RAINA DINESCHA (Creature Without Shape)
SATU

It started on a rainy night in December.

Rai can't sleep. The wind and rain knocked on his bedroom window nonstop. Loose worn thin curtains reveal a chaotic night outside. However, even such a loud sound did not disguise the strange sounds downstairs. Rai initially thought it was a cat belonging to Mae's grandmother who often infiltrated the search for food scraps in the pot, but the cat did not speak. Then his guess fell on the ghosts of the residents of the house.

Rai can't remember when he first saw them, or how he felt. His eyes are special, even though people call him cursed. To him, seeing and hearing such things was sometimes a bit annoying compared to being scared, as if Rai was living with the habit from birth. His world became more noisy. Then, he remembered the night covenant between them. Rather laughably in fact, ever since Rai accidentally obliterated one, they became fearful and obedient.

Encouraged by curiosity, Rai got off the bed, slowly stepped into the door of the room and opened it slightly. The voice of the conversation became clearer. The gloomy light of the passageway lamp did not reach the room. Rai can see it as clearly as daylight because his eyes are special. There he saw two masked men.

Maling, he thought somewhat astonished.

This house is old and ugly. The walls are thin and broad in some corners. Small size. In the entire complex, the place is considered the most dilapidated. Because they live alone, all things are limited. The most valuable thing is a gas stove. While living, his parents were very poor. They left this house to him.

"Damn it, the barrier is strong." Rai heard a sour voice complaining. "This thing is so useless." The guy threw something in the original, thumped against the kitchen wall.

"Don't nag, we don't have much time." The other replied.

Rai saw them circulating his gaze, looking for something. Whahuh? There are no valuables in this house.

"Do you believe it's here?" The man asked unsure.

"Boss said so. Don't ask too many questions" the other replied, exploring from one side to the other.

Did someone hire them? Rai wondered if the Boss was so bored that it gave a ridiculous order to search the dilapidated house on the outskirts of town.

"Come on, there's nothing here! Why do we have to search manually? You can find it through empathy. It must have had a lot of energy."

"Shut up! Search it carefully."

What objects?

Honestly Rai is not afraid of the thief. For fifteen years of his life, he had beaten people a lot. From really street criminals to the Chairman of Osis who is a nyinyir hobby. Rai had studied martial arts, the coach even registered him a tournament, but that was before people turned around and left him. Rai thought, expelling two thieves can still be handled.

However, his guess was wrong.

The sour man who had been complaining and swearing, raised his hand. A glowing silver flash grabbed the used books neatly arranged in a shelf in the corner of the room. The papers were smashed into pieces, scattering in the air. He chuckles happily.

His partner, though visibly disturbed by his actions, said nothing. Feeling that he had found nothing, his gaze looked up to the second floor. Rai was still flabbergasted in his place, not having had time to react. Their eyes meet. "Damn it!"

The sour-snouted. "What's? What was? Don't surprise me!"

They're witches, Rai concludes as she recovers from the craziest shock she's ever seen. That was magic, right?

His mind kept working while he ran into the room, locked the door, stuffed it with a table, then ran to open the window. Rai was somewhat surprised by the reflexes of his own body. Maybe this is called the instinct to save yourself, he thought. Other than the desire to escape, Rai had no recollection of the others. He doesn't even wear footwear.

The danger is real. Rai heard something hit the door of his room many times. Lightning flashes repeatedly lit up and exploded, damaging every layer of walls and roofs. Rai hopes the small table can hold him longer. Without looking, he jumped. Behind him, black flames exploded in all directions. Smoke billowing. Two masked figures looked furiously at the open window. Rai has disappeared.

"Si Naraya, huh? Quickly he escaped." The sour grunt. "Had his protector not been thicker, he might have been dead charred."

"Not."

"Didn't you?"

"Soner."

The shocked sour. "Don't joke! We can detect even a small cockroach. I checked before, there's no one in this house. If the house next door, different again."

"There's a kid."

"You're not listening, are you? I said I checked it. Carefully! Unless you see it wrong."

"Unless the boy can't be detected."

"Whatchu mean? Even Naraya can be detected, let alone a human."

"It's like melting with nature."

"There's no such man."

"I'm not talking about them."

For the first time, the sour one saw his partner's red eyes. He's serious. And angry. "Then it's not human, nor is Naraya. As long as he's not from them, we're lucky. Oho! We woke up those guys!"

His partner breathed a rough sigh. "That brat," he said repressedly and desperately, "have a pair of purple eyes!"

"..."

"..."

The wry staggered. Jaws dropped. "DAMNIT!"

The rain has not stopped. The wind is still fierce. Behind the thick dark red curtains, Rai heard the conversation with a trembling body. Blame his sharp ears. Whoever they are, they're definitely not friends. There was a vivid impression of cruelty in their voices, as if his presence was a threat. Wh why? People stayed away from her because they thought she was a witch, but even witches wanted to get rid of her.

The tension makes him tired. As the noises dissipated in the noisy rain and wind, Rai slumped on the cold floor of the neighboring room. In an urgent situation, his body reflexively jumped onto the balcony of house number 13. Luckily the window was unlocked. The distance between the window and the house of Mae's grandmother was very close, separated only by a narrow rat road that was rarely passed. After his breathing gradually recovered, Rai felt somewhat ridiculous. Why not think of running further? They're witches and they have lightning! At this close distance, he was easy to find.

Rai ventured into the curtains, peeking at his now-torn house. The room is dark, the balcony lights are off, protecting it from the view of outsiders. His shadow is hidden in the gloom of a rainy night. When sure not to catch any strange movements, he breathed a sigh of relief. Inevitably Rai repeated their conversation inwardly, they said they could not feel his presence. Maybe this is unusual among magicians, whether it means good or bad, Rai feels lucky. Perhaps for that reason they could not find him, even though in reality he was very close.

Or they're not very smart. Rai was amused by his own thoughts.

"Tie?"

He jerks. Grandma Mae stood at the door of the room, a black robe wrapped around her body. Mae's grandmother still looked mighty in her twilight years, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes did not hinder the youthful beauty left behind. Judging from the clothes he was wearing, Rai was sure he had not slept. Did Grandma Mae hear everything? Face seriously. Look at her eyes tense. Without even asking, Rai knew the answer.

"I'm fine." Rai thinks that's the most important part for now.

Grandma Mae was not moved. His pace was quick and steady as he walked towards the large cupboard next to Rai, opened it, then grabbed a large gray top with short sleeves, black jeans and a thick black coat. "Replace."

The calmness that Mae's grandmother showed was rather pressing, probably because she herself forced herself to cover up her tension. His gentle and cheerful demeanor had disappeared, his tail eyes repeatedly glanced at the empty balcony, looking alert as if something could at any moment appear and startle him. Rai changed without protest, the bear pajamas he wore were soaked by the rain and his own sweat. The atmosphere in the quiet room, no one started talking. This casual outfit was rather quirky for a grandmother, Rai did not dare to ask why she had it. Mae's grandmother's reaction made her nervous.

Almost whispering, Mae's grandmother said, "Come, go."

"Go?"

"People are starting to get crowded," he said, nodding at the destroyed house.

The crimson curtains blocked his view, but Rai could hear the commotion in the rain. They must have woken up because of the explosion. "Where to? Is it okay to let them not know that I'm okay?"

"Don't be stupid!" Rai surprised. Throughout her memory, Mae's grandmother never cursed. He always sat in a rocking chair on the porch every morning and evening, surrounded by cats, smiling gently and humming. Every time Rai left for school, he always reminded her not to go home for the night and made sure she wore a watch. "It's not safe here!"

Mae's grandmother was once angry because Rai forgot her watch. If you remember, it was a bit strange. Toh Rai has a cell phone to watch the time. Perhaps having just escaped danger, Mae's grandmother's anger now made her think whether she might know something.

"Not safe from what?" There's no answer. "But I forgot my watch" he said.

"It's too late," Mae's grandmother replied quickly, then was shaken by her own voice.

Rai. The tension between them is rising. His voice was trembling with fear and shock. "So, is there something? Something I don't know? Grandma knows who they are, right?"

"Wear it!" Without answering, Mae's grandmother gave her a black, white-striped sneaker. Rai had already guessed that casual style was not her taste. Did he also guess something like this would happen so as to prepare everything?

The shoes fit on his feet. "Mother."

"Shut up."

He tailed as cats used to do to demand answers. Mae's grandmother didn't care about it. They descended from the upper room, greeted by seven strangers who waited with the same tension. Everyone is dressed in black. Who're they? By the way, Rai did not see a single cat. "Miss?"

The sight of the seven devoured him, from top to bottom with a strange highlight, then settled in his purple eyes. It might just be my feeling, he thought, but Rai felt the hostility of a girl standing the furthest away. They enraged Mae's grandmother with absolute obedience.

"The eastern pillar has been pierced" said a large man with a hard face and a blotch. "Should we be exerting-"

"There's no time. I'll take him straight to that place."

They don't look happy. "Teacher!" The most angry girl. "Dangerous! Let us do it."

"No."

"Teachers don't believe me?"

Grandma Mae sighed. "Maisie, it's not time to argue."

Maisie clenched her hands. "Is he so precious from your own life? How many more have to die because of him?"

What the hell is going on? Who's dead? Rai did not expect to be dragged and was eager to interrupt. After losing her parents, only three people care about her: Ava, Rena, and Mae's grandmother. Besides them, everyone left him. Rai doesn't even know who Maisie is. How could those people die because of him?

Mae's grandmother didn't give her a chance. "You know what to do" he told them. "We'll blend in. There's a thirty-minute night train. Get ready!"

"Teacher!"

"Maisie," someone beside the coded man gave him a warning. "Consider your attitude."

"Sister," he protested.

My brother was untouchable. "Come, go."

Maisie glared at Rai before leaving angrily. The others did not say much, the way he saw Rai was like he had just fallen from the sky. What exactly is going on?

There are many things that need to be clarified. Rai hates not knowing anything. Everything suddenly went haywire. Mind mess. It was true that there was an intruder who suddenly attacked him. It was true that Mae's grandmother had been paying attention to her all along, but after all this mess, Rai wasn't sure of trusting her so easily. Let alone the old grandmother she had known for nearly fifteen years was not really Mae's real grandmother.

After they disappeared behind the door, Mae's grandmother summoned two white cats that emerged from the void.

Rai jumped in shock. Grandma Mae can't be a witch either, can she?

When he saw a stick in his hand, Rai could not dodge the truth. It seemed that he would have to familiarize himself with magical things from now on, it would be troublesome to be constantly shocked whenever this happened. However, when the two cats suddenly turned into two giant fire foxes from behind the smoke explosion, he was startled again. Then sneeze. "Sir, don't you want to say something?" Rai can't take it anymore.

"Eins."

"Huh?"

"My name."

Oh. So, it's not really Mae's grandmother.

Suddenly Rai felt foreign. He would not want to doubt himself. Why is there an intruder in my house? Why are they attacking me? After witnessing the magic, Rai guessed. He believes Eins is connected to the intruder. People from another world. Why did Eins help him? Rai frowned at this thought. Does he really want to help? Wh why? They don't know each other. Their world crossed.

Rai shivered with a new thought that flashed. Maybe he has another identity?

Eins rode on one fox and gestured him to do so as well. "I'm not sure where to explain it from" he said. "Too complicated."

Rai ride. The fox fur was very soft and adorable. Unfortunately his nose could not stand that much fur. She sneezed. "I have plenty of time." Sneezing again.

"No. We don't have any."

"Then, at least tell me where we're going?"

A wormhole appeared as Eins swung his staff. The black hole grew bigger until it reached the ceiling. As if knowing what to do, the fox moved in. Rai was not used to riding something alive, trembling as he hugged the animal's neck as if hanging his life there. He doesn't even remember that Eins hasn't answered. His nose hurts from constantly sneezing. Not to mention, the black hole's vortex made him dizzy. They disappeared in an instant after the Eins joined in and flicked the staff.

Both appeared on narrow streets with minimal lighting near the station. It took a full minute for Rai to recognize where they were. His head was throbbing and wanted to vomit. Sneezing again, his nose is running. Two foxes disappeared again in the void. A young man and teenage girl dressed all in black had been waiting there, yelling at the sight of Eins.

"Give Pam your coat" said Eins, nodding at one of them.

The girl named Pam doesn't look like a witch because her eyes are red. Rai is suspicious, don't tell me he's a vampire like in the movies!

The girl took off a hoodie black coat similar to hers, exchanging it wordlessly. Rai accepted it awkwardly. Luckily the coat was not an animal fur coat, otherwise his nose would not have survived. Eins received two tickets from the young man, who also had red eyes, said something in secret, then left as quickly as possible.

Rai was busy rubbing her nose until she forgot to demand an answer. Eins pulls her to the station, waits for the destination train for about two minutes, then enters with an impossibly agile dexterity that a grandmother would have. With a low hoodie that covered almost his entire head and face, Rai hit the door, tripped, complained, then rolled his eyes as Eins gave him an implied warning not to attract attention. Their seats are right at the back. The majority of the passengers were sleeping, one or two people went and returned from the toilet. Rai sat there and almost died of boredom as everything was passed in silence. His nose had long been frozen by the air conditioner. Although the clock is rolling in the early hours, he is not sleepy at all. Eins' tension affected him. Having come this far, he was still silent, not giving her the slightest hint. Rai deserves an explanation. Is it hard to talk?

Suddenly Eins gave him a roll of yellowed skin. The red-fingered fingers tapped on the scroll, gesturing him to open it.

It turned out to be a painting.

Looks expensive. The scratches are precise and beautiful. The color choice is noble. The painting depicts a beautiful woman in emerald-quality clothing. Her hair is golden blonde. His eyes were as blue as the ocean. Smile like spring. Her cheeks were as red as peaches and her lips were red as pomegranates. Sitting in a flower garden seduces a rabbit, the woman is a beauty herself. Rai sure has never seen such a dignified beauty.

Eins sighed, already guessing that this brat did not recognize him. "Your mother," he said, was slow and low, but it had enough of hitting Rai to its lowest point.

"My-my mother?" Rai lowered his head, peeking at the painting again. This face was different from what he was familiar with. His stomach suddenly went heartburn. Isn't her mother dead?

Rai remembered clearly because that day coincided with the day of the tournament. Decision round. His parents were too happy to barely let him ride his bike to leave that morning. They insist on going along until willing to break down the savings to rent a full day's worth of angkot. The plan is they'll have fun, go to the city park in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the angkot exploded suddenly on bridge two. Father, mother, and the driver were killed on the spot, while Rai disappeared. Police found him three days later in the river. Until the case was closed, no one managed to uncover the cause.

Since then Rai has lived alone in his dilapidated house on the edge of town. One by one, people started to leave him. His friends also stayed away from him. Only Ava and Rena are stupid. The last days at school were really bad. Rai could not blame anyone because he also questioned the same thing that many people gossiped about.

How did he survive?

The fire spread almost instantly. Taxi doors are locked. Thrown though, won't make it drift upriver.

People thought these events were abnormal and began to consider her a witch. Not only because of his purple eyes and his ability to see unique things, but his magic survived without the slightest injury. They think luck alone isn't enough to make it back whole!

Now, after a chaotic night and Eins by his side, Rai realizes another possibility. At that time, did someone save her?

"Name's Lily. Lilliant." Eins broke the silence after sighing deeply. Traces of longing and sadness were imprinted in his eyes. All of a sudden she looked like a supposed grandmother, old and fragile. "A Alfar who, in addition to being able to summon rain, mastered magical healing magic. That speciality caught the attention of Thanatos, who wanted your mother's ancestral Book of Ice. Lily falls in love with your father, a riotous demon who somehow conquered the Last Dragon. Magadh, who was infatuated with great powers, wanted the Dragon's shadow magic for himself and colluded with Thanatos to overthrow them both."

Rai stunned. This information was too much for him. Wanting to ask for a pause, but seeing Eins dissolve in past memories to the point of glazing, she did not know what to say. All he could do was listen obediently.

"Birth of two babies makes your mother's condition rather weak. Magadh and Thanatos took advantage of the moment to strike directly into the Fog College that your parents had pioneered since they got married. Unfortunately, they lost. Faith's strength was too great to bear alone to hurt herself, so much so that it backfired on her. They believed that the Book of Ice saved your mother, while the Dragon controlled your father, thinking the two would appear alone when they died. Surprisingly, the two heirlooms vanished without a trace along with the disappearance of the two of you." Eins breathed a heavy sigh. "At that moment, you appeared at my door on Earth, in the lap of the dying Dirui. From the traces of her magic, I was able to recognize that portal was created by your father with his last strength. For your sister, I don't know where she is."

All this sounds impossible in his ears. Ice Book. Dragon. The powers. The magic? And even a twin brother!

Rai once dreamed of becoming Wonder Woman, but hearing for real being involved with such a world, she felt ridiculous. Rai loves watching magic movies, imagining being a part of it, and fantasizing about how cool it is to be a Super Hero.

Don't tell me, her childhood dream came true!

"My mother and I had a complicated relationship. I've long since quit that world, exploring foreign places alone, seeking freedom, but suddenly you show up here. Instantly I realized the worst danger and had no choice but to leave you to the couple, letting you have a normal human life. You live well" he said. "By the way, your sister should be named Raina."

Maybe it's like that. That, he had a mother of a Alfar and a father of a Devil. That her sister is unknown. The bad guys are hunting him for his magical Ice Book and great dragon magic. Eins protected him from them. Then, what?

Fifteen years Rai lives here, hard and happy with the pair of humans he calls father and mother. His faithful friend was only two. His house is ugly and his future is bleak. Suddenly there was a thief who mastered magic. Mae's grandmother became Eins. He himself became the offspring of Alfar the half-demon, stranded in the human world and the bad guys chasing him. Then, what?

Her slender fingers caressed the face in the painting, looking for any trace of longing and familiarity that might be left in her heart. The woman in the painting is beautiful. The structure of his face was similar to his, except for his eyes. Maybe Rai inherited it from the father who he said was a riotous prick. Unfortunately, his heart was empty. Not feeling anything.

These people are strangers. Even Mae's grandmother became unreachable again. Rai doesn't know them. His life is here, not in another world. Although her friends were only Ava and Rena, as long as they acknowledged it, that was enough.

Rai just wants to live peacefully. People may abandon him, fear him, and gossip him, but they are not strangers.

Maybe he was stupid for staying in this position, but Rai was once the happiest man in the world. His parents loved him. The school was proud of him. People appreciate. His friends admit it. Now, all that happiness had gone away, should she have left him? Before these people came, Rai had his own world, his own dreams and his own desires. The memories may be sad, but nothing deserves to be forgotten. Roughly speaking, Rai knows what these people want, knows what Eins wants him to do. Should he start over?

Unfortunately, Rai no longer dreams of becoming Wonder Woman!

The train stopped to drop off passengers at station 19. Almost dawn. A passenger jolted from his sleep, looked out reading the platform illuminated by fluorescent lights, then went back to sleep after confirming it was not yet time to get off. The passenger in front of him was delirious about something, fixed the blankets, then slumped again. The sounds of coughing and whining of a young child rang out as the hum of the horn shook the comfortable silence. The train is moving again.

"Magadh is almost getting you" Eins said after a long pause. "You forgot your watch that day."

Rai looked at him vigilantly. It was the day of the tournament, where his parents were killed in an accident. Suddenly his feeling became bad. It is easy to guess who Magadh is, who would destroy the simple happiness of a poor family? Certainly the most evil villain. "So, not an accident?"

Eins shook her head. "I inserted a protective crystal into the watch, something I got from your mother. I thought you wouldn't like the original look, so I modified it a bit. Damn Magadh is around here and looking at you."

Rai remembered the conversation of the two thieves, "Aren't they unable to sense my presence?"

"Yes." Yeah." Eins did not ask where she knew from, so the possibility of chaos in her home did not escape her attention either. "The crystal makes you blend in with the environment around you. Everyone knows your eyes are purple, but we saw something else without that protector." Eins' dark eyes snatched his. "You have the same eyes as your father. And his aura is undetectable. You are like wind, rain, earth and fire, and light and shadow. An advantage that brings bad luck," he complained.

"You mean, just the two of us?"

"True, therefore Magadh instantly knows who you are. You're the most troublesome father and son!"

Rai knows Eins didn't mean anything bad. "You saved me then?"

"No," he replied lightly, leaving Rai shocked. "Dirui did. A Naraya. Ever since your father created it, he's been in charge of protecting you. He brought you to my house, remember? Lucky Magadh is alone, so we're not too late to help him save you."

Rai glares. His father ... created what?

Perhaps because seeing his face was so ridiculous, Eins explained, "That's how big your father is. Naraya is only loyal to his orders, you can call them special warriors with special abilities. Your father's powers are inhumane, so Magadh is tempted."

You're not all human! I want Rai to scream out loud. "Are my parents still alive?" Did you guys help him?

Eins understood which parent was meant. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" he said. "The human body cannot stand magic. You yourself are injured, but your body recovers quickly. Unfortunately Dirui is not."

"W-is she okay?"

"Where?"

"South Great Garden."

"WHAT?" Rai glares. "That's a public place!"

Eins massaged the base of his long nose. "Your father, no longer helped, is a rioter!"

Uh. Father, yes. Which he said was great.

What the hell is in his head? Did he not think about the people around? What if there is danger? Eins rightly nicknamed him a riotous prick. Just imagine Rai being embarrassed.

The horn buzzed again. Train stops. Eins rose up alert. "Get your coat" he told Rai, who was tailing behind.

"Are they after us?" He followed Eins's line of sight at the exit. Station 20 is empty. The two officers guarding the platform nodded politely at their arrival. No more passengers getting off, so whistle in the inflatable. The train leaves with a loud noise. The cold air froze, but it was morning.

"You won't really know before danger appears right in front of your face. What you're wearing is Pam's coat, she's half human. I hope the smell isn't too striking. So, beware and don't draw attention."

"Why not a protective spell?"

Eins looks upset. "It's not always effective, let alone the Magadh we're talking about. Your mother's crystal is different."

That is, he is not very strong.

Rai was wise for not saying it out loud. However, it seems that Eins read his expression as he then slurped viciously.

It takes thirty minutes to walk from the station to the Botanical Gardens. Rai wonders why Eins did not call the wormhole as before, he said too conspicuous in the morning. After all they must not leave any traces of magic or Magadh and his henchmen will easily feel it in the air.

Rai is hungry and tired, but has no money. Nothing can be pawned, let alone the wallet and piggy bank, the house has become dust. He's officially a bum now. On the other hand, Eins was still fit. Even though his face was a bit wrinkled, it still seemed capable of walking for another two hours. Rai sighed loudly. Unfortunately Eins did not read the signal he gave. How unfortunate.

The west gate opened. They walk hand in hand, blending in with other walkers who relax enjoying the fresh morning atmosphere. People are exercising. The kids run around happily. As much as possible Rai kept his sight straight, not because of Eins' warning, but avoided the beverage seller.

They kept going like that, looking like grandmothers and grandchildren who were on recreation. Rai's casual style isn't in the spotlight, but other Eins again. She was like a big madam with a long black robe. Luckily, he is no longer young. With a red knit shirt and black pants, people would think he was cold, instead of the wrong costume.

At a quiet little crossroad, Eins takes him right turn. This is the first time Rai has visited the Botanical Garden, unfortunately it is not the right time to have fun. The sun rose an inch, but not enough to illuminate the lush forest ahead. They're heading that direction. Fog everywhere.

Suddenly Eins stopped. Rai saw the tension on his face and approached to look, but Eins pulled him behind his back. The path they walked along was full of dead leaves. From the front, the sound of footsteps approached, leaving a rustling sound behind. The wind blows softly. Boughs swaying. Rai gulped. Why is the atmosphere becoming horror like this?

The sound stopped a meter away. A girl's cry sounded, "Good, we're safe!"

This voice ....

"There's people!" Another voice interrupted. "Sir, do you know the way to the apple? We guess around here."

Rai glared, recognizing the sound of the crybaby. Unable to be sure, he peeked out from behind the unmoved shoulders of Eins. That is them! Ava and Rena! What are they doing here? Apple tree? Damnit. It seems that Rai just remembered Rena had mentioned about picking apples at the Botanical Garden during a vacation to Uncle's house.

"Oh! Rai?" Ava was surprised to see it. "That's you?"

Rena saw it too. "Oi, what is this, catching up with us? Ahaha! I told you, he can't stand apples!" They ran to her, wrapped her in a hug, then jumped up and down.

Ava laughed. "And oranges!"

Rena agrees. "And oranges!"

Rai did not know whether to cry or laugh. These people, why now? If the time was right, he would have been overwhelmed by this kind of fun coincidence, but they were racing against time.

Hold still.

In fact, when did he agree to Eins' arrangement? Should she leave?

Eins has made it clear that he does not belong to this world. If you have to choose, Rai wants to join Ava and Rena, picking fruit and eating until satisfied. But, that's not possible. There are bad guys hunting him. Rai didn't want to take any chances. Especially the safety of his precious friend. What if those people come and hurt them?

At first, Rai was only curious why an intruder blew up his house. It just so happened that there was a big reason behind all that, and Rai wanted to know more. That'sthat's all. Regarding the Book of Ice and magic-whatever, Rai swore no matter what. Please take what you want, then leave me. His life was already miserable without getting involved in this. They're witches! People from another world! What kind of chaos awaited him in front? Rai wants to go back to his old life, but now it's not possible anymore. Eins said he had no way back.

This meeting made him realize one thing. Rai wants to protect them, his friendship, his only most precious treasure. Protecting all the memories he has. At least, find the Book of Ice first and magic-whatever it is, then give it to Eins. Whether approved or not, after this affair was over, he only needed to resign. Just like Eins did for her freedom. There's no memory of her biological parents, just know who they are, and then come back here. All his life and memories are here in City B, a small place that once gave him happiness.

"Go down that path," Eins' reply cut through their excitement. The designated path was the one they had just traveled, towards the crossroads and the crowd.

"Thank you," Ava bowed politely. "Did grandma come with Rai?"

Ava and Rena often visit her home, so of course know Mae's grandmother. However, it seemed that they did not recognize him with such a formidable look. Well, who would have thought?

"There are things to discuss for a moment. Can you guys just leave us alone first?"

Lies, of course.

They stared at Rai simultaneously, looking astonished. Since when did Rai who had always been overloaded with energy become so quiet? Maybe his business is really important.

"okay." Rena patted Rai's shoulder. "We're glad you're catching up. We're waiting at the crossroad, okay? Don't take too long. During the day, Uncle won't allow us to pluck much!"

Ava stumped up a laugh. "Say you're afraid of being discovered!"

"Oi!"

Rai smiled. How much he will miss their laughter. "Okay, but don't peek!" They laughed again, then separated. Rai looked at that distant back with a complicated feeling.

"Come, go." Eins turned around to continue on, but soon stopped as the wind whizzed from behind the fog. Something big and dark was streaking at crazy speed. Something hit Eins, knocking her ten yards away. Rai was too shocked to move.

Hearing the loud clashing sound in the back, Ava and Rena turned around in shock. Then scream.

Oh no!

Eins hit a large rock, lying there with a stiff man propping up his stomach. He got up with great difficulty, recognized the man as Naraya, then put away his body rather roughly. The one who worries is Rai. Ava had fainted in Rena's pale lap. His gaze swept over Eins and the man. Fortunately he did not bleed, Eins thought. So, he could lie about his death to the two girls later. Unfortunately Eins forgot, with such a close distance, even though the air was foggy, the human eye could see clearly that the man was dead. Chest perforated.

Ava and Rena's situation ignites Rai's awareness of danger. He ran up to them almost instantly, but his foot stumbled over something hard and painful. A thorny whip wrapped around his leg. Fresh blood seeped into his pale skin.

"Don't go!" A voice like the rumbling of an avalanche came from the darkness. "You're hurting my heart."

The feather stands. The man is tall and big. Wrapped in oversized robes and a monstrous face, he looked like a mountain monster. In his hand, a sparkling emerald green stone reflected the morning light in the orange fog. Rai looked up only to see her red eyes.

"Ah. Look who this is! Finally we meet too, Little Princess." The man laughed widely. The contents of his mouth were a dentist's nightmare. The green stone was bitten by him like an apple, the loud sound of his chewing sounded terrible. "How are you?"

Rai tried to stand up, but the whip held him on the ground. Legs numb.

"Richgad!" Eins. "I have no business with you. Release her!"

The giant man named Jalgadh snorted. "Who are you, Old Lady? I only deal with pretty girls. Little Princess, why not answer? Don't ignore me."

"Richgad!"

"Hey, hey, I'm not deaf." Jalgadh tilted his head and saw a deathly pale Rena passing through the Eins. "Gee. Two more pretty girls! Honey, the other one's sleeping."

Other than his muscles, this huge creature had nothing to be proud of. The head is empty. Although his body is large, he is still young. Physical strength is its advantage. Praise is his favorite. Honey, Eins doesn't have a sweet mouth.

"Don't bother my friend!" Rai barking.

"Oh! The brave little princess." Jalgadh crouched down with difficulty to take a closer look. "Look at this beautiful face, oh, why must it be those eyes? I'll remember him. Little Princess, take it easy, as long as you come with me, I promise I won't hurt them."

"He's not going anywhere!" Eins moving. Four giant foxes stood behind him, ready to attack. Rena shivered with a phenomenon she only saw in movies, terrified, but forcing herself to keep looking. Eins had no time to worry about it. "Jalgadh, you know who he is! Remember, what kind of consequences will you receive from his family!"

Jalgadh looked confused. "Who the hell are you, Old Lady? Don't get acquainted with me! Nah. Little princess, you want to come with me?"

Eins gritted her teeth. Jalgadh may not know who he is, but Eins is clear who his enemy is. Their nation has been at war for hundreds of years!

"Sir." Someone appeared beside Jalgadh with the courtesy of a servant. Unlike the Jalgadh that was tall and as sturdy as a mountain, this person was emaciated, but equally terrifying. "Why is Mister still here? Mountain Wolves and Red Sorts had already surrounded this place. You better go back first. This place, no doubt will be a battle area. Dangerous to ... Oh!" He was surprised to see Rai, who was sitting pitifully on the ground. "You found it quickly, sir!"

Jalgadh stood up and shook his head. "I'm lucky!"

The four foxes on the side were agitated. Eins knows the enemy is getting closer. "Jalgadh, you don't have to involve yourself in things like this like you did years ago. Let us go, okay?"

Jalgadh is stubborn. "Don't talk like you know me! My brother would be angry if he let you go. Anyway, the Keymaster is dead." Jagadh nodded at the body of the man with a hollow chest. "It's a pity that I'm a little late, the crystals are bland."

Eins clenched fist. That means it wasn't Jalgadh who killed Naraya. That meant the enemy had been waiting for him to come. Wh who? He turned to Jalgadh. How could he be in this place? Eins is sure this isn't a coincidence. "Jalgadh, who do you know this place from?"

Jalgadh shrugged his shoulders. "Have a good deal. Can't say!"

Damnit. They entered the lion's den.

At that moment, the howls of the wolves and the growls of the tigers were unpretentious in the distance. The wind blew fiercely carrying the bitter scent of blood. The dead leaves are raging.

"W-what happened? Rai?" Rena has always been the toughest. Seeing him cry in fear and shiver while propping up the unconscious Ava, Rai was sad. And angry.

Do somethin! They need you, idiot!

However, deep in his heart, Rai knew he could do nothing. No, when Jalgadh's whip tied him tight.

Suddenly a thumping sound came from behind, shocking Rai to turn around, but a strong wind first pressed him against a large tree. The whip on his leg slipped off, then a pale hand choked him. Rai choked.

"Hey, hey, I found it first. Let go, she's mine!" Jalgadh swings a whip at the newcomer, but his power is so terrible that he blows Rai away at the same time.

Rai fell over the torn dead body. The blood splashed on his nose. While struggling to get up, his hand accidentally touched a bloody head that was separated from his body. The face he saw made Rai scream.

On the ground, Eins, Ava and Rena were covered in blood. Headless. Rai retreated trembling, then the pale hand that had come back again, snatched it from the ground and strangled it violently. The newcomer whose body was almost destroyed had recovered unexpectedly. Breathing faltered. In shock and near death, Rai searched for the truth. The face before him was like a ghost, pale and hollow. His eyes were blank. The grin on his lips grew wider as Rai broke into tears.

"I got you" said the husky voice. "Where's that? Give me! Give me!" Rai chokes. "No, heh?" He choked harder. His other hand raised the dagger and rained.

Rai's memories still did not leave familiar faces on the ground, then suddenly anger tormented his chest cavity. He kicked hard. The dagger scratched his shoulder and his leg hurt from the previous thorny whip. Due to the shock, his movements were slow. Who her? The body is dead, but it moves like a living person! With pain and sadness he ran away avoiding the attack. The howling of the wolf in the distance made him realize that he was alone. And surrounded.

Ava's. Eins. Pisa ... They're dead! His mistake! Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Rai was crying and angry at once. "Who are you?!"

The foreign voice in the body resembled a ghost. "Even if I tell you, you won't know!"

"You killed my friends!"

"Really! So fun! They don't even know how they died, hahaha!"

One fist. Two fists. Rai attacked forward. Elbowed his face. Kicked body. He's mad!

Jalgadh looked amazed. "Little Princess is great too."

The Ghost Face crashed down, got up again quickly, and chuckled happily. "Give me that thing! Give it!"

What to give when the shape alone not even Rai knows?

The dagger pierced sharply, Rai deflected it and broke his hand, then snatched the weapon. The ghost was not in pain, just grinning. Rai attacked again, stabbing his heart. There was no trace of blood. Where the heart should be empty, the body is like a dead banana stem. He's zombie! Rai pulled out a dagger, then stuck it firmly in his lungs.

The zombie howled furiously. Rai surprised. Is that his weakness? Once again the dagger was pulled, but the zombie read its meaning and retreated. An ice spear formed in his rapidly recovering hand, then threw it at Rai ferociously.

Rai evasive. Another ice spear formed and attacked him in droves. Her stomach and thighs were scratched. He staggered, his injured leg unable to last any longer. He continued to dodge like that until the distance separated them was quite far. Rai was out of breath and exertion, he had to retreat! However, it was unexpected that a black lightning bolt struck his back. He fell with a mouthful of blood. An ice spear shot through his stomach, nailing him to the ground. Rai screaming.

"Just run away! Give me that thing first!" The zombie darted with another ice spear in his hand, facing Rai who was in pain and bleeding. Suddenly another force slammed into his body flying into the depths of the forest, breaking tree branches in the process. Blue flames were burning along the road.

"Don't underestimate me!" Eins appeared suddenly from behind the smoke. "Go to Hell!"

Rai surprised. The dead body that Eins was supposed to have on the ground turned into a fox. He's still alive!

Jalgadh also did not expect. "Who is he?" ask the waiter. They stood watching by the side of the road, the thick rancor of blood did not bother him, as if he had gotten used to it. "The old woman is good too."

The servant answered obediently, "His name is Eins. He cornered Magadh last month."

"Oh?" Jalgadh. "Don't the one who defeated Magadh be a Naraya? Seen from anywhere, she's just a witch."

"Yes, Sir."

"Then, what does it have to do with the Little Princess?"

"According to the news, he disappeared for two hundred years, but suddenly appeared a month ago, attacking Magadh and saving the boy. Maybe the disappearance she had is related to this matter."

Jalgadh looked at him fiercely. "Not the child, but the Little Princess! How come you didn't say this before?"

The waiter wiped the sweat on his temple. "Sir, you were busy counting lamb...."

"Oh!" Jalgadh shook his hands. "Forget over! So, this Old Lady kidnapped the Little Princess?"

"Master, it's not like that. It seems that she took care of him, however no one knows why he disappeared two hundred years ago, but judging from her time there is indeed such a possibility."

"He's a witch" Jalgadh repeated.

"Yes, Sir."

"Why should a witch?"

Is correct. Why a witch? No one thought the child they were looking for was with a witch. Demons and Witches have a bad history, Lily should understand that as well. Why would he hand his daughter over to a mortal enemy instead?

"I'm sure the Old Woman kidnapped the Little Princess."

The waiter sighed again. I don't have a convincing answer.

While they were chatting, Eins exclaimed, "Go from here!" The ice spear in Rai's stomach melted in his touch. "Go back to the crowd! My one fox will take you there. Go then! Maisie's group is supposed to be at the south gate! Suck them!"

"But" Rai did not want to leave him. They left together and had to get back together. He glanced at the ghostly face recuperating from the explosion, almost ready to attack again. Eins flicked his staff to call another fox. The muzzle of the animal snatched the hood of his coat and threw Rai to his back. Sneezed. "Gig!" Sneezing again. The fox took him running. Blurry views. "Gig!"

The waiter turned to his master who was looking at their departure calmly. "Sir, are we going to catch up?"

Jalgadh saw the Eins fight once more, then faintly heard a growl from the sky. "He ran away from me, what can I do? Maybe some other time. Go, go! I'm hungry."

"..."

The servant did not know, but Jalgadh knew the sign well. That guy showed up! Jalgadh won't see it for a second. Their power difference is huge. He didn't want to die silly.

The fox ran agilely before hovering flying in the air, its four legs blazing with blue flames. They're heading south. Rai's throat hurts from constantly screaming for her to be taken down, but the large animal pretends to be deaf.

They only stopped when chaos lay as far as the eye could see.

Everything is red.

What the hell's going on?

His back hurt like he was about to break and his stomach was constantly bleeding. Rai took off his grip from the fox's neck. The white fur is now red. Straightened his back, pressed the wound on his stomach, then circulated a glance.

All he saw was a massacre.

Rai shivered. The fire raged everywhere. Blood pooled at every step. Buildings and towers were destroyed. Fallen trees. Streets full of corpses lay, children sobbing in the arms of his dying mother. The remaining people lost hope. Suffering and horror are being smelled from all directions.

Why like this?

The wolf pack lunged, bit, and tore through everyone alive, no matter the parents or children. Tiger groups retaliated, hunting down hungry red-mouthed wolves, stomping on corpses and pouncing on the children left behind. The two groups attacked each other blindly, eliminating everything in their path.

On top of the fox's back, Rai was no longer able to distinguish the living and the dead. Everything was red and drowned in a pool of blood. Pieces of body were torn apart and thrown. The cries sounded pitiful from all directions, then dimmed, before slowly disappearing in the boisterous howls of wolves and the growls of tigers.

Rai lost his mind. Not remembering the goal, not knowing what to do next. He froze on the fox's back, his body did not stop shaking, the blood on his back and stomach did not stop flowing. His face was as pale as a corpse and his five senses were dead. His purple eyes opened wide, recording every horror without blinking. The pain in his body and the burden on his chest suddenly disappeared. Everything feels empty.

Suddenly, a huge storm hit him from the side. Rai fell, slashing the bodies that were torn and cut. The blood covered him. He coughed. Suddenly the bitter blood in his mouth tasted sweeter than this horror. The shock of fear subdued his sanity. Rai did not stop shivering.

The fox snorted, falling beside him. Suddenly a wind blade attacked him, unraveling his body. Fresh blood spurted, mostly splashing on Rai's cotton-white face. Another horror came to her without pause, not even giving her time to cry.

A voice came from the sky. A flying dragon landed before him. A young man descended, his handsome face looked disgusted with the bloody scenery around him. He shook his hands, the corpses on the small street were knocked out by a small gust of storm. His long legs swaggered towards Rai, who was coiled in pain and horror.

Magic traps.

A large hand raised Rai's pale face, forcing him to look up at the look of a foreign face. His bright eyes did not match the hatred emanating from his sight. "Raizel," said he. His heavy voice was clearly humbling. Rai had no idea why this man called him that. Desperation drains his energy, unable to fight back, despite simply asking who he is. His head was dizzy and his vision was blurry. "I'll find you eventually." The man grinned. His other hand came and stroked his eyes. "If you had shown up earlier, maybe I wouldn't have had to kill you." Then he gouged it out.

Rai screamed over his lungs, but there was nothing he could do but surrender in pain. His body twitched, hands clenched, teeth grinding. Fresh blood spurted, and darkness engulfed his world. Two beautiful purple eyes were locked in a twin dragon carved ice box.

The last thing he remembered before falling was anger.

***