The Amazing Joni's
CHAPTER 29: TWENTY-NINE

Breakfast together. Fried sea fish. There is no rice. No appetizers, no desserts.

Bob and Bey are so happy to joke. Tell a lot of things. Including the cloud countries we will be visiting. Bey said the country was literally floating above the clouds. Like a soft mattress that floats. Sensai walked there like walking on soft cotton. I swallowed spit. Isn't that beautiful? We can see the whole view of Banua. But maybe it doesn't exist. Just like we were in this country. There is no thought of going up to the surface and going to see the land. Maybe the land does not exist.

The breakfast full of laughter was completed thirty minutes later. The suction often stops, it's because Bob often makes the whole room laugh. A great father and husband for his wife and children. Nin helps to spruce up empty plates. Bring it to the back. Bey refused, let him wash it. Nin insisted on helping, for a long time he had not washed the dishes.

Bob invited us to relax in the front room. No pleasantries, straight to the point of the conversation.

“Where is the portal to the cloud country?” Deni asked, enthusiastic. Besides because the country Bey told me was beautiful. This country is our last destination. There may be a way home.

“Is the place the same when we come to this place?” I'm no less enthusiastic.

Nin finally joined in, finished helping Bey clean up the kitchen. Bey also followed, holding her still-asleep baby.

Bob looked, smiling. “Portal it is in this place.”

My eyes are round, the same as Deni's. In this place? Was our hearing a little disturbed after hearing too much bullet noise last night?

“Yes. In this place. Bey can open the portal. But we're not going to come. Perhaps there is a war no less great than the war yesterday afternoon. Sorry about that. I just don't want the baby to lose a father.” Bob lowered. I know, there's actually another reason Bob doesn't want to visit the cloud country. But that doesn't need to be asked. It's Bob and Bey's personal business.

“It's okay. Thank you, Bob. Thank you, Bey.” I looked at the husband and wife taking turns. A smile, full of appreciation.

“Are you ready? Oh, whoa. I made this for you.” Bey handed me something, a bag filled with food for lunch. Nin accepted it, thanked him.

“The cloud country is a royal country. The king there is known to be wise and wise. They like peace. But the last few years I've heard a lot of chaos.” Bob looked down. Concerned.

“We will help.” Deni smiled, trying to encourage.

Bob nodded. Looking at his wife, it was time. Bey stood up. Hand the baby over to Bob. Bey Raising hands.

Silent moment.

A portal finally opened. Just small. The longer the bigger. Luminous. Dazzling. Making the whole room in the house simple was brightly lit this early. What is unique about this portal is its color. Dark blue. The portal was as tall as an adult. Bey's already starting to sting. As before, opening a portal required a lot of energy.

“Happy way, kids.” Bob greeted the three of us. Bey fell on the stone floor. Nin tries to help, Bob intercepts him. “It's okay, Son. He's just lost. Will recover in a few minutes.”

Three, once again we thank you. Jump into the portal in turns. Take off the goodbye smile. ‘Goodbye, Bob. Good bye, Bey. Goodbye little baby who doesn't have a name.” Bob nodded. Smiling sincerely. The portal closed slowly. The simple room was back.

***

Floating, white clouds like cotton, blue sky, bright, bright, sunlight never blocked, the whir of a waterfall sounded from a distance, thumping sloshing its spilled water. That was the first time we saw it on landing. As before, when you first trace another country, your eyes and head will never be silent. Look here and there, pointing. A bright morning.

Seeokor eagle black eagle flying low overhead, blinding in circles. This country, even though it is in the game, but more like a fairyland. A land of clouds is a country in the middle of a floating island flanked by clumps of white clouds. The shape of this country is like a pyramid, although it is far from similar. At its peak there is a royal palace and a house of the locals. To climb it requires countless stairs. The stairs surround the entire island, spiral shaped. The turn of the ladder followed the clockwise direction. On each of the 999 steps, there is one resting place, before climbing the next 999 winding steps. Cloud is a unique country. All forms of state are here. At the bottom, the lowest valley, there are four parts of natural nuance. The place we stand today is barren sand, more or less the same as sand country. On the other side, there was a savannah, the other two sides were the forest and the ocean. There are beaches too. Fairly broad.

The roar of the wind in this place was more than just a penny. Make any object that is slow will flutter.

“How does this country get rain? Aren't they on the cloud?” Denny started the conversation.

“Maybe they make artificial rain, Den.” I answered the origin. Nin smiled hearing that.

“Then let's go to the top.” Deni exclaimed impatiently. The view there might be even more beautiful. All agreed. Preparing the thigh and calf muscles to climb stairs.

“You know this ladder, Nin?” Deni tried to joke. We were in front of the first step.

Nin shrugged his shoulders. Boost. Wherever Nin wanted to know, everything was only the first time to this place. The roar of the wind again made the hair sway. Dry leaves on trees in distant forests are falling. Sand-sand flying. The grasses in the savannah were waving. The black eagle was still blindly circling the floating island.

Deni, who had first set foot on the steps, led in front. Me and Nin followed behind. Our legs and head were not compatible at all, our feet were still stepping, our heads were looking here and there. Deni in front pointed here and there. It did not look right we looked at him, Deni had pointed at the others. Nin looked happy. This outside world he had long wanted to see was truly impressive. All this time he just stayed more often in the forest.

I was actually contemplating myself. Thinking about how our parents were worried at home. They may have asked me where Deni and I were. Or maybe you've put up posters of missing children in roadside trees and power lines. It is also possible that our faces these few days adorn the television screen. “From, missing child!” One question that has been around since we were in the Sabana country is Can we go home?

We arrived at the first rest. Tiring off. From here the view below is impressive. Really impressive. The blue sky and blue sea (on the side of the island) look harmonious. The greenness of the forest and grass contrasts with the deserts. I'm pulling drinking water out of a sophisticated watch on my wrist. Give it to Nin. She's lady. Probably more exhausted than us. Nin smiled, saying thank you.

A few minutes of rest, we continued our journey, climbing the stairs. An incline like this is quick to drain. No more pointing, look there and look here. Deni who was in front was more silent. Keep walking looking ahead.

The sun was rapidly rising. Our shadows began to shorten. The sound of waves crashing on the beach that hit the reef began to disappear. We climbed up the stairs one by one. The black eagle started flying away. I heard another sound. Waterfall. We arrived at the second rest. In this place there is a waterfall. Deni ran around fetching the water, drinking only with both palms. Nin also ran around, splashing water on Deni's face, not to be outdone Deni replied. It was a water crystal war. I just smiled at their behavior. Look up. Really blue. The splash of water painted a rainbow for a moment. Is beautiful. I hope Deni and I can go home.

“I think it's enough to play, kids. Time to continue the journey.” I cupped both hands together, calling them like a scout-building brother. Nin pouted, Deni grinned. But they stopped. Look up following me who has been tracking the stairs.

We continued walking, climbing the stairs one by one. Deni was even ignorant riding it at once two. Jump around. Nin smiled at the ridiculous manner.

“Come, friend. You don't want me to be the first to see that beauty, do you?” That face grinned irritatingly.

Arriving at the next rest, we did not stop. Continue the journey up the next round of stairs. Because after this there is no rest, but the royal palace. 999 steps again, we will reach the highest peak of the cloud country. Deni has said many things, presumptuous. Must be his palace like this, his tower so, the decoration of the garden is like this, the number of his troops is like this, the king is like this, the empress is so, and so on, and so on. If only Deni had ended when we stepped on the last step of the stairs.

Silent. Silent. There's no one.

It does. Deni was the first to witness the beauty. He was the one standing in front. But it is not true beauty that is seen, but rather destruction. Yes, the cloud country has been destroyed. There are no magnificent palaces, there are marble scattered. There is no garden with flower decoration, there is only land that is dismantled. There is no wise king, not a beautiful queen. There aren't. It's inconceivable that Bey, Bob's wife, knew this whole thing. His family may have been killed along with the destruction of the royal palace.

“What-that? Deni. This is all beyond expectations.

All quiet. Watching the rubble of the ruins was heartbreaking. We have not exhausted our sadness after losing Sem, a few moments later we have witnessed a country that only remains a name. The black eagle returned, circling flying on the ceiling of the palace that was already reduced to rubble. Lost already the excitement will witness the beauty of the highest peaks of the cloud country. The four different scenes that could be witnessed from this height felt hollow. Blank. The expanse of sand on the east side, the grass of savanna on the north side, the forest with its various units on the west side, and the blue, clear sea and the waves that roll in the south, in the south, everything is not beautiful. The sadness that is confined to the ceiling of the island that floats above these clouds takes away the entire beauty of it.

“They have taken everything.” Someone suddenly approached us. The locals, they are old. His face was pale, his eyes reddened. That sadness hung over his wrinkled face.

All looking. Observe the person's goals.

“What's—what happened?” Deni stuck, his tongue as twisted.

“A missile takes away all that excitement.” That person stared blankly at his destruction in plain sight.

I swallowed spit. A missile? That means the country is Sew's first target with its inter-dimensional missiles. Depressing. One missile can take out an entire country. Totally inhuman.

“Every day I look for wood, down to the bottom. All the people do it too. I never imagined it would be like this the end of our country.” Unable to withstand the grief, a water crystal soaked the tip of the foot.

The three of us just stared in concern. Being late? How else. The missile cannot be prevented. Even if we knew this country was going to be attacked, how we were going to get here. Before Bob explained only his wife could open a cloud country portal, no one knew the path to this country. There is no kingdom, it means there is no more war. This game should be over. But how do Deni and I get home? It's still a big deal for both of us.

“There's nothing we can do in this country.” Nin hung down.

“What does this mean farewell?” Deni raised his hand.

“Sentence, Jon. We also do not know the way home.” I patted her shoulder.

“What are you players?” The man then looked up, staring at the faces of the three of us. Trying to remove the sadness that hangs on the face.

“Only the two of us.” Deni. “This princess is from Tropical Rainforest country.” Nin glared called the princess again.

“Do you guys want to go home?” The man asked again.

Threesome, simultaneously nodding.

“Then I know how to escort this princess to the Forest country. I can open the portal there. But I don't know how to get you both.” Silence moment. “Oh. Introduce my name Lod.” Shake hands.

Nin did not glare called the princess. Afraid of not being sent home. I'm glad Nin can go home. But saddened by the fate of both of us.

“I'm not sure. But maybe there's something you should try. Below, near the waterfall, when I often go up and down the stairs of this country. I often watched the strange portal that appeared for only a few seconds. It's red. I don't know where the portal's headed. But for those of you who run out of road, it never hurts to try, right?” Lod raised his hand.

Deni and I looked at each other. Nodding synchronously. The waterfall we have visited. But there was never a portal in sight. Maybe we have a time dispute.

“Then who's first?” Lod asked.

“I want to deliver them.” Nin answered. Ask Lod to take us home first. The business of going home itself, later can be thought again.

“Good. It's decided. We're going to that waterfall.” Lod stepped down the stairs. The three of us followed from behind.

Between going down the stairs and going up the stairs, it is easier to go down. But still, put pressure on the leg muscles. Tired. We also did not stop at one destination, decided to go directly to the location of the waterfall. Not much talk throughout the trip. There is nothing to talk about but the way home. Talking about destruction will only add to the sadness. Especially about one of our friends who left.

The sun was at its highest peak, just as we arrived in front of the waterfall. The water rumbled, thumping as it rained down on the rocks. There hasn't been a strange portal that Lod told me about. But we agreed to wait.

The four of us sat on the floor of the retreat. Looking at the waterfall. Trying to catch the appearance of the portal that Lod said was only a few seconds away.

Non-rigid. There's no talk. Sadness still enveloped each other's hearts. Coupled with the sadness about the breakup that would have happened if the portal had actually appeared and actually delivered us home. Nin looked grim, down. Deni was busy stroking his sword. If he came home, Deni would no longer be able to hold the sword. I raised both hands. If only, we could come here anytime. This adventure will be more fun. But that log out facility is being damaged. I don't know what's going on out there.

“What is the name of where you live?” Nin asked, breaking apart deserted.

“Eh.” I looked, shocked.

“Earth. A most beautiful planet in the Milky Way galaxy.” Deni continued to answer.

“Planet?” Nin won't understand that. There was no information about the solar system in his brain memory. They only knew the country, the portal, and other dimensions.

“Yes. It's a place very far from here.” I try to explain as simply as possible. This was the end of the story, there was no harm in Nin knowing.

A far away place. But it's actually very close. We are only separated by inter-dimensional bulkheads.

Nin lowered his head, trying to digest the sentence. Deni was still rubbing his sword. Lod sharply stared at the waterfall, he did not want to be considered lying about the portal that often appeared strangely. I just looked up, staring at the thousands of liters of falling water thumping.

Thirty minutes of waiting. The sun began to descend its highest peak. The shadow of the body begins to lengthen. The portal has not yet appeared.

“Sorry if I lied to you.” Lod bowed, looking sorry.

“No. We believe, Lod.” I tried to raise her heart. Maybe this is the only way we can go home. There was no choice but to wait.

Thirty minutes passed again.

Lod finally stood up. “Sorry, it looks like the portal will not appear.” All down. Hope is starting to shrink.

When we all want to move. Walk to track the stairs. Hope is back growing. A thin streak of light emitted a sound like an electric spark appearing in front of the waterfall. Small-time. Suddenly, everyone turned around. The portal that Lod had promised was actually showing up. I hurriedly touched it, afraid of disappearing for a few more seconds. The portal grew. Gyrate. It dazzles every eye that looks. Lod was surprised to see it, before he only saw the portal was the size of a bicycle wheel. But now as tall as adults.

“You sure, Jon?” Deni kept his sword.

I'm nodding. There's no other way. We should try it. Deni agrees. A line following me stood in front of the portal. But before that, there was a farewell ceremony. Nin, the princess wiped the tip of the eye. Deni and I turned around.

“This is the end of our togetherness, Nin.” I tried to smile.

“We will not forget you. You better go home. Your father might be worried. Haven't you had time to spend great days with him?” Deni also smiled. He seemed to be sadder to part with that sword than Nin and Sem. And everyone in this game.

Again Nin wiped the tip of his eyes. The outside world he wanted to see was enough. Nin will return with Lod's help to the land of the Tropical Rainforest. Meet his father. Spend time there.

“Thank you, Lod. Thank you, Nin. Goodbye to.” Before parting I left both my gloves to Nin. Deni was the same, he left his sword. Nin promised to take care of her. I wave my hand. It's actually stifling. But in fact, a man will always try to hold back tears in front of women. Trying to look tough.

Deni waved his hand. She smiled at Nin. Lod says good-bye. Nin said goodbye. I took a long breath. The portal is not yet certain. Where's destination? What kind of portal? It could be like the portal Rem opened. Isn't that very dangerous. If that happens, we will never be able to go home again.

Deni and I turned around.

“You ready, Den?”

Deni. Obtained. Without answer. That means ready unprepared, Deni will follow me. I jumped into the portal first. Deni followed me behind. The portal closed slowly. It closed perfectly along with the fall of Nin's tears. The real farewell was not at all desirable. Nin had just started a great adventure. Now he has to go home.

Non-rigid. The thundering waterfall thumped against the rocks below. The wind above the floating island was roaring even louder. Make everything flutter. White clouds decorate blue sky. The black eagle now flew in pairs. Turn around, circle the whole big island. The place one country has ever stood, the cloud country. The country that describes the other four. A country that has only memories. Memories that are only in the story. Stories that exist only in video games.