Chapter 44: It's time to go
People from Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore was close enough to be bathed within the magnificent lights.
"Sylva... what is happening?"
"I'm afraid this humble old man never seen this in his entire lives..."
Ray has been living with Sylva in his entire life. Sylva has been around ever since the father of the current king was around. For someone as wise as him unable to conceive what was happening at the moment... Ray was completely blown away by the scene unfold in front of him.
"There's no time to waste. We need to get the confirmation of other ASEAN countries now"
"Yes your highness"
During that same time, 5 phones rang out simultaneously which belong to the guild master of each ASEAN countries including the guild master of Malaysia. Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand had severe aftermath after the catastrophe which caused them to aid each other to form a single powerful force. Indonesia lost its Kalimantan area which was swollen by whatever happened in Borneo. Others are the Philippines and Singapore. Brunei has long gone from contact after the catastrophe. Everyone assumed the whole country faced a similar fate as the people of Borneo as a whole.
Johor, Sulawesi Indonesia, and South Philippines were chosen as the rendezvous point for the first attempt to enter Borneo. Each point was consist of several A-rank mana users and elite B-rank mana users. There was also some backup send by the United States, European Union, Africa and South America. They were only a small group of people who were enough to collect information.
Currently, they were all waiting for the final confirmation from each guild master at the rendezvous points and they all saw the shining bright light that pierced through the heaven before the day they enter Borneo.
Everyone stop doing whatever they were during that time. Not a single words were uttered. Time fell silent. Frozen solid. Except for everyone mana sense which became violently disoriented. Ordinary people could only see the light as a beautiful phenomenon like viewing the aurora.
For high-rank mana users, they can't help themselves from breaking a cold sweat. How utterly shocking was the mana unleashed by whatever it was in Borneo that every mana users near the island were trembling? A dreaded fear swallowed their heart which made them felt of wanting to kneel on the ground.
"Sir"
"Ah, Hassan. I didn't notice you were here"
Hassan entered the room and respectfully bowed down to both Ray and Sylva.
"The preparation is ready. Tomorrow, at 9 a.m. each point will send two groups of elite mana users to lead by an A-rank"
It took Ray a while for him to clear his mind. To be able to witness the glorious white light consist of dense mana bursting to the sky would make every man and woman have a faltering heart.
Moreover, the particular source of the white lights was where the destination of tomorrow missions. Everyone in the vicinity would be able to the same thing that was unfolding in front of his eyes. He couldn't imagine the state of mind of those who will participate tomorrow.
"That's great. Thank you for your hard work Hassan"
"Would you like to give them your command themselves sir?"
"It's okay. I trust that you can do so Hassan. I will leave the task to you. However, I may interrupt whenever I see fit. Is that okay with you?"
"It would be my pleasure instead, sir!"
Hassan bowed down with his knee on the ground to show his respect and gratefulness.
"Stand up Hassan. You are like a brother to me. There's no need for formality"
Hassan stayed silent without giving any reply. After a while, he stood on his feet.
"I shall take my leave then. Tomorrow I will head to the rendezvous point near our place before sunrise"
He gave a slight bow and turned around to leave the room.
The moment Hassan left, Ray let out a deep sigh.
"For a person of this world to be loyal to me like that... such a pity..."
"He should be grateful to be in your grace, your highness"
Ray didn't give Sylva any remarks. He walked slowly toward the window of his office on top of the Petronas Twin Tower.
"Tomorrow after sunrise, we will begin"
"Yes, your highness"
---‐‐‐
He scanned to the whole corridor to see if anyone was passing by. Noticing not even a strand of hairs he sure that the coast was clear. He checked the CCTV and walk to its blind spots.
He knocked the wall with some kind of a systemic rhythm and a man appeared from his shadow.
"I'm here"
"Zane"
"How's the preparation?"
"No time to chat Zane. I will move before sunrise. Keep track of their movement. Report anything suspicious"
"Sure. I pray for your safe journey Hassan"
"Likewise"
Zane simply blended into the shadows. Another look the shadow seems to be alive. However, it would only be a simple thought that suddenly crossed into one's mind. Hassan looked at the shadow where Zane once stood and walk away.
------
Kim was sitting on a boulder with his leg crossed. In front of him, Momo and Rentap were sitting in a seiza position trembling. Their heads down both looked down to the ground. Enggang was perching on Kim's shoulder pecking its feathers.
"Blackie told me everything that happened"
"Master... we are just..."
"And you just rushed in to attack?"
"..."
"Come on bro Kim, look how strong you've become"
Rentap was about to laugh heartily wanting to celebrate how Kim has become stronger but instead, he went silent from Kim cold stare.
It was indeed only an act to save him from killing himself...but if he wasn't strong as he is now.. wouldn't he die at that moment after surviving the awful fight with that crazy skeleton? But if he was weaker... he will still die at the moment from his power.
At that moment, he heard a loud cough that caused his whole body to tremble. If only he could forget his thought just now. But then, the voice spoke to him
"You could just admit it you know"
"What are you talking about? I don't understand"
"That I'm a good master"
"..."
"I prepared you well for this"
"..."
"Not even a simple word of gratitude? This arrogant bastard" *sob sob*
"Thanks" Kim suddenly whispered.
(The voice) "what?"
"Master... are you okay? Momo is very sorry!"
If someone looked at how cute Momo is now, even if it was her mistake, everyone will think that Kim was the villain. Momo was about to say something again when Kim approached her and pet her head.
"I'm glad"
Momo who was worried looked up to see Kim's face become more worried!
"Master... master... did I disappoint you too much? Why are you crying... why am I crying too..."
Unknowing she just hugged Kim, and Kim put her into his embrace. They had experienced a lot of life and death situations for 5 years. What happened was the closest they thought one of them to be knocking their death door. If Kim didn't react fast enough, Momo might lose her head. If Momo didn't smash Kim's barrier, he might not wake up forever.
Even if it was a mistake, Kim appreciated what she did. No one would be able to get in the middle of their close relationship. No one would understand what they have been through. To be the only living human being within the monster-infested land, with no other help from others. The sleepless night they had when they began their journey, terrified from getting eaten the moment they lose to drowsiness.
Every single day, death seems to wait. They thrive, but no one could imagine how much they had struggled together. If one of the other would be gone, who knows what another one would do.
"Warrior let's take a stroll"
Rentap rubbed the tears off his face and decided to leave the two people in their world. He employed his shield to create a barrier so that no one could interfere. Then several dozens of humanlike figure appear from the earth. They seem to resemble what Rentap was wearing.
"Not one monster could get near this place. Protect our brother"
"Oha!"
The warriors of the past circled the barrier and stand guard the whole night.
The moonlight shone upon both of their faces. The midnight breeze blew providing comfort in the hot tropical land. Kim and Momo hugged each other to sleep after crying the whole day.
The voice didn't utter a single word the whole night. Instead, he focused on his mana sense to cover the entire land of Borneo.
"Just as I suspected... one of my seals was gone after the kid finished the lair"
The voice tried to push his mana sense way pass the limit which results in a setback to his real body.
"Look at me... rushing to get out this much...I thought that feeling already died several hundred years ago. But seeing both of them..." The voice looked at the sleeping Kim and Momo with warm eyes.
"I need to get out from here soon as I can. Before they come"
Rentap was sitting on the ground crossed legged. He looked very calm and composed. Still, he seemed to emit an aura that tells make you want to kneel down. On top of his shoulder, a small blackbird was perching.
They both were drinking a warm cup of thick black tea.
"This taste bad..."
"I agree"
"It looked easy when princess made some"
"Her tea is wonderful"
Even though it was bad, they both still took another sip. Somehow the bad after taste was actually addicting.
"Why this tea tastes so bitter?"
"Well it keeps you awake anyway"
"True"
"So what do you want to talk about Lord Enggang?"
"It's about this land"
When Enggang mentioned this land, Rentap already knew how the topic would go. He finished his cup of 'thick black tea' and poured some more.
"Is this even tea? Urghhh"
-----
Night finally comes to an end. As the moon goes, the sun comes to paint the sky with a bright yellow light. Sunrise. The designated time to enter the land of Borneo.
"Alpha ready to go"
"Beta all pack and ready"
"Charlie waiting for command"
"Sir General. All three teams are at your command"
Hassan took a deep breath of fresh air as he watched the bright orange light of sunrise covering the entire horizon. His was trembling with excitement. Not because this was a major first entry to Borneo... but due to the fact that this was the first rescue attempt to people of Borneo.
The reasoned he join the military army was because of his passion to protect his country. He still couldn't forget the lives of innocent citizens were taken away without notice.
People were getting left and right. He couldn't forget the countless number corpses he pass through when he followed Prince Ray Varhem to take over Malaysia.
It was horrendous to see splattered blood and organs everywhere on the ground. The awful smell of decayed corpses lingers for months. Sometimes they would encounter a village under a raid of monsters.
People would scream in panic, getting eaten alive, and children cried looking for their beloved parents. Hassan couldn't bear the despair faces of those traumatized citizens.
It such a pity, that the country wasn't able to dispatch enough force especially in the rural area. Leaving them stranded without any aids.
His heart to save others have pushed him forwards.. passing way his limits for several just to save a single soul for the entire 5 years since the calamity. Even though he had contributed much to the country, he still had one more regret.
Since the word dragon had flown into his ear, there was one thing in his mind. How are the people of Borneo? It was hard to dispatch to that land as it was separated from peninsular Malaysia. Surely they faced more casualty then other places in Malaysia.
Hassan has always hope there were survivors and this might become the beacon of hope for them. Hassan clenched his tightly and grab the microphone in front of him.
"It's time to go!"