Chapter 13 - When Past and Present Collide

The relentless rain pounded against the jungle canopy above, transforming the MCKK wilderness into a treacherous, water-logged maze. I stood face-to-face with Soro, my ruthless mentor, amidst the deluge.

"Today's training will push you to your limits," Soro growled, his eyes flashing with intensity.

Our sparring session erupted into a flurry of clashing steel and pounding fists. Soro unleashed a flurry of strikes, testing my reflexes and resolve.

I dodged and weaved, but Soro's CQC expertise caught me off guard. A swift kick sent me crashing to the wet earth.

"Your Gun-fu style is holding you back," Soro barked, offering no quarter. "It's clumsy, predictable. Adapt, or die.”

But my instincts refused to listen. My body moved on autopilot, unleashing a flurry of Gun-fu strikes that Soro effortlessly deflected.

"Focus!" Soro roared, his knife slicing through the rain-soaked air, mere inches from my face. "Your habits will get you killed.”

I gritted my teeth, determination burning within. This was more than just training – it was survival.

With renewed ferocity, I charged forward, our blades clashing in a dance of steel and rain.

Time seemed to freeze as Soro and I locked eyes, our knives poised in mid-air. The rain-soaked jungle around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in a moment of raw tension.

Soro's smile sliced through the air, taunting me. "Still sloppy... aren't you getting that through your thick skull?”

My anger boiled over, and I launched myself at him with a fierce battle cry. Our knives clashed in a blur of steel, sparks flying as we exchanged blow for blow.

The world around us dissolved into a kaleidoscope of light and sound, our movements a frenetic dance of life and death.

3 Days Ago…

I sat in class, trying to focus on the lesson, but Isabella's recent drama had left me with a scarlet letter emblazoned on my forehead. Awang leaned over, his voice low.

"Stay out of trouble, cuz. Isabella's got most of the guys wrapped around her finger. And you know this is the only opportunity for this boys around, the competition's getting fierce. You don't want to get caught in the crossfire.”

I shot him a wry glance. "Easy for you to say, Awang. You're not the one with a target on your back.”

During recess, Awang, Qabil, and Rasli hang around by the lockers.

"Four days left, eh cousin? Time's moving quickly," Awang said, grinning.

I exhaled, feeling the weight of impending chaos. "Yeah, but honestly, this is the most peaceful moment in my school life. Going back to chaos after this... it's like waiting for a storm to break.”

Qabil raised an eyebrow. "Chaos, huh? What's brewing, bro?”

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. Awang chimed in, "Don't mind him, Qabil. He's just allergic to sanity.”

Rasli chuckled, and I shot Awang a mock-glare. "Hey, watch it, cuz.”

"Yeah, at least you'll have more fun than this dump, right?" Awang said with a grin. "I mean, this place is boring as hell. You're wasting your talent here.”

I nodded, a realization dawning on me. "You know, I think you're right. I'm not cut out for this boarding school life. I'm more of a free spirit.”

Awang's eyes sparkled. "That's the spirit, cuz! You need to break free from this prison."

Just then, a teacher approached, her expression stern. But something was off. Her eyes seemed... artificial.

"Evening, aren't you supposed to be in class?" she asked, her voice dripping with an unsettling sweetness.

I checked my watch, cursing under my breath. "Damn, it's late. Sorry about that."

As I turned to leave, the teacher's expression shifted, her eyes glinting with an otherworldly intensity.

"You...'ll be ready, okay?" she whispered, her voice sending shivers down my spine.

I froze, my mind racing. What did she mean? And why did her words sound more like a warning than a reassurance?

I quickened my pace, sensing an unseen threat lurking beneath the surface.

"Who was that?" I asked Awang, my voice barely above a whisper.

Awang's expression turned serious. "No idea, but I've seen her around. She's new, and there's something... off about her.”

My instincts screamed in agreement. Something was very wrong.

As the final bell tolls, signaling the end of the day, a mix of emotions swirls within me. The special exchange program, a whirlwind adventure, is coming to a close.

The school hall transforms into a vibrant celebration space, ablaze with colorful balloons and streamers. The air pulses with excitement as students eagerly anticipate the farewell party.

"The Farewell Party" banner stretches across the stage, a poignant reminder that tonight marks the end of an era.

Awang's voice cuts through the din, his grin infectious. "Time to bid farewell to this madhouse, cuz!”

But amidst the joy and laughter, my mind lingers on the eerie encounter with the enigmatic teacher. Her haunting words echo within me: "You...'ll be ready, okay?”

A shiver dances down my spine as I recall her unsettling gaze. What lies ahead, and what does she mean by "ready"? The uncertainty gnaws at me, refusing to dissipate.

As I join the festivities, a sense of unease simmers beneath the surface. The music and laughter seem to mask an ominous undertone, like the calm before a storm.

Suddenly, the lights flicker, and the room falls silent. The party's emcee, a charismatic student council member, takes the stage.

"Welcome, everyone, to the farewell party! Tonight, we celebrate new friendships and bid farewell to our exchange students.”

The crowd erupts into applause, but I feel a growing sense of disquiet. Tonight marks more than just a farewell – it's a threshold to an unknown destiny.

The music begins, and the party springs to life. But I can't shake the feeling that my world is on the cusp of a dramatic shift.

The night air vibrated with anticipation as we gathered outside the school, at a grand hall adjacent to MCKK's campus. The principal, a dignified figure, stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and participants of the exchange program," he began, his voice resonating through the hall. "Tonight marks the culmination of an extraordinary journey. The trials, the triumphs, the memories – all have led to this moment.”

His eyes swept across the sea of faces. "What you may not know is that this program was a collaborative effort between schools worldwide. Every moment, every experience, was recorded to enlighten educators globally.”

A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd.

"The true purpose of this program goes beyond cultural exchange," the principal continued. "It's about forging future leaders, individuals who will shape the world. And I'm honored that MCKK has been the host for this remarkable initiative.”

The hall erupted into thunderous applause, with cheers and whistles punctuating the ovation.

As the applause subsided, Mr. Maruk and Soro emerged from the shadows. Soro's piercing gaze scanned the room, his presence commanding attention.

"The time has come," Soro announced, his voice low and deliberate. "To reveal the truth behind this program... and your role in it.”

A hush fell over the crowd, anticipation building. What secrets lay hidden beneath the surface?

"The program's success relies on your participation," Soro continued. "But what happens next depends on your choices. The world needs leaders, visionaries who will drive change.”

He seems subtle about this and he continued again.

“Thank you….” He bowed at the podium and a loud applause which he continued again.

“A tradition that will be run that every representative will make a speech here” that is out of the loop, each student make a speech until Isabella’s turn

She wore a school uniform but that also a really sexy style of wear, her mini skirt is really pop, while the guys is eyeballing her.

“Thank you all, as representative of my school, Malaysian culture and value is something that I will back to my part. A lot of experience including new friends and old…” she look at me while the boys is glaring at me. Shit just get it done with it.

After listening to Isabella's speeches, I couldn't help but feel a strong sense of homesickness. Her words stirred up a deep longing within me, and I found myself eagerly looking forward to returning home.

As the party raged on, I felt an inexplicable tug in my heart, urging me to return home. I bid farewell to the festivities and made my way back to the hostel, where I found Soro and Maruk waiting for me.

"Leaving so soon?" Maruk asked, eyeing me curiously.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm feeling a little homesick.”

Soro remained silent, clad in full gear as if anticipating a mission. Suddenly, he revealed a lifeless body – a clone of Frederica, our teacher.

I was taken aback. "That was quick..." I muttered, realizing that Soro is not someone to be underestimated.

"Well, at least that's settled," Soro said, turning to me.

Maruk's expression turned serious. "Listen, Alex, while you're here, it's best if you keep a low profile. Don't get involved in our business, at least not for now. Just focus on your school life and... other activities.”

I raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to it. "What's going on?”

Maruk hesitated before responding, "Maya has found one of our facilities, and... she's using your family as leverage. We don't want you getting tangled up in this mess."

Soro chimed in, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Besides, we've got everything under control. You just focus on your own life, Alex.”

I felt a surge of unease, but before I could press for more information, Soro continued, "This girl, for instance," – he gestured to the sedated clone – "wasn't what she seemed. I found a cyanide capsule hidden in her teeth.”

Soro's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Well, then... shall we?”

I stood frozen, still in my school uniform, as Soro lunged at me and kicked me to the ground. The sky darkened, and rain began to pour down.

"Get up," Soro ordered, tossing a gun and knife at me. It seemed he was testing me once again.

I charged at Soro with a fierce battle cry, unleashing a flurry of CQC moves and gun-fu techniques. But to my surprise, the gun clicked empty.

Soro sneered, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Looks like we're on equal footing, kid! There's only one bullet out here, hidden somewhere in this muddy, water-logged field... Whoever finds it first gets the upper hand!”

My anger boiled over, and I snarled, "You're going down, Soro!" I launched myself at him, unleashing a barrage of kicks and punches. But Soro was no pushover – he countered every move, sending me crashing to the ground.

As I struggled to get back to my feet, my fingers brushed against something metallic. The bullet! I quickly loaded it into my gun, my heart racing with anticipation.

I aimed the gun at Soro, but he was too fast. He closed the distance between us in a flash, his hand closing around my neck like a vice. I countered with a swift kick, slamming him to the ground.

But Soro refused to yield. He wrapped his legs around mine, pulling me into a deadly lock. I felt his hand searching for the bullet, and my heart sank. He found it!

Soro's eyes gleamed with triumph as he raised the gun. I dodged to the side, avoiding the bullet by mere inches. Seizing the opportunity, I countered with a swift punch, sending Soro crashing to the ground.

The battle was far from over. Soro sprang to his feet, his eyes blazing with determination. I stood my ground, ready for the next round. The rain poured down around us, casting a gloomy shadow over the field. Who would emerge victorious?

Time seemed to freeze as Soro and I locked eyes, our guns trained on each other. The air was electric with tension, the only sound the heavy rainfall pounding against the ground.

Maruk stood motionless, a spectator to the unfolding drama. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of our ragged breathing.

Then, in a flash of movement, we both pulled the trigger. The simultaneous shots rang out, echoing through the field. I felt a rush of adrenaline as I swiftly drew my knife and struck, aiming straight for Soro's heart.

But Soro was no pushover. With lightning-fast reflexes, he countered with his own blade, the two of us clashing in a deadly dance. Our knives sliced through the air, mere inches from each other's throats.

Just as it seemed one of us would emerge victorious, Maruk's thunderous voice boomed through the field, shattering the tension.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!”

We froze, our blades still pressed against each other's throats. The rain continued to pour down around us, casting a misty veil over the field. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the only sound the heavy breathing of the two combatants.

Maruk nodded in approval, a hint of a smile on his face. "Not bad, kid. You're on par with Soro. Good job.”

Just then, the sound of rotor blades filled the air as a black Mil-17 helicopter descended onto the field. I wondered if the commotion had attracted unwanted attention, but Maruk just chuckled.

"The party's loud enough to cover the helicopter's noise, and with the principal's... 'assistance,' we're good to go.”

The principal, umbrella in hand, gave me a warm smile. "I like you, kid. You've got spunk. Good luck back in school. If you get bored or kicked out, just come back to us. We'll welcome you with open arms... or a bullet to the head. Whichever you prefer."

I raised an eyebrow, amused by the principal's dark humor. I grabbed my bags and headed towards the helicopter, but Soro and Maruk remained behind.

"I'm staying here," Soro said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

I turned to them, a question on my mind. "What about Maya?”

Soro sneered at me. "All the best, kid... You're on your own.”

I flipped him the bird. "Fuck you, Soro.”

Maruk let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head in amusement. "You two are a match made in heaven... or hell, depending on how you look at it.”

Soro's expression turned stern, his eyes narrowing. "Listen up, kid. Enjoy school, and don't get into trouble. I mean it. Don't make me come after you.”

I shot him a sarcastic grin. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, Soro.”

With that, I turned and leapt into the helicopter, leaving Soro and Maruk to their mysterious plans. As the helicopter lifted off, I gazed out at the receding landscape, my mind whirling with questions and doubts.

The rotor blades whirred to life, and the helicopter soared into the sky. I felt a rush of exhilaration as the wind whipped through my hair. Below me, Soro and Maruk grew smaller and smaller, their figures fading into the distance.

I cracked a wry smile. "Time to get back to school... and pretend I'm a normal student." Little did I know, my life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.