CHAPTER 52 : RISE BACK UP

A week after the battle between HOPE and Zaki's group...Black smoke swirled into the air as the members of the Special Force filled the entire area of the battlefield between the Mutants. Severe damage was evident in every direction, and the building where Zaki was hit by the Star Beam had collapsed and turned black with burns."It seems this fight was indeed between the same Superhuman group from that day... The girl with the light powers," said a member of the Special Force to Syafiq, both of them wearing masks as they entered the collapsed building covered in black smoke."I didn't notice the others, but I did see some purple lightning earlier," Syafiq replied, he and his team checked the area, lifting debris from the roof and building."Wh-Urgh... Wh..." A voice could be heard, and Tuan Syafiq and his men quickly moved toward the sound.Zaki was burned and scorched, his body shriveled from the intense blast of the Star Beam. Syafiq and the members of the Special Force were frozen in their steps; despite his condition, Zaki was still moving and making noise."What the hell..." They were at a loss for words."K-Kha-Khairr.....rull....." Zaki's right eye had partially healed, but it remained white. His mouth moved, producing weak and hoarse sounds.They placed a helmet-shaped machine on Zaki's head, and after a few moments, the machine indicated that Zaki had a 'Superhuman' status."Even if he is a Superhuman... I find it hard to believe he is still alive," the member of the Special Force said with a disturbed expression."Call the others... We will take him with us," Tuan Syafiq replied.Back to the original time...Bella was using a microscope, examining a blood sample. Within the blood, there were strange-shaped cells resembling numerous spiky balls of various colors, merging to produce more similar balls."These cells are almost identical in shape and properties to the mutated cells found in Khairul, but they are more abundant and aggressive. It's hard to explain..." Bella monologued to herself, her eyes then shifted to Zaki, who was in a capsule. Although his body had healed, half of Zaki was still in his monstrous form."Still asleep? Hurry up and wake up... We need to know what you are and who you really are," Bella said, staring at Zaki.At the same time..."I am Captain Syafiq from the Special Force, Superhuman. We have a few questions about your son, who is believed to be a Superhuman, or as we now call them... Mutants." Syafiq, along with two other members of the Special Force, appeared in front of Ehsan as he sat on his hospital bed, with Rose also present in police uniform."Inspector Rose, is that correct? I believe you are also investigating the same case regarding Mr. Ehsan's daughter. I read your report," Syafiq said, turning to look at Rose."Who gave you permission?" Rose asked, giving him a sidelong glance."The Special Force has special authorization regarding any Mutant cases; we can intervene and know everything we need to. The police just need to focus on public safety while we handle the Mutant or mutated monster cases," Syafiq explained. Rose stood up, looking uncomfortable with the presence of the Special Force, especially Syafiq."Any questions the captain has for me, I will answer, but please allow Ms. Rose to join in this interrogation. She is a friend I trust; I just want to know... where my daughter is now, that's all that matters," Ehsan said, drawing the focus of everyone present."If that will help you cooperate, I have no problem with Ms. Rose joining us now," Syafiq replied, and Ehsan nodded in understanding."By the way, I also have a question for Ms. Rose." Syafiq sat on the edge of Ehsan's bed as Rose sat down again."A question for me?" Rose asked, puzzled."Yes, but to start... It was reported that Iman Nasuha and her friend, Khairul Azman, ran away from home together; they were also involved in the mutated monster attack in Ipoh, where they were found by Inspector Rose, who was investigating the attack on the highway. They were attacked again by a mutated monster while in the hospital, and according to Inspector Rose, they both went missing... How suddenly could your daughter be back at your house?" Syafiq questioned, turning to Ehsan, his tone and facial expression becoming cold as he explained the report he received."Nasuha... suddenly came home with her friend Khairul and another female friend. I was so relieved to see my daughter again after she had been missing for so long that I didn't question the friends she brought home. At that time, my focus was only on ensuring my daughter's safety..." Ehsan recounted."Mr. Ehsan mentioned Nasuha and Khairul's return to me... I wanted to meet them to ask about what happened during their three-month disappearance, but suddenly they were attacked, and now Nasuha and Khairul are missing again," Rose added."Our team believes that your child is the Mutant we have encountered twice before; she is with another group of Mutants who seem to be eradicating mutated monsters and fighting a criminal Mutant organization," Syafiq explained."There's nothing strange about Nasuha and her friends being at my house. They were all quite quiet and not very active; in my mind, they were just tired, so maybe that's why they were like that. Other than that, there was nothing wrong," Ehsan replied, while Syafiq watched him and Rose with focused attention."Alright... for the next question..."The Special Force already knew the identities of Khairul and Nasuha.Certainly, I and Ehsan were prepared for the authorities to investigate after what had happened, but I didn't expect the Special Force to take over the case...I wasn't fully prepared for them.Syafiq and the members of the Special Force with him left the ward room, Rose sighed deeply while Ehsan looked slightly relieved."I... lied to the authorities..." Ehsan sighed, his expression turning remorseful."Good that you followed what I said. We haven't given them much that could help; however, Nasuha and Khairul are still in danger. The Special Force really wants them," Rose replied."What can we do?" Ehsan asked, thinking of ways to help his daughter."Focus on getting better for now. I will think of the next steps," Rose answered, crossing her arms.During the interrogation earlier, it was clear that the Special Force didn't trust us very much. They would come back. The questions they would ask next would be more difficult to navigate...Syafiq... What are your objectives? What does the Special Force really want? Why are they gathering Mutants? For research? To be turned into weapons?There are many possibilities."So we really need costumes? I don't think... I can wear what you guys are wearing..." Nur complained, looking at Khairul and Nasuha, who were wearing their new costumes. The changes to Khairul's costume included a thinner mask and a brown jacket changed to a gray one. Meanwhile, Nasuha wore a white outfit with a star symbol on her chest, fabric flowing behind her, and a mask covering the upper part of her face."Costumes are important. They help us conceal our identities and at the same time, show that we're like superheroes. This costume symbolizes who we are..." Khalid said."Whatever... Just make my costume less ridiculous," Nur replied with a lazy expression."What do you think of your new costumes? Do you like them?" Kyoko asked."The new mask is a bit more comfortable..." Khairul said."Very beautiful. I like it," Nasuha raised her thumb."Glad you like them..." Kyoko replied, looking proud.A few days passed, and while at Mei's house, we made full use of our time to train in the Mind Dimension. At the same time, Nur was also practicing using her Mutant powers...In the Mind Dimension, Khairul jumped from one earth wall to another to reach Nur, but he was pushed back by a giant hand of earth. However, Khairul twisted his body, causing him to roll out of the palm of the earth.While in the air, his face collided with Nur's, and they smiled before Nur sent several more hands of earth toward Khairul.Earth Control, Nur's power allowed her to manipulate the earth and stone around her. She was a powerful Mutant, but her abilities were among the hardest to control. Even though Nur had become somewhat skilled, there were times when she could lose control, causing minor earthquakes."You... the one who takes the longest... to train in... the Mind Dimension... Huh..." Mei was already panting, smoke seemed to be coming out of her head and both her ears. Nur looked at Mei with a guilty expression.I realized that as a Mutant, I was among the weakest. I couldn't create shields to protect myself or others, couldn't have armor with various abilities, and didn't have attacks that could blow up enemies...But no matter how small I was in this world, I had to try to leave my mark.Khairul sat alone on the roof of Mei's house, the wind blowing gently, the night sky covered with dark clouds, with only a little moonlight penetrating through the clouds.His hand clenched, the blade emerged from Khairul's right arm. He watched it, his reflection visible in the blade. A bright light appeared behind him; Nasuha, who was flying, was reflected in the sword."What are you doing here alone?" Nasuha asked, landing gently beside Khairul."Just thinking... This house is high... The view from here might be nice..." Khairul replied."Is the view nice?""It's okay."Nasuha sat beside Khairul, hugging her knees. Khairul remained silent, the view in front of them only consisted of other tall houses and the road."Khalid said we will be operating again soon. I can't wait to get back to our work; I've heard that since we stopped, Stray cases have increased. With us back, we can reduce them again." Nasuha clenched her hands with a smile."Let's do our best, huh...""What's wrong, Khai? Is something bothering you?" Nasuha asked."No... Huh... I don't want to make the same mistakes again..." Khairul replied."What do you mean?""This time I'll make sure... I won't lose easily again," Khairul said. Nasuha smiled again, placing her hand on Khairul's head."I believe in you." Nasuha patted Khairul's head, causing his hair to get a bit messy."We've trained for a long time, you know? I see what you can do. Whatever we might face in the future, we can tackle it together. I'm confident," Nasuha said, and Khairul looked at her.I don't want you to get hurt again, Nasuha...Not because of me."Rose reported to us that the Special Force is conducting their investigation on Nasuha. We've also encountered them twice before; it's still uncertain whether they are on our side or not... We need to be careful, as usual, eradicate the Strays and move on from there," Khalid explained, already in his Beast Tiger armor, placing his helmet under his arm."The group is now divided into three... The first group, me, Khalid, and Chyou. The second group, Khairul, Nasuha, and Nur. The third group, Kyoko and Mikael," Mei said. In front of her, each member of the HOPE team stood ready, wearing their costumes.Nur wore dark brown clothing, jeans, and a mask that covered her entire face, with her hair sticking out from behind the mask. Mikael and Kyoko exchanged glances, Kyoko smiled bitterly."I've set the locations for each group to go to. Stay safe during your patrols and be careful during your fights with the Strays. Good luck to everyone. We'll meet again later. If there's any emergency, break the eye pearl that you brought," Mei instructed before all the HOPE members finally set off on their patrol after a long time.Nasuha carried Khairul and Nur flying in a ball of light. Mikael swung himself while Kyoko clung to his shoulder. The Furioswheels sped down the road, driven by Khalid, while Mei and Chyou sat in the back of the car."Mei didn't give us areas that are too dangerous and far from where the Special Force operates. They really don't want us to encounter the Special Force," Khairul observed Nasuha's phone, noting that Mei had marked the areas for the second group and issued warnings about where the Special Force might be."So... what do we need to do during this patrol?" asked Nur."Khairul can detect Strays through hearing and smell, so if we detect any Strays nearby, we eliminate them immediately. That's all. We just wait and fly until something happens..." Nasuha replied, glancing down for a moment."I've never seen Strays up close except in the Mind Dimension. In that dimension, I can make mistakes, but in the real world, mistakes mean we could die," Nur sighed."Don't worry. As long as we follow the training and work together... No one will die. Even if we get injured, our Mutant bodies will heal," Nasuha said with a small smile, speeding up in the air."So... how do we start hunting those two Mutants?" Kyoko asked as she and Mikael stood on the roof of a skyscraper. Mikael walked towards her and pulled out two pictures and a file from his coat."Syakir, a former IT company employee who disappeared after becoming a suspect in the murder of his boss. Lilly Blackwood, no criminal record, a student from Australia..." The pictures Mikael held were of Syakir and Lilly, and Kyoko took the two pictures from Mikael's hands."Someone reported that the last time Syakir's boss was seen, he was with her. A few minutes later, his boss fell from the floor of the building where he worked, and Syakir disappeared... He is the main suspect," Mikael explained."How did you get all this information and these files?" Kyoko asked while opening the file Mikael had brought, which contained reports about Syakir's crime case and information about Lilly."I asked Rose and Shaurya to look it up and send me any copies of anything related to the two Mutants," Mikael replied."From all this, there doesn't seem to be any connection between Syakir and Lilly. Why are they working together?" Kyoko was confused."We can see what Syakir can do; he can control people using wires from his hands... Lilly may have been under his control all along, following him against her will," Mikael said, crossing his arms."Lilly's family reported her missing after a month of not being able to communicate with her. Their communication cut off precisely when the Mutant Cell arrived on Earth," Mikael explained while Kyoko continued reading the file."We need to find them before they find us. In a face-to-face encounter, Syakir won't be able to do anything. We don't know Lilly's full powers, but I'm sure you're faster than her..." Mikael suggested, and Kyoko closed the file she had been reading."Lilly... Do we need to kill her too? If she is really under Syakir's control, she shouldn't be punished for someone else's crime," Kyoko questioned."I'll consider it... Depending on her choices and actions. We don't know her true intentions. Don't try to find goodness in the enemy you're about to face," Mikael warned, and Kyoko let out a long sigh."We will hunt them down and bring our own justice."