Lost Friends II

A wave of curiosity washed over me, replacing the initial annoyance. The brain is trying to kill you? I questioned, intrigued by the Harbinger's cryptic words.

Yes... it's constantly attacking me, trying to assimilate me... the voice explained, its tone filled with a mixture of fear and exhaustion. It's relentless, never stopping...

I pondered this new information. The Harbinger's words painted a disturbing picture, one of a constant battle for survival within the confines of my own mind. It seemed that taking Elang's power had unintended consequences, a hidden danger lurking beneath the surface.

"Xian, are you okay?" Dove's voice broke through my thoughts, her concerned expression pulling me back to reality.

I blinked, realizing I had been lost in my own mind for a few moments. "Yeah, I'm fine," I assured her, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about something."

But the Harbinger's words continued to echo in my mind, a constant reminder of the potential threat within me. I knew I couldn't ignore it. I had to find a way to understand and control this new power, before it consumed me completely.

The brain it's talking about might be my brain, right... heh, I think I'll just ignore it for now, I thought, pushing the worry to the back of my mind.

"So, how about we wake Elang up?" I suggested, turning my attention back to the situation at hand.

Imagine a rope tightening around Elang's body, I visualized, a playful smirk tugging at my lips.

Suddenly, an invisible force constricted around Elang, causing him to stir from his slumber. He groaned, his eyes fluttering open as he struggled against the unseen bonds.

"What the...?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in his surroundings, the unfamiliar office and the concerned faces of Dove and Lili staring down at him.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Elang," I said, a playful lilt in my voice. "Did you enjoy your nap?"

"You!" Elang yelled, his voice filled with rage, but it quickly died in his throat as he saw Lili kneeling beside him. "Lili..." he whispered, his anger replaced by a mixture of confusion and longing.

Lili's expression remained neutral, her gaze unwavering as she met Elang's eyes. "Elang," she acknowledged, her voice calm but firm. "You caused a lot of damage today."

Elang's eyes blazed with anger. "And what!? I don't care!" he retorted, his voice filled with defiance.

"You're always like this... can't you just stop?" Lili's voice softened, a hint of sadness creeping into her tone. "You've been so hard on yourself..."

"That's what makes me strong! Not like you, Lili!" Elang spat, his anger flaring up once more.

"Being strong doesn't mean you have to be cruel, Elang," Lili countered, her voice unwavering. "You're hurting yourself, and you're hurting others."

Elang scoffed, his expression hardening. "I don't need your pity, Lili. I'm fine on my own."

"No, you're not," Lili insisted, her voice filled with a desperate plea. "You're not fine, Elang. You're lost and alone, and you're pushing everyone away."

Elang averted his gaze, his defiance crumbling slightly. "And what? It's not like I'm going to get betrayed if I'm alone," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper.

A heavy silence fell over the room, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning. Lili's eyes welled up with tears, her heart aching for the boy she once called a friend. The pain of his betrayal still lingered, but it was now mingled with a deep sense of sorrow for the path he had chosen.

"Elang..." she began, her voice choked with emotion. "I didn't betray you... it's just that you were in jail, and I found this family. They gave me money... a place to sleep... not like with the seers..."

Elang's face contorted in frustration as he tried to summon his flames, but nothing happened. The realization that his powers were gone seemed to hit him like a physical blow.

"Don't you forget, I took your power," I reminded him, my voice calm but firm.

Elang's shoulders slumped, the fight draining from him like air from a punctured balloon. He looked up at Lili, his eyes a tumultuous storm of emotions - anger, hurt, and a flicker of something else... regret, perhaps?

"I'd rather die..." he said suddenly, his voice a hollow whisper.

Suddenly after he said that, he gets up and run to the window throw himself outside.

Prangg!

A collective gasp filled the room as Elang, with a sudden burst of desperate energy, lunged towards the window. Before anyone could react, he threw himself through the glass, shattering it into a thousand glittering shards. The wind howled as he plummeted towards the unforgiving concrete below.

Time seemed to slow down. Lili screamed, her hands flying to her mouth in horror. Dove rushed to the window, her eyes wide with disbelief. I stood frozen for a split second, my mind struggling to process the scene unfolding before me.

Then, instinct took over. With a surge of adrenaline, I launched myself out the window, my cape snapping in the wind as I dove after Elang. The ground rushed up to meet us, the impact seeming inevitable.

Imagine, slow fall... I willed, my mind racing against the relentless pull of gravity.

The world around us blurred, the descent slowing to a crawl. I reached out, my fingers brushing against Elang's outstretched arm. With a final desperate lunge, I managed to grab hold of his wrist, the impact sending a jolt of pain through my arm.

We hung suspended in mid-air, the ground a dizzying distance below. Elang's eyes were closed, his face pale and drawn. I pulled him closer, securing my grip on his arm.

"It's okay, Elang," I said, my voice a soothing whisper in the wind. "I've got you. You're not alone."

Slowly, carefully, I guided us back towards the building, my imagination working overtime to keep us afloat. We reached the shattered window, and with a final effort, I pulled us both back inside.

Lili rushed forward, tears streaming down her face as she embraced Elang, who was now trembling uncontrollably. Dove stood beside me, her expression a mixture of relief and concern.

"Thank you, Xian," Lili said, her voice muffled against Elang's shoulder. "You saved him."

I nodded, my heart still pounding in my chest. "He may have made some terrible choices, but he doesn't deserve to die." I turned to Elang, my gaze softening. "Elang, you need help. We can help you."

Elang looked up at me, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. Shame, regret, and a flicker of hope.

"I... I don't know if I can change," he whispered, his voice raspy.

"You can," I assured him, my voice firm. "But you have to want to. You have to be willing to face your demons and let go of the anger that's consuming you."

Elang remained silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the floor. Then, he slowly nodded, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

"I want to," he said, his voice barely audible. "I want to change."

And in that moment, I knew that the Imaginary had not only saved a life, but perhaps also ignited a spark of hope in a troubled soul. The road to redemption would be long and arduous, but with the support of the Unveiled Family, Elang might just find his way back from the darkness.

Creak! The door opened, revealing IM, his brow furrowed in concern.

"What's up?" he asked, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I heard glass breaking."

"It's a long story," I sighed, gesturing towards Elang, who was still wrapped in Lili's embrace. "But the important thing is, he's safe now."

IM's eyes widened as he recognized Elang. "Wait, isn't that the fire guy from the concert?"

"The one and only," Dove confirmed, crossing her arms. "Xian managed to stop him from burning down the entire forest."

IM whistled, impressed. "Nice work, Xian. But what's he doing here?"

I explained the situation, recounting Elang's attempt to escape and his subsequent breakdown. IM listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment.

"So, he wants to change?" IM asked, his gaze settling on Elang.

"He says he does," I replied, my voice cautious. "But it's going to be a long road."

IM nodded thoughtfully. "Well, if he's serious about it, we'll help him. The Unveiled Family is all about second chances, right?"

I walked closer to Elang and placed my hand on his shoulder. "I'm giving back your Harbinger," I said, my voice firm but gentle.

A surge of energy flowed from my hand into Elang's body, a tangible warmth spreading through him. His eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding his features as he took in his surroundings once again.

"What... what happened?" he mumbled, his voice raspy.

"You tried to escape," Lili said softly, her hand still resting on his shoulder. "But Xian saved you."

Elang's gaze shifted to me, a mix of gratitude and shame etched on his face. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

I nodded. "I gave your Harbinger back to you, Elang. It's your choice now. You can use your power for destruction, or you can choose a different path."

Elang looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if testing his newfound strength. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his eyes, but then, he looked up at Lili, a newfound resolve shining in his gaze.

"I want... to kill Libido," he declared, his voice firm but filled with a cold fury. "I want to kill the Seers... I want to kill all of them." He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

The Unveiled members in the room exchanged smiles, a sense of satisfaction filling the air. Elang's words, though harsh, signaled a shift in his perspective. He was no longer driven by blind rage, but by a focused desire for revenge against those who had wronged him.

I chuckled, a sense of relief washing over me. "Just don't randomly destroy a forest again, and work with us. How's that sound, Dove!?"

Dove pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Hmm... sure, but it seems you've become an office boy."

Elang looked slightly dejected at the prospect, but then shrugged. "...I mean, I never worked or went to school, so it's better than nothing..." he mumbled, a hint of resignation in his voice.

"Elang," Lili's voice cut through the air, soft but firm. "I have a home with one spare room. Do you want to stay with me?"

Elang's eyes widened in surprise, his gaze darting between Lili and the floor. A flicker of hope danced in his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by a wave of hesitation. "I... I don't know, Lili," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to be a burden..."

Lili stepped closer, her expression gentle and reassuring. "You've always been a burden," she said playfully, a hint of teasing in her voice. "But hey, let's start a new life as a family once again, yes?"

A small smile tugged at the corner of Elang's lips, the first genuine expression of happiness I had seen on his face since our encounter in the forest. He looked up at Lili, his eyes shimmering with gratitude and a newfound sense of belonging.

"Okay," he said, his voice soft but filled with conviction. "I'll stay with you, Lili."

Lili's face lit up, her smile radiating warmth and acceptance. She reached out, taking Elang's hand in hers. "Welcome home," she said, her voice filled with love and forgiveness.

I watched the scene unfold, a sense of warmth spreading through my chest. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was always the possibility of redemption and healing. The Imaginary's work was not just about fighting evil, but also about fostering hope and second chances. And in that moment, I knew that Elang had been given a precious gift, one that he would hopefully cherish and use to rebuild his life.

"I thought you were gonna kill him," IM whispered in my ear, his voice barely audible above the quiet hum of the office.

"Actually, I was," I whispered back, my gaze still fixed on Lili and Elang. "But... you know, he's Lili's friend."

IM cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Ah, when I was playing basketball, someone suddenly whispered to me, 'We're watching you.' They might be Seers, and the guy's name was Jeanthus."

Lili and Elang raised their eyebrows in surprise.

"Jeanthus... you found him?" Elang asked, a hint of urgency in his voice.

IM nodded. "Yeah."

"Jeanthus, he's a strong one... be careful. His Guardian is nothing simple, it's a complex Guardian with complex powers," Lili warned, her expression grave.

"What's this complex power?" Dove asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

Lili took a deep breath, her expression turning serious. "Jeanthus's Guardian's power is... well, it's hard to explain. It's like... imagine a Rubik's Cube, but instead of colors, each face has a different mathematical equation. And to defeat the Guardian, you have to solve all the equations simultaneously."

She paused, letting the information sink in. "It's not just about being good at math. You have to be able to visualize the cube, manipulate it in your mind, and solve multiple complex equations at once. It's a mental challenge unlike anything I've ever seen."

"Cube...? And math?" I asked, confused by Lili's description. The image of a Rubik's Cube with complex equations on each face was certainly a novel concept.

"What if we can't answer?" IM asked, his voice laced with a hint of apprehension.

"Each of your brain cells will be destroyed," Lili replied bluntly, her tone grave.

A chill ran down my spine. The stakes were high, and the consequences of failure were dire. Jeanthus and his Guardian were clearly not to be underestimated.

"This is serious," Dove said, her voice hushed. "We need to be prepared."

"But it's actually simple..." Lili countered, a thoughtful look on her face. "Since Jeanthus's Rubik's Cube can't be changed, you just need to remember the answer... but I just never knew what the questions were."

"Well... I could just use my imagination to solve everything," I said, a confident smirk spreading across my face.

Lili raised an eyebrow, a skeptical look on her face. "Are you sure? This isn't just about brute force, Xian. It requires a deep understanding of mathematics and the ability to think in multiple dimensions."

"True, but my imagination can transcend those limitations," I countered, my confidence unwavering. "I can visualize the cube, manipulate it in my mind, and solve the equations, no matter how complex they are."

Dove chimed in, a hint of worry in her voice. "But what if you make a mistake? There's no room for error with this Guardian."

"I won't make a mistake," I assured her, my voice firm. "I'll be careful, and I'll use my power wisely. Trust me."

"So... what's next?" Yolan asked, leaning on the table, her expression thoughtful. "Should we start learning math more deeply?"

"Nah, no need, Yolan," I said, chuckling. "You could just have my power. I'll imagine you're super smart."

"Yeah, yeah..." Yolan rolled her eyes, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Ting! A notification sound echoed from my phone, breaking the lighthearted atmosphere.

I excused myself from the group and checked my phone. It was a text from Hanna.

[Hanna: Hey Xian, I have an assignment from my uni tonight... do you think you're free...?]

I stared at the phone, contemplating her request.

[Me: Sure, I can take a call with you.]

I then looked up at the Unveiled members. "Guys, I won't be going out tonight. I already went out this afternoon."

"Alright... stay safe, Xian," Dove replied, her voice laced with concern.

I nodded and left the room, my mind already starting to plan for the evening's call with Hanna.

Back at my house, I found myself standing in the doorway, looking at my mother who was lazing around on the couch, munching on snacks.

"If you eat too many snacks, you'll get fat, Mom," I said, a playful grin tugging at my lips.

"I'm not fat!" she retorted, pouting playfully.

I chuckled and shook my head, walking over to the couch and plopping down beside her. "Okay, okay, you're not fat. But maybe you should save some of those snacks for later."

She swatted my arm playfully. "Don't you worry about me, young man. I can take care of myself." Then, her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Lately, you've been going out a lot. What's happening? Is it because IM is here?"

I nodded. "Something like that, you know..."

"Mhm..." she hummed thoughtfully. "And also, I feel safer now, you know, Xian?"

"What happened?" I asked, curious.

"Those superheroes are around, and the crime rate in the country has decreased," she explained, a hint of relief in her voice.

I just smiled. She really didn't know it was me, and yet I was glad she felt that way. It made my heart happy to hear her feeling safer.

"Thanks, Mom..." I said softly.

She looked at me, a puzzled expression on her face. "Hmm? What are you thanking me for?"

I chuckled, "Nothing."

Ting! My phone buzzed with another notification, pulling me away from the comfortable moment with my mom.

"I'm going to my room," I said, getting up from the couch and stretching.

"Okay, but don't forget to eat something. I already cooked and it's in the kitchen," she reminded me.

"Yeah, I'll eat later," I replied, heading towards my room.

I closed the door behind me, the familiar comfort of my room enveloping me like a warm hug. I tossed my phone onto the bed and collapsed onto the soft mattress, letting out a long sigh. The day had been eventful, to say the least. From confronting corrupt officials to encountering mysterious seers, and even gaining a new Harbinger, it felt like my life was constantly teetering on the edge of chaos.

But amidst the chaos, there were also moments of warmth and connection. The laughter and camaraderie with my friends, the heartfelt conversation with Lili and Elang, and even the simple act of sharing a meal with Liam - these were the moments that reminded me why I fought, why I embraced the mantle of The Imaginary. It was about more than just stopping villains and saving lives; it was about protecting the innocent, upholding justice, and giving people hope.

Then I picked up my phone and saw another message from Hanna.

[Hanna: Now can we?]

[Me: Yes, you can.]

Just as I sent the message, my phone's interface changed. Hanna was calling, and it was a video call. I quickly answered, a smile spreading across my face as her image appeared on the screen.

< Chapter 166 > Fin.