Chapter 4:

Home Sweet Home

Ethereal: Sweet Moment in My Eternal Life


“What! How can you leave your motorcycle at home?” Alet asked.

“I forget it okay, I was focused on thinking about getting into this university. At least I can still get here using online transportation.”.

“Well yeah, but that service will drain your wallet. It’s not free, you know. It will be better to bring your own vehicle since it's cheaper for the fuel.”.

“You are right, huff… I should get it.”

“Yes you should, tell me where you live. I will order online transportation.”.

“No need! I can get it by myself.”.

“When I said no is no, You already spent too much money when you got here. Just tell me where you live, we will go together.”.

“I- hah… fine. I live in Giri Street number 4 in the Blue Light District.”.

“Finally, let's type in here and here. Done! Now we wait.”

They walk toward the gate located in the back part of the university. The online transportation offers three different services: first for two passengers, second for four passengers, and third for six passengers. For each service has a different price, it gets expensive with more passengers.

“Ah there it is. Come on, hop in.” Said Alet as she hops into the vehicle followed by Io.

“Wow, this trip will take a while.” Said Alet with a surprised tone after she check the route on her phone.

“Yeah it is, it's pretty far from here.”.

“Haha yeah, at least you got company. It’s more fun to have a friend while you travel for a long distance.”.

“I agree.”.

“Tell me, why did you called Io? Is there something behind that name.”

Io look at Alet with a surprised look.

“Well, my parents gave me that name. When I was a kid, they said I’m as strong as one of the legendary Siluma that vanished after the beast outbreak. That legendary Siluma has the name Io.” Anwer Io.

“Oh I know that story.”

“You do?”.

“Yeah, I was thinking one day I can meet him in person and become his apprentice. His power crushed five beasts by himself. He must be very powerful. After seeing your punch before, I think your parents gave you a very suitable name. Can I know your full name? It’s okay if you don’t want to answer that.”.

“My real name is Dione Ruba. Umm… can I know your full name as well?”.

“Dione Ruba? Isn’t that the real name of the legend?” Though Alet, because she ever read the original version of that story, the name of the legend was Dione Ruba. After a while that original book was never found again. The new version, Dione, was changed into Io.

“Hey, is anything alright?” Asked Io as he tried to move into her sight.

“Yeah! I’m ok. Alet Liona. My full name is Alet Liona.”

“I’m glad you are ok. Alet, Why do you want me to be your personal trainer?” Asked Io.

“Oh about that, I just want to sharpen my ability to fight in close combat. I’m good at casting spells but at close combat… You already saw it at the duel. It’s pretty bad.”.

“Not really, you did a good job to block my attack. Also the decision you make to strike while I’m charging forward is very good. For a beginner fighter they will choose to block again rather than attacking.”.

“Thanks for the compliment but really though, I still can’t swing my sword to where it needed to go. Maybe you can show me some moves, you know the moment you almost kill me… It really caught me out of guard.”

“Stop reminding me about that. I can see that, you are not even trying to dodge. How about we train after the school time? Maybe we can borrow the dueling field to train our skills.”

“That a great idea! I’m looking forward to it.” Alet sound excited.

“But I have a request.” Io speak with a serious tone.

“Oh, what is it?”.

“Can you teach me to cast some spells?”.

“Sure, I can do that. My friend calls me the master of all spells for something.” Alet says it with a lot of confidence.

“Thank you for accepting my request.”.

“Anytime my friends!” Alet answers happily and slaps his back.

“Come on, cheer up. I know you feel guilty from that punch. If you really like the real Io, he must be very cheerful and full of energy.” As Alet cheers up Io, she grabs the bottom of his head with both hands.

“Uahhh! So fluffy!” Alet can hold her urges to start moving his hand like petting a cat.

“Arggghhh stop it! Wh-what are you doing! Get off me!” Io is annoyed and starts pushing Alet away.

“Uhahaha! You are so cute when annoyed.”.

“Don’t call me cute!” Io starts blushing and throws both of Alet’s hands away from his head.

“Yeah sorry, sorry.”.

“Hmmp!”.

After a long and tumultuous journey, a blue light shines around them. They finally arrive at the Blue Light District. The buildings in the Blue Light District inside Siluma’s city are similar to Manusha’s city but it has a wider shape. While moving through Siluma's city, feline figures can be found everywhere. Having an anthropomorphic cat figure, the Siluma is known for having the most sustainable body to live on the Ro planet. Ro planet is a red planet with one big island inside of it, in the middle of the island there is a giant circular city called the Living Circle. This is where Io and Alet live. Outside the Living Circle, there are unexplored areas filled with monsters. This condition makes the Silumas have a great advantage to survive from the monster's attack, they also have a stronger physical body with great stamina.

The vehicle stops in front of a house with a black fence. After stepping out from the vehicle Io and Alet do a little stretch after being trapped in that horizontal tear drop shaped vehicle.

“Ahh… a familiar atmosphere. I’m really home. Come on Alet! Let’s get inside and have some rest.” Said Io as he reached the front door.

The door is locked by a keycard mechanism. Io put his keycard on top of a sensor above the door handle. After hearing a piping sound the door unlocked.

“Come on in, make yourself at home.” Io invites Alet to enter his house.

They took off their shoes before stepping inside the house. His house consists of a middle room for watching TV, hanging out, and other activities. Three bed rooms, a kitchen with a fire based stove to cook, a bathroom, a dinner table that connects with the middle room, and a backyard. Io inserted his keycard into the electricity box that was located near the front door. In a matter of seconds the lights turn on. “Ahh, home sweet home.” Io really miss his home.

“Hey, before we come back to Capla’s City, let's have some rest here. I’ll take a shower. You can go after I finish.” Said Io as he rushed toward his room to take some clothes.

“Sounds good. I’ll wait here” Alet sits on the sofa located in the middle room.

As Io enter the bathroom, Alet started to wander around. She walks toward the dining table, looking up some family photos, and more. As she wanders around, she finds a folded letter on the table near Io's family photo. With her curiosity, she opens it and reads what is inside.

Good Morning Io, there is my strong man! If you are reading this, I want you to know that we can’t be at your side forever. There must be a misunderstanding of what is happening to us, whatever happens please don’t grow hate to their races. I know this is going to be tough for you but stay happy and positive for us, okay? Don't make our passing a burden to you, I want you to keep moving forward and continue your journey on your own. Remember to be nice with others.

- Your beloved parents

“This… What is this? What happened to Io’s parents. I should have not read this.” Alet folded back and put the letter to its original place. But now she knows that Io had a tough journey this far. Even though she wants to know what happened, she didn't have the heart to ask.

Maquina_io
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