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Phantom Samsara: Path of Deva
Chapter XX: Peninsula Ironbox

Chapter XX: Peninsula Ironbox

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Ren wanted to learn more about these Tiryags, the humans who infused with the power of Yakshas (from what his father Rihan told him)--being the 'same' level of Raksha; he want to see them and need their help. Little is known about Secret Garden, this unofficial paramilitary organization purges traitors of the country under orders from the Indonesian shadow government. They has supposedly been in Indonesia for a long time, and many stories of them are believed to be urban legends. Rumors that one of their soldiers are able to wipe out an entire military troop. This is where he finds the next piece of the Eclipse Prophecy, this group can fulfill their role.

He looked through the assassin files of the OUTLAW assassin syndicate, including their leader and turns out there were seven members in the archives. Tiryag means 'animal' in Buddhism but this also referred them as 'soldiers' who must battle against the corruptness of the world. He read their profiles, which Izumo helped him to get a clear insight about them. "Their leader is Kayana Sahanaya Tirta and also known as Kohaku, he's an Indonesian and currently working as a full-time lecturer in Warmadewata University in Bali. He's known for quite fierce and stern, he has reputation for deporting problematic expatriates," he explained, showing his photo to him.

Kohaku has a neck-length short messy auburn wolf's cut hair with long fringes and bangs on his cheeks and his magenta-red eyes, he has light fair complexion but has slight tan shades as well and wears frameless spectacles (which is non-prescription). His assassin attributes consists of black high-collared blouse with long sleeves that has "cut-off sexy" slits on his upper arm parts with thick X-crossed black strings on them and revealed the skin of his upper arms, two black leather belts and black pants tucked into pair of knee-length black riding boots, he wears a dark gray slit collared dress-like sleeveless coat that reaching his ankles with belt fastened around his slim waist and a dark gray Batik Garutan patterns underneath--in addition of golden necklace with cross pendant around his neck hung elegantly.

He looks fairly young but that signature scowl made him quite intimidating for such a handsome bachelor like him, Ren gulped just by seeing the man's photo and based on his personality? That is a total NO. "So, this lecturer can command his six-people group to kill their targets without suspicion? Must be tiring for a busy life and being a 'silent hero' at the same time," Kaizo muttered, folding his arms as he read another files. "Yeah... it appears like we're dealing with a dirty business we got ourself into..." Shenlan groaned, she likes being straightforward but more like her hotheaded nature. "Okay, we got... Byakuya Shinobu, foreign lecturer, this one's looks like he's the right-hand man of him."

Byakuya has a purplish-black short messy hair with bangs swept messily to the side, almost framing his forehead falling almost to his cheeks, a light violet sharp eyes and fair complexion while wearing frameless squared spectacles. He wears his signature assassin attributes consists of black formal shirt, dark gray pants, dark gray blazer and a pair of black shoes, with black belt on his waist. He has the handsome but cold and analytical stoic demeanor from his eyes, his face is pretty calm--not a single negative emotions present except when he gets pissed. "He's from Japan and has one younger sister who's an assassin like him, he's an expert for killing intruders in silent mode--so his kill count must be far away high and has high bounty for the underworld businesses!"

Ren rubbed his chin, seeing how intense their faces could be. 'Sheesh, this Kayana must not be kidding. He's so serious for not being relaxed, yet he was quite snappy as well...' he thought, before Hakuren muttered with her arms folded. "Kiryu Ryugūji... American with Japanese descent, high school student in one of the prestigious international schools in Bali... he's a cat-like by the way," she said.

Kiryu has a messy shoulder-length blonde hair with bangs almost covering his golden-colored eyes with sharp pupils and his cheeks along his fair complexion. He wears a black collared formal leopard shirt under his white blazer, black choker around his collars, white pants tucked into his black knee-length boots--he wears a red fingerless gloves and bracelets on his left wrist. He was wild with cat-like personality but also calculative as someone who enjoys and fond of his cat, while Andini rolled her eyes. "He likes his weapons and his 'cats' too, as well... uh, those three weren't that 'villainous' though."

"Wait, there's more," Farlan stopped, he read the fourth member and it was an Indonesian female assassin. "Sherry Simalungun, she's an Indonesian with half-Japanese descent... but her nationality is Indonesian and works as an informant. Known as 'Motorbike Gang Killer' and feared by the underworld for her countless murders on corrupt police officers, even drug cartels..."

Sherry has a light burgundy long wavy hair, her uneven messy bangs framing her forehead fell on cheeks and almost covering her wine-colored eyes--she has fair complexion as well and a black sunglasses on her eyes. She wears a dark gray turtleneck sweater and high-waist black skirt underneath her black leather jacket, black belt around her abdomen and brown tights--she wears a thigh-high black strapped boots with heels and has black ribbons that tied on the top. She wears a black gloves, along a thigh-length black collared coat that draped over her shoulders with a silver oriental dragon pin on both sides and butterfly lapel behind her coat--her hand is carrying a black umbrella on her hand.

Just by the look of it, she was beautiful, elegant and alluring--but don't let her appearance fool you, she might had an... exciting moments for her katana and gun because no normal women wouldn't spend their times making a 'deal with an enemy' or something... Sherry, not only from being an assassin... she also killed a lot of corrupt officials... meaning, is she either a serial killer or wanted by her own country? Dinda gulped, slightly speechless.

Kyouka Shinobu; the younger sister of Byakuya and high school student like Kiryu, which is on her profile. She was a petite teen with a smooth purplish-black long hair and white headband with two white ribbons on the back of her ears, her long hair's tied into low pigtails on her shoulders by the two pair of white flower ribbons-her bangs fell to her light-violet eyes and cheeks, light porcelain complexion and slender posture. Wearing crimson kimono with yellow-purple wisteria patterns, along a plants embroidery with golden sash, a black-red wrist pads with the gold strings, wearing black tights and black-red geta. Her flip cellphone was attached into the necklace, alongside the rabbit keychain hanging on them (and Byakuya has one on his left hip but it has cherry blossom keychain instead).

"Wait, these two siblings... they have asthma?"

Ren pointed, reading from her profile--making Rihan curious about her being an assassin. Her personality is calm, graceful and kind-hearted unlike her cold and coolheaded older brother who prefer to hide his expression behind his emotionless face. To finish, there was two that stood out--the sixth one and the seventh in the organization.

Radjasa Wangsadinata or Radja; the Indonesian assassin with quarter Chinese-Malay descent, the photo showed him holding his black-red oriental fan on his hand, almost covering his mouth. He has a long teal-black hair with red locks tied into messy bun and his long uneven bangs has red streaks were framing over his red eyes and black rounded Chinese vintage sunglasses on his eyes, he has a light tan complexion and appears to have a mischievous smile on his lips--along a silver piercings on his left ear and helix on his right ear. He wears a black turtleneck underneath his red, green and white-splashed half-buttoned changshan with batik patterns and gold necklace around his neck, he wears a long white, green and black overcoat on his left and black waistcoat on his right, both of the sleeves being separated on his arm that showed the black mesh of his upper body with a white scarf and gold on his left sleeves. He wears long pants, knee-length black socks, and long white boots that reached his lower-shins.

Radjasa has a flamboyant and elegant personality, he always speaks with 'Haiyah' and 'Fuiyoh' because of the exaggeration and playfulness of his words and easily panicked, but sometimes he would act 'serious'. But once when someone he didn't intend to insult, he did not mean to insult that person without apologizing and crying over when he accidentally 'slander' them. And last but not least... wait, it seems like the member has changed. "Woah, what the fuck? Isn't Rayna supposed to be...? Her appearance changed... did she just got reborn?"

"Perhaps it's just a façade for her true appearance, but... I guess Rayna isn't her real name either."

The unknown girl revealed to have a long, silvery-blonde hair with a turquoise ombre dye, her blue eyes was visible for everyone to see. She wears dark brown trench coat, black blouse and white formal layered vest, dark brown shorts, arm gloves and black boots. She wears silver jewelries on her hands and legs, along black tights and her piercing blue eyes felt like staring through your soul. Ren is surprised to see that the girl looks so pretty, until Kaizo nodded his head as his eyes switched around. "These seven assassins are part of OUTLAW Syndicate that Kohaku led, I don't think we need Secret Garden to contact them... if we encounter one of them."

Denpasar, Bali...

Ren stretched his arms as the abode of Floating Restaurant of the Gods has arrived in the infamous city of Indonesia, the 'heaven' for all tourists who either love to have fun or just being a problematic fuckers who tried to ruin the fun of the people. He had to find the man named Kayana Sahanaya Tirta or Kohaku, like he may be powerful in his Tiryag form--but he doesn't kill Phantom Beasts much because he focused on eradicating traitors and anything related to World Government itself. 'So, I just have to contact Secret Garden in the midnight... but I don't think it's--'

Izumo yelped when he saw a young man kicked the European tourist who peed near the restaurant, seeing him yelling at the foreign man and told him to get the fuck out of here. "Woah! What's going on here?!" he snapped, Kaizo tilted his head when he observed the situation and Hakuren facepalmed as she explained. "It looks like... he was scolding the tourist for the public indecency or something... I think I'm gonna vomit from that expatriate and shit..."

Wait, that was Kohaku?! Then... the young man before them is the most feared assassin among the Indonesian officials... and the foreigners as well. "Oh man, this guy must be pissed off... and he's still a lecturer here? I thought they suspended this work while he's taking missions or something," Ren was astonished and annoyed, even though he's an Indonesian like Kohaku--yet he was proud at how he didn't get fired because they needed him to protect the heritage of his country. "Uhh... thanks, I guess?" Ren thanked him, seeing Kohaku brush off the dusts from his hands and he told him with a glare.

"Do not try to talk nonsense, Riyanda Tjahyana. Ah, you're here for the Eclipse Prophecy, am I right?"

Kohaku casually asked, how did he know his name is rather mysterious--Ren gulped as he cleared his throat and asked. "So, about that, yeah... I have this list of yours and was planning to ask you guys for favor... I'm serious. No, I didn't spy on you just to ask for a small, friendly thing between me and your group..." he showed the name-list to him and Kohaku read the list, before he hummed and shrugged his shoulders. "Follow me, my friends are in the warehouse near the port--but don't tell anyone about our work even to my students'," he beckoned them to come with him, he walked to find the others while he followed.

Ren didn't complain and seeing that aside of him as a stern and serious man, Kohaku is quite humble and respectful towards his guests and clients--but just one wrong step by pissing him off; you're either getting humiliated and then you're just an insect that will be stepped on the ground like the rest of them. Whoa, this is so... really messed up.

Byakuya was furnishing his katana while he was holding his cellphone, making an observation for a moment and sighed when he was waiting on their incoming guests from... the Floating Restaurant of the Gods! Kiryu shrieked like a cat as Sherry was planning to flirt with one of them. Kyouka hummed in interest, while the unknown girl remained hidden and Radjasa snickered. "Fuiyoh! Kayana, you brought a new face with you!"

"Nevermind that, Radja. They came here for something, they're Vidyadharas--they needed our help."

Their eyes shimmered red in the darkness along Kohaku's eyes, this is where their real jobs begin in the dark. The Eclipse Prophecy exists to test these people, how to prevent the chaos from destroying everything... being a mere puppet or being a savior--the destiny shall be decided. "So, what's the favor about?" Byakuya asked, before Ren spoke to them--that were waiting and listening to what's on his mind.

"We needed your aid to find and kill the Heavenly Gods, they were the ones who instigated the Phantom Eruption as a means to test us... as for World Government, those bastards can use their underlings as they want! Killing people isn't--"

Izumo widened his eyes, before his gaze fixed on Kohaku who had an unpleased expression on his face. "Hey, listen here. We'll help you, but like... don't tell us what to do about not killing someone just because we're assassins... do you get it? Every people we killed has their intention, however... in our line of work; you don't expect there will be no life taken by them, we may kill anyone, even gods too," he stated, folding his arms. "We even killed the ones in Singgahsana Organization in Indonesia, even the World Government officers and the ones in underworld business. So, anything is possible in the darkness, people commit sins and do anything they want when the light gets extinguished. Been there, done that."

Ren knew it, because they are assassins and he and his friends were considered as 'clients' since they're requesting a 'job' from them and they'll obliged. However, what about the other group... what's their background and who are the ones that he should avoid encountering? He's going to regret doing so once he ignores the warning signals that these people were not to be trifled with. "We'll do anything in return, because we have something worth for you guys," he said, revealing the golden imperial Ingot which is expensive and the seven of them got shocked by his revelation. "Wait, how did you manage to get that? Is that is the real deal?"

"Why are you worrying about how I got it? We have everything else, of course."

Kohaku bit his lips, he wanted to accept it and they had to do something to return the favor. "Okay okay, we'll do anything but you have to tell us what's your request. Then, you have to sign some agreements, maybe some agreements with the shadow government," Radjasa said with a smile, holding a file as the SHANGRI-LA group were shocked by the paper filled with words. "You didn't lie, have you...?" Izumo muttered, thinking that they're being conned here--until Sherry spoke up. "Just give us the names, young man. No need to worry about, it's our jobs after all."

Right, they have to get rid the World Government officers--they just need to destroy the entire branch to provoke the gods they fought, as Kohaku concluded to get rid of the trouble makers and prevent the tragedy from happening again. They nodded their heads, but knowing they won't see each other for the time being--they'll surely never forget this day. Ren grabbed a pen as he read the terms and conditions, wondering that the other Tiryags are going to be on their way back while he and his friends will take this for granted. "This is going to be a very dangerous deal... shit," he whispered, before he saw the duty stamp THAT MADE IT EVEN MORE SEVERE!

Ren glanced at his six friends, they had a determined gaze and nodded at him--because they were ready to accept the deal and he nodded as well. So, he signed his signature with his name and Kohaku finally cracked a smile. "Alright, we're gonna go to our boss and we need three of your members with us," Kohaku spoke.

Wait, their boss? For real, they've killed all of the World Government officials along with their underlings. They were said to be high-priced assassins because their targets are mostly governmental, politicians officials and rich businessmen--regardless where they came from, but they will never hesitate to eliminate people whose responsible for corruption, environmental degradation and anything evil or sinful. "Since it's Ingots that you offered, we'll take it. Until next time," Byakuya said to him, Ren and his group accepted the deal and started to be comrades or they work as one big team for the upcoming days and months. They need to plan it carefully, until Ren brought a list of the World Government officials. "What type of assassins are you guys? Like... you guys are contracted to Secret Garden, right?"

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Kaizo asked carefully, making Radjasa humming with a smile. "We're one-of-a-kind assassins, my friend. We specialize in assassinations, covert operations, forced removal, rescue and recovery--anything related to black ops job, we do it. As for the type, we are permanent full-time career people. We got contacts and partners as well."

"But since we're also freelance, we worked in tandem with the operatives of the shadow governments around the world. That's why, most of our targets... were evil corruptors," Sherry answered his question, grinning evilly. "Wanna see how we take care of those filthies, my friend? Or should we just let them lay their rest in peace or--what do you think? Do you want to watch?" her smile remained to creep the seven of them and when he saw Byakuya looked at him, Ren knew this is not what he's supposed to experience or confront them. Kiryu only meowed out of instinct as a reaction, and the latter groaned. "Well then, we know the main branch are the ones you wanted us to kill, yes? Why not we make them regret existing? Just let them rejoice now and enjoy their night because it'll be their last time once we showed them their true colors," Byakuya huffed.

The main branch was located somewhere in Bali and the other branches in Lombok and Denpasar, the assassins agreed to infiltrate the main branch to finish the job. Because they were hired by the very clients of the Floating Restaurant of the Gods, so... they must show a high respect for them. The officers were dressed in clad-white, guarding the entire branch before one of them got slain by Byakuya's katana as he jumped over from his rooftop position, standing and sheathed the sword to his left belt--tucking behind. "Halt! What are you doing here?!"

They all pointed their rifles at him, the cold stoic male smiled as the first World Government officer yelled and got stabbed by Kiryu's blade of his katana and the unknown girl used her mecha-humanoid tall gear suit and slammed the officer to the ground. Radjasa used his red threads to restrain them, before Kohaku appeared from the roof and slit their throats. "Fuiyohh~ You made it!" he reacted, before the real fun starts as Sherry began her massacre against the high-ranking officers with her katana, Kyouka used her wakizashi and slashed their heads and their guts were spilled and Kiryu slammed their heads to the floor.

Byakuya swiftly take out his flip cellphone, summoning his sword-wielding female phantom quietly so does his younger sister who summoned hers as well. "Demon Cloud, kill," he whispered, pressing the button as his phantom familiar materializes and used her katana to cut down their enemies--without stopping.

Demon Cloud wears a kimono with the white colored furisode and black clouds, green plants with the golden roots. The multi-textile obi tied and her kimono rests pasts her shoulders, having an obi tied in the front of her kimono. Having a silverish-white long hair tied in the full ponytail with three kanzashi hairpins, black-purple-red ribbons that almost similar to courtesan and front bangs pinned back by black hair clip. Other accessories are the flower hairpin, rope-like necklace with a tassel around her neck, and black mask on her head painted to resemble fox masks with the colors of red, yellow and purple with showing the golden eyes.

"Demon Snow!" Kyouka yelled, letting her sword-wielding female phantom materializes and slashed the men with her katana. Demon Snow has a white complexion, pure golden eyes and mouthless face; her face has a traditional courtesan make-up. The phantom has a long light violet hair that goes slightly wavy at the end, most of her hair down with her bangs covering her forehead while some of her hair was held up by pins in the elaborate bun behind her head with the eight large courtesan's hair ornaments. Her bangs framed over her forehead and slightly covered her eyes, a black and purple kimono with the white long kosode over kimono and black and yellow obi.

The leader was terrified to see the OUTLAW assassins were annihilating his minions and he knew that somehow, it'll be the same as that day--they killed everyone in his own legion. "Wha--no... it can't be, but... where are my men and officers... y... you, YOU DID THIS! YOU KILLED THEM ALL!" he screeched, unsheathing his own pistol but unfortunately... they have his limbs snapped and shot one by one. "So, this is the trigger, huh?" Kohaku muttered, using his sword to poke the large gem that used to communicate with the gods. It was still the prototype after all, so no wonder they failed to destroy the object on it--seeing the golden scepter shattered by Sherry's blow and their 'bomb' works as intended.

Kohaku sensed a strong spiritual energy from the gem, he need to destroy it with all his power since they were the humans from the other side. "The Eclipse Prophecy is merely beginning," he replied, unsheathing his sword and stared intensely at the gem. He didn't blink for a second or anything, Kiryu glanced at him as his golden eyes noticed him holding the sword before the assassin swung the sword, slicing the orb with a strong blue-electric lighting, and the room was trembling hard as all of them prepared to self-destruct to finish the job.

Later, they left the burning building alone, what have they've done? The SHANGRI-LA group arrived in the scene, seeing the main branch of the World Government burned in ashes as if the perpetrators who did it weren't a mere 'sinister killers' at all. "Wow, that's an intense one," Hakuren was impressed by the might of the assassins but she was glad that the World Government are done for, killing their people means they're breaking the laws, and these guys wanted nothing but exterminate the troubles. "Now that explains why OUTLAW Syndicate is very mysterious, also... I never heard Secret Garden had such powerful assassins at their disposal, but they have unique skills as well..." Izumo murmured, until Andini sighed in defeat. "Secret Garden always wants to cover their tracks, whether they're employed as mercenaries or part-time assassins... damn."

Ren muttered, before he sniffed a blood from the seven assassins as he couldn't believe they were used to this shit--to kill a person is to kill a human being... not a fucking machine, but no, they're the ones who served as machines and only served their 'purpose' and so are them. Knowing too much will give you headache, now, he thinks they have to ask the next group, and how mysterious is that going to be like? Should be cool, but it wasn't simple to break the mystery puzzle, ain't it?

"Alright, here's the payment that you guys needed," he said, handing several golden imperial Ingots that can be changed into a proper currency needed to be used by them. It is difficult to trade with this useless gold currency, one reason is... it's too bulky and two, it can be quite a hot merchandise in the underworld business, and the government might be able to trace them. "This much... well, we haven't thank you for your generosity and the favors you've granted, but one warning we should tell you," Byakuya warned them, before they nodded their heads.

"Don't judge a book by its cover, you don't want to be an easy prey for the hunter out there. The world is filled with mysteries and villains who are lurking in the shadows, whether you recognize one... better not fully trust them yet--"

They paused when they sensed a celestial beings' wrath, before Kohaku closed his eyes with a grin and asked Ren. "Is the 'war' that you talked about... have you experienced them or had visions of them in your mind?"

"I did, but... how did you know that?" he asked, slightly paranoid when Kohaku chuckled. "No, it's nothing... but one thing, the future may not show the entire picture and some decisions will change things. What are you going to do from there?" he muttered, raising a question. "As you can see, sometimes... people do something to fulfill their selfish intention, it was all for the best and the worst of humanity. But at least, thank the Lord if the sins never fully corrupt us or we'll be no different than a machine meant to serve our fate. Unlike us, we had our own paths to fight--we're not mere tools!"

Kohaku reminded, as if trying to tell Ren that he will choose his fate depending on his decisions, he's going to become an hero or villain--which was obvious and Ren knew that the Eclipse Prophecy exists to teach them that and preventing a tragedy as well. The answer that doesn't exist until one made the choice, is something he shouldn't experiment. Then, the outlaws bid them farewell for this time as they walked away and carried their mission in silence, this time however the unknown girl stopped and turning her head around to meet her bluish eyes to Ren. "Be careful... we'll be waiting in the island for the tournament, once your duty to overthrow the gods is finished. Then... we'll know whether you've chosen the fate for yourself or let it do as it wills."

The girl finally left them with Byakuya who took out his inhaler with Kyouka did the same, making the seven of them watching the outlaws disappearing from their sights and the one they should look into is going to be far more dangerous and insane as this. Now, they have to find where the path to the Heavenly Realm.

Ren faced the last executives of Scarlet Armband Army who have been the shadow leaders of World Goverment the whole time, he was ready to defy them as they were the ones who were responsible for the unfair laws in the world. He was prepared to defeat the gods at all costs, through gathering the most powerful warriors who are from Asuras and Yakshas--after he obtained the Core of Deva and also the reincarnation of Kuran; the God of Pledge they feared the most.

The gods were growling angrily while they were in the Heavenly Palace, facing the reincarnation of Kuran before their eyes. "How dare you defy against us, young mortal... just because you're the reincarnation of God of Pledge?!" one of them snapped, while Ren ignored them while waiting for his friends to come.

"The gods will punish you for your treason, Riyanda Tjahyana!"

"You think you can defeat us so easily?!"

Ren merely smirked, before he spun his weapon and aimed its blade against them--while he was surrounded by the orbs of his power. "I don't give a shit, besides..." he muttered, before his eyes shimmered in red color with burning embers. His weapon shimmered in bright light, indicating a determination from his eyes.

"... there's nothing impossible to defeat a corrupted beings like all of you."

Few hours later...

Thanks to Sanju and Kohaku's help, they gained the access to the layers of heavens to confront the gods and he thanked both of them for their assistance--from training and service they needed for their mission; now they were heading to the last step. The gate shimmered, bright light piercing through the shining stairways with some mantras chanting while the gate has no clear access nor their portals. "Damn, how the hell would I get up that gate?" Ren questioned himself, which the Narayana's Scions assisted him through chanting mantras so they can pass the gate. Somehow, it granted them passage to the realm. He followed the group into the realms... where the paradise awaited, he look around the clouds as he saw the abode above the stairway.

"Yippie! A nice trip to the realms!" Faylan giggled, as she danced her polearm in a circle around her--creating a swirl of blue energy blasts that causes damage to those spirits and soldiers who planned to attack the group. "Uhh... can we just teleport again?" Ren asked while dodging their attacks by slashing them and pushed them away, before Faylan grinned at him. "Easy there, Riyanda. It takes time to get to that new shiny world, every little place we want to visit have to be granted or you may be able to stay only for a few hours or days--" she explained while creating a barrier in a shape of crystal moths.

Then Shenlan arrived with a gust, appearing on the cloud layer and clapped her hands. As the enemies that had no time to defend themselves, they were frozen in ice blocks or solid crystals that shattered them into pieces when Shenlan summoned a pair of black chains from her wrist gauntlet and punched them, creating a blast of huge crystals destroyed them. Rihan spin his polearm with his energy infused weapon, as he saw them surrounded by spirits and soldiers he swung his weapon and created a gust of winds and energy to obliterates them into nothingness. "Damn, these Phantom Beasts don't deserve our patience or kindness. We must hurry and stop what they're doing..."

They were faced with the God of Nature; Běifāng who guarded the heavenly realm, appearing to have the ability of nature manipulation which was seen that he was shown to possess grass-type qualities such as summoning poisonous grass and flower magic. He used his grass magic to entangle one of his bodyguard that possesses a butterfly-like wing but has a beastly look on its face as it attacks his team in any method it could. The other two gods suddenly appeared with him, it was God of War and God of Sky. The God of Sky; Fēngshī gave a fiery glare at the group of children who are blocking his way in gaining a perfect life form as he controls the beasts to eat anyone or anything that come too close for his liking.

"Mortals, you have the audacity to come up here and facing us, the supreme beings?!" he snarled, Ren rose his eyebrow in response to his hostile traits, glancing to Shenlan and she whistled softly. "Right, perhaps we should make fun of the gods or destroy their 'angels'?" Shenlan joked as she threw two chains to God of Nature, when God of Sky slammed his feet and the warriors charge on the ground, jumping and flying to attack the group. "Don't worry, Riyanda! Leave it all to us!" Dinda said with a smile, standing with Farlan and Shenlan as they faced the three gods.

Ren nodded, before he headed upwards with Kaizo, Izumo and Hakuren together as the others deal with the lower-class gods. "Growing more stronger, have they? Oh please, we don't give a crap if they have a desire to challenge us to a battle!" the God of Nature commented harshly. Dinda rolled her eyes with annoyance, Faylan facepalmed and slammed her fist that produces a thunderstorms against the army. "Yikes, they want power or have to believe that we should help them the mess up?"

The God of War ordered the army with his right-hand man--until Xanadu has arrived with Sadana, Rihan, Retsu, Senjū and Reoh while joined with Wulan as they fought against them and made them pause. "Hey, leave the ugly ones behind! We're only here to say hi or stop these gods from making this shit happens... like you're supposed to be a holy but you're all demons!" Wulan huffed, twirling her blades on each hand as she smirked with one foot stomped forward.

'Dear God of Pledge, I knew you only wants to make things right, or you have a plan in making your companions getting another chance. Anyway, if these gods won't reconsider their actions or don't desire this misfortune or false judgement--strike them, but still... not to let yourself consumed by the hatred and wrath. Please keep everyone safe and prevent this cruelty to the end--should the Heavenly Emperor makes his appearance... you better be ready with everything you have!'

Ren landed on the ground when he saw the gate after he went through a straight path or 'neutral path', until he heard a bell chimed and the gate was opened. 'Oh boy, how long should this last in my life?' he thought in his mind, looking back on the others who won the battles as the gods must've had their heads are blown from the other Vidyadharas' strongest attacks. "Amazing that these gods did not give up easily, despite having weaklings to protect them," Ren scoffed, following them to the main temple with their priests or staffs and their servants in some level of forms. He slowly shook his head, before the Sky God attacked him with lightning strikes around his body.

Ren closed his eyes and used his Cosmic Wrath polearm to parry all the powers when the God of Sky attack him or fired more powerful lightning from his hands, his eyes narrowed as the guardian was about to attack him from behind--he quickly swung the slash-reverb energy that created a shockwave when the guardian and the other soldiers tried to attack. "Ren, take them down! We'll see what are you capable of doing now--" Hakuren said with a smile, while Izumo helped Ren to defend the attack and parry it, followed by using both weapons.

"Kuran... you're..."

The God of Sky froze when he saw Ren's glare, before he muttered. "Riyanda Tjahyana, not Kuran... but in a way. I am Ren, the reincarnation of God of Pledge," Ren replied before he charged up his powers, before he snapped his fingers. The stone pillars appeared from the underground floors, they stab their legs or arms that pinned them to the pillars. "Stay there and wait your time for Karma's bite, idiots," Izumo said before he gave a disapproving look to them, as they continue to headed up towards the palace. "Ren, you gotta be careful or your mental strength will reach its limit. You have to regain a little bit, before you can do the important battle."

Sadana's advice coming out as they stepped forward, a flash of white light emits brightly through his eyes. "Yeah, I know... shit... what the hell--ACK?!" Ren yelped as he blinked his eyes open, seeing he got stabbed in the abdomen. "Wow, how useless are you..." a man said, as he was wearing an eye mask and a white ribbon in a ponytail, appearing as 30-35 years old man that wears a navy blue kimono with gold linings, carries a rod with multiple talismans and 3 blue flame petals appears in the circle surrounding him. Kaizo fought him first with the other two gods that handled by Izumo and Hakuren, so they can let Ren move forward. "Ren, are you okay?!"

Ren nodded, it took him some time to regenerate his body but also he uses a healing skills and some healing abilities as well. However, he wanted to use a medicine he's holding but decided not to consume them yet as it was very important. "I'm okay..." he said, before he take out the black rod from his abdomen. "Let's go."

The two teenagers charged forward to the group of lower class-priests who planned to obstruct their progress, he used his rod to block their attacks as well as Ren using his polearm when the priest began to fight them with multiple weapons, before Reoh deflected their attacks with the dagger in his right hand as he struck them with his explosive techniques. "You need to hurry up, guys! We got more missions ahead and none of those assholes are gonna help us here," Reoh said with an irritated tone, turning his back and glanced with an annoyed look.

Ren sighed, gesturing a middle finger at the gods of different heaven's layers before he moved and reached to the main palace after making their way down and survived the deadly traps before they landed at the base of the huge palace itself. Retsu helped Dinda while Wulan, Senjū and Reoh (also with Rihan and the other Vidyadharas) handling the main defensive stronghold when the soldiers or the Sky God's angelic creatures appeared from underground caves or floating areas. 'Why do I feel... my hatred grew stronger than the purity inside me, is this the consequences?'

Ren thought, coughing the blood as he stood there by himself. He look up to see the gods were angered by their interference with the war, as Xanadu pulled his sleeves and closed his eyes. "Should the heavenly council give you another judgement, just don't let yourself being tricked easily by their so-called almighty and just ways, you must prioritize what you want... to achieve and to keep your so-called vow?" he advised. Sadana glance at Ren, his scarlet orbs were clear like a mirror and saw the future image of the young priest. "Yes, he spoke the truth. Not every god was worth our alliance, just pray for yourself and others as the heavenly court watching over to hear your prayers to be answered."

The two men were able to sense something, it wasn't an illusion or a terrible dream. "This is your moment, we'll be dealing with the others in case they're injured. Is that okay, Riyanda?" Sadana asked, seeing him nodded while looking forward to the huge doors. The enemies have to be not allow him to gain access into the realm, so... he had to fight his way.

'What you may learn isn't gonna be easy, Ren... it will be a lie if I told you to look forward, right? Well, congratulations or damn you and your reckless actions.'

And someone else was watching him from above, his gaze filled with sadness and slight of regret as he used his spear to see if everything wasn't for the Phantom Eruption and everything he suffered.

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