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Floating Restaurant of the Gods is said to be a legend or just a myth, but it actually exists and unseen by common people in the harbor of Surabaya. It is built on top of a huge platform with an altitude of over 100 meters high above the water surface, which is visible to anyone who looks far away at sea level--the restaurant has several platforms with stairs going to the different floors of the floating restaurant, while each floor consists of dining area--it was a floating abode and the reason why Ren knows about it is because he used to visit this restaurant since Kuran brought him when Ren is thirteen years old.

"Okay... it said to be in here..." Ren murmured, while his three friends were in awe as they entered inside the restaurant. "Wow! Look at this place! Now I can tell that this isn't just a place for eating and drinking... you can do much more," Izumo commented in amazement as they entered the main lobby, there's so many people who had came here to visit this place too. "It looks splendid," Kaizo commented, walking beside Hakuren who can't keep her eyes off from the oriental statues. "Indeed, no wonder it has the reputation of being the paradise of mortal travelers who loves to have a luxury meal here..."

Hakuren studied each piece of artwork hung around the lobby of the Floating Restaurant of the Gods, studying every line drawn on the picture. Ren can see all of his works on the wall, he was surprised that it has become a great popularity and success--he didn't know he was popular amongst deities and demi-deities who come and visit here... only if they knew that the young artist who made it is only 16-years old boy. He doesn't really care about his age nor anyone's ages as long as it won't affect his work and how does his project go--plus, they also sell snacks and beverages here.

Ren checked the heirloom on his hand as it began to glow near the rock, before he goes near the domain of the entrance from the large rock formation. When he entered inside, it was a floating abode in the other realm of the afterlife. There was dim lights illuminating inside the tunnel that leads deeper into the darkness; Ren saw numerous stone statues of humans on both side of the path. The pathway ends at a door with a padlock on it--Ren sighed deeply before placing his palm on the padlock and unlocked it with the heirloom--the door opened as it shows the chamber of the ballista, Ren could see several parts of the ballista and tools that he needs to build it.

"Woah... Kaizo! I think this will be a perfect place for you to do your new project, right?"

Kaizo didn't know how to react, but instead of showing his shock reaction which never happened--so it seems he's still in denial of it; he nodded. "A ballista, huh? This will take some time and it's going to be harder," he replied dryly, but the young man began to scan the chamber and gave them the list of needed supplies before Izumo immediately gave him the golden paper he brought with a small sketch. "No worries, I've got it," he said, which make Kaizo blinked at him. "How can you get it? They're damn expensive and it can't be bought by anyone--"

Izumo snickered, he has his OWN way to buy any item if he had enough money of course. "Heard your problem, this will solve it," he whispered, causing Kaizo to roll his eyes. Hakuren examined the ballistas for a moment, before she watched Ren revealed the weapon storage box that was hidden in the back of the chamber. "Here it is..." Ren trailed off, noticing that each of the names on the boxes were written in a completely ancient language but he can comprehend and understand it. "It should re-stabilize the balance between our worlds since my previous life has been missing and died before I was born... it seemed to be taken when the accident happened. It should stay in a certain location as well," he added.

"You didn't tell Nanda about this?"

"No way, she will pester the fuck out of me. Besides, she told me about her past lover--I don't really feel bad but she said she used the past lover to protect the past Kuran who died back then," Ren snorted, feeling a bit better because he thinks his past lives has more adventures than him right now. It made him sigh in exasperation. "Although the Reverse Pledge... has a painful effect... as an ancestor of Kobe clan--my bloodline became part of the ritual that somehow can be used by anyone..." Hakuren muttered, she remember the events, even the fact that she only thought this a story that god seemed real is awesome, but her attention is towards Ren who didn't like to mention his ancestry or his abilities. "It should stabilized and fix the problem, feel free to look around and... YES, NO TOUCHING THE FORBIDDEN ARTIFACTS!"

Ren warned, since he's very strict on that and his friends already understood his disposition. It seemed that his love for her was rekindled by the truth of the relic from their past, despite everyone is curious as he frowned deeply. After a few moments, Ren stood in front of the platform and waited--observing the heirloom that was floating in front of him. How many knowledge and wisdoms that Kuran stored in this burr puzzle? Despite his past life is famous, wise and influential at most--so why is the artifact is given to him.

The Primordial's Guidance: _"The God of Pledge gave us a wonderful journey, before he left the world and is no longer to be seen. But the other Gods still don't know about the God of Knowledge; he's been watching the past-present. The one who stands next to him is the one he chose to follow him to Hell itself, brave and loyal as the lion, a sacrifice that turned fate as we speak,"_

Ren translated the Chinese characters and spoke the legends and truth about gods from the heirloom, he was very good at languages that he taught them how to comprehend and translate to the ones they need when they face an ancient object as if that's all his current self needs--because there was more words on there. "Ren, your restaurant are filled with divine beings! What was the bestseller in the menu?" Izumo shouted from outside, while he answered him. "Dongpo pork as far as I could remember!"

"Thank you!"

Sakura giggled as she greeted the other customers, the God of Rebirth always make sure the Floating Restaurant of the Gods always taken care of since it was gifted for Kuran and she happens to have a connection with Ren. The divine beings consists of normal spirits that resemble living human and many more along the deities who visits this restaurant. Of course, it has the ability to float which is... awesomely wonderful and comfortable for them. "We also produced Ingots as our main selling item, that was the benefits that this shop provides," Sakura stated happily, floating back and forth with her duties. "The higher the customer's tier, the more privileges they will be able to receive here in the restaurant."

Hakuren was holding the golden sycee on her hand, it was delicate and smooth metal bar that was imprinted with the words of 'gold ingots' on them. "No wonder the floating platform is high above the ground as well, because of the value of the items--of course it can't be bought by anyone..." she muttered, while the white serpent Mizu hisses around her shoulders before she petted its head to calm it down. "Don't worry, Mizu... no one is going to hurt Ren nor the others," she added, while Kaizo was surprised to see the pork was being served to the diners--it was a huge Dongpo pork and it was thick and fatty, the scent was absolutely mouth-watering and he could've swear he heard a thump in his chest.

"Hello everyone, welcome to Floating Restaurant of the Gods! As you noticed the name, this restaurant is being built on top of a large platform floating over the large sea--this is made by the God of Pledge during the ancient ages. Today, your main dish... it is the same for everyone, Dongpo Pork!" Sakura announced to the rest of the guests and the staffs, as they raised their glass. Izumo was surprised at the prosperity and it seemed the area around them glowed by the bright chandeliers hanging above their heads, make this place glowed like a floating city in the night skies--hovering around the building.

Meanwhile in the upper floor of the restaurant, Ren was contemplating as he glanced around his house that is embedded in the floating island on top of a large city, with the heirloom in his hand. Ren was so tired of her constant pursuit, but... he thought maybe Kuran's death at the age of thousand years was the event of the Primordial War--while his past self was the witness of it. He never told anything about it to his friends nor Nanda, he didn't want to look weak or maybe feel doubtful at times since that is the only thing in his past that made him feel depressed, he knew his past memories are being blocked by the blockages in his brain after he had the trauma back in primary school.

"The answer will reveal... when the time comes. Hey Nanda, you're probably keeping a shit ton of secrets, but could you give me a bit of space for the start?"

Unknown to him, Nanda was sitting on the chair as she gazed at him calmly while he is playing with the heirloom in his hand. "Sure, after all... I know you're him, I can feel his memories through you. Maybe, you need a time away from me if you ever accept me as a friend..." she murmured, noticing that he's different. Ren remained silent as he thought of it, it would be strange that he is Kuran and although his future is unknown, that's why... he wanted to know.

That night...

Ren was in a dreamland like usual, he was standing in front of the temple of the abode--with the trees of yellow ginkgo leaves as he walked through the stairway up there. He can see the skies are light yellow with orange clouds, making the atmosphere looks glorious and heavenly even. As he has arrived inside the temple, nobody was inside when he observed the imperial golden sycees and food being served. There were the walls that had a mural as he studied each paint, detailing more information and somehow know every corner of it. Is this his previous home? Ren thought to himself as he flinched when he heard this familiar voice.

"Riyanda Tjahyana, it's been a while."

Kuran--the God of Pledge and warlord deity greeted while he was standing behind him, revealing himself gloriously which made Ren turn around to face him. He has a messy neckline-length dark amber-brown with streaks of highlighted amber gold color, his bangs almost covering his olive-blue eyes that matched Ren's eyes; except that there were gold hues on Kuran's eyes and he has fair complexion. He wears a high-collared black and brown Mandarin robes with long sleeves, decorated with yellow and silver patterns around his collar, his belt and the cuffs, and was tied around with a black rope; he wore black trousers with two yellow lines on the outside, held in place by a thick brown belt with red tassels and wears a knee-length black boots--along his black gloves.

Kuran is sophisticated, calm and collected. He always nostalgic by every words that he has spoken, so does his wisdoms and how he was feared for being the warlord deity during the war in the past. Not only that, his reputation is quite well-respected due to his powerful strength and being the first of the Deva race. Ren was afraid as he stepped back, feeling small because there's something strong about him--making his knees trembled at the pressure of the aura released from his body.

"You must be shocked that I can hide my energy, as you realized who I really am and what is my fate, _to pay for my deeds_," he spoke in deep and soft tone as the golden orbs staring back at his olive-blue eyes, making Ren recalled on how he saved him from his poverty ordeal and treated him as an equal. Even he was being kind to him, this was the moment where Ren realized that there's no point in denying the truth anymore because all he knew was his love for Nanda that didn't go away after her outburst. "Ren... may you come closer? I won't hurt you, trust me--I'm the one who has guided you to discover the truth. Although I don't know why in your heart... you're part of me, yet I knew how much I had failed you."

All of these were made Ren's chest throbbing with every words of guilt, was that the reason he hates deities? He hesitantly come closer to him, before Kuran grabs his hands gently with his gloved hands to hold him close while he stared deeply at his eyes. "It was my fault, was it? I'm sorry... I shouldn't have put so much responsibility for someone young like you--but I know it wasn't just your decision to become a god's vessel. Am I a terrible leader?" Kuran questioned as his hand slowly patted his head, Ren wanted to cry but he couldn't--before he bit his lower lips and closed his eyes. "Kuran... don't blame yourself, it's entirely my fault because I keep blaming everything on deities... blaming it all, blaming myself for being weak, not trusting anyone--"

Kuran grabbed his face and made the young man faced his eyes again, while Ren was consumed by the guilt that he had. "Ren... look at me, please. Stop dwelling in the past, you're only 17. You had accomplished so much than anyone else I've met, you have fulfilled your oath to help someone... you're strong, bold, courageous and brave. Never doubt yourself, even when you will be considered as the pawn. Remember this... every single details I taught you, from your wisdom, combat skills and humanity."

The God of Pledge smiled that seemed to make him radiated a majestic, solemn yet peaceful feeling of some sort and that always put Ren at ease. "The way I handled a problem wasn't right, trust me... that must be the reason my past self left to avoid it and perhaps, I wouldn't mind being reincarnated into a mortal... a human being--the family you currently love, your friends... and lastly, your family. To avoid it, you must guide people in a natural way and if I were you... I won't just use violence, use your sharp intellect--that is more powerful weapon."

"Is it true... that I'm a heirless god?"

Ren asked, hoping that what Nanda said about him isn't true--before Kuran laughed at him. "It's just a playful remarks, nothing serious--what she said about you isn't true, she was very young back as a god that she couldn't keep her mouth from spouting bullshit," the warlord deity informed before noticing that he doesn't think this will stay the same after he's gone, Ren sighed--before he muttered. "Thanks, Kuran... tell me... am I... an orphan from the beginning?" he asked, no matter how many times he recalled his family's death--he keep wondering if he has family since he never remembered anything about his blood family; neither his father nor his mother nor other relatives that he has. "I see you don't know..."

Seriously, Ren is seventeen years old--like how long he had to endure this shitty past trauma, without knowing his own families. Kuran gave him a small smile, ruffling his head. "I'm sure one of them still alive, though... you have to wait until that event comes," he said, before he kept silent. It will be up to himself to discover on his own, he shouldn't answer all of his questions. "I don't remember who my family was, please tell me who I am, Kuran."

Ren begged, not only he has both identity and existential crisis--he keep questioning himself who he was whenever no one is around. Kuran sympathize him so much, this boy shouldn't suffer too much pain in his childhood--regardless what kind of suffering he is. "Riyanda Tjahyana, or... Xiè Rén Háo, your Chinese name. You're a Chinese-Indonesian, but you prefer to be considered as an Indonesian--because I know deep down in your heart, it made you strong... remember?"

Hearing it, Ren eyes softened--remembering each word that Kuran says as he nodded firmly. Indeed... he had suffered from an ordeal yet, those memories are blurry to him. "Nanda can't see me, no matter how much I tried to appear from within you," Kuran admitted, before looking at him. "As I want to apologize for the pain I had caused you, she and other fellow gods hasn't realized that... you, me--are one soul. Besides, they never saw a guardian relic after my death... and this relic that I've left for you... is something they can't predict or even understand," he explained, causing Ren to feel less anxious, as if someone was there at least; listening to his pleas for help and not judging him.

'What...?'

Ren woke up from his dream as he realized it was morning, he was sleeping inside his master bedroom in his floating restaurant as he rubbed his eyes and suddenly... it felt unrealistic, everything was a fragment of imagination since Nanda never touched the relic or possessed him at all. "Holy... fuck, how can she sense it?" he murmured in frustration, as his sweat trickling on his cheek. He decided to practice with his new weapon, then he will be fixing the ballistas in the first pavilion.

Few hours later...

After installing several ballistas into the floating abode outside, Ren was exhausted that he need to rest for a moment--he was sitting on the chair holding the heirloom on his hand. "Oh right... what is this last puzzle piece?" Ren was holding the last puzzle piece of the burr puzzle on his finger, before Ren insert the piece into the puzzle--the heirloom suddenly began to glow that it suddenly vanished on his hands. Ren was confused, did he made a mistake? Of course not, he was just inserting the last piece because he thought the heirloom need to be completed... but instead...

It awakened something within him as it was his past life's soul inside his body as he wreathed in pain, suffering from excruciatingly intense agony. 'W-What is this...? I feel strange...' Ren thought, he didn't expect this happened when he did that. As Ren was thinking hard, he noticed that the heirloom started to glow more intensely that his entire body was engulfed in an amber light; the light was so dazzling and bright that he had to close his eyes to prevent the unbearable pain that was spreading through his body like wildfire--he felt as if his soul is being pulled away from his body, becoming distant and intangible from the world, until the light faded and he felt as if his consciousness fading away slowly due to the intense pain.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Just before he lost his consciousness... Ren heard a voice calling him. "Ren... wake up..."

***

It felt like eternity when Ren opened his eyes, he was lying on his bed in his room in his residence, he felt dizzy as he tried to sit up and grab his head with a groan. "Ack... where am I..." Ren murmured, looking around his bedroom until he saw the heirloom on his desk. "Am I dreaming?" Ren muttered as he sat up on the bed and grabbed his head again--after a few seconds, he relaxed and felt better. "Where am I? Did I just dreamed that?" Ren whispered to himself. "Did I just die or what?" Ren asked himself, staring at the heirloom as it began to glow again. "I thought I put the last puzzle piece..."

"DUDE! You literally fucking fainted earlier!" Kaizo snapped, despite his worries--he always shows his intimidating aura and cold exterior around him to show that he's serious--the opposite side of his true personality. "Fainting when trying to solve a puzzle?! Really?! Have you been drinking caffeine? You're starting to worry us!" he explained, standing in front of him with a glare. Izumo was shocked of what he heard, even Hakuren because they knew Ren's arrhythmia relapsed when he was doing his routine to complete the weapon from the meteorite back then--because he neglected his health.

"It's pretty shitty and ironic, bro... you should've take a rest if the god complex is tiring you out," Izumo interjected, he knows how he act and usually keeping his thoughts away from anyone else--which result on him getting physically tired. Hakuren was tapping her arm and foot furiously, before she sighed. "Ren... get some rest, we'll fix the ballistas in one-piece, okay?" she reassured him, as she petted his shoulder to make sure that everything was fine; he understood as he only nodded. Ren hated to worry everyone even after how shitty his past life has ended, but still--samsara is a bitch and he keeps reminding him of his flaws that will bite his ass.

Then he decided to go sleep, feeling tired and exhausted. "Fine... I'm just..." he stopped when Kaizo patted his head, as if telling him that he shouldn't bother himself with it--then Ren decided to lie on his bed, his back facing them while he covered his body with the soft and warm blankets over him. "It wasn't a dream--more like a memory of my past life... I met Kuran, by the way... Sakura was right," he continued, making them bewildered but Hakuren refused to buy it, he's probably tired and tired. "Sleep, a full 8-hours sleep," the Japanese lady commanded, as she shooed her friend off. "Come on, worry about yourself first... we know something is wrong, just tell us later and... don't do any stupid action," she added.

He didn't reply, before Ren dozed off as the dim lights had dimmed and it began to darken in the room. As the three of them walk out, Izumo sighed with a frown. "Seriously, ever since Nanda bothered him--he became even more emotional," he commented in disappointment, he could hear his snoring--while his lips were parted softly, Izumo couldn't help but snort. The snow white-haired girl sighed, she knew the fact that Ren is very distrusting, ornery and proud like Kuran too. "All of us were on the same age, teens like us always like that--looking for their true worth," she responded, turning around to see him--it brought memories of their primary school days and they made that motto.

Kaizo frowned, he knew that--like the others as he has high IQ that people always judged him; Ren once got bullied when he was young because he was Chinese-Indonesian and made him being viewed as the outsider. This happened when they're twelve years old, yet he was almost transferred into one of private schools that mostly rich and privilege kids went to due to his grandparents' will--and that's when he met his friends in Surabaya Cultural School; the prestigious international school that made him gained his confidence. 'No surprise that Ren always keep up his tough exterior, now... here we are... almost at the end of high school and will go to college soon,' he thought.

The next morning...

They approached the dining hall where the waiters and waitresses offered their main breakfast menu for today--sounds delicious and there's so many customers that occupied the tables, they might call Ren to come here soon--knowing that he had to eat too. Ren woke up like usual, he went to the bath chamber and stared at himself in front of the mirror--he wanted to remove that blonde dye so bad; it's finally the time for him to accept his destiny and returned to his normal hair color. After he takes the long warm shower--he dried his hair that reverted back into the same color that Kuran has, before Ren went to the dining hall.

He wore a black and platinum gold Mandarin robe with batik patterns of Vermillion Bird, with a black Chinese boots as he walked--his dark amber-brown streaks with messy tips nearly covering his olive-blue orbs--oh, right, he wore a frameless circular glasses. Right now, it seemed like a new wind is in the air, signaling a new beginning. "Woah, look at you Ren! Looks so... you, who wore that exact robe a thousand years ago?!" Izumo greeted him as he glanced at him, as he felt suddenly different. Ren smiled a bit, before he sat down with them. "It's nothing, I already made my own decision after all..."

'By the way, where's Nanda?'

Ren thought while watching Sakura served the food for them, he thanked the God of Rebirth for helping him with his Floating Restaurant of the Gods' business despite it was a gift given to him for being Kuran's vessel during his lifetime, as Sakura chuckled. "It's no problem at all, Ren~♬" she replied, enjoying herself. Now, he didn't really care about the strange treatment he receives; the looks of awe, gratitude and reverence among every person whenever they lay their eyes on him. In the next ten minutes, they ate breakfast with their favorite food being served: Yakisoba Pan, Dim Sum and Dongpo Pork.

They began their training in the mountain with waterfalls, Ren practiced with his polearm that has Core of Deva which is Kuran's Core--since it possess the power of Vermillion Bird and other powers he was yet to learn. He was standing on the stone of the river, slicing the bamboo trees with it's gold blade while attempting to cut the top branch of the trees; what is this polearm's name, he hasn't got the name for this fucking gear yet but he make the name--Tarnished Lance of Vermillion Phoenix. He almost collapsed on his knees and catch his breath again, but every parts of his body muscles spasmed and throbbed with intense ache from the burden of heavy exercise and sweating all over.

Kaizo has been part of Shiranui Mitsurugi-ryū when he was young, which he took his kendo seriously because his father wanted him to be a great warrior that serves the greater good--while he has been appointed by his father as the second-in-command of the dojo. He practiced with his katana that he named as Seishuu Amemura by creating rumble of blue lightning flash that was strong enough to cause a gust of wind, swirling it around his katana as he slowly stabbed the bamboo tree--before the lightning caused the small blue and purple gash within the sliced trunk, until the tip of the blade from his katana pierced it to the tree--which shattered it into thin pieces of charcoal. "Hmph, not bad for the first time with this weapon," he muttered as he removed his stance, smirking.

"Do you guys know Gun-Kata?"

Izumo asked, practicing with his dual tanegashima with chains as he slid it around his fingers. "Huh, is that a popular martial arts in Indonesia lately? Everyone has been wanting to hold both gun and sword simultaneously," Ren asked, while Hakuren swung her katana into the river--creating a freeze reaction that made a solid layer of cold hard ice within the river. "Nah, my grandfather told me all about it after I finished my homework--with a little story of history, the movement of combat using pistols in the sequence of kicks and hand-to-hand combat attacks," Izumo explained as he is very good with wielding guns and melee weapon--so, his knowledge isn't being wasted. "Y'know what, we have the technology here to modify modern weapons! Why not making more upgrade? I'm dying to create my new invention, it can be used against their army that are being controlled by god's spirits--"

"I said no, Izumo... you almost blowing a chunk of the battlefield."

"What a fun way to kill stuff."

Kaizo retorted and Hakuren concurred in unison, ignoring Izumo because no way in hell he will participate in Izumo's chaos like the incident with the school; Ren shivered when he find out about Izumo almost pouring the spiritus into a firework; so much for the shitty science project, like how he's not that scared of that shit. "Kaizo! Are you saying that I have poor chemistry?" he retorted, Kaizo shrugged. "I'm in the HL Chemistry class like you, you know. And stop mixing technology with weaponry, Ren... also you two, stop meddling with shitty things."

Hakuren only gulped nervously, like HOW COME IZUMO IS SO CHILL LIKE THAT?! Ren decided not to judge him since Izumo has way low tolerance because of his habit. After that, Hakuren named her katana 'Frozen Sakura' as she swung it upwards to pierce the air, with the aura of bluish fiery mist manifesting to enhance her blade skill that froze anything she is slicing. No wonder she's the descendant of Kobe clan as she was taught of samurai fighting style as well as she has an ability to cast ninja weapons. 'Looks so familiar...'

Mizu was coiling on the riverside, still asleep despite the training.

Ren let a soft and silent groan of annoyance, if they want to make the plan work... it should be natural. Well, there's one thing that most deities are too prideful to assume the plan but it works perfectly instead of running blindly. 'So what... I hate them anyway,' he thought, but some part of him still longed for deities and trying to prove himself to them. 'Oh shut up, Ren... there's no 'I' here, stop thinking like an outsider, no matter how many years passed--you didn't change, do you?' he snapped at himself mentally. "Hah!" he yelled, creating a burning embers from his polearm before sending a flame. "Too weak," he sighed in irritation, glancing at himself. 'No matter how strong I become, I need a lot more experience and train harder.'

Ren made a melee moves such as spinning his polearm, kicking the tip into spinning the polearm forward and quickly retreating to end it; he didn't want to break his spear as he placed it's sharp blade tip against his wrists. 'Hmm... my way is too fast, how about... some bits of physical movements?' he wondered, before he twisted his entire body, slamming his polearm's tip sharply into the boulder in a curved line with swift stroke--breaking the boulder in the half as the shattered pieces hit the water surface of the waterfall, creating a violent splash in the river. "Damn, it needs a melee first. Using a skill when in melee is not effective." he added.

Of course, he didn't noticed that Nanda stood in front of the forest behind the rock wall.

Four hours later...

Ren took a shower like usual, wearing his usual clothes as he dried his hair and felt his heart was racing; yeah right, he's going to take it after a shower. He grabbed the flask with his pills as he took it, hoping it could reduce his heart rate beating fast and slowing it down like a normal pace. Ren went back to his room of his mansion with them, he wanted to rest after a long workout with his friends--the only people that accompanied him for more than a few years. Although he has some Indonesian friends, he still contacting them with phone call.

Inside his room, Ren changed his clothing into his dark brown onesie with the hoodie, grabbing his glasses. His onesie is a dragon-like onesie, with his soft plushie on the bed and snacks on the nightstand. Is he a sad excuse of a lazy ass or not, at least he could rest like this; he usually wear a regular or loose clothing and pajamas with pants and shoes, but his preference of sleeping robes is a onesie (when Nanda is NOT around, he decided to do this). Despite this, he's just a mortal who needed rest as he laid down on his bed.

Hakuren couldn't sleep, she really need some fresh air in the night so she walk out from her bedroom and headed downstairs--wearing a dark blue hoodie, white shorts, black socks and white sneakers. Her white serpent companion remained on her shoulders, although it fell asleep; she was the only one that the serpent attached to. While walking around the town, she saw a small white fox approached her and made her stopped. Where is this white fox came from? This happens way too often that she's been visited and the animal was able to teleport for who-knows-how. "Hello, little fox..." she murmured, what animal it is or how smart it is are all classified.

When she was about to approach the white fox, Mizu hissed at her because he didn't like how that fox has come too close--because it has an aura of a spirit with evil intentions. Instead of hesitating, Mizu went forward to scare the white fox and Hakuren stopped her. "Hey, calm down... it doesn't bite," she tried to console her fierce white serpent, but the female serpent wouldn't obey her. Then, when she was about to kneel in front of the white fox--it ran away and headed to its owner; the seventeen-years old man in front of her.

The man has a matching snow-white short messy hair with long bangs over his dark blue eyes, long sideburns on his cheeks and pale complexion. He wears a dark blue blazer with long furisode over his high-collared white formal shirt with black tie, with gold buttons, red four-petaled ribbons, dark blue pants, black belt and a pair of black knee-length boots. He holds something under his long sleeves, which has patterns of white snowflakes. "So, this is Hakuren Kobe."

Hakuren narrowed her eyes as she stand up, how the fuck did he know her name? Also, why is his features has some resemblance with her? Like he has some features of a Kobe clan would have, he had no accent and his vocal tone is deep, yet stern and polite. This is why she doesn't trust strangers, but she has bad history of not recognizing him because of the 'family' thing or any political relationships for all she cared. She calmed down the serpent on her arm. "Who are you?"

"Hakusan Kobe, the heir of the Kobe clan. A girl shouldn't walking around alone with no one guarding her, when the sun is down," he replied with a cold and impassive tone. Hakuren raised her eyebrow, quite suspicious but he proved that he's not a foe from his surname of his family and also from what he said; normally, women shouldn't walking around alone and do menacing shit because they're powerless and vulnerable. Yes, it's true--but Hakuren can defend herself and yet, he has a point.

"How do you know me?"

Hakuren questioned, scowling at him while her expression was clouded with doubt. "Relatives are relatives, any descendants are still descendants of noble families--an adopted family doesn't really count, but he chose it as well. However, you're different... I know our ancestors told us of the history and what had happened in the past and the future, I'll explain. It was the decision he made, even without knowing your existence and the fact that you could meet me. You may be adopted into a better 'family', but that doesn't mean you're an 'official' heir or not..." Hakuren was shaken, does this man seriously recognized her... but he didn't say it directly?

"So, will you assist me to find the man named Shūhei Hebi?"

Hakusan questioned, what the fuck is he talking about? Assist with what, finding someone who left and already forgotten about her is hard, it could take a long time to even find him... this made Hakuren huffed. "Look, I don't even know who the fuck you are. I have other business with him, I'm going to tell you this... you gotta go looking around, like finding a needle in a fucking haystack... this is the worst possible situation. I refuse your offer, and don't try to give me shit talk to me about my business," she snapped, she was about to walk past him until she saw a silver handgun aimed at her.

Oh god, does he give shit if he could killed her or not? "I understand, at least do an oath that you will... never interfere to your duty nor anyone else."

"With all due respect, I have a shit ton of work to do... and I'll never involve my friends too," Hakuren snapped, she knew their friend were trying to earn peace and harmony throughout the war between the gods--especially their ancestors sacrificed their life to bring peace to the world. 'Oh my God, are you a supernatural hunter, god-slayer or whatever the fuck you are?' she asked herself in her head, what if he's the threat...? "Step aside."

Hakusan did not say a word, while he fixed his position to shoot her--she didn't hesitate to summon her katana and slashed the bullets with it's sharp side of the blade, before swinging a medium-sized ice slash to the front; which he shielded himself by creating his ice fortress as it fell down the ground. He wasn't that surprised by the weapon she uses--that's the power of Black Tortoise. "Now, freeze," a bullet of ice suddenly pierced from the back as it turned the gun's barrel and the trigger into a heavy and almost impenetrable object of ice, before she dashed out.

"Hakuren!"

Izumo yelled at her, using his tanegashima to block the freezing effect into a barrier of metal--as it evaporated the freezing effect by melting it. "Huh, another companion of yours?" Hakusan asked, glancing at the Japanese-American. Izumo snorted, before he glanced at Hakuren.

"You good? I just saw you with this stranger, and not long after I left the mansion... I saw him shot you with an ice bullet," he explained, she nodded. Before they drew their weapon and prepared to battle, Hakusan shot ice bullets several times but their weapons deflected it or immediately froze it--causing explosion because of the clash of the temperatures.

Turns out, Hakusan is so strong that he dodged their attacks and kept shooting the bullets, also he has some skills with his body agility. "Ice Mirror," he whispered, releasing the thin layer of frost on his hand with both Hakuren and Izumo appeared like they were standing opposite of them; they were blinded as the frost formed into a massive shattering mirror of glassy ice that is reflecting his counterparts as he turned his sleeves and aimed it to them; shooting the bullets that is hard to stop.

His eyes widened to see Ren's presence by piercing his polearm into the ground, creating a shatter along the lightning flash of Kaizo's katana--causing the Ice Mirror to break with the powerful impact and dispersing of the effect. Hakusan immediately fled as the white fox jumped on his shoulder, leaving the four of them alone. "How did you guys got here?!" Hakuren asked, she didn't expect her three friends to interfere with her situation. "It's simple, we're not fully asleep y'know," Ren answered them, before he yelped when Kaizo smacked his back to correct the reasoning for them. "Actually, we heard the gunshot coming from the outside so we immediately run to check on you."

Hakuren didn't want her friends to get involved in this mess, but because this guy is so dangerous--a strong adversary that still haven't fought his main body directly, so his actual level of strength is still unknown. "It's my fault, guys... you don't have to do anything for me," she said softly, which the serpent nudged her head on her cheek to console her. Ren frowned, he sighed softly. "There's no need to apologize, alright? Besides, we're friends who protect each other. Who is that man? It's possible that he has something to do with the Gods' Blessings... according from my knowledge, there's a family name same with yours," he inquired.

"Hakusan Kobe, I'm not sure if we're related because I barely know him--but he kind of offered me to hunt a guy named... Shūhei Hebi? I don't know their problems, so I refused--and he just fucking halt me in a gunpoint," she explained calmly, despite her swearing in the middle of the talk. Kaizo raised his eyebrows, who the hell is he? He thought Hakuren is just an orphan girl, until she was adopted by her real parents who's already dead by the time she was young. "Well, his surname is Kobe... if you don't know him, he must be a distant relative. Shūhei Hebi? Haven't heard of him, nor do I met him," he muttered, but there's no hint in his tone that suggest his cold and indifferent voice.

Ren decided to pinpoint this guy named Shūhei Hebi, which means he have to investigate any further while they were in school. "Yeah... let's go to school tomorrow, even though we have no classes. I have so many things to check, he's my target now," he replied, he's going to his mission even if he and Hakuren have their own family issues. Hakuren returned to her mansion, before she sigh and stared at her serpent companion; it seems like Mizu was 'familiar' with him and the fox.

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