Rizki was totally absorbed in his smartphone, surrounded by a lively group of girls whose voices filled the air with laughter and chatter. They chatted away, their words blending into a pleasant buzz, while Rizki focused intently on some cryptic notes he had gathered during his time in Acra. These notes, plucked from the depths of the ancient forest, were beginning to weave together an intriguing story.
"It's all starting to make sense," Rizki muttered to himself, his eyes glued to the screen. "Her eagerness to help, the sudden change in her behavior after I saved all four of you."
The four girls, sensing that something significant was happening, nodded in agreement. Eva, who usually had a pragmatic outlook, chimed in, "Yeah, it does seem like a logical conclusion, considering everything we've uncovered."
As Rizki delved even deeper into his digital notes, he began to grasp the profound implications of his discoveries. "This lines up perfectly with what Evelyn told me about Liora's mysterious past, Liora's own confessions, and now, the extra info you girls have shared."
Rizki continued, connecting the dots as he stared at the digital notes on his phone. "She was once hailed as the hero of the Elf forest, and then she found her calling serving the Danielle clan after a tragic loss in her family. It seems their grandfather played a vital role in helping her heal from her troubled past."
Turning to the girls, Rizki asked, "Do you know if your grandfather and Liora had a romantic thing going on?"
Evelyn replied timidly, "Yeah, but from what I know, she turned down his advances." Eva added, "He even had a dagger engraved for her, the same one you now have. But he passed away before he could give it to her. Our father knew about it but chose to respect our grandmaster's decision, even though she decided to treat us as her own grandchildren."
Amidst the conversation, Rizki sneakily pulled out his phone. The girls noticed his move and exchanged curious glances.
Eva, always inquisitive, couldn't resist asking, "Hey Rizki, where are you off to?"
Rizki paused, looking thoughtful. "Actually, I've got something on my mind that I need to mull over for a moment. I'll be back soon."
With that, he strolled away, leaving the girls to wonder about what had just gone down.
Rizki found a quieter spot for his important phone call, dialed Faye's number, and waited anxiously as it rang. When Faye's voice finally answered, he took a deep breath.
"Hello?" Faye's voice held a hint of curiosity.
Rizki didn't beat around the bush. "Did you ever come across any hints of a romantic link between Liora and Varian Danielle XVIII?"
Faye's response was quick and to the point. "Varian had his fair share of romantic entanglements with about fourteen women, but there's no mention of Liora among them. I assume you're asking about Liora?"
Rizki nodded, even though she couldn't see him, and confirmed, "Yes."
Faye continued to unravel the intricate layers of Liora's past. "Liora's real name is Alice Fiora Nightshade. She was known as 'Alice the Hero Hunter,' a woman who single-handedly defeated more heroes than anyone in recorded history."
As Faye switched to another screen, the chilling account of Alice's heroic feats unfolded. She had faced demons and monstrous creatures alone, her unwavering determination evident in every story. Rizki listened in awe as Faye narrated the thrilling tales.
"I'll send you the recording," Faye declared as the video concluded. Her tone shifted, becoming more personal. "Alice was also known as an assassin in some countries and an archer in others. Her reputation as a hero brought unparalleled safety to the Elf Forest. But, as you might have guessed, tragedy was never far behind. And you need to know that you reminded her to her ex-husband."
Rizki couldn't help but notice Faye's sudden amusement. He squinted at his phone and said, "You're finding humor in all this?"
Faye reassured him with a chuckle, "I'm not taking it lightly, Rizki. After all, isn't having five wives better than four?"
Rizki blurted out with a tone of disbelief, "I'm not interested in old hags! Managing four girls who are constantly around me is annoying enough! And you have a ball of diamond telling me that I should date Liora too??!!"
Faye's laughter rang through the phone before she shifted the conversation back to the main topic. "So, Alice married a human hero who convinced her to abandon her path of destruction and showed her the beauty of the world he wanted to protect. Interestingly, that man was a hero reborn from a land similar to yours."
Intrigued, Rizki urged her to share more. "Tell me more."
Faye complied, sharing the somber details of Alice's life. "They married and had a child, and for a while, there was harmony between humans and elves. However, happiness proved to be fleeting. Liora suffered the devastating loss of both her sons and her husband, plunging her into despair. In her grief, she once again took up her bow and sword, vowing to annihilate the entire human clan responsible for her family's tragic fate."
As Faye sent another video to Rizki's phone, he watched in awe as it vividly depicted the merciless wrath with which Liora sought her revenge. It was a stark contrast to the woman he had come to know, the woman who had shared her dark past with him during their intimate moments.
"So, this explains why Liora always restrains herself," Rizki mused aloud, connecting the pieces of the puzzle. "And their grandfather played a crucial role in helping her heal."
"Precisely," Faye affirmed. Her voice carried a hint of sadness. "Liora harbors many dark secrets, and she would prefer that you not delve too deeply into them. I stumbled upon her diary, and you can read it at your own pace. Nevertheless, Rizki, I have to go for now. Take care."
With a sense of closure, Faye ended the call, leaving an attachment for Rizki to explore further. He clicked on it, scrolling through its contents with moderate interest. However, the final words on the page caught him off guard.
"Alvin, I mentored Rizki for three years. He's a mirror image of you, from his manner of speech to his infectious smile—everything. You once mentioned that if I ever found someone with whom I felt comfortable after your passing, you would want me to be with them, right?"
As Rizki delved deeper into Liora's cryptic message, his understanding grew. "Since then, I've been a widow for many years, Alvin. I yearn for that familiar warmth once more. Can I have Rizki by my side?"
His phone slipped from his trembling fingers as disbelief washed over him. "I can't believe that old hag is in love with me!"
The girls who had been observing him exchanged incredulous glances and were on the verge of questioning him. However, Rizki swiftly retrieved his phone and discreetly pocketed it. He assured them that he was simply exhausted.
Changing the subject, he sheepishly inquired, "Do you know of any places similar to 'Sucks'?"
The girls exchanged puzzled looks at the unfamiliar term. Eve, with a serene laugh, corrected him, "You mean a coffee shop? Sucks means coffee here!"
Rizki nodded with a chuckle. "Yes, a coffee shop."
Eve smiled. "I know just the place. I'm a regular there."
"Perfect," Rizki replied, his relief evident in his tone. "Let's head there and continue our discussion. You guys have yet to address my previous inquiry."