*ೃ༄

That night...

Turns out, the performance meant to test the waters--in case there's a spy from the World Government who are still here, perhaps someone might be seen. Luckily, they just need to introduce themselves and the performance without giving details who they are, knowing not all of them are locals here, just like what Radithya states; they should be discreet and make it short. Just in case there are some nosy folks that gonna sniff the information the eight of them got here, they have to act simple yet mysterious but only for a little bit. Sanju allowed them to speak while he eyed on the crowds and the people, he smiled a little--before he covered his coughs due to his condition.

The performance went well, so they began to end the session--just a simple rendezvous if something happen in a group and of course with some songs.

"Phew... that was a nice performance! Next time, let's find a band for this," Akito said as they removed their disguise with their Mirage Spectacles. Althair said some words of thanks to them, although they just know their faces and not their actual appearances for now. Sanju nodded, before he heard Raiden added. "Also, sorry for making you exhausted... we know your fever hasn't gone down and we couldn't stop the event since people keep asking."

He looked at his friends, before smiling. "It's okay, I can get a good rest after this. Just have to stay low until the crowd goes to sleep," he said, before Akito volunteered to assist his friend-leader to get some rest because it is raining, but they are hoping not too harsh. Salihin seems relieved because it's a light storm, so no lightings but the rain isn't in a heavy pattern either. "Kirana told us we should keep it, since it's a gift from her so... I hope we're not going to wreck our clothes," he mentioned, but added...

"Just don't ruin them in the laundry..."

They noticed that the colosseum has been visited by many people, so they decided to check them out. Sanju coughed a little when he reached the entrance of the colosseum while his friends were accompanying him. There are thousand seats arranged inside with four rows, there were statues of the Roman gods in each of the pillars of the colosseum. The arena itself is a circle shape with the center stage--that resembles a throne where the winner will be decided from the match. It has been built with a stone floor and wooden wall behind the arena, with several pillars that surround the arena, it has an entrance gate that leads them directly into the colosseum. There's no audience yet, only few of them who will be their opponents are here, as well as the referee, they were watching from afar the upcoming battles.

Sanju coughed violently as he felt the nasty mucus he has, before wiping his nose from the nasal block. "Oh crap, do you need to vomit?" Yukito asked, touching his shoulders in a concern. Sanju shake his head, breathing in a heavy yet careful manner so not to trigger his stomach pain. "I'm fine, I'm fine... just a bit nauseous," he said, looking at them as he look around the colosseum. "So, how was the report earlier?"

"It's all set, everyone are accepting this tournament as long they are allowed to advertise and some stalls as well as their business," Kanae nodded, before looking at the newcomers who came into the colosseum. "About your father's restaurant, it will be open at the same time the island is completed," she said, with Senja patting the raven haired man's shoulder to support his leader to remain standing. "As for your hotel branch here, it's the same goes with your father's. No need to worry, Sanjaya. Everyone will be all right and we're ready for the opening when everything is prepared to start."

Sanju smiled softly, before he looked at Althair from the distance who watched him and noticed that he is taking a good shape. "Basically, the rules hasn't been made for the tournament because... well, we're clueless to know the final version of the tournament and what does it mean," Raiden said, explaining what they discussed during their meeting with Radithya's help. "Perhaps, the tournaments would have many different kinds of modes, depends on our own imagination and wishes," Kanae explained, slightly enjoying this part as Sanju sat on the stairs while feeling dizzy a bit. "Huh, did Althair already set up a medic tent here?" he asked, then they realized that the other had been setting up medical-related infrastructures for emergencies.

Everyone from his friends nodded as they looked at the red tent. "As for the arena... it's typically gathering points for those who win each rounds of the battle," Kinana muttered, looking at the announcer. "Yes," Sanju stated, glancing at the one who talks to him. "Let's visit the insides of the colosseum..." he said, leading his friends to his way into the 'regular' room for the fighters. They nodded, as it was almost like a military base of sorts, there's a large computer-like-screen that shows the highlights, results and statuses of the tournament.

Sanju looked over the things inside this room, before he let out a light smirk to think that this place is very similar to one of the colosseums from the past. His fever was down a little, but not completely--most of them had recovered from the dengue fever last week because of their great immunity systems. There's also monitors that can broadcast the battleground on the high platform in the arena, showing off the live, raw coverage of the action when the contestants were fighting. However, not just showing off the excitement. It can also show the information of each opponent, including those of Rakshas that are playing games inside the game machines, consoles, and simulation rooms.

"Hey, do you wan to see our upgraded Moon Sanctuary? It's going to be very cozy now and expanded after fixing some part," Yukito asked, changing the topic of the matter when they saw Sanju coughing a little. "Yeah, that would be cool. After this, I will have to take a rest because my stomach still hurts a little bit and my throats still scratchy," he admitted, before they went to the bridge that leads to the outer building--leading to the large white palace with Roman pillars surrounded the inner balcony and the two rows of the arcade rooms.

Upon walking inside, they realized...

It has been furnished with fancy red couch, batik carpet in the central area where there's a large monitor in front of the red couch. There were vases in the central room with the kitchen counter and balcony with windows and curtains, there are eight bedrooms and three bathrooms while the arcade rooms were upgraded with computers and board games. Sanju blinked his eyes in slight awe, as everyone was in the arcade section with Kanae, Kinana and Karina were browsing. A huge chandelier was hanging above the central hall of the home, alongside the lights in the room. "What the... is this some kind of joke?"

"No way, also they have several foods stored in the kitchen and already paid what we should've pay for the renovation," Raiden shouted, before giving them his phone to look at the renovated place from top to bottom--even have a giant tank simulator for Akito and some rooms for the non-group members of their organization. "Okay, you know what--there's also a bath chamber with a spa, sauna room with a pool that has a floor and railings above the pool, and a private lounging area with shower and a glass room. The ceiling is quite high and air is breezy, making it more comfortable."

Kinana said, eyeing the rooms along with Karina and Kanae. "Oh well... at least we can rest in peace at this palace or... something like a new headquarters we could use for us and maybe the rest will live on the Palace on the mountains, after seeing the blueprint my father got," Sanju looked around the places, seeing the decorations around the areas as well the design before he remembered something. "We didn't have a logo for our team, right?"

Some shake their heads and some said 'no' which made him rubbed his chin, before he glanced at Karina. "Can you draw logo?" he asked, Karina nodded with her composed expression. "Yeah, I can design that for you guys--since our team also needed one, and probably I have an idea on how to start, but not yet."

"Well, it's going to be a rough night..."

Kanae mentioned, earning the confused stares from the rest, so they assumed she had something in mind that can help them. Sanju sat at the long couch, while others just hung out at their normal spot like always--talking about random stuff, gossip and such. He was busy talking to Karina about the logo for ADVENT Consortium, with several drafts on the sketchbook papers from her, there were also thumbnail sketches for the ADVENT characters in sketch papers, written by Althair before giving the folder of it to Karina and Sanju. Sanju watched the files closely while studying it, while Kanae was cooking carbonara fettucini with truffle mushroom cream sauce and the desserts; two tiramisu layered cakes and vanilla frosted orange macarons.

Sanju was thinking while looking at the drafts, about him and his friends' logo of their organization or group. He was scratching his black messy hair, while he looked tired but excited at the idea of having a group logo design. "How about this one, San?" Karina asked, showing the draft of lettering their name in simplistic gothic-like fonts that seems a bit tacky. Sanju blinked his eyes, staring at her. "Please don't tell me you're going to draw our logo with this font..."

Karina hummed, before she made another draft again--the purpose is to make Sanju either satisfied or pleased with the look of the design. He was waiting, before he added. "You don't have to add the ADVENT on it, the logo should be... just our group or our names," he told her, she nodded, and quickly drafting up something new from the original logo design they had. Karina hummed, before she asked. "What concept do you have in mind?"

"Hmmm... probably..." he reached out her pad, sketching a pencil-style drawing on one side of a parchment paper, while drawing something like a circle with a symbol of world and soon he made a seven to one o'clock's cross--symbolizing rebellion against the World Government. He paused for a moment, before he handed the pad to her. "What do you think? With some slight updates, the one on the right is more like it."

Karina looked at the circular pattern, before glancing at his dark brown eyes. "We... literally hate the World Government... it's true, we've been wanted criminals with high bounties. But, at least we're free from the shackles... now, we get the chance to fight them. The World Government might hunt us down to kill us at any means," he explained.

Karina was nodding her head as she listened carefully, before she began to finalize the design he requested--she already shown what ADVENT Consortium will look like, just their IDs and mission folders. "Once we gained it back... it will show that we weren't destroyed by them, so they cannot catch on to destroy us--that's why we need to be prepared against them," Sanju explained, before Kanae showed the ready food at the table. "Rice and pasta, along with some fruit salads and steak in the oven."

Then he heard the phone was ringing, he decided to answer it--for the fact the phone is a rotary dial so old-school, before the man on the other end of the line talked to him.

Meanwhile, Althair was eyeing the visitors who still taking photos and such--before his dark brown eyes looking at the familiar visitors who came from Nirvana Organization. He saw his rival Karuna carrying his daughter Vanya in his arms, Jaemin the Secretary-General also attending as he was looking around the colosseum and the tiled grounds beneath them. Kashiya was walking beside Kasai who had her eyes on the the view, taking photos of them as Seong-hwa waved at Althair by surprise. Elden was guiding Sanju's friends who also visiting here, there were Damian, Juha, Marthen, Izana, Masaki and Nadine.

Yes, Haruna wasn't with them--he seems... unavailable.

Althair nodded at Haruse who was standing beside him, so he can inform Salihin, Icha and Renata about this--including Radithya, Rayhanda and Ryoma. Kirana was waving at them from above happily, before he walked to him and greeted him. "Hey Althair!" Vanya greeted him, being cute in a childish way while her hand waves before giggling. "Oh, it's you," Karuna greeted, seeing his rival came here before Althair rolled his eyes. "How did you know that we're here? I thought I already set up the undetected barriers here. Shit, I should've reminded Icha about that later..." he said.

"Hey, what did I tell you about cursing in front of my daughter?"

He squinted his eyes at him in disbelief. "Oops," he muttered before bowing, sincerely sorry for his words that shouldn't be there. Kasai helped him to guide them to the stadium, seeing the people were quite busy just like usual. "(What do you think?)" Juha asked his compatriot Jaemin in Korean, they usually speak in their native tongue before, during or after meetings as members of Nirvana's Committee. "(Quite impressive.)"

Karuna put his daughter down and let her play with her friends, before he glanced at Althair. "I have good news and bad news, but we're conversing in Bahasa Indonesia, is that okay?" he asked his compatriot, Althair nodded before they began to speak in Bahasa. "(What's the good news?)" the Flame Raksha asked, Karuna sighed. "(Good news, your organization and Sanjaya's team are 'safe'... by means all of you are MIA from the World Government. If you do not enter the limelight and stay in the dark, they couldn't reach you. If they want, they need to find you first and prove that you're the wanted criminals and finally caught,)" he explained.

"(Bad news?)"

Althair asked, there was a silence for a while--before Karuna gestured at the colosseum and its arena. "(Do you know Haruna? Who was Sanjaya's former friend? He went missing, he became a fucking fugitive because he almost fought the Indonesian government soldiers to avenge his own friends...)" he suddenly slapped his hand to his mouth and his face grimaced in discomfort--Althair understood why, there are kids who looks shocked and a bit scared of him but none of them will hold any grudges or never mention it. "(Not only that, he betrayed his own friends. Do you even imagine when you're fighting each other and someone betrayed you and no longer cares for you or yourself?)"

Oh great, here we go again.

The Superintendent of Nirvana Organization folded his arms, scrunching his eyebrows. "(When we first met him on the rooftop of the hospital near the emergency exit door, we found out that he was angry and it's understandable. This is what happened... he lost control of his Asura's Core, I forgot the name but he's a Celestial Raksha--he almost harm anyone in the hospital and the Nirvana Organization had to defend the people, but it's got worse when the thought of Silver Slumbering Dragon and ADVENT Consortium got tangled up into his wrath.)"

Althair tried his best to stay calm in front of Nirvana's committee including Councilor Kashiya and Secretary-General of the Asian Branch, Jaemin himself. But, he couldn't help but rubs his temple because he had enough shit to deal with right now. "(So, it's safe to say that the Government has the bad news.)"

"(Also, he doesn't know what did he did. But, for someone like him... who betrayed Sanjaya and his friends... not only he broke his trust thrice and almost to the point of pissing him off, but he was already considered as a dangerous being because of his unstable control over the rage inside him)," he said. "(Listen here, Althair. I know I don't want to drag you into this... well, to tell you the truth, I really don't want to involve people. But, Haruna... he was a serious threat.)"

"(Who says I would not willing to help you? I've been in his place once, and to think the people who hates me--they won't turn their back and dump me for what happened. Well, I helped you and you helped me--so I should repay you for that)," Althair replied. "(Well then, I'll help you--but you have to assist me in evolving this Hyang Seram island. How's that?)"

"(Deal)."

Now, they're speaking normally as they glanced at the group. "Sanjaya and his friends were in Moon Sanctuary, it's pretty far from here but there's a bridge to the palace where they lived now," Althair said, looking at Yukito who was standing there.

Meanwhile...

Sanju watched Karina was coloring the logo design, since it's an uncolored one that he requested from her. He could barely paint to the colorings, since he needs his rest more as his illness was still very troubling for him. "Alright, what do you think?" Karina asked, before handing it to him. He looked at the logo draft of ADVENT that made him narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. "Perfect..." he whispered, before he handed it back to her. "It's all good, but just a little bit of improvements."

Akito was playing games inside the arcade that was upgraded and connected to the central mainframe in the vault inside their headquarters, seeing this it looks like a brand new facility rather than an old complex underground bunker from before. He was battling against Raiden as they can't even stop this heat that made Sanju sighed as his fever wasn't even down. Kinana was watching them, cheering both of them even when Senja rolled his eyes from the heat and also slightly irked from these two. "Can both of you at least, decrease the volume of your bickering?!" Senja exclaimed.

"LATER!"

Kirana visited them as she was greeted by Kinana who hugged her, realizing how close she gets to them. "Yo, Kirana," Karina greeted her, she smiled and waved at her while putting her handbag. Sanju stood up from the couch to greet her, though he was exhausted--he always keep up his appearance more presentable for his teammates and friends. "What brings you here?" he asked, sipping his cup of herbal tea.

Kirana looked around, noticing that the interior changed and the fact they need it to be a bit modern. "The others are visiting you guys, you know," she hinted, watching him ruffling on Kinana's hair. He looked at her, before blinking his eyes. "Huh? Oh," he almost forgot that they're here, before she whispered. "Haruna's not with them, but he has not been himself so... can we get a change of topic?" she asked, whispering.

Sanju couldn't help but frown from the thought, even ignoring Akito and Raiden were yelling at each other from their games. "Haruna...? Great, what is he doing now? I don't want to deal with him as of now because he's already crossing his lines," he muttered. Kirana sighed, she also worried that he might bring another trouble... again. Like, when he will repent or mend the piece for his wrongdoings and all, until things like that settle down a bit before he made everything much harder to fix.

Damian has arrived with everyone as they reunited, it was a nice reunion.

"So, regarding Haruna..."

Sanju listens to his high school friend Damian who started the conversation, also in the same state as himself--at least his fevers wasn't that high. They gathered for some talks while admiring the palace where their teammates' been living in, well... it's a normal room since this isn't the conference room. He watched Damian, Izana, Nadine, Marthen, Masaki and Juha--they also have grown like him and his friends. However, without Haruna... they looked fine without the man who caused trouble over and over. Sanju can't even count the times Haruna and himself are in a deadlock state, or worst--if it wasn't Akito stepped in to talk to him. "Sanju, are you... still angry at Haruna?"

Izana asked, she hoped he was no longer having some high grudge that the former friend of him will most likely have a problem for that. Sanju shrugged, before he shook his head in dismay. "I never thought that I have to say this--his problem, his challenge. I already drew a line between us, yet he always crossed those boundaries," he explained, looking at his friend. Yeah... he was so done, really--even his friend knows Haruna won't listen and keep letting out his agrression.

"Yeah, I know that we can't do something... but I don't want a guy like him to be on a loose... he became a fugitive of World Government."

What. The. Actual. Fuck. He had thought his former friend is in deep trouble for his issues, he knew about it too much. But, the last sentence...

This just officially became the worst decision his friend ever made.

Raiden was wide-eyed upon hearing that, Kanae narrowed her eyes and Akito facepalmed--they were not even suprised anymore. Yukito, Senja and even Karina glanced at him, Kinana herself cannot comment because she understand it just too well. Sanju took a deep breath, glaring down at the table while clenching his fist a little--who the fuck did not to punish him. "By chance," Karina started her comment, glancing at them. "When was the last time you saw them?" she asked.

Damian glanced at his friends, including Marthen who rarely talks or be found in these types of circumstances and even more shocked at what the Indonesian lady asks. "Last week," Juha replied, folding his arms. "He was running away, before I caught him but I had been kicked by him..." he could tell Sanju was... too pissed off for real. And probably this is no longer about being hated for those betrayals in the past--it was personal, for real.

"Quick, calm him down," Yukito mouthed, referring to Sanju who almost losing his cool as Kinana tried to pull his shirt carefully. "Sanju," Kanae called him, he glance at her with a scornful glare. "Calm down... let them explain it thoroughly before jumping into the conclusions, we know you're angry but you're also feverish--so please. Don't go all out, just... not now," she reminded, massaging his shoulder as he tried to remain calm.

Yukito sighed, it would be much worst to lose an ally when the island is about to begin it's development and Sanju looked like he doesn't want to hear excuses, he prefer explanations. He is reasonable and can consider it more of explanation, but considering the topic it was too much for him right now and he would've fought when he is well, when he's fit. Sanju close his eyes, as Masaki starts their explanation on what truly happened. They managed to discuss about it to satiate him a bit, it's getting calmer--though his patience is ticking. The whole time, their friends are with him since his illness flared up his emotions.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"That night, he lost control of his rage and we were trying to calm him down. At least, not in the middle of crowded people, everyone could tell that this hospital's wards could be disturbed so they had to intervene when a few visitors were sick and Haruna... started to break everything to protect those injured patients. It was a mess and a bad timing--we're planning to escape from Jakarta before the Government interfered and caused the problem from within to lure Haruna out to stop him, but... he resisted."

Juha explained, but sometimes Sanju coughed a lot that some of the people were a bit worried. "We are unsure of where he went, he could be dangerous but he is still our friend..." he continues, but then he glanced at them. "Hey man, I'm not forcing you to do this but... can you stop him before things go wrong?" Damian asked.

Like... everything was ruined for Sanju already, but it gets worse because a criminal organization leader trusted him to have a second chance on him. Before Sanju's about to answer, his coughing became worse and heavier before he covered his mouth--most of them are concerned. He realized it was a nasty phlegm that colored like fucking yellow, good thing it wasn't blood but still--for Kinana, Yukito and Senja; it's not a good thing to hear. "Are you... okay, buddy?" Akito asked.

"Tissue, please."

He asked and grabbed several tissues while Kanae helped him patting his back. He wiped it off from his mouth, seeing how sticky his mucus are--especially when the fever came along, it sucks. "(Man, I feel like shit.)" Sanju said in Bahasa, exhaling his breath before cleaning his mouth with a tissue. His nose was rubbed a little bit when he caught the thought of Haruna crossing the lines. "So, you want me... to stop him?" Sanju asked in hoarse tone, before making a hand gesture--meaning that everyone must calm down.

Now, it becomes personal from being betrayed many times but, to the point of pushing his limits... not again, it's gone too far. Even some of them were thinking about this--they shouldn't be, right? But, it's beyond the terms of friendship, they do not know the lines between. "You know... I could easily blow his head off, right?" he reminded them. Oh fuck, they reminded about how Sanju easily defeated Haruna without even breaking a sweat--a serious death match no one wants to see. "Hey, I don't mean to brag but... I want to ask you this. How do I deal with a lunatic who doesn't think straight and when he do, it's already too late to regret? Would any of you tell me?"

"Well, who asked you to? A friend to a friend, and probably you can teach him a lesson. Right?"

Sanju doesn't understand why his friend wants him to give him a lesson, when he already set a boundaries between them. "... No," he stated firmly, not in a rage tone but just a simple statement. "I already teach him a lesson like several times, but he did not listen. If you want me to be harsh at him, I could've killed him off without hesitation at all. Besides, I do not even care anymore. I'm not even interested to clean after his mess or giving another mercy to him," he said, that's completely truth. "As much as we're friends, we couldn't even go back in the past, can we?"

Damian can't stop Sanju, it's his decision after all--he has the right to choose or not to choose. Either way, it won't be wise, to ask a favor but he won't force anyone... not even a friend and comrades he trusts. "Sanju, I understand that you're taking the loss of this... but I'm sorry if it's too much--"

"It's too much for me to consider," Sanju clarified. "Since you are my friend and comrade, but I guess I won't be as greedy. It's his problem, not me. When I said I don't want to deal with him, there's nothing that can change my mind. Besides, I already told him to not to be in front of me and yet, he just does whatever the hell he wants. So, end of discussion," he said, standing up and walking away from them--until he felt Damian hold his wrist.

NOT THIS AGAIN.

HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO GO WITH THIS?

"Please, reconsider. I know you're stubborn like hell and you're not a selfish person, you know that..." he said, using a pleading tone that irked the man who had enough. "Let go, Damian. Don't make me angry and especially tell me not to not let go on this," he warned. "I already let go of his hand. My patients are over and he has no second chance with me. What else do you want me to do? Kill myself or suffer from the anxiety he once given to me, hmm?" he narrowed his eyes, as Kinana pulls his shirt. "Damian, let him go. Can't you see he's exhausted and... he couldn't take anymore. Besides, we really need him to heal first because we couldn't afford our leader suffered again at the same time," Kanae explains as he nodded. Damian, let his wrist go.

Sanju still spared Damian because he's still respectful and somewhat loyal to him and his friends. However, not Haruna. That man doesn't deserved to be friends, or comrades to him at all. Senja sighed, before he sat on the couch. "In order for us to help Haruna... well, he's beyond help and therapy at this point. Trust me, if it's not Haruna, who will be the mess for this organization, we wouldn't be in a damn serious situation. If it was us, we wouldn't be fucked but we would've fix our asses up for the biggest of all the catastrophe," Senja responded.

Karina remained silent, before she muttered. "I'll be down there in an hour to the Arena, our friend has more urgent matters at hand..." she told Senja, who nodded, thinking that he need to keep Sanju busy for a moment. However, even though Damian's group agreed--one person seems to disagree... which is Nadine. "Sanjaya, can you like... be sympathetic to him? Okay, I don't like it either... his actions are also caused the World Government knows that we also shared a past with you ADVENT Consortium and him... we shouldn't be underestimated at any point. But, your decision... is too far."

"Last warning. Don't mess with me. I know what I'm doing, I've been thinking what the consequences should be," he coldly stated, glaring down at her. "If you wan to save Haruna, then do it yourself because I already taught him a lesson he wouldn't learn."

Another reason being their past to present: back when he spent some years of his school life with their presence alongside him until the Phantom Eruption and shit--only to be betrayed and humiliated. "Wait, Sanju--" Juha paused when he noticed that Akito and Raiden blocked their way from approaching Sanju. "Hold on a second, you're demanding us to ask him... at this time? It's not the time for demanding favors, we are working hard for our future and he's also recovering," Akito corrected Juha, he looked at him. "Come on, give us some time!"

'Oh no, not another part two of this shit...' Senja thought, he stand up when he saw Juha was about to fight against Akito and Izana began to face Raiden. Like, why in the central room of the Moon Sanctuary, everyone needs to fight for their shit when they actually need a good company to discuss about it rationally?! "Hey, now let's stay calm, we need a calm rational talk... not a chaotic fight."

Senja reminded as Kanae stopped Juha from attacking them. "Look, we know what we're doing--we follow what Sanjaya is doing, plus can't you understand that Haruna... he's just trying to be independent because he thinks he's lost for himself?" Izana stated.

Oh for fucking love of the God Almighty, can this day just get much worse?!

They could agree to disagree, but to the point the tension heated up like any minute when they got the best moment of their lives. Sanju stopped when he was about to open the door, what... did he just heard?

Damian realized that this already hurting his feelings--he glared at Juha, Izana and Nadine who were surprised and stunned to speak. Oh Lord, Sanju couldn't believe his high school friend let their personal grudges got over their loyalty to him. Sanju couldn't endure it anymore--before they knew it, Damian just have to touch his shoulder. "I'm sorry for not able to make you two get along again... I don't blame you..." he managed to say, but it seems like it's not done yet.

"Guys, please stop persuading him," Damian warned, he couldn't believe this--Haruna made their comrade and allies like this. "Why you--" Masaki went wide-eyed when he saw Nadine grasped Sanju's wrist, fuck it.

They're going to end this--badly. Sanju had enough.

"ENOUGH!"

Damian yelled for the first time, startling them for his first outburst. Sanju stared at him when the tension almost broke out into fight. That was really close, before he clenched his teeth in distress--they're starting to be under pressure about the fact they could kill each other here. He took a deep breath, before he snapped. "Please, can you guys stop making us very hard to maintain our lives?! Your demands like he'll ever be loyal to us, when in reality it won't ever work!" he roared in hoarse tone, struggling his breath. "Don't you see that he's sick, from his condition?! You're just worsening his situation, could you guys have some consideration?!"

Some of them went silent, they weren't calm at all. Especially when people are fighting in the middle of the tension and stress itself and not to mention when it escalated. Senja seems tolerant towards Damian while he had his eyes on everyone in the room--ensuring that there won't be violence, no wonder Sanju entrusted him to lead ADVENT with full permission if it meant he's in a dire situation. "Come on, stop pressing on him and let him go."

Nadine froze when Senja ordered her even though all she wanted is to convince the friends' leader, but there must be a better timing than this. She eventually let Sanju's hand go, before the latter sighed softly--calming down from his rampant state. "My sincere apologies for my behavior, Damian... all of you," Sanju apologized, deep down he truly apologized but now the headache added up because of what just happened. "Don't be, it's not your fault... I understand that you choose to move on from him," Damian understood that he needs a breathing space as well.

And another cough interrupted Sanju, he really caught a bad time whenever the coughing fits disturbed him--even the painful mucus hacking his airway won't stop. "Damian, thank you for being my friend," Sanju said after settling his coughing down, clearing his throat. There's a reason why Sanju still befriends with him, it's because of his loyalty, wisdom and his friendship will not wither throughout his misfortune or his suffering even. They really shared it for years during his high school years, they really don't understand his motives or decisions but still--it's what he could. "I wish I could be wiser like you, so you can handle Haruna..."

Sanju trailed off, he always wanted to do his best for every people--even if he had to endure a shitload of stress but he had been trying to go on as a leader. He has the ability to fight, and he also showed his power whenever he needs to. "No, Sanjaya... I wish I could be very strict like you..." he said, reminiscing of their younger days. He could remember that he's willing to give second chances, also stern to his role as the leader but he's fair to everyone too.

He was wide-eyed a little when Damian hugged him, luckily his sickness was calmed down but his fever--nope. Sanju could feel him crying on his shoulder, but he let him hug him until he finished. "This isn't over yet, we will prove it to you... that Haruna will be a changed man, just give him some time to think and figure it out himself, Sanjaya. We know you didn't want to get involved, it's not your responsibility. But, please have faith with us--with Haruna too," he said, pulling off the hug before he was staring at his dark brown eyes. "Sanjaya, please...I don't want you and him to regret it in the future."

Sanju remained silent, his mind is full of regrets--what was he... saying?

Why must... he even try to believe in him? Haruna made a real fatal mistake to set him off for the last time. Yeah, one year seemed a decent time-period for him and them to build their relationship back from scratch again. Sanju look down, before he let out a soft exhale and look up at him with stern expression. "Damian... as much I have faith, trust, believe in you and Haruna... his own reckless behaviors and rashness--it's above our trust," he told him, placing his hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, but... I do not wish to stop him... not because I don't want to, but... he broke the deal between us already. Now, let me tell you all of this... what do you think... of this?"

Sanju showed him the messages of death threats from Haruna to him, Damian could read everything up to three months and what the fuck--WHY DID HARUNA THREATEN HIM?!

All of them except the ADVENT team members have their jaws dropped because of disbelief, especially Nadine. "You have no idea how all of this escalated so quickly... was there a cause?" she asked in fear of her friend, still--why not just a duel against Sanju or something, or... a challenge to be a better leader. Yet, threatening his own friend over his fucking betrayal which is like the least thing in the first place. Damian also noticed some scars on Sanju's veins... he almost ended himself, even he didn't show the other scars that's more than just a first attempt he made. "It's from when we met for the last time, in Manila."

Damian slowly understood that, the death threats were more than just insults--it's also due to the fact of that mess too, a retaliation by threatening his health. Now he was pissed, he was so fucking done with this. "Haruna... that bastard," Izana cursed and Damian scowled too. Haruna... HE WANTED HIM TO FUCKING DIE.

Also, did Haruna... talk shit about his own friends behind his back? The messages also written: 'Oh look at that you brought your dogs with you, having your lapdogs and shit traitorous bitches by your side. Wow, you must be so proud of yourself,' and there's a question of, 'Bet you're proud to be a phony... even a whore sells her soul for money...' He used it... TO TAUNTED HIM IN THE RIGHT WAY, LEADING SANJU IN THE NARROW GATE OF SELF-CONTROL AND LOSS.

Izana froze at the messages that described how harsh and toxic to the maximum degree, this is... so unexpected... why does he called them... that. Nadine clasped her mouth when she was horrified, did Sanju... had to endure this that day? He was betrayed by him three times, his reputation ruined and falsely accused... this is just a new level of pain itself. Nadine was distraught of the entire messages and the responses.

Damian also noticed how Haruna also talk some bad things about him, all of the messages were never been answered by Sanju--that's good because if it wasn't then it's too much for him to endure. "Sanjaya, what should I do with him?" he asked, growling a little--he couldn't believe Haruna was doing this to him. "He... he also talk shit about my friends. Including Nadine, and the death threats sent to me... fuck it, he crossed the line," Damian added, he can sense that the group behind him were... angered by Haruna's nasty insults and not to mention the language. Nadine could already hear the whispers and gasps as a response, how it could get worse than this?!

Sanju remained silent, Raiden and the rest had a scowl on their eyes--their shimmering red eyes were showing nothing but intimidation. The atmosphere turns darker at the moment, but Sanju could care less anymore--he had enough of his shit. "Anything, anything that should stop him..." Damian added, he was pleading for Haruna not to cross the line, but he did... so hard. So, Damian needed a concrete answer.

"Kill him."

It was a cold whisper made by the Senapati Raksha of ADVENT Consortium, Damian could see a faint smirk on his face. A terrifying, chilly aura that's coming from them just gave everyone warning sign, they could swear that the only thing they could hear was a wind hitting a window. "You know, Damian... I wish you could be stricter but... it seems like you have to be harsh," Sanju said calmly, without flinching at all. However, his dark brown eyes are the different story and could give a whole of his answer that's full of wrath, an unfamiliar appearance in him.

They expected he will say that, Damian never thought of how sadistic Sanju's side can be and a dark thought came to his head. It was beyond imagining it, considering the relationship between him and Haruna for them to be friends.

"So, how do you want to stop him?"

Raiden smirked with his sadistic stare that you don't want to fuck up at all, the murderous intent in Akito's stance to get out of his room, Kanae's half lidded empty gaze which shows a bit of darkness she usually kept, Kinana's low self esteem demeanor was replaced with an intense stare of wrath that'll shred whoever into the very small pieces and finally, Senja who is showing his wrathful gaze, with his sharp features behind his glasses, Karina's cold and untamed stare towards their own victims who dare to threaten someone she considered important and Yukito who is glaring towards the enemies they've sighted. Everyone seems to be calm, but instead... it's the opposite.

Damian's eyes covered by his brownish-black bangs, it seems like a mere kindness didn't really helped in reasoning with Haruna--he realized that he played the wrong card... he always held the cards he needed in battle, but sadly, a bad card like this... this is it, for him. "Even when all you did was right... it still seemed wrong. You taught him more lessons than you expected, and now... he got even worse."

He almost forgot that most of the ADVENT members are all lunatics with strange antics during their missions and also very quick paced but they won't mess with them. If you mess with the most of the crazy high functioning individuals, you'll fucked yourself up, there's no turning back from that choice.

"After all these years of friendship... it feels like a long trip to nowhere..." Damian answered, his face darkened as his bloodlust started to seep out from him. "Why not let us handle him this time? After all... we have been tirelessly dealing with his shit," he suggested, but... Sanju seems to be content with it. Damian's giving him the hint that Sanju will be the one to deliver the killing blow to Haruna. "You and your friends have done a great service to him. Yet, this time... trust me. We know what to do."

Sanju was just simply content that he had had the will to reason with them and even his friends aren't trying to persuade him, he was relieved to be honest. "Why didn't you tell us about this, Sanjaya?" Damian asked, why didn't he tell them about this. Sure, if he or his group knew that Haruna was messing with Sanju's emotions by just writing death threats towards him, then they would've confronted Haruna but at the cost of losing his so called comrade and friend. Then, Damian's eyes widened to see the scars on his veins under his rolled sleeves--did he... tried to...

"Because... I didn't want you to know this," Sanju softly replied, he didn't want to add problems to his life. Even with friends that gave him better wisdom, kindness and overall--reasons to live with life more, he always was concerned about making someone hurt. The atmosphere went normal unlike before, replaced with genuine concern when the others read the messages, judging by the messages--they knew it. They're... disappointed at their comrade. All they did... to give their friendship and faith on him... he wasted it. The ADVENT members already know about Sanju's failed attempts because his depression which is a taboo no one would discuss, no matter what. "I didn't want anyone to know, especially not you."

"Why?"

His silence soon broke, with a heartbreaking reply. "... I don't want to remind you of the memories we shared together, even when it ends there. No matter what, there will always... a conflict. I never wanted you guys to stop me from doing these because I'm afraid you all will misunderstand me... because you all worry," Sanju said, he understood that their worries will keep rising up for his well being until his recovery. "Sanjaya, I would like to help you, I hope you're okay..." Damian said, holding his hand for reassurance--he meant it, though Sanju isn't a fragile and weakling who can't defend himself but... he's still a human, they cannot risk their friend dies because of an emotional conflict.

"It's fine, thank you for having faith in me, I'm not an emotional type of person after all," Sanju was starting to smile a little again as if he didn't suffer, but the coughing fits starting again but he was able to endure it. "Due to constant bullying, betrayals, being taken advantage of and humiliating events, I wonder how long my sanity can hold before I tell him enough is enough and he made his choice. But, I've moved on... these scars are part of me now..." he replied, gently squeezing his hand--a sign of reassurance.

Damian was relieved that Sanju was able to move on without him hearing his voice screaming his pain, he released his hand. "Leave this all to us, okay? Just take a rest and focus on your mission to restore the island's community. Please, don't do something stupid that you won't be able to take back," he reassured, the latter nodded.

After that, Damian told Izana, Juha, Marthen, Nadine and Masaki to come with him--so they could handle Haruna by themselves.

Sanju felt his burdens no longer piling up on his shoulders, he saw Kinana hugged him and followed with his friends. This time, after those years of stress and a mixture of negative emotions he experienced, Sanju finally broke down and he felt everything was released from his shoulders. "I'm grateful... to have you guys with me, thank you," Sanju whispered. Akito, Senja, Yukito and Karina were simply satisfied to have an opportunity to hear those genuine words. Raiden smiled at him, reassuring him that the problem is settled. "We promise not to keep secrets from you, after all... there's nothing to hide."

They knew that it's because he wants the burden to be lessens but no one said it's selfish to keep your own issues for a while, then share it to the right person to counsel and accept your flaws. At first, they're so understanding about his life, especially when he never had the ideal, and safest one he would've think of--they understood that and they want him to rely on them whenever it hurts to endure. "We'll stay by your side forever, okay?" Kinana pleaded.

Sanju ruffled her hair, nodding that it's alright. Now, his mind is freed from being troubled. Though, sometimes Haruna managed to cross the line more than it is or maybe, it's because... of revenge.

If he feels bad about his acts of aggression, then he wouldn't be fucked up, right? But... thanks to Damian he's smart enough to know that he went too far by writing hate messages to him. Kirana was listening as she frowned at him, why didn't Sanju tell her about his previous attempts? She heard him spoke. "Sorry for not telling you about this, Kirana... but you're a really trustworthy person. Will you... forgive me?" he asked.

It's actually heartbreaking to see Sanju, asking for his forgiveness. If he ever had done something to cross the line, like Haruna... then no wonder Kirana won't be forgiving him at all. She let out a soft smile, raising her hand. "You really worried me a lot, but... I can't be mad at you. As long as you could share this too," she said, before she folded her fingers. "Also, please... don't ever try to end your life... I know you're feeling very upset of him but... suicide is never a permanent solution and it will affect those people around you," she sighed, caressing his forehead with her hand. "You can share your concerns to us, you don't have to keep them to yourself. Your father... Mr. Adinata has been worried of you."

Even though he already moved on from his darkest past, it keeps coming back from him and this one is the worst type--betrayal from the people he thought was his friend, and now he has to witness their true colors for real. The same thing, over and over again. To the point that he could give second chances and it still gets shattered like a glass that is already too fragile to handle. "I understand, I apologize for making all of you worried... you guys already know what happened that time before we came to this island. But, don't worry... I already moved on from the problems we faced and it's up to Haruna what will be his last," he told her, despite them knowing his attempts to not only stopping his endless fighting but also preventing from committing suicide to spare them a lot of grief and misery.

After that, Sanju was sleeping on his bed so he can focus on his recovery from his fever--no longer having thoughts on doing another attempts because he choose not to entertain it at all. However, today's final blow is that he didn't even cared for his enemy who happened to be his friend anymore. There are no compromises from every time that went too far, and his former friendship fell apart because of betrayal for the fourth time that cost Sanju's trust on him, besides... his relationships may be strained or broken. He wasn't affected by it that much.

Radithya watched his son sleeping as he caressed his forehead. "Your love for your friends was so unconditional that sometimes, love aren't always supposed to save... but also destroying others," he whispered, patting his head slowly. "Have sweet dreams, my son..."

He recalled how many times his son almost ended himself, this is the last attempt--or the second attempt. However, he has recovered fully from his lowest point and he stood a tall hill from many obstacles he will face, and his future seems so promising. He will not be easily fooled or taken advantage of. His legacy was preserved in their minds in honor of him as one of the famous high school students that brought a new hope towards his batch, he already took therapy from other professionals.

Sanju stirred when his father patted his head, he murmured something that made Radithya chuckle. "Are you okay?" he asked, his son nodded before he rubbed his eyes. "I'm okay, seriously... Haruna couldn't do worse because I already let go of his hand a long time ago. I thought I finally got his trust back, guess I was really wrong," he replied, sitting up before he talked some deep stuff with him. He checked his phone, seeing that he already blocked Haruna's numbers and messages, especially his social media. He wanted to no longer contact that bastard, all his thoughts are nothing but just a waste of time and he wasn't about to give his regrets to him.

"Do you want me to make something for you?"

"Yeah, I want to eat pork broth and you know... I want the spice to be on max," he requested, his father reminded him of the spices he made that could induce heat on the pork broth and curry, yes. Not only his appetite almost like an emperor but he's also thirsty for spice nowadays, he loved spicy food even when he put them on his dishes. "Coming up, be right back!" he said, before leaving his bedroom and Sanju let his friends deal with the island's renovations and developments with the water park and amusement park.

He began to turn on the television by clicking the remote button, watching some shows to entertain himself.

*ೃ༄