The House of Saka (1)

The Ifrit spread his wings again and began to flap them. He flew high leaving the crowd into a direction. It seemed to know where must to go. He leaded Rihan and Alvi to a footpath of bamboo forest. That location is quite far from the center of Biika, but still within the city territory.

Rihan and Alvi hid behind a big tree while observing the Ifrit's movements as he entered a house. There was only one house at this place, and looked suspicious. The light is still on which indicates the owner of the house is still awake.

A moment later, a loud scream was heard from inside the house. Splashes of blood stained the window panes and the next second a black flame seemed to burn through the entire house. Before long, a man suddenly ran past Rihan and Alvi towards the burning house.

Thanks God, the nullified managed to disguise Rihan's and Alvi's presence!

The man stopped in front of the house. His breath hitched but he didn't care as his eyes keep looking into the house. After find out nothing, he took a single deep breath and started to 'dance'. Soon the water around him to be gathered. Bubbles by bubbles kept on rising, following the man's hands movements. After collecting enough water, then he leads them to extinguish the black flame without much trouble.

"Rin! Ririn!" He shouted in panic. "What happened?" His voice grew fainter as the footsteps entered the half burn house.

Rihan and Alvi decided to get closer to the house. It's fine, since nullified can protect them from danger.

"Another one is coming?" The man's voice sounded shocked. "Damn it! How many Ifrits did father actually let go to chase after you?" He cursed his own father.

"Indra, I'm fine. They are not real Ifrits to be honest. Your father's imperfect creation is only following the orders." The woman called Ririn replied in a voice that was still trembling.

"After failing with Alvi Veenessa Endley, father could never let you go for too long. You are her sibling by blood, Rin," said Indra sounding very worried.

"Well, I still not sure. I mean ever since I was born, I've been in Atlan. I only know mom, you and your mother, Indra. Aside that, I really don't know anything or anyone of my family." Rin replied.

At this point Rihan chose to leave that place. He walked away from the house and somehow lost in his own thoughts. There are many things that are not connected and even seem so contradictory. Rihan rubbed his lower left jaw in wonder.

Meanwhile, from inside the house, Indra forced a gentle smile. "That's why my mother and your mom took every risk so you could escape from Atlan. Ririn, that place is not where you belong to."

"Nor is my mom, Indra." Ririn's voice showed that she regretted her decision even more by running alone leaving her mom behind.

"Rin, we will go back there to save your mom. But not now. Your mom's letter has just been sent to Tanah Agra. The Dragons King will know after reading it." Indra comforted.

*****

"Are you worried about the Ifrit?" Rihan asked when he saw Alvi was so quiet since leaving the house.

Alvi raised her head and look at Rihan who was sitting opposite to her. She nodded slowly. "I haven't seen any Ifrits in a very long time. But I also understand about your concern."

Rihan leaned forward and folded his arms on the table. "What do you think?" His question was a bit unexpected to Alvi.

Alvi not understand, why does this man in front of her eyes want to hear her opinion?

"I do not know. Mom and dad should be dead. I can't have a sibling." What Alvi said was exactly what Rihan thought. "Then the man called Indra, he should be the Arina. The dance controls the water… only the Arinas can do it. Seen from any angle, it was clear that the Arinas were up to something. They somehow managed to imitate the appearance of the Ifrits. Then use it as bait."

"Then what are you worried about?" Rihan finally asked what he had been wanting to hear. Yes, he could see a glimmer of anxiety behind Alvi's eyes.

"I want to get rid of this awkward feeling and think more rationally. But there is a kind of urge in my heart to believe in them." Alvi didn't like this uncomfortable feeling. "But you don't need to concern about it." She added in hurry.

Rihan leaned back as he smiled with something up in his crazy mind. "Let's get back there. This time we will follow your heart." He said which make Alvi jumped in surprise. Alvi did not think Rihan would say something like that. Allowing her to return to the house? She became hesitate for several minutes.

"Perhaps your heart was right. We'll know after we finish this dinner and go back there. Soon, dad and Raka will also arrive too." Rihan said in calm.

"Uncle and Raka are coming? You told them?" asked Alvi.

"Nope. I only know they are near Biika and maybe it has something to do with the letter." Rihan replied casually.

Alvi frowned not understanding.

Rihan's smile grew wider. "Veena, even though the Dragons don't acknowledge me, I'm still their High Honor Dragon. What is communicated in them, I can hear all and clearly." He seemed to be able to read Alvi's confusion.

Alvi nodded in understanding while cursing her stupidity. She forgot the fact that Dragons could do mind-communication as well. "Then, what kind of letter made uncle intervene?" She looked curious.

"There are some interesting points. First, Indra. His real name is Indra Saka Horizon. As we know, the ruler of the Arina also uses the last name Horizon. Perhaps he is the son of the king of the undersea." Rihan tries to analyze.

"Secondly, the woman called Ririn. Not mentioned in the letter, but I think her real name is Arin Valka Endley." Rihan was quite careful when he said that name while observing the change in the expression on Alvi's face.

"Last is your mom's name. Auntie Luna…" Rihan ended his explanation and silently waited for Alvi's response.

This time Alvi's mind was getting tangled.

"Your heart maybe corrects, and our thought before could be wrong. But we will never know until we go there." Even though he knows Alvi won't have an appetite after this conversation, Rihan is still patiently waiting for her to finish up the dinner.