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The next day...

Maha has turned eleven years old, his platinum blonde short hair with long bangs remained the same--along his teal-blue eyes and fair complexion. Izana found her father becoming more mature as the adult than her and she hated it, but grateful that at least... he doesn't remember about being Chakravartin Raksha--or as Mahatma Kartawinata at all, feeling upset and guilty; he always apologized and smiled to her. "Izana, why do you have dark circles on your eyes?" he asked, seeing his daughter was laying on the couch with the pillow and blanket over her.

"I can't sleep..." Izana replied flatly and sounded like she is drained of energy, after that incident of banaspati--it made her and her friends sleepless at night. It was like having a night terror, where she will always sat down with the book beside her as Izana always yawning in exhaustion and tried to fight the sleepiness. "Father, I'm tired..." she sighed.

Maha came towards her, sitting down beside her on the couch while looking down at her with curiosity and concern eyes. "Izana, tell me... what's wrong?"

"All I know this fucking banaspati are starting to get terrifying, that creature--appear and disappear here. First, it appears inside your house and then disappeared..." she muttered, pulling a blanket over her. Hearing this, he noticed that she was stressed for a couple of days by guarding the mansion and the servants ended up sleepless in night too. "Sanju warned us not to overthink about it and let him handle this with the rest, I swear--he looks like he doesn't sleep for whole day or night!"

Kasai and her friend Kashiya looked worried when Izana was not eating like usual, ever since the banaspati incidents--it didn't end up yet since some of them got night terrors, cold sweats, and insomnia. Despite his physique of fourteen years old, he still looked like a baby-faced and a little chubby boy. But, Kasai find it cute and adorable (which she never told the others). "Izana, you didn't eat breakfast earlier, it's time to eat," Kashiya murmured, her dark auburn long hair swayed to her back when she brought the dish she just cook to the table.

"Just don't bother," Kasai groaned while she walked back to the kitchen and she realized that Maha is carrying the tray filled with food and water on a glass towards her, but still, he act like a parent. "Please eat," he spoke in a humble manner and then placed the lunch in front of her. "Dad, you are suppose to be the one who--"

"No, even though I'm your father... please make sure you eat the meals first."

But, she wanted him to be his age and let her treat him instead! God, her father being the kid is so DAMN weird, it makes them awkward because she has to act like a mature and older than him; who in the world decided to do this?!

On the other side, Sanju had to find out about the banaspati-looking fireball that floats around Yogyakarta and he has been sleepless for three weeks. He was drained of fatigue and hardly ate breakfast, he was dozing on the couch that his father Radithya also having a terrible insomnia. When one of their employees burst the door opened and yelled, catching their attention. "MASTER RADITHYA! BANASPATI-"

"FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, WE KNOW THAT!" Radithya interrupted, face-palming and shaking his head while Sanju snapped his eyes opened--rising up from the couch before he dozes off again. Kinana was unable to focus on sleeping due to her dreams being interrupted and filled with nightmares by the fireball, to the point of sleeping on the floor instead. She too was having an insomnia and stress of the ongoing nightmare-ish nightmare, luckily not in her sleepwalk state or it could be worse.

"Do you know the source where he/it originated?"

Radithya asked, while rubbing his temples as he groan in pain and stress--his short black hair was messy and his dark brown eyes were reddened from the lack of sleep, he was already sleepy after waking up. "No, I don't..." the employee who also experienced the nightmares and panic attacks replied, sweating when he heard Sanju groaned weakly. "Alright, all of you really need to rest now in your mess before I announce your day and night shift. And we have to find out of the mystery with me and my son on morning, is it clear?" Sanju asked, since he's the owner of the hotel.

"Yes, master."

Akito was dozing off in the office in human resources department, his brown hazel eyes were closed to sleep as his mind wandered on finding a lot of paperwork and documents about hotel issues and contracts that need to be handled along with his twin brother Yukito as Kanae was sleeping on the desk in between them. "Alright, I think we need to postpone the interview for the candiates..." Rika grumbled, noticing that they have been sleepless the whole night. Raiden was sleeping in his booked room due to his insomnia, Senja kept his guard while he was trying to focus on his meditation and Karina was dozing off in her office as well.

Even their friends were fighting for sleep from both nightmares and exhausted states of minds from lack of sleep, it was like having a restless night--especially when the banaspati is appearing non-stop.

Radithya was checking the hotel bookings in the receptionist, after he checked his restaurant's guest list and he couldn't believe his eyes looking at the unexpected guest he and Sanju weren't expecting. "Huh... why is Althair's name on the list? He never booked a room here, before and after he disappeared from this world..." Sanju asked, also looking at the receptionist's computer as well. The two of them and their employees looked rather shocked and glanced at each other, wondering how this got in. "Akito," he called, making Akito yawned and stopped spinning his pen. "Yeah...?"

"Can you like ask the other employees of what they saw last night? All departments, I want clues."

Akito nodded, spinning his pen before he rose up from the chair and yawned again. "Okay, boss... call the team too, they better get their asses up from sleep..." he said, walking to each departments' office with a yawn--luckily today was a holiday so all staffs have to continue on nightshift or go on break. He stopped in the engineering department, as he opened the door and almost shouted. "What the fuck are you doing?!"

But, he went speechless when he was greeted with Kinana snoring, clonking while drooling on the table--sleeping with her head landed down with open-mouthed expression. 'Oh my god... how come she can sleep like this?' he thought, feeling his eyes narrowed as he used his rolled newspaper to smack her head gently and Kinana rise her head up--before slamming it on the desk again. "Kinana, are you okay?"

"...no."

He sighed, before gesturing the sleep-deprived engineer to stay in the office and call the others to come over to his office now. Thankfully, the managers and staffs came with him inside Sanju's office, giving their perspectives and thoughts. Karina was sleeping as well, not even bothering to get up from the desk in the accounting department. "Listen, everyone... we have no choice but to help the master investigating and found the creature and the banaspati thingy. The CCTV already went crazy by looking for these," Radithya huffed, looking at them in determination as Sanju smiled at him. "Hopely, this nightmare can end..."

It took them a whole day until they manage to get some sleep at least, but it's far worse compared to their normal daily jobs. Of course, they have to hunt the mysteries behind it--thinking of the best solution for catching the banaspati's look-alike. Until they finished their breakfast, they were so done with this shit.

The only lead is a downtown nightclub where it was still empty in the daylight, and it might get crowded if it's nighttime so they decided to investigate. Raiden was snoring on the couch, only to receive a pillow smack from Akito that he shouldn't dozing off. They entered inside the nightclub after close the door with a quiet creak, there's some janitors and employees are still here--since the nightclub only active at night. In the nightclub, everything is empty so there's only staffs and people around here and there. Sanju almost forgot what he want to ask, at first he want to ask if there's something here.

Akito was looking around the nightclub, while his older twin brother Yukito wondered why none of the staffs and managers silent about this. "Akito, use your charm to entice them," Yukito suggested and Akito glared at him. "Over my dead body," he growled, but Yukito decided to bribe his younger twin by giving him the money which made him narrowed his eyes. "Really, are you bribing me?"

"Anything to make you cooperate, Akito..." Yukito whispered with a glare and Akito shook his head, but he continued. "Like the hell I'll do, your handsome face could persuade them since you looked like a prince charming of old book. Now can you do it? I already done it last week and now it's your turn," Yukito pointed his finger at him and then swipe it a cross his neck. Akito sighed exasperatedly, placing his hands inside his pockets before asking politely the manager, a twenty-five years old lady and she wasn't fazed. Well, it didn't work--now he had to use his 'charming mode'.

Kanae cringed on her sleepy expression when she watched Akito suddenly reverting into her playboy mode, but she decided to record that with her phone that made them snickered (even Yukito). The Japanese-American was holding the manager's hand in a smooth flirtatious way, flashing a faint smile and those brown hazel eyes; both sincere and curious. "Woman, or rather miss... is there something suspicious happened in this nightclub last week?" he asked, trailing his fingers to the back of her hand and palm. "I can be interested... of course, why don't you say it?" he raised an eyebrow, tilting his head as the woman became flustered.

WHAT THE--HOW COME HE'D PULLED THAT OFF?!

The woman was so damn weak that she ended up blundering under the charms of Akito, his colleagues and the rest of his friends gawked in shock when the manager blurted about what she have to say. "Y-Yes, I saw that fireball-like thing during the party last week! But it's gone the minute it appeared!" she responded, and everyone who haven't seen it became wide-eyed by the missing details... how? Even the club was wide open, why the staffs or security guards never noticed a fireball-shaped fire flew past around the place... the banaspati must've been escaped easily.

Akito released her hand, reverting back into his usual stern self as he adjusted his sunglasses--the employees stare at him in awe, one of the security's mouth opened wide until he dropped it while Sanju and his team ended up thinking the same thing.

This. Bastard. Really.

"Alright, thank you for your cooperation," he answered without looking at her, tucking his glasses upward and walked away from the manager--who's almost having her mouth opened. 'Is that jerk of a guy and his buddies that famous that his womanizer behavior went untold?!' one of the employees growled, seeing the manager shook her head like a baka. The others were still flabbergasted how the heck, Akito was surprisingly charismatic in both handsome and sexy--but he's nothing but a player, a smooth-talker. However, Akito was just acting--so he didn't take it seriously.

"Then, we have to wait until nighttime, anyone want to grab a drink?"

That night...

The nightclub has becoming active with many people gathering for a celebration, people dancing in union and then started to drink--Akito and the others had to watch the nightclub until midnight. So, they had to have a drink to cool down after the investigations earlier. Sanju was watching the view outside the room, they were having the second floor private and quieter than before. But, THEY WANTED TO SLEEP DAMMIT! Raiden and the rest were pissed, like how could it be this dreadful to watch over a people?

Kanae was sleeping on the chair with both of her hands holding her phone close, while sitting beside Akito with a scowl on his face. They were literally annoyed to be watch over the club, even how they hate it when they have to keep their senses awake. "Huh, there's Haruna, Juha, Izana, Damian, Masaki, Nadine and Marthen here? They need some fun too," Karina said with a whistle, while Senja was crackling his knuckles in case some drunkards are trying to coming up at them. Raiden noticed his father Ryoma and Sanju's father Radithya are here too, comforting Haruse who was in the bar. "Where's Kirana, by the way?" Kinana asked, looking at Sanju who was eyeing on Renata, Salihin, Aldiano and Icha who were in the second floor of the nightclub. "She and her father had to go to Australia for official duty, her father also in charge of diplomacy."

Raiden put his chin on his hand, as he observed the DJ and the crowd who were dancing in the nightclub before looking at the others who began to fall asleep, feeling droopy all of the sudden when Akito smacked them awake. "Keep yourselves awake!" Akito ordered with narrowed eyes. Wait, they already take a nap--why are they sleepy now? "You know, why don't we have fun here? The Nirvana Organization members were on official duty so they won't be eyeing us," Raiden murmured, knowing Akito doesn't feel sleepy like the others are because he stayed awake. "Yeah... right."

"Come on, Haruse... we should have some entertainment," Ryoma prompted his colleague while standing beside Radithya, making Haruse sighed as he was sipping his glass of non-alcoholic cocktail. Haruse began to think for a moment when he reconsider his suggestion, he hummed when he think it would be alright for them to have one. "What entertainment...?" he asked, Radithya snorted. "Come on, have you rap on stage before?" he asked.

Haruse froze, how the fuck did they know his secret talent--even he could sing, rap and dance at the same time! Well, not everyone expect a right-hand man of Althair to also skilled on either singing and dance! Haruse knew that skill could work, but did Radithya and Ryoma want to let the public saw his hidden talents? As far as he knew... he might be ended up getting some of his private fans on this. "Fine... I'll think about it, at least," he muttered with a yawn, before he shrieked when both of them pulled him by the arm.

"Come on, who's going to be the best dancer in this club?!"

The MC yelled after Raiden dragged his friends into the dance floor, Akito was horrified because he was indirectly exposed with his secret talent which is dancing. He heard Kinana chuckling softly, before she said. "I didn't know you could dance... why haven't you reveal it to us?" she asked, tilting her head with a smile as Akito replied without looking at her. Sanju snickered quietly, covering his mouth before telling Raiden his challenge on the winner have to give him money. "It's a deal, Sanju... and Haruse also join the rap," Raiden mused, which made Haruse cursed silently for the both of them had to drag him here.

Akito cleared his throat, making the crowd went silent. He snatched the mic from the MC and flash a grin. "Crowd, how dare you don't notice a person like me?" he replied with a tone flirtatious as ever that it made all of the woman and some guy gulped. He suddenly change in his mode as a player in mere second, before he add. "And... bring out the best dancer here, make sure... you find the right and match the beats."

Juha wanted to stay out of it because he knew he might expose his secret talent, but Haruna was already behind him as he grinned.

"'Ey! Here's your opponent!" he announced, making Juha will be punching that idiot until he cry, for he will do whatever it takes to kick his ass. "Oh boy, really? Do you have the guts to show it then?" Akito mused, his sunglasses covered those brown eyes--giving him a cold aura of a playboy. "Depends, I'm not like you..." Juha grumbled, crossing his arms.

"We'll see about that, until you find the perfect pair of songs to the dance and rap--"

He tossed his sunglasses away to the ground, only showing the sincerity of his brown eyes as he smirked. "I'll prove that I'm the best dancer in the downtown!" he declared.

The crowds went uproar that Sanju began to record everything that may be they wanted to have fun this time and Raiden was watching his friends argued one to another while smirking mischievously. Until... he saw a flash of fireball erupted from the club but soon vanished, Karina recorded that early as she gave the video to Sanju via camera and said, "Well, the banaspati is out--but we have to record the winner, so get ready for your cellphones."

Haruse approached the DJ as he tapped his finger, before slipping a money at the back pocket to the DJ for him to bring out the best song collection ever made in this place. "Uh, hello--" the DJ stammered in surprise, before he was cut off by Haruse who spoke. "I'm going to rap, find me good one. And your pay goes double time," he replied before walking back to his seat on the bar. "Alright then, so the competitor just changed from two to one. And don't think I'll give up, I would be your opponent in the rap battle."

Next morning…

"Urgh… my head…"

Sanju grumbled as he realized it was morning, he realized that he was now in his room inside his manor near the hotel. He tried to process what happened from last night, his eyes narrowed that he tried to sat up on his bed. "Ouch, what happened…?" he murmured as he got enough sleep last night-he examined himself that he was still in similar attire and his hair was a mess, before he rest his hand on his side by suddenly feeling something 'warm' beside him.

Raiden grumbled when he his hand patting his back when he lifted his head, feeling the dizziness came all over his head. Kinana was laying across both of them while all of them still clothed, they weren't drunk--they were too preoccupied with the party last night and he continued to feel grogginess before his brain started to work a little. Akito was laying on the floor with his hand above his face with the sunglasses (huh, wonder how long his life been in sunglasses) while Yukito was about to move his brother's up from the ground. Kanae yawned as she was on the couch, Karina was vomiting due to consuming too much chocolate liquor that Haruse brought for them and Senja was in the bathtub--he rubbed his eyes from the all nighter and now he felt so 'sleepy'.

"Haruse and the rest just got back early... I guess we're fucked up..." Raiden whined, before laying his head back to the pillow as Kinana huffed. They saw Sanju's father Radithya yawned that he just got back as well, Raiden also noticed his father Ryoma was dizzy from the amount of sleep they've had before. "Yup... the banaspati is real... but we don't know who was inside or what," he yawned and went to a kitchen to cook, leaving them laying on their sleeps.

"Yukito, help me throw water at Akito..."

Kanae said, seeing him nodded before he handed her a glass of cold water and she used it to splash them on his face. Akito roared in anger, rising up from the floor in shock with his mouth opened. "DUDE, WHAT THE FUCK?!" he shouted in surprised, leaving him and his friends half-startled before Raiden woke up from his tiredness to facepalm. Sanju rubbed his eyes, before Kinana fell asleep on his lap. "Okay... we got a clue, because I found this in the nightclub..." he said, showing the crimson hair streaks on his palm that caught their attention. "Is that... Althair's hair? How did it get here?" Haruse mumbled with his eyebrow quirked.

They were shocked, he told them a reason that some guest told him the hair actually belongs to him. "His disappearance... is even more complex," Yukito added, and they murmured in unison. "Yeah... he must be somewhere, perhaps he still alive but not here? Also, I figured out that this fireball is not banaspati... why? It's sentient, in Indonesia--banaspati must be from the 'owner' itself to move around. But this one have no source."

"I think I figured this out... that fireball is him. But where's the source?"

"We don't have enough evidence as of now, even if it was him--it's definitely not banaspati, because from what I know. He's a Flame Raksha, he commands the flames and thermal manipulation, as we see that fireball have heat..." Haruse replied, placing his hands on his hips as he watched Kanae poured more cold water at their sleeping friends. "You're saying that... he's alive?" Sanju didn't want to believe that at first, but he couldn't help... but hoping that this is true.

As days goes by, everyone in this Yogyakarta except for the Nirvana Organization members (who's still busy with some Phantom Beasts' hunting and securing heritage sites). As they continued their work in the hotel, Haruna and his team went back to Garuda University to continue their career as a Phantom Raiders--while Sanju and his team remained in Silver Slumbering Dragon and working in the hotel like usual.

Sanju was monitoring his hotel employees like usual, he always go to the HRD to monitor the files of employees on human resources management with the help of Rika in case there's problems and also checking on the payment records. He was humming slightly, which meant he had nothing to do anymore other than doing the maintenance check on employee's health and their salary. Akito was watching them with his arms folded, since he's an assistant manager with Kanae--he began to ask one of the employees in housekeeping department. "So, how many guests have checked in, again?"

"About more than 100 guests, sir. And another 20-30 are the VIP rooms," the Indonesian housekeeping employee, Nina replied with a professional posture and formal language as she straightened her posture. "I see... how about the one who checked out, Ferdinand?" he asked, seeing him just got up from his seat and took his tablet, scanning the screen while reading out the names. "More than half," he respond in the same professional tone. "Also, we got the one that has been cleaned off recently--the tiger's cage."

Huh? Tiger's cage? Akito blinked, he never heard of that before. "Woah woah, what the heck is that?" he asked, Ferdinand snickered. "Well, one of the guests seems doing something... you know what I mean. There's a banana peel on the floor, and the sheets..." he responded. Akito wanted to laugh at the word 'doing something' because his mind is so messed up, and thank God that Kanae was his best bud to open his eyes from such disgusting ones. He did want to play, but eh... his work will prevent him from getting lost in anything dirty!

That night, Sanju yawned as he visited his father's restaurant in his hotel--Radithya was seen supervising his employees and the managers as he also do the customer service. He decided to sneak up behind him to avoid Radithya knowing that he's behind him and he quickly caught him in an armlock, making him groaned. "Son, I can tell it's you... you know," he said, Sanju laughed as he hugged him from behind. "Geez, it can't be helped... I missed you father," he replied with a hum.

Radithya heard him, making the widower smiled as he pat his son's head gently like a fluffy golden retriever. "It's okay... just thinking about you makes me wonder. You grew up like a fine gentleman, I am grateful," he said, before he saw his youngest daughter Kinana got here too and clinging into her father. "Did you rest well? Look at your dark circle... have you sleep, at least?"

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"Hmm, he also took care of me well, Father..."

Kinana chimed, laughing slightly as she hugging her father that soon made Sanju joined them in a tight and warm embrace. No wonder Sanju named his hotel with the name meaning 'golden flower', since it's like having a very cozy place where the customers getting the best of warmth and peace. "Alright, after this... we're going to rest. Seriously, we need a break from that fireball hunt."

"Yeah..."

***

Sanju opened his eyes as he was in his own domain subconscious--which is his dream, turning around to face none other than Mahatma Kartawinata--the past self of current Maha who was Maharastha Dharmadjie. As he was going to make his move, he eventually stopped before he could.

Maha started to speak, turning around to face him. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm merely a soul, my reincarnated self and I are completely different person. He has all of my qualities, except that everyone only know me as their enemy--while my reincarnated self is just a segment of my good side. And me? I'm just the bad side of 'Maha', so let's just say you did the right thing to split me away from him."

Right, so he was just a soul from the past life.

"My apologies, for coming here in advance."

Maha said with his hands behind his back, his attire was completely different than what he usually wears. Now he wears a white collared trench coat and black splashes on them, alongside his sleeves that adorned with red chains--the other chains crossed on his back and around his waist with jade sash. Wearing a black pants tucked into his black knee-length laced boots, his hair was short and reaching only below his neckline while it was no longer tied--he seems much refreshed than before.

"Well, I didn't expect you to appear without my knowledge, but I'll take that apology because of your sincerity."

Sanju said when he remained cautious but calm at the same time, he couldn't believe he was right here and thought he was dead. "Maha… are you dead?" he found the question rather cryptic, he didn't know if this situation was real or not.

"Yes, I'm dead. And now I'm only a remnant soul that has been separated from my reincarnated self, since he is currently restoring my memories that we shared together," Maha answered as his gaze fell on him, his smile is still soft and gentle.

"If you have any questions for me, I would gladly answer them-and I'll try to make it clear for you, Sanjaya Adinata."

Sanju have many questions for him, he didn't know why but he really needed some answers to be precisely clear-but he knew that not all answers are what he deserve to know so he decided to lower his expectation.

"Why did you do all this chaos?"

Sanju's question was serious when he asked him that, he narrowed his eyes as he remained lenient in his position. "Like I have stated from the first place, so I won't repeat it again," Maha said with a sigh, folding his arms.

"It was meant to be done."

Maha answered, though he had a look of disappointment. "Although you can't stop the world from the chaos, and the only thing you can do is to stop me. My attempt to revive Kalina was something I was blinded by vengeance and anger--but now, I realized what I have done--it was not a wise choice. I've done all these things because I've tried to change and make everything better--to make it a place where everyone could live in harmony together with equal rights... that's what Kalina wished before she died."

Sanju nodded in acknowledgement, he understood that his attempt was not a good thing. Maha looked back at him, his eyes softened and he sighed. "However, I am proud to know you were the one who defeated me--and I've learned the truth behind the death of Kalina," Maha said, placing his hand over his chest. "She deserved to be called a hero, but no one can accept her death--I'm sorry."

Sanju was surprised by his statement, he didn't expect this--not at all. "That's why I did it and I don't even regret it, all of actions that I did are all unforgivable. It's my fault and I deserve all of this, but still--you are a great person, Sanjaya. Your deeds are not in vain, and you're the greatest hero ever."

He wasn't surprised to hear this, Maha is an evil man who have done several questionable actions that he did in the past--just to revive his beloved one. Although, he wasn't expecting he regretted the actions of doing such nonsense and try to reviving someone is a bit over his head.

"In fact, I consider your way of doing things... quite heroic."

Sanju cannot judge him, nor he cannot be the one who condemn his actions; he was a person who was trying to protect those who were precious to him, but not anymore. "So, how do you feel right now?" Sanju asked, he wondered how does the former villain feels about his new life. "Great, being only a soul has its perks--other than being immortal," Maha answered with a huff. "Besides, I do think I'm doing the right thing this time, even if the price I've paid is being imprisoned in the limbo--allowing the fragment of my soul reborn in your world."

Maha replied, he couldn't lie because his new life is far more different than his previous life. "But still, my sins are unforgivable and I have to pay for them. So, I must reincarnate as a human and pay for all the sins that I've committed," he added, sighing with a small frown. "Alright, so do you have any other questions?"

Sanju rubbed his chin, before he look up at him. "Do you know something about how does Phantom Beasts… exists? And the origins of its existence?"

That was an interesting question, he must know where do they came from and how did they existed. "Interesting question, indeed. Although, it's not a Phantom Beast," Maha replied, crossing his arms. "The creature is actually a beast of its own, but it's a rare breed. Not many people have seen this beast, except for the ones who have witnessed its power and existence," Maha explained, before he continued.

"Phantom Beasts exists by sinners who committed serious crimes and sins, they were condemned into hell; or known as Naraka," he rubbed his chin, sighing when he think about that. "The sinners are the souls of the dead, the criminals of their previous lives and consumed by the wine that Asura known as; Gandapana."

The same one Maha used to consume, no wonder he became immortal and forever young--and his immortality was also part of the cause.

"However, not all souls will turn into the Phantom Beasts. They're not always turned into them, and only the worst souls will turn into them. Gandapana wine is a sacred wine only for immortals used during rituals and also the pleasures to Asuras, the Devas are forbidden to drink this because of how strong the alcohol in the wine. It'll potentially weaken humans and able to make them drunk for a week; the Asuras are the only kinds who can withstand this effect… but not Rakshas--the scent is strong enough to intoxicate anyone."

"Humans who drank it, will be consumed by the immortality within and corrupted their mind; causing them to lose control and doing what they always wanted. Once they consume too much of this, it'll cause them to lose their sense of self-control and become possessed by their desires."

Sanju was wide-eyed at the informations he receive about the wine, until then Maha clicked his tongue. "I don't know what's gotten into me when I received the wine… and I didn't know why did I consume it for," he sighed, closing his eyes. "I didn't realize that this is the result, but it's too late to stop and turn back time. I stopped aging at the age of twenty-nine, so... this is the result."

Maha said when he was recalling the past, looking up at him with a pained smile. "I believe the only thing to atone my sins is adopting my daughter Izana, and raising her as my own child," he continued, before looking down.

"Now, I can see she's having a wonderful life with her friends and she's happy with them. She's a good child, and I'm grateful for it. Maybe, I shouldn't have brainwashed her and made her think that I'm a good person," he closed his eyes, a bit remorseful.

"That's not a wise thing to do, but what's done is done," Sanju said, shaking his head. "I can't change what happened in the past, but the future is still ahead of me... so I let my reincarnated self to raise my daughter and teach her the things she needs to know."

Sanju didn't blame Maha for his mistakes, he felt pity for him because he was cursed by this power. But, he disagree with his way of reviving someone he lost--this is a taboo, and not all things have happy endings. "So that is why you're doing all of those? To save your daughter?"

Maha nodded, looking away from him. "It was all my fault to begin with," he said when he's looking down at him. "I believe the only thing to save my daughter from her illness was using my blood, it worked and she successfully recovered. Maybe, she was fated to be a Water Raksha..."

He said with monotone voice, lifting his eyelids a little. "It's all because of greed and pride I have, I was consumed by my own hatred and just wanted to create a perfect world… an utopia, where there's no crimes happens."

Sanju frowned a little when he stated that, he couldn't decline what he caused to everyone and the whole world. "It's the consequences as a villain, they wanted a peaceful and perfect world--but the truth is, they didn't think about the consequences. It's hard to admit the fact you were wrong, but if you realize that... maybe the world is not perfect. There are no good and evil sides, but the neutral side that can be controlled and the balance between light and dark."

He felt his mind was exhausted from what he did with that, making him clenching his fists but loosen the grips. "I have another question for you, Maha."

Maha rubbed his chin, before he nodded. "Go on, I'll answer them while you can ask."

Sanju wondered how he actually felt about the current Maha, or he was the 'Maha' himself. He had the same name and appearance, but they were complete different person. "How did you feel about him?"

"I have no ill feelings towards him, it was not a good idea to be jealous or angry to my reincarnated self. After all, he was my 'good' side, and I'm the 'bad' side of his existence," he responded with a calm voice. "However, I can't be the one who judge him or the one who condemn his actions, after all; it was not a wise thing to do. We may have the same appearance and name, but we're not the same person."

Maha smiled a little, looking at his direction. "I hope I can help you, if you have any questions," he added, before looking away. "I see… but it was unjustified of what you have done, I know that you suffered a lot--but what you did to the bystanders… no…" Sanju grumbled. The ex-professor sighed, looking away from him when he was not liking the response from Sanju. "Don't sympathize me, it's not necessary," he said when he folded his arms, not wanting him to have pity on him. "But, you've changed a lot, Maha."

"I'm not sure, but… I can't lie that I'm happy I'm not the same person anymore, you know what I did in here just now? I was just spending my time in hell, drinking wine and enjoying the pleasure of hell, not the torture. Hell is fun and I had a lot of fun there, but I was bored so… I came here."

Sanju was extremely flabbergasted, his expression was priceless. "Just--WHAT?! Huh? What kind of paradise is that?!" Sanju was a bit confused, he expected hell to be tormented for their horrible deeds--like Maha being tortured and suffered the pains from the things he had done in his past life. But, this is more confusing as hell. "This isn't over yet, so I'm afraid I have to give you a 'little help' for your next adventure," he said with a mischievous smirk on his face.

"Huh?"

"I have a feeling your friend Raiden might need a 'little help'."

Sanju was confused, what's going on right now... before Maha added. "I mean is what kind of the world itself, not a cycle of suffering," Sanju listened to him as he lifted his eyebrows, before nodding at him. "Old World, New World and Eclipse World; those are the divided samsara of earth before the new era begun," he was stating like a lecturer he was, folding his arms firmly. "The Old World is where all Deva, Asura and Yaksha existed, before the war waging upon them--it's similar to Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze age."

The Senapati Raksha took note on the historical event in the past, he was unfolding his arms when he listens to him. "The New World is the current era you're at, but uniquely there's two phases where people of the past lives have connections with the current people of their new lives. I think it make sense people felt familiarity who are from the past lives, and I believe all of us have that connections."

Maha stated with a smile at him, making him understood what he meant but keeping his guard up. "Eclipse World… how do you explain this? It's… a tragedy that happens in the future, It's a disaster for all people who live in the world of this time. BUT, this Eclipse World is the 'original timeline' and the world you live in is the New World--let's just say that."

He paused when he saw Sanju was looking at him with confusion, before he explained the theory that might help him. "The current world you're at is the New World, but the world that's destroyed is the 'original timeline' and it has been replaced by a new one--which is the New World. Do you understand the theory?"

Sanju nodded. "Okay, I get it. However, what's the problem about this?"

Maha rubbed his chin and tilted his head, smiling. "This is not a problem, but a challenge. You know, the Tree of Universe has something to do with this--and I think you must find the remaining branches and destroy them, so this world will not suffer in the future. The Old World has been 'reseted' by the Raksha of the End--or the Final Raksha. For your information, Rakshas in the Old World--from what I learned... they're completely different compared to the New World. They don't take side of humanity, but to the nature."

"And by I mean Raiden needing some 'little help'... I don't mean Raiden in the present, I'm talking about his future self from the Eclipse World."

Wait, what the hell? What the hell is he trying to say? "Stop with the puzzles and everything, just tell me the answers," Sanju snapped, slightly irritated with his explanation. Maha smirked before sighing, then rubbing his shoulders.

"I have heard a prophecy that there will be the upcoming eclipse happening, this eclipse is not your usual one. I'm not talking about the eclipse that was on either the sun, the moon—what I'm talking about is the chaos in the Eclipse World, resulting the 'catastrophic crisis' that would happened in the near future. Their civilization will come and destroy our New World, so it's a good idea to stop the eclipse from happening before the Tragedy of the Century will happen--that's what I meant by Raiden needs your help. Or, Future Raiden needs it."

Sanju blinked as he observed him carefully. "Listen, I'm only telling you the best prediction that's happening and all of the prediction was already happened in the past or the future. I've been visiting the Tree of Universe several times after you guys defeated me, and I get the clear idea about this," Maha reminded him while standing and approached his presence. "If this happens, the world is really going to die as the war will start and everyone will suffer."

"How come the Eclipse World...?" Sanju asked, before Maha sighed. "It all started... I can't spoil it, you need to look around for the source of the problem and cause that started all these problems," he reminded him. "There must be a big problem that triggered the end of the world, they started as a small one and evolved to the bigger ones--that's all I can say."

Sanju finally regained his rationality after a full minute, he blinked. "Actually, what kind of fate can I have if I'm...?"

Maha shook his head. "You're not done yet, we're still talking about your next journey. Defeating me is just the beginning, and everyone have something for you--either an advice or a question. Your mentality has formed when you learn how to accept things and be wise, and now you're given a better perspective of the world."

That's a nice way to put it...

"You said Raiden needed my help," Sanju stated as he looked up at him, then crossed his arms. "I wonder what kind of help was it...? Do you mean the present one or his future self?"

Maha didn't answer him right away, but with an uneasy smile and closed eyes. "Find that yourself, I'm giving you a heads up… what happens in the future doesn't always turn out the same, and there's one decision I've learned in the future which I don't like it, not one bit."

Sanju nodded in understanding, a future he will know whether his friends, allies or the people who were long gone in the past will be with him. "My reincarnated self can assist you, whatever the quest you choose--he will do the job. Well, his memory will be restored as he became more powerful; I can't interfere or anything."

"Oh right, how does Asura existed? You said that there's Deva, Asura and Yaksha races right? What are they?" Sanju asked, this is the MOST serious part of their question because of the importance.

"Deva are Gods of the Phantom Samsara, they are the ruler of heavens and stood above both races--they're very annoying, no offense but if I didn't drink the wine back then I'll never notice who's annoying. The humans who infused with the Core of Devas are Vidyadharas," Maha explained. "Next, the Asura, they're known as Demigods of the Phantom Samsara, they are known as power-seeking clans who seek for more power and the cousins of Devas. Mostly, the former are the ones who are consumed by greed and became ambitious. The humans who infused with the Cores of Asuras are Rakshas, like who you are right now."

Maha was thinking deeply, before he added. "And lastly, the Yaksha--the Semi-Gods of the Phantom Samsaras, they have two kinds; Heruka (the wrathful deity) and Shakra (the benevolent deity). They are the guardians of the nature and under the deity who has the upper hand on them, the humans who infused with the Core of Herukas and Shakras are Tiryags, the ones who infused with the Core of Devas are Vidyadharas."

"That's a lot of things to learn about them... I thought I can only learn the Raksha and Tiryag part, not to mention the Heruka and the Devas too too..." Sanju muttered. Maha chuckled when he saw his reaction, rolling his eyes. "You have a lot of things to learn, boy, what kind of education do they taught you again? Don't be conceited if you don't know what's happening in the world, don't misjudge the people who knows what's going on with this earth," he reprimanded him."Now, I'll give you some piece of advice. If the event triggered, you have to take the path to survive and not get caught into them. You have to stop the Eclipse World before it's too late," he told him.

"Wait, how do you reach the Void of the Centuries? What am I looking for?"

Maha waved his hand, before he folded his arms. "You'll be dealing for a familiar encounter, this is a reminder for now; the New World is the second world of the Tree of Universe, while the Eclipse World is the third world. You can't rush everything, take your time and start anew. It's your decision whether to take this or not."

Sanju is still hesitant, he don't know what to do now--this was the first time for him and he didn't realize what is the third world of the Tree of Universe. “Don’t let that happen, otherwise you’ll suffer the same fate like they do,” he nodded when Maha turn around as he was about to leave, but before he could leave he had one last thing to ask him. Maha was telling him everything, making Sanju listened intently while he was thinking the same thing. "If the past and the future is combined, that will create an imbalance and the world will be destroyed," he said with a serious tone.

"W-Wait... I have a question," he interrupted, making Maha tilted his eyebrows upwards at him. "Is there a chance that Althair is… alive?"

Maha couldn't believe he had to answer that before he left him, and made him smiled genuinely in return. "Before I answer your question, I want to know if my daughter's doing alright there."

Sanju nodded, he does what he promised. "Your daughter Izana is doing alright without you, she redeemed herself and… don't forget of what you did is pissing her off."

Maha was surprised to hear that, until he sighed and decided to answer that for him. "Althair is… obviously not dead," he answered when he turn around, smiling to himself when he thought about him. "He was in the Phantom Samsara, it would be a best idea to save him there-I suppose he used his fireball to let you guys now that he's alive the whole time."

Oh great, that's a relief to say… Sanju thought, his mind calmed down when Maha explained what happened. "So, how about the Eclipse World and stuff?" he asked, the former nodded as he unfolded his arms. "You know what to do, Sanjaya Adinata. I'm counting on you."

Sanju watched him disappeared as he was about to wake up-until he stopped when he heard a female voice behind him, he felt… nostalgic by hearing that.

"Sanjaya…"

He stopped when he turn around to see someone suddenly appeared in front of him, it surprised him. "Wait… you're…" his eyes widened, he know who she is... his father talk about her before.

Ananda Tanuwijaya; the twenty-seven years old youthful Chinese-Indonesian woman and the late-mother of Sanju (plus being Radithya's late-wife) standing there with a smile on her lips. The young woman has a scruffy black hair with a pair of two long braids wrapped by a white cloth, ended with a gold ginkgo ornaments--she wears a black and platinum sleeveless Chinese dress under her dark blue collared cape with platinum batik tapestry reaching her knees that has crane and flower patterns.

Ananda is a kind and gentle woman, her mother instinct is very strong; as when Sanju got involved in trouble--she protected him from harm. She was a sweet, loyal and loving wife--she was the reason why Radithya never remarry because no one was able to replace her presence. Not only that, Sanju also inherited her benevolence and empathy which is why he forgave Haruna in the past despite what he did.

"Mother!"

Sanju was moved with tears in his eyes--no, he's trying not to cry. But failed miserably, he launched himself into her and she met him with open arms; not letting go and cherished his embrace. He was happy, so happy to see her--he missed his late mother. "My son… oh my, look at how you've grown," she said with a gentle smile, putting her hands on his cheeks in order to take a clear look at the nineteen-years old young fellow in front of her. He couldn't believe it, he cried for the first time to see her. "Mother, we adopted an orphan... her name is Kinana. She was my younger sister now, so... I wonder if we could get along well."

Ananda pulled him into an embrace, shushing his sniffles that escaped his lips and brushing his back gently as she began to soothe him with gentle cooing. "I'll be visiting all of you once you're awake, okay? Please, be strong for me... for your little sister Kinana too. Promise me that you'll be there for her. Also, make sure your father is okay... even if he never remarry--please take care of him. And stay with your friends."

"I promise... please tell me that you'll watch over us? Will you?"

Sanju felt like a young child being comforted by his mother once again, it feels warm… and gentle, it was something he cannot have and miss for a long time. "I'll be there for you, I'll stay and be the one who watch you over every time."

Even though she passed away, she still wants to watch and be there for him. That's what matters to her, that she's happy that her son is doing well and also, have her own daughter now. She didn't realized that--well, she kept thinking about him and the rest. "I can visit them if you like, but my time in there might be limited. So, I'll say until the next visit," she said before he woke up from his dream.

The next day...

Radithya frowned when he saw the framed photo of him and his late-wife, he really missed her so much--after they visited her graveyard and still he couldn't help but missing her so much. "Ananda..." he muttered, before he sensed someone appearing in his room from behind him. He sighed, when he was about to turn around. "Sanjaya, you shouldn't sneak into your father's room--" he paused, seeing the ghost of his beloved Ananda in front of him--standing there. "H-Huh... what?" he murmured, taken aback by this.

"What the heck? Am I hallucinating?"

He didn't know how to react, before the ghost spoke with her usual smile. He was surprised to know that it's not an illusion, this was the real deal-which means he's not fucking hallucinating or dreaming. "Radithya, it's been a long time!" she greeted him with a grin, making him cried as well as he hugged her tightly. As they fell on his bed, he still hugged her physically--even though she was a ghost. "You haven't changed, dear... I just want to tell you that I'm happy with what you've done. Your son is wonderful, please teach him well and take care of him… even your adopted daughter."

She smiled at him lovingly, closing her eyes when Radithya kissed her in the lips passionately and she kissed him back. He missed her touch, her gentle personality... everything about her--nobody can take her place. His love for her is for eternity, no matter what happens--he would still love her, still hold her in his arms--like the way it was before. They stopped the kiss, staring deeply into each other's eyes while he stand up and let her sit on the bedside. "Don't dwell too much in the past, Radithya... after all, it's only natural to move on and let the rest fade away in your memories. Besides, you have an amazing and promising son out there... and his friends too."

Radithya hummed when he smiled a little, resting his head in her lap and letting her fingers run through his messy short black hair. "I know, but how do I look like? A crazy father, is it?" he chuckled at the thought. "No, you look like a wise father-figure with a bit of quirky personality, everyone love you and would feel proud to be your son."

Sanju showed up as he walked towards them, Kinana was hiding behind her big brother's back shyly and peeked when the ghost noticed her--making her squeaked. "It's okay... she's not going to scare you, I promise," he said with a smile, making the girl relaxed a bit and revealing herself to meet the mother of her brother's face to face. "You're... my mother?" she asked innocently, making the older woman nodded as she reached her hand to pet her head gently. "You know that you are Sanjaya's sister, right?"

Kinana nodded, she couldn't help but blushed a little when the mother keep caressing her hair. "Yes... I remember it. It was just--I can't imagine myself having a family now. I am now... his little sister," she said with a warm smile, letting Radithya wrapped his arms around her and together, the four of them cuddle happily and feeling content from the reunion--although it doesn't last long because Ananda have to return to the afterlife which is in heaven.

"Farewell... I'll be watching over you all," Ananda said as she waves her hands in the air, before she began to disappear slowly and soon made the members of the family smiled fondly in satisfaction that they got to see her one last time before she went back to heaven.

When she disappeared, Sanju turns around and holding his father and sister's hands to walk forward--into the future.

"So, you decided not to remarry?" he asked, Radithya scoffed. "Nope, when I fell in love--it's only once in a lifetime. My duty as a husband is already fulfilled, I won't replace Ananda and I respect her."

Sanju smiled to him, nodding as he let out a sigh. "I agree, but is it okay that you will be alone without someone accompanying you?" he asked, but he felt a ruffle on his hair as his father spoke in soft and serene tone. "Hey, listen... all I want is to see you growing up well, so you can repay me in that way. Never lie or backstab anyone, nor manipulating people's hearts--make them trust you for what you are. As for me, I'm already happy with everything--I still have my friends who are widowers too. Besides, I don't want to remarry--I might reject any proposals that given to me."

Sanju let out a slight huff, it's okay to understand his feelings. "Fine, that's understandable," he grinned when he pat his father's back and hugged him after. "Also, I have to babysit Kinana--"

"--I'M NOT CHILDISH!"

Her shout echoed in the whole family's mansion, Sanju sighed and gave her a ruffle in her hair while Radithya got shocked from her shout.

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