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The beginning... was on fire and I almost lost control.
Some memories are so fuzzy and unclear, but the events before that day were normal.
Ren stretched his arms as he has arrived in his office of the Floating Sanctuary, waiting for an email of his promotion and hearing noises around him. On Monday, Ren will graduate as a high student and they're celebrating for today with the Vidyadharas. They cheered, before they began to look into their own paperworks to prepare for their next mission on Tuesday.
He yawned as he took his seat, slouching down comfortably while resting his feet at the table after opening the emails, texted their allies and all before his ringtone echoed in his phone, making his mood turned into excited one. "Man... looks like she's working hard, I guess I have no choice but to open her message," he mumbled, before he peeked the text message sent from Madame General herself.
'Wanna come over? Xanadu said he wants to talk with you...'
The leader of SHANGRI-LA read the message from his phone, making Ren tilted his head slightly as he's wondering why the pharmacist wants to meet him? Ren went to his office room, which was so clean and had large bookshelf filled with books about folk tales and ghosts, along with magic statues and precious jewelry inlaid with fine jewels. He grabbed his golden imperial Ingot since it's part of his heirloom and also the burr puzzle he possessed at home, before he began to text her back: 'Yup, but I need to eat some lunch in the Floating Restaurant first, so... see ya at about three in the afternoon?'
He walked away as his phone dinged, reading that Faylan responded to him with an 'okay' with a tigger. Ren continued to walk away with his teammates to enter the Floating Restaurant in an exciting state, he felt his stomach grumbles a bit as it's afternoon. Ren saw the foggy clouds and dark gray clouds outside the Floating Palace, making him frowned that the weather is so damn cold--even their customers ordered some warm comfort foods. "Welp, time to order comfort foods..." he said with a sigh, heading to his seat and ordered some foods to Sakura which the God of Rebirth nods with a happy smile.
Ren sniffed the scent of century egg, Hainanese chicken rice and warm lemongrass tea as he grabbed the chopsticks after they ready, preparing to eat the Chinese lunch as the taste melts in his mouth. He loved eating the traditional cuisine in this realm, the Heaven's Court cuisines and followed by Vidyadhara's... also the Xianxia mythology. He was chewing his food happily as he glanced to the empty chair that no one ever sat in, that's why he took his time in the restaurant when everyone finished, making him felt better than ever before. He saw the scenery from the outside before Ren looked back and about to order his favorite sweetbreads until Ren noticed some Vidyadhara passing his place as they were talking to other soldiers from the outer ring.
"Ren!"
Izumo greeted him happily, that made Ren almost spat out his lemongrass tea, before turning to him. "Dear my, what is it, Izumo? Almost choking me here," he said, coughed a bit and takes a gulp of the tea and swallowed. Kaizo has arrived with his hands inside his pockets, while Hakuren stretched her arms. "We're hungry, you know? So we have to eat something and we want to see you, I bet you're not a VIP customer or a regular one, are you?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Ren replied, feeling his cheeks flushed when Kaizo pinch his cheek and pulled it a little. His friends ordered some foods while it was raining outside, the other deities in the restaurant enjoyed the scenery of rain, followed by thunder and lightning, making Ren calm down and feeling more relaxed at the atmosphere. "Jeez, isn't it weird that we're coming to Xanadu's today for 'your promotion' since you have done the part for the Heaven's Trials... congratulation."
Hakuren elbowed him, gesturing that Ren will climb to become the rightful alchemist as the successor. They chatted together as they were eating their comfort foods, before Ren had to go to Merlin's Claw Fleet while it was fucking raining heavily, wearing a special armament that always been given to the Scions. 'Fuck you, rain,' he groaned as it began to pour raining heavily, while Ren looked up to the sky as the dark and gloomy gray clouds covered the horizon with his main signature attributes as a Vidyadhara.
The Fleet was protected by the barrier from the elemental forces due to the special spell put onto it, his allies must have done it before he arrived--after they transformed into their special attire. "Welcome, Riyanda!" Faylan greeted him with a cheeky smile, making Ren grimaced and shake his hair. "C'mon, not now! I'm not a wet puppy, am I?" he said in a whiny tone, making the ship's doctor Jinyan chuckled and he greeted. "Xanadu is in his office, I suppose. I will be here all day," she said in a gentle tone.
"Thank you," he thanked, as Faylan gestured him to come over and led him to a sparring arena, there are someone from Merlin's Claw has to defend themselves--along with Ren seeing Faylan casted magic as she summoned her spirit Boreas wolf and her fox ears twitched from sensing the spirit's arrival. "This is your last trial to become a full-fledged Vidyadhara, my dear apprentice. As the last one, you must be able to perform and understand magic for all existence. Now... I will give you a light demonstration to study magic after being trained at the Heaven's Court."
Faylan announced, making him nodded in understanding as she closed her eyes--before her hands glow brightly and she casted a spirit magic along with Faylan using a 'wind and air' type and casted a bolt spell, pinning the other guy before defeating him. "And, this is a test so you can become a Master General of Merlin's Claw! Ready... fighting!"
Her call make him be in a position, letting his mind be calm and his aura shimmered a bit when the atmosphere changed to combat mode, his bangs pushed back by the gust and the familiar golden-red markings appear on his skin, wrapping and formed around his body and his facial features. In a quick movement, his fingers cracked his knuckles and he move quick with his dual polearms of Samsara Blade and Cosmic Wrath--the two opponents he faced were skilled like him and like she said. "You will have to utilize, to become one with your abilities and understand your inner core of Deva--don't let your power consume you."
"Right, will do," Ren spoke, as they continued for the fight. After that, he went to Xanadu's pharmacy-study and he saw him preparing his medicine. "Ren-Hao, there you are," he greeted the Chinese-Indonesian young adult, addressing Ren by his Chinese name in a gentle tone as he put the pills to bottle it. Ren stretched his arms, before he yawned. "So, Sadana wanted me to become part of the Seven Generals of Merlin's Claw Flagship?" he asked, Xanadu smiled with his eyes closed while opening the drawer to fetch the herbs before Ren helped him to prepare for the last trial--because earlier it was a 'simulation' before a real battle. "Yes, do you know that Faylan is known as a Brown-Eared Pheasant's Marshall? It makes her part of the main fleet as her main class is a 'Marshall' or a 'General'."
"And, my dad?"
"Rihan Tjahyana? He's known as Jingwei's Justice, Sadana is one of the Seven Generals--but we don't know his official title. You need to came up with yours, if I'm correct," he spoke in reply, smiling when Ren finished brewing the poison. "Although I preferred healing or poison rather than fighting, I'm just a pharmacist who learned a lot about medicine to spread across the universe," he added and put the poisonous herbs to the fire, stirring them thoroughly. Ren listened to him slowly, hearing his soothing voice and he relaxed at his company--knowing that Xanadu is very reliable when it comes to medicine (not his homemade food) for the crew. "Thank you, Tian-Di," he thanked him with a smile, before Ren smirked. "Now, time for the last trial!"
The tournament has begun with the golden lantern above them that floats in the barrier, Ren spun his dual polearms as he summoned his manifestations of Vermillion Bird combined with his flames--before reverting into a large Fenghuang spirit with burning flames. He faced Faylan who had her polearm and flintlock-blade on her hands, with the large spirit of Boreas wolf-like manifestation in front of her. "This is fun, heh..." he muttered as the Vidyadhara ally began to stand on his side and Xanadu watching from below.
"Let the games begin."
Faylan dashed swiftly with a broad smile, while Ren grabbed his twin polearms and rushed in ahead. They each attacked each other at once, making an attack which their skills are way in advance and experienced, making the entire fleet cheered, yelled, whistled and howling at them. "So, are you excited, Riyanda?!" she taunted and Ren gave a coy smirk while twirling his polearms, the manifestation of Fenghuang created a lot of wings, summoning their flame at first and flew in circles, preparing to strike them on the ground. "Oh, trust me... I would let out my old strength after all, this is a duel--so why won't we?"
Ren teased in reply, spun his polearms and create a strong gust of wind and the intense heat from the flames, resulting the winds to act out after the enemies dodged. Faylan and Ren continued on to fight with a weapon mastery like a master as their feet moved so fast as a strong and fierce warriors, they became the battle stars among the people and they fought with all their power and heart. One of them will be victorious, while the others have nothing to expect other than just to watch and be amazed by their battles skills as a veteran and a newbie.
"You really get the hang of this battle!"
Faylan praised as she unleashed another lightning strike, adding the effects of storms and lightning element that added to the winds which blown Ren out, but his wings began to flap as he changed his pose to a form. The spectators stared at the battlefield with awe and excitement, this is a real honor for them to look at... as a mere human but as an existence from deities to lower class, that's what they do for heaven. Ren breathed flames as he swooped down and released a powerful Fire Gale and swept the floor in a circle. The fierce breeze blew, and yet they kept fighting until they are about to break down the barriers--until Faylan pinned him on the ground, seeing Ren smile tiredly and the final slash was dealt.
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"That was interesting, even if it was to my defeat..." he muttered, before she helped him to get up. "To avenge my lost, I will challenge you again to regain my honor..." he vowed, before she laughed joyfully. "Well then, you have my word about that," she pats his back, before Kaizo and the others went to him and check his health. "That was cool, Ren! But next time, it won't happen," Kaizo said as he leaned his hands on his shoulder, making him pointing a middle finger to his best friend. "Shut it, I don't care if I pass or not--I'll just keep training."
Faylan announced it to everyone that Ren passed the last final test and is now made as a full-fledged General of Merlin's Claw. That alone made Ren petrified, seeing the other remaining five generals (including his father Rihan) and Sadana was there too. He thought he will get scolded for his carelessness or he will be punished for breaking the rules, but Sadana told him that the generals and Rihan will assist him--and helping him with the training camp and whatever duties Ren will have. The other three generals are full-born Chinese, Ren immediately greeted them in Chinese. "(N-Nice to meet you, I'm Riyanda Tjahyana! It's my first time meeting you guys in this fleet)!" he introduced himself nervously. "(No need to be shy and formal, I heard a lot about you. My name's Lang Yaoqing, and... what a kid, you're taller than me)," he said as he greeted the teen who was 6'0 feet (183 cm) while Yaoqing was like 6'1 feet (185 cm) like Ren's father Rihan, Sadana and Faylan.
The other two generals, Zhou Lan'er and Huang Qingshan are greeting him too with smiles, making him feel shy and elated at the same time--before Rihan smiled at him. "Get ready, your promotion ceremony will start," he said, patting his son's shoulders. They prepared the ceremony after the preparation is done, making Ren nervous because he remembered his school friends and the family. As they proceeded, he was so fucking nervous and almost made him cry when they began to give their words of honor to him and everyone was there, he has achieved a higher rank at a young age. In addition, his allies; Scion Alliance, SHANGRI-LA (including Seraph and Yomi) and the rest also attended the ceremonies.
Ren was told to make a speech that he was proud to join his new rank as the Master General of the Merlin's Claw Fleet, along with the support from the allies who decided to help him in missions and jobs. With the title of 'Fenghuang Vanquisher', he didn't really wish for a title but with this rank--he decided to give himself one. "I'm honored to see you all gather here to celebrate with me, as we are gathered to find another heroes that shine through the dawn in a brave courage. There will be days where we have to retreat back to this heaven, running away from the world, our past life. I'm thankful to my father who always supported me, and my late-mother too... and I feel grateful. Thank you all..."
Ren turn around as he realized that he had spoken from his heart and he just felt he got out from an existential crisis while the people (even the gods) cheered so hard, making him happy as he never got any recognition--even after passing the final trial from the Heaven's Gate trials. Kuran watched his descendant able to become himself, the God of Pledge was watching from the roof of the pavilion with Sakura, Ruanyi and Tenzing--which they didn't know that the main gods are here. "As the leader--no, commander of SHANGRI-LA... I will say this: today, you have achieved something truly remarkable. Through your hard work and dedication, you made the right judgment and become worthy to achieve your rank!"
They roared at him with cheers and happiness, which Ren would like to remember for ages and he began to grin along with his teeth biting his lower lip and he began to shed tears, he is so touched that he became a better man and good apprentice of Sadana and other generals. 'Thank you, Kuran... for making me born in this world...' he thought, smiling with a content face as he took a deep breath. 'I hope you will proud of me...'
As the clouds passed, showing the pale color of the sky under the white sun, and the sounds of the wind and splashing water heard, the Vidyadharas are chanting their spells and ready for their last phase; the promotion of Ren as the Master General of the Fleet. The feast has begun, it just made him drank a lot of lemon lime soda to calm his nerves and this is his first time entering the 'circle' of generals--Izumo and the others are more excited than he is, dancing with the Scions and they exchanged a hug with each others.
"That was awesome! Well done, I guess," Faylan said as she approached Ren with a loud laughter, poking his bare shoulder with her index finger, before Ren grinned when she tilted her head like a toddler while putting her chin on his shoulder. "I'm impressed, you are officially a member of us! Now, time to celebrate!" she dragged him into the inner side of the Fleet and they began to sing a Chinese traditional song, even Indonesian and Japanese traditional songs as well.
Ren was holding a pole with a flag that has a symbol of Fenghuang combined with Phoenix and Sky Fire, showing a circle inside with Chinese ink brush that has a word 'igniting and infernal'. He was watching his teammates dancing happily alongside the others... a second ago, they had to make a huge party and continued to hear the music from the speakers, while Ren and the others just hang out and listen to the songs. He put the flag pole on the next of the other general flags--making him the last and the youngest one of the leadership, which he made a snarky comment about Faylan being the older sister from her personality that she cannot resist and would lecture the other generals. After the meal was served, Ren danced a lot and enjoyed his meal--a lot.
For some reason, this is like it has been part of the script that Sadana plotted since he used to see him all the time with his friends--even Farlan can be very serious. It took for like 10 hours and he felt like he spent so much time with Vidyadharas, he didn't mind of the headache in his room after dancing too much. When the party ended at about late night, Ren closed his door and went to the small balcony and saw the view of Xanadu's Pharmacy with the floating cloud around. His eyes closed, recalling the events of his life of adventures when he is still a child and was saved by Kuran--until he reunited with his father Rihan and meeting with new friends.
Ren hummed, looking at the screen of his phone that is showed blank and he looked at his background wallpaper. 'So that's what happened... after I'm living an old-like life when I was still so young...' he thought, reminiscing the past that has long passed from years back--for a mere 18 years old boy... it really gives a lot of meanings of reminiscing at this world which he have to protect with all his might. He began to feel tired, rubbing his olive-blue eyes slightly before lying down on the bed, covered with pillow and he fell asleep without another thought.
'Even in dark times... I would push through the evil to prevent them from victory.
Falling may be difficult, and we fear of falling... yet, we have nothing to fear.
When we lost our way... we need to remember our first path and follow our road...'
Rihan watched his son fell asleep, he caressed his amber brown short messy hair as he entered the room--looking at how Ren slept in his serene state. Rihan had removed his son's eyeglasses and put them beside the bed while covering Ren with the warm blanket. "May you sleep peacefully, Riyanda," he said with a smile, before getting up and left the bedroom to close the door with a soft thud.
"I really wish I could live in a peaceful life... so I can spend my time with you, dad..."
Rihan heard Ren talked in his deep, sleepy voice before the teen fell asleep. He approached his son once more and caressed his cheek, seeing his facial features finally matched the model of Tjahyana genes. Ren's lips was slightly moving as he mumbled a spell, seeing a Fenghuang-Phoenix being summoned and flew around him, guarding and cuddling him. "You finally reached your rank... I'm proud of you, my child. To make up our lost time, I swear to protect you too."
The aftermath...
Ren just got back to his office and he saw his office desk has an envelope was there as he approached the desk. As he grabbed the envelope, he froze when he realized it was from him. After the Sunyata Organization's sudden disappearance and change of name, the name Sunyata Organization now officially claimed by Merlin's Claw as an alternate name--he wondered where is Fandey and the crew; it seems as though Fandey wanted to find a 'new path' in his life. "Shit... I forgot that I had a deal with Sanjaya, at least it's not a threat," he muttered, before opening the lid and unfolds the letter--reading the contents in Indonesian and English as he saw the hologram that shows the letter.
"To: Riyanda Tjahyana,
I would like to invite you to the Hyang Seram Island where you and your friends will participate in a battle, there might be new enemies but it would be 'entertaining' for all of us to face-to-face each other. There might be three of us to participate the arena just like how we deal with it, and if you have free time, you are welcomed. Don't forget to get yourself ready, this battle isn't just an ordinary battle. If you ever encounter with familiar faces, you know who you're dealing with.
From: Sanjaya Adinata,
ADVENT"
Ren definitely can tell Sanju is anticipating for their arrival, he didn't want to make the Raksha to wait because he already made a promise with him. He closed the letter as the hologram dematerializes, looking at the window behind him to see the island near the Indonesian archipelago. "Great, that should be the island he's talking about," he cursed, before he also received a hologram message from certain someone that made him gulped. "Wait, is this...?" he whispered when he pressed the hologram messenger device, seeing the hologram appeared with a black umbrella on his hand.
Kohaku was standing there, before he rose his umbrella and started. "Well well well, we meet again. Riyanda, how has it been?" he greeted him, narrowing his eyes with a smirk. "Did the celebration party went well? I hope I'd visit you in there, but there was an urgent request from a client so I can't attend. Turns out Sanjaya couldn't attend, even though the message he sent is... sending regards to you and the other Vidyadharas--but enough of that. Because, you're dealing with 'adult stuff' now. It's not like we're your enemies or something, but you need to know that... the world is not okay."
Ren narrowed his eyes, a determination flared in his gaze as he listens to him. "What happened? Did something wrong just happened or...?" he asked, Kohaku huffed. "You think your life is that happy? Well, you might suffer more losses someday--because you will know about what we feel... Riyanda," he warned, smirking at him and Ren was wide-eyed. "What...? How did you...?" he muttered, not wanting to believe what he said.
"You'll see when you're in the island."
As the hologram vanished in front of him, Ren grinned--he was ready for another battle; regardless of what kind of battle he's dealing with right now. He headed to the front dock of the fleet of the upgraded Floating Sanctuary--now it physically becoming a warship fleet in retaining the restaurant and other pavilions. His friends are part of the SHANGRI-LA crew, before he glanced forward. "Crew, you know what to do," he said, as they prepared their weapons.
When he saw the vision of the island that Kohaku referred, he rose his head slowly and began their voyage throughout their adventures as he roared out loud.
"SHANGRI-LA—RISE FORWARD!"
That roar did caught their attention from the distance, this is where they were...
... anticipating of him.
To be continued on the Final Act of the trilogy, where fate decides on the conclusion of their journey.
However, one of them might fall one day, there will be more deaths... with no chance of revival once they reached the phase of 'Sea of Flowers' and unfolds the truth of this world.
This is where the 'real' deaths might start.
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