"When Nomoro first appeared in our lives, I thought he was going to cost us a lot."
Wyne thinks, staring at both Trizha and Margaret from a distance, both speaking with Zackier.
"But this man... I feel like he's bad news."
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Trizha: "Margaret, this is Zackier. My boyfriend."
Trizha says cheerfully as she introduces Zackier to Margaret, pointing to him as she keeps her eyes to Margaret.
Zackier: "Nice to meet you, Margaret. You can call me Zack if the name 'Zackier' terrifies you."
Margaret: "Oh okay... Zack."
Trizha then leans closer to his Zackier, whispering something to him.
Trizha: "Trust me... she's the type to take anything 'scary'."
Zackier: "Is that so? I should've been the one who's terrified then!"
Both Trizha and Zackier proceed to laugh with each other, which would almost look weird for Wyne, who's watching from the distance silently.
Wyne, in her thoughts: "...Now there's two weirdos in the group. Or a Fourth in a Trio? Oh, whatever..."
Wyne then just decides to shrug it off, sighing, before her gaze turns back on Zackier.
Wyne, in her thoughts: "...But this guy is weirder. Weirder than when Nomoro suddenly started acting like a mother to Trizha. This guy... didn't he act charming or... maybe malicious, earlier...? Just moments ago? He's acting soft now..."
Wyne thinks in her thoughts as she places a hand on her chin, trying to figure out Zackier's motives. Suddenly, Zackier's red eyes instantly turned to Wyne, as Wyne immediately looked away nervously. Noticing Wyne's intention, Zackier smirks and huffs silently before clasping his hands in a cheerful demeanor, similar to how Trizha would have done it.
Zackier: "Alright, everyone. How about we go eat at some fancy restaurant, hm? Don't worry, I'll pay for the bills. My treat."
Trizha turns back to Zackier with sparkles of excitement in her eyes, gasping as she hears his announcement.
Trizha: "Really?! Let's go then!"
Trizha then wraps her right arm around Zackier's cheerfully and intimately, giggling to herself. But before she could start walking forth, her phone suddenly started to ring inside her purse. She turns to her purse and takes out her phone, her expression replaced into curiosity. At the same time, Zackier's gaze turns to Trizha.
Trizha: "Who could it be..."
Trizha opens her phone and notices that Mother Claria, her adoptive mother, is calling for her. Probably out of concern.
Trizha: "Oh, it's my mom."
Just as Trizha was about to take the phone call, she froze as she suddenly started feeling a fang of annoyance emerge inside her in an instant, almost coming out of nowhere.
She stayed silent for a few moments, before deciding to cancel the phone call and turn back to Zackier with a wide grin, who looked back at her with curiosity.
Zackier: "Who was that?"
Trizha: "Oh don't worry about it, it's just some stupid 'fan' of mine."
Zackier: "That was rude... but I like it. You don't speak for strangers."
Trizha: "Right?"
Trizha and Zackier walk together while laughing at one another, with Margaret and Wyne following along. Although, Wyne is staring at Trizha in both concerns... And a slight sense of anger.
"Trizha... that was your mother just now."
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While Trizha and her so-called 'boyfriend' are walking towards any nice restaurant around the food campus of the hotel, Wyne and Margaret are following along, speaking with each other.
Wyne: "Hey Margaret... don't you find that Zackier guy-"
Margaret: "Strange?"
Wyne: "Yeah- wait, you're trying to investigate him too?"
Margaret: "I'm a very silent observer, you know... just because I'm always silent doesn't mean I'm not doing anything useful or slacking around."
Wyne: "Oh yeah, good point. I sometimes forget that you're that type of person since you only engage or take action whenever me and Trizha start arguing randomly..."
Margaret: "Sorry..."
Wyne: "Oh no, no need to apologize. And speaking of Trizha... don't you find her strange as well, over the last few days?"
Margaret: "The times when she hasn't touched her phone and posted videos? Yeah... I'm trying to figure that out as well."
Wyne: "It's definitely because she's doing it out of guilt towards Nomoro. But let's change the topic about her from Past to Present; she's acting unusual, now that Zackier is here."
Margaret: "Yeah. She's changing when it comes to Nomoro... but when it comes to Zackier, she's becoming weird, almost out of character."
Wyne: "Yeah... should we... investigate them deeper?"
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"No. For now, it's best to keep an eye on Trizha."
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Margaret: "I mean, Zackier is still a stranger to us. Not to mention that we haven't seen someone like him in our school. He could be a serial killer in disguise. We don't want to confront that kind of possibility, it's best to go on defense."
Wyne stops walking and turns to Margaret with a worried look.
Wyne: "Margaret... that's a bit disturbing to think about, you know."
Margaret: "I'm serious."
Wyne: "Seriously?!"
Margaret nods her head in agreement, before crossing her arms.
Margaret: "I like things that are scary. But he... he gives me a scary feeling I don't like."
Wyne: "Geez... you're the type to always say creepy stuff whenever you start speaking. But doing it seriously? It's almost disturbing rather than terrifying."
Wyne then sighs and shakes her head slightly, trying to snap out of every possible disturbing possibility in her head with closed eyes. But as she opens her eyes, she notices Margaret staring at her with 'concern' and firmness.
Margaret: "Wyne... You said that Trizha is not acting like herself, right? When it comes to that... There's a good chance that her now self isn't according to Zackier's influence. But according to herself.
Wyne's eyes widen slightly, gulping as she listens intently to Margaret as she continues to speak.
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"So... if she were to do something according to her own free will... I fear our relationship with her won't last long."
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I am Wyne, best friends with Malacca City's famous Influencer, Trizha Frantzes. A childhood friend... I am slow when it comes to everything else, even the simplest things will take time to process for me. But I am never when it comes to things that I like... and my friends.
"This is one hell of a vacation."
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At the same time of that day…
"Hey Marcela, that hot-stuff your 'child' or what?"
Yuri says while playing games on her phone, sitting down at her chair desk in her office with crossed legs while T. Marcela is looking into envelopes, before turning to Yuri with a raised eyebrow.
T. Marcela: "Hah? I don't have a child, idiot. I'm single. Am I not youthful enough to be seen as a teenager?"
Yuri: "I mean, you're an educator. So it's only natural that people expect you to have a child."
T. Marcela: "Huh, good point— WAIT, YOU MEANT TO SAY IF THAT 'ZACKIER' IS ONE OF MY KIDS?"
Yuri: "Yeah, now who's the idiot?"
Yuri says sarcastically and playfully, turning to T. Marcela with a smug grin on her face, with T. Marcela turned back with a glare.
T. Marcela: "That's not fair! You made a misconception in what you just said, causing me to believe that you are asking if that hotstuff is my child, or in other words, one of my students–'
Yuri: "Blah, blah, blah. Don't wanna hear it."
T. Marcela glares at Yuri even harder, clenching her fists before sighing to calm herself down.
T. Marcela: "Ugh… well here's your answer— he isn't one of my students. In fact, I have never seen him before in all of my 10 years educating total idiots."
Yuri: "Huh, really? I thought he would be recognizable. I mean, he's all good looking so he's popular with the girls… or did he just recently transfer to your school?"
T. Marcela: "... can't tell if he is. But hey, I haven't checked the birth certificates of the students, so there's a chance that I just forgot. Anyways, what are your plans for tomorrow?"
Yuri stares at T. Marcela for a few moments with an unreadable expression before suddenly rushing into her office desk at the back like it's the end of the world, and opening a cabinet at the lower part of the desk, taking out a brown record book thats title is "Plans for Tomorrow!!", raising it in the air with a proud atmosphere.
Yuri: "Why waste 15 hours thinking for someone else's enjoyment when you have this record!"
T. Marcela: "Oh wow, didn't know that you're a 'ready-to-go' person. Kind of natural for founders."
Yuri: "Eh. Just that this book isn't made by me."
T. Marcela: "Ah, so you left the responsibility to your assistant. Now I'm disappointed, good job."
T. Marcela says as she rolls her eyes, gazing away, while Yuri just scoffs, turning sarcastic.
Yuri: "That's the best possible answer. But, not that either—in actuality, I just found this book hanging around in my desk and kept it unopened 5 hours ago."
T. Marcela: "You haven't checked what's in it? Why?"
Yuri: "Well, one time I opened a book at a random library, it exploded right into my face and now I'm filled with scars."
T. Marcela: "No you didn't! Your face is as clean as Cate Blanchett. And don't even go making excuses like "I covered the scars in makeup", like scars can't be covered that easily–"
Yuri then suddenly slams the record book into the desk on purpose before opening it up to read whatever it is inside, just for the reason to shut T. Marcela up. Startling T. Marcela and causing her to be pissed off, mumbling "This little…" before sighing deeply and reading the book along with Yuri, leaning in for a better view.
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Several minutes have passed, and the two are almost done reading the record book. And on the way to the finishing page, Yuri randomly says;
Yuri: "Your breath stinks."
T. Marcela: "Oh for the love of buddha, shut the fu–"
Before T. Marcela could finish her sentence, Yuri reaches the last page of the book, which ends with the sentence:
"This book is made for the purpose of a better future for Dawn Romantica. ‐ TOMP."
Both Yuri and T. Marcela stare at the last sentence speechless. It took over five seconds before T. Marcela broke the silence.
T. Marcela: "TOMP… as in that red-haired writer we mentioned moments ago?"
Yuri: "..."
Yuri then leans away from the book and makes a shout to her guards from outside the office room.
Yuri: "Hey bozos! Check the cameras!"
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A few minutes later, Yuri, T. Marcela, and a random guard, check the CCTV of the office room at the CCTV room. The cctv room is almost dark, with sunlight entering through the windows and the sound of an old, rotating electric fan from the ceiling removing the heat for a little.
Yuri: "Fast backwards to… uh… seven hours ago? Yeah, seven hours…"
The guard nods, before moving the video backwards to seven hours ago, before clicking the cctv to continue. The three stare at the video for a few moments, but nothing happens. Not to mention that the record book wasn't there to begin with, yet. T. Marcela groans and spoke up;
T. Marcela: "Seven hours is a bit too long. Fast forward the video to two hours later."
The guard nods, before moving the video forward to two hours later. And like previously, nothing happens.
T. Marcela: Weird. It's as if the record book–"
Yuri: "Just spawned out of nowhere."
T. Marcela: "No it did not?!"
Yuri: "What else are we supposed to guess? That some random drunkass threw the book into the window and it landed perfectly on my office desk?"
T. Marcela: "If that was the case, that wouldn't even make any sense!"
Suddenly, on the screen of the CCTV, shows a 'red blackhole' suddenly appearing in mid-air out of nowhere inside the office room, causing most objects in it to start flying around. And in an instant, the CCTV went into error and never showed whatever happened next after that. Yuri pushes Marcela away and shouts at the guard in pure intrigue and excited curiosity.
Yuri: "Fast forward the damn thing!"
The guard nervously nodded and fast-forwarded the CCTV. This time, the error is gone and shows the office room in its current state; all of the objects that were blown away are back to their respective places and the black hole is gone, nothing else. But one that caught Yuri's eye was that the record book is already at the office desk, as if it appeared out of nowhere similar to the red blackhole.
T. Marcela: "What… the heck was that."
T. Marcela says slowly in shock and disbelief, before turning to the guard with a frown.
T. Marcela: "Is this edited?! Like some stupid prank?! There's no way that something out of a fantasy just appeared before our eyes!"
The Guard: "B-but ma'am… we can't edit cctv records unless it is converted into an actual video…! I, too, don't know anything about this…"
Yuri then raises her hand in the air, causing T. Marcela and the guard to turn to her in silence.
Yuri: "How about we keep this a secret, for now. Like, remember those movies when people investigate something scary and only one person managed to escape? Yeah, I'd rather not risk my life just for a scary discovery; I've watched enough horror movies to avoid this."
T. Marcela: "But…! Oh, fine… you do have a point. But, this is still something out of the ordinary."
Yuri: "Eh, no biggie. Whatever alien stuff gave that record book to us, they were generous. So let's give them a favor by revealing absolutely nothing about it."
T. Marcela: "Alright, fine then. Just… don't get me involved in this thing."
T. Marcela says, before standing up and walks out of the cctv room. Yuri watches her leave, then lets out a huff and looks at the guard while pointing to where T. Marcela once left.
Yuri: "Heh, see that? All Tough, no show."
The guard just anxiously laughed with Yuri softly. The question is, what was that book? Why was TOMP mentioned in it? Why was there a black hole 5 hours ago? What… was the purpose of that record book? Surely, it isn't just for the purpose of helping Yuri make plans for the next day.
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And so, the next day occurs, at early noon. Seemingly immeasurable amount of students roaming around the park parts of the La Luna Sangre Hotel. The park is filled with many kinds of food stands, build-up entertainment districts made for the ages under 18, fun game stands, and many other more. The voices of many can be heard all across the park, random blabbering of several strangers, sounds of loud music that blinds the sounds of pure nature, windy yet fun atmosphere akin to festivals, and the smell of aroma from Japanese foods and snacks that flew through the air. In actuality, the entire thing is based on a Japanese Yatai event festival, purely designed by the great Yuri Calypso herself (not really.)
"A Japanese Street…"
Trizha says to herself, glancing around while standing in the middle of the path of the park along with Zackier, Wyne, and Margaret next to her, her eyes narrowed to look for at least just one Malaysia-related food stand nearby. Unable to find one with her sight, she decides to give up and sigh in defeat.
Trizha: "No good, everything here is completely foreign…! None of them even have my favorite Apam Balik."
Trizha says in a low tone dramatically then sighs yet again, as Wyne pats her in the back to comfort her, understanding how she feels.
Wyne: "Don't worry, this place is only a fraction of the entire park. And besides, we can try takoyaki later and… maybe go search for an Apam Balik stand."
Wyne says softly, glancing around to look for any malaysia-related food stand nearby as well. Zackier then steps forward with both hands tucked inside his pants pockets, his tall stature towering Wyne's with a smirk in his face.
Zackier: "If the founder of the hotel herself originates from Japan, events such as this are expected. But don't get me wrong, I didn't expect this either."
Zackier says in a firm tone, almost unfazed by the events that have occurred in front of his eyes. But deep within that smirk, is a sense of 'confusion' that only Margaret herself has noticed. Wyne is then heard sighing for herself as she places a hand on her right hip.
Wyne: "Oh well… let's just enjoy what we got and given. And besides, Japanese food isn't that bad , it's 'superb' in its own ways. Right, Trizha?"
Wyne says as she turns to Trizha. But all of the sudden, her eyes widened in surprise as she noticed that Trizha took out her phone and started a live video… after a while. Her smile faded as she kept her eyes staring at Trizha, before slowly taking a step forward to her and spoke up in a soft tone.
Wyne: "Tri… Trizha?"
Trizha: "Yeah? What's up? You look sick…"
Trizha says as she slowly lowers her phone, turning to Wyne. Wyne then stands straight as she tries to find words to express what she feels right now.
Wyne: "...what are you doing?"
Trizha: "Oh, this?"
Trizha raises her phone that's on live, smiling at it as she points her finger to it while keeping herself facing Wyne.
Trizha: "Making a live video to comfort myself, as usual, whenever I feel down at the moment. Is there… a problem?"
Wyne stayed silent for a few seconds, before forcing a smile and shrugging it off.
Wyne: "Oh it's nothing… I… I just thought that you–"
Trizha: "Changed? No, I'm really just a bit tired over the last few days, that's all…"
Trizha then walks past to Wyne, stopping next to Zackier as she stands next to him proudly.
Trizha: "But actually, Zackier inspired me to continue making videos and support my social media accounts last night. He was really helpful, he made me feel like I can continue pursuing my dreams better than everyone else! Simply through just a few touches."
Trizha says cheerfully as she hugs Zackier happily, making herself comfortable with him as Zackier hugs her back. Wyne watches the two, her positive look completely gone as she lowered her head slightly.
Wyne: "Better… than everyone else, huh."
Wyne murmurs to herself, while Margaret watches her from a distance, noticing her depressing look. And as the girl who stops arguments in the trio from getting worse, she steps forward and softly clasps her hands, yet loud enough for the other three to turn to her.
Margaret: "Guys, how about we all split up, two by two, then meet up at a certain area after we have fun for ourselves."
Zackier: "That… seems like a great idea. I mean…"
Zackier then moves towards behind Trizha before hugging her from behind, grinning to Margaret with a playboy attitude, as Trizha gets startled and gets a little uncomfortable and nervous while also flustered from the unexpected embrace of Zackier, letting out soft chuckles.
Zackier: "Who knows? You might actually be leading us two to a free date. And that, I appreciate–"
Trizha: "Alright, that's enough talk!"
Trizha then suddenly pulls Zackier off her by grabbing his wrist, before walking off with him with excitement and cheerfulness. At the same time, Margaret watches the two as they disappear into the crowd, before turning around to look at Wyne, who's looking at her with a warm smile of appreciation, walking up to her with a deep sigh.
Wyne: "Haah… thank you, Margaret. I really needed that to calm myself down."
Margaret: "Yeah, you're welcome."
Wyne then walks across Margaret, stopping behind her, then holds both of her shoulders using both hands from behind, a flicker of relief wash over her face as she claims comfort from nostalgia of holding Margaret's shoulders from behind like a cart to simply calm herself down even more.
Wyne: "How I miss pushing you around… oh, also, where are we supposed to meet up exactly?"
Margaret listens to Wyne for a second, her eyes narrowed to think before it got widened in realization.
Margaret: "Oops… I forgot to tell them. I'm sorry… we're supposed to meet up in the mirror maze house near the center of the park."
Wyne: "Great, just when I was resting my head…"
Wyne says in frustration, then goes into her pockets and takes out her own phone to send a message to Trizha.
Wyne: "I'll just send Trizha a message right now, since… She's now using her phone again after a while."
Wyne stays silent for a second, before shaking her head to snap out of it and send the message to Trizha, before turning off her phone and putting it back inside her pocket.
Wyne: "...There, I just sent her a message. Now let's go around, Margaret."
Wyne says as he turns back to Margaret. But to her surprise, Margaret is staring in a different direction, staring at an alleyway from a distance. Wyne raises an eyebrow as she also stares at the alleyway, before turning back to Wyne to speak to her.
Wyne: "Hey… what are you staring at?"
Margaret snaps out of it as she turns to Wyne in embarrassment, speaking in a gentle, soft tone.
Margaret: "N-nothing… I just saw a black cat hiding in that alleyway."
Wyne: "Black cat, huh? Locals call them 'bad luck', but it won't hurt to give it a petting. Treating it badly will probably give us bad luck. Now let's go, or else we'll miss out alot."
Margaret: "Agreed…"
Both Wyne and Margaret pats the black cat before proceeding to take their leave, with Wyne pushing Margaret around like last time, disappearing into the crowd as well. Meanwhile… Inside the Alleyway, is Nomoro Ketatsuki himself hiding inside it, watching the trio and Zackier, especially Trizha.
Nomoro: "..."
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Somewhere in the middle of the Bay of Bengal, lies a massive aircraft carrier with over fifteen jet aircrafts, ten helicopters, and over a hundred soldiers working continuously over time, following five more military helicopters surrounding the entire aircraft carrier for protection in case of an unexpected attack from the outside.
At the distance is an approaching military helicopter, entering the borders that surround the aircraft carrier. The doors of the helicopter are suddenly opened wide by a man who stood straight by his might, who is soon revealed as the same blonde-haired man who accepted the mission to hunt down the devil itself. And this is no other than Koby Frantzes himself.
Other occupied soldiers inside the helicopter took notice as they turned their gazes to General Koby, some raising their eyebrows inside their helmet, and some realizing that he was about to 'jump' out of the helicopter. So one decided to speak up to try and stop the General.
Soldier 1: "General, what are you doing?"
General Koby: "To jump. What does it look like I'm doing?"
Soldier 1: "Jump? At a height of 200 meters?"
Soldier 2: "General, That's absurd! You could die at that height, not to mention keeping your entire body intact…"
General Koby slowly turned his head against the two 'stubborn' soldiers and gave them an intimidating glare of their lives as they know it, speaking in a tone of authority and rank.
General Koby: "Just who do you think I am?"
Both soldiers instantly looked away in fear, feeling the gravity of the situation they just brought themselves in, ending with a mumble of "Sorry sir…!".
And with that, General Koby turned back to where he was, his attention fully scraped from his fellow soldiers, looking down on the ground as the helicopter positioned itself above the platform of the aircraft carrier from the sky. A second later, Koby Frantzes makes his decision and jumps off the helicopter, flying in the free and refreshing air and breeze that softly hits his body constantly as he falls towards the existing platform down below.
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Meanwhile, inside the 'Radar Approach Facility' Room of the aircraft carrier, a soldier working inside detects an incoming unidentified flying object about to hit them from above using their own radar.
Soldier: "Commander George, something is about to hit us from above... It's going at high speeds. Should we open fire?"
The soldier says as he turns his head around to his right, his eye stares at Commander George as he takes a step forward with his hands behind his back, standing straight with a determined smile as he stares down on the radar.
Commander George: "Don't. We don't want to lose a pillar that shields the world from evil outside. Not to mention… a pillar that is not 'unidentified'. That man right there is General Koby."
The soldier's previously serious expression is replaced with surprise as they recognizes the name that Commander George mentioned. So out of curiosity, he asked.
Soldier: "...and why is he falling down from the sky? Like Isn't it 200 meters?"
Commander George then turns back to the soldier, his smile never leaving his face as he raises an eyebrow.
Commander George: "'Why' you ask? That's irrelevant. The real question shouldn't start with "Why", but "What"... What is he?"
Commander George once again turns back to the radar, generating General Koby's appearance using his imagination in his mind.
Commander George: "Is he truly human? How powerful is he as a military man? It all depends on the history of his family, the Frantzes family — Known to have their existing passion, strengthened through unknown means. And General Koby here, is strengthened by his sense of heroism… Therefore, he gained the strength of a hero."
The soldier, as they listen, has their eyes wide open from the fascination of listening to one secret and unexpected information about General Koby. But one thing is certain…
Soldier: "Not the will? Wouldn't that make him greedy of his power if he didn't have the will of a hero?"
Commander George: "We'll, aren't you a little mistaken there? He wouldn't be passionate about Heroism if he didn't."
As General Koby approaches the platform, he rotates himself and makes short, yet precise movements to slow the momentum of his fall. And as he does so, multiple soldiers are seen rushing out of the aircraft carrier's main base.
Commander George: "And as of now, General Koby still strives for the avoidance of those who pursue the peace he brought us. His mere existence makes him the second reason why there shouldn't be a World War Three…"
And so, General Koby lands on the platform of the aircraft carrier. Whoever, his landing wasn't any out of the ordinary — the entire carrier was tilted up to 160 degrees, the waves around it has splashed intensely given by the shockwave that was successfully delivered, larger waves hitting nearby beaches seconds after the impact of the landing that caused minor panic all over those areas, and soldiers inside the aircraft carrier, except the ones who had just recently left the main base, have fallen from their feet and even those sitting on a chair have fallen. But only one person inside the radar room who hasn't fallen to their feet — and that was Commander George himself.
"...because if there was, there's no doubting the fact that he will end up annihilating every country that pursues peace itself. He is the Strongest this world could get. A real life Superman. And…"
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"A Hero."
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Commander George then lets out a deep sigh, ignoring the fallen soldiers as he expects them to get up immediately after the impact that just happened.
Commander George: "And yet, he is No Hero to a few cases. What a weird world we live in these days… honestly, what else?"
As Commander George asks himself, a figure with a black cloak and white hair that covers most of their face due to its shadow, walks out of the shadows with a smug smile on their faces and with their right hand on their hips.
???: "So that's one of this world's "Prime Minister"? That's quite impressive — never seen a 'Representation' with enough power to rival the gods. But here's my question; is it necessary?"
Commander George turns to look at the figure from behind, letting a smirk of his own.
Commander George: "As long as people like 'you' exist, it does. But recruiting someone like him is not what you're here for, yes? You have other intentions for General Koby."
The figure laughs and shrugs off his shoulders and arms to Commander George's remark about him.
???: "Haha. It is a shame, though. A waste. After all, this guy is no joke, yet he doesn't meet the expected requirements… he could have been a great help."
The figure in black cloak then turns around, their cloak flying in the air as they take their leave out of the radar room.
???: "Mind if you let him know? Don't really wanna talk with him in public."
The figure in black cloak says before disappearing out of the radar room, as Commander George just simply nodded and turned around to wait for General Koby to enter the main base of the aircraft carrier.
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A few minutes after that interaction, Commander George heads to the entrance of the carrier's main base, exiting as he encounters General Koby along the way, who's being saluted by soldiers from earlier and forming two separate lines for General Koby. Commander George smiles as he waves a hand at the cold-looking General Koby, speaking in a teasing tone.
Commander George: "Heya, Koby. Did you cry when I left you there in Malaysia alone? I bet you did."
General Koby: "Shut it. I was the one who told you to leave early to do the preparations because I was busy with something else entirely. Now I am expecting results."
General Koby says in a deep tone, walking alongside Commander George as he places his hands inside his pants pockets, and as the two enter the main base.
Commander George: "How rude… I'm of higher rank, you know!"
General Koby: "And I held a higher reputation, thank you."
Commander George: "Ugh… seems like rules still don't apply to you."
General Koby: "Like I care if I do or don't. Just tell me the results already."
Commander George: "Alright, alright! Don't be patient. And yes, I already have the men prepared to head back to Malaysia and infiltrate the La Luna Sangre Hotel for a short-term investigation starting late Monday. Are you happy now?"
General Koby: "That's better."
Commander George: "Seriously now…?"
The two then make their way inside an elevator, as Commander George closes the door and stands next to General Koby, sighing in frustration.
Commander George: "...I do hope you get irritated speaking with a weird guy in a black cloak who wants to speak with you."
General Koby: "Someone wants to speak to me?"
Commander George: "Yeah. Just some guy who carries a weird 'magical' book around, used it to take down multiple of my men in this aircraft carrier after getting accused of trespassing."
General Koby: "How exactly did he 'trespass' in the middle of the ocean? Not to mention a heavily guarded aircraft carrier."
Commander George: "...don't know. All he says is "it's a bit complicated" or stuff like that."
The elevator then makes a stop to the third floor of the main base, as it opens the door and both Commander George and General Koby make their exit.
Commander George: "Meet the guy at the interrogation room."
General Koby: "Got it."
Commander George stays standing at the front of the elevator's door as he watches General Koby make his way towards the interrogation room, but he stops to turn back to Commander George and ask him a question.
General Koby: "Did you mention his name…?"
Commander George: "Oh, I definitely didn't… But I suppose that would be my question as well—he didn't mention it either. In fact, he never said it. He goes by 'V'."
General Koby: "V? So he's one of those "binary" idiots who would die just to be called "they/them"?"
Commander George: "Not exactly. If I'm not wrong, he's not occupied with any existing platforms this world has."
General Koby: "Oh I see what you mean—he's a fantasy 'nerd'."
Commander George: "I wouldn't say that… anyways, off your way. That guy didn't look patient when I saw him."
General Koby: "That so? Fine then."
As General Koby is just about to take his leave, Commander George brings his final words to him for today.
Commander George: "Oh and by the way… well, this might be rude to say, especially when the receiver is you. But…"
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"...Careful out there."
.
General Koby stares at Commander George for a few seconds, rethinking of what he just warned him about, before taking his leave with a nod to Commander George, on his way to the interrogation room.
On his way, calmly walking in corridors with a no-nonsense demeanor, he takes notice of the result that V caused during his first appearance in aircraft carrier; the hallway on the way is filled with branches and trees that required deep research to even recognize—they seemed so otherworldly, and there are even few scratches and not-so-deep gashes on the walls. Taking a few glances while walking in the hallway, General Koby starts to analyze the situation at hand.
General Koby, in his mind: "Branches and trees scattered all across the hallways… I see no dirt except the debris of pure metal. And these woods… they don't look promising."
After a few minutes of walking, General Koby finally reaches the interrogation room. He takes a peek from outside using the one-way mirror glass. Inside, is the black cloaked figure, V. He looks patiently calm, as seen with crossed arms and sitting down on the chair. General Koby then decides to enter the interrogation room, as V brings his gaze to him and waves his hand out.
V: "Good Afternoon, General. I am honestly honored that you came."
General Koby: "Don't mention it. I wasn't busy."
General Koby then takes a seat on the chair on the opposite side of the table, turning to V with a calm yet serious expression that tenses the atmosphere of the interrogation room.
General Koby: "Now speak up—what are you here for besides an interaction?"
V: "Oh there's no second reason for me coming here besides the main point of why I'm here. But is sending the First Division Commander's regards to you counts? After all, we've all been busy guarding the Unending Paradox while you are out here taking care of stuff that we folks should've done. Not to mention, protecting an old friend of ours that used to help us along the way–"
General Koby: "Hold, hold on. You're putting more salt in the wound, leave some bandages will ya?"
V: "...what do you mean about that…? Oh– Oh wait, you meant leaving an explanation! Haha, my bad, my bad."
V laughs to himself, waving his hand to shrug it off as he continues, though General Koby is a little irritated.
V: "Although I can't tell you… it's complicated, as you can see. Trust me, you'll never understand it. At least… not to a Representation like you."
General Koby: "Okay, now just what the hell is a Representation?!"
V: "It's a bit complicated~"
General Koby: "Stop mocking me."
V: "Yes sir."
Both General Koby and V stared at each other, as silence covered the entirety of the tense atmosphere General Koby had previously released. A second later, General Koby pinches his nostril as he lets out a silent sigh.
General Koby: "Just… let's just change the subject—How did you get here? What did you do to those soldiers when you first came here moments ago? And what were those trees and branches in the hallway that I just passed through?"
V: "Now that's a whole lotta question, like putting more salt to the wound. Get it?"
General Koby: "I just said not to mock me… but let me guess, everything I asked will eventually be answered with 'it's complicated'."
V: "Precisely. Except for the second question, don't worry. All they received is just harsh physical damage, It's not brutal or severe."
General Koby: "Well that's good to hear. Now we're on good terms, are we?"
V: "Is that a threat to scare me off as a way to try and take back my mocking tone from earlier? Because let me tell you, it's working."
General Koby: "Alright that's it, enough with the jokes. You're taking your leave."
General Koby's frustration and irritation had just reached its peak, as he aggressively stood up from his chair and grabbed V by their collar, pulling them out of the interrogation room while V struggled and spoke in a fearful tone.
V: "Alright, alright! I'll be serious with you!"
General Koby lets go of V as they reach the entrance of the interrogation room, before General Koby turns to face V.
General Koby: "Then finish the serious talk. And by the way, you haven't mentioned your real motive for being here, have you? Speak now."
While listening, V fixes his collar, letting out a silent "Geez" as he does so. After hearing the last sentence of General Koby's words, he turned to him with a calm smile on his face.
V: "...you're heading towards the La Luna Sangre Hotel of Malaysia, right? Well then, let me give you a special order as per the Timeline Society…"
"Exterminate the Alter Being that lies in there."
General Koby and V stared at each other yet again after those sentences. As General Koby slightly shakes his head with a sigh, giving V an expectant expression as a signal.
V: "Oh– oh! Oh yeah, my bad. Just uh… exterminate a guy with the Eyes of Cruel Freedom– Oh wait, that's also a complicated thing…"
General Koby: "Not my problem."
V: "Well just… Exterminate the guy with red eyes that contains malicious intent. Shouldn't be that hard, since no one is naturally born with red eyes unless you're albino."
V then turns around and takes a step forward to leave.
V: "Well, that's about it. I'll be taking my leave as you requested just now."
General Koby watches V make his leave, taking notice of a golden emblem sticking behind the back of their black cloak that indicates a 'five conjoined star', before turning around and walking off on his own to the opposite direction.
General Koby: "Alter Being… it's probably not a coincidence, right? That boy on the bus that day… didn't have red eyes to begin with…"
.
.
"There's someone else in there."
.
.
While thinking of every possibility he could think of that one time where he felt the presence of a demon, he found himself walking into the corridors again. Like previously, all in here was simply filled with a few scratches and not-so-deep gashes on the walls. No trees and branches…
General Koby, in his mind: "That's… odd. Where are those trees from earlier?"
General Koby thinks to himself, staring at the spots where one of the trees and branches had disappeared into. Until suddenly, his eyes widened in realization at the fact that he remembered how V dodged his questions. One of them being about the existence of the trees and branches right here in this hallway.
General Koby, in his mind: "I need information… he hasn't made his answer yet…!"
All of the sudden, General Koby felt a burst of unknown energy emerging into existence from the distance behind him. He immediately turned around to see what's going on, and to his surprise, V was still there. And he is standing… In front of a portal he created. V turns slightly to General Koby by his shoulder, giving him a smirk before walking into the portal. At the same time, General Koby dashes towards V at high speeds, trying to grab him, even if a little, shouting;
General Koby: "What are you doing?! Hoy!!"
He shouted, reaching his hand to V as most of his body was already consumed by the portal. General Koby is determined to get information, but he is also confused about a mysterious portal meant for fantasy. What is that portal? What is someone like V, doing here?
And so, before General Koby can catch V, the portal has completely consumed V and disappeared in a nanosecond before General Koby could make it. A big fail to gain new information, and a big fail that only ended up making new questions to be barely asked.
General Koby landed on the floor, looking back at the position where V was last seen, as well as that mysterious portal, his expression showing a great look of disbelief.
General Koby, in his mind: "There… hasn't been a Mission as interestingly dangerous as this. The closer I am to completing it… the more it drags me further to the unbelievable, raising questions that are unanswered."
"Truly… What a weird world we live in."