CHAPTER 16: THE DECISION

A few weeks later, Rafiz was fully recovered even though he added a new scar on his body. He has many scars due to training and fighting. Kairi also has it but not as much.

The bigger one was hidden under his hair made by Dark Ries. As for Dark Spincer, he still has not appeared since then, which makes Kairi and the others feel insecure.

What exactly took him so long? Well, it was not because they were anticipating it but such insecurities made them almost crazy.

At this time, Rafiz was in the room flipping through his calendar posted on the wall above his bed.

"Oh, god! Another week! How did I forget it?! I have to prepare as soon as possible!" He said without anyone listening in his room.

"Rafiz, are you ready to go? Everyone is waiting outside."

Kairi called while entering the room. Behind him was a large bag he was carrying.

"Yes! Just a moment..." Rafiz replied and lifted the bag on his desk and carried it.

He followed Kairi out of their house. Virgo, Pegasus and Aries were outside, waiting for them.

"I'm sorry you have to wait for us," said Kairi with apologies.

"It's fine. Are you two ready now? Is there anything you forgot?" Virgo asked.

"Wait, Kairi! Did you say goodbye to dad yet?" Rafiz looked at Kairi.

"Done already. I did it last night. You haven't told him yet, did you? Hurry and go! We will be waiting here." Kairi gave a smile.

"Sorry, everyone," Rafiz said.

They nodded at him. He ran into their house again and went to Rafael's bedroom.

"Kairi, I will miss this place and the job..." Aries felt sad.

"Why all of sudden?" Virgo was confused.

"Tsk! Boys. You won't even understand."

Virgo just stared at her.

"I think she means her free time is over," Kairi whispered to Virgo.

Virgo finally looks understandable.

"I heard that!" Aries glared at them while they were laughing.

Pegasus didn't enter their babbling. He was dozing off with open eyes. Kairi looked at him because he was quiet. Virgo just makes a sleeping action while pointing it at Pegasus. Aries shook her head, already noticing it long ago after they first gathered.

Kairi gaped and did sway his hand in front of Pegasus but Pegasus looked dulled like he was in deep sleep. No blinking either.

"Why did he fall asleep?" Aries asked Virgo with Kairi also listening in their minds.

"No idea. Why don't you just go and see his memories?" Virgo replied.

"Can't. He didn't let me."

"So mysterious... I wonder what he was doing last night," Kairi said in wonder.

"What're you guys doing?" Pegasus's voice shocked them. He just woke up after a small nap.

"Nothing!" They said together while grinning funnily.

As for Rafiz, he has reached his destination. Rafael's room was bigger and more spacious than theirs. A queen-size bed was in the centre of the room. A table full of books was at the far end of the room near the window. At the side of the bed, Rafael has a small cabinet that has a mirror and the bathroom was located on the right side of the room next to a shelf full of books.

"Dad..." Rafael was already awake when he entered the room.

"Rafiz, finally you remember to say goodbye?" Rafael raised one eyebrow while smiling at him.

Rafiz felt embarrassed. It was not like he had forgotten. He approached Rafael and hugged him while kissing his cheek. His expression turned anxious.

"Please be safe father. If they come to attack, please... Make sure you stay alive..." Pleaded Rafiz and he knew Rafael would not leave Ryam Town.

There were lots of hard memories for both of them to forget. Moreover, his mother's grave was here and his father couldn't leave her.

Rafael hugged Rafiz tightly while rubbing Rafiz's back lovingly. "Dad can't promise, Rafiz but I'll try not to worry you so much."

Rafael released him soon after. "Now, go. They must have waited long."

Rafiz nodded. His eyes were dampened but he did not allow them to fall. He felt like their meeting was the last time. After saying goodbye and looking at Rafael's smile, Rafiz left their house.

Rafiz, Kairi and their friends embark on their journey to the Syarantonia Kingdom. Last night, they had a small gathering to discuss their plan.

Kairi, Rafiz, Virgo, Pegasus, Aries, and Rafael chatted at the dining area after the other employees returned home.

"Dark Spincer will not be silent for long. He will be back soon. For him to take a long time, he might want me to recover my strength first." Rafiz guessed.

"In other words, the two of you will be his target." Point Aries to Kairi and him.

"It looks like that..." Kairi sighed heavily.

His mood deteriorated.

"We have to think of a way to keep you two safe but so far we only have two options." Told Virgo.

They all looked at him, waiting for him to explain it.

"First, we plan to live here. We wait for Dark Spincer to come and attack, but he may not be alone. That's the problem."

"The first suggestion is very challenging if we don't know how many people are coming. It would lead us to annihilation very quickly."

Aries crossed her arms over her chest. She looks very serious, not like the playful mode she always has.

"Second?" Rafiz asked.

"Taking you three to the Syarantonia Kingdom." Answered Virgo.

Kairi and Rafiz were startled to hear it. Rafael was not surprised since that could be their only safe choice.

"This… Won't the residents be in danger then?" Kairi was worried.

This town has its friends, kind neighbours and lots of memories since he was living here. He didn't want it to perish.

"Maybe. After all, this is where he found us." Pegasus knew the resident here would not be safe.

"This won't do! I disagree!" Kairi opposed it.

"So... The first plan? Does anyone have any other suggestion?" Virgo asked, looking at everyone.

"I do. You take Kairi to Syarantonia. Leave me and dad here. We're the one they most want to find anyway." Rafiz thinks their foes would love to take their head.

"Rafiz!"

Kairi glared at him. "I will not let you drag me there! I'll kill myself if I have to leave!"

His sentences shocked them.

"Okay, okay. We're not that cruel to let this town get annihilated. So, calm down, Kairi." Aries proclaimed.

She believed Kairi would kill himself since they all know how stubborn he was.

"Well, that's that. So, what are we going to do now?" Virgo is still in a dilemma.

Everyone was silent. It's really hard to decide.

"Rafiz," Rafael called.

"Hm?" Rafiz looked at him.

"You and Kairi go to Syarantonia."

"What?!" Rafiz and Kairi were startled to hear it.

"Dad, I can't go to Syarantonia! I'm a Deorc Star user. Not just that, they might want me dead. After all, I did kill some of their underlings..." Rafiz looked away when he said it.

He still remembered that he killed lots of Bright Star's underlings before he changed. Virgo pats his left shoulder.

"We forgive you." He whispered.

"Thanks... Sorry..." Rafiz felt guilty.

"But, you haven't appeared in the war since you met Kairi and even then four years have passed. No one will know you. If there is... You just need to silence them." Rafael smiled evilly.

"Please don't." Virgo pleads with horror.

"I don't mean killing. Just shut them up somewhere until they are afraid of talking about Rafiz's presence." Rafael laughed.

"Please don't do that either. We're kind and sentimental citizens." Virgo's eyes twitched.

He began to get annoyed with Rafael's statements that told Rafiz to do bad things.

"Harass them?" Rafiz blinks playfully at him.

"No!" Virgo snapped.

Everyone laughed at him.

"Dad, how do you think that I would not be recognized there? I was one of the most handsome in Deorc Star. It's hard to forget my appearance." Rafiz jokes.

"You mean your cruel image..." Kairi's deadpan.

"Thank you for the compliment."

"You idiot boy! Just change your appearance. Change your hairstyle or your hair's colour?" Rafael groaned.

"Oh... That might work." Rafiz finally understood. He only needs to disguise himself.

"That's the end of this discussion. Kairi, Rafiz will come with you. Any objections?" Rafael turned to Kairi.

"But, but what about dad? Come with us!" Kairi looked unbearable.

"Kairi... Dad can't leave here. You know why, don't you?" Kairi's tears welled up.

He approached Rafael and hugged him tightly.

"I don't want to leave dad! Dad is the only parent I have now!" Kairi started to cry.

"Kairi, you've grown up. Don't cry!"

Rafael felt satisfied because Kairi had grown into a considerate man, unlike Rafiz. He was not sure when Kairi started to soften his heart but he was very relieved to have a second child who was concerned for his safety. He kissed Kairi's hair, not caring about other people's views while hugging him.

"Dad will be okay. Everyone here too. You just need to make sure Rafiz is on his good behaviour. He's very disorganized and doesn't know how to cook. He also has bad-tempered." Rafael reminded him.

Kairi chuckled after hearing it and wiped his tears. Rafael's words offended Rafiz but Rafiz let it go. He knew Kairi needed encouragement right now. They need to persuade him to go to Syarantonia instead of staying here.

He was after all Syarantonia Kingdom's heir and leader of the Bright Star users. He could be the only one who can help to defeat their enemies. Moreover, Kairi needs to stay alive even if they have to sacrifice their life for him.

"I... Understand..." Kairi replied slowly.

He finally agreed to leave. He already troubles them a lot. After all, he knew everything. He can see their plans to take him away from Ryam Town. It has been decided before their meeting. All because of his identity.

Why does everything have to change? Is it his destiny? If he was given a chance would he choose to stay peaceful while the world was in chaos or change that? He doesn't know the answer.

That very night, they packed all their important belongings and they were currently on their way to the Syarantonia Kingdom. Their destination was very far and it would take months because the Syarantonia Kingdom was two countries away from their location. They also need to cross the sea to reach the kingdom's port.

Reaching the port would end their enemies' pursuit because the entire Syarantonia Kingdom was under their Bright Star's surveillance and a seer would eventually notice their circumstances and help would arrive on time if they were in danger.