Novels2Search
Phantom Samsara: Path of Asura
Chapter VIII: Lament of the Fallen

Chapter VIII: Lament of the Fallen

*ೃ༄

There are two separate large rocks after the group has arrived in Gili Trawangan, a large weapon case shaped in the combination of lance and claymore with black and platinum accents with Garuda emblem, Ru-Yi knot and Yin and Yang plate; along the keychains on them which Sanju encountered in front of him.

Sanju stared at his medium-sized pendant that resonates with the weapon in front of him, he began to approach the weapon and grabbed the strap of the weapon-Sanju tried to pulling it out from the rock, he struggled before he felt the case popped out from the rock and fell down with the weapon--before feeling the wave of power emitted from the weapon showing to him. He didn't know when he was going to configure the weapon's mechanism, he stand up and checked the case. "Let me see…"

Sanju checked the case after he stand up and surprisingly the case rose on its own in front of him, two sides opened in half with instant mechanism and showed the three weapons. Each weapons showed the handle and there are spear, sword and chain-blade, his peak of interest rose when the sword is almost similar to the silat sword. Sanju clasped his fist and the case closed and transformed into a large black, red and platinum gold lance-claymore with similar designs but they are the combinations of the weapons-and he swung his arm that the case vanished and reappears behind his back floating. "It worked on him… strange, how did that happened?" Althair asked, making the other researchers writing notes on that. "I don't know... maybe because I have this pendant."

Sanju explained when he turn around to face them with showing his medium-sized silver-gold pendant with purple hue that has three feather beads and purple pearls on it. It was made from gold and has two feathers and a pearl with a purple-hued gemstone. A piece of metallic string was attached in between two layers of metal that makes a design like an X shape with a thin loop on each side; a strange symbol engraved inside the pendant, the bottom layer had an engraving of a tree with a spiral-like trunk in front of a small pool with water flowing in it. "Usually the forged gears that Asura made can cost a life for the user, especially humans who touch them nor using one."

Jaemin explained, before he stared at the weapon. "Any kinds of Brahmastra can cause harm to its user, except their masters... Asuras and Rakshas."

Haruse was quite aware what kind he was meaning to state, Sanju was curious what are Rakshas. "What are they? I mean… the Rakshas?" Sanju asked, , somewhat unfazed by hearing them as they are shocked by the artifact. Althair cleared his throat after silence, deciding to explain this for him. "They are humans infused with the energy of Asura's core from the Brahmastra, usually they're known as Semi-Demigods and powerful… they were all loathed by humankind because their humanity is almost-slaughtered when they're using their powers. Most of them are mindless, and only some… remained humane in this era."

"So, that means they are not humans anymore right?"

"No, they are still human beings--but they got the powers and abilities of an Asura, but they don't share any traits of it."

Althair added, folding his arms together over his chest. "The Phantom Beasts aren't exactly friendly to them either... so we don't want to get involved with them too much," Haruse added. There's so many questions on this origins of the Rakshas, which made Sanju perked up with interest instead of being afraid. Not due to wanting to be strong, but he is more than interested to learn about them. "That means…" Sanju murmured as he wasn't certain what kind of power he would have, otherwise he'd need to learn until he saw the weapons disappearing on its own.

"Woah… it disappeared!"

Sanju was surprised that the weapon disappeared by its own sentience, which is why he was curious and want to know how does it works. "You're not creeped out by this?" Haruse asked, unsure if he was willing to do this and he seems willing to do this by his own will. "You see… I'm not creeped out at all, and it didn't seems to appear back beside me," Sanju said, before feeling the foreign energy entering him and somewhat there's new elements entering him. "Wait, why do I feel…"

Sanju shrieked when he felt the red-black marks growing from his right hand, for some reason he sensed as if he received a newfound strength--the pendant suddenly vanished that it's no longer on his wrist anymore even his bracelet. "Are you alright?" he nodded, holding both of his own shoulders with his pair of hands. "I'm alright… I'm alright…"

Sanju coughed a little when he finally recovered from that effects, that's why he was having a foreign energy within him.

Meanwhile on the other group, Raiden stepped out from the chopper when he and his father Ryoma heading into the gorge. The Brahmastra is a black, red, platinum and purple katana with the mitsudomoe emblem on the tsuba and the hilt of the katana. Karuna told them to be careful because the gorge in Labuan Bajo that located in East Nusa Tenggara has been getting highly concentrated thunder and electric forces from over past few weeks, thanks to the eruption it affects the whole areas and the danger zones.

Raiden didn't seems to be affected so does Karuna and Ryoma, he wondered why are they immune and he's like them. The members of the organization and expedition forces are wearing their safety attributes, to keep themselves from electrocution of the thunderous lights and the cables around here.

Raiden took a step forward and made the attempt to take out the katana from the rock, until the katana released from the rock and fell down along with the katana. His eyes widened that the katana's thunder slowly becoming red color and the electric current running through his wrist and his whole body that made him yelped. "Raiden!" Ryoma yelled at his son as his instinct made him goes towards him, kneeling in front of him and saw the electromagnetic forces slowly disappearing from him.

"Ouch… that hurt…"

Raiden muttered when he sat up and the weapon disappeared from his hand, he was confused how did that happen. "It vanished…?" he mumbled, before his father helped him stand up and he stumbled a little once he did. "Are you alright?" he nodded, before he hold his left wrist for a moment. "I'm fine… don't worry…" he almost felt very numb at this point, before it disappeared the moment he calmed down. "Karuna… I think I obtain it with me… the Sanction of Vajra…"

Karuna was about to approach the two after what happened to Raiden, which he was worried until he heard a crash from across them.

"Urgh… what is it now?" he was mumbling when his comrades found out the source, he look back at Raiden for a moment until he spoke. "That's good, right now we have another problem… and it seems like we're getting new company here," he folded his arms, approaching up to the cliff and finding a dragonic Phantom Beast which made him wide-eyed.

The dragonic Phantom Beast has a black complexion decorated with white and blue scales on the wings, head and four limbs including the tail and claws. The pair of the dragon's eyes has are hidden under the helm of the scales, the creature resembles European dragon and the gender of the dragon is female. It is known as the dangerous type of Vipralopa-class, due to the immense power that can potentially eradicate humankind and other Asuras--known as Banares; Humanity's Doom.

"What on earth… Banares?" Karuna murmured, he was getting cautious because of the dragon, not expecting him to be in this place. "Raiden, get away from there--"

"I'll handle this!"

Raiden stopped him when he find out that Banares was laying on the ground, near the area where the dragonic Phantom Beast appeared for a first time. Raiden carefully approached the dragon that was horribly injured from head to toes and tail, including the wings that made the beast rumbled by the expedition team was about to shoot her down.

He somehow didn't need their help, he kept telling them to wait--he wanted to handle this by himself. It seemed like Raiden has bonded with the dragon for some reason, he smiled gently and trying to assure the beast won't hurt him. "It's okay. I won't hurt you," Raiden said with his hands up a little at Banares, carefully taking a few careful steps that the dragon was starting to calm down.

"Can you hear me?" the dragon stopped growling when she heard his voice and stopped at him, Karuna didn't know if he was just crazy trying to comfort the dragonic Phantom Beast. "I swear to God, I thought the Bhutanese authority informed that there's a thunder dragon have been spotted and the area needs to be evacuated--are you even insane? She is a Phantom Beast, and a powerful one!" he whispered.

The dragon didn't listen, before long the dragon is calm and lowering its head while moving its head down. Raiden kneeled in front of the dragon, before the dragon's head poking out from its wings to see Raiden. "Banares, right?" he asked, the dragon didn't respond as they make a purring sound and nod.

"It's okay, you're not alone. I'm Raiden... Raiden Amagiri," he introduced himself, carefully placing his hand to reach out--only his thumb touches the tip of the snout. The moment he didn't felt anything unusual, Banares sniffed his scent of humanity and letting out a fanged snicker that made him a little relieved.

The moment he heard the sounds, Raiden chuckled a little and started to petting her chin with both of his hands. His eyes widened to see the dragon's injuries recovering by itself, before he caressing the top of his scaled head with armors and he released him--watching the dragon growls a little and obediently following him. "Don't worry guys, this creature's tamed!" Raiden shouted, looking at Karuna while pleading him through his eyes. "Trust me… he won't hurt us as long I'm here…"

Karuna was listening despite his comrades' frustrations over the Phantom Beast, especially when it's the Vipralopa-classed one. Oh well--he can't help it, the dragon was too injured that it got her limped--knowing its female that can move yet. He came up to his friend and they nod, before Raiden signaled his comrades to treat her wounds.

"Alright, your permission is granted."

Raiden was relieved he trusted him to do this, besides he need to make sure how to handle Banares at this situation, he stared at the dragon who was watching him intently-and soon enough Banares turned around to follow him back to his group. He was happy the dragon followed him without hesitation, and the beast seemed to be familiarizing him with this presence in this world.

"Wait, how do we brought this dragon to the camp?" one of the soldiers asked, making Raiden's face went pale--realizing how large the dragon is compared to him. "You brat! At least measure the damn size first!" his father Ryoma yelled, hitting his head in the process which startled the dragon a little.

Banares growled a little until Raiden went in front of her and touched her snout, calming her down. "I don't know, can she fly because her wings are recovered?" he asked, watching her slowly lifted her wings, only for one of them is torn. But, he saw the dragon manage to regenerate herself while his comrades are trying to protect her from getting killed (again) by a Vipralopa. "Can you fly?" he asked, the dragon let out a rumble as if she wants to fly.

Once her wings are healed and finally able to spread, Banares slowly flapped her wings. Everyone seem safe as they watch the dragon is preparing her wings as they expanded them, flapping them that everyone tried to covered their ears (because they cannot cancel the sound by protecting their ears) while holding each others to brace themselves. The flapping was strong and fast as if the monster trying to gather more wind to propel upwards to the skies.

The next day was something that Sanju was shocked about, his friends were shocked to see the dragon was here. Demian shake his head as he facepalmed, Haruna laughed nervously when he watched the Vipralopa-class Phantom Beast was laying on the ground to rest. Masaki rolled his eyes as he close the book, Juhaku glared at Raiden so does Akito who’s shocked to see this.

Kirana was busy comforting the dragon, while Kanae slept on the dragon's wing and Izana warned them to be careful. "WHAT ON EARTH DID YOU JUST DRAG NOW?!" Akito reprimanded, pointing at his right after the dragon laid down while snoring a little.

Raiden sighed as he was crossing his arms on his chest, before the dragon felt she is no longer alone in this world. "Hey, chill for a bit. Banares is harmless, she cannot move her right wings a bit. So what's the point of bringing her in here and letting us protect her when you claimed all Phantoms Beasts are just destructive creatures? No way, we should examine her--her wings are wounded since yesterday."

Banares looked up at him, her eyes is looking back at him with pair of white slit pupil that resembles a feline. For some reason, she was awake that he patted her scales. "We should hide this dragon from the Elder Council and Phantom Beasts, or someone will suspect our intentions," Jaemin told them, which Akito is concerned and somewhat concerned by hearing their motives. "Yeah right, I forgot those old men are the psychos that they can find all our traces easily."

"Let's go to the Alor Island, there should be a place to explore..." Karuna was about to continue his sentence, stopping his tracks. "Hm?" both men blinked, until they heard one of their soldiers' yelling. "Commander Karuna! They're here!" the Nirvana Organization personnels were guarding the campsite--while the other sentinels have returned. "Phantom Beasts... how did they find this place?" Haruse asked, rubbing his nape.

The smaller Phantom Beasts appearing out from the ground and attacking the tents, until it was shot and killed by them. "Leave this to us, don't look back," Karuna ordered, he turned to his rival Althair. "They're on your hands, responsibility is yours," he added, Althair nodded before he head out with his people on his commands.

"Akito, go with them--and make sure Sanjaya is safe along with his friends," Jaemin informed, making him nodded. "You should think of every alternatives from your sides," Karuna stated, when Banares slowly rising up after she's been sleeping for some time now.

Althair take off the emblem from the sash on his left hip and closed his eyes; he opens his eyes and tossed the emblem upwards as the flames emerged around in circle, before the emblem transformed into large Phoenix bird of the inferno; the companion that belonged to him.

"Azhdaha."

Althair caressed the soft scales of the Phoenix bird's head and it purred softly, recognizing him when he was once known a Vipralopa-class Phantom Beast known as Annapurna. Azhdaha squawked at him in response, before the Phoenix bird barricaded the group (including the dragon) into the island that appointed only him and the others.

Few minutes later...

"This is the place?"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Raiden asked when they have arrived at the cove, it was the area that was far but not to the extend away from Indonesia. The dragon was in the middle of recovery, rumbling a few purrs to see the new environment that seems familiar to her. "Hey, take it easy on the flight!" he exclaimed, seeing Banares was more energetic and taking a dive down to the shore of the island.

The group arrived at the shores of the islands and there were white sandy and a bridge with a wood as rails, but they cannot see any villages from the mainland. "I didn't know this dragon is this friendly..." Haruna murmured, before he watched the dragon emerged back and she was okay.

Masaki and his friends were excited by the seaview, and watching the dragon exploring the cove. Once the dragon was about to get out from the island, Raiden knew he needed to talk to her immediately. They were trying to find a place to hide the dragon, until something happened--a sudden burst of blast landed across the island and it hit Banares instead of them.

The dragon was sprawled on the ground with its injured state again, the sight made them feel bad for the creature in here and recollect what just happened from earlier. The dragon only responded with a low growl from its muzzle with the canines bleeding, its red eyes were almost dull and losing vision.

"Banares!"

Raiden yelled as he goes towards the dragon before they went into approach the creature, Masaki was shocked by the wounds the dragon received and it was obviously not from them. "Oh goodness, this is terrible…" Juhaku covered his nose with his wrist, the scent was strong for his aura to keep it going and Kirana was horrified by the condition--Kanae can see that the dragon was protecting them from the blast. "Who did this to this poor creature?" she asked, only Althair seems to know the answer. "He doesn't want to believe it, right?" Juhaku asked, knowing what the source was.

Haruse heard the rumbling from the dark gray clouds that it was thunder, he glanced at Raiden when he reminded him of that. "Better control the noise if you ever heard that," Raiden twitched his eyebrows when he teased him that, before he smiled with annoyed gaze under his bangs. "Excuse me, I'm not master of thunder or something like that!"

"Wait, did you guys sense that?"

Sanju asked them while he's keeping an eye on Banares for a moment at this time, until there's something wrong happened from above them. Juhaku nodded at him when he look up at the clouds in the sky with a black void, he didn't know what to expect that grew higher and more dangerously close. "Yeah, we do…" Demian replied and they knew this is bad, and now they were met with something unfamiliar yet familiar for the ones-who encountered them before.

"Watch out!"

All of them dodged and stepped back off the spot near Banares, turns out there are several Phantom Beasts and--one of them is completely different. The alien-like creature appeared on the ground, the mechanics and the black armor-like gears similar to the clock which made them surprised by the sight of the creature. "Let's split up, there's more in the other areas over there!"

Althair suggested when he saw the similar creatures in there, somehow they were in the skies. "Fuck, how about Banares? We can't just leave her like that!" Kirana complained, before one of the Phantoms Beasts roared at the dragon--which made the dragons awake and flapped its wings to try flying from the danger. "I'll handle her on myself," Raiden grumbled as he eventually catch up on the dragon, before they ended up splitting off.

Sanju was surprised but he nodded at them so they decided to split up to hide from the alien-like constructing clock-like creatures who attacked Banares, he need to make sure if those creatures were actually attacking the Banares or just curious about the creature at first.

The image of Maha make things worse that he couldn't forget his words this time, it made him getting more headache that he tried to brush it off. The latter had him panting heavily when he kneel down with one knee, resting his hand on his other knee and his chest tightened from his unsteady breathing. "Shit… my chest hurts…" his other hand held his chest and tried to calm down, closing his eyes when the buzzing of his ears continued.

Do you think you can achive your potential, yet?

The pressure was so deep that he couldn't believe this was happening, the last thing he needed is the Raiders found him--they knew they might complain to them why are they injured and can't let this happening for them.

Sanju raise his hand and slapped the side of his head, shaking his head that he insisted saying. "Let me… take a break first, old fool," he spoke some words as if he was there, perhaps he had seen worse than the eruption in his life. "I can't believe your words are honest after all…" he let out a tired frown on his lips when he attempted to stand up first, but he didn't notice that the creature reconstructed with the gem.

"Looks like I have to find the others first--"

His dark brown eyes under his black bangs widened when the pointer suddenly lunging into him, plunging through below his collarbones that he look down in horrified gaze-blood oozing out from his mouth when the pointer stabbed him. Sanju didn't expect at the creature's regeneration, before he lost consciousness and his vision went black by falling to the back. Sanju felt as if he didn't make it through but he want to go further, perhaps he had to stop and let the fate decides on him--his vision blurred that he was unconscious. He can't hear what's going on around him, but he didn't know what will the others say because the others were not there with him.

"No… Banares… don't hurt..."

Raiden's eyes widened when his whole movement froze by the atmosphere, he attempted to force himself to stand and clenched his fist. Until he saw the alien-like creature ran up towards him in speed, he was horrified that he couldn't close his eyes--that moment when the dragon shielded him from the creature--making him shocked and horrified that he tried to came up with the creature… until the pointer stabbed him right when he did.

Raiden fell down, blood spilled out from his mouth when he saw Banares' blood staining the ground. The dragon is heavily injured and then she fall to her side with her flaps slowly lowering down. "Banares... no..." Raiden wailed, before he felt his vision went black as the wound slowly succumbs his consciousness.

Juhaku was laying on the ground and his throat was severely injured, after defeated by the creature. Masaki was also dying from the sustaining injuries on his body, there was Damian ran with Haruna who couldn't help but having his horrified eyes widened--they were catching up with Kirana and Izana.

***

Hmm… seems like you're alive this time, and exhausted.

That voice, when was the last time he have heard of that? Nonetheless he doesn't care, tired of being weak and useless to save his friends from the campus. Sanju's eyes were shining scarlet that it has sharp black pupils with orange hue, the gold and red feathers scattering around him when he was laying on the ground in the darkness--staring at the medium-sized pendant that was floating before his eyes instead of his pendant of his bracelet, weakened by the wounds that made him weak.

Sanju's gaze narrowed with tiredness overlapped by confusion, he can't believe he was this weak even his body was that small and fragile than his past self. The voice was familiar enough to remind his trauma, but something was different--the voice seems alive and active as if it speaks something when he can hear the words. The words he would never forget, words and phrases that he heard.

Of course, this kind of words reminding him of the worst time of his life--so does Masaki and everyone in the other friend groups. From the trauma of being Maha's experiment (despite already saving him and that's what he got from him) with the torture upon him, his grandparents betraying his family, his mentor Siska died by Maha's hands and now the Phantom Eruption took a toll on him--including the death of the innocents. "I don't know... anymore... I feel like an idiot, a piece of trash, a burden--I don't want to die, a useless person that I..." the core appeared in front of him when the core revealed its true power, feeling the warmth within his whole body in him.

His tears came to streaming down from his eyes that he can't express his emotions, he should be strong enough because he can't make it through anything more at this point. Forgive him for being too weak and coward, he was stuck with his regrets in this very mind. For now, there's nothing he could do to change his destiny other than--becoming the only successful experiment from Maha.

"What would you want? I can't escape from my own blood heritage, I need to run..."

Sanju's expression darkened as his face went to more serious mode, he had enough--he wanted to fight back even it's risking his life. Either he stay strong or continue being weak.

"That's it… I had enough… of being weak…"

Sanju said with a weak voice due to the wounds that wounded him, relieving and finally come to terms with the reality that happened. That's it, he must stop Maha for what he done to everyone including him and his friends, and the elders who did not help them. He slowly got up despite the horrifying wounds, trying his best to ignore the pain and stare at the pendant in the air which the black and golden patterns slowly revealing itself to him.

This will cost something important, since you've changed a lot.

Are you no longer afraid? It's the law of nature.

For strange reason, he doesn't feel fear anymore…

No angst, sorrow, guilt and pain… nothing.

He didn't know how long he stayed there until he woke up later, seeing the blood on his body from the wounds and the broken pieces of his clothes. The only thing he could see was the glow from the center of the pendant in the darkness, he was too tired to comprehend things and he grew tired of being weak--he had enough.

You can never go back to the past, Sanju. You must accept that you have changed a lot and you cannot turn back. This is not the destiny you wanted, but you have to change that.

"That is life and death, and even you realized what will happen to you... you should know that... You should not have any regrets anymore, not for now... You understand, do you not?"

Sanju's eyes widened in shock at the voice that he heard, not by himself but from the pendant itself. He can't believe this is happening.

"Is this… real?"

But it's true, Sanju.

It's the truth that you seek.

Sanju reach out his hand at the light with a rather confused gaze, before the curious fingers on his hand turned into a fist that grasp the light on the inside of the pendant. For a moment, he felt the warmth as if his hand is heating inside from the light and the bloodlust on his eyes fading out completely, his gaze was almost gentle that he was scared to use this power to kill someone--just for living. However, things might change in the future. "I must... redeem myself... and erase my past..."

Indeed, you will embrace your destiny because you've realized this is not the answer, at all.

Sanju's bangs were covering his right eye as he stood up with the strength that he didn't know existed in him, he was covered with blood but he ignored it. He turned to the pendant in horror, due to how bloody he looks. His scruffy short black messy hair were messy and almost covering his dark brown eyes, his fair porcelain complexion is tainted with blood and dusts from his injuries. He felt the jolting pain of his injuries but he didn't care, this is what he must do. "What have I become?" he asked, looking at the pendant with his tired eyes.

It's difficult to explain but it's a sign that you mustn't give up.

Don't be afraid, this is just the beginning.

You're a Raksha, a Garuda Raksha; one who commands the balances of every aspects and the flames of the noble--the first-born Raksha of the New World.

Now awaken your flame, Sanju.

"I'm not worthy of this…"

Never doubt yourself, Sanju. There is nothing else that you can do now but to embrace this.

The burning fire inside his chest began to shine brighter, spreading through his entire body--the black chains with red aura and feather has appeared between both of his sides, engulfing him with the spilling blood from his mouth and wounds. Sanju's mouth open with his eyes when the chains engulfing him like when he received the power, it painfully restraining his limbs and his eyes shimmered with orange hue.

Sanju sensed the painful sensation all over his limbs entering his whole body, it was more intense that foreign energy and core entering him completely that made him choked out and screamed at the top of his lungs. He twitched his fingers before clenching that he resisted and feel the pain to linger within him, he know what must be done-the cost was the gear and the old weapon. As he could feel the burning sensation within his whole limbs and body itself, even psychologically and mentally affected his consciousness.

He was aware of the changes of his body, the black chains that's wrapped around his arms, legs and torso have become thicker and stronger than before. The water droplet fell into the water in an instance, unleashing and awakening his unrivaled and unequaled form. The pendant morphed and becoming a flower brooch blossomed from within his chest and there are one with black petals and one with gold with red ruby in the middle.

Remember, hold your heart--and awaken the noble soul…

Once his eyes snapped open with some crimson blazing sparks emerging from his once-dark brown eyes; his eyes narrowing again, no longer afraid nor hesitating of everything; through rebirth of his life he became a new person and potentially changed almost everything. His eyes brimmed with scarlet-gold color, before he close his eyes and fell into the water; signifying his awakening and the core is becoming part of him.

Farewell… Sanjaya Adinata.

***

Sanju opens his eyes with scarlet and amber hue with the red-gold eyeshadow, his gaze and black pupils are ultimately sharp like an eagle; as Garuda Raksha. His messy scruffy black hair extends longer into his waist and grew longer alongside his bangs, along the golden hairpiece with black ribbons; two platinum rings behind his head. Wearing a sleeveless black bodysuit with black choker body harness underneath his black-silver oriental dress-like collared attire with the platinum-white colored batik patterns, Mandarin collars and patterns of jasmine and Garuda feathers, with embroidery of silver metallic feathers on them and black choker body harness on his neck.

The platinum gold horns are pointed on his forehead, black-red choker with bird wings-like piece around his neck, his golden belt has gold platinum Ru-Yi knot and Yin and Yang emblem at the back.After he obtained the Brahmastra, he gained a pair of fingerless black gloves reaching up to his upper arms, thigh-high heeled black boots with the red strings and silver accents with chords. Wearing a black metallic Raksha's mask with shape like a Garuda, revealing lower part of his face except his lips and chin.

The scarlet-gold wings-like cape hanging on his shoulder reaching his ankle gloriously; a flowing two red capes reminiscent of flames on the his shoulders behind him with the gold accents and two symbols of Chinese characters; Yin (陰) and Yang (陽) with golden colors. Holding a newly-forged Brahmastra; Exaltation of Savitr and would floating beside him as a three weapons. The bird feathers' color turned scarlet and gold, retaining his youth and considered handsome by his sligtly feminine face into slender and muscular built that fits his physique.

Sanju grabbed the large pointer from where that stabbed him, he pulled them out with ease as his wounds recovered and regenerated--no dirts even bloods tainted on him. He opened his red eyes that gleaming with the blazing flames that almost seem real, pulling himself to stand and look back on the creature. The alien-like creature appeared on across him by an instance, he stared at the creature before knitted his eyebrows together that he was far more calm and composed--emotionless that is.

Once the creature has charging towards him, he summoned his newly-formed sword into cutting the creature effortlessly with the triple cuts and breaking the armors--the chain-blade appeared behind the alien-like creature into restraining them--the spear appeared and hitting a red gem-like core to point of breaking them. Sanju watch the alien-like creature shattered into pieces before its vanishing into thin air, showing no remorse of murdering the creature.

The downpour was the only thing he heard, his cold expression did not change that silence brims through the field. It doesn't matter anymore, he obtained the power and he was aware of what it cost. For some reason, he only sensed a blissful serenity and that moment he was consumed by his dark side which was restrained by the core and the chains of the pendant. He know what must be done to obtain that power and that cost.

His mind cleared of all confusion and regrets that he felt before. The beast within him that restrained deep inside of him roared the silent-blazing fire that could destroy everything. His scarlet eyes slowly became hollow as he take a glance at the Brahmastra that float beside him.

There is nothing he can do now except to continue his mission, the price for his power. As he was holding up his hand forming the black orb with red aura around it, he tightly clench them into a fist; chanting the spell. The light of mana began to gather around his fists and the pendant itself, the sphere cracked into smaller fragments and slowly formed the circular ring with the same color as the pendant.

He threw the orb and a huge explosion happened in a split second, a cloud of smoke was covering the field and the explosion spread from the center to the edges. The impact blew the leaves and branches into the wind, his hair and cape were fluttering with the wind as he stared at the center. All the debris and smoke vanished, the ground has become flat with no traces of the battle as if it never happened. His expression was grim, he realized what just happened and there was nothing he could do now, after realizing the effect of his ability.

The blade and the circle-like necklace behind him is glowing in red and golden color, the effects of the abilities were already taken a toll on him. He can feel the aftermath pain, the sensation of a foreign energy which not belonged to him which burning, agonizing and psychologically taking a toll on his body and conscience. The downpour covered his tears under his mask, he merely stood there--while the raindrop mixed with his tears began to erase the traces on the ground.

His lips trembled, his eyes narrowed a little. "After all… how can I keep the promise?" he murmured, glancing at the horizon and remembering those words for a moment.

*ೃ༄