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Few months later...
Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Akito didn't know why but he started to feel nervous after they have arrived, after leaving the airport to the ryokan where they're recently staying. As he was walking down the street of the city, he clearly remembered where his father stayed and he couldn't believe he would be more than mixed feelings for that. 'Calm down… you're a grown up, you shouldn't be like this…' he thought, heading into the neighborhood where he used to stay with his parents. 'Nostalgia… it's been a while since I've visited this place… I missed my friends so much in here…'
Akito thought when he was searching for the address of his home, thinking it hasn't been left abandoned. The Japanese-American wears his main attire consists of black turtleneck and black pants tucked into his dark brown laced boots reaching his knees, a khaki trench coat with dark brown accents on them. His golden blonde short hair with long bangs still unchanged, even his bangs over his hazel brown eyes and red sunglasses--his fair complexion also still the same.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Yukito asked his younger twin brother, making Akito surprised that he's still walking beside him. He wears the same attire like him, but he only wearing thin-framed spectacles while Akito wears his sunglasses. "Huh? I'm fine, thanks..." Akito mumbled, feeling embarrassed that he noticed his blunder. Yukito didn't mind that, and he proceeded to pat his shoulder instead with a smile to ease him. "Stop stressing, little brother. As long I'm here, nothing will hurt you or anything," Yukito stated, folding his arms. "Oh, I'm okay... it's just… it's been a long time we haven't met our father--I still remember those vivid memories when he… beaten me up when I was a kid," he murmured at the end, both of them hated their father for not caring what he did to them.
Ever since he noticed that Yukito has continue his practice in the Nakanishi-ha Ittō-ryū, he was able to improve his swordsmanship despite Akito enrolled in Kogen Ittō-Ryū. Both of them enrolled there when they were young, learning their way of swordsmanship (Raiden is from Hokushin Ittō-Ryū with Kanae and Izana).
"Akito… Yukito, right?"
Both of them stopped when they heard a familiar voice, they turned around to see one of their old neighbors named Mizuki. "Yes?" Akito asked as he take off his sunglasses, revealing his dark brown eyes he had shown to her. "You can see now? Oh dear, you've grown so much! And you're healthy too! Yukito, it's been a while too! Are you visiting someone?"
Mizuki asked, he nodded when Yukito answered. "Yes, we were visiting our father here… what's his name again?" he asked, even Akito was curious because he never know his father's real name too. It's been a while since Yukito heard his estranged father's real name, he never mentioned that to him even Akito. "Kujou Shinya?" she asked, that made the twins surprised by hearing that name.
Akito look back at her when she mentioned his father's real name, he nodded as he remembered he has his surname. "That's right, do you know where he was, Mizuki?" she look around the neighborhood for a moment, before she look back at him and smiled back at him. "Follow me."
When the twins were born, Akito was the sickly one while Yukito is the healthy one of the siblings--Akito was almost went blind as well when he was three years old, because he was diagnosed with Keratoconus--an eye condition that causes the patient eyesight deteriorate slowly. However, it was until they were met with Karuna--the soon-to-be Superintendent of Nirvana Organization from Indonesia who was busy with his holiday trip. Kashiya was one of Karuna's Japanese friends, known as a healing-type Raksha who heals a sickly person and brought them somewhere with his friend's permission.
Flashback...
Karuna was walking down the neighborhood in Saitama, he was walking through the street with Kashiya who walked beside him--giving him some detour around the area. He stopped, seeing the young twins were crying. "Wait, Kashiya..." he halted her, making her stopped and she gasped to see the twins. "Poor little twins, I think they're lost..." she frowned, before she approached them. "Hey little twins, are you lost? Here, how about we help you to your house..." she patted their shoulders, before Karuna saw her raising them.
When they arrived, Kashiya was shocked to see that they're beaten up by their drunk father who yelled at them--after their mother passed away. Then, they brought her to the park and Kashiya used her healing magic on the poor boy to save him from dying. "Hold my hands, okay?" she asked.
Akito nodded, feeling her hands covering his eyes as he held her hands and began to heal him, the sun that suddenly blinding his eyes has disappeared completely. He could hear Kashiya comforting him and Yukito, then she showed something warm on her, the sparkling rays of sunrise that he haven't seen with his eyes for a long time when the sun appeared. Karuna smiled a little, he can see Akito's silver-colored eyes turning pure hazel brown with irises that resembles him and Yukito's colors. "Akito, can you see me?" Yukito asked, causing him to shake a little--before he hugged him. "I can see now..."
Yukito cried in tears of happiness when his twin brother was finally cured with a promise to protect him as long as he's still breathing and strong in mind. "H-How can we thank you?" Akito asked, Karuna hummed--folding his arms. "In return, we'll take you to United States for proper care. We'll discuss this matter together, it won't hurt us if your father doesn't know what's coming for him."
Their father ran out from the house after he figured out that they were taken away, and his face turned white when he found out that they're here in front of him. Karuna was intimidating him, retaining his stern expression. "Mr. Kujou," he started, his face was serious while Kashiya was intimidating him as well. "With the permission from our trusted friends, we are going to take your sons to United States, due to the abuse and mistreatment they had received after your wife's passing."
Which is why Akito is indebted to Karuna and Kashiya because they adopted him with his brother from his abusive father. That's also why he decided to live with Kashiya in United States and also meet their older cousin in there, he grew up with Yukito--as long as they stuck with their new guardians after a lot of paperwork done.
End of Flashback...
Akito recalled the memories in the past, after they have arrived and bid farewell to Mizuki as she left them. They encountered the kids from the neighborhood, it making both of them embarrassed when he showed himself up in this place. "Aniki! It's been a long time! Do you have a girlfriend yet?" one of the kids asked, making them froze in shock when they were asked about that. "How was your study aboard? Did you get a girl you loved? How's your love life?"
Should he tell them that he's a playboy? Hell no, his cousins will kill him when they find out about his antics for attracting many females and they can even fight to the death because of that. Akito was embarrassed while smiling in trying to hide his secret from them, however he was too late when he was known for being a womanizer. His older twin cleared his throat, before he look back at them. "Kids… it's not impolite to ask one's relationship, okay?" he reprimanded them a little.
The kids pouted and ended up apologizing at Akito, they then take out a 'welcome back' banner that hanging on them for a surprise visit which made the twins were flabbergasted by their hidden talents in creating the banner for them. After that, they bid them farewell and the twins headed into their old house. Both of them arrived at the house with the gate and Akito was starting to be very nervous, he put on his cool expression and folding his arms. "Who's knocking first?" he asked, Yukito rolled his eyes with a light chuckle--knowing this was just some prank for him. "Mother always do that job before we come here," he replied.
After reaching the door, Akito knocked the door a few times and he took a deep breath.
"Come in."
They entered inside with their shoes off, Akito take off his sunglasses and put it in his pocket and his trench coat beside it, followed by Yukito who did the same with his spectacles. They wonder, what his estranged father thinks of them now. Knowing Akito and Yukito are in their early twenties, they did not change that much as their teenager version. Their father is Japanese and their late-mother is American, so they were unique in a way.
Shinya came out from the kitchen, only to be met with his estranged sons--both of them were just visiting him and because of their curiosity in finding him. He was shocked to see them, until Akito narrowed his eyes as his hazel brown eyes gazed into his father's eyes--it might change now, but that did not last long. "It's been years," the blonde haired man started as he walked to them, inspecting him and Yukito. "Akito… Yukito, right? You've grown."
Akito never changed in thinking about his father, but only in appearance as he stare down at him with a look that never wavers. Yukito's eyebrows knitted together at him when they noticed his father was doing the same thing, he is silent when his eyes were glancing down at his knuckles. "So… I'm supposed to treat you as a visitor or a son?" Shinya asked, thus making the twins becoming furious inside, knowing their bond did not even last to have a talk with his father. Akito cracked his knuckles that made his father grimaced, causing him to smirk. "If you're doing the bad moves, I'll kick your ass out of Saitama, father."
At that, Shinya immediately did not object, shutting himself up. Yukito merely folds his arms, before his hazel brown eyes met his eyes after their father looked away with no shame. "Before Akito wanted to give you his first kick, we came here to tell you something," Yukito started, making their estranged father gulped a little when the silence took over them. "We already visited our late-mother's grave in California, she wanted us to greet you and don't forget to congratulate you, despite what happened in the past," Akito announced with a stern frown. "She told me that, and I swear… if you dare to show yourself up--WE'LL BEAT YOUR ASS!" he stated, the words he said afterwards were the truth.
Akito hates the sight of his father, and he can feel the tension rising without a doubt. He then takes out the newspaper, folded it and pointed towards the newspaper with his stare faltering a little but remained resilient. "What is it this time, brat?" Shinya asked, being stubborn when he refused to know the truth as usual. "You think you will be forgiven?" Yukito asked, gritting his teeth as he was losing patience while Akito is.
That's it, the father-son argument began to escalate, judging from their glares of intensity. Shinya suddenly grasped Akito's neck, he began to choke him--but much to his surprise... why is Akito smirking at him. Yukito smiled grimly, before he said. "Oh right... I forgot to tell you that we're Insect and Flower Raksha... you know, when you try to assault us--you will not recover from that... father," he said, Shinya narrowed his eyes--before he went flabbergasted to see his own hands stained with blue marks after he touched Akito's throat.
"Goddamn it... you had to ruin the moment I wanted to shut you the fuck up, father," Akito rubbed his own throat with a grin.
"Insect Raksha are not just using the poison from the bees, wasps or hornets themselves, my twin can produce different kinds of poison and can take your will away. Those who succumbed from his willpower... it shall lead the will to the inevitable end, and when the person cannot escape, it will end them for good," Yukito stated, before looking at his own fingers which was just clean. "I already prepared several doses for you, father... just look at the flowers..."
Shinya can see the glimmers of the white orchid petals floating, carrying the strange intoxicating fragrance and the silvery aura surrounded all of the flowers surrounding him while his two sons who had just visited him. The fragrance was too much for him, his glare fainted as he began to lose his own self-control. His hands weakened as he fell into the ground, losing his control--it was too much for him. "We're trying to be nice, you know... but you choose to stay ignorant, saying this and that.. just to get what you want... pathetic..."
Shinya was terrified as he tried to kill him, he laughed at him for his effort. "Think you can kill us? By doing that, you'll only disappoint mother--you let us live our life freely, remember? Don't fuck it up like it's some joke that your mother forced you to be a parent."
"YOU SON OF A--"
The man froze, the poison suddenly spreading through his body like a wildfire and the intense pain kicking in. In a second, he collapsed to the floor, he realized that those poisons are going to kill him soon if he doesn't do something, there's nothing he can do to escape the power he's gaining… but it's useless. The fragrance making him even more poisoned than he actually is--he became even more angered when he tried to move and he was stopped. The power is corrupting him, becoming more unreasonable and uncontrollable, making him just a helpless man on the floor. "Let's leave these flowers here, come on."
Akito nodded at his older twin, before both of them left the mansion and leaving him paralyzed--although it didn't kill him; it still painful as hell.
Yukito hummed as he felt his brother hold him from the back, following him while walking outside the neighborhood. Akito grins at him, his eyes glimmered with malicious intent. "I hate abusive people, did you see how we actually become one and didn't care what we do to him?" the golden blonde-haired young adult joked, ruffling his hair in gentle yet rough manner while Yukito sighed. "Come on, let's just go to Kirana's concert."
“Right… now where’s Masaki? I heard he’s waiting for us?”
He noticed him sitting on the bench with his head leaning to the lamppost, taking a nap while waiting for them. Masaki felt his hand was holding his head and leaning his head onto his side, mostly his shoulder so he can be comfortable while resting. That made him slightly open his eyes when he realized it was Akito, he grunted a bit when he rubbed his eyes. “Aki, Yuki… are you guys done yet?" he asked, putting on his glasses.
Akito frowned a bit, thinking he has been waiting for him the whole time as he questioned. “Were you here the whole time?” Yukito asked--seeing him nodded, folding his arms when he sitting up a little. “I was worried something bad will happen, so I decided to wait for you guys," he answered, looking at them. “I didn’t know you could be this nicer, why are you like this though?”
Masaki scowled at him, not chivalric but annoyed as he stand up from the bench. “To repay your actions for have helping me during our missions together,” Akito smirked when he said that to them, making him widened his eyes in disbelief. “You know… I’m going to help you too—after you’re ready for the encore.”
“You know… I’m going to help you too, after you’re ready for the encore.”
The archer looked at him skeptically as he folded his arms, thinking that he was lying to him about that. . “I don’t know why though… it’s just you always been kind to me, and I was thinking on how to repay you with that.”
Masaki didn’t know what to do with his actions, so he just doing what he must do to make him happier. “Gomen…” he mumbled, still not looking at him when he seems to be flustered. Until he saw him handing over something over him, much to his surprise it was a can of warm cocoa milk.
“Huh?”
Akito look away from him, not wanting to show his flustered face. “You’re cold, right?” he nudged him the can on his arm, thinking that he need something warm to drink. “I bought this for you before I visited my father, aren’t you gonna take it?” Yukito lifted his eyebrows, watching them having their moment as he hummed. He felt the can was taken away from his hand, before opening the clip and brew onto the cup. “Thank you,” he turn around to see him drinking his can, not looking at him when he smiled a little. Masaki raised an eyebrow at him, seeing him smile like this without showing any expression in his face makes him a bit curious on how’s his life before.
He never really thought he has a good side on him.
“You guys are perfect for a pair, you know?”
Yukito teased both of them with a smirk, making Akito blushed before he let out a snap at him. “Oh come on! I don’t have time for that!” Masaki rolled his eyes when he did, preferred not listening to them.
Few hours later…
“Sanjaya Adinata, you have arrived on time like usual.”
Karuna greeted him when he was standing on the training ground with ceramic-tiled floors, folding his arms when Sanju arrived by himself. They’re in training ground for a while since Althair has another job to do and had gone somewhere with two-three people left at the home. Besides Renata, who’s going somewhere. “For you know, I’m doing my daily run.”
Sanju replied, but soon interrupted by him. “No, that’s not what I mean, young one,” Karuna replied with a smirk on his face before he unfolded his arms, looking down at him as he rests his hands on his hips. “Yesterday, you have achieved your potential. So, I want to know.”
He was slightly shocked, before he remained silent. Karuna does know the way people react, that’s his characteristics if anything. As he stood there, he slowly lowered his head as he looks down and sigh before he look up.
“So, you’re a Mahesvara Raksha?”
He asked curiously, Karuna smirked—no one should address him in that name if they wanted to avoid death and doom. Not even a Rakshas can ask him that simple, and somewhat Sanju was the only one who asked him. “Not much, what makes you think you can ask such question?”
“One thing is just mere curiosity, the second is the reason I asked,” Sanju replied with the same curious tone in his voice, shrugging his shoulders. He was rather relaxed in his stance, although it became a bit tense. “Althair told me about it, is it true that you have fought against him in a fierce fight that occurred in the past? He said that you’re very strong that can destroy the universe itself, does it have to do something about your ability?”
There was a mid-silence, before Karuna facepalmed. “That bastard... he loves to exaggerate things, typical Althair’s behavior. Stop sounding like him, he always says some things like that if you asked him about me,” Karuna grumbled and crossed his arms, looking at the Senapati Raksha.
“I have another reasons to be called as Mahesvara Raksha, and the same too in vice versa. It does have something to do with my ability, but not related to destroying the universe--barely that is. No time to waste, so... you have to prove me that you worth it as the Senapati Raksha,” Karuna snapped calmly, then he declared.
“Show me your strength!”
Sanju widened his eyes, before he took a defensive stance while both of them seemed to remain and stuck on that posture for a while before he watched Karuna transformed into Mahesvara Raksha; one who commands the destruction and demise of worlds.
Sanju’s eyes narrowed as he transformed into Senapati Raksha in this sparring session, matching his strength. His eyes widened, witnessing the form of the Mahesvara Raksha’s presence—filled with purple thunders and void around him. There were haze of black mist and golden electromagnetic field around the figure, with the golden halo of the ‘three realms’.
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This is him, Mahesvara Raksha; Sang Hyang Widhi.
Karuna opened his eyes as he became a Mahesvara Raksha, the most powerful Raksha and the ultimately destructive-type that can keep up his core’s authority. His smoke-white hair extended longer with light ashen hue and his bangs almost covered his dark-violet eyes mixed with pink shades and black scleras under his black Raksha’s mask on his eyes and cheeks, his bangs fell on his cheeks as it has gold-violet hair ornament on the back of his hair with a golden hairpin and a pair of dark purple long horns on his forehead covered by his bangs. His porcelain complexion remained the same, which he gained a floating gold and dark purple catalyst-like orb beside him. His attire consists of a black sleeveless bodysuit with black choker body harness underneath his high-collared sleeveless white cloth with light violet and dark purple accents of batik patterns around the attire, he has a black sash with batik patterns around his waist and black peacock-like cape with turquoise-purple shades and batik decorations attached behind his back majestically—with a high-collars around his neck. He wears a long dark purple sleeves reaching his ankles and a long black fingerless gloves, with a golden claw-like accessories on his nails. He wears a long purplish-black tight pants with light splashes at the end with black straps and black heeled boots with a talon-like tips on the front, with a back heels at the back.
Karuna looked dangerous for many because of his destructive capabilities, even the strongest person ever known as Asura but don’t judge a book by its cover. He had his own values and promises, and he may seemed strict and cold but he’s kind and forgiving for who’s in his priority and care. He hold his Brahmastra; Siddharta’s Three Realms of Samsara--which took form of a trident weapon with a large blade below and above the pole, in addition with large dark crimson-black and gold-lined wing at the blade of the weapon which he could float and fly in the air. With the large dagger at the spear-end and his attack range is quite long.
“Are you scared?”
Karuna provoked him, making Sanju’s calm personality changed--its more colder, then when he faced him; he become his serious self in a snap. “Over my dead body,” Sanju scoffed, after he became a Senapati Raksha. He never act recklessly unless necessary, and when he fought against Karuna... that can show how amazing he can adapting to his fighting style. The two of them were exchanging combat hits with such great speed and power, not slowing down at any moment but they moved smoothly and elegance.
Sanju unable to predict his moves and abilities.
That actually made him realized what caused him getting distracted while he had his eyes wandering on different direction but on Karuna. He took his serious posture before he locked his eyes, concentrating and concentrate to the core—before he tried to predict his attacks. Sanju opened his eyes, before he took a grip of his claymore that filled with three weapons; polearm, sword and chain-blade with his right hand. He used his ability to distort the area around them, slowing the time around them by snapping his fingers from his left hand. When he did that, the entire area around them feels extremely slow due to the distortion of the speed he created, the whole time reverted in slow motion. He knows and focus on his area and opponent before he went up in an instant, moving slowly at that moment, and before he watched the light and smoke surrounding in the area as it seems Karuna disappeared within seconds.
He found the attacking point.
Sanju used the tip of his claymore as a leverage, by using his acrobatic ‘reverse’ flip and jumps off the floor tiles at an impossible location and managed to dodge the three-attack sequence attack and swung his sword at his trajectory. The sword exchange with a long dagger in Karuna’s trident-spear, in his hand as he kept jumping backward when Karuna was landing on the floor tiles. The clash of both blades were intense, even clashing each other’s powers. “Impressive, you’re the first one to predict the three-way attack sequences I’m gonna do,” Karuna remarked.
“However--”
Sanju was almost got caught in one move when the ‘sound’ of the catalyst suddenly appears, the flying orb with smoke and black void-like blast onto him. “Fuck!” he snapped, before he dodged by flipping his body back like a backflip in an awesome ways which it ended his jumping skills of dodging and evading several things back to back.
Without breaking a sweat and exhausted, Sanju exhaled in relief. He never knew how vicious or deadly was Karuna. Holy shit, Mahesvara Raksha? Maybe, or perhaps that’s the half name of his alias.
“Let’s see what are you’re capable of this time, Sanjaya Adinata.”
Karuna stated as he lifted his trident spear over his shoulder, leaning down with one of his hand was resting on the spear’s length. Sanju watched him smirking as he made a flips to counter his first jump, he can’t believe they get inside the pocket dimension. “Might not knowing what coming on my way, but if you give me a choice... yeah, I’ll pick the unknown path that lying ahead me. As long I have everything within my sights, I’ll never let my blindside came up on me.”
Sanju stated, before he made thumbs up and soon his thumbs went down as if mocking his opponent. The black chains evolved and crossing each sections and each walls within the area, locking its area with some magic spells, shields and runes on the walls and floating in the air. Karuna was confused but he shrugged his shoulder, deciding to go with the plan. His eyes narrowed when he saw a large claymore aimed above him with several chains attached on the hilt and the handle, as if Sanju was in charge of ‘executing’ his opponent. Sanju was holding a black flower brooch blossomed within his chest, the one with black petals and one with gold with red ruby in the middle that floating on top of his palm.
“One thing that I don’t like about using my power is to make effort to put so much power in the spell or these powers, it might drain my energy too much and I’m vulnerable to lower my guard. Heh, at least with this all will be all end,” he smirked. “And, I didn’t prepare for your attack that can hit me, so... shit happens. Your attack relies on time and spatial manipulation so I needed another strategy, and it was hard for me to predict without using my distortion. So, I don’t use it.”
With the sudden change of view, Sanju actually moved at super-speed and instantly materialized a sword in his hands as his Exalted Raksha form is engaged, thus unleashing his wings and horns-like decorations. Karuna narrowed his eyes as he clashed his trident, until his eyes widened at the sight of the chains around the claymore released and slammed into between them--leaving a tie and result for this battle. “Very well, so we came to a point of return,” he remarked, before both of them transformed back into their human forms.
“We have a lot to learn from this experience, and maybe I should start it... maybe this will be a new start for us.”
Sanju raised his right eyebrow as he gazed at Karuna’s back when the tall man leaving, his voice sounded calm. He wanted to ask him about some things, and he didn’t want to waste that chance just to see him in here. “Wait, why did you spare me... back then?” he asked, wondering why did he spare him during his separation from his friends few months ago.
“You know that United Nations can be a bit of hectic, or that strict for foreign organization involved?”
Karuna stated out loud, folding his arms before he turn around to face him as his expression remained serious likewise. “To be precise, I can’t make a public statement as a Superintendent about this matter of course. So, I had to do it as myself just to keep all of you away from any political matters,” he explained, before he added. “And, it was very difficult choice for me to decide… as a leader.”
Sanju was surprised by his decision. To be honest, that was what he never understood. Especially after Althair mentioned his complicated personality and habits, combined with his difficult and complex decisions. He just not understanding how amazing that guy is—one, he was both his mentor and student—and two; he has different ideology with others.
“Well, I didn’t want you to get involve into unnecessary mess, but back in those times...”
Karuna sighed, before he nodded. “Let’s call it, personal reasons. I have two personalities, when I’m the Superintendent of Nirvana Organization; I’m a lot colder and cruel with my decisions. I prefer to risk small sacrifices to fight greater threat, and it was a part of the price we paid for our decisions. I won’t waste anyone’s life, except if it is necessary. But, when I’m here as myself; I’m forgiving and emotional than what I’ve let someone to see. Or that’s how, I got to know who you are.”
He is surprised, again. Sanju never understood him at all, but—he knew one thing that every organization and government won’t dare to mess with. “How do you manage your personality like that?” he asked, which Karuna smiled. “Simple, I rely on my heart. Firstly, I think and reflect before I choose it in the long run or in short term. Also, if someone close to me got involved, the situation is completely different,” Karuna answered, before he walked passed him and stopped as he raised his hand towards him.
Sanju just blinked, before he accepts the gesture and taking his hand. As soon Karuna dragged his body and gave him a firm hug which it lasted quite long. ‘Oh... this is Karuna... not as the Superintendent of Nirvana Organization, as one of Rakshas... himself,’ he thought, when Karuna is showing his warm and kind-hearted self. He didn’t mind when Karuna messed up his hair, which it eventually make his hair slightly messy again.
Both of them chuckled, before they returned to their training ground once again. “So, where do we left of?” Karuna asked with a smile plastered on his face as he turns his head. Sanju stopped on his tracks, before his eyes gazed at his own claymore that he hold on his hand.
“So, what does Nirvana Organization do? I mean, in terms of how you guys work in archaeological field?”
Sanju asked, he still curious how and what they really did when it comes to study and observe history or ancient things. “We preserve history and cultural significance to keep its values, mostly archaeology and we use them for our weapon technologies. Sometimes, we studied about history and culture we know from the stories and writings around, and to understand how nature works.”
Karuna answered, folding his arms. “But, most of our line of work are protecting heritage sites from any unauthorized persons and Phantom Beasts from destroying history. Speaking of which, Nirvana Organization does a lot of things... and we never really talk about it out in the open or publicly, if anything it will raise several questions.”
Most of the members always preserve world heritage sites and make sure it never gets desecrate. Especially with any Phantom Beast activities, they prefer to have a piece of good memories or something nice to left behind rather than this crap of things happen. When he mentioned that the Nirvana Organization don’t only protect ancient artifacts and antiquities, of course; some of the museums owned by Nirvana Organization did show several findings and discovered items after the long research and investigations about the civilization of Old World. Not many knew about it, but they have connections as well in every government and businesses around the world as well as their friends, even their political views.
“We wrote research journals and submitted several articles to the international scientific community, through several other journals. Since we have our connections and communication network, a lot people used it instead of social media. That’s how we keep track and keep in touch with the rest of the organization and government around, so you can say that’s another way we have another link and connection. Keeping things in the down low and stay unnoticed.”
So that is his job; acting as a proxy, spy and even the leader. “When I asked you, you said you’re the Superintendent of an organization as well as the leader, but have multiple titles in different nations... how does that works?” Sanju asked.
“Elegance and civility, Sanjaya.”
Sanju just let out a deadpan expression, well... next time he had to learn and study while preparing for his second journey ahead him. "Except when I'm as myself," he added, Sanju sighed. "I knew it..."
“We believe in scientific and logical matters about Phantom Beasts, no matter what we faced, and still have matters about Phantom Beast in control because we wanted to pursue the truth and the secrets of the worlds, Phantom Beast may or may not be a part of it. Although, I don’t like being in United Nations Assembly for too long. Besides, I don’t like debates, interviews, talks and anything. I don’t like wasting my time being in public, I have a lot of work to be done. So, don’t be surprised if I never said a lot of words in public.”
“Not your style, is it?”
Karuna huffed, unfolding his arms. “Saying what I think and meant it while the audiences judges your words by their perspectives, is never been simple; but to talk a good topic with a fact and logic is acceptable,” Karuna looked away as he remembered the experience in there, he prefer to work behind the scenes if possible. He prefer to avoid risks and unwanted drama between nations; balance the world together. He always remain neutral no matter what, and he pledges to himself not to fall on the wrong hands.
However, he need to keep his word and not tell anyone his true identity. All of the leaders and executives of Nirvana Organization always had a purpose to mask their true identities, whether they know or not. “And, I don’t like conflicts--especially when it comes to ruining heritage sites. I will definitely throwing them out,” he stated which gained a burst of laugh from his student.
Sanju nodded, he wanted to get to know Karuna in person--usually no one able to talk to him properly due to his ‘Superintendent’ mode but this one is a hidden treasure. Or perhaps that is the real identity of everyone’s heart as the true human kindness.
“So, how does Althair is a ‘wildcard’ in Nirvana Organization? He wasn’t part of that, right?”
Sanju asked, wondering if he was ‘unofficially’ part of Nirvana Organization despite never joining them. “Hmph, he was just another dumbass who doesn’t know the word ‘self-preservation’ and got into trouble,” Karuna rubbed his face and pinch the bridge of his nose in exasperation, he still remembers everything that happened even when he was still the General Commander in early life as well as the leader. “I remember once, there was an outbreak and he insisted to visit there by himself. I’m glad he survived and doesn’t die even before someone could kill him off.
There was one time Karuna was so damn annoyed of Althair’s behavior, first he had issues with the government over budget and resources. Second, he had problem with laws and regulations regarding Phantom Beasts, third, he got a big trouble with criminal organizations across the globe. Finally, he has to deal with angry governments over jurisdiction when it came to taking decisions.
BUT THIS ONE? THIS ONE IS ALREADY OUT OF HAND! WHAT WAS THAT DUMBASS THINKING!
Althair arrived at the door with a grin on his face, his crimson-colored short hair with long bangs was wet so he assume he just bathed. “Speak of the devil.”
“No, don’t you dare getting started on this...”
“I’m not getting started at what, Karuna?”
“Well, the problem you caused last time in France, including last year when you disrespected the General Assembly and got called ‘a trash with no sense of humor’. Of course, we needed you to assist and fix the mess you made with your friends in Silver Slumbering Dragon.”
Karuna stated bluntly, before he glared at him menacingly. “And, YOU DRAGGED ME INTO ONE OF YOUR SHENANIGANS AGAIN!”
“Stop with the guilt tripping on the entire city I live in,” Althair grumbled, his eyelids drop, revealing a full dark shade purple with narrow and irritated look on his eyes. “That was awfully, extremely hilarious, too bad you’re so cruel to your own advisor. Are you dumb?”
Althair mocked as he chuckled in amused tone, the corner of his lips were tugging as he smirking evilly. “I’m sorry for making you ‘babysit’ Althair, Haruse...” Karuna grumbled with a sigh, looking at Haruse who had to deal with his superior-friend’s hectic schedule. “Ah, don’t worry, it was a delight. Althair just needed a company to keep him in place, a real partner in crime. But, he was the worst when he becomes an absolute chaotic party of disaster,” he joked, patting Karuna’s shoulder.
“YOU GUYS ARE SO DEAD WHEN YOU ARRIVED!”
Sanju snorted, enjoying their 'daily' bickering. "Oh right, we should go to Kirana's encore--then we're having a huge feast together," he reminded them, catching their attention.
"O-Oh..."
***
“There you are!”
Sanju heard the others called when he was sitting on the tatami floor beside Raiden, Akito, Senja, Yukito, Kinana, Kanae and Karin--inside the ryokan room they reserved in Kumori Restaurant that owned Raiden’s father. The rest were in the other ryokan rooms in the restaurant, talking while waiting for their food to come. “Fried Golden Tempura, Yakiniku Bowl, Grilled Mozzarella Mushroom Sandwich and Meat Mushroom Pizza..."
Raiden mumbled when he was looking at the plates, also the drinks served on the table around them. “There are Beef Rice Bowls, Honey Pork Skewer, all kind of foods and eight glasses of Butterfly Pea Squash,” he drooled a little when he was looking at the dishes, making him eager to eat them. They began to feast to increase their metabolism and boosting their energies in battle, keeping their manners and they didn’t get fat easily due to their Raksha abilities of keeping their body fit. “The concert was fun, Kirana!"
Izana said with a grin, making her laughed a little when she ate her sandwich. “Of course, my schedule starts during semester break but I also given a holiday by the management,” she explained, she gave the merchandise for all of her friends. “Here you go, some of the merchandise that left after my fans bought all of them from the encore!” they were surprised when she gave them the merchandise from the concert yesterday, there were necklace, shirt, tumblers and such.
“Woah, thank you Kirana!”
Damian received the merchandise from her while the others receiving them, the merchandise was a set of bag, tumbler, notebook, pen and small pouch bag inside the tote bag. Raiden was interested at the merchandise she handed to all of them, she would probably handing the others with similar one. Sanju appreciate their efforts for their fans, that she was also the pride of Indonesia. “Also, I’ll give the rest to them, I’m sure they’re still busy with the celebrations.”
They began to eat their food happily, but Akito and Raiden are the competitive men by eating fast due to the urge to beat each other. Somehow, they are focused and their teeth does not have problem with swallowing such spicy ingredients. "Don't worry, all already paid by Althair and Karuna," Ryoma said to them, seeing his son Raiden was eating like a hungry wolf while battling his best friend that ate like an animal. He chuckled at their behavior while watching, Althair smirked since he knew they have the same palate with him when it comes to spicy dishes, but when it comes to meat or sweets--he'll use a different tactic.
Kinana was eating casually with the rest (except the two) while she sat beside Sanju, she was surprised to see the platter that served by the waiters and waitresses. "This is going to be great, Kanae!" she laughed a little at her friend and her fascination towards the food. Sanju was staring at the food while his friends are cheering for Akito and Raiden for finishing the food they had ordered, he was enjoying his time with them that made him smile with an honest joy. "Enjoying your feast?"
Sanju blinked a little, before he saw Kinana looked at him and patted his shoulder when she noticed his usual chill and calm demeanor--before she glanced at Raiden and Akito acting ridiculous with the competition they made against each other. Senja scoffed a little at them while the others laughed with joy, trying to decide which one is going to win. He watched the television above the room where the VIP ryokan room also has facilities like mini-garden, projector and screen television, mini-recorder for their music. "I suppose so, yes."
Kinana giggled, before she rests her head on his lap--mumbling about how comfortable he is, making him chuckled. Oh right, do they get fat? No, Rakshas don't get fat since their abilities helps them digest most of their food. Which is weird, because their metabolism is a bullshit logic when it comes to the stomach content that helped them digest--so they get the high metabolism with no fat, nothing remains--because their metabolism is not like humans. "Oh come on, move your ass! My brother can finish the whole bowl within 5 minutes!" Akito says with confidence, making Raiden scoffed. "Oh yeah? How about my dad? He's the master of dining, dammit!"
Senja was keeping his cold and undisturbed nature while eating his bowl filled with teriyaki chicken and rice, being completely unaffected by their noisy screams of encouragements. Karina was using her phone to record the two Rakshas' eating competition that becoming more intense like a heated match with soccer, before she joked. "Hey, be careful with your clothes, don't get your shirt dirty."
Kirana was laughing as she watched Akito and Raiden chugged down a glass of their drinks to let their mouth clean from any spicy ingredients to finish the dishes, the rest are cheering for them since they supported both sides--in this case, the red team and the blue team. Kinana was watching the television while laying her head on Sanju's lap, his hand was on her side. Althair was cheering for Raiden with some glasses of strawberry lemonade served with him, while the blue team was cheering for Akito with a drink containing bubblegum flavors and some alcoholic drinks (but it's weak).
Kanae was eating her sushi platter after she took a sip from her ice oolong tea, with Kirana next to her side as she saw the desserts are coming. "NICE! The sweets are here," Kirana said with a grin, she called the sweets with glee. Everyone in the table was staring at the menu plate containing the desserts listed on them, they were written in neat and beautiful Indonesian language due to being collaboration with Radithya's restaurant that shared the same environment with this restaurant, even some decorations is shared from the joint.
"Are you guys done eating yet? You might probably going to the gym after this," Haruse asked with folding his arms while sitting on the other chair, Icha nodded and she yawned. "The ramen must be served by now," Renata said with folded her arms, Salihin was asking her to add more katsudon since he's also waiting for his ramen. Radithya was with Althair, Ryoma and Rayhanda in the other room while eating like a sane people, they became friends after seeing their kids interacting with one another with their bond.
Soon, after the Rakshas finished their delicious meals with their drinks; they went to the gym to keep their body fit and working without giving a damn to others who thought about what their current clothing is--once they got back to Indonesia from their trip. Sanju let them use his gym in his hotel, taking a deep breath while doing his stretches. "So, has there any other missions... regarding the Cores of the Samsara?"
Althair listens to Sanju's question, there's still more... than he hoped that he thought his mission will end sooner and everything is being repaired on the world. After the destruction of The Void, it seemed it kept popping everywhere and he wasn't disappointed if he was being arrogant about his strength. Of course, just because the Void got destroyed--doesn't mean the Phantom Beasts are gone for good, just because their comrades have stopped suffering under the darkness does not mean... the light can shield from the darkness and it appears that even with one simple wish... can create bigger trouble.
"The Asuras told me about the incoming events, I don't know what the hell are they implying about but..."
Sanju watched him rubbing his chin, thinking of the next future possibilities but for now--it seems unlikely that the true nature of this insanity still remains unpredictable. If he gave his hopes too soon, he'll let himself become foolish--in order for their goals to reach. "Salihin, come here for a sec," he called him, Salihin approached him as he listens to what Althair whispered to him--preparing his script book and writing them with his pen. Sanju wondered what was the clairvoyance is all about, before Salihin gave him a smile with his eyes closed. "Sanjaya, please listen carefully to what I'm saying," he told him, for what he would predict the things to say. Sanju nodded before he look around before looking back at him, grabbing his bottle and drink the water to quench his thirst.
"Somewhere in the island, a huge round-like arena is seen where there were crowds of viewers are sitting on benches... there will be a strange anomaly that opened across the world, not only the Phantom Beast is waiting and it's coming... very soon."
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