Re:START/If {Book 1.0}
Chapter 14: On oneself (Part 02)

|POV Author|

The moon shines bright blue, the grass blows lightly in the night breeze, and the sharp-colored leaves follow the chirping melody with the sound of friction between the leaves. Just below one of the trees inside the Sacred Tree Forest, two people were seen sitting close to each other and leaning against the tree trunk.

Reyah sat down to bend her knees, while Odo sat down to slap his legs and leaned over to Dryad beside her. The black-haired child was fast asleep, naturally satisfied as if expecting nothing from the world and looking so innocent.

Being restrained by the boy, Reyah only smiled lightly without any reluctance. Every now and then he glanced, looking at the boy naturally with great relief and happiness.

Compared to before, the current atmosphere was very peaceful. The boy did not shower Reyah with questions, neither snapping nor looking very emotional.

The gusts of wind gushed down their faces gently, though cold, it felt very soothing and made Dryad's heart feel very warm due to the presence of the child beside him.

Enjoying the moment for several hours, the day is getting night and the sky has been completely covered by thousands of stars that seem to only look like imitation curtains as a decoration of the sky.

After looking up and seeing that through the leaves, Reyah closed her eyes again and undoed the intention to wake Odo up.

“Kurasa ..., a little longer ...,” his mind.

But a few minutes after that, it felt an existence that brought great magic power closer. Opening his eyes and glancing to the right, there was a glow of light drifting closer. When it was clearly seen his figure, Reiah sighed.

The one who came to them was the Great Spirit of the Fire Lord, Ifrit. His body did look like a floating burly man, but he was completely engulfed in smoldering flames and glowed bright white in the darkness.

His eyes were dark red and it was not clear where his mouth and nose were. The Fire Great Spirit looked like he was bare-chested and the bottom was covered only by a cloth made of red fire, but in fact he was not wearing any clothes at all and the cloth was indeed a part of his body made of fire.

Ifrit is a Great Spirit with fire-like attributes as seen and is an incarnation of the eternal Firebird because the regeneration rate is very high. Just like Reyah who was a being created from something as Sacred as the Sacred Tree, Ifrit was also created from magic power that solidified and shaped his personality in the Valley of Fire.

But there is something different about it, unlike Reyah who can retain the memories of her deceased predecessor, Ifrit is an individual who cannot inherit the memories or powers of his predecessors.

“What are you coming here, Ifrit? Hot ..., do not approach more than that,” said Reyah in a sharp tone. His eyes looked lazy to see Ifrit, as if he did not like the coming of the Spirit of Fire.

“Do not, Uni .... Though previously Uni also chatted fun with me this. Why is it so cold?” ask Ifrit. Hearing a voice that sounded arrogant but not in accordance with the form of the majestic and frantic look, Reyah narrowed her eyes and put on a flat facial expression.

Not that the Spirit of the Sacred Tree hated Ifrit or anything like that, but He simply could not tolerate something that felt so incompatible.

“It was just because I was in need of something. So, don't come any closer ...” Reyeah briefly raised her right index finger upwards, and Srrept! From the ground, directly out the root fence that prevented Ifrit from approaching again.

Seeing that, the Spirit of Fire was only silent without caring about it because indeed the plants and flames were destined not to be too close, because the closer they were to each other the higher the possibility of hurting each other.

Although Ifrit had eliminated the nature of burning his fire so as not to burn the forest and lower his magic pressure to the lowest level, but the heat was still emanating clearly from him.

Reyah and Ifrit had known each other for a long time, even before the Valley of Fire was taken over by the Black Dragon. But knowing long is not necessarily their relationship is good, it can be said to be quite bad because several times Ifrit accidentally burned the forest belongs to Reyah. That does not mean Ifrit wants to find trouble with Reyah, instead the Spirit of Fire is included like the Dryad in the sense of family.

Because of this, Ifrit always approached the forest and accidentally burned it. His ability to reduce fire and eliminate the nature of burning He trained also to be able to enter the forest as it is now, although it was limited in a certain period of time.

From behind the tenuous root expert, Ifrit looked towards a sleeping child leaning on Reyah. “Is he the kid who has defeated that Fire Dragon?” ask Ifrit in a high tone. “He looks like an ordinary human child, weak and fragile,” he continued with a sense of arrogance.

“What are you talking about ...? The Great Spirit who could not even defend his territory. You should even thank him. Thanks to Odo, the Valley of Fire is again yours, right?” Reyah looked at Ifrit. His eyes looked irritated as the Spirit of Fire offended Odo.

“To-Please don't say that, Uni .... Not that the Union itself knew .., the dragon had a higher mastery of the fire element than me .... He's a heavenly being that can even bring the War of Gods and Demons to a halt, how could I possibly defeat him?”

“Odo and Daku can beat him ..”

The atmosphere turned silent, Ifrit could not win arguing against Reyah. Turning his head away and his red eyes narrowed lazily, Ifrit said, “Sorry, I'm just envious of seeing him get close to you, Uni..”.

“What will you do once, when you are not older than me? Also, stop calling me Uni, I'm not your sister ...”

“Hee, come on, don't talk like that. Not that we're so familiar that we're like family, Uni ...? Don't be cold like that, ah!”

“You are too hot ..”

“Eng ..?” Due to Reyah and Ifrit's talk, Odo awakens. He stopped leaning, rubbed his eyes and slowly opened them. When he just woke up, the first thing he saw was Ifrit because from that direction the heat was sourced. “A ..” Odo is shocked to see Ifrit.

“Manaspati!!!?” yelled the boy.

“Heat ...what?” Ifrit was confused to hear that.

“Quiet, Odo. He is only a Great Spirit who lives in the Valley of Fire, Ifrit,” Reyah explained to the boy.

“Hanya ..?” Ifrit seems dissatisfied with this explanation.

“A .... Great Spirit, yes ...? Uh .., thankfully only the Great Spirit,” said Odo while stroking his chest and feeling relieved.

“Man, even though Uni has the right to talk like that, I don't like to be underestimated by a human like you.” The Spirit of Fire spread its flames even brighter, revealing its majesty and strength. Odo knew very well that the magic pressure emanating from Ifrit was very strong, but it felt uncontrollable and brutal, in stark contrast to what Reyah had.

“I didn't underestimate you, though. You are the Great Spirit, indeed ..., so why? Do I have to prostrate before you?” Odo stared intently at the Spirit of Fire, without changing his sitting position the boy exuded the same killing aura as the Black Dragon. The instant Ifrit trembled, the fierce blazing flames began to waver and the pressure of his magic decreased drastically. He was instantly silenced and his arrogant words stopped coming out of him.

“Not to be afraid, I will not attack you or kill you,” Odo said with an emphasis on the last word. Reyah who sat near the child felt something different from him, felt an aura of a person full of confidence and strong belief, different from before that looks full of doubt and laziness.

“Odo ..” Calling the boy's name inwardly, Reyah patted him on the shoulder from the side. Odo turned his head, then asked, “What's up, Reyah?” Reyah was speechless to hear the question, the look in Odo's eyes was very different from before. Darkness completely disappeared from him, and was replaced with extremely sharp bright blue eyes that were full of vigor. Seeing such a gaze from him, Reyah had no idea what spirit it was for.

“You ... feels different than before, huh?” ask Reyah.

Odo got up and stood up straight, stretched out his hands and looked back at Reyeh. “Not really, really. I've only decided it, to look ahead ..”.

“Looking forward ...?” Rey looks confused.

“I just decided to look ahead rather than think of a world that had been destroyed. Honestly, thinking about the possibilities gives me a headache. Therefore, rather than betting on the odds, I prefer to bet on tomorrow. Instead of thinking about it and being silent about it and doing nothing, and regretting it, it is better now that I step up and make my own future .... Isn't that why I'm here?”

The words came out with complete confidence, his eyes burning with excitement. Odo had never before shown such a look. Reyah woke up, then stood facing the child and asked again, “Why ... suddenly once?”

“Tiba-arrived? No, kok. I've thought about it carefully, because that's all the questions I asked you .... Anyway ...” Odo glimpsed and seemed to think of something.

“What's up next?” ask Rey curiously.

“Not ..., it's okay.”

Reyah was more confused because at first glance Odo smiled. Closer to the boy's eyes, Reiah tried to get the boy to talk. “What's up, Odo?” tanyakanya.

“Again ..., yes anyway ...” The answers that came out did not answer Odo's question. Away and sighing, the Dryad looked away and muttered, “Why have you always been like that? Basic insensitive ...”

Turning around and looking at Ifrit, Odo looked at him sharply, then observed the shape of the body and the outer magic constructs that formed the Great Spirit. Gaining a gaze from Odo, Ifrit felt as if he had been seen all the way to his magic core.

“A-What do you see!?” ask Ifrit upset.

“Not ..., it's just that you're really a fire, yeah .... Just like Reyah said.”

Odo looked away and looked unconcerned. For a moment of thought, the boy turned to look at Reyah and asked the Dryad, “Reyah, we continue our conversation inside, outside like this it feels bad ..”.

“Ee ... uh, I don't mind .... But ..., now still ...” He looked towards Ifrit. Realizing his point, Odo looked back and gave a sharp look at the Spirit of Fire behind the tenuous root fence. Ifrit was really scared of him, the boy's gaze felt very similar to the Black Dragon's savage gaze.

“By the way you want what to come here, Great Spirit Lord of the Valley of Fire?” ask Odo. He turned to face Ifrit, then put on a face with a very calm expression.

“I-It's none of your business, it's you who's wondering about my business with Uni!?” The Spirit of Fire looked angry, the fire began to blaze sharply and the light emanated brightly from it.

“Uni ... said? What are you Minang?” think Odo. The child slightly looked away, then thought very quickly to avoid conflict with the spirit that was either physically or very hot in nature.

Odo bowed his body and paid respect to Ifrit. Seeing that, the two Great Spirits present in the place looked puzzled. “I apologize for the impoliteness I gave you. On this, I ask you not to act troublemaking in this forest ...” Odo's words add to the confusion of Reyah and Ifrit.

“Who wants to troublemaker? I'm hany⸻”

“See your fire,” said Odo as he straightened and stared hard at Ifrit.

“Fire? What yan⸻ Why is this!!? Though not two hours, but it has lost control again!?” Without the Fire Spirit realizing it, it turned out that the fire had lost control and started burning the leaves. He began to panic because he burned some of the Reyah trees. While pointing at Odo, He said, “We postpone this talk, man! Remember that! Don't you dare interrupt Uni!” After saying this, Ifrit struck a fireball over the right palm with a high density, then threw it into the air.

The white fireball glowed brightly, after which it flew at high speed and shot towards the direction the Valley of Fire was located in. Moments after that, Ifrit's body began to expand and the fire spread into small irregular blazes that floated flying following the path that the white fireball had passed before.

“Hmmm, no.”

“Do not lie .... That face says you're planning something.”

Without answering Ifrit's question, Odo was just him waiting for the Spirit of Fire to completely turn into tiny flames in the air and float back into the Valley of Fire. After Ifrit had completely left, Odo turned towards Reyah, and said, “Ayo ..”

Reyeah momentarily fell silent at what had happened before. Although Ifrit is unaware of it, Reyah very clearly detects Odo using magic to access the fire belonging to the Great Spirit Ruler of the Valley of Fire who just left.

“Odo ..., earlier ... did you access the fire Ifrit?” ask Rey with a surprised face. His gaze seemed very incredulous at what the child had done.

“Hmm, caught huh? Sorry, had to burn the tree. But, otherwise that Fire Spirit wouldn't have left, would it?” said Odo while putting on a small smile. On the child's face it didn't look like there was anything strange about what he was doing.

“Ba-How can? Not that Ifrit's fire was so difficult to control ..., even Ifrit himself could not perfectly control it ...”

Odo looked towards the tree that was burning by the fire of Ifirit, then stretched out his two hands towards the tree and started making two magic circles as big as a palm. His access to the fire was gained, the magic circle changed color to black and a single rune appeared between the two magic circles as access control.

Within seconds, the fire was instantly extinguished and left only smoke from partially charred leaves and stems. Odo removed the magic circle, then smiled slightly. Seeing what Odo is doing, Reyah realizes that Odo's control of the fire element is higher than the Great Spirit Ruler of the Valley of Fire, Ifrit.

Odo turned to look at Reyah, then said in a relaxed tone, “That's simple, Reyah .... I've completely absorbed the power of the Black Dragon. Yes, although it has not been able to use it to its full potential, but at least manipulating the fire without realizing the Great Spirit is quite easy ...”.

“A ..!!” Rey is wide open to hearing that. Although he was vaguely aware that part of the Black Dragon's power had once entered Odo, he, but he did not think that the black-haired child would absorb it and make the power of the Black Dragon his own.

“Engkau ..., carrying it? A dragon that could even prey on Ifrit to the point of not being able to regenerate it!?” ask Rey in a panic.

“Yes, more or less .... But, you said preying? Can the Black Dragon eat fire?” ask Odo.

“Ti-No ..., not eat. He preys ..., absorbs fire through his hard skin and can master almost any kind of fire. That's why every attack Ifrit did not work on him and he could lose easily so he was expelled from the Valley of Fire first ..”.

“Oh ...” Odo seemed not to care much about Reyah's words, He turned towards the Sacred Tree, and said, “Come, go inside. We continue the conversation about the crystal ..., there are also some other things that I want to discuss.”

“Me-What's the other thing is it?” ask Reyah.

Odo stopped stepping, then said, “Weapons .... Well, to be honest when I saw Ifrit, at first glance I immediately thought of making it. It's possible that with the help of the Spirit of Fire it could be that it really works.”

“A-What else do you want to do ..., Odo? What weapon do you want to make?”

“Medium.., I want a hard-wearing sword and magic pressure. That's why I want to borrow his power to make it ..., so does your help, Reyah ...”

“Pedang ..., what sword is it ..?”

“The sword made of the carcass of the Black Dragon ...”

“Tu-Wait! Didn't the carcass belong to me? Therefore the magic crystal exists .... Why instead ...”

“Therefore I would like to talk about it with you .... After thinking about it ..., it seems that receiving that much crystal would only make me feel bad, so I wanted to exchange it by asking you to make me a sword from the Black Dragon carcass .... Take it easy, it does not mean I use everything, only part of it until the material is enough to form a sword ..., it does not matter?”

Reyah was speechless, unable to answer because the thought of the black-haired child was so sudden and unreasonable. Thinking about it again, the Great Spirit began to understand why Odo suddenly wanted to make a weapon from the Black Dragon carcass. “Does he intend to perfect the power of the Black Dragon by using a sword made from the carcass of a dragon for his medium?” think Reyah.

But in reality, Odo only wanted to make a powerful weapon withstand his already drastically increased magic pressure. “Yeah, bedtime ..., I logged into the Soul Realm and chatted with Seliari again, anyway .... Said I needed a weapon to realize my goal, so at least the most suitable weapon yes it ..” thought Odo.

Putting on a casual smile while looking towards Reyah, Odo said, “Come!”

“Y-Ya ...”

Naturally relaxed and full of warmth, He walked towards the Sacred Tree. Reyah nodded and followed the child, without worrying back what the child was actually going to do.

In Reyah, without realizing himself has been drunk a feeling that makes him ignore the logical thinking that has been a role model of his life so far. The Great Spirit actually found it to give him more meaning in life than just guarding the Sacred Tree.

After which, the two of them went back inside the Sacred Tree and advanced their conversation. Unlike before, the conversation went on conducive in the absence of a negative atmosphere.

In the talk, it was decided that Odo held full rights to the Black Dragon carcass for one-fifth of the total, and thus he got a portion of all the magic crystals Reiah prepared. The Great Spirit of the Sacred Tree itself who proposed this, in the Great Spirit still did not want to give half of the Black Dragon carcass to Odo because it was as valuable as that carcass. Odo doesn't mind that.

After He finished the creation of the Dimensional Bracelet, Odo inserted a portion of the magic crystal into the storage dimension within the bracelet. The total weight of the magic crystal Odo got was about 2,000 kilograms or 2 tons. From the weight, the price is still unpredictable because the quality standards of magic crystals are still unknown in the market.

After making the deal, the next morning Odo and Reyah visited the border of the Valley of Fire and asked Ifrit to order the sword Odo asked for.

Although He initially rejected it, in the end the Spirit of Fire agreed thanks to the persuasion of Reiah. Because the manufacturing process can not be done immediately and can take a very long process, Odo gave up all that was needed to be arranged for Reyah and he himself was immediately ushered back to the real world that day by the Great Spirit.

««»»

In front of the Dimensional Gate Altar in the area of the Luke Family residence, Mavis and Dart waited for the return of the child from the Astral World. Because by the time Odo left the time was already late in the afternoon, now it was really night and almost changed in less than an hour.

The couple waited unaccompanied by any troops or servants, without tents and food, just under the lush trees and sitting on a rock that was exposed to the starry sky light that was partially blocked by the leaves.

They wore thick jackets of fur skins as warmers in the last week of autumn, they patiently waited for their son's return. Unlike last time waiting for Odo with anxiety, it now looks very calm and peaceful without any quarrels.

Sitting on a large rock not far from the altar, Mavis leaned against her husband sitting by her side. Closing her eyes at a glance, the woman thought about many things and pondered back on what she had gone through during her life.

So did Dart, when he saw the stars in the night sky, he briefly recalled the many failures and regrets left behind in the past. Opening his eyes and looking at the same sky as Dart, Mavis recalled the first time he met the Swordsman.

Their meeting was not a happy memory like most lovers in their first meeting, the first meeting of Dart and Mavis was on the battlefield, becoming enemies of both sides of the feud. Mavis was on the side of the City State, Miquator, while Dart was on the side of the Kingdom of Felixia. Before the peace deal was made by the Four Great Lands, they killed each other's comrades and had even fought a life-and-death battle on the battlefield. But due to the appearance of demonic activity during the war, a truce is made and the two of them are slow to become partners and are known as heroes for defeating many demons.

Because their famous relationship is very familiar and often paired when carrying out missions to exterminate the Devils, the Miquator and Felixia parties propose a political marriage between Dart and Mavis to strengthen their relationship between the two.

Getting married young is not something that both people can expect, but because it is a country decision, neither of them can refuse. Although their early days could not be like married couples in general and still often quarrel because of dissatisfaction with the situation, the, but in the end after a few years have passed they can be horrified what the real meaning of a family is. The existence of Odo as their son is proof of the fruit of their love.

“Dart ..., when we first met ..., if not wrong also starry night like this, yes?” mavis. She stopped leaning, then looked at her husband's face with a limp look. Seeing that, Dart felt a passion that he had not felt for a very long time.

“Ya ..., that night was also starry. But ..., unlike on the battlefield back then, now we ...” Dart closed his lips, and so did Mavis. For a married couple, they are both fairly late to realize the true meaning of being a family. But thanks to Odo's birth, the two of them became increasingly aware of the happiness that existed. Although small and fragile in this war-torn world, they realize that it is very valuable and deserves the purpose of life to protect it.

Just as their lips were about to meet each other, suddenly the Astral World Gate Altar was active, and a bright light emanated from the place. As the light began to dim, from there the figure of Odo was seen.

Opening his eyes and looking ahead with a casual look, Odo quickly stretched both of his hands forward. Arriving back from the Astral World, the first time Odo saw were his parents who were sitting on a boulder and turned their eyes to each other. “Hmm, Dad? Mother?” mind Odo. He looked up and saw the night sky full of stars.

“Here days have not changed, yes ...? There was even one day left .... If it is like this, the difference in time rate is very pronounced, yes ... The last time I came to the Astral World fainted was just ..” thought Odo. Looking back at his parents, he walked out of the altar. Now that Odo was not wearing the Dimensional Bracelet he had made, it was stored within the Runes on the back of his right hand.

“What are Father and Mother here?” asked Odo after arriving at the stone where they were sitting. Dart and Mavis immediately looked at Odo with a flat gaze, naturally they looked hollow because of something that the black-haired boy did not know.

“Not ..., we are just waiting for you ...”

“What is there any other reason ... that could make us have to sit here until midnight like this, my son?”

The words of Mavis and Dart who came out with a flat gaze made Odo tilt his head and look confused. “Padahan do not bother waiting like this, Daddy and Mommy can just wait in the Mansion,” said Odo casually as if he did not know the worry of the two people.

Mavis's brows twitched hearing that, He immediately descended from the rock and stood right before Odo. Staring at the child, Mavis immediately grabbed his ears tight. “You are this ..., what kind of upbringing is it to be a child who is insensitive to the feelings of others!?” said it. “Sa-Sick!” Odo absolutely could not fight Mavis, as a child He was helpless before his mother. Seeing that, Dart who was sitting on a boulder only looked on with a warm smile.

“Ay-Dad, please!! Mother rampaging!” odo said as he reached out with his right hand for help. Dart just a small smile looking at it, and said inwardly, “Hold, later also finished.” What Dart was thinking was seen on his face and conveyed to Odo.

“Nih son, absolutely no regrets, huh? Bandel is so you!? Although Mother rarely watches over you since childhood, but why your nature is this .... Is this her upbringing, Julia!?” Mavis tautened Odo's ears. “Sick! It hurts! It hurts! Later break up, my ears can break, mother!”

“Hahaha.” Dart laughed a little at that. “Cruel! How come I laugh, Dad?!” said Odo.

In a clear night, under the starry sky, the Luke Family after all this time could feel the warmth as a family they deserved. Although there are still many problems that are still not resolved, but at least they can jointly face it.

At the time when happiness was approaching them, none of them realized that happiness was just stopping by and would leave. After the loss of happiness, a trial will approach them and destiny will determine fate. Whether it leads to a good or bad thing, still no one knows about it, not even the gods above the sky there.

Note:

Just Info:

About the time; the Astral World Time (Sacred Tree Forest Area) was running four times faster than the real world. By the time Odo went to the Astral World, he left around 16:00 pm and returned around 23:00 pm. That is, the time that Odo passed while in the Astral World was about 28 hours. When he arrived at the Astral World in the morning, he had only returned in the afternoon after meeting Ifrit.

Additional Notes: Maybe it's late, but actually this series of Sci-Fi elements is very strong actually. And also, Post-Apocalypse.

“When the technology is too advanced, it's up indistinguishable by magic or magic.”