Half the Fallen Angels
Episode 16: Towards the Valley of Sei Roja

The City of Avalon....

Moments have passed since Devan, Morgan, and Julian left the city. While Aslan, still standing from the side near the remains of jet debris whose fire is still burning, his eyes look seriously into the flames, as if he was thinking about something.

Aslan then turned around and set foot to head back towards the city. But just a few steps he walked, coming from the front of him a black SUV car headed towards him, making Aslan stop his steps.

The car then stopped right in front of Aslan, the headlights were dazzling, but Aslan was completely unperturbed and remained standing upright as usual.

Then a man got out of the car. The man was similar in stature to Aslan, yet somewhat younger. His hair is short brown, there is a line under his eyes that makes him look charismatic. He wore a thick grey long down to thigh jacket, as well as black trousers.

"What made a king's adviser come down from the palace?, come here without any bodyguards.", asked Aslan after seeing the man come out.

The man then stepped up, stood up, then leaned right in front of his car.

"I should have asked you that. What are you doing here alone?, right by the wreckage of the fallen war jet.", asked the man.

The man folded his hands in front of his chest. The brightly lit car lights dazzled Aslein, as well as the tone of the question the man threw made Aslan feel like he was being interrogated.

"The two jets crashed in a very important lane area for Avalon City. As mayor, I had to check and ascertain for myself, what was really going on at the scene of the crime. You know very well, Mr. Catra, that I am very strict about this."

A momentary silence.

"Yes, I know" said the man named Catra. "So, did you find anything?. For example, how could the two jets explode?", he added, looking at Aslan suspiciously.

"That's what I want to know, too. However, I also did not find any clues regarding it", replied Aslan.

"Oh yeah?. Before I got here, I also saw that all the roads to the west were blocked by the cars of soldiers who had been damaged and could not move" said Catra still with her stolen gaze.

"Then?."

"While the target of the government soldiers is running towards the west."

"Why did you tell me that?, Mr. Catra."

"Isn't that an anomalous and suspicious, Mr Aslan?. Who can close the road to the west at the same time?, how?. Is that a coincidence?."

"really?. I didn't know there was such an incident. Maybe Mr. Catra thinks too much. I'm sure it's actually a common occurrence that's too suspect" Aslan said calmly.

"And also, the target was known to be initially in your office. While the soldiers are not allowed to enter for an ambush just because they are not given permission by you as the authorities, Mr. Aslan."

"I'm just following the rules, every government office has a policy to abide by, and I didn't expect any intruders to sneak into my office before."

"Silly rules!. Every division of government has been synergistic since that rule."

They both stood still for a moment. Catra then saw both directions of the trans line, but none of them saw logistic vehicles coming in and out. Catra took a few steps forward, drawing closer to Aslan.

"Mr Aslan, you're not fooling me, are you.

Aslan realized, his movements began to read in Catra's eyes. He attacked Catra.

"Mr Catra, I think your skepticism is overdone. Aren't you the head of royal security anymore?. You should work on your part, an adviser to the king, whose position is even higher than your previous position."

Catra was troubled by Aslan's words. Soon, several fire engines began arriving, and stopped between them.

"In order to store the carcass, the smell will definitely be smelled, Mr. Aslan" Catra said. He took a few steps back and turned to walk to his car

("The former head of royal security is sharp as ever".", Aslan said in his heart.)

Suddenly Catra stopped right in front of the entrance of her car, and turned to face Aslan.

"Oh yes, Mr. Aslan, do you not wonder, how the soldiers know, if a wanted criminal, is in the mayor's office?."

***

A few hours later.....

Devan wakes up from his sleep. He confirmed the sitting position, and saw the still dark sky.

"How many hours do I fall asleep?", chirped Devan himself.

"Devan, are you awake?. You slept less than four hours. It's still midnight", Julian responded.

"You can sleep, Devan. You said you were hungry" said Morgan, who was driving.

Devan turned to the food and drink by his side, and took some food and drink for him to eat. He enjoyed the meal, leaning back and gazing at the view of the dark night sky in the desert.

There were no more houses on the side of the road, and also rows of pole lights that illuminated the highway. Only the lights from their car lit up the street that night.

Until at a point of view Devan, some distance he saw a boisterous crowd of noise to the ears.

"What is that?, the night market?, why is there a festival in the middle of the night?", asked Devan immediately to enforce his seat.

Devan saw a series of bright lights that seemed to illuminate an area, seen tents selling neatly lined even seen the top of the circus tent is high and large from a distance.

However, the car that Morgan was driving did not stop, the series of bright lights then slowly got further and further back, Devan who had just turned his head to the side, now you have to turn your body back so you can see it.

"You can see it?, only a half-crazy creature feasting in the middle of the night, let alone in the middle of a desert like this" Morgan said.

"You should never come near let alone get in there" Juliann told Devan.

"Why?."

"For there you shall be alone. Moreover, you are now a human being, chances are you could be wretched."

Devan was confused to hear Julian's answer.

"I've actually never been there. I was also told. But, if at any point you're stuck or forced to be there, remember not to raise your eyes."

"Not raising your eyes?."

"You have to act like you don't see anything" Morgan explained.

"That's it.", respond Devan.

("I was curious. It feels like too much that I don't know about this world" Devan said in his heart.)

Devan then finished with his meal. The food and drinks next to him were still few. A finished pack of bread and snacks, he put it down near his feet.

That night the air temperature was very cold, the temperature was extreme for humans. But for Devan, he did not feel difficulty with the temperature at that time, instead he seemed to enjoy it.

Devan put both hands in his jacket pocket and then accidentally felt a small pocket of Luna in his left pocket. He also took it out. Then there was a small paper that was clasped out with the small bag.

Devan moved the small paper in his right hand. He unfolded the paper and there was a note behind it. The note is a bit hard to see because it is dark, but Devan can still see the strokes of his black pen.

~ 'Don't open the leash, the contents can't be spilled even a little, so that Morgan and Julian can help with his strength. And keep this stuff a secret from the others.' ~

("It looks like Aslan wrote this.", thought Devan.)

Devan reinserted the note and the small pouch into his jacket pocket as before, and leaned back as usual.

***

Three nights have passed since Devan, Morgan, and Julian left Avalon City. Previously they always drove in turns almost without stopping except for just a moment.

"It looks like we're close to the goal" said Julian, who was then driving.

That afternoon they had just reached the hill country. Sometimes their cars run uphill. On the left side of the road there is a fairly high cliff, while on the right side is a ravine that is bounded with road dividers.

"Looking at the geographical condition should be the canyon that we are heading to in this area of the plain" Julian added.

"We should ask again if we cross paths with people around here" said Devan who sat in the back.

"Well, there were some people in front of the bike. Let's ask them, Devan.", said Morgan.

Julian who was driving then approached and walked parallel to the cyclists who were cycling by the side of the road.

"Excuse me, can you stop for a moment?, there's something I want to ask.", Devan said.

The cyclists were three teenage boys. They then stopped, as the three teenagers looked at the car with amazed eyes.

"Well!, the car can drive itself. Brother, are you from the modern city of Avalon?".", a teenage boy asked Devan.

"Oh.. Ja. I am from that city. And this is the latest model car that can drive automatically" Devan said.

"Kereeeen!".", decak one of the other teenage boys.

"I thought this brother was from there" said another teenage boy.

"Do you know where Sei Roja Valley is?", asked Devan.

"Sei Roja Valley?".", Said one of the teenage boys, they looked at each other.

"Two more intersections in front, later you choose the downhill road, that's the direction towards Sei Roja Valley."

"Is it still far from here?."

"The valley is still quite far from here. But since you're in the car, it's probably not too far away."

"It is likely that a new night will arrive, perhaps also when the evening before the new night will arrive."

"Oh so.", respond Devan.

"What business do you have, brother, go alone to the Valley?"." asked one of the boys.

"Yes. Do you think you can enter that valley, brother?".", added another teenager.

"Hm?. Is it difficult to enter the valley?", Devan was astonished.

"It's not hard, but not just anyone can enter the valley."

"The villagers say, it is said that there is a place where the gods ascetic and alienate themselves from the world. Only a broad-hearted, unbound man can enter the valley."

"Yes. And if someone who does not meet the requirements to force entry, he will be struck by lightning and die on the spot. There's been some people trying to get in, some found dead, some unknown."

"Hoooh. It turns out that there are also stories of such an essay" Julian chirped.

"Devan, you ask, are there any humans who can enter and exit the valley.

"So, did anyone make it in and out of the valley?" asked Devan.

The three of them looked at each other for a moment.

"I don't know", replied one of the teenage boys.

"My father used to tell me, before I was born there was someone who came out of the valley, but then he went back again to the valley."

"Well?" asked the previous teenage boy who did not know.

"Hey, I feel like I've heard that, if it's not wrong he's also from our village" said another teenage boy.

Devan sees only those who are busy talking to themselves.

"Alright, you guys. Then I'll leave" said Devan.

"Eh, are you sure brother, will be heading there?."

"Yes, I'll be there. And also, thanks for that."

"okay, sis. Equally, be careful on the road."

The car returned to walk following the direction of the road given by the teenage boys.

"Rubby, Julian. You guys sure the ride ahead is safe for us?", asked Devan.

"Haha, Hoey Devan, are you seriously responding to the human boy's story?".", Morgan said with a chuckle.

"The urban story circulating is not entirely wrong, there could be something right from the story" said Devan.

"Yes, if the story is true, me and Morgan are fallen angels, and you're half fallen angels, so there's no way we're going to die that easy" Julian said.

Devan just listened and did not respond.

***