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A dim lamp flickered inside a silent house, as if defying the darkness that threatened to swallow it whole. Outside, rain poured down mercilessly, striking the roof and ground in a relentless, somber rhythm. Each drop seemed to carry a warning—that this night would not end peacefully.
Far beneath the surface, hidden from the outside world, lay a secret facility. Within it echoed the sharp clang of blades colliding with steel, sparks bursting into the air, and the heavy thuds of boots striking metal floors. Several individuals were locked in a brutal battle, each one wagering their life in a fight that allowed no room for mistakes.
Suddenly, two bodies were sent flying backward, slamming violently into a steel wall. The impact thundered through the chamber. They were Elysa and Uncle Hairul, both gasping for breath. Moments later, another figure was hurled several meters away—Khairul. His body rolled across the floor before stopping, his sword nearly slipping from his grasp.
Khairul let out a low groan, struggling against the pain.
Khairul:"Uncle… take Elysa and get out of here."
He spoke while forcing himself to stand. His knees trembled, his body swayed unsteadily, yet he gripped his sword tightly, as if it were the only thing keeping him from collapsing. Elysa immediately protested, her face filled with refusal.
Elysa:"No! I'm not going anywhere! It's just a minor wound… I can still fight!"
Khairul shook his head.
Khairul:"You're badly hurt… leave this place, Ely…"
A sharp burning sensation tore through his throat, and crimson liquid spilled from his mouth, dripping onto the floor and mixing with the sweat that fell from his body.
Elysa:"Khai! Don't you ever think about yourself, Khairul?! Your injuries are far worse than mine! You're the one who should leave!"
Elysa raised her weapon—a compact energy pistol, its surface scarred from countless battles. Her hand trembled, her breathing ragged, yet her eyes remained sharp, blazing with determination.
But Khairul spoke again.
Khairul:"Don't worry about me, Ely… go first… I have my own way out of this… cough."
Elysa:"I'm not leaving."
Suddenly, Khairul's expression hardened. The gentleness vanished from his face, replaced by a heavy, commanding resolve. His voice grew firm, causing both Elysa and Uncle Hairul to freeze.
Khairul:"Uncle."
Uncle Hairul:"What is it?"
Khairul drew a deep breath, as though every word that followed would cost him a piece of his soul.
Khairul:"Activate… Protocol Z–Ze… Zero."
Elysa and Uncle Hairul's eyes widened in shock.
Elysa:"What are you talking about?! Do you really think I'd agree to that protocol?!"
Khairul:"I know you wouldn't… but it's not meant for you."(A brief silence.)
Without warning, Uncle Hairul moved swiftly and struck the back of Elysa's neck. Her body went limp and collapsed to the floor, unconscious. With a conflicted expression, Uncle Hairul quickly lifted her into his arms.
Uncle Hairul:"I understand your choice… but make sure you get out of here alive. If not—"
Khairul:(interrupting softly)"Don't worry… I'll survive and make it out of here… cough."
Uncle Hairul nodded slowly. Though the decision weighed heavily on him, he turned away and left with the unconscious Elysa, forced to follow the protocol even as every step felt like betrayal.
When they disappeared beyond the steel doors, Khairul exhaled deeply. His body felt strangely lighter, as if the pain was fading along with the silence.
Aria:"Master… was this worth it?"
Aria's gentle voice echoed through the support system, filled with concern.
Khairul:"I don't know… cough… cough."
Once again, blood flowed from his mouth, dripping onto the cold metal floor.
Aria:"Master… your injuries are worsening. If they are not treated immediately, you will—"
Khairul:(interrupting quietly)"I know… Aria."
Suddenly, a voice echoed from the darkness, accompanied by slow yet confident footsteps.
???"Well, well, well… looks like you're the only one left."
Khairul raised his sword, standing tall despite every scream of pain from his body.
Khairul:"Even if I'm alone… it's still enough to defeat you… cough… cough."
Blood spilled once more from his mouth, staining his chest.
???"Hahaha! Even wounded, you still dare to fight me? Let me see just how strong you really are! Hahahaha!"
The figure charged forward, sword drawn, its blade gleaming beneath the dim lights. Khairul tightened his grip and stepped forward to meet the attack.
Khairul:"This is all my fault… so I'll be the one to bear it all!"
He lunged forward in a counterattack—and in that moment, his mind drifted back, remembering how all of this had begun…
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Seven Years Earlier
The sun rose in the east, illuminating the city of Metrocity. Inside a modest house, the sound of a loud alarm clock rang sharply.
A teenage boy jolted awake. He rubbed his face and glanced at the clock.
Khairul:
"Hah?! Seven thirty?! I'm dead!"
He immediately jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom. He got ready as fast as he could—he was Khairul, a second-year middle school student, infamous for always arriving late to school. He attended Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Jaya, and today was no exception.
Running as fast as he could, Khairul muttered,
Khairul:
"At this rate, I'm definitely going to be late! The school gate closes at 7:45!"
He glanced at his wristwatch—7:40.
Panicking, Khairul took a shortcut. Though he knew he would still be late, he had no other choice. He climbed onto the building beside him, something he had done many times before, and leapt swiftly from one rooftop to another.
Finally, he reached the school gate just as it was about to close. He slipped through—but his steps halted when someone blocked his way.
A girl stood before him. She was cute yet strict, not very tall, with short hair. She was Elysa, a female prefect, his classmate, and one of the model students at SMK Seri Jaya.
Elysa pulled out her tablet and typed something.
Elysa:
"Khairul... late again."
But Khairul was not satisfied and said.
Khairul:
"Hah... I'm only late by one minute! You're not seriously—"
Elysa interrupted Khairul's conversation and said.
Elysa:
"Late is still late. You're cleaning the toilets after school."
They had been arguing since their first year. Students and teachers alike knew that Khairul and Elysa constantly clashed.
Khairul:
"You—!"
Elysa:
"Why? Not satisfied?!"
Khairul:
"Hmph. I'd rather go to class than waste time arguing with you."
Elysa:
"At least you know that, shrimp-brain! Get moving!"
Khairul:
"You're really looking for trouble!"
Elysa:
"Oh? Wanna fight?! Come on then!"
Before things escalated further, the school bell rang.
Kringgg!
Classes had begun. Khairul walked away, still annoyed.
Inside the classroom, Khairul sat down. A few minutes later, Elysa entered and took a seat right in front of him. Khairul glared at her in frustration.
Their tension ended when Ms. Anis, their science teacher, entered the classroom. She began teaching, but Khairul couldn't focus. His eyes slowly closed out of boredom.
Noticing this, Ms. Anis walked over.
Ms. Anis:
"Khairul... go answer this question at the front."
Khairul stood there silently, unable to answer. As punishment, he was told to stand outside the classroom until the period ended.
A few minutes later, the bell rang.
Kringgggg!
Science class was over. Khairul returned to his seat, and shortly after, his best friend Fairul approached him.
Fairul:
"Khai, wanna take a break? You look kinda down... something happen?"
Khairul:
"It's nothing. I was only one minute late, but Elysa still wrote my name down. She's so annoying."
Fairul:
"Forget it. Let's eat. I've got this new game to show you—seriously awesome!"
Fairul showed a video game on his tablet.
Khairul:
"Whoa! What game is that? I wanna play too!"
Fairul:
"It's called Super Agent."
They went to the canteen together. After eating, the break ended, and classes resumed. Soon, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.
As Khairul and Fairul were about to leave, Elysa approached them.
Elysa:
"Khairul! Clean the toilets. Don't tell me you forgot your punishment."
Khairul:
"Yeah, yeah, I know! You don't have to remind me like I'm a kid!"
Fairul:
"Hahaha! Good luck! I'm off to play Super Agent! See you!"
Khairul rolled his eyes.
Elysa:
"Hurry up, Khairul. The toilets won't clean themselves."
Khairul:
"Yeah, yeah. You're so noisy."
Elysa:
"I'm just reminding you, shrimp-brain."
She leaned her face closer to his.
Khairul:
"You really like picking fights, huh?"
Elysa:
"Am I wrong though?"
Khairul held back his anger.
Khairul:
"Fine. Instead of arguing with you, I'll just clean the toilets."
After finishing, Khairul left school and stopped by Suka Maju Mini Market to buy bread and some fast food for dinner.
Khairul lived alone. His parents had passed away seven years ago. Since then, he had depended on his aunt, who sent him money every month to cover his expenses.
At four in the afternoon, Khairul arrived home. His house was modest, yet neat—even though he lived by himself.
In truth, Khairul was once hardworking. Before his parents' sudden death, he had been an international silat champion representing his school. He had won many awards and achievements.
But that tragedy changed everything.
Khairul became indifferent, his academic grades steadily declining.
Yet even so, little by little, he began to accept reality—and to learn how to move forward once more.
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