"Then where is he now? What happened to him?" I wonder what he looks like. Does he look like me? Does he have blue hair like mine?"
Father smiled at my enthusiasm. But suddenly a streak of sadness crossed his face.
"At that time your father was arrested and put in the Loka prison located under the Seiya Tower. But Rodra allowed Queen Ayumi, your mother, to stay in the palace because he wanted your brother. Because the requirement to open the Hiroki gate is his last descendant when he reaches 13 years old. And inevitably Rodra had to patiently wait until your brother turned thirteen."
"Then two months later, your mother realized that she was pregnant again. At the time, she was happy but also sad and scared. She was happy about your presence but also afraid that if Rodra found out, he would kill your brother who was considered of no use anymore. Because the key to Hiroki's gate would only be given to the last descendant."
"Until finally your mother asked for help from her loyal servants, and she was my wife and also Arga's mother. The Queen asked my wife to fake her death, she told her about her pregnancy and also the evil plan of King Rodra. My wife agreed and promised to take care of Raito in the Palace. The plan worked, your mother's death spread throughout the Porta Loka region. It even reached the ears of King Aiken. Because the King didn't know about his mother's plan, he became depressed and lost his sanity. My wife could only help escape through the Tower, and after that, your mother struggled alone moving from town to town pregnant."
"And at that time, exactly five months after your mother escaped, my wife contacted me through Alpha (subconscious) and told me everything that happened in the Palace. My wife was frightened because King Rodra had found out about the falsification of Queen Ayumi's death and knew that the Queen was pregnant again. She asked me to find the Queen and tell Rania Nation about what happened at the Palace. And after that... My wife died at the hands of that vile man."
My blood was boiling, my hands clenched tightly. Ballavan Nover Rodra was the one who broke my family apart. He even destroyed the happiness of others who had nothing to do with him.
"Then what happened to my mother?"
"Rodra already knew the truth, he immediately sent his soldiers and also the Aryans to comb all areas of the city to look for your mother. Because of the mandate from Mrs. Arga, I ended up looking for your mother, and fortunately, at that time your mother was hiding in Antari City and living with a family from the Rania Nation. When I found her she was in a sick condition and finally gave birth to you prematurely. Your birth was welcomed by the Rania Nation who had been helping your mother. But... The happiness only lasted for a moment and was replaced with endless sadness because your mother could no longer be saved. She had severe complications, plus during her pregnancy, she kept moving from place to place seeking refuge so that the Loka warriors could not find her. Then your mother was buried in the Rania Nation's Wari cemetery in Antari City. And afterward, I went straight to Ain Maori, the leader of the Rania Nation. I explained everything that happened at the Palace and also your birth. Then finally he contacted Kyuron who was exploring the Earth region at that time. Until finally he decided to send you to Earth so that Rodra could not find you."
Father ended his sentence with a heavy sigh. Meanwhile, I was still stunned, digesting all the things I'd heard with a raging feeling. Cruel! That's the word that popped into my head. I was angry at the vile king, but as I digested the story I realized, could it all be my fault? Was it my fault?
After the conversation and all those incredible stories, I became more silent and dreamy. Father left me to contemplate alone, he was chatting with Grandpa Kyu planning a trip that I didn't know about yet.
I turned to Arga who was still unconscious. Everything that happened today was too surprising. It's as if it's just a dream that's hard to accept as reality. I want to know what kind of world Porta Loka is.
***
It was still dark, I woke up again when suddenly someone pulled my leg surprisingly. I sat up and immediately looked around. Arga was already standing next to me while staring with a serious face.
"Arga! Are you awake?!"
"You think I'll keep sleeping?!" Arga said a little snappishly.
I quickly got up, circling Arga who was putting on his clothes. The wounds still looked bad, even the bandages were still wrapped around his body. But somehow he looked relaxed as if nothing had happened.
"How are your wounds?" I asked.
"It's better. There's no time to rest now. The Aryans are coming. Let's hurry!"
Arga said as he walked out of the room. I glanced at the wall clock which still showed half past three in the morning.
I then followed Arga out of the room. I saw that Father was busy putting the food into the backpack. And Grandpa Kyu was looking out the window with a wary attitude while stretching out both hands.
"Are you ready Kazo?" Grandpa Kyu exclaimed. I walked over to him, also looking at the darkness outside. I took a deep breath, steeling my heart and convincing myself of my destiny.
"Of course!" I said firmly. Grandpa Kyu glanced at me out of the corner of his eye as he flashed a small smile. He then took a step down and pressed the floor with his palms.
Suddenly, a huge wave felt so strong. And I saw a black line in the shape of a circle drawn on the floor, right where Grandpa Kyu had placed his palms.
The line grew bigger and bigger until it passed the spot where I was standing. I was rooted to the spot, staring at the circular line that kept widening until it broke through the wooden wall of the house.
When the line disappeared, a sudden violent shock hit the house. Then without warning or preparation, the house was slammed down like an elevator falling at high speed.
"What is this? We're going down!" I shouted loudly and immediately held on to the door before I too fell to the floor. I turned to Arga and Dad, but they both just stood calmly while holding on to the objects around them. Even Arga smiled mockingly when he saw my panicked and scared face. Shit!
The house was still free-falling downwards, causing the oil lamp hanging from the top frame to fall and immediately go out. I gasped as total darkness completely enveloped me, fortunately, the fire went out immediately and didn't ignite the remaining oil.
The house was still traveling at high speed for a while, then suddenly its speed decreased as if the house had brakes that made its movement slow. Until finally the house came to a complete stop and again caused a loud noise and shaking.
Silence! I stood still and felt my body, making sure that I was still alive.
"Kazo, are you still alive?"
My heart almost fell out because of Arga's voice that echoed right in my ears. How did he get here when I can't even see anything?
"Shut up!" I snapped irritably, but Arga just chuckled which made me even more annoyed. Moreover, his voice sounded louder and also echoed because the atmosphere was too quiet.
"What's going on?"
A glimmer of orange light suddenly lit up the room. I looked at Father who had just lit a lantern and placed it in the center of the room.
"We're underground now," Dad said as he lit the other lantern.
My eyes immediately rounded in surprise. "Under the ground? but why?"
"Grandpa Kyu is an Edaf or other name for earth benders. So he can organize, create and control the land around him," Arga explained while sitting on the floor facing the lantern.
"But why does it have to be underground?"
"So that the Aryan explorers can't detect our presence for a while. Because the protective spell I cast on Aras has started to fade. I'm sure they'll be able to get past it by now," Grandpa Kyu said.
"That's why we should leave for Verittam as soon as possible." Father looked impatient. He then gave a backpack to Arga, while he immediately tied his bag around his waist.
"Now listen to me Kazo!" Grandpa Kyu was suddenly standing behind me. "Since you're not used to going through Verittam, you better not get separated. There are seven Verittams to Porta Loka, but we're going through the fifth Verittam. And it's not impossible that by now the Aryan Explorers might be waiting there. So whatever happens don't let you get separated from each other. And one more thing, be careful if you run into Red Valhi."
"Red Valhi? What's that?"
"A lightning creature that lives inside Verittam. He can make anything he touches crumble into ashes. And its greatness is that it can affect a person's feelings of fear, anxiety, and despair. Especially if that person has bad memories in their life. He will make you prey and can make you come to surrender yourself." Arga explained with a serious and shuddering look on his face.
"So stay alert and don't be too dismissive, you'll know if you meet him later. Because I've met him before." Arga was now standing next to me. And when I realized that Dad was also standing on my left.
"Get ready!" Grandpa Kyu ordered as he walked and stopped right in front of me. I could see his white hair covered in a worn beret. Then his vest and clothes looked like they hadn't even been washed at all. Grandpa Kyu was just like any other homeless person who looked dirty and weak. But underneath, it turns out that he holds a lot of power and also plays an important role in someone's life.
Grandpa Kyu then spread his hands while chanting a mantra. Everyone seemed to be waiting tensely and nervously. I didn't know what would appear when Grandpa was done with his ritual.
"HIO!"
He shouted and just then a black shadow appeared swirling right in front of Grandfather. The vortex grew larger and larger, my eyes widened when suddenly a deep, dark hole opened up right in front of me. A cold chill rushed out from inside the hole.
"Come on Kazo!" exclaimed Father. I saw that Grandpa Kyu had already preceded into the hole with a single jump.
Arga then followed. "Watch your stomach Kazo!" he said with a mischievous grin, then he entered the hole.
I still looked doubtful, I had always avoided touching that dark hole, but now I had to go through it.
I turned to Father who immediately nodded to reassure me. I sighed for a moment, then took a step and ran through the dark hole. Arga was right, that hole made me want to vomit.
continue...