Darkness wrapped around his consciousness, a suffocating void where only a faint voice managed to slip through.
"Bayu..."
The voice was soft yet insistent, like a whisper echoing inside his mind. It grew clearer with every passing second, as if it was approaching from all directions at once.
"Bayu!"
The call sent a sharp pang through his chest, an unsettling weight of fear creeping into his bones. He tried to ignore it, but the voice only grew louder—almost a desperate shout.
"Bayu!"
His eyes snapped open. His breath came in short, ragged gasps as he jolted awake. Cold metal pressed against his back, and as his vision adjusted, he found himself lying on the hard floor.
Large iron bars surrounded him, enclosing the dim, damp stone walls that loomed in the shadows. Beyond the cell, flickering lights cast an eerie glow, deepening the oppressive silence.
Slowly, Bayu pushed himself up, gripping his throbbing head. "Where... am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. Staggering forward, he reached for the bars, peering beyond them, but only vague silhouettes lurked in the darkness.
"So, you're finally awake?"
The voice made him turn sharply. His gaze locked onto Bagas, who stood just outside the cell. The man's expression was firm, yet hesitation flickered in his eyes.
"You?" Bayu's voice hardened despite the weakness in his limbs. "Why the hell are you locking me up?"
Bagas took a deep breath before responding, his tone apologetic. "I'm sorry, Bayu. After witnessing your last battle, we concluded that you're one of the Crystal Abomination subjects. That forced us to detain you for further investigation."
"Further investigation?" Bayu repeated, disbelief clear in his voice. "What kind of investigation?"
Without answering directly, Bagas pulled a key from his pocket. He unlocked the cell door calmly, his gaze fixed and serious as he looked at Bayu. "An investigation into who you really are."
The words left Bayu speechless. His eyes reflected a mix of confusion and fear, both emotions tangled within him.
In the heart of Shattered Star's headquarters, an oppressive atmosphere hung in the air. In the main control room, filled with monitors and holographic maps, Solvar, the leader of the organization, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze was sharp as he studied the report that had just arrived.
"Ferris is dead?" he asked, his voice flat but carrying an unmistakable threat.
A soldier in front of him bowed his head, his body trembling. "Y-yes, sir. Our forces retreated after Ferris was defeated in battle by the subject who escaped from the research facility."
Solvar remained silent, the tension in the room growing thicker. Slowly, he turned and fixed his gaze on a man standing in the corner—Professor Aldric, the mad scientist responsible for the Crystal Abomination experiments.
"Professor Aldric," Solvar called, his tone low but commanding. "You said the subject was a failure. No potential. Now, care to explain how a 'failed subject' managed to kill one of our best commanders?"
Aldric, a disheveled man with messy hair and cracked glasses, flinched. He stepped forward nervously, clutching a tablet filled with experimental data. "S-sir, I don't believe it either!" he stammered. "Throughout the research, the subject showed no significant development. All the tests indicated that he couldn't access the Aether crystal's potential like the others!"
Solvar stared at Aldric, his gaze piercing, making the scientist swallow nervously. "Then how do you explain Ferris's defeat?"
Aldric frantically flipped through the data on his tablet, unable to find anything that could explain the anomaly. Finally, he looked up, his face full of frustration. "Sir, I swear on my honor as a scientist, the boy showed no potential beyond his self-regeneration ability. And even that was limited to him alone. I never imagined he could defeat Ferris!"
Solvar nodded slowly, his expression cold. "Hmm, I can't deny it. I've seen the boy myself. Nothing special, nothing promising. But what he did... has me puzzled."
Suddenly, a woman's voice broke the silence. "Of course it's puzzling," she said with a cold yet playful tone. The woman stepped in, wearing a dark long coat, her hair neatly tied back. Her sharp eyes gleamed with intrigue. "After all, that boy is his special subject, isn't he?"
"Ah, Eryssa's right. He's indeed a special subject of his. So, she must know him best," Professor Aldric sighed.
"Enough!" Solvar barked suddenly, his voice firm and chilling, causing the room to fall silent at once.
Solvar's eyes narrowed, his face a mask of restrained fury. "No one mentions him again in this place. He's dead. And because of that, he's no longer our concern."
A heavy silence filled the room after Solvar's words. The members exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to interrupt.
Solvar spoke again, his voice more controlled yet still firm. "For now, focus all our resources on finding that boy. Meanwhile, our main plan continues. We will dominate this world, no matter what it takes."
Elsewhere, Bagas escorted Bayu to the Vanguard headquarters' dining hall. The door swung open, revealing a warm but formal atmosphere. A long table was set in the center of the room, several simple dishes placed upon it.
At the center of the table, Hendra sat upright, his eyes fixed on a letter he had just received, signaling his serious demeanor.
Across from him, Yuni waved cheerfully at Bayu, her mouth still occupied with food. "Hey, you finally made it! Sit here," she said, pointing to the empty seat next to her.
Bayu glanced at Bagas, who simply nodded, signaling that he could sit. Hesitant, Bayu approached the chair and pulled it out. "So... this is your dining hall?" he asked, attempting to lighten the mood.
"What else would it look like?" Yuni replied with a small smile. "We don't have a royal dining hall, but at least the food's good."
Hendra finally lifted his gaze from the telegraph, his expression serious but not intimidating as he looked at Bayu. "Eat. You'll need your strength for our discussion later."
Bayu nodded slowly, taking a fork and starting to eat. As he chewed, he realized how much he had missed simple, good food after all his time running from the research facility.
Hendra began speaking seriously to Bayu, his voice firm yet thoughtful. "Forgive us, Bayu. In the last battle, we had no choice but to sedate you. We suspected that you might be the result of the Crystal Abomination experiment. Based on your powers and Yuni's testimony about you absorbing energy from the Aetherium crystal, we thought that was the most plausible explanation."
Bayu was shocked by this, his heart racing. Fear gripped him, making him unsure how to respond. However, Hendra gave him no chance to back out. "Who are you really? How is it possible that you have such power? Are you a part of the Crystal Abomination?"
Bayu tried to steady himself, meeting their gaze with anxiety. Quickly, he dismissed the accusation. "I... I'm just an ordinary young man. I don't know anything about this power," he replied hastily, trying to hide his fear. "I don't even know what the Crystal Abomination is."
Bagas and Hendra exchanged looks, their expressions showing disappointment at the inadequate answer. They continued to press Bayu for more details.
"No, I'm certain there's something more about you, Bayu. Your gunshot wound healed instantly, you can control metal and turn it into weapons, and you even defeated an enemy commander. That's... that's all the effect of the Crystal Abomination," Bagas said with growing certainty.
But Bayu remained steadfast, "I don't know what you're talking about. I was even kidnapped by you without a clear reason. You're accusing me without any proof."
Hendra sighed deeply, disappointed by Bayu's refusal to open up. "We need to know who he really is, Bagas. But if he refuses to explain, we can't force him."
After the meal, the atmosphere grew tense. Hendra then gave an order to his servant, his voice firm. "Take him back to his cell. We can't continue this conversation if he keeps shutting himself off."
Bayu, feeling he had no other choice, could only comply. Without resistance, he walked back to the cell he had left earlier, escorted by the guards.
After Bayu was returned to his cell, Hendra, Bagas, and Yuni sat back at the now empty dining table. The tension in the room was palpable, and Hendra once again looked at the letter he had just received before letting out a sigh. "We've received direct orders from headquarters," he said seriously. "They've instructed us to move out immediately. We need to leave this mansion because our position has been compromised. The enemy forces are closing in."
Bagas and Yuni exchanged glances, surprised by the sudden urgency of the order. "So what's our next move?" asked Bagas.
Hendra nodded slowly, his expression still serious. "We're forming a special team. A team that will fight the Shattered Star forces, and we must move quickly. This team will consist of individuals with unique abilities, including both of you. We need to be fully prepared."
Yuni nodded in understanding, though a hint of worry was visible on her face. Bagas appeared more concerned, his face full of questions. "What about Bayu? What are we going to do with him?"
Hendra paused for a moment, his sharp gaze fixed on the direction of the cell where Bayu was locked up. "If Bayu doesn't provide us with any advantage, if he continues to shut himself off and refuses to cooperate... I'll have no choice but to execute him," Hendra answered flatly, without hesitation.
Yuni was shocked to hear that decision. However, she remained silent, staring at the table in front of her with mixed emotions. She felt pity for Bayu, but in a world like this, difficult decisions had to be made for the sake of their mission's survival.
Bagas seemed hesitant, but he knew that Hendra had already made his decision. "We have to do our best," he finally said.
Hendra glanced at Yuni for a moment before speaking firmly, "We have no other choice. Our focus now is the big mission ahead. Bayu will only be a hindrance if he can't help us."
Yuni remained silent, saying nothing more. However, in her heart, she felt deep concern for Bayu's fate.
That night, Bayu sat in his dark cell, only illuminated by the dim light of an oil lamp hanging in the corner of the room. He stared at the black ceiling, thinking about his uncertain future. In his mind, he muttered, "I've come so far from there, but what should I do? There's no way they'll take me anywhere. My identity's been exposed... they'll probably eliminate me."
Suddenly, soft footsteps echoed down the prison corridor. Bayu looked up, startled to see a figure approaching. Yuni, holding a loaf of bread, walked slowly toward his cell.
"Hello! Are you hungry?" Yuni greeted him with a friendly smile. "I brought you some bread."
Bayu turned, looking at Yuni with doubt. He knew Yuni was probably trying to persuade him, but there was no harm in not refusing her gesture.
"Ah, I didn't know if you'd like it, so I'll just leave it here," Yuni said, pushing a plate with bread and water into the cell.
At first, Bayu hesitated, unwilling to accept her kindness. But in the end, he relented, sitting down and taking the plate, offering a quiet thank you. "Thank you," he said softly. "You're one of the kind people here."
Yuni smiled and leaned against the prison wall, gazing at Bayu with a warm smile. "I'm just trying to make your days a little better," she replied.
Bayu nodded, then continued, "I'm sure your leader, Hendra, must be proud of you. You seem so caring and kind to everyone."
At the mention of Hendra's name, Yuni paused for a moment before offering a small smile. "Actually..." Yuni began, speaking gently, "Hendra is my father."
Bayu was shocked, barely believing it. "What? Your father?" he asked, astonished.
Yuni nodded, her face growing slightly somber. "I... was an orphan, living on the streets. There was no one, just struggling to survive." She took a deep breath before continuing, "But one day, Hendra and Bagas found me. They saved me and brought me here. In return, I learned mechanics and machines, and became one of the mechanics in this mansion."
Bayu listened intently, moved by Yuni's story of struggle. "So, Hendra is not just your leader, but also the father who saved you from hardship," Bayu said softly, realizing the depth of their relationship.
"Yes," Yuni replied, her face now lighting up with a smile. "Maybe that's why I always try to do my best. I want him to be proud of me."
Bayu smiled faintly, feeling a little more at ease. Even though he was trapped in a difficult situation, he felt there was still a glimmer of hope. "You must make him proud, Yuni," he said sincerely.
Yuni smiled and nodded, watching Bayu continue eating his bread. After a while, she began speaking again, her voice gentle yet full of meaning. "I don't know how long you lived on the streets, Bayu, but let me tell you, this place... this place is warm and comfortable. Because this place... is my home."
Bayu fell silent, hearing Yuni's words. Thoughts and old memories began to resurface. He recalled his past, the times when he would draw, drawing a house with himself and an adult man, depicted with the hopeful innocence of a child.