Hope Like an Angel

"The Old Man"

At the headquarters, precisely in the hallway room of the omni prisoners. All those caught on the Day of the Massacre were held there, though not entirely. The captured omni were each trapped in a small, box-shaped room that was blocked by light blue laser-powered transparent glass, all exclaiming to make deafening noise.

They were safe, unable to escape or attack, held back until the Great General released him.

Leonardo, who is alone, is on guard outside the room of Falisha's parents, Raphael and Jennifer find two days before the Day of the Massacre. He keeps a picture of the family of Falisha who is on vacation, so he wants to investigate immediately, who the old man really is.

He begins to be skeptical of the person's identity, for an omni, who is assertive and scary, it's strange that they protect a small piece of photography. In fact, from what Falisha told him, the strength of those tentacles sounded terrifying...

"Prayer..." He's yawning. Sleek stared at the short and fat old man who had fallen on the bed in the holding room, through the bright laser.

"Hey..." Someone said hello. His voice came from the room beside him.

"What are you doing standing there? It will be a bit painful..." Dhar, bowing his whole body to mock Leonardo. Unreturned, he returned to his original place, in front of the old man's room.

"Who are you, Old Man? Why is it that out of all that annoying omni, you're the one that intrigues me the most...?" Leo rubbed his chin while talking to himself. For seven days he was waiting for her to wake up...

"Good day, Leonardo." Someone came from the entrance, walking towards the long hallway.

"Jiang." Answer's short. Then he yawned again.

"What are you doing here? Staring at the omni alone?" It was Commander Yakza, Chief of the Northern Region Army. His hair was long but tied, his body was gallant and strong, his height was the same as Leonardo's. Of all the Commanders, he who has the most intimate relationship with her, is like a true partner.

"After waiting for an answer. No need to be accompanied, really."

"Oh, the old man?"

"Yes." Yeah."

Silent for a moment, Yakza looked at the old man's body. Poor thing, his gray hair and wrinkled face look tired, must be bad at being an omni...

"You sure you don't need anything from me? How about a glass of warm tea? Or the milk coffee that's always been your favorite?"

"I'm not in the mood, Yakza. A few days ago, the kids were attacked by the Fedora-Hats Monster"

"God! Seriously?!"

"Yes. His power is beyond belief. Thank goodness they all survived. I'm just upset that I have to wait, wait and wait. It's a pity that they have to suffer relentlessly, I know it's a risk to be a squad, but I love them so much. Seeing someone faint I was not strong, I had to desperately hold back my cold face." Leonardo's head lowered slightly, Yakza saw him concerned.

"I heard, the Northern Region successfully slaughtered all the omni and monster nests?" Leonardo asked.

"Yes, thanks in large part to the Great General."

"Hahaha, I know. He's very good. Can look for the missing Falisha with her feelings. We're really lucky to have him"

"Yes.. ugh..."

Holy hooch! The old man! Finally he made a sound!

"Yakza.. Is this a dream?"

"It's not the result of your efforts and those of your children, Leo." They both saw him in disbelief. The old man was slowly startled, and sat down by himself. Staring around, his attention was finally on Leonardo and Yakza.

"K.... you guys... Who...?" For the first time there was an omni who was not aggressive and angry. Leonardo and Yakza's eyes glared full, their mouths open.

"Sir, please calm down. We are the Peacekeeping Force." Leonardo tried to calm down while raising both of his hands.

"P... The squad...? What army? Keep the peace from whom?"

Everyone was astonished, first, what?! What is this old man?! He didn't know about the troops guarding him for eight years?! Second, this old man must be astonished, where is he? And why are there two people in strict uniforms with long boxes beside them?!

"Old Man, you..." Leonardo stammered saying. However, he finally took a slow breath.

"Old Man, what's your name?"

"D... Danus... Danu Tarandu's..."

"Sir Danu, what was the last time you remembered?" Leonardo asked more subtly. Yakza thought hard trying to find an answer.

"Uhm... that.. um..." His hands were shaking violently, just moving around looked difficult, it was strange. It was as if he had lost control of his body for so many years.

Leonardo scratched his chin. Is it that hard for this old man to talk?

"I and my employer were about to go somewhere, forgetting where exactly. Suddenly, a strange man followed me. Says a few things about... sacrifice? Yes, sacrifices and such. I refused, walked away from him. Unfortunately, I was suddenly unconscious. And now, I'm in this weird room."

Leonardo and Yakza took it slowly, although they knew, no one could draw any conclusions from it.

"About.in May, the fourth. 2014." Year of 2014."

At that moment, the two Commanders took two steps back by themselves. Things are getting weird. 2014?! That was eight years ago!

All the omni exclaimed increasingly noisy, this time her ears to the point of hurting everyone. They mocked, saying "Feel it!" And something like that.

"SILENCE!!!" Yakza exclaimed loudly, his own voice defeating all the omni exclaiming. It's quiet now, very quiet. Danu covered her ears in fear, still lost with her surroundings.

"Leonardo." Yakza turned his body around, facing his friend now. They think the same thing.

"You're right, Yakza. He was unconscious for eight years." Leonardo hesitantly replied, scratching his chin even faster while staring at his companion.

Yakza nodded, a little anxious. Who is the monster that did that? Wh who? Is that the scientist that Falisha said?

"Please..explain to me.. What happened? Why is it so noisy here? Where are they? Where is Logan?"

"!" Leonardo raised his body that had been bent, hearing it immediately made him surprised. Falisha once mentioned that name one day.

"Logan?" He wants more information.

"Yes, Liam Ghazali's younger brother, I was his second nanny. To this day, I am considered a family by them. Where are Liam and Logan?" Danu asked again, further this time.

How did Leonardo answer that question? Logan became a monster with his brother?

"Yakza. I think I need coffee now..." Said resigned. Yakza laughed for a moment, then went to get coffee for his friend.

Ten minutes, Leonardo explained everything. The Peacekeeping Forces, the Omni, and the Day of Massacre. Danu glared superbly hearing all that, as if her world had changed completely, indeed...

"Jeez... is that as bad as the world is now...? It's critical..."

"Quiet, Mr. Danu. There's still hope."

"Hope?"

"Yes. If you're considered family by Liam and Logan, you know someone. Falisha."

Hearing "Falisha", Danu's face was slightly relieved, she exhaled.

"Yes, I know him very well. I gave him that name. The boy is like gold unequaled, family pride..." He lowered his head while saying limp, putting his hands on his chest.

"That's why he protected the photo. Although controlled by a madman for eight years, his name of premonition and affection will definitely take over a part of the human brain." Leonardo said in his heart, scratching his chin again.

Sreet... The door opened, Yakza came with his coffee.

"Huh. Long enough for a coffee." Leonardo joking.

"sorry. There's an emergency call, I have to do a special mission later."

"Mission? Aren't all the monsters out in your area?"

"It's not about monsters, Leo."

"Ooh..." Leonardo immediately understood, drinking the coffee he made a little.

"Oh yes, may I ask the children to follow the mission this time?"

"Hm? Make what?"

"I feel like they're a good fit for this."

"Everything? Now either?" Leonardo asked again, the first time Yakza wanted the help of Falisha, Raphael, Jennifer and Yuda for a mission.

Yakza nodded briefly.

He thought for a moment, taking into account all the possibilities in his head.

"Alright, but promise to bring them all home safely."

"Just calm. I have experience being a father."

"Hmph, little."

"Let. What matters is." Yakza hit Leonardo's arm, joking slightly. Then saying goodbye to his friend and Danu, walked slowly out of the holding room.