Raka Gilbert Vaiskyler, a few years ago that name was known as a hero. He was the second son of Ares Kennrich Vaiskyler, the current Dragon King. He was the one who led the operation to fight against Samsara. Together with Julius Aditya Kane, Raka frees Alvi Veenessa Endley from miserable prison-life as well as destroying the glorious of Samsara.
Everything was done in neat and perfect calculation.
The calm-looking man—who, frankly, is more inclined to meekness—is expected to inherit his father's steps. But since the fall of Samsara, Raka has slowly changed. The constant nightmares had drove his sanity without much explanations, nor Raka willingly to tell what had happened to him actually. The climax was his disappearance from Tanah Agra until one day the Dragons found him became a lunatic in the corner of the port city of Bargescrow; south of Beta Urora
Over these past few years, who knows how many Dragons have been sent to bring him back. But the result was the same. Raka no longer recognizes his people, his family, or even his own self. He had completely became a different person who once ever known as a hero.
Under the scorching heat of the sun which almost reached 39 degrees Celsius, Raka walked unsteadily within the port city of Bargescrow. Even though it was near the ocean, the wind that blew was as hot as the sun, that didn't even cooling the air at all.
Sweat was dripping from his forehead to dirty long messy hair. His clothes were tattered while the color was no longer the original one because it was covered in dust and black stains. Both his feet were black with hard dry heel skin because of walking on so long time on asphalt barefoot.
Despite his mess appearance, the light behind his pair of brown eyes did not dim. In fact, those eyes looked gleam with dignity and optimism. But, how could a person with eyes like him became a lunatic?
Raka's stopped all of sudden. Ignoring the nasty glances from people around, he took his favorite seat at the intersection of the sidewalk which connects to the main bridge of the pier. That place was the center distribution of all seafood in Beta Urora.
What did Raka do after sitting there? Well, nothing. He would spend most of his time at there and burying his face between his hands above his knees. If lucky, there will be good people whose occasionally gave him some food, water or even money. If not, then he was forced not to eat anything all the day or maybe scavenge the trash behind the restaurant.
"Captain Gilbert." Someone from Tanah Agra approached and crouched near Raka while putting down a bread and mineral water.
No answer from Raka.
"Captain, let's go back. Lord Arken and your mother are very worried about you. Also Tanah Agra really needs you right now." The man were still trying to get Raka to talk.
But Raka was unmoved.
"Never mind Frostfall, it's useless. He doesn't recognize us anymore." His friend commented.
William Frostfall took a deep breath. "But doesn't mean that my respect for him will lessen, Ragnvald."
"Captain Gilbert, even though Samsara had been destroyed, but the Arinas were planning to counter-attack. At first the numbers were small, but lately their powers seem to have multiplied. The attacks became more intense and I'm not sure how long we can last. That's why we want to conduct True-Warrior contest which will be held in the next 3 days." William spoke.
"Strange thing is, ever since you disappeared and were found as a lunatic, the Dragon warriors seem to have lost half of their strength. That's the reason why Lord Arken and other family heads plan to find the strongest warrior in hope to lift the morale," he added.
"But to me, you are still the strongest. No one can replace your as the strongest among the warriors. Lastly, if you still have the determination to protect Tanah Agra, your family and us… please come back. Give us the courage to fight once again." William said in lower voice.
The two Dragons waited for few minutes before bowing deeply and leaving.
Then Raka raised his head. His eyes looked droopy as if he had just woken up. "The air is changing…." he muttered as he rose to his feet and walked toward the harbor.
In the middle, his shoulder bumped to someone.
"Hey! Use your eyes when you walk, lunatic!" A man shouted in curse.
Raka just laughed loudly as respond and turned his back while stick his tongue out at the man.
The man growled angrily. When he took a step forward prepare to beat Raka, his partner held him back. "Owen, we're not here to make a fuss."
The man who was called Owen immediately stopped his intention as if he had his own respect for his partner. "Get lost, you damn lunatic!" cursed Owen annoyed when he saw Raka whose still laughing loudly while waving and sticking his tongue out at everyone he met.
"There's nothing we can do about people who have gone mad. He used to be a hero, but now he's worthless. Isn't that right, Lucie?" The man glanced behind at a figure with plain white masked figure with one eye hole on the left.
"Just kill him if you think he was worthless. Beta Urora doesn't need a trash," said Lucie in a sharp tone.
The man laughed out loud in respond. "Save your energy for the party later. Lady has prepared much more interesting things onward."