Mass Transformation

Chapter 4

Mass Transformation

< "What a surprising day we have, right Sarah?"

"You're right Jack, a lot of unimaginable things happen last night,

"Dear audiences you must be curious about our conversation, some of you might experience it yourself after all,

"Don't worry we got you all covered, just this morning we get a lot of information about the situation, we'll deliver it in a minute" >

< "Today at 00:01 AM local time,

"There's dozens of reports about strange phenomena happened around the globe, a lot people floating in the air while asleep,

"We still don't know the exact cause of the phenomena going around last night,

"To get to the core of the story we already invited several witness and a victim of the phenomena here to the studio,

"Here's Mr. Jonathan with us will tell his experience, please Mr Jonathan">

< " I was in the kitchen when it happened, i heard my daughter scream so i ran and.. And it was shocking!

"My other daughter is floating inside her room!

"I can't make any sense of what is going on.. It happens for maybe around 10 minutes then she is dropped just like that…

"I panicked thinking that she's hurt, but after i checked her she's fine she doesn't even know what is going on with her…

'Ah! But she said that she heard some voices at around 3 AM. I was already sleeping so my daughter just tell me this morning before i go to the studio.." >

< "thank you for the information Mr. Jonathan, what does the voice say?" >

< "Ooh a right, she said it says [ Congratulations Warrior! your transformation is complete ] and [ To access the system think of the word 'status' ] that's what she say she heard from that voice, i don't know if this is helping.." >

< "Don't worry about that Mr. Jonathan, we also have another guest, and she is the affected!

"Now she will tell her story, please welcome Miss Richie" >

< "Hello miss Richie, pleasure to meet you here, how's your condition?

"Has it improved from before? Ahh please sit here" >

< "Hello Presenter Jack, hello presenter Sarah, ahh hello Me Jonathan, thanks for asking Mr Jack, i feel good right now, actually it's even better than yesterday, i might feel weak after waking up but it's all fine now, should i tell my story now?" >

< "Yes miss Richie, please do tell us about what you experienced last night" >

< "Alright… > ..

In a room full of trash, stood a young man with a blank face devoid of any expression, his face illuminated by the flashes of television,

What he just heard from the television show changed his expression, euphoria came, a bright expression suddenly pictured on his face, but not for his eyes.

"So it's not only me, huh."

"System.. Transformation.. And Status.."

Realizing the potential of his power, this young man's expression began to change, from that of a smile every politician makes, to a genuine smile, his lips curved to his eyes, madness flowing from it.

"I can't believe something that only happened in a movie actually happened in real life!"

Almost can't handle the euphoria, his body then trembled hard, stumbled towards the couch, his hand supported his body from falling into it.

"Hahahaha.. But! This is all exciting! With my power I can finally do it!"

Rage and excitement flowing from his veins, now his face only shows rage, determination and resolve.

"Ahahahaha! Just you wait! I'll come to you soon"

This young man's appearance is nothing but terrifying, his face is full of rage and madness, there's a huge burn scar on his face,

Now he has something he didn't have before, a power, a tool for completing his goals, after receiving this new power who knows what is inside his head right now.

Revenge?, Vengeance?, Salvation?, only his actions can tell.

===================

'Let's see is there any new messages'

Lucius sat down on his mattress, for poor folks buying a couch is something they think twice,

Especially with tight financial situations and cramped living space, thus making them prefer food over luxury.

'Ohh there's a missed call from Edward? Wait why he's calling at 5 AM? Did something urgent happen? I should call him back'

Lucius' hand was already hovering on the top of the call icon button, his hand stopped, he almost forgot that he isn't the same as before, voice, appearance, and gender are all different.

'Damn.. I almost forgot about my condition, good thing i stopped at the right time, huft.. It will be a headache to explain my voice..

'Uhh i mean it should be fine if i accidentally call him, just act as an acquaintance of me, and there are also quite a lot of scenarios for me to use..

'But I'm not used to lying, Edward might feel something is off if I'm not careful'

Then Lucius chooses to message Edward.

*Lucius : Dude what happened? Why you call me at 5 AM, if there's something urgent please tell me*

After not receiving any response for 5 minutes Lucius decided to use his time to play his game and read his novel.

Sophia comes close carrying a plate, there's a simple toast on top of the plate, it seems his snack is coming.

Too focused on his game he almost didn't realize that his sister is coming with a plate, if not for his sixth sense he may only realized after Sophia said a word.

After putting the plate on a small stool Sophia said.

"Here your toast Luci, sorry it's only peanut butter"

Putting down his phone Lucius doesn't forget to say thanks.

"Thanks for the toast Sister Sophia, i fine with anything, I'll bring the plate after done eating"

"Ahh don't worry about the plate, just enjoy your weekend, I'll back to kitchen to prepare lunch"

Feeling bad Lucius decided to help cooking after eating the toast.

"Wait a minute sister Sophia, I'll help you prepare the food"

Smiling Sophia said

"Ahh don't worry Luci, Eve actually already offered her help, there's no space for us three in the kitchen anyway, so just enjoy your time"

Then Lucius just did that, he continued playing his game.

Without realizing it's almost lunchtime, a delicious aroma of food spreads from the kitchen, Lucius stomach growling signaling lunchtime.

Fast forward the siblings are done eating their lunch, and Lucius back to his free time, he then checks his phone again, now there's a reply from Edward.

*Edward : My friend! Sorry for the late reply, i was busy before, ahh don't worry about my call before, actually are you free right now? Can I make a video call? There's something I want to tell you about what happened this morning*

'Ohh sh*t, please don't make a call!, especially not a voice call!'

*Lucius : Ahh.. Actually i can't do call right now, I have my reason, just chat is fine*

*Edward : No problem, did you know that at dawn time there's a lot of commotion going on around my neighborhood? Did something similar happen to you?*

*Lucius : Commotion? Sorry but I don't think I remember hearing anything, I don't know if there's something going on this morning within my neighborhood, you know how they treated my family…*

'Yeah bro i don't even remember hearing any commotion after the transformation, maybe i just don't realize, i was overwhelmed that time.. '

*Edward : ohh right…, anyway it's actually on the news this morning, and the incident actually happened across the whole world! Dude you won't believe I am actually one of the affected!*

'Wow! Congratulations dude! , … so it actually happened all over the world, I guess it makes no sense if It's only me and Eve who received the power, with this my insight about the future might turn out to be true…'

Lucius stopped for a moment to think, should he tell Edward about his experience?

Lucius contemplates his choice, if he decided to keep it secret, their friendship can't be maintained without constantly lying,

He can't do something like that, because it means that he can't be himself in front of his only friend,

It's not right in his book, with a complicated and pained heart he decided to trust his only friend about this secret.

*Lucius : Actually… I might experience something similar…*

*Edward : For real!? Lucius! We can meet and talk for the details. Also, let's celebrate this occasion! Food on me! *

*Lucius : Uh.. Sorry Dude, can you come to my house? You're free right? I can't leave my house right now, it's complicated haha*

*Edward : Your house? No problem, I'll bring some food then, wait for me, I'll be there in 30 minutes or so*

*Lucius : Actually one more thing… please don't be surprised.., my sister will welcome you on the door so don't mind and just enter*

*Edward : Lucius… is there something wrong that has happened to you? Do you need anything? Are you sick? I can get you some meds if needed*

*Lucius : Thanks, I'm.. Not sick, it's just you please just get here, steel your heart and be prepared, that's my only request*

*Edward : Alright.. Wait for me then, see you later*

*Lucius : Thanks, see you soon*

'Huft.. Edward for sure realizes something is wrong, I hope he can understand..

'I don't want our relationship to change… yes I believe in our friendship, it won't be easily changed like that, …

'But, this whole situation… I can't say there's no possibility of a sour ending, alright i should tell my sister that Edward will come soon'

Lucius gets up and goes to look for his sister Sophia.

On weekends the siblings usually use their time for rest, but they still need to do household chores, like laundry or bathroom cleaning,

Sophia even in her free time choose to clean the bathroom,

A scene of her scrubbing a tile comes into Lucius eyes, he comes close to the door, it seems Sophia doesn't realize that Lucius is standing at the door,

After a while Lucius then calls his sister's name.

"Sister Sophia, sorry for interrupting, uhh… i have some favor"

After hearing her brother's voice she visibly startled, it seems her mind is full of thoughts, she then gets up and smiles.

"Favor? Ask anything, I'll try to fulfill it"

Smiling shyly then putting an awkward expression, his hand scratches the back of his head, he ask Sophia while maintaining his awkward expression

"Ummm actually Edward will come to the house in around 30 minutes or so..

"Umm.. I.. Uh.. I need you to.. help me welcome him?.. Yeah please uh Sister I need you to invite him in so uhh..

"I can tell him about my.. Condition.."

Gulping his saliva, Lucius visibly nervous, waiting for his sister's answer,

He believes that his sister will accept the request, but he is afraid that his sister will feel down because he didn't discuss the plan before inviting Edward.

After a minute or so Sophia finally answered, she put on a sweet smile.

"Lucius, of course I'll help you, so Edward is your best friend back from high school right?

"Then I'll change my clothes and prepare some drink and snack, ahh you can go prepared your heart, i hope the best for you"

Feeling joyful Lucius immediately take the scrubbing brush from Sophia's hand and said

"Thank you sister! I'll continue the scrubbing for you, I'm sorry for the request"

"Haha don't worry about it, thanks for the help too, ohh I'll tell Eve about the plan so she don't surprised if she meet your friend later"

"Okay…"

Sophia went to change her clothes and Lucius began to scrub the bathroom clean.

15 minutes passed, Lucius finished with the scrubbing and finished the cleaning by flushing the whole floor with water, he then also went to change his clothes.

On the way to the bedroom he sees his sister in the kitchen preparing drinks and snacks, just ready to be served.

"Thanks sister Sophia, I have done with the bathroom, I'm sorry for everything…"

Carrying a tray full of traditional Indonesian snacks and a jar full of cold orange drinks from a specific brand of syrup, that brand who make movie better than a genuine film industries here in Indonesia,

Sophia walks past Lucius and says while putting the tray on a round table inside the living room,

Lucius's mattress has already been folded and moved to the bedroom leaving more space inside the living room to receive a guest, they will do it every time a guest comes.

"Don't worry about it, we're family of course we should help each other, anyway you should change your clothes because it get wet, and it's almost time for your friend to come"

Hearing that, Lucius immediately went inside the bedroom and took a clean shirt, a sweater, and a pair of jeans from his cupboard then ran inside the bathroom for change.