crowded. Even know it was dangerous, the crowded are very curious about the incarnation of demon's figure.

They just stay in place while maintaining the distance.

"Move out! Get out of the way!" The police shouted from back row.

"Hey! who the hell are you!?" One of the officers used a half-snarled voice from a great distance away. Yet something surprising happened in the blink of an eye. The officer suddenly fell backwards and his body was burned by the black flame.

"Deathly Flame?" Alvi gasped in surprise.

"Similar, but it's fake," said Rihan after seeing the effects of the black flame. It's both fire and black. But the embers don't burn out like Alvi's Deadly Black Flame.

"Bait from Arinas?" Alvi guessed.

"There is a possibility. Anyway, let's keep an eye on it." Rihan replied without wanting to make a quick conclusion.