Mukhalis: Hero of Bentala
26. Bereft

The sun had already turned red, the sky was getting more and more gloomy. That afternoon Niskala was still unhealed from the chaos, screaming voices were still everywhere. The blazing flames shot up something that passed through, killing hundreds of intelligent beings without exception. The thick mustachioed woman named Andrian was seen carrying a small boy who was burned, unconscious with a blackish red liquid out of the corners of his lips.

"Damn, there are still a lot of kids around here!" andrian shouted exhausted, bringing those innocent children somewhere.

"Andrian, how's the base?" greet a colleague named Septian after giving gauze to the rescued child, attaching it to the injury.

"You, you" Andrian put the boy on with care and tenderness. "Everything's destroyed. The Combat Hero Forces were heavily discharged."

The sound of explosions still filled the sense of hearing, enlivening the alarming atmosphere. Septian lowered his head after hearing the sentence that was thrown, turning to the left with a clear face. "How did this start? Is Indrayana a traitor?"

"It can be ascertained like that," exclaimed Andrian sitting leaning against the wall of the house, hero uniform he wore shabby against the ashes and dirt. "There's not much we can do right now. Try to find those who are still in need and bring them here."

"But Andrian," said Septian. "We don't even know if they're still surviving."

"Hey!" The thick-moustached man then pulled the collar of Septian neck with a serious face. "We're still given a chance to save them. Do you deny your own duty as a hero?"

But Septian, who had been at the bottom of the nestapa, violently pulled out Ardian's hand and shouted, "Look around you! Who would care if you disobeyed the task? Our boss even knows where. They're busy saving themselves!"

Andrian could not retaliate, his friend's anger was mixed with sadness. Desperation has filled the heart that cannot come out of hell. He then continued and whimpered, "We're done, Andrian. Those flames will find us sooner or later."

The man named Andrian was silent before standing limped, the right leg that had been hit by rocks from above was still attempted to keep going. "If you want to die doing nothing then go ahead. But I don't want my death to be in vain. I'm gonna take these kids somewhere else and give you your grave here."

Because of the harsh insinuations Septian was flabbergasted, letting the fellow who had collaborated for many years say, "We are all going to meet death. But how do we prepare for death is what we can do."

Those words pierced the heart of Septian, he felt guilty. "Wait!"

Shortly before Andrian came out of the place that was not good, he stopped, turning to Septian. The tall boy stood with a remnant of energy, approached Andrian and brought one of the injured children. "This is my proof of my culture. I'll accompany you even if death is the direction you're going."

Andrian smiled widely, they then came out immediately greeted by destruction everywhere. The city was like a sea of fire, victims splattered here and there, moans for help found in the corners of their eyes. However, Andrian and Septian could not bring more than this, impaling themselves in the mind is not power to just pay attention. Penetrate the concentration of black-gray smoke flying in the air. Those heroes don't stop at getting to a safer, more restrained place.

The powerful pounding of massive power still continued to emit fire through whatever it went through, the battle of the four great men themselves were able to flatten the city of Asarania if they so desired. The tall mansions next to Andrian and Septian give signs. Facades made of concrete began to fall out and come down with a blink of an eye, overriding the pavement instantly killing people when it landed on the head.

Those who are aware of it hastily hasten the pace, distress because of the one-sided foot. They are reflexively lowered, unable to protect the head with both hands because they bring children who are still breathing. Septian who was not injured anything more quickly preceded, had turned his body when putting the child in an open car, quickly approaching Andrian.

"We need to hurry, Old Man!" chirps of a younger man a dozen years old memapah Andrian.

"Bring this boy," cried Andrian handed the boy over. "Their safety is our priority."

"You don't have to mess around!" Septian ignited emotions when attaching the teenage boy to the shoulder. "I'll help you get out of here."

"Thank you young man," after Andrian said that, the building next to them collapsed abruptly. Someone bounced from above, penetrating the houses here and there. Didn't know that underneath there were two heroes trying so hard to escape.

The building collapsed along with a fire that began to rise from the inside spewing all scattered out. The incident happened so quickly that the two heroes were barely saved by the ruins. However, Andrian took the initiative to push Septian from there, landing rough on the sidewalk with the child being carried. While the thick-moustached man smiled widely, accepting destiny with sincerity.

"Andrian!" both of Septian's eyes widened, shrieking loudly.

The house hoarded everything below as the fire burned the place. Septian was blown a few meters away by the wind generated from the ruins, black smoke began to pour through the streets blocking traffic access. The panorama of Asarania from the hill was gloomy, the night was dim with bright crescent moon light as if to witness the collapse of Niskala.

There, there was a man standing with breathless breath. The black disheveled hair was waving by the silir-semir. The two hazel eyes looked dark and were filled with sadness. He was none other than Suluh who had reached Baturia village. Hope is getting eroded more and more worry, fearing if those who are loved why-why. By strengthening himself, he gathered the intention and energy to return to the residence.

After repeatedly mowing down the bushes with different artificial hand material, Suluh stiff in place when he saw the village there appeared to be a fire. Black smoke billowed in the air, along with a bright light sticking out from within. Torrent without delay longer back running until unbearable fatigue, irregular breath gasping. He doesn't care about his condition, just wants to make sure that his parents are safe.

Dozens of people in the same uniform were leading villagers, forcing them to gather in front of one of the houses that had been burned down. They all squabbled, like prisoners about to be executed. There are even humans who have been lying motionless, as a result of having resisted. One of them with a large body paced to notice one of the innocent people, as if checking something.

"Is this all?" exclaimed the man with a voice that frightened part of the Baturia community.

After the subordinate had raised his head, a burly figure then said, "If you obey me, you are safe. If not, then you'll end up like him."

Without even pointing, they knew who he meant. The figure named Jaali continued, "Niskala is now in the power of Ganendra. Follow everything I say, fighting won't matter."

"But because my comrades are dead because of you." Jaali smiled widely, there was a hidden intent. "Then I demand a fair reply."

Not until he was silenced, one of the villagers with courage was about to stab Jaali. However, that unusual martial skill could easily snatch a dagger that instead stabbed its own owner. The person glared, blood coming out from the corners of the lips trembling. Jaali violently kicked the body until it lay stiff on the ground. Just as he was about to turn to the prisoners marching, he was overwhelmed with the voices of heroes whimpering in pain.

Right, the torrents present there with burning emotions paralyzed one-on-one of them. Even he had time to use the power of Prana which made the enemy bounced violently through the crowd who intended to gang up. Because of the man's actions, the citizens were ignited to once again fight for his rights, seizing the hero's daggers who were stricken by the fog. The resistance at that time changed the situation even a little, the enemy began to splatter because the attack was jolted.

But it did not last long when Jaali decided to approach Suluh, entering the battlefield. The boy without warning carried out an attack on the burly body of the man with brown skin, bald hair, and black berewok. Jaali was a little stunned that the boy's action was so quick, allowing a powerful blow to land on the chest. He was in pain as well as overwhelmed trying to recite the incursion from Suluh.

"That's you, boy!" The moans of anger rang out loudly from Jaali, hitting the ground until cracks rumbled.

The Suluh horses were disturbed, unable to balance their bodies and the left leg went into the separate ground. As Sulah was busy pulling back from the crack, Jaali did not half-launch the raw bogeman, darting right at the touch of both surviving hands of Sulah. As a result of this powerful force makes Sulen bounced and can be ambushed by the heroes who are there. Makes it easier for Jaali to satisfy the hunting emotions.

"Rancid boy! How dare you fight me!" jaali snapped and began beating the immovable Suluh, his hands locked by the two heroes next to him. "Make sure you'll die with pain you didn't think!"

"Stop!" the voice came from the man, followed by the woman who was following him. "Take him off and put me in your torment!"

"Oh?" Jaali looked back, slowly approaching them. "Who do you think you're gonna bargain with me?"

"No! Run away from here!" now Sulah shouted out loud until the veins in the neck were sticking out.

"Shut up!" sahut one of the heroes punched right in Suluh's face, making him wither away instantly with blood seeping out of his mouth.

"So like that" said Jaali who is now in front of parents who are not Bara and Arumi. "Alright, I'll let him survive."

The big man then turned around, right behind those who surrendered. The torch got wild, he couldn't control himself and started to mess around, "Don't you go near them, motherfucker!"

"But I'm still curious about his abilities after this." The dagger was unsheathed, Jaali made horses. "In this way, we'll know."

The gaze between the parent and the child is linked, connected to each other. Both of the Red eyes were already puffy, even the tears seeping violently were unbearable. However, they still had a sincere smile, perhaps the last time Suluh saw them open their lips with a radiant face. All seemed silent, time seemed to spin very slowly. These moments, even for a moment, have a very meaningful effect.

"I'm sorry, we, son," said Arumi softly, as if whispering. "Take care of your sister."

"We are very proud to have you" now Bara cried out. "You're an amazing kid."

A moment after, a great slash completed their lives. He was covered in blood, killed right in front of his son. Reed froze in place, the boy's consciousness blurred, unable to examine the unfortunate incident. His heart was broken, broken, and dead. The world and its hopes have been lost.

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