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Phantom Samsara: Path of Asura
Chapter XXIII: Shooting Star

Chapter XXIII: Shooting Star

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Sanju was in the aircraft that look like a spaceship, he watched the ocean and the forests are visible from the window. He hummed, before he heard a voice calling out for him. “Sanjaya, how are you feeling?” Kirana asked, she was standing beside him with her hands behind her back. Sanju stared at her, then he let out a soft sigh with a smile. “I’m fine Kirana, why are you worrying? We took care of ourselves respectively when we’re separated remember?” he asked, seeing Raiden was so excited while he dragged Akito INTO his excitement.

Kirana smiled sincerely, she always make sure Sanju is alright and doing fine which applies to everyone. “We remember that, you know? Besides, we still contacting each other and we’re friends--”

The Sound Raksha froze to see Renata hugged him from across them, making Kirana’s face darkened with an annoyed smile. He was surprised as well, but overall he was petrified by how she clinging her arm around his. “Sanjaya, why don’t we take some detour around here? I believe you like to explore this place, right?” she asked, that Sanju gulped while he replied. “Sure… I guess? It’s my first time stepping on this aircraft and… could you stop hugging me like that?”

Sanju really need some space after that.

Renata winked at Kirana who seemed to be flustered by her presence, most of people swayed by her beauty and cunning figure. However, even both genders unable to resist her advances, rejection and confrontation (except Haruse, Radithya, Ryoma, Althair and Salihin who are immune to her words) but Aldiano is one exception and he refuse to respond to that.

Sanju tried not to be awkward when Renata clinging her arms around his arm. He glanced and checked the situation, he knew they had to come up with a plan. Most of members of Nirvana Organization noticed his anxiety and slight nervousness as he never interacted too much with girls during their mission until recently, most of Silver Slumbering Dragon Organization members mostly understood that.

"Do you have something to ask about the situation between Silver Slumbering Dragon Organization and Nirvana Organization, hmm?" Renata asked, teasing him while they sat together--on a red seat while watching the scenery below them. He nodded hesitantly. "Yes, please do. Just help me out so I'm not awkward around them."

Renata let go of her grip and her smile remain as always while looking at Sanju. "Well, first of all Althair is our mentor and leader while my mentor--you know his real name already. The whole organization respected and love him so much, but he can be a bit lunatic... like always, even Salihin admitted his personality is a bit of a mixture between insanity and... eeriness."

Eerie and insane? Sanju doesn't think so, he always seen calm and calculating. In fact, for the past few months he even managed to keep some people in check that trying to go beyond their limits and his actions, especially as a leader or a military general. Also, Aldiano admitted that Althair has several sides that no one knows—except when he was alone.

"Right, he knew us deeply and well, not many in the United Nations assembly know his status or rank--he's kind of troublemaker... that's what Karuna said about him. He warned me that he can be exaggerating at times."

Renata chuckled, poking his cheek and playing with his long strand of black bangs over his dark brown eyes from his short scruffy black messy hair and his slightly tanned porcelain skin. "Our typical leader, not that surprised when he have that face-palm moment with Karuna and other executives behind his back. So, those two are longtime rivals-slash-friend, depending on the situation.”

Renata began, she leaned her body closer towards him. Her chest almost pressed against his arm, it made him a bit uncomfortable to the sudden proximity. He didn't try to be hostile, like really, she's still his older sister figure. She always looking for him.

'Kirana's gonna kill me at this point,' he thought and his mind was quite loud, that's what Renata realized about him. She quickly picked his thoughts and reading his mind, Sanju need to stay focus! “Very shy boy aren't you, Sanjaya?” she whispered, as she used her Hypnosis Voice to keep him ‘listening’ to her—but Sanju choose to deflect her commands by moving his arm away from her.

"Now that we have arrived in Saranjana City Island, we can take a fresh air and have fun, right?" she chirped, teasing him.

Sanju don't think Renata mean it, he knew he had to change. As they landed at the secret base where both Silver Slumbering Dragon and Nirvana Organization finally assembled all of joint militaries, most of them were scientists, soldiers, politicians, and journalists from around the world--in separate groups by the spaceships.

All members of both group assembled at the secret base for the upcoming 'mother of all missions'; the most top-secret mission led by an unknown person, Althair and Karuna were surprised to see the massive-sized army mobilized under the same time under one roof.

"It's strange; Mahatma managed to escape from Singgahsana's clutches," Jaemin commented, where the Nirvana Organization members are listening. He discussed with the Superintendent of Nirvana Organization, and he remained his usual self. “The Elder Council are still not found yet, last time they were seen is in this island.”

Renata and Icha were chatting together and teasing about Akito, he and the rest of Silver Slumbering Dragon members were eating and just catching up with the rest of the Nirvana Organization after everyone got separated. Icha still playing her game console, before she look up at her. "Do you suspect that? I really wondered, can the organization's technology lead us? What's your answer to this, Renata?"

Renata's glasses hiding her cold, unmoving and sadistic red eyes--almost glowing which makes them slightly shivered in fear. "This isn't the first time I faced Maha, I have faced him once when I was on my mission--my Hypnosis Voice didn't work on commanding him or make him do anything I wanted. I had to oblige, he have some type of counter to stop and disable any kind of energy. While he have an enchanting and good-looking figure, appearances are the only things he have that looks soft."

They were surprised by that revelation, how come the strongest member of Silver Slumbering Dragon unable to disarm him?

Sanju went to visit the city after he took a nap from the aircraft bedroom, he looks like he need to get something to eat and explore the city to find some answers. "This is so cool," he thought, before he walked through the bridge and he noticed a wanted flyers of Maha and the other executives like Orther, Gideon and the others who were part of the wanted.

He's also familiar with this specific faces of the people who are often labeled as terrorists for several reasons. He can see Maha's face and he never changed, his eyes widened to see other wanted flyers of Silver Slumbering Dragon members--but they were just bounty flyers. And for some reason he knew this might escalate things quicker, knowing how the organization operates-and now the Silver Slumbering Dragon, they're going to invade Maha's hideout sooner.

Sanju also saw the Nirvana Organization members guarding this city after noticing that the water is polluted. They heard that the corruption doesn't only affect here--but also the surface and the surrounding countries. He also saw the wanted flyer of himself, he snorted to see the price that still remains high on it. No wonder it is still valid--well, his mission was classified that he never took part in the invasion of Old World. It caused him some guilt towards them despite he did his job quickly.

But, it's time to move on and there will be no traces of Old World except its legacy and relics that still exist.

That's what Sanata thought, while he was sitting with Aldiano, Victoria and Leon who watched them from the distance. They just choose to chill, since they prefer to have some peace. "It's been a while since we've been together, how long was it?" Victoria asked, watching Leon drinking his glass of wine elegantly. "Can't remember, but only half of them," he replied, looking at Aldiano who kept his composure and Sanata was looking at the night sky from the window. "I'm not alone... huh..."

Judging from his 'cold' expression, he seems much less strict and loosen up with his Arbiter friends. "Come on, why don't we have fun in Seranjana?" Victoria teased, making him sighed as he immediately responded. "Fine... just don't bother me," he said, making Leon chuckled while the Oxavian hummed. "You're still yourself, Sanata."

"You're still yourself."

Radithya said to his son, standing behind Sanju which surprised him a little that his father came here before they turned around, greeted him as if their death never existed. "So, how was it? All you found on this place were ruins and crumbling infrastructure, right?" he continued and Sanju nodded. "Yeah, this place already beyond salvation and there's no luck I can find."

"Find what, exactly?" Radithya noticed him aiming his thumb behind him, staring at the wanted flyers plastered on the wall and pointed at it. The red hand-written reward stated: Dead or Alive. "I can take that mission, we already know who is the mastermind, and now that is we need to take his location and his allies," he joked, pointing at the flyer of himself. "Seriously, can they come up with something efficient?"

His eyes twitched from seeing that nameplate 'scaredy cat, not recommended to hunt!' which everyone always label him after some unfortunate events in the past. "Oh, I'm perfectly aware," Radithya spoke up. "They really did a bad job at describing the wanted's appearance, they only write 'he love to collects capes because of his tastes, run if you want to avoid a trap'. This flyer can't be the one I usually hunt for."

"Which one do you choose, Father?"

Radithya facepalmed comically when he take a look at the wanted flyer, showing his expression is utterly annoyed.

"See this one? Your best friend is described 'the energetic thunder kid who love adventures', and the writing is not the opposite from his personality and isn't he that big of a deal. Same goes to you; the calm, and collected scout, when they described you as 'an independent human being,' the person who made it didn't even know how to describe us Rakshas in a way that is professional! Those guys must've been really stupid, and there are people who can use this description to trick everyone and send the hunt to a nameless nobody."

Sanju almost chortled after he snickered about the description written on the flyers, oh god he isn't so sure to tell this to Raiden. "This one too, Akito's description is 'a playboy who has shameless flirting tendencies around girls' and his life achievement is playing a role in a movie where the crowd can watch."

Radithya stated that made Sanju burst out laughing, wiping his tears before Radithya tried not to cry while laughing.

"Look at myself, mine is 'the widower who almost never married, he lost his love in the most tragic way' and the old man who sent me this order said I look like the 'typical dad who spent his time on raising his child, too devoted until he forgot what he was doing’... the one who made this is a smart-ass, where can you found someone here that fit the description? Seriously? My appearance is more like an eagle!"

That's when Sanju looked around and the members of Silver Slumbering Dragon are having fun exploring the city, checking some files and other evidence around here while discussing it with those Nirvana Organization members. Yukito was laughing at his younger twin Akito's wanted poster, which he grew pale at his own description. Both Juhaku and Raiden laughed together as they looked at the files—Sanju suspected that it might contain information that was extremely embarrassing.

Sanju entered the bazaar area of the city, he was getting hungry and he wanted to eat fishcakes so bad, but then, his nose was caught by smell of a large variety of traditional dishes and fruits.

No wonder Silver Slumbering Dragon's members were here when they wanted to explore things here, at least he'll just enjoy his time. He checked his wallet, he has many cash and credit, maybe he can try the food from the market when he stopped in front of the large establishment. He doesn't want to pass this chance to try and buy the specialities here, he's hungry.

"Argh... there's so many choices here," he complained, ambling on the streets of his home and at the same time of the city of Saranjana. In the street market, many people were at stalls and local restaurants—it was especially lively during the day, with the main attraction being the various varieties of dishes and delicacies from around the world and street performers. In short, it is very chaotic. Not even a couple of minutes of his stay and he is immediately lost and his head is full of endless ideas for what to do.

"Ah, there it is."

It took an hour that he went to the Chinatown section, he bought the fishcakes and local fruit from the seller--he ate the fishcake with pleasant flavor, and continued to stop by for some light meals (something that is very crispy) while on the way at the Grand Temple, he decided to stop and went to observe the surrounding when suddenly he realized his 'deja vu' moment, was happening.

"Boo."

Sanju yelped when someone scared him, he turn around and turns out it was Renata. "You scared me, AGAIN."

"Found you, silly boy."

He shook his head when he turned around and sit on a wooden floor, noticing the sound of river and the city of Saranjana was right below--almost glistening. Renata sat down beside him, accompanying him because she was told by Althair to keep an eye on him (even though he doesn't want to).

Renata couldn't help but notice Sanju's attention to something else (since he didn't mind his babbling about the topic of Izana) and since her group wasn't doing anything, she just listened. The market was only a small trip, yet it led him to walk away. "It has been days since our last visit... how about you, Renata?"

Sanju asked, remembering the fact she lived far away from him; an hour flight distance. "Hm, yes, sometimes if the weather allows it. Even Akito used to go to the market with Yukito."

Renata nodded when she watched Sanju, it wasn't heavy and he let the silence lingered when he already finished his breakfast. "Why are you here?" he asked, unsure. He felt curious about the reason why she's here since there are a lot of historical buildings to see, not a simple and boring place like this. She can join the others who were buying something at the souvenir store.

"What else?" she shrugged, her soft hair has been flowing from the calm breeze from the direction of the sea, or the other sources. "Now, let's get going. We don't want a Phantom Beast to appear here or if you accidentally stepped on a mine, not if I can protect you."

"Why would I...?"

Renata tilted her head to the side, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She wouldn't mind to spoil the fun so she can tease him, because the way he spoke was just so cute and innocent--like a child that made her reminded of a cheerful Arina when he was small. Renata shook her head, she couldn't do that because Sanju is someone who wants to help--not harm.

Sanju sighed when he stand up and Renata followed, she was about to stand up until she slipped forward--until his hand captured her wrist swiftly. Seriously, she has done several dangerous stunts and never felt fear in the face of mortal danger.

"Are you doing that by accident? Or on purpose?"

He asked, pulling her up until she stood, before both of them walking ahead without she knew he blushed. "Take it for granted," he added, unsure of her true intentions or she already has a grudge on him. She was about to respond, her playful instinct suddenly snapped and instead of an insult, she stared at Sanju.

Renata put her finger on his cheek before poking his cheeks and playfully pulled his ears. "Thank you, oh my~ what a gentleman," her index finger trailed around his lips.

Oh, you have such adorable smile and angelic features, I wonder why..." she purred, and had the idea to get close when he froze for a second, before he calmed himself down and push her head away from him by her forehead. "I'm definitely not asking for help, and I'm not adorable, and I can handle a dangerous situation myself," he stated, causing Renata to laugh.

Sanju sighed, before he turn around to see Renata still standing there. She had already realized that those 'cliche romance stories' have a strange effect on him when she put her hands on her hips and started to sing again. "Hm hm hm hm..." she hummed, before she tapped his shoulder. "Now, let's stop right here and we're almost on the Grand Temple; aren't you excited?" she questioned with an eager look, while Sanju remained silent and didn't react, he turned away as he tried not to looked nervous.

Meanwhile, Sanju's team are in the Grand Temple which turns out to be a facility with several labs and subject rooms that was undiscovered. They came with Althair, Haruse, Salihin and the other Silver Slumbering Dragon members joined the investigation. Sanju has arrived with Renata inside, he saw his father is here as well, along Raiden’s father stood next to him. "So, this is where Maha used to perform his 'test subjects'?" he asked, referring them as Phantom Beasts.

"Correct," Salihin said with his eyes closed, he never open them unless if it's an important thing. He must be thinking and his mind is full of theories or his calculations, overall the foreshadowing in the future. "Some of his experiments are 'evolving' genes of Phantom Beasts into reviving someone who died, and this is the right opportunity for him."

The thought made them shiver and Akito felt a chill of that thought, Haruse is silent when he observed his surroundings--like he did with hospital archives room they visit previously when they were separated from Nirvana Organization members. The Nirvana Organization will catch up later, now they focused on finding details about Maha's true intentions. "You mean, to try once again?" Yukito murmured with a serious look on his face.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Senja nodded, looking at him. "Yes," he replied, before he checked the second floor for some more information. Renata nudged Sanju's side and whispered. "Don't be nervous, we need to grab their interest. You know what they want to use and it's the key of understanding Izana's story, they said it has been a dangerous."

"What?”

Sanju questioned, the rest of them looked over at him. "Renata, stop making insane assumptions," Haruse warned, without Renata could respond--it is Aldiano who decided to speak first to them. "Fear not, the more we know the easier to free the minds with great power."

Althair grabbed a journal which is belonged to Maha, he wipe off the dust before opening the page. They know that Izana might be in danger if her mind became submissive to Maha's; that is what happened in the conference when he appeared. The worst thing is her psychological condition began to undergo a huge change; especially when she find out of what he has done.

"Alright... let me summarize this to avoid misunderstandings."

Sanju gulped, shaking his head a bit. 'No, that's not...' he tried not to let panic sets in, when Akito and Yukito glanced each other before decided to calm down. "Izana's adopted by him, but when she was nine years-old--she suffered an illness that made Maha had to do blood transfusion to her. And, do you know what happened next? It affected her DNA so... she recovered and shared the immunity and health that Maha had--but not his immortality," he concluded, getting more pages when he flipped it.

It was the same story, he figured that had an 'added notes' written. "Maha's first and last love... her name is Kalina Adinata, the fuck?" he murmured, looking at Sanju and Radithya who was equally confused. "Kalina? Why do we have many ancestors? Last time we had Sanata, now we had to ask him first if he knows," Radithya grumbled.

"According to his studies about the 'Tree of Imaginary' and 'Tree of Universe' theory that Maha referenced, the Rakshas lifecycles that was also being referred as ‘Burdens of Immortality’. He studied about how to revive a person who died long time ago through using the Core of Asuras, so she will be able to return; while Izana became his supposed candidate--but decided to adopt her instead as his daughter."

Althair took a deep breath, and his look darkened that he was so gritting his teeth before he speak up in rage. "This is... what's the meaning of this?!"

"He dragged a whole mess of chaos… JUST TO REVIVE HIS LONG DEAD LOVER!?"

Sanju whispered but soon turning into a loud snap, baffled and flabbergasted by the revelation of his motives. "Unfortunately, that theory wasn't just referring 'love'," Renata stated, she herself was pissed off that his ambitions and desires weren't healthy ones. "...Or at least not in the way he wants. Most likely 'anyone'," Icha corrected herself. "That's why people always want to find a loophole only if he doesn't succeed on his goals," Renata added while shaking her head, this madness of Maha was something that may scar and broke someone to stay stronger and remain sane with a strong mind-strength and body--let's not talk about emotions; they won't even have a positive effect.”

Akito and Yukito are not amused by the stories that continued on about the 'Core of Asuras'. Althair and the others knew that the 'Core of Asuras' has a direct relation with Tree of the World which connects the immortals, and of course there is the spirituality. Kinana was shocked by the discovery, while Kanae's sleepy expression grimaced and Raiden facepalmed--let alone Sanju who was furious upon discovering this.

"He's gonna make another bubble universe, right? After those failed attempts and 176 fatalities caused by the Phantom Beast research project and most of his... what if he goes crazy or obsessed in that madness, becoming worse as a person. Correct me if I'm wrong."

Salihin asked, he knew this lunatic was just digging for information and a way to reach a higher potential.

"We're dealing with a worst case scenario."

Haruse said nothing; he is still remaining calm, and that silence unnerved Salihin even more. Sanju narrowed his eyes, not knowing who is Kalina, that has same surname as his ancestor from the past. Maybe he can ask his forefather about this later, knowing that this man is immortal and lived from the Old World until he naturalized in the New World here--he should have known something.

Sanju let his thoughts lingers as Raiden turn around to pick up the journals from Maha, one was about a story of Izana, he has collected and found several clues to lead to her. "Darn, this is beyond fucked up," Akito whispered, but everyone still able to hear what he just stated; this is not normal for Kanae, she is also surprised by the sudden turn.

"People who had received this knowledge is cursed," he commented, having the urge to slam his fist on the table. "Sanju, Radithya... please ask Sanata about t his, I know he's not interested to participate since he's neutral--but he should have known who was Kalina Adinata."

Sanju wondered if it will reveal more than what he expected, "It must be a curse from the previous legacy," Salihin said, which they nodded.

"Let's take a break first..."

Few hours later…

Sanata was sitting on the couch inside the aircraft with the others, in front of him was Sanju and Radithya—he was sipping his cup of tea while listening attentively to their question. Victoria was sitting with Leon and Aldiano, listening to them. "Kalina Adinata is one of my descendants but not from the Old World, so I don't know what relation does her has with you," he spoke softly, crossing his leg as he continued.

"But, she was the strongest fighter to have ever lived and fought against the Phantom Beasts. Even one man like Mahatma Kartawinata himself fell in love with her, to the point that he wanted to set her free from her trial, she was ordered to be executed by hanging for her crimes of 'theft'… but he saved her life; they ran away together."

Sanju could tell this is the root of the reason why Maha caused this chaos, and this is his motive.

"One of the greatest legacies who motivate humanity to defeat the Phantom Beasts is Kalina, she was a powerful warrior--I believe she inherited my family's genes to carry down the Adinata bloodlines... so don't be surprised if it shows up in future generations and they possess our traits. If you wonder how did she passed away, well... she was accused of stealing her own family heirloom after her death and that was when the conflict caused... although it was proven false, it was too late. Kalina is the 'New World Adinata' while I'm the 'Old World Adinata' when it comes to ancestral tree, do you understand what this is all about?"

He asked them, placing his cup of tea on the table. "Yes... her name is only written in the family tree when we check it out, and… not everyone know her," Radithya said, that made Sanata lifted his eyebrows.

"She was considered a 'disgrace' despite being one of the respected matriarchs in Adinata Family, she fell in love with Maha--that time he was just a commoner and both of them were deeply in love. They have the same goals, and in addition she broke many man's hearts so the village women made up rumors to smear her name for once and never talked about her again... but I was the one who clear up her name because she contributed so much. A woman like Kalina is important, someone who inspire people to take chances for themselves and people alike, someone who motivates people to change their lives.”

"Why would she do that?"

Kanae asked, curious of her legacy and stories. Sanata hummed, before he explained. "She was one of my descendants after all, she has that selfless, brave and powerful personality... Kalina believed there is potential in humans and she won't stop to protect them, no matter what the consequences," he paused, his sentence just sounds different as if he saw her spirit in his descendants--it gives Sanju and the others a new hope.

"That is why I considered Kalina is a 'New World Adinata' among everything, since the Old World Adinata has my name. Furthermore, Maha admired her honesty and her beliefs."

Sanata indeed disappeared for a long time and absent from the Adinata's even as a forefather, but he returned when he find out there's a matriarch in the family was born--and he took a vow to be the grandfather figure for the child and guide her along the way.

This means no-one should mention 'Kalina Adinata', except his descendants and none of them spoken about it (thanks to the pressure of Adinata Elders). However, they hated the elders even Sanata kick them out for being conservative. "You see, Maha is trying to revive her by using the Core of Asura... which means he will make her a Raksha if she got revived," Althair stated, while he stood next to them.

Sanata narrowed his eyes, how come after this...? Someone suddenly spoke up, stating the facts that might ruin his dreams. "There's a 'possible' chances he can revive her, there are three of them; one, whether creating new branch of bubble universe," he pointed out with his finger, before he added. "Two, using his leftover of blood to transform another person," he continued, with his words left the impact to them. "And the final one, we're talking about here... the Core of Asura, I don't know if that will work--considering that Kalina passed away like LONG time ago."

Sanju’s eyes widened, knowing that alone made him questioning himself in regard of defeating them--but he know that Haruna will deal on Orther after this. "I agree, you might just better off abandoning him," he groaned before sighing, shaking his head. "It's almost impossible to revive someone who has been dead for hundreds or thousands of years--and you will go insane by continuously having this 'what if' thought, I know you want to convince him but... you might just try another way to stop him."

"Such as?" Renata asked, wondering what is the first method was, before the Arbiter spoke.

"Well, where do I begin?"

He snapped his fingers, before he placed an item that represents the universe in front of them on the coffee table--there was the two pieces of it on his hand. He began to play around with them, making sure it will reveal a hidden message. "His mind is clouded, filled with the overpowering desires and it is likely to remain firm on his decision because of the thought of the soul's interconnection. I've known Maha for quite a long time, before and after he fell in love with her. If he wants to resurrect Kalina Adinata and make her a Raksha--he has already found the answer without realizing it.”

His words made them sighed in exhaustion, even the Nirvana Organization had doubts in stopping him.

"All of you want to stop him, right? Well, considering that he's been immortal thanks to consuming that Gandapana wine--that was an alcoholic divine wine for Asuras and he never aged—it applies to his partner-in-crime as well. His sense of beauty and admiration is from 90's, back in his past and that man will take a detour if he got rejected... let's hope that this never comes to that."

The Adinata forefather explained, placing the cup of tea on the table. "Is there a way to defeat him? Urgh, what if he will make more Phantom Beasts if we killed him?" Akito asked, and Sanju continued his words after Raiden went silent. He remained silent, he saw Althair handed Maha's journal to him and he receive the journal--he began to read them carefully through his spectacles.

His eyes widened, before he slammed the journal and shut his eyes in surprise; however, he controlled his sudden emotion and sigh heavily. "This is..." he felt anger began to build up inside him, for the sake of the 'familial' bond and history, as Maha saw 'family' as sacred and 'precious', almost to the point of sacred. "He humiliated Adinata's legacy... Kalina is THAT important to him that he claims himself, just how delusional is he becoming?"

Everyone watched the Arbiter's serious look changing into anger, about what happened and he just let it flow... causing another mess. It must be all about 'the immortality' and Izana's trial of separation from her loved ones; that alone fazed him. He gritted his teeth, making Salihin flinched a little at his sudden emotion. "So, that means... what do you think?"

Renata asked, watching Sanata standing up and turning around--putting his hands on his hips as he tried to calm down, this is beyond his limits. "Everything related to 'immortality', I hoped he didn't seek for it. Look at him, what is the 'legendary treasure' that he found? It caused all of this, now I regret not stopping him."

His hands gripped into fists, before shaking his head and took a deep breath for a moment. "He seeks for immortality, the magic or his beloved memory... was it to cure his loneliness for his life? Did he get lonely being an immortal?" Sanata grumbled, before he turn around to face them.

“It would be the best idea to stop him, if he was undefeated--then the only way to stop him is sealing him away. Or, perhaps making him reborn... but that might be unlikely, unless..."

--Thousand Years Ago--

Kalina Adinata is a fifteen years old years old matriarch of Adinata Family, she was seen walking down the garden while being carefree while having a strong sense of duty. She has a long black hair that tied in traditional bun with a golden hairpin and dangles, her messy uneven bangs fell upon her dark brown eyes and cheeks--she also has flawless porcelain complexion. Her attire consists of traditional empress-like black dress with two separate sleeves that has platinum embroidery, platinum sash around her waist with the white bird-wings cape that draped over her shoulders--keeping the arms part open and wears a black heeled sandals.

"Kalina, watch your steps.”

Sanata told her, seeing her expression right now showed how naïve her personality can be and her response is based on her 'good nature' with a hint of playful. "I know, you always said that and every time, Master Sanata," she huffed, annoyed by his same old comment when she stopped and turned around, staring at the man who raised her and remained neutral. "Your parents will be coming soon, don't do anything reckless when they visited the palace later," he warned, before turning around to visit the fountain across them.

Kalina huffed, before she began to climb up on the large tree and hopped to the other leaves, she loves exploring things here. Until she saw a boy with short platinum blonde hair with long uneven bangs, teal-blue eyes and porcelain complexion--he wears a black and white uniform with traditional cape draped on his shoulders, same color as Kalina's. He stared at the outside view, feeling how peaceful and calm it was--seeing the sunsets had a pleasant aesthetic for his eyes, because the world he came was different.

"Hello?"

The fifteen-years old Maha yelped when he saw a girl smiled at him and she waved, he was slightly flushed before he shook it off and greeted her. "Oh, hello... are you the granddaughter of my father's friend? I'm Mahatma Kartawinata--but I'm mostly known as Maha," he introduced himself shyly, blushing a little since the girl didn't hide her smile and he has a crush on her. It is certainly not the right time to have the feelings towards her and her big smile was so dreamy for him that he just wanted to melt.

"I'm Kalina, Kalina Adinata! Want to join me for a while?"

Kalina asked, seeing he stared at her in shock and was embarrassed by her cheerfulness. "S-Sure," he replied, he felt like he was on the edge when they talked together. Turns out, they were able to find each other's similarity and happiness was building inside--not to mention Kalina and Maha have the same 'passions' and 'hopes' and that wasn't just that--both were in love with each other.

Sanata watched them from the distance, as far as he can tell this couple was truly meant for each other. He wouldn't stop their happiness, but he had to be sure... that their love won't break them.

In the mansion, Sanata watched her parents came back and he noticed how nervous Maha and Kalina looked. Turns out, they wanted to introduce themselves to Kalina's parents but didn't know what was their reaction might like, they are concerned of her. "They're just friends, why are you worrying about?" he asked sternly, because he already investigated the fact about how kind they are, he can take care of them if her parents are against them. "I already asked if their status or their differences were the only reasons of objection," he responded, having a cold stare towards the adults.

"Master Sanata, why did you let our daughter befriended with a commoner's child? He's... he's abnormal!"

The adults scolded Sanata, because his family lived with average life and not a 'status quo'. Maha became silenced and couldn't move, fear and sadness filled his mind that made him unable to speak up to defend himself--even Kalina was trying to against them.

Until, Sanata sighed and he he glared at her parents. "You only cared about status, both of you doesn't deserve to be parents--you only care about yourself and your reputation in the society," Sanata scolded them in indifferent, making her parents froze in shock by his words.

"Look at Maha.”

The Arbiter began to state, in pure anger that caused Maha flinched, "He may be not noble like you and me, but he has another talents that surpassed all of you," he declared, surprising Kalina's parents since they didn't even try to keep their face in check.

Kalina wanted to see how does Maha feel and see his expression, the boy didn't even look them in the eyes, trembling in front of her parents' gaze as the insults were hurled his way and he couldn't cry. "If you dare insist against me and your daughter, then... I will cross your names off from the family tree and permanently disown you," he threatened them, immediately silenced them in fear.

"Do I make myself clear?"

They shivered in his cold glare before they nodded, "Let's go," Kalina's father commanded, walking away with Kalina's mother. Kalina became happier as she hugged the immortal forefather, making Sanata sighed and began to glance at Maha. "Consider yourself lucky that I let you two met, otherwise I might just kicked you off from the Palace."

"Yes, Master Sanata!"

Kalina stated happily, before Sanata raised his index finger and pointed it at Maha. "You heard it yourself," he begun, which Maha nodded and straightened up, Kalina shoved her hand at him and insisted that they would become good friends and Kalina didn't care about his status--after that, their 'friendship' began to develop to a romantic relationship when they turned twenty-one years old.

Kalina became the first female Chief Commander of Indonesian Military as she defeated Phantom Beasts during the early age of Phantom Beasts arrived to the Indonesia, earning title on her way as her desire to protect humanity became stronger--and nobody dared to stop her and their objection weren't in her way because of the fact she survived it.

Sanata always taught his female descendants to equalize their status and make humanity stronger, however he didn't expect she fell in love with Maha--and turns out her parents weren't pleased by the news of their marriage when they came back from the military campaign. "You are asking too much, stop nagging for Maha! He's not like your perfect ‘in-law'," she demanded, not wanting to listen to the ridiculous argument.

Sanata glared at her parents, they never try to approve the union between the couple. It was ridiculous and they didn't even had heart to see Kalina was going to marry the man she loved and have a new beginning. "Young lady, this is not appropriate..." her mother paused that Kalina stand up, before she turn around and leave the living room on her own.

This made the Arbiter clenched his fists, how could they do this? Where are their empathy and tolerance to this? He took a deep breath, before he started on them and spoke. "Look at you two," he said to Kalina's parents, seeing their faces are full of hatred and spite. The Arbiter remembered the day she left the mansion to spend her days in Maha's place.

"Sanata, how could you do this to us?!"

Sanata ignored them when he look down at her parents, before he sighed. "I never taught my descendants to live above the poor, so does your daughter. I can't believe both of you are so desperate to get her married and got her name in high authority, I won't let you choose her life and who she loves," his deep voice rang across the room. They opened their mouths, like they want to beg for his pardon.

Soon after, Kalina was caught and was ordered to be executed by hanging for her crimes of 'theft' and the whole people wasn't aware, but Kalina wasn't a thief and stole her family heirloom by mistake. Her parents pushed Maha away and it was too late when the clan elders ordered to execution.

Maha was determined to save her, when he has arrived at the trial--he aimed the arrow to the executioner, and his determination to free Kalina stunned the entire crowd.

"M-Maha? You're..." she whispered, noticing the executioner got killed by an arrow on the head from behind--before Maha grabbed her wrist. "Let's run away together, I can't let your parents ruined your reputation and our relationship..."

"But if we run, Maha... we will be viewed as fugitives."

"I don't care, we promise ourselves to always be together."

Both of the couple ran away together, which made her parents grew enraged when her inheritance got robbed. Sanata, on the other hand--merely observing them while listening to her parent's rage about Maha's interference in that trial.

"Sanata, I'll make you pay! I'll revoke you from the throne, as an elder's duty!"

Kalina's father threatened him who was observing everything, with an eyes red from holding back his rage, but the latter--Sanata's ice power relapsed as he doesn't hesitate to execute his own descendants for their selfishness and it was dangerous to have their own daughter gone.

He couldn’t care less, since she already has her own lover that is more suitable than the 'suitors' chosen by them. "You haven't listened to my teachings, knowing that I'm the forefather of Adinata's legacy--you better pay attention before I must 'take your life for myself'," he calmly scolded her father.

He went to the balcony to observe the changes around him when he saw Maha and Kalina that travelled together, he observed how genuinely happy they are and it was their decision to make their future.

“I suppose this is it.”

End of Flashback…

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