The Destruction of Batana

REUNION

I knocked slowly on the door of Ruzdora's house.

“Can you be more careful! The medicine is a precious item!”

I was surprised to hear that voice. It seems that Ruzdora is exclaiming to someone. Maybe the prison worker. I don't know if Ruzdora can exclaim like that.

A few moments later the door opened. It looks like Ruzdora's shady face, but this time her hair looks messy. He was surprised to see me.

“Gosh! It's been a long time and your face hasn't changed at all, son! But, what's going on? Your face is full of bruises.” he exclaimed with a happy face. This time his gaze was fixed on the group of soldiers behind me.

“Sorry I came suddenly, Ruzdora. Me and the people behind me need help.”

Ruzdora nodded, telling us to enter. He ordered the workers to make tea. Wait, tea! I still remember the taste of the drink. It feels really weird. But whatever the power, I can only take all the treats from him. We have nowhere else to take shelter in the meantime.

“I will prepare medical equipment for you. In the meantime, drink the tea on the table. Including you, Lian.” Ruzdora tekeh's. His stupidity is really annoying.

The soldiers started drinking the tea. I can guess their reaction. Some spouted the tea out of their mouths. Some still gulped it down with an unclear face. The taste of this tea is truly terrible. You wouldn't know what it's like if you didn't try it.

For about half an hour, Ruzdora treated the wounds on our bodies. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. Thanks to the equipment we used, the impact from the impact did not hurt us too much.

I explained to him about our condition. I should contact Jora immediately to report the incident while we were on a mission. Not much to ask, he hurried to contact Jora.

About 10 minutes Ruzdora explained my condition to Jora. Ruzdora told us that Jora would be here to see for herself if everything I said was true. Be we have to wait a few hours until Jora arrives. Meanwhile Ruzdora prepared a room for us to rest. I'm really lucky to know him.

This time I was having a one-on-one conversation with Ruzdora. The other soldiers are asleep. Tired of all the things that have passed. Tomorrow they will not be able to return to normal life.

“How are you doing, son? It's been a long time, why haven't you visited me?” Ruzdora begins the conversation.

“I'm very busy. My schedule at the Sky Academy was so much that it made me unable to take a vacation. I'm sorry if it came suddenly.”

Ruzdora smile. Even though he is old, he still looks fresh.

“What a stroke, son. I don't mind you coming here under any circumstances. Anyway, I owe you.”

I raised my eyebrows. Since when have I ever done anything to him? It should be me who owes him.

“Lian, actually I really expect a little from you. It's about the tools embedded in your body.”

I'm down. The conversation about the device was very unpleasant for me. Every time Ruzdora mentioned it, I always looked away or switched the conversation. I still can't accept the existence of the device.

“I know you don't like it, Lian. But, the tool is one way to stop RP-2. Don't you want to be free of them?”

I'm wiping my face. Actually, Ruzdora had said that sentence repeatedly while I was in prison.

“I'm not forcing you, son. I was just hoping for a little bit from you.” Ruzdora looked at me expectantly. Makes me feel uncomfortable.

“I still can't.” I said that sentence with a cold look. Ruzdora nodded. He is very familiar with my condition.

“It's good that you rest, Lian. Miss Kei is still on her way. You have to recover and explain all these events. Whatever happens, I will always support you.” Ruzdora touched my shoulder slowly. And then leave me alone.

I let out a breath. Ruzdora's right, I have to rest. My body ached and the bruise on my face was painful. I also need energy to explain everything to Jora. Convince her and make her believe my words.

　

　

***

　

　

“Lian, this is Mom's last message. Only you can save the world. Keep that in mind! ”

I'mawakened. In my dream I heard Mom's voice. My breaths. Sweat was pouring from my forehead. I stared at the clock hanging on the side of the room. At 10 p.m. Have I been asleep all this time? I think I just closed my eyes for a moment. I decided to get out of my bed. Jora should have arrived at this place.

I walked through the hallway. I vaguely heard the conversation of two people. I approached the origin of the sound. Find out who is talking. I found Ruzdora and Jora in the room. There were two guards standing in the corner of the room.

“Lian, are you okay?” Jora stood up, first asking.

Ruzdora chuckles. “Just relax, Miss Kei. He's fine, I've treated his entire wound.”

Jora breathes a sigh of relief. Sit back.

“Why not wake me up and tell me that Jora has arrived?” I asked Ruzdora.

“I can't bear to wake you who fell asleep, Lian. Hasn't it been so hard to sleep. That's the reason why I didn't wake you. Besides Jora also does not mind waiting while drinking tea.” Ruzdora chuckled again.

“Iya, Lian. I also really enjoyed this tea. You want to join?” Jora offered me the tea. I looked at him in wonder. How could he say that tea is delicious?

I received the tea. Drink slowly. I was really surprised by the taste. This tea is not like the tea I drank before. This tea is delicious and sweet.I looked at Ruzdora with a sour face.  This is cheating!

“Hey, Jangang looked at me like that, Nak.” Ruzdora laughs.

Now I join them. Starting talks. I told the whole story from the moment Captain Wan discussed the attack plan to the moment Keios attacked us.

“That's bad! I never knew that.” Jora exclaimed, as if not believing what she had just heard.

I started to explain my opinion. “If my guess is correct, it is most likely this mission as an effort to reduce the population of Keios City. Logically, if Keios City was under rubble, it would be difficult to expand the territory. Inevitably they have to reduce the number of people in this city. I've heard from my friend, there's one of those slums on the edge of town that's completely unkempt. Most likely they were deliberately left for the residents there to die and were able to reduce the population. But of course this is not enough either. For example, if every day there are two children born, how many population will increase in a year?”

The room was empty for a moment. Ruzdora and Jora were thinking.  Compute.

“780 inhabitants.” They both answered in unison.

I'm nodding. Justifies. “This is also what makes me suspicious about the construction of the Sky Academy. Why is the Sky Academy with five-star hotel-like facilities even free? Not that Keios City also needs money for development, food, and others?”

“If about Sky Academy, I will explain.” Jora cut my sentence.

“We deliberately free the Sky Academy for teenagers who want to become soldiers. It's just as much as we appreciate them.”

“In my opinion, the Sky Academy is just a shelter. Like a trap that was lured in it. The Sky Academy was a place to reduce the population. They are receiving dozens of teenagers every day. Which means, every day they also have to graduate students. Then, the Keios Warrior Headquarters received new soldiers every day. Can-can headquarters will not be enough to accommodate all soldiers.”

Jora looked at. His face looks tense. Lips vibrate. It was like hearing a shocking fact.

“But of course all this is just my opinion. There is no basis or evidence. Actually I just want you to check on Captain Wan. That's my purpose for meeting you. You can forget everything I said.”

The room was silent again. Ruzdora rubbed her face, while Jora looked down while squeezing the bench. I'm afraid he can't take all of my words.

“Ruzdora, I want to speak four eyes with Lian.” Jora's face turned serious. Ruzdora nodded.

“You are also warriors!” Jora ordered her two bodyguards to leave the room. They nodded. And left us both.

“Lian, actually I've always wanted to say this since you've been in jail. I've always doubted, but for this time I'll say it.” Jora took a breath. “All of us will never be free from this if RP-2 is not immediately destroyed. I really want to ask you about the outside world. But seeing you who's always moody, I'm afraid to ask. I really need your information, Lian. Please, tell me what happened to you two years ago? Why did you get to this town safely?”

Stop the.

“I have to exterminate RP-2 to bring down the mayor, Lian. Everything you said was true. It's just that, all that can not be done if all RP-2 in this world is destroyed. I repeat once again, what happened to you?” Jora's face was parched.

Stop the.

“I don't remember.” I answered the origin.

Waited for a moment.

“Then I will make you remember it, Lian. Liana, sister. Don't you remember the day he died?”

Stopit!

“Liana died from bleeding that occurred in..”.

“I DON'T REMEMBER!” I exclaimed. Surprised Jora who had not had time to finish her sentence.

The room was quiet again. Jora looked at me in disbelief. My breath is starting to go bad. My hands vibrate. I feel a little guilty about hitting him. I'm down.

“Lian, everyone has a bitter experience. It's not just you, Lian. Know it? Mayor Keios is not my real father. My parents have been dead since the RP-2 revival. We can't blame that lifeless, heartless thing. What we should blame is the person who raised him.”

I squeezed my fingers. The words were directed at my mother.

“Lian, I want you to come with me.” Jora looked at me with a cold face. He looks not daunted at all.

I don't want to.

“I'll make you remember. No matter how bitter your experience, I will keep you remembering. I don't care if the reader calls me an antagonist. I don't care if they don't like me.”

Eleven o'clock at night.

The shops were closed and not many people were on the streets. Two vehicles passed. The lights on the side of the road were lined up like rows. Make the road look bright. I bite my lips. As if I knew where Jora would take me. I squeezed my fingers tighter. Every time the car stopped, I was scared. Afraid that we would arrive at our destination.

Jora occasionally noticed me. His face looks worried. But he still made his resolve. I absolutely cannot refuse his invitation. He has helped me a lot in the last two years.

We have come to a plain with grass like a tapestry. I don't know if in Keios City there is a place like this. There is a path that is lined with river rocks. Along the way there are flowers that make a beautiful view. However, my body felt cold as soon as I saw the rocks neatly lined up on the plains. And each stone bears the name of a person.

Please, stop it.

Jora headed towards the central part of this plain. And...

I fell down near a gravestone. It says, Liana. Complete with date of death. There is no evidence of a place of birth. I have no power to hold back tears. After all this time, I have not been able to accept his death. I still can't let go. Jora just looked at me from a distance. Don't know what to say.

I don't want Liana to die. I want to see him smile. I want to see him grow up. I want him to live.

Slowly, my memories of that day began to return. I remember, if I had one appointment, how could I try to forget those memories? This time I started to remember my message. Important message I'm trying to forget.  About going to a dead city called Batana.

“Lian, listen! I'll give you a message. Sometimes the clues can come from us. Go north and find a dead city called Batana. Meet the thick-bearded man with an iron fist. Send a message if Zenzen has moved.”

I cry like a baby. I don't care anymore if people around me bully me or think I'm a child. I have absolutely no power to endure all this grief. I want to get him out. I want to let go.

“Lian, this is Mom's last message. Only you can save the world. Keep that in mind! ”

I could hear Mom's voice echoing between my cries.

For about five minutes I cried near the tomb. I wiped the tip of my eye. Jora began to dare to approach. He sat down next to me and grabbed something in his pocket.

“I hope, this can help.” Jora thrusts a cloth with a triangular shape. I know that cloth. The cloth is the hood that Liana wears.

I accepted. I don't know why, after crying earlier I felt a little relieved. Perhaps the best way is not to forget. Except receiving.

I decided to tell Jora. I'm telling you the important message. Jora looked at me with appreciation.

“I'm so thankful, Lian. I also apologize for being so bad to you. Forcing you to remember all your bitter memories.”

I'm nodding. “Jora, I decided to make my mother's sentence come true. So, I'm going to get out of this city.”

“Then, I will prepare a team that will come with you.”

I'm shaking. “I've created the team.”

“Eh, who?” Jora's eyes are rounded.

I'm back in jail. My goal is to meet Vero and Bundara. I wish they were there, intending to invite them to join. I forgot it was night.

Unfortunately, upon my arrival, one of the soldiers said that they had been out of prison for a long time. I rubbed my face. It will be hard to find them all over the city.

Suddenly I remembered the story of Bundara. He once went to the information building of Keios City to look for his birth mother. Their homes should be listed there. Fortunately, the building was open twenty-four hours.After I got there, I immediately got the information where they lived. I decided to leave tomorrow. It's getting late. I also need to rest my body. I still have to explain my plan to the other fourteen soldiers who are now taking refuge in Ruzdora's house.