Irise Delegnere (ALIVE'S Book 3)

by Faulina Arif

  "Hey master, I'm human," Sheryl protested with frowning face.

  Irfan for a while glance to behind his back. "I tried to threaten this stupid young prince." Irfan point his finger to the monitor. "If he died, his father will scold me."

  Sheryl turned away and sulking.

  No one could understand what Irfan meant except Aria and Reyn himself. Irfan was of course finding out about Reyn identity, and the strange thing is Irfan didn't even surprised when he know that Reyn is David son. Exactly because of that little secret, this game could be more interesting for Irfan.

  At the time when Aria and Reyn occupied with Irfan empty words, in other place one of mercenary that searching that area around the floor finding something surprising.

  At first that mercenary can hear a screaming sound of some prisoners. He immediately go to where that voice is originated and he found an octopus like man that have so many tentacles standing at the front of prison cell. That weird creature expelling some liquid from all of its body part. And that liquid comes into the prison cell which height is below than the corridor.

  "Help!!! Help us!", The scream of those prisoners changed where that mercenary sight is directed.

  Inside the prison cell, 3 people are trembled in fear as to see his 2 inmate fall to the floor and convulsed, then for a short time they died and their mouth expelling some foam.

  At once that mercenary shooting that octopus like man that he seen. Unlike the werewolves, this creature is not attacking and only stayed silent at its place. Its body is also not hard compared to werewolf and easily that creature could be killed.

  Hearing a gunshot, the other mercenary that was not far from that location immediately ran toward their comrade.

  That mercenary which killed the octopus man approaching it slowly. With his hand that protected by a leather gloves, he touching that liquid that flooding the floor and then smelled at it. Once again he was surprised, seems like this octopus man expelling the same liquid that killing his comrade at the level 3. That liquid poison is contained inside a ball that they thought as a bomb earlier at level 3.

  "What's happened?", Asked his comrades that just arrived.

  "This creature expelling so much poison." Answer that mercenary while looking at 2 prisoners that fall victim to that poison.

  Without taking a long time to think, one of mercenary pressing his headset button to communicate to their team leader. "Sir, we found a strange creature that looked like an octopus in here. This creature expelling a dangerous poison even when its died."

  Arman surprised, so as the other.

  "Ah, seems like the game is already begin," Said Irfan suddenly while looking at his wrist watch and then looked at display monitor.

  "What do you mean?!" Reyn yell in loud voice.

  "Just a little games my prince. Did you wanted to be a hero and saving those prisoners? You know right? No hero without villain. So I commanding 5 till 6 Kraken in every floor. You better found them and kill them. If not all of those prisoners will die because of their deadly poison."

  "Y-You . . . How could you? Bastard!! Devil!! Go to hell!!", Reyn cursing. His face was blood red and both of his hand clenched.

  Irfan sighed. "Hey young prince, I already sacrificed myself for you, you know? I taking a role as a villain for you so you can take the role as a hero. You should say thanks to me instead right? Not insulting me like this? Oh my heart can't take this. Hahahahah, ah by the way, all of you just have 30 minutes before all of these people died. And as a prize, I gave you a card that can access to any level in this facility. You can get it in floor 40 at monitoring room number 4. I know you know where is that place is, right?" Irfan smiled sly. "If you spend all of your time here, it is quite likely the floor will be flooded by poisons I guess?"

  "Fucking . . . Basss . . . taaaarrddd!!!" Reyn screamed in anger while immediately ran leaving the monitoring room at once.

  Arman that following from behind ordering all of mercenary to spread out, to find and kill those octopus man on sight.

  Aria gripped tight to her pistols while running fast to descend the stairs to the floor 2.

  "I will directly go to floor 10," Said Aria while pressing her headset to communicate with the other.

  The same as what Reyn felt, rage inside Aria has risen up thanks to Irfan games. Only for fun, that man who likes games very much wanted to sacrifice these prisoner. Aria was sure that insane scum like him is never talk nonsense, he will very much do what he said to make Aria especially Reyn to feel regrets.

  Even though Aria doesn't care and not intend to save all prisoners like what Reyn wanted, but letting people lives being played only for fun is a huge mistakes. Moreover Irfan intention is appeared because of them, Aria could not let it run as what Irfan likes.

  No times to divide their group. They that have confidence with their strong stamina, intentionally follow Aria toward the lower floor. While for Zafar, Reyn, and also Marsha, checking the upper floor, floor 2 and so on as fast as they can.

  2 mercenary stayed at floor 1 to secure it while the other go to another floor and so on. Everyone worked hard to found octopus-man then immediately killed it whenever they found it. But as quick as they tried, it was futile. In reality everyone knows, but still they could not stayed silent and only watch those people died before trying.

  It is impossible for them in 30 minutes time could clear 40 floor. In addition each floor size is truly vast. Securing 1 floor could takes them 8 minutes.

  When Aria arrived at floor 9, that floor already flooded by poison up to nearly an ankle and all people inside the prison cells are already dead.

  Marsha, Zafar and Reyn was just arrived at the floor 3, all of them are exhausted and vomited. They stopped for a while because they had no strength anymore to run.

  "Reyn, this is futile." Said Arman, his neck veins are all strained when holding his anger that could explode anytime.

  Arman arrived at floor 7 and after arriving he succeed to kill all octopus-man, but that creature already expelling so much poison till made all of prisoners died.

  "I just arrived at 7th floor and all people in here is already dead. There is no chance at all that people in the floor under this is alive." Said Arman while gritted his tooth.

  "I will takes the card", Said Aria with a cold voice tone. She holding the pain that obstructing her heart because she could not rescue these prisoners.

  Reyn could not say anything. He was dispirited. He stayed in his place quietly, only waiting his friends returned to him with both of his fist clenched tight and anger that overwhelming.

  "B-Big bro . . . " Marsha called softly, she was worried for watching Reyn quiet behavior and his stiffened face that imply how much anger that he hold.

  Marsha wanted to continue her words, but she was in doubt. She was too afraid as to make Reyn exploded and because of that she choose to be quiet. Accompanying Reyn at his side with worries that can't leave her away.

  Aria arrived at floor 40. Liquid poison flooding up to her boots. That liquid poison is extremely dangerous. If it touches even a little of person skin, then the poison will enter human nervous system and for just only a few second that person will die.

  For Aria whose immortal, that poison will not kill her but still it was dangerous even for her. Her body will reject and expel that poison. But along that time she will felt extreme pain across her body, and she could not move her body at all before that poison is completely out from her body. In the past, Aria ever felt that pain. Therefore, Aria tried to be careful, she walk very slow so that poison will not enter her boots.

  Aria entering the monitoring room number 4 and searching for that card Irfan mentioning. Fortunately she could find it easily exactly at above the computer desk, there was found 10 access card that ready to be taken. As if Irfan leave it like that intentionally.

  Bastard, seems like that terrible scum wanted another game. Aria growl angry while cursing inside her minds.

  Aria takes all of that card and
then slowly goes back to the upper floor. She walked very slow and carefully once again. When Aria is at the floor 20 she could run because the poison is not as much as at below. She hurried to rendezvous with Reyn and the other.

  From all 40 floor, Reyn and his group can only save the prisoners in floor 1 till 5. While waiting Aria returned, Reyn ordering all mercenary to seek for a key to release all living prisoners.

  Then, Reyn together with Marsha and Zafar goes back to monitoring room. Reyn cursing Irfan that still connected at the monitor display, he was sitting and relaxed there.

  Together with his sly smile, Irfan teasing Reyn. "So, how many that can be saved by our hero?" Irfan chuckled. "Ah, young prince you are just like a big mouthed little kid, how disappointing."

  "Demon!! I will make sure to find and kill your damn lives!!", Reyn screamed.

  "Hey, young prince, where is your princess? She seems not there." Irfan ignoring Reyn insult he instead uttering silly words. "Ah, there she was!" Irfan pointing his finger.

  Reyn turned around.

  Aria standing behind him with shortness on her breath. "I . . . Got the card," Said Aria.

  "Woooww . . . You're so great old miss." Irfan clapping his hands. "I didn’t expect you could get it."

  Looking at Irfan face and hearing his voice at computer is truly makes Aria raged. Aria immediately approaching the monitor and pound the table.

  "Right, and after this I will beat you up. I will make sure your head is fly off from your rotten body, hear me now fucking scum!!"

  Irfan acted like he was scared. "Huu . . . You must queue old miss, our young prince beside you said the same things." Irfan exhaling his breath. "Alright, I will wait for you in level 5. I'll give you 15 minutes. If you are late, well . . . I will turn off all access lift to level 5 and maybe we will meet at later time." Irfan smiled while waving his hand.

  Then, his face vanished from the monitor.

  "Bastard!! Scum!!" Reyn cursing non-stop.

  Once again Aria growling angry, this time her tooth gritted. "That cursed dog, I will cut his body to pieces."

  "Come on, hurry!!" Reyn ordered.

  Reyn pressing his headset, informing all mercenary to gather at his place.

  Reyn mercenaries leaving their assignment. They gave the keys toward prisoners that already been released and asked them to release the other prisoners.

  "Are you leaving? How about us?", Ask one of prisoners.

  "Sorry, you should manage to escape alone." Answer one of mercenary.

  After saying that words, all mercenary immediately run to meet Reyn and the other that already waited in front of level 3 access lift in floor 1. To go to level 5, they must return to level 3. Because at the floor 40 where the access lift located, there are already flooded with poisons.

  When he see that his friends are returned, Putra the mercenary which stayed at level 3 is surprised.

  "Why did all of you returned to this level?", Putra asked.

  No one answering Putra question. Everyone entering level 5 access lift that recently been opened. Grudge, hatred, panic, and rages was seen clearly at their face. Made Putra didn't dare to ask anymore and must hold his curiosity.

  "Give this to our comrades, this card can be used to any level. If they comes order them to follow us to level 5!" Arman given Putra some of the access cards to level 5.

  And then, Arman immediately enter the lift and go together with others. Tried to catch the limited times that was given by Irfan, and the remaining time is only 3 minutes left.

  Putra looked at his comrades full of confusion. He changed his view toward the access card in his hands. Does inside the level 4 there are no access lift to level 5? Then, why did they are looked so angry and panic? Is it possible that . . . ?

  Putra been surprised with his own bad thought. Are they been pursued by terrifying monsters? So that's why they are panicked and in hurry.

  Because of his own bad thought, Putra that injured immediately lift his weapon, ready to fire if he must. If he must die inside this cursed facility, he was truly didn't regret it. At least he sacrifice his life not only for money but for an honorable duty. But, he will not let his life gone in vain. Letting terrifying monsters tearing his body and killed him without a fight. If those monsters wanted his life, then at least those monsters must try. Putra gripped his gun tightly with a cautious attitude, he was ready to fire at any times.

  In level 5, Aria together with others is just arrived and exiting the lift. This time there was also no guards stationed here. No threat could be seen in this place but they could hear a wolf howl and some pounding sounds.

  All people was surprised because of those sounds. Carefully they take steps forwards and at that moment their eyes are opened wide. What they see is entirely different from level 4. If in level 4 first they were arrived in floor 1 at the very top of structure and they must go to floor below, then at level 5 they was arrived inside of a large aula that was located at the very bottom of the structure.

  All of level 5 floor could be seen in this aula and it was all filled by a steel plated cage. Those floor are divided to 2 section that is west wing and east wing. Both of that section consist of 50 floor tall and in each floor there was 20 cage at 1 section. Each cage could contain only 1 werewolf. And if all those cage was filled by those monsters, then the total number of monsters inside this level 5 is up to 2000 monsters. That is extremely large numbers. To only kill 1 werewolf, Reyn and the other must spend so many AP bullets to bring it down.

  Suddenly they could heard someone coughing.

  "Good afternoon brothers and sisters, welcome to my deadly theater." Irfan voice was heard from active speaker that reverberating in level 5 structure.

  Because of Iskandar action, electricity inside level 5 is also dead. Because of that all of Reyn group still using their night vision goggles, Except Aria that already used to darkness. Without that goggles help Aria could still see even though its faint.

  And thanks to Sheryl help that skilled with technical troubleshooting, she could connect the electricity from reserve generator to an active speaker so it can be used by Irfan.

  "What's more did that idiot want?" Reyn grumbled, his voice was heard more deep because he still holding his anger.

  "Ah, how happy I was when knowing all of you still alive." Said Irfan once again. "You know what is inside those cage in your sides?"

  All people looking at the floor that Irfan meant. Howl and pounding that they heard before is originated from those steel plated cage in that floor.

  "This game is very simple, kill or be killed. I will give each one of you a special chance to kill me. Whoever, find me in 30 minutes. However . . . " Irfan fell silent for a moment before continuing his words. "In every minutes I will open 5 random cages that I wanted. This game will end if one of you could found me."

  Without anyone realizing, both of Aria eyes is changed to red. A flame was pervaded her soul and an unstoppable rages was seen clearly at her face. She truly hated this kind of games especially the devil that creating it.

  Once again Irfan looking at his wrist watch and then said. "Okay, the game will start in 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Go!!" Irfan let out a sly smile with an unexplainable feeling of joy.

  "Bastard!!" Aria shouted and suddenly running made Reyn surprised.

  "Aria, that scum will definitely in the top floor!" Reyn yelling fast before Aria becoming far.

  Reyn thinks, only Aria that could do it. She could arrive at the top floor in fastest time. Because compared to other her stamina is many times better than them.

  Aria can hear what Reyn said, but she not stopping and added more speed with her steps. Aria already know, a scum like Irfan will hide at the top floor. He wouldn't want to be found quick.

  Irfan looking toward Reina. "Go!!"

  "Master, how 'bout me?" Sheryl asked.

  "Your turn will be up, patience please! But before that . . . Teach me how to open these cages."

  "Oh gosh!", Shery
l growled exasperated to her master.

  Back to Reyn. After Aria run to leave them, Reyn immediately looked at Arman. "I need some people to stay in here to protect Marsha."

  Arman nod in understanding, he ordered 2 of mercenary to stay with him. While the other he ordered to check out each floor started from floor 1 that exactly above them.

  "Marsha, I wanted you to use your drone to search for that scum. When you can found him, tell everyone." Said Reyn.

  Marsha nodded while taking out her quad copter drone from her backpack.

  "Stay here and stay out from enemy sight." Said Reyn before he leave Marsha side to help Aria and the other mercenaries to found Irfan.

  Marsha nodded once again. She already finished preparing her drones equipment.

  Without anyone realizing, since before, there is one person that vanished from their group. When Aria ran looking for Irfan, Zafar were also leaving the group. He intentionally go to opposite side that Aria choose to be exact Aria choose to takes the east wing and Zafar at west wing. All of that did by Zafar because he remember with Aria messages that telling him to hide and to be careful so he could be a secret weapon.

  The decision to takes where to go, to the west wing or east wing is truly a hard decision for Zafar. If Irfan was true hiding at east wing where Aria go, then his decision to the west wing were definitely a good choice. From the other side, Zafar could observe Aria movement and also it will be easier for him to search Irfan with his scope.

  But when his choice is wrong and Irfan is at the west side where Zafar was, then Zafar could be meeting with Irfan and died instantly without any chance to do anything. It will be impossible a person like Zafar could win in close quarter combat. Even though he know the risk, Zafar still think to did it. His hatred toward Elysion that already sacrificing so many people in the name of research is unforgivable. Inside Zafar eyes, people working in Elysion is no more than a filth that must be killed. Especially them that killing his father, Zafar found a strong reason that made he think his life is fit to be risked for those reasons.