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"Sheesh… I hate nightmares…"

Raiden mumbled when he was sitting on the mat with his friends in the ryokan room, they were in Japan and the Thunder Raksha hasn't gotten over the nightmare yet. Eating his chazuke with his chopsticks, he was so grouchy while leaning his back to the wall with facing Sanju--eating his breakfast. "What's wrong, Raiden? You don't look good," he scoffed when he heard that from none other than Yukito, it made him not to look back at him. "I'm fine, don't worry about me," he mumbled, before he got nagged by Akito. "Raiden, just because you're having a nightmare doesn't mean you can be grouchy everyday."

Kanae listened while she sat beside Sanju and Kinana--along Senja and Karina in the ryokan, Akito was eating his omelette with rice and Sanju eating his tempura with rice bowl. "I know, I know…" he sighed in resignation, even Kanae have to apologize for waking up when she heard his voice that sounded he was having a nightmare. "Well, it's nice to see you being yourself."

Sanju frowned at him when he said that, making him worried before he patted his back. "It's alright, we're sure it won't happen in the future," he smiled assuringly at him, after comforted by that he smiled a little. "Thank you, I'll try my best to cheer myself up," Raiden said--he didn't want to let anyone worried too much because of him, otherwise he might made them very upset for that.

This is the most unusual traits that they have seen from Raiden, making them all worried about his emotional state and thoughts. "Raiden, if that nightmare of yours is serious, then you can tell us what it is," he frowned when Juhaku suggested him, knowing that he actually worried that something bad is happened.

One of them would have marked anyone to be the person of interest, and he thinks it will be a bigger risk to do it so he look away from them. They knew who it was and no need to answer that, so does Raiden himself to them. “… I don’t know, I just need something to cheer myself up, I really need distraction… I think it’s not the best time to explain yet--sorry for telling you guys about this.”

Raiden was mostly uncomfortable when he was told to explain what his recent concern was towards them, although he doesn’t mind it took time for him for the courage he had to do. Of course, he didn’t want to ruin their fun, otherwise it’ll be a waste and he didn’t want that. “Hmm… alright then, we won’t force you to speak until our fun time is over, okay?” Sanju smiled at him, trying his best to cheer him up which he nodded with a small smile.

“Okay then… thank you.”

All of them heading out from the ryokan to take a break, while still searching for another Cores of the Samsara. Haruse still have some questions to Miho, he was curious about this Flame Asura and how long she has known Althair in the past? It bothers him a bit since there has to be something he and his friends didn’t have any knowledge on this, thus him and the team heading to her area.

Fortunately, she wasn't expecting them to come--she was standing in front of the hot spring area near the waterfall. Due to the winter, she prefer to keep herself warm in the thermal area since being half-naked and exposing her bare body makes her a bit uncomfortable. "Ah, it's you... again," Miho greeted, it wasn't long until she asked. "What do you want... Haruse Nakashima?" she asked, already knowing the Tiger Raksha to come here.

Haruse folded his arms, being the right-hand man leader of the organization since the others were told him to talk with her. He knew she doesn't likes half of his friends, they might start an argument if one of them said the wrong words. The acting leader of Silver Slumbering Dragon let out a sigh. "When you mentioned about the past that is unknown to us... I got many questions. Is it true that only you and Althair knew the deepest secret?" he asked, causing her to tilt her head.

"Yeah, why? Is this relevant?" she responded, still not knowing that this is so important to him.

Miho began to remembered the truth to the incident, it's been like centuries when it happened. "Miho, is there a solution... so we can get our leader out of Phantom Samsara?" he asked, then she stopped speaking once she heard those word. A moment of silence continued between them when she opened her eyes. "There is a way... but you have to be patient, wait for the correct time," she answered with a hushed whisper, he was listening intently of what she explained until she spoke in a calm voice. "The gate that shows a false future will lead him out, that's all."

Haruse hummed, he wanted to learn more about Althair--while the person is not here to know about it himself. Nevertheless, he looked back at her while being relaxed. "Please tell me everything about him, I'll keep this confidential in our organization and for the ones who trusted by Althair--no outsider shall know. Promise me you won't tell anyone other than us," he begged, tilting her head and folded her arms.

Before he even thought of something to give her as a prize--the Flame Asura nodded to him.

"Okay, first..."

He sat down in front of her before Miho was giving him some explanation about his real name as an ordinary man, learning about his childhood, his life journey along his older brother on adventures.

--15 Years Ago--

Miho was just a Flame Asura who descends into the New World for the first time, she was in the city of Yogyakarta as she was fanning herself. She was simply walking to herself until she encountered a playground, seeing children and teens like teenagers were playing there. Miho is more of a bit sadistic, but her curiousity have taken her the sight in front of her. Once her eyes caught it, her head was looking around before she look around--then she took a detour and arrived in front of the playground, standing on the distance as she hid behind a tree.

She was staring at him intensely as if it takes a notice of him that would have made him shocked of her piercing eyes. 'What the hell is this human kid? Oh wait, I'M the one who shouldn't be doing this! I look like a pedo!' she facepalmed, before she sighed. 'God damn it, I look so stupid! This has never happened to me before, urgh...' she slumped while laying her back against the tree. Then, a kid she just met approached her curiously--he was ten years old Indonesian kid with a quarter descent of a country she doesn't know yet--he has a short crimson hair with long bangs, dark brown eyes and fair complexion with slight tanned shades. Wearing a black t-shirt with 'GOT SICK' written in white ink, blue shorts and red rubber shoes.

"Miss? Are you okay? You don't look good..." he inquired, trying to see her expression.

As she removed her hand to her face, she was speechless and didn't know how to react--until she stand up defensively and covered her face with her fan. "W-Who are you?!" she asked, it's her first time talking to a human--including adults. The young child tilted his head curiously, he's just friendly to people unlike other kids who acted 'behaving nicely'. "Oh, hi! I'm Maharasthra Althair Khalifa, but you can call me Althair!" he smiled cheerfully as he waved. "I came up with several names too! Whether it will be a stage name or pseudonym! Like Fayrouz, al-Khalifa and so on!"

"A-Althair...?"

"That's my name, miss!"

Miho was so flustered, she folded her fan as she glared down at him--why isn't he scared of her? Like... really? "... Fine, I'm Miho. But can you stop looking at me like a fool?" she scowled, with Althair smiling sheepishly at her reaction. "Your shyness is amusing. Haha, I love it!" he grinned when the Asura widened her eyes, she never imagined a happy-go-lucky soul who smiles at her like a sun can sometimes be so sincere and nice. For some reason, his smile reminds her of someone in the certain kingdom of the Old World--before it got destroyed because of a certain order that she can't go against with.

Miho sighed, she began to approach the boy named Althair--something kept grabbing her attention that only this Althair have the capabilities, determination to fight that order while she failed to fight with it. As she stared at her palm that formed a flame and burning it, she snapped out when she could heard the boy's voice. "Uh... Miss? How did you create fire...?" he asked, looking up at her while leaning his chin on his fingers.

"Huh? I'm an Asura, a Flame asura."

Miho declared with a rather mocking smirk, but he was smiling sincerely at her--being the first time she meet someone without fearing her as usual. Althair walked alongside her with such excitement and energy, even both of them were facing each other. 'This kid... he's not even scared of me!' she thought, biting her thumb impatiently--he was such a weird person for her--in one moment he smiled without hesitation. 'Should I accept it...? No way, I barely know him!' Miho frowned, glaring at him with her piercing crimson eyes. "Flame Asura... I know what you're thinking, Miho. It's not my usual self to befriending you, since your intimidating aura is stronger than me..."

Althair began to speak, it wasn't long until he smiled the same joyful smile that make her cheeks flushed faintly. "I lived longer than you, human," Miho retorted--despite calling him a human, she slowly gain her liking towards him after learning about him. Althair simply laughed heartily, not minding she called him a human. Even she noticed something was not right--what is it? That's the question that linger in her mind. "Isn't it so new? I mean, making friends with someone..."

Then, the Asura was frozen in her place when he pulled his smile once again with open arms. "Don't worry, even you're half-bothering me--even though it sounds rude or scary, but I know... under your icy cold, intimidating and fierce traits covers you have--there is your warm and kind heart. Let's be friends, Miho. I promise we'll be together once we have lots of connection!" he smiled before he closed his eyes and grinned brightly. Miho had her fan covering her face, she can't move it already as her whole body was literally frozen in the spot.

A small smile crept up on her lips.

Miho watched him grow into an eighteen years old young fellow, seeing how hard working he was--studying to become an archaeologist, being the prodigal student with straight-A with such ease. "An archaeologist... you should have left," she whacked him the back of his head when he walked ahead of her in the grassy hill, with her black fan on her hand. "M-Miho... isn't it a bit too strong?!" Althair mumbled, his other hand was pressed against his head. "No way, it's only a bump on your head--don't worry, I won't regret doing this," she teased, she love to mock people--even her friends, before her facial expression changed. "Seriously... you didn't have to visit me today, we can meet tomorrow if you want--"

Miho paused when he cut off what she was talking about, smiling back at her with his hand behind his head. "It's okay, I'm still amazed on how do you make friends with humans... also..." she can notice the warmth spread through his smile, even his spirit is. The sun was slowly setting, like... orange painted on the sky while the sun was going down slowly. The man looked back at her with a wide grin.

"You have became my teacher to be an adventurer."

The Flame Asura raised her eyebrows, giving him a smug look. "An adventure, huh? Wasn't it a bit serious? You'll have to learn most of the risks once you join me," she scoffed when he turned to his side, showing his playful expression with winking before looking away. Althair stared at her, before he had a vision in the future--he saw a destruction of the city that caused by the Phantom Beasts that were attacking and killing every humans--everything crumbling in his eyes and he don't know who was behind it. Until, another vision shows a golden orb that shining with menacing colors being grabbed and released the flames in the city.

Althair hoped that it wasn't true, he had to prepare his study to Cairo so he can go there... his vision have no connection whatsoever--despite being the same about people were being killed in the huge wave of Phantom Beasts with chaos striking in the whole city. So he'd brush off, he smiled a little with closed eyes. "Miho, can you tell about yourself? You're a Flame Asura, you have a long lifespan, right?" he asked, turning around to face her that she didn't seem to hear what he just said.

"Eh?"

Miho wondered, tilting her head when his smile was on his face as usual--or his natural personality that was always positive on people. 'Being optimistic, nice, kind, caring, selfless, brave, reliable, trustworthy and gentle... is seriously too much for him,' she thought with a facepalm, until she noticed his brown eyes reflecting the sun's warmth. "You wanted me to tell you about me? Hah, I'm just the youngest of all Asuras--the eldest is Varuna--let's just call him Yura for you humans, he's the Water Asura and the strongest of all time. Anyways, not all of us get along with each other. There are four 'Progenitor Asuras' and both me and Yura are one of them, the two has died because of..."

Althair noticed that she trailed off her words, her expression shows somewhat... dark--something made her so livid. "Uhm... what happened?" he inquired curiously, she flinched before looking back at him, a big frown formed on her lips. "That's the first time I don't show it, it's better if you wouldn't ask."

Sighing, she unfolded her fan.

Then, her eyes opened when she look back at him. "So, you want me to tag along with you? You know, exploring the New World, having adventures, doing everything on what I can see," she stated, which Althair chuckled merrily at her. Miho can't understand how does she know him more than before, unlike other Asuras who tends to be bossy and irritable. "Of course, at the end of the journey, I'll become a free person and I won't regret this," Althair responded to her, she remembered the words he ever told her a long time ago.

_"I won't regret this, Miho..."_

Miho held her chin, closing her eyes and grinned before looking back at him. "O... kay, maybe this is true. Then you should start preparing yourself..." Althair has been successful in obtaining the highest achievements he has worked hard, it wasn't long until he got in an archaeological field with a job as a new student along one of the employees known as Rahman. Miho was tagging along with them, she was sitting in the mid-air while floating with her foot to the bed with her legs crossed, fanning herself with a monocle device on her eye so she can read it in order to keep herself in touch.

As Althair was studying and reading his notes from the texts that he wrote down, he seemed tired but he focused himself into it--he took a break and sighing at the desk. The female glanced at him when he's finally finished, he stood up and began to head out from the room to the living room--he's done with his work. Althair yelped when Miho playfully kick her foot into the back of his head. "Yeah, that's it. I'm finally able to study at the university, all thanks to you. I'm tired..." Althair slumped on the floor, yawning a little. "Hey, you want to join with me?"

Althair offered to her, this earns her curiosity as she hummed a response--munching on the potato chips in her hand. "Ahaha, come on, Miho. I mean, it's good to see friends gathering," he beckoned, before his hands landed on his hips when he sighed softly--watching her floating at the same height. "Yeah right, it's our destiny... to do this together."

She nodded when Althair smiled and said cheerfully to her, before stretching out and cracking his neck a little--releasing his inner ruffles.

However, there was a Phantom Eruption in Cairo where all Phantom Beasts are roaming into the city--attacking the innocents and causing flames around them. Miho was wide-eyed at the sight of the Vipralopa-class Phantom Beast named Padishah in front of her, she narrowed her eyes as she look around--hoping that Althair isn't here. "Oh great, now it's you... I thought I killed you off thousand years ago... but there is another member... of your brethren," she chuckled, before standing in her place.

"Flame Asura--Agnida."

Then, the Asura who appeared--by his name Yura is standing at the pillar he was leaning against, looking at him with his cerulean blue eyes. He looked more focused in defeating the beast, as his short snow-white hair was waving slowly due to the wind's breeze. "Varuna, what took you so long?" she asked, calling his Asura name to face him. "I come here for the sole purpose, it might be two years since we last encountered the enemy," he answered, before shrugging off and unsheathing his rope loop with the chains at the end attached to it.

"Seems like, isn't it?"

Stolen novel; please report.

Miho turned to face Padishah who walked towards her with its paws slamming on the ground in every step, snarling when he was being challenged. She manifested her black fan that took form of a black celestial scythe with tags of ancient letter attached to the iron handle, she narrowed her eyes at it. "Think you can challenge me, huh? I've been to this journey for millennia now!" Miho exclaimed, before the two Asuras joined forces to fight against the Phantom Beast. Yura manifested a huge torrent of water from his palm and directed it at the Phantom Beast. It jumped a little before the tiger was about to jump until its arm swing--delivering a strike downwards.

Miho dodged it and swung her scythe--creating a dangerous, infernal flames with sheer strength and leaving a fatal impact before Yura appeared behind the creature and landed three consecutive heavy and relentless blows with the whip in his hand. Miho appeared above the Padishah's head and throw her scythe with aiming on the right shoulder, it yowls in pain due to the blade sinking down the skin. Once the Padishah got rid of it, Yura jumped behind it before he disappeared in a mist of water and slam the chains several times on the body before striking and throwing it into the ground. The water began to wave around the beast until it exploded once the chain struck him as it burned before it perished into nothing.

Miho lowered her guard before facing Yura, who doesn't look happy. "I can't understand why your human companion keeps coming here to you," he muttered before letting go of his whip when it dissipate into the mist of water, entering his holster. "Don't ask me! I do know how to make friends... well, being serious with a human is too far. I'm not that stupid enough like you, you'll even get burned into a crisps if you do such thing!" she snapped, Yura rolled his eyes before he folded his arms. "Anyways, I'm going to find the one who sent Padishah. And you?" Miho asked, she float down from where she's standing.

Yura already knew the answer to her, he close his eyes before unfolded his arms. "It's not the Asura who sent them here, Agnida. This is a warning, those clock-like mechanical beings were more than just a Phantom Beasts... they are--" he paused when he saw the portals of the creatures emerged from the space-like realm, narrowing his eyes. "... Interceptors. Seems like he decided to bring you with him after all," Miho clicked her tongue, when she sees Althair was rushing here with a smile on his face. "Ah, sorry I was late! Did I--" he shrieked when Miho shoved her hands on his face.

"You should've been back home, IDIOT!"

Miho scowled, he paled when she was being irritated. "But--"

"No buts! The Interceptors will see you and kill you right away! You will get killed if you come here by yourself!" she snapped, sighing before Yura merely staring at them--he narrowed his eyes on his impassive expression. "Varuna, this is... Althair. He always sticking around whenever I meet, so yeah... he's... what are you, Althair?" she gestured, before looking back at him with a deadpan stare. "A student, and archaeologist... that'll do," the two Asuras shifted their attention to the young adult when he nodded--being respectful to the two immortal beings.

Yura loomed over him when he was still staring at him. "Maharasthra Althair Khalifa..." he muttered, glaring at him as if he was trying to predict him. "Varuna!" Miho shouted, only to him not to focus on Althair. "So you're coming? Remember the consequences, Agnida," Yura said, looking at her with his indifferent look on his face. She sighed, before she took her scythe and its blades retracted from the flesh before it cut off. "It's not your reign anymore, Varuna. I'll take Althair away from here, go handle the rest."

Miho vanished out of the sight with Althair by wrapping the arms around his stomach tightly and disappearing out of the area. Yura stood alone in the crumbling place, while the Nirvana Organization tried to stop them even the World Government forces. "She wasn't wrong though, from her point of view is correct. Nevertheless..."

Sirens went off when the alarming siren resounds in the whole nation, except that--the world has changed into a war.

Miho landed on the ground, placing Althair beside her as they appeared in Nile River--in attempt to avoid the sight of Interceptors. "So, can you tell me what was that? Why are you telling me not to come to the mysterious portal in the city of Cairo... I don't understand," Althair stood up, watching the ships arriving the same time as their military. Miho was severely exhausted, she couldn't believe she used all of her power just to get Althair in the spot. "... Althair, if you're seeing me like the weird girl... the Asuras, is our kind--and there is an enemy comes from the past... basically, there was a Phantom Eruption--it's not from us Asuras... they are our enemies because Yura defied the Will of the Samsara and a Phantom God banished him for it. Because he wanted to follow the destiny."

Althair was dumbfounded, this made the situation into a nightmare. "Wait, wait... a 'Phantom God'?! Then... the enemy?" he stammered in the sentences, it isn't long until she leaned her back against the wall before she sat down. "We call them the Void, the God of Phantom Samsara--we have Asura Guru who's our Creator and we were under his guidance. Long story short, the Void wanted to eradicate humankind and this thing already done that in the Old World--so he decided to try on the New World. But, Yura objected his choice, causing a rift in the alliance and we departed from there--leaving us exiled by the Void."

He let out an exasperated sigh, sliding down from the wall until he was on the floor and was sweating in panic--surprised to learn something that was unexplained by him. "The World Government... they lied... to us..." he grumbled, before he stand up and taking a deep breath. "Miho, can you fight? I'm not sure if I can protect myself and..."

Miho wasn't in her primal state, due to her massive exhaustion. "Althair, you... really... shouldn't, I'm not in my form--I'm depleted..." she trailed off her word, raising her hand to her face and covering it. He realized something, perhaps all Asuras weren't that strong and most especially she need some rest. "I don't know why am I like this... I suppose I used too much power to defeat the Padishah," she huffed softly, she glared at him. "We are the opposite, yet similar to your kind. I hope it was that way for you, humans..."

Althair was confused, his friends and family--the civilians will be targeted. His eyes widened when he saw the Interceptor goes behind her, making him charged towards her and yelled. "Watch out--"

...

The downpour has come to them, as the rod left his body--Miho was shocked as the creature left them. The Flame Asura watched Althair slumped onto her as she knelt on her knees to the ground, this is the first time... a human who have been her friend--died in her hands...

His arms were wrapped around her back to hold her tightly in his arms before she landed onto him, causing him to flop down with her landing on the cold ground. "A-Althair..." she whispered, her pupils were shaking in disbelief--unsure of what's happening to him. Althair was panting very heavily, he opened his eyes with crimson substance trickled down his mouth. "Did you save me...?" she asked, Althair laughed weakly after she said that. "Miho... I... always wanted to reunite with my long lost younger siblings... ever since I tried to find them during this incident... even my mother..."

Miho listens intently, her red orbs glanced at her crimson blood dripping down onto her chin. "I might live longer than you, but you're... surely leaving me quicker..." she stammered, he shook his head and grunted weakly due to the fatal wound before smiling. "It's fine... I love people... even I'm being stubborn because of you," he smiled even larger with eyes closed. "Hey... Miho, thank you... you're so kind... and I love this the way it is. But can you do me a favor, just one thing--please," he reached his hand, gripping his fist into her palm. Miho stared at his emotion in his eyes, before she snapped. "NO! DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"There's... a reason why I needed to remain around your presence... and I'm sure the day where we will see each other... might be coming, our fates connect with each other once again--it might be my destiny... living with them."

Her hand was now trembling, glancing at the ground which showing a stream of blood following into a ground. "C-come... back to me...! I thought..." she muttered, realizing that... it was too late. This is the first time she felt a huge loss, something that humans felt the most--the Flame Asura watched him laid on her back to the ground. Miho ended up slumping her head to his chest, letting out a cry of agony.

There was a long moment of silence between them, it was definitely one-way journey for him.

However...

Althair was in the same position as he was in his subconscious, is this his destiny? Is this it? He saw several visions of what happen in the future and--he couldn't escape from it. He wondered... his eyelids opened slowly, revealing the crimson red irises.

He must accept his fate for this, then--what just happened?! How did he manage to live for a little longer with a weakened aura? Then, he saw the shining, flame-hazing orb that looks like a comet flowing in his eyes. "Your time hasn't come yet, Althair," the voice spoke from the orb, echoing when it swirled in his surroundings. "Time? So... who are you and what do you mean? Why am I in this place, aren't I...?" he growled, what makes him couldn't finish his sentence is that--he knew what the voice said. "I am the Core of Agnida, both of us are connected the same as her--there is many possibilities that will occur in the future, don't be frightened."

"Why..."

His facial expression slowly turning to a blank emotion, showing no change in his words. "You still have a long way to go, meeting your lost siblings... and your goals that you haven't achieved," the orb formed a human as Althair was surprised, it took a similar form of Miho--her real true form, her slender body, the long orange hair and black dress that flows down the bottom, and her crimson brown eyes. "I sense you have someone you valued, even after you die--and giving your life to her... it'll be futile, no matter what you sacrifice... both you will eventually met the same destiny together. You must took a step forward, because you have ambition, a goal that cannot be done in simple ways."

A flashback flickered into his mind, displaying the two years where he haven't learnt anything from the archaeological course. "... that's right, I still have lots of things to do. I... I'm disappointed with the World Government... all that info is fabricated, and trying to kill those bastards in the New World by lying to us. There's... something I wish to see as well," Althair responded to her. "I wanted to see Phantom Samsara... I wanted to get those Cores of the Samsara away from the areas... because... they are the source of the Phantom Beasts who entered the New World. I'm... going to decide the destiny of Phantom Samsara and the future of this world."

Then, the flame exploded and blinding the glow in the core, it was... changing its course into something else--like a change of being. 'I have... made my decision, and this... is my final answer,' he thought as his determination was resolving the destiny.

Back to reality...

Miho was still mourning, was this what did Yura meant on that? She'll break if something bad happen? Seeing him leaving her even after the bonding they've made, how could he died in this way... although it's sad, cruel... but how can she able to handle the truth? She didn't realize that the same Interceptor began to kill her next, until a sudden burst of flames emitted on sight--it made Miho confused... who did that? Then, she realized that Althair wasn't beneath her.

Althair stood there majestically in glory and power, he was awakened as a Flame Raksha; one who commands the flames and thermal manipulation of infernal energy. His crimson hair was messy that grew longer to his back, leaving his bangs almost covering his eyes and fell on his cheeks, with a black Raksha's mask like they worn. The golden orbs of his eyes has a black sharp dilated pupils, along the crimson scale-like eyeshadows on his eyelids and a curled black horns on top of his head. His attire consists of high-collared black turtleneck coat, black plate top with vest underneath with the black and crimson cape resembling the patterns of the flames with the burning wings, black slacks tucked under his knee-length crimson boots, a pair of black fingerless gloves with the black plate gauntlets, and platinum-gold ankh earrings attached on his ears.

He was holding his Brahmastra; Radiance of Agnivastra, it took form of a black and orange-red claymore with a bursting flames emitting out the blade. The claymore has a sharp red-orange large blade that shaped like an spear blade that was covered in flames, with a tiny blade at the tip with a two curved smaller blades attached behind, covered in sharp flames and creating a blade with an upper end looped. Instead of a pommel, it was a flaring like lantern with flames burning around and has a bright yellow-orange sunstone.

The Interceptor began to attack him, before he snapped his fingers that creates a ring of fire around the alien-like clock creature, making him blast it away forcibly that made it explode. Althair walked with elegant motions and confidence, seeing the other Interceptors were trying to come at him--until he raised his weapon and began to swing his blade; creating an infernal tornado, catching the enemies within the fire tornado as it burned them while Miho was astonished at the sight of him. 'So, this is... the Raksha of the New World... it was different than the Old World...' she thought.

Althair stabbed the last remaining creature, materializing the burning flames around its entire body that engulfs and explodes. His hand clenched around the handle of his weapon, materializing the flames in his grip. His expression was somber with stern and stoic vibe, but still...

He... was still him.

Miho was frozen in the place, she knows something was not right with him when he is awakened as a Flame Raksha, he looked through his power--if his mind is consumed by an obsession with power, it could corrupt him into a killing machine. Of course, she won't let this bastard going to becoming a pyromaniac--not even close. As she slowly stand up, despite the rain was pouring continuously, she didn't care. "Don't you dare be consumed by that greed... or I'll snap you out... no matter what!" she exclaimed, Althair chuckled when he faced her. "Now, now... will you stop thinking on ruining the mood? Don't you remember that the Interceptors are our enemies?"

His tone was calm, but it sounded mocking. Miho narrowed her eyes, gritting her teeth. 'I knew it... he was still fragile... I guess you leave me no choice then...' she thought, before she suddenly hung her head low--making him wondering what she was doing. Until, Miho chuckled and soon laughing in deranged way that it echoes when she was still in a position like a maniac. Althair frowned upon hearing her laughter, before she raised her head with her eyes were crying tears. "I am very, very disappointed in you... now you regret for making me doing this, just to snap the fuck out of you..."

Miho clenched his collars, making him surprised that she pulled him to face her--having an eye-to-eye contact. Her crimson eyes were now shimmered in pure malice, both hypnotizing and alluring at the same time. "You will be bound by my command, Althair. You can never disobey me, no people can order you--only me and my words. You are forever under my command, you will heed to every orders I must give you. I, Miho... Agnida, the Flame Asura!"

Althair was enchanted, caught into her compelling gaze--he was under her absolute control. As she released his collars, he fell on his knees to the ground--he can only hear her words and orders he must follow. He can only listen and obey her words only. Miho raised her head upwards to the raining skies with closed eyes, she couldn't believe this... at least Althair can fight with this power. 'How can a mere human being like him... become a Raksha... is that even possible?' she thought, before she close her eyes. 'Althair... please... bring me out... I don't want to hurt you, even--'

"As you wish, then it shall be done."

Miho opened her eyes as she was shocked at his response, no longer the flame of crimson was engulfed inside his body. Did she bring his sanity back, even he have a strong willpower to withstand the temptation... and... how did she...? And now his clothes back into his human form when he died and yet, his body has different aura. "Althair...?" she muttered, hoping that it's over. The Flame Raksha hummed, showing his genuine smile without the teasing. "Yes, you can put your trust on me. Now, if we talk about your orders... that will be granted and done," he said as he stand up from his knees. "Besides... I have my ambition and goals that needs to be done."

Althair was still the same, his old self still there--making her unable to control her tears. "Althair..." she muttered, before she felt his warmth enveloped her in a caring hug. "... It's alright, because... I can't live without you. After all, you... are my teacher in the adventurous journey..." he hummed gently when he said with gentleness.

"Let's uncover the world together."

End of Flashback...

Haruse listens to the backstory on how did Miho met Althair in the past, no wonder he's talking to him out of their age. Both of them seem to be in the same wavelength and they are both in the highest intelligence to understand each other--that is actually her hypothesis, because there were several others could assume it as it is. "He's still the same Althair that I used to know, just that... the Phantom Eruption took a toll on him. Then, after that... he became a well-known Indonesian archaeologist around the world. He believed in destiny due to his clairvoyance, but that's his belief... he made a promise to me and he meant it," Miho muttered softly, her hand touched the flower petals above her.

She can feel her painful past being swallowed and engulfing her whole self by her guilt, self-loathing, blame, grief, and trauma. The first time an Asura felt a human's emotion, all because of him. 'Will we come with our journey back together...?' she thought, before Haruse sighed. "I understand, you wanted to control him to keep his sanity and safety right?" Haruse asked curiously, the Flame Asura nodded. "Actually, he's sane in the beginning... but after his transformation to the Flame Raksha, he can withstand through temptation--if you've already knew it. His human mind has been preserved... what makes his true human form changed due to his subconscious desire, I controlled him because I'm losing my shit over him... when he talked to me like that, he could laugh it off like there was nothing happen... so, I had to snap him out before something happens to him. That's the solution," she responded, closing her eyes as she remembered his cold, stoic words.

Haruse narrowed his eyes, learning about Althair's true behavior will possibly become worse. "I can't believe this, he... was a pyromaniac?" he whispered, but Miho shook her head. "No, he's not. My core may have a psychopathic behavior, but not a pyromaniac. I suppose I have to learn how to forgive myself as a Asura and accept everything from the past," she muttered softly.

"The first time I met Althair, he's..." Haruse trailed off, annoyed on recalling the first impression. "He was a pain in the ass when I met him, he was an archaeologist like me around my age--and we're twenty-six now. He always teased me whenever I fell into his trap and such, he was carefree, silly, light-hearted, friendly, gentle, positive and courageous person who always sticking around with people," Haruse grumbled about his explanation. "Like hell, he has a clairvoyance which is true--but he acts like there's something will be coming to occur."

Miho scowled, she may have an idea who this person is...

"That little shit, what an ASSHOLE! He tried to humiliate me in many ways, I cannot believe a mere human like him can keep making me mad--I wonder is this what the human named as the 'trolls' or 'trolling'. What a--"

Okay, it's obvious that Haruse has a somewhat animosity towards him. But still, he's his right-hand man and faithful royal retainer, in this place he is more like a secretary. Miho never hated any people, only when they truly disgusted her or tried to kill her--and she wouldn't forgive them. "How did you awaken as a Tiger Raksha?" she asked, diverting his attention from his ranting.

Haruse glanced at her, arms folded on his chest and his jaw slacked like a disappointed father. "I hope you remember that one day, he accidentally shattered a Tsumi relic, resulting in exposing an Interceptor by accident and I got stabbed in the chest. We were under attack that time, until... I saw the Core of Vayuda appeared in my subconscious," he answered, before Miho's eyes widened. "And from there, I knew what I was becoming. A Tiger Raksha."

"Oh, that's when I haven't met you because I was meditating."

"Urgh, that little piece of shit managed to break it," Miho chuckled at his remark, Haruse clicked his tongue in annoyance. She noticed his facial expression was stern, she wasn't sure what is he planning but she have to focus on their journey and stopping the interferences caused by an enemy.

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