Jordan Yondelfield

⌊ Let me tell you my story—the story of when I was a kid. The time when I was just a lonely kid... The time when I wanted nothing but love... The happy time I would spend with my parents... The time before my parents died.

You see, I was a gifted boy. Even when I was a kid, I could do many things. My parents cared about me so much. I loved them, and they loved me. I would ask for something, and they would give it to me. When I asked for things, I would give them something in return, whether by helping or listening to them talk.

Now don't get it twisted. I know my boundaries. When my parents couldn't afford things I wanted, I wouldn't beg. I understand our finances very well. Heck, I would love to help them even more.

We lived happily— just the three of us. Until... they came around.

Heroes...
What were they? The hero I knew didn't wear capes or masks; these do. They either flew or ran around the city, fighting "crime". The same job as the hero we all know, but better. They didn't ask for anything in return, but praise.

At first, it sounded suspicious, at least to me. It was too good to be true. Most took it to be great; my parents were some of them. I couldn't tell how much they liked the "heroes" of the city, but I could tell from those eyes that it was more than me.

"I wish I had powers like them. Ma and Pa would look at me more."

That was what I thought. It was a childish thing to think about, right? What could I do? I was still a child anyway. I couldn't help but wonder and wish upon the shooting star.

It was all the craze and praise. Those heroes were highly praised— even got a statue dedicated to them. No, wait! A building dedicated to them; not just any building, a skyscraper. Those skyscrapers are scattered around the world.

America, Washington.
England, London.
China, Beijing.
Russia, Moscow.
Japan, Tokyo.

And even here, in Indonesia, Jakarta.

They were insanely popular. No one can beat them. They even suppress the Goliaths, such as K-pop and sports. It was basically the talk of the world.

It was no wonder that my parents liked them— many actually. They loved them, even the kids. They wished to be heroes like them. They wanted to have power just like them.

Their wish started to make me wonder, "Am I the only one suspicious?" or "Am I the party pooper here?"

I felt alone. I felt isolated. I felt like no one wanted me. I kept getting this thought nonstop.

Eventually, I asked my parents, "Aren't you suspicious? They appeared out of nowhere?"

My mom answered, "And help us live easily. Just look at us now, darling. We aren't in the slum town anymore. We're in the big city."

... I felt betrayed.

"So, what I've done before them was nothing?" That's what I thought, but I said, "I'm happy that you're happy, Mom." That wasn't a lie. I still loved them very much.

In fact, I wanted to steal that love back from the heroes. If I could, I would steal their power for my own benefit. Why wouldn't I, right? They had it for their benefit, too. Not all a person's treasures are kept by them. They should've shared them with some of us. It was only fair.

That was it! That was my motivation to conquer my parents' love. I have to get their power, somehow, so that my parents look at me. So that my parents would love me again. So that my parents...

They were gone...

Without me...

I was still a child. I was still someone who needed guidance. I was... Damage beyond repair.

"I'm with you, Jordan. Don't be sad."

Him. He was there for me. He was there just in the perfect place and at the perfect time. He made me a little stronger. He was... My motivation.

We had somewhat similar determination. We had a similar ambition. I could be friends with him. He could be my stepping stone for my ultimate desire.

"What do you say, partner? Are you in?"

Stopping... Hero operation? Not killing? Why would we just stop? Shouldn't we get rid of them? They were a nuisance to the public eye. We should've been killing them. Wasn't that the reason we researched their death? Or was my interpretation of this whole operation wrong all along?

"Zeed... Can we talk?"
"Yeah? What is it, Yord?"
"What do you think about the Hero at first and currently?"
"... At first sight, I hated them. Currently? I don't know... Knowing they got stabbed in the back made me think... Maybe there are more sinister things under our noses. We just never figure it out."

"Sooo, is that why we're assembling this group? To find out the truth about their death. Just that? Nothing more?"

"What more do we need? Won't it be great if we can reveal to the world that heroes are nothing but a scheme of the higher-ups, and shut their operation down by uniting us, the normal humans?"

No... That's not it. That's not my plan. That's not what I want. We have a different opinion. We have a different point of view.

"You're not...? Did you not feel satisfied when a hero died?"
"Just a moment. Of course, I would be happy, but they're also a human, right? It's wrong to cheer for someone you don't even know who died. I can't be that evil."

... He was too soft! He should be angrier! He should be more aggressive. No... WE should be more than just stopping. We were here not just to stop. We were here to kill them all, whatever it takes.

"Hey, why are you crying? Yord, are you okay?"

"Huh?"

"You're crying your eyeballs out. Why did you cry?"

Why wouldn't I? I thought we were planning for revenge. Was I the only one having this thought?

No... Tasyah loved it when Hero died; that made two of us, right? Maybe Seiza and Harold had the same feeling. How about Wiwin? Did she have the same ambition as I?

He hugged me, but I didn't feel warm. I only felt cold. I wanted more than just to stop. I want them all to drop dead. I mean... Not all of a person's treasures are kept by themselves, right? We should share. Even our mourning. The feeling of loss. Wouldn't you agree? ⌉