The Destruction of Batana

LAUT

“Can you drive properly?” Exclaim Marko who is now holding on to the pillars of the ship. His face is pale

Naturally if Marko is angry, we are busy staring at the river disturbed because Vero accidentally nudged the speed-enhancing lever. Making the speed of the ship is not koreuan . We are all holding on to the masts of the ship. Bundara even a few times slammed. Nagging at Vero who is now a master.

“It's hard! Very different from plane!” Vero complained. Attempting to control the ship to return to stability.

We're trying to get on the deck of the ship. Yet repeatedly slipping. Vero accidentally crashes the ship with river rocks. Shaking the ship. I even feel nauseous. We all look absolutely ridiculous. Crawling on the floor of the ship is like a lizard crawling on the wall.

“Vero! Try to slow down the boat!” Jora gave a suggestion.

“Shortly, Miss! I'll try it!”

The ship began to swallow. I breathe a sigh of relief. Take off my helmet and wipe the sweat on my forehead. I lay down for a moment looking at the clean morning sky.

We entered the deck of the ship. The steering room was a few feet off the deck, but we could still see Vero driving. I decided to sit in one of the passenger seats. Put on a seat belt, followed by others. This incident traumatized me a little. I will no longer dare to go out to look at the scenery. What if Vero suddenly made the same mistake I was standing on the edge of the ship? I shook my head. That must be terrible.

“I hate this ship!” Vero complained.

“We have no other choice, Vero.” I tried to calm him down.

“I agree with Lian. We don't have much time. Didn't Lian explain the situation to you, Vero?” Jora mediates.

Vero still can't accept the fact that our plane was turned into a ship. While we were arguing, Marko patted my shoulder.

“Ka....Ka's...Captain?”

I'm turning. Marko was pointing towards the front. As soon as we saw the direction Marko was heading. Waterfall.

“VERO, TURN BACK!” The first one gave the order.

Vero turning the wheel. But instead of turning around, the speed of the ship is getting faster towards approaching the waterfall.

Oh my god I forgot! The ship is equipped with water sensors. This ship is designed to follow the flow of water. Of course Vero's effort is free. I haven't had time to put my helmet back on. Damnit damnit! My helmet rolled to and fro due to the unstable speed of the ship. Vero is still trying to control the pace of the ship. Though we had just been freed from calamity, now another calamity came. Is this what we call the dynamics of life?

We started holding on. The ship is getting faster. Vero pressed a button to fold the screen. Hope the ship is going to swallow. His efforts have not produced results either. In a matter of seconds, the ship will plunge free like a flood. I swallowed, held my breath. I haven't even gotten my helmet.

When we reached the end, the ship fell. We shouted. It's more terrible than when we boarded the plane. My face was hit by a splash of water entering the ship. Make my hair wet. The ship is still free-falling. Vero swiftly pulled the steering wheel for the ship to land smoothly. He fought desperately. Put all the energy. Grinding like a tiger in pain.

It worked! The ship landed smoothly. Make a thumping sound. Making the water wavy like a tsunami. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ka...Captain?” Marko pointed back to the front.

I complained. What else this time?

The berated waterfall. That's how I call it.

We came back screaming. Vero couldn't rest for a second. His hands clasped tightly to the steering wheel. He deftly pressed a variety of buttons that I did not understand at all. Bundara withhold nausea. Closing his mouth with both hands. Jora screamed hysterically. Marko closed his eyes while biting his lips. I don't know how many waterfalls we've passed. But among us, of course Vero is the most overwhelmed. If he controls the ship wrongly, we'll all be in danger.

The ship slammed to and fro. Hit the river rocks. Sometimes the ship turns not because it follows the flow of the river. My head feels dizzy. I think I'm gonna faint. About seven minutes we waded through the waterfall in a row. The ship was calm again.

My body feels weak. My hands vibrate. Cold sweat was pouring down my forehead. Fused with water and washed my face. The roundabout is not moving. Looks like he fainted. Marko leaned his head. His breathing was stingy and his hands were shaking as well. Jora complained, her long hair tangled in water. He also took off his boots that were filled with water. Vero's? I don't know how she is. He just silently stared. Maybe he was in a big shock.

The ship floated quietly. Water splashing breaks the tension. We looked at each other. Bundara had already woken up from his stupor, screaming in fear. Make others laugh. Vero turns on auto steering. Join the deck. Closing the deck door. Take off the helmet and wipe the sweat. His face was pale.

“Lian, were you okay earlier not wearing a mask?” Bundara who was taking off the helmet asked.

I'm nodding. “I'm used to dirty air.”

“Eh, since when?” Marko asked. Curious face.

“Since I was small.” I answered briefly. I pulled my wet hair out of the water.

“He has been so since childhood, I have followed him. But not able. I only lasted a few hours , after which my chest felt tight.” Jora added, she was busy tidying up her messy hair.

“You've been friends since you were a child?” Vero. Flashing his face. Heat.

“Eh, Lian never told you?” Jora looked at me.

I turned my face. Look at the view behind the window. I have no memory of Jora. I always try to avoid talking about the past, worrying if Jora is offended if I say I don't remember anything.

“Nona, she's really mysterious. It's a miracle if he tells his story in one paragraph. He only ever told a story, it was only a sentence without a point. Besides..” Vero shook his head, “He only said a word two.”

Marko and Bundara nodded in agreement while looking at me.

“So, since when are you friends? You guys just friends or more?” Marko smiled cunningly. Raise one of his eyebrows.

Jora waved her hand. Wrong attitude. “Of course we're just friends. Not more. But you guys know? Lian was once a jolly boy. He couldn't stop babbling even for a moment. He likes to tell a lot of things, invites us to explore various places, find new things, and sometimes he likes to do something that endangers him.”

Jora's sentence is completely correct. I did a lot of behavior when I was a kid. But what bothers me, I can't remember Jora.

“That must be a lie.” Bundara exclaimed not to accept. “Look at the boy! Now he's even staring at the scenery like he doesn't care about us.” Bundara laughs. His voice was like a giant laughing evilly.

Jora just smiled. “Perhaps the RP-2 tragedy made it so. I'm still having trouble sleeping. Sometimes, the shadow of the RP-2 that killed my parents appears in my dreams.”

The silent ship deck. All stared in concern at Jora.

“Eh, but I'm fine kok.”

“Then?” Marko asked curiously. He was like a child listening to a fairy tale.

“Since the tragedy we were separated. I never knew how Lian was. My parents died and Mayor Keios found me. Raised me to be his son.” Jora lowered. The look on his face changed. He seemed to dislike the fact that he was the adopted son of Mayor Keios.

Silent. They look at each other. I was busy looking at the scenery around me.

Bundara throws his helmet at Vero. “Basic smartass!”

“Eh, I mean it...” Vero caught Bundara's helmet swiftly. Stretch out. Sobbled.

They all laugh. Then one by one tell the story of their lives, except me. I don't know when I'll keep this secret alone. Holding it in the depths of my heart.

The afternoon begins. The sun started to sink. They are still busy chatting, joking, and others. So far the ship is floating smoothly. But I rarely see trees on the river bank. Feeling strange, I stepped out.

“Vero, are you sure to steer the ship on the right track?”

“Eh, briefly, I assure.” Vero moved, wearing his mask. Step into the steering room.

A few minutes later, Vero exclaimed. “This is right, Lian. Compass shows the correct direction.”

I just realized that we've arrived...

“SEA!” Marko ran to the edge of the ship. Followed by the others.

They were all standing on the edge of the ship. I'm catching. Lined next to them. Look at! Before us stretched the sea. The sheen of twilight reflected on the water. Makes the view look exotic.

“Sunsets! It's sunset!” Vero excitement. His hands pointed at the sun as if it was sinking behind the sea.

Bundara rubbed his teary eyes. Despite her heart, she has a soft heart. Marko patted his shoulder. Vero even mocked it.

Jora who stood beside me whispered softly, “This reminds me of when we were kids. You once forbade me to go into space on the grounds that if I lived in space, I would never be able to watch the sun rise and set again. I'm so grateful, Lian ”

I'm staring. That sentence was exactly like in my dream. I told a girl who looked moody.

Suddenly, Jora took off her mask.

“Nona! What are you doing?” Vero called out in panic.

“I want to be like Lian. Adapt, not reject. I also want to feel the air in the sea. Isn't this a rare opportunity?”

Bundara and Marko followed. I was going to stop them. That's too dangerous.

“Alright, if you let go, so do I.” Vero is the last.

“We're fine, Lian. You don't have to worry.” Jora seemed to be able to read my face.

I let out a sigh of resignation. Don't know what to say anymore.

We all watched the sunset. The sky began to darken, clusters of stars began to appear. The ship has moved away from the land. We're still standing on the edge of the ship.

“Hey, my stomach is hungry. The tension at the waterfall made me forget that we haven't had lunch.” Vero complained. Holding his stomach which was already making a sound.

We headed towards the deck. Spend a meal while staring at the cluster of stars lined up beautifully decorate the sky. Uncounted. Thousands, millions, billions, I don't know, no one knows for sure the number of these stars. Even if you try to count them, tomorrow night you won't find the same star formation.

The waves add to the melody of the night. The wind blows on our faces. The sound of the ship's engine roaring gallantly split the ocean. The sail is spread like a bird's wing. The five of us lay outside the deck. Indicates the constellations we recognize. We even accidentally found one or two shooting stars. Cheering amazement. The moonlight doused our faces.

“Is if this mission is completed we will still be together?” Marko asked. His face turned sad.

“Don't act so dramatic, Boy!” Vero nudged Marko's shoulder

Marko protest. Holding his arm.

“Of course, we will never know what will happen tomorrow.” Bundara.

They all laugh. I just smiled thinly. I can't imagine taking this trip if I'm alone. Maybe I won't be able to do it. Desperate in the middle of the journey. That is the truth of man. We will never be able to live alone.

“I remember a song sung by a famous artist in Keios City!” Vero.

“Don't you sing! You're gonna ruin the mood!” Bundara exclaimed not to accept.

I looked at the star-studded sky

Lighting up the night is beautiful

I don't forget our story

Which is intertwined between us

Marko hit Vero with his shoes. Vero nagging. There was a fight between them. Many ships return. As usual, Jora and Bundara broke up. I smiled thinly.

Satisfied at the stars, we decided to take a break. Towards our own rooms. I'm rooming with Marko. He fell asleep as soon as he touched his bed. I was still not sleepy, deciding to write down today's events in my notebook.

　

Date, 5 January 2114.

We went through the day with tension. The ship went down the waterfall. Waterfall is like a short cut. Without us knowing it, we were already in the ocean. Watch the sunset, see the dazzling star cluster, and have a casual chat.

So far I still can't tell them my life story. They have told each other their stories. I don't know when I'll be ready. I always procrastinate. Tell me tomorrow, then tomorrow I can't tell you. My tongue feels faint every time I speak it.

I still don't know where the city of Batana is. My only clue is one, heading north. I don't even know if there's another plain across the ocean.

But through this journey, I learned to understand. On this journey, I realized. Through this journey, I learned that life is not always as smooth as we want. Sometimes you have to go through pain and suffering. Spending a night of regret, dreams of torture, and chest tightness. But one thing that matters, are we just harboring that slump? Is there not so much happiness around us? What else we need to worry about.

I closed my book. Looking outwards. Tomorrow I'll be back to writing my story in my book. I got out of my seat, turned off the lights, lay down on the bed. Fall asleep in a dream.