Atlan (1)

It's unusual for Rihan Daniel to take Lily on a dangerous journey. Indra Saka Horizon took them to the ruin of Samsara's headquarter. He is said that the entrance to Atlan apart from diving through the undersea, is using hidden path beneath this building.

"Ryan, what's wrong?" Alvi realized Rihan's silence. She slowed her steps waiting Rihan who was walking a bit behind.

Lily didn't run or play like she usually did. The snow leopard seemed to know about the current situation and sensed the uncomfortable atmosphere inside Samsara's headquarter.

"I'm fine. Don't worry." Even though Rihan said that, Alvi still felt that something was bothering the man.

"We can stop if you think something's wrong." Alvi said in worried.

Rihan realized that Alvi was about starting to think about various speculations. He suddenly smiled at that woman and whispered with a low tone. "Veena, you think too much. Don't be bothered by such little things. Do what was your planned in the beginning."

Alvi grew more and more suspicious. "Ryan, I don't mind if now you say that this plan is fishy. Don't make me look like an idiot later." Alvi didn't want to be the last one to realize.

Rihan's smile grew wider. "There's nothing wrong with either of them nor this overall plan. Don't think too much, okay?" He in a very assure voice.

"Then can you tell me the reason for bringing Lily along on this trip?" Alvi tried to dig deeper. "And this unusual attitude of yours?" She stills not giving up.

Rihan still has a big smile on his face. "Veena, you just haven't seen me doing a real thing. I'm usually act like this when I'm doing my job. Do you expect me to keep on joking along the way?"

"Your job?" Alvi frowned uncomprehendingly.

"Do you expect me to take this lightly?" Rihan asked back. "Come on, Veena. Anxiety and excessive thoughts will only make you lost focused." Rihan without hesitation inserted his fingers between Alvi's fingers. They are now holding hand.

"This is for you. I don't know what's going to happen down there. The amount is large enough to suppress your corrosive. So don't hesitate to use the Deadly Black Flame in fight." Rihan quietly handed her a stone bracelet which the small orange seeds on the bracelet were all nullified stones.

The deepest underground area of ​​Samsara's headquarter was located down beneath 45th floor as well as a forbidden area for both Arinas and non-Arinas. Usually, only Lady is free to go in and out using this path. Rihan himself has never reached this far where the air is very humid and the walls seem wet from groundwater.

There is a giant door. Not a normal door that can be pushed open using some mechanism. A large and long crack seemed to split the two giant doors which made of natural stone.

"In the past this door was the only link between Atlan and the world above the sea. But years ago this door was destroyed and could no longer be used. Now the Arinas are forced to pass through the Blue Labyrinth to get in and out of Atlan." Indra explained.

"The maze has thousands of patterns and millions of combinations that change every hour. It also didn't care whether the visitor is Arinas or not. One wrong step then the whole pattern will change completely. That's why a lot of people get lost in here and can't never find the way out."

"How do you know which pattern is currently in use?" Alvi asked curiously.

"There is one fixed step calculation to pass through this labyrinth. It is quite complicated to calculate the number of steps and the direction because it all depends on the position of the wall and the open road at the point we are at. I can't explain in detail since we have limited time," Indra replied.

Indra checked the wall surrounding the giant door. Thick moss and vines seemed to fill every side of the wall. "Over here," he called excitedly as he brushed aside the strands of vines. Behind there is a small secret passage that leads to the Blue Labyrinth.

A freezing wind suddenly felt blowing against their faces when they arrived at the Blue Labyrinth. Above the labyrinth, there is not the sky, rather a vast expanse of ocean views completes with free-swimming fish and sea creature. Now they were at the bottom of the sea where the air seemed to be trapped below.

The world of the undersea; Atlan, looks very small at the opposite end of the massive Blue Labyrinth. This means that this labyrinth was created not only as a trap but also as a very, very wide front yard.

Rihan was quite pleased to see the efforts of the Arinas in intercepting any incoming intruders.

In contrast to Rihan who seemed to admire the view at the bottom of the ocean. Since then, Raka, Gina and Andra have been monitoring Indra and Ririn's movements. They had never once put their trust in these two strangers. Especially the man named Indra Saka Horizon.

Now as they enter the labyrinth, the faces of the three young Dragons were more tense and wary. Indra leads the way while for Rihan Daniel… he has separated from the group. Lily was nowhere to be found either.

This is what Rihan has planned from the beginning. He felt a little guilty especially to Alvi, but he also has absolutely no intention in participating to save Luna Endley even though they have a close relationship.

Lily let out a gloomy voice and whined because she couldn't stay with Alvi. "I don't want to be like this either, Lily. Once this is done you can play as much as you want with Veena." Rihan tried to comfort the snow leopard.

The Blue Labyrinth's walls began to move at some point. No wonder because they are not the only ones who trying to solve this maze puzzle. There are dozens of creatures trapped in there.

Rihan walked calmly turning from one block to another as if he was taking a leisurely stroll. However, his position was gradually approaching to the middle of the Blue Labyrinth. But he suddenly stopped at a crossroads. He accidentally found himself on the same path as two middle-aged women. They are probably around 40 years old. Their clothes were plain white knee-length and looked dirty. Chains seemed to shackle both of their legs.

"Are they prisoners who ran away from Atlan and got lost here?" Rihan guessed. But he doesn't put much attention since he had more important things to do.

Rihan ignored them. He was about to continue walking when he heard the sound of iron being dragged from behind his back. Rihan managed to dodge to the left just as a sword swung straight down across his right shoulder.

Rihan's hand spontaneously moved skillfully to twist the attacker's wrist. He then took over the sword that had just been swung. With no intention of continuing the fight any longer, Rihan purposely stepped on the wrong stone block behind and the labyrinth wall began to shift places.

Rihan took two steps back while allowing the labyrinth wall to separate between himself and the two women. After things returned to normal, Rihan just took the time to look at the sword he just stole.

A ninjato type sword with the entire body of the sword coated in black obsidian palette. Rihan hastily took a step forward, peering quickly through the gap between the almost completely closed by a thick wall. Damn, he was too careless. How could he possibly forget the appearance of a familiar sword which that had the exact same features and shape as the one he was holding now?

Looking back, the female attacker had violet eyes. The color of the irises was very similar to Ririn's. Alvi actually also has the element violet in a pair of dominant black eyes. The violet should able to be see under the sunlight.

"Sorry, aunt. I'll return Uncle Rei's sword later and apologize." Rihan tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword and continued his footsteps.

This time Rihan quickened his footsteps. Atlan looks clearer and more majestic. This means that he will soon be able to get out of the Blue Labyrinth. Well, whether it's by chance or destiny, Rihan meets the two women again.

If one is Luna Endley, then the other woman is probably Indra Saka Horizon's mother. "Wow, you guys have come all the way to chase me? Sorry, I accidentally snatched this sword from you." Rihan threw a pitch-black sword and the weapon stuck right between him and the two women.

Luna Endley hastily picked up the sword like it was a very precious to her.

"You are not Arinas. Did you come from above?" Another woman asked.

Rihan folded his arms in front of his chest while throwing a probing glance. "So sanity is still with them?" He thought in relieved.

"How can an outsider break the Blue Labyrinth puzzle so easily?" Again, the same woman asked with an unfriendly intonation.

"Yeah, even the Arinas themselves have a hard time memorizing the formulas for entry or exit." Rihan replied. "The proof is that you want to get out but you're just keep on walking in circle. Whereas those who want to enter are circling outside."

"Look even Lily is still smarter than you guys." Rihan knelt down to greet Lily. The snow leopard was briefly separated due to the movement of the Blue Labyrinth wall. Just like Rihan, the creature managed to conquer the Blue Labyrinth without difficulty.

"Who are you?" The woman asked again.

"And, who are you and also her?" Rihan looked at the two women alternately when he said 'you' and 'her'.

"I'm Tiana Roselake, and she's Luna Endley." The woman was too naive to introduce their real names.

Rihan looked at his aunt for a very long time. Since then Luna Endley had not spoken a word.

"Marc took her sanity. Even though I've tried to return it, but her voice can't recover." Tiana Roselake explained.

Did she expect Rihan to believe in her? It's ridiculous, for a man who has mingled with Samsara for a very long time, how could Rihan believe the words of an Arina?

In the midst of Rihan's scornful smile at Tiana Roselake, Luna Endley instead took one step forward approaching the man. Lily swiftly put herself between Rihan and Luna Endley. The snow leopard gave a long, warning growl. But Luna didn't seem to care.

Luna's hand began to rise as the distance between her and Rihan was getting shorter. Lily's intimidating growl slowly disappeared into a curious snort. "No… Go…" She gets very frustrated when she fails to say a complete sentence.

"Da…nie…." Another incomplete word.

Although the voice came out seemed to be intermittent, Rihan was able to string the words together through the movement of his aunt's mouth. Without being able to contain the overflowing feelings that had been suppressed for quite a time, Rihan finally walked closer and hugged Luna Endley tightly.

It's been 20 years and her aunt still hasn't forgotten him. Also, Auntie Luna was still worried about him. "Sorry for being rude to auntie earlier..." Rihan whispered softly full of guilt.

Luna shook her head slowly as she stroked Rihan's back. She used to stroke the little boy's head often but now little Daniel was much taller than her. Much more mature and much stronger than before.

"So you're Dragons?" Tiana finally concluded.

"Rihan Daniel." This time Rihan's attitude is much more friendly.

"Then the Dragons have received a letter from Luna? Was it your King who sent you here?" Tiana asked again.

Rihan opened his mouth to answer. But suddenly his brain couldn't find the right words. "Not sent. Rather said…." Rihan took turns looking at Tiana Roselake and Auntie Luna.

"The will from those who want to come back and save you," he said after a moment's thought.

"They both? That stupid ignorant kid!" Tiana cursed. She should have known her son couldn't keep his word of not coming back.

"There's one more person. Vee—Alvi is also coming, Auntie." Rihan almost said his nickname to Alvi.

Luna Endley jumped in surprise. Anger, guilt as well as mixed feelings of longing were clearly visible on her tired face. She gripped Rihan's hand tightly and gave a pleading look. Rihan understands his aunt's wish. "Auntie, sorry. But I can't take you to their place right now." Rihan reluctantly refused Luna's request.

"It's time to end this long war." Rihan turned his gaze to Atlan.

"But Lily can take my place. He knows Alvi's best." Rihan scratched the top of Lily's head and made the creature let out a snoring sound with amusement.

Luna Endley didn't want to let go of Rihan's hand. Behind her eyes, there were so many things she wanted to say. But the words felt very dry in her throat. The voice refuses to come out and Luna is very frustrated. She hates the way she is now!

"Auntie, I will be fine. Now the most important thing is to take you out," said Rihan with staring fixedly at Luna's violet-colored eyes.

Luna raised the pitch-black sword and entrust it at Rihan. She wanted Rihan to have the sword.

Rihan smiled happily receiving the sword. "As exchange, this is for Auntie. When you meet them later, the accompanying Dragons will not believe you. Show them this and don't waste any time in this place."

Rihan handed his sacred-weapon bracelet to Luna Endley.

"See you outside later." Rihan waved a little before disappearing behind the walls of the labyrinth.

Do the Dragons really have that kind of free spirit? Luna began to reminisce on the rigid attitude of Arken and his older sister, Nega. Also, the thousands of ancient rules in Tanah Agra that restrain the dragons' ways of thinking and act.