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Inside the palace, Ren walked quietly into the unknown. He was silent and some sounds that couldn't be heard in the corridor was nothing but deafening silence. He walked into the dark corridor, and the only source of lights would be the lamps or lanterns hanged with chains on the sides of the corridor. Ren walked past the empty hallway, until something--a door was suddenly slammed open by itself and suddenly revealed the room full of cages and corpses piled up like garbage.
Ren grew pale when he saw such sinister acts which usually created by the wicked man or a treacherous being, this area wasn't just an abandoned ancient room... nor it is a dark area that the people who died inside rot and get eaten by wild animals, animals don't even hide anywhere in any corners or secret places. Those who were laid underneath the pile were slowly disappeared.
Ren tried to pick up his steps as he closed his eyes, not looking at the corpses or whatever causes their death as it's too horrifying to face the horrifying truth and try to find any lead or not--but what the gods did was evil. A heavy feeling started growing inside his heart, mixed with his purity and he kept walking to the deeper and isolated part. Ren stopped for a second, for a moment, he could see his hallucination that the corpse inside the rotten, bloody jails got a face that almost reminded him to the point of slamming his polearm--purifying the toxic miasma that took some features or its parts.
"Help us... they are liars..."
The voice of the dead spirit of a soldier cried in rage and disappointment, making Ren shaking his head as he tried to erase the vision. He closed his eyes while approaching the main hall, not trying to see anything or noticed anything until he pushed the tall golden doors and saw the Emperor of Heavens sat there on his throne and raised his right hand, several spears appears and pointing out at Ren who gasped in shock and horror as those spears had pierced through him. Then the vision flashes so bright, without closing his eyes.
The young teenager collapsed down on his knees as he clutched the edges of the floor, the other party shows no mercy or even feeling guilty by what he did to another human--finding Ren's unworthy despite his deeds in stopping the Phantom Eruption's process or dealing with the lower level gods. "So, this is the former vessel of God of Pledge? Heh, he is rather weak. Even we couldn't kill him on the spot," he said with a menacing tone, while Ren slowly looked up. "Emperor... are you... the one who rules the Heaven?"
Ren asked, grabbing his rod from his hips with the sludge appeared on its surface. He stand up as his body started bleeding from his chest, he walked towards the higher beings while their holy swords slashes against his entire body until he made a hit from the blood pools around him. He closed his eyes, before the Cosmic Wrath polearm on his hand glowing in bright light as his body shimmered while the holy sword can't parry his attack--when the blood, the wind and the energy became a huge tornado with a huge amount of holy blade shattering into pieces as they explode like fireworks against the Emperor.
"Son of a bitch... you think you can do the rite of the Heavenly Knights?! What a petty boy you are!"
The emperor snarls angrily, seeing some of his divine beasts were falling down as Ren grabbed the holy sword and infuse his pure energy into his blades while the enemies couldn't attack him, nor letting their hands lay against him in any way. With his eyes opened, Ren slammed the sword against the Emperor who used his magical powers to protect himself and the others in the main room. With a thunder, some fire... and more spirits destroyed what his blade has struck to--to prevent the Phantom Eruption's progress.
"You... how could you hold such powers or possess Kuran's pure light?!"
The Emperor roared as he became enraged, hurling all his troops, divine beasts and minions to Ren while using his sword to clashed against Ren's rods. Then, Ren saw a sword known as Samsara Blade--the legendary weapon that only Vidyadhara were brave enough to wield against divine enemies. With the new weapon, Ren combined the Cosmic Wrath polearm and the Samsara Blade sword to become a pair of dual-rod weapons. The emperor tried to seize the Samsara Blade until his own blade shattered, until Ren attacked him with both of his weapons until it caused a large explosion.
"You're not the real Emperor of Heavens, I can tell... are you not?"
Ren asked, his eyes with disappointment before he sliced the demon who pretended to be a higher entity of his species. It caused him to scream in pain as he shifted into his real form--the huge feline with red fur and dark green pattern on its mane and neck, green, blue and silver with some shades of orange eyes glares at him, its feet and legs were big and he used a collar or a manacle that also contain the samsara symbols as if it's been branded by its wrath in that cage. Ren began his chanting as he closed his eyes, muttering the mantra in Chinese.
"(May all sufferings end and bring the rightful salvation.)"
From this words he recited, it generated the divine lightning energy that caused them to get frozen for a few seconds while the temple getting destroyed as if the lightning struck them, destroying the buildings from their connection with the evil spirits to makes the celestials purged by their mistakes and sins from their false judgement, killing those who are worthy to the heavens and erased their memories as beings of a higher divine. "Now... where's the real one?" Ren asked, the Samsara Blade in its 'rod weapon' form was pointed against the beast's neck and the panther looks... disappointed of him as he turns his back and looked straight to his eyes. "Tell us!"
Ren snapped, threatening the animal with his twin-rod (which was used the rod was connected with each blade but separate). "The emperor... is not here, he used a time portal to escape. I saw what he planned with his 'angelic' armies and they will take revenge for us, Riyanda Tjahyana. Why couldn't you look past the blinding light or you are choosing blindness all this time, the one we serve is unforgiving..."
The cat spoke in its wise tongue, its slitted eyes spoke of intelligence and ancient wisdom of the generations. "You liar, why would the real ruler left their servants to attack or die while his reign his true? Now, how about this?" Ren snapped, before he chanted another mantra and the souls of the underworld arose to confront those who are lost and suffered. The guards appeared as they quickly dodged the Samsara Blade's attacking strikes, seeing Ren used the rod as a sword and aimed at them before he swing both his weapons.
"These souls can't be saved now, Riyanda. That creature who serves the higher one in heaven's layers shall not accept this, including you--why can't you at least comprehend what true feelings of the hearts?"
Ren heard the voice as he continue the chanting process, one by one--the light swallows those ghosts. Some of the spirits of the gods themselves were touched by his light that causes their soul to be touched or become a fragment in that state as their light fades to nothingness, he must erase and purify the beings that could be contained by his rod in his hands. Even if he faced the false impostor king and defeated him, it doesn't end his own journey and he should leave that very instant or be consumed with chaos he never wanted.
Then, he saw the Emperor of Heavens was restrained when it got revealed. "Holy sh--" he cursed, before he used his polearm to break the chains before he sliced the enemies' main commander. "Child... you're... how did you..."
Ren glared at the god, before he replied. "Is it because I am the former vessel, including the current owner of the other God of Pledge?" he hissed in response, moving swiftly and slicing the enemies with ease. The emperor raised his hand as he created a powerful attack on their enemies, making him surprised. "Riyanda Tjahyana, was what he got called... no, actually. Your name was once... Lánzhōng... or Kuran, the God of Pledge," he said, glaring at Ren but his gaze softened. "I should stay in the Underworld with my own punishment and face the consequences--with no need for your help, right?"
Ren asked, before the white light engulfs around them as the Emperor stayed there and only the voice speaking its truth to his past with his final words. "Only the right person shall find the most wicked or kindest souls, and there's no denying of your intentions."
With that words came, Ren blinked his eyes and shook his head, his gaze softened. "I created this realm above the skies so the gods won't be disturbed and live in peace, Riyanda... but, you stopped the Eclipse before. As promised, the Eclipse itself will stop for five centuries--as it brings its time. As for me, I shall get sealed in the tomb itself and met with my own fate," the Emperor confessed, with his true self showed as a noble-looking man who wore emperor-like robe outfit while sitting there. In a way, he cannot face his victims nor repent what sins were, then.
Ren walked towards him before he frowned, he couldn't believe all he did was a terrible and cruel action--even his enemies just got killed off or they get sent into different realm or separated from their bodies and imprisoned. "Riyanda... it's not your fault that you did this, the Oracle's Eye knew what I did is wrong--I intentionally let the Phantom Beasts and the eruption itself happens... because humanity is not willing to agree our divinity's ideals," he added with regret. Ren exhaled a deep sigh, clenching his rod. "In a way, you're a bit naïve and don't really consider that humanity should learn from the disasters and solve their problems without the gods' control," Ren crossed his arms as he criticized his actions.
"Now, I don't know who is it... but I must know how far did I hurt many people without knowing its solution is like a dark fogs filled the cities or even... your friends," the Emperor uttered his words, looking down while touching his mirror shards on his golden circular necklace. "Your people had the freedom in life and making their own path, as so do the gods... without making everything in our will," he turned his back on him before he threw the necklace to the chasm with light of different elements or the darkest ones. Ren watched as he is leaving them without facing them in the last time, it was like an abandonment by a good friend or ally to protect one another.
"It's time..."
Ren was wide-eyed to see the Emperor transformed into a dragon, this bastard... don't you worry, because everything will be resolved with or without words.
The Emperor may had been the first reason of the Phantom Eruption and such events caused his allies and comrades has been targeted in order to deal the final blow. They might lose their reason to be loved by the civilians and became a fugitive on their own world, not as well-respected heroes and it is impossible for both the real deity to turn their back on them. Although the process or the Emperor's words is questionable, this problem must be dealt without delay... lest he'll forget and will destroy anything... or someone.
They stared at the dragon who landed on the ground with an injured shoulder, that damned beast should be taught a lesson! "You... son of a bitch!" Ren cursed, his friends gathered around with the Narayana's Scions--so does the two gods as Sakura and Ruanyi floats in the mid-air. He closed his eyes, as he channeled his qi along the mantras that he chanted around them. "Guys, let's aid him!" Kaizo shouted, they nodded as they began to combine themselves into his weapon and Ren gasped as their energy surges through his veins, then he combined them all with his dual-rod until the blade that was filled with the Vidyadhara and Human's power had been formed.
"Like this..."
It was a different chant compared to the others, like the prophecy from the new sage of heavens or even their own divine strength had been activated in order to stop the chaos happened before their very eyes. The dragon attacked the human world as if he or she has the ability to manipulate the beasts, especially their minds as if they are brainwashed. Ren began to leap into the air and faced the dragon and the gods who goes against them, while the androids were guarding the Oracle's Eye along Andini who stayed behind with the others. He spun his Cosmic Wrath and Samsara Blade in twin-rod version, which was connected with a samsara symbols that circles rapidly.
Konami lend her powers as well with Hyde, Shiro and Eiko which they joined his advances--using their powers to protect the Floating Restaurant of the Gods from the disaster and the world as well. "This is it... we're waiting for this," Prime said with a smirk, he was getting thrilled when Izayoi, Yayoi and Kushinada are anticipating to see the downfall the whole time--they mean it in the fake Heaven's. Andini prayed that they were okay, because the gods were powerful enough even the Emperor might destroy everything around them.
Sanju watched from the distance with his allies, while on the other side--Kohaku also observed everything which his eyes narrowed by the sight. "So, they really mean it... this Fake Emperor the whole time, huh?" he asked.
"Spirit of heavenly wrath, bring your justice down."
A huge bolt of lightning streaks through the skies--Ren swiped his blade and slammed it down as several bolts struck the dragon with some holy runes enchanted against the dragon when he went under the protection from Ruanyi, Sakura and some other Vidyadharas gave him a sign of approval. He casted a golden bubble of energy that contains the Emperor's divine powers for he shouldn't wield the full power, although Ren's hands trembled. His blade began to glowed before he cast an illusionary trick in front of the enemies' lines, disorienting them momentarily before it unleashes multiple volleys of holy flames. "Wheel of Samsara!"
Ren summoned the four wheels surround the enemies, their souls reflected the true intentions and with Samsara Blade which slowly absorbs their energy. "This won't end here..." Ren gritted his teeth, as the holy wheels shattered and turned into flaming meteors. With a flick of his left hand, the meteors of energy were hurled to the enemies and destroying everything beyond it. He felt some tears fell down from his eyes, staring at the wheel of holy energy he had combined with his spirits--followed by a series of slashing noises.
The dragon roared as its body and soul begun to be purified, before the white light surrounded them. Everything must end. Ren ran forward in blinding speed before the Emperor's skull starts getting crushed by his blade while a burst of energy ripples out when his skull breaks and explode. When the illusion ended, the false emperor shattered into thousands of pieces. Ren, finally defeated him while the divine beasts turned to ashes and burn into holy energy fire for redemption.
The pain in his body must be stopped, yet his soul was forced to end the struggle... whether it is needed or should he continue to find the right person? The pain lasted to the point of Ren reached his limits, resulting him collapsed on his feet while the others try to support him--regardless of their efforts, Ren have to defeat or kill him in order to turn him back to his purified state.
"Emperor of Heavens, I realized now what is my role and destiny... to defeat the chaos and protect the world, never let the chaos lingers forever!"
Ren spoke his truth, as the heavenly bolt strikes and transformed into a huge sword before it transformed into a ray of light that caused the demon who used to be the dragon exploded and reduced to ashes. The real emperor let out a huge gasp as if he was purified, then... he vanishes into a void as if he was ascended while chanting those words in ancient language. "Once the deities had made their wish, they were given to be defeated to re-purify their evil souls that tried to invade others."
Ren watched the souls were turning into nothingness and becoming the one who vanished into the lights, the holy mists clears as the clouds disappear--he snapped his fingers and time flies into the normal rate as if nothing happens. "So, the Heaven in this layer... is not the real one... the real one should be... above the skies or something similar," Retsu comment, before he saw him using the rod for one last time and shoot an arrow of light before it struck at the final enemy.
All the corrupted servants had died down with their leaders, they all injured which Sakura and Ruanyi caught them and purified them. Ren couldn't help but cried when he realizes the mistake he made and have the results. "Sorry... I... did this..."
Shenlan shook her head in response, and she tried her best to soothe him, patting him as a way of reassurance. "No need to blame yourself, Ren... you finally ended them all and it'll be fine," Faylan spoke, before they laughed as some of the Phantom Beasts were dead--including the gods with them in that realm were released from the curse. "The layers were torn down, which means we have to restore the actual Heavenly Palace," the Sky God informed them as he looked up to the skies.
Their hearts finally came in peace, since those who made the sin will never know. Ren returned to the real world with the others followed his steps and landed on the ground smoothly as if they had a break, seeing the androids nodded to each other. "(Riyanda Tjahyana cleared away the remaining evil, no one will trust in the darkness and face it without any hesitation. Just know we are free, with our love ones...)" Xanadu spoke in Chinese to the Vidyadharas, watching the Vidyadharas accepted with thanks. "One job is done, you may protect the world's peace for a day to come, we wish your friends and you, your happiness."
They used their ability to restore everything in the sky, they wished everything will go smoothly and they'll go back to their main mission. Ren closed his eyes as Kaizo helped him back to his home with Wulan and others while going to meet the androids, he also had to fix the Primordial Jade Ballistas that has been used to kill the Phantom Beasts earlier--the weapon weren't destroyed completely so it takes a long time. Ren watched the palace crumbled, but he had an idea--so he used his power to stop the ruinage.
"Hey... what the hell you think you're doing--?!"
"Hold up for a second," Ren replied, as he pushed his polearm to create a shield that withstands from destroying something like this. "You know, I have an idea... why don't we combine our abode with this palace? We can reform it into Floating Palace or even expand it with the world's culture, creating something this magnificent while... I'm thinking about using it as an option," he said, then the Narayana's Scions nodded to accept it. Sadana hummed with a smile, before he spoke. "He's right, maybe we can use it as our main citadel and as an important sanctuary."
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
As they combine their abode and the palace, the land rose into the sky and created a floating island with its formation. Although the process might be quite strange--a lot of godly material were accumulated as the foundation of this new sanctuary of gods or their weapons. Prime was getting excited to get his own lab, the scientist-android was willing to conduct the various experiments and such. "Oh hell yes... man, you need to see this building where we reside in. This was a very huge place, wait... when was it built in the sky?" he asked, Andini nodded. "Yeah... maybe we can make it as a haven for the citizens or even cultivators."
Ren glance at Sadana, they both gaze at each other. "This Palace... it carries its legacy, as well as its past. Wouldn't it be interesting if we can establish our paths or do we have to take a long way to see the future?" Ren ask, Sadana chuckled. "It might be a good idea to combine it with a new land, the old buildings were gone and only had ruins--while we built a new sanctuary here... so we don't need to have a lot of sacrifices you know," he replied, Sakura giggled happily as she hugged Ren--while Ruanyi continue to play her Yueqin as she spoke. "We can make our own memories, as we build or give happiness to the people..."
***
It took a month to combine the ruined palace with the Floating Restaurant of the Gods, rebranding it as the Floating Sanctuary region. When their mission was done, Ren felt like he needed a lot of rest as the Cosmic Wrath and Samsara Blade resting inside the new holster in the vault as a sign of his new vow. After the war is over, they'll be heading to Hyang Seram Island once the abode is repaired and reformed. Andini watched the Floating Sanctuary being made by the heavenly servants under Sakura and Ruanyi's commands, she was sitting on the flat rock in the beach of Bintan in the early morning.
"Hey, why so serious?"
Prime teased her, sitting beside her and he lowered the fishing rod. "You're stressed a lot, so try to chill and get some rest before you collapse," Prime added, placing his fingers on her cheek--the temperature felt warm, as he scanned her and realized she caught a cold from the sudden weather changes. "Urgh, stop it Athalla..." she grumbled, her eyes widen to see his cheeks reddened and turn away his face quickly. That's one of the adorkable expression she could get from him, she grumbled about the shame of it--it looked like she flirted with him. "Come on, it's not like we're dating," Andini blurted out, making him huffed.
The German Shepherd puppy barked in the distance, playing the seashell for Prime's petting and Andini's squealing over his cuteness. Prime smiled a bit, he picked up the seashell and sat down--making a sand castle in the shape of the Abode while he placed the seashell as the miniature Sakura's temple, making them became fond of the sight. Izayoi was hitting a watermelon with a baseball bat while blindfolded, Yayoi whistled before Kushinada warned. "Hey, be careful with your posture, you blind fuck!" Kushinada shrieked, earning a thumbs-up sign of approval from Izayoi before Yayoi shrugged her shoulders when Izayoi hit it harder.
Prime built a mini-sand figure of him and Andini, plus a wooden figure with the former as a mechanic and held it together with a twig attached between the mini's shoulders. "Where's Ren and other Vidyadharas?" he asked, Andini sighed. "They're over there you know, in the ocean while reconstructing the abode."
The scientist-android nodded, before he fixed his black plague doctor's beaked metallic mask. "How come you can see with that mask on your eyes?" she asked, tilting her head. "We have sensor devices that allows our senses to work so we don't need to wear the masks, which is a burden to the others, especially Kushinada who got these devices damaged or something," Prime explained, Andini nodded. "I can hear you, asshole!" Kushinada yelled far from them, with the wind blowing. "Damn, his hearing skills are above average," Prime mumbled, sighing when she snickered.
Konami was walking around the beach as she observed the view, walking beside Hyde when they had a free time. Shiro recently made friends with the four androids like Izayoi, Yayoi, Kushinada and Prime--and Eiko was playing with them as well. "Good to see that he managed to move on from Shūhei... he got a lot of friends too," she muttered, with Hyde standing beside her before they stared at each other. The Māra vampire glanced at the human girl who has been with him from their first meeting, she still liked him even though what he did is terrible--not that she's blinded by his good traits, which is his true kindness, care and mercy, though she thought he hid the best part of him.
"Your friends are very eager to battle, huh," Hyde pointed out, shrugging his shoulders. "Yeah... but I'm indebted to Riyanda, he helped me to protect my brother at a bad cost..." Konami muttered, causing Hyde raised his eyebrows in surprise. He still wants to know everything, he was so focused on other humans while he still made friends with Vidyadharas and Ren's group, forgetting about his situation. "You didn't apologize several times, how strange," he said, Konami scoffed. "I can see Ren likes to ask your opinion of them," Hyde mentioned.
"Let's just say I didn't regret of being a hypocrite, because I finally realize what the hell I got myself involved. I was glad of finding my place, with you."
Hyde stared back at her in stunned, almost lost for words before she intertwined her fingers with his, keeping it warm and never let go of them. "Even if we're enemies since the beginning... our meeting is the best gift to me," Konami replied. To his question about her fate and feelings, he realized that these things are more precious to her. He wrap his arm around her shoulder, they shared a hug. Maybe he did not deserve anything, but this feeling is always close to him. The wind blew, signaling that their summer will begin right here. "As your partner and boyfriend, you got a deal," Hyde stated, pecking her lips before she pull him for another passionate kiss. "Yeah, deal."
Shiro was playing with Izayoi and Prime (they just played a skit) and Eiko also joined them as the audience, as the white weretiger screamed with laughter after the skit's comical scenes. Kushinada had to watch their comical drama as Yayoi recorded everything, while Andini laughed at them. "Look at you, laughing a lot because of them... well, Kushi's comedy is horrible--so how does your experience be with them? Interesting, yeah?" Yayoi asked, giggling to make Andini felt flustered. "Nah, I'd rather pick Athalla's skit because he's naturally a funny guy, or in other word a weirdo," she replied with a huff.
"Why do you prefer plague doctor's mask, Prime? I don't get it," Shiro asked, tugging on Prime's white and black overcoat. "Uhh... so, actually I used to get scolded by Kushinada a lot because he often made a lot of pranks when I was still on my early twenties. It was freaking me the fuck out, I usually didn't give a shit about pranks but Kushinada is fucking irritating that I decided to wear a mask and shut the fuck up, and get a revenge on him. Heck, now he even changed me into a freaking comedian, but only for the dumb ones," he grumbled.
"THAT'S NOT TRUE! YOU WEAR THAT MASK BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE COOL AND SHIT!" Kushinada denied angrily, throwing a pebble at him but hitting Izayoi instead. Shiro, Konami, Hyde and Andini burst out laughing, while Eiko giggled. "You wanna die, right, Kushi?" Yayoi taunted, snorting as Kushinada growled in response and show a middle finger back. "I hate you guys!"
"That explains a lot, you still act like a baby when you just woke up, heehee!"
Yes, Kushinada (before and after he got defected from Scarlet Armband Army) always get clowned despite being the captain who commands all androids. The reason why he get annoyed by his companion is because they're too cheerful and weird, but changed into good people. Is it a great feeling or bad feeling that everyone acts really weird like Prime as he often annoyed Kushinada? No one knows! Probably, yeah, but sometimes the truth can be revealed...
Andini watched them interact as a group, feeling a bit lonely by the presence of her past. "I'm sorry, dad..." she muttered, before she blushed when Prime hugged her from the behind. "Cheer up, Andini. Besides, look at the great scenery," Prime said, while Kushinada played with the others. "Captains often change, those who has a place. It's still the same, isn't it? And we don't need to go and sacrifice other people," he reassured her, her eyes went wide when she received a comforting pat from him. "You're free from your past, you have all of us as your family," Prime added.
'Huh, the android that showed genuine kindness--I'm more grateful than ever... Athalla,' Andini replied in her mind, tears swelling and pulled him for a long, tight and warm hug. The girl was glad to reunite with her childhood friend, she remembered these nice moments she have as an adorable little rich girl from the wealthy noble family. Prime might appear analytical, rude and insensitive but he's funny, kind and the protective one, he shows his true intentions better than everyone, even before he was modified or became the last android from their prototype. Nowadays, they have everything together again. They have different positions, but share a common bond of the good side of their lives.
"By the way, Athalla..." she muttered, before she snorted to see his face went red as his mask covered his face with a scowl. "What, Andini?" he muttered under the mask. "You're my favorite, even the girls fawned over you," she teased, his face became redder than she expected. "W-WHA--I-I mean, yeah of course! If it wasn't for my handsome and sexy face, how could anyone want to gawked at me and be attracted to my appearance and ass?"
Izayoi was tempted to kick his ass as a teasing attempt, but got a laughter from the younger sister instead. "Yayoi, too," she added. Yayoi averted her gaze, flustered by her remark and giggled. Meanwhile, Ren was watching the abode being reconstructed and rebranded as Floating Sanctuary--combined with the ruined abode of the Heavens and the Floating Restaurant of the Gods. He admired the masterpiece, seeing them put their hard work to rebuild it. Soon, it was the third day of their resting time as the Abode was getting better. He haven't been watching over it yet, not that he's forgetful--he just want to focus on his training.
Andini was hungry so she decided to get something from the resort, she walked down the road beside Prime where there are many tourists in Bintan. His red eyes scanned around in amusement, being impressed with the atmosphere. She giggled, enjoying her time with him as they went to the food stall. "What should we eat?" he asked, standing beside her in front of the stall. "Well, since I'm an android... I need human foods for energy," he answered casually, folding his arms and take his sweet time.
The human girl pondered as she scanned the restaurant, before she asked. "What's your favorite food?"
Prime blinked, he recalled his childhood memories when he was a human with Andini--he hummed with a nod. "I would like to eat fried pork belly with spicy noodles and wonton--" he explained so long that Andini froze at his mention of meals. He continued, about a hundred more until she sighed in defeat and smacked his back. "So, are you gonna let me choose or what?" she asked, crossing her arms with a neutral glare at him. "You made one for me before, so... anything you like will be fine, Andini. I'll tell you which one if I want more," Prime replied, making her shrugged. "Fine..."
Andini watched him ate his food when she took a slurp of her pork meatball noodle soup, how come he's eating like a human even though he's an android? "Do you need to eat?" he asked, also confused on her. "Eh... yeah, I didn't notice about that, of course I need to eat but not a large meal like you," she replied, eyeing him with the curiosity filled in her eyes. "Actually, being one means I can replace the consumption process with the human fuels--which I'm not such a good thing to maintain while still keeping my weight," Prime replied, grunting when his leg got stomped with the stone pebble. "Yeah, the body condition is similar to humans--better think about it..." Andini smiled, her eyes staring into his crimson-colored orbs.
After they finished eating their lunch--Prime felt her head rested on his shoulder, while they looked up to the sky above them. His cheeks turned red as he was a bit hesitant to do anything with her, afraid that he could hurt her. He have a strong emotion, he realized. Love or attraction for other humans or for objects, these are the core of his being but... he still has human heart. As long as they still have hearts inside, no matter who the humans are. Unconsciously, Prime wanted to believe that he isn't an entity with malfunction nor emotionless, for he yearned an escape to the world that welcomed him.
He rested his head back on hers, never realized that these moments were only his. Despite all, Prime have nothing left but freedom and hope--he was never satisfied with the current world, because everyone keeps forgetting. "Andini, you made my life worth the struggles..." he uttered those words, never did he thought of having a love confession for her. Andini blushed as well, with her fingers clasping his firmly. "It's no doubt, I also do. Thank you, Athalla..." she replied, before he nodded with a smile on his face. They knew each other enough since when they were very young, and they have the same idea--that the change never seemed so far to reach.
Prime remove his mask to reveal his handsome face with fair skin and a warm smile--Andini smiled back at him, he looks so beautiful despite being an android. She felt like her eyes are always on him everytime he exist in her vision, all-exclusive show. The warm breeze brushed against their faces, sensing they shared this feeling with each other--love. "Aww, what is this again?" Izayoi teased when he stood between them, with Yayoi and Shiro which made them yelled by his presence. He immediately put on his beaked mask, before he snapped. "YOU LITTLE GREMLIN--DO YOU SERIOUSLY BEEN STALKING ME ALRIGHT, YOU SMALL RUNT?!" he shrieked, his face went red to the tip of his ears.
"Relax, I know why you guys are gathering here, I accidentally overheard about what's the purpose of this dating. Kudos, having a little relationship but will ruin your emotional ass later!" Izayoi taunted, Andini was trying to kicked him on his balls but he was very speedy and his instincts are higher than hers. "Piss off! We didn't ask for your opinion, shitty brat!" Prime snapped. Andini twitched her eyebrows, before she made a death stare at Izayoi and Shiro who were getting hit by Prime in a furious tantrum. Shiro was having fun with them, he chuckled as Kushinada had to separate these two--since they got too loud.
After the feud, Andini waited until both of them were alone in the seashore of the beach in Bintan. Her cheeks reddened when Prime sat beside her and smiled. "I don't want to be someone else, but by your side. But hey, just us, no one else to ruin the wonderful day today," he said, with his mask still on his face and left some distance between their bodies. The human girl laughed and sighed in defeat, raising her eyebrows to see his serious expression. "By the way, you still look the same as a child that I meet," she jokingly pointed out, he raised his eyebrows before he pouted in defeat.
"At least my good point is that everyone loves me, like a little puppy that can't be ignored," he stated, scratching the back of his neck and pulled her body for a small hug and she gladly accepted it, nuzzling her head on the crook of his neck. At least... not everyone ignored his best efforts, but his mission will still ongoing like Ren and the other Vidyadharas that will be at stake to achieve their personal ambitions to complete their role--this wasn't just for themselves, but with their loved ones as well.
On the other day...
Ren was training his chi control when there is a new enemy came out to attack him, he took a deep breath before he stabbed the Vipralopa-class Phantom Beast in no-warning with his new combined weapon with more than 40 chi strike, piercing the swords through it's abdomen but not slashing in half. The golden essence that escaped through the gap were absorbed by Ren, making him smirked victoriously. His polearm now known as Samsara Blade of Cosmic's Celestial Wrath and enhanced by God of Pledge's Orb that contains deadly solar chi and mixed with the Cosmic Wrath's own, he spun his polearm like a windmill before slamming it down as it unleashed a powerful solar chi attack.
"Good job!"
Faylan complimented from the side, her arms were folded. The German Shepherd puppy watched Ren being patted by the Chinese-Indonesian Vidyadhara and another chi blast was released, but in different energy--shocking him greatly. The puppy was being held by Sakura, the God of Rebirth truly loved animals and wanted to play with it and adopted it as she squealed and the puppy barked happily. Well, thank god Ren wasn't ready to handle the puppy because it's kinda... energetic and will play with Prime--which is bad enough if the cute dog messed up his things. "Also, you're quite handsome like your dad."
Ren got flustered when Faylan teased him, her white fox ears twitched but what made him curious... why didn't she have a tail? Usually, Zetian race like her have vulpine features like fox ears and tail--she didn't have one. Perhaps she used to have one of those when she was in a dire time but somehow lost it--then it hit him. He felt his cheek was held by Faylan and noticed she stared at him with a smile, that was tender and kind. "I hope you won't abandon anyone you love in vain, because regretting it won't bring you to a perfect outcome and lesson," she explained.
Her hands holding his face and placed her palm on his forehead, making him puffed his cheeks in embarrassment. "Let's see... you do have features, one is that you're protective, headstrong and good hearted. Two, you're not an asshole--not like us who were from another civilization. Three, you're quite smart. As for your flaws, one; you still have ego issues--wanna be a strong hero and be reckless? Two; you need to think straight even without brute force to kickass, what you need are strategies... similar to your father. Three; stop forcing yourself with training, you were bound to learn in an easier way. Four, you can't be focused and better focus on studying," she said with a smirk, ruffling his amber-brown short messy hair.
Ren nodded when her mentor figure lectured him with many compliments and advice, the strongest amongst the Scions have many strengths and her weaknesses are something she always hidden. He shared the same height as her, being 6'0 ft as the medium height for an adult Vidyadhara he was. "Yes, Madam Faylan... also, what you're trying to hide?" Ren asked, staring at the empty space where her tail should be. "It has... something to do with my past, I had a battle against the Phantom Beasts with my fellow comrades and... I received a power; costing my tail," she replied.
The only Zetian descended of a wealthy noble family, a strong woman with the elegant mindset that won't disappoint anyone around her while still wanting to protect people at all cost--Faylan is still someone who could be empathetic with compassion as well. She didn't need to have tail as she shown her care by talking her to others, including to Ren when she talked about the Ancient Civilization era. 'Merlin's Claw, Faylan... her nickname which the royal family descended from,' Ren thought.
"Do you want to be part of Merlin's Claw? I'll be glad to teach you my techniques," she offered her hand with a warm smile. He smiled back at her, accepting her offer as he felt her joy. Despite their friendship still questionable, his smile have sincerity. "Yeah, why not? This seems to be the first one that I could have in my heart," he replied, before he yelped when Faylan pulled him into a hug--he shrieked when his face buried into between her breasts. "Ren!"
Izumo yelled, panicked that he got 'suffocated' by her huge chest. Hakuren froze when she witnessed that, even though she's envious of her size--she wasn't into them. In fact, she didn't want to get cursed by bad luck. Everyone waited for him to breathe, but she's surprised that he's still alive! "Hehe... I'm fine... besides... it's my first time getting a hug from a huge cup size woman," he added with flushed but dazed face, he enjoyed her warmth and feeling her arms wrapping his head gently. It felt unusual for her to have these soft cushions for her... a perfect woman.
"What? You didn't liked being touched by Nanda that time, remember?! That God of Wealth, but why didn't you mind it when it's Faylan?!"
Kaizo snapped, before Ren clarified. "No, dumbass! That time, Nanda keep teasing me and torturing me mentally and physically!" he snarled, his eyes seemed close to shed some tears. "That fucker will never be my type, I want the cheerful and easy-going kind! Not the flirtatious one like her, she's Kuran's wife for fuck's sake!" he added, before Faylan laughed and wrapped her arm around his shoulder and teasingly touched his cheek. "So, you like sportive type, huh?" she teased. Ren sputtered, backing away from her.
She couldn't help but laughing at his reaction, before she sighed. "Well, I hope you don't choose only the easy way--since it's better to test your limits in harder tasks," she said, winking at him--fucking hell, Rihan looked like an evil bastard and yet he smiled like an angel but it's no secret. He was proud to see his son Ren got close to his mentor, only to freeze when Dinda's face grew pale at Faylan's... gesture. Then, she sighed with a smile.
"Goddamnit, Riyanda."
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