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Ren wanted to visit Kuran's Temple--the Temple of Contract where the fallen deity currently resides, the fallen god was surprised when he visited him in his temple after Rihan got told by his son and he will be waiting there. Even though he's still considered as God of Pledge after rebirth by Sakura, he decided to reborn as a fallen god as his redemption after everything he has done in the past. "Is there anything you can do, in terms of battle?" Ren asked as the two began to roam and sit at the balcony as the birds passed by and the sea breeze reached their eyes. There's so many people visiting his temple, they asked for blessings so their business went well and no conflicts occurred--he didn't mind but he had to see many people's wounds and try to heal them using the sacred jeweled staff and a little knowledge of the curse, thus the people thanked him and leave the temple grounds.

Kuran listens to him when he stared at the horizon, before he hummed. "It depends what kind of conflicts you might confront, I was indeed surprised that the rumors were true about the Sovereign Gods are letting their descendants to reincarnate again. But, I think... because fate chooses you from the rest, everyone have their own roles... including the sins that had been accumulated to become their future, or the reason the gods chose them to replace their successors... and I just like the way you are," he told him, patting his shoulder in a friendly manner.

Ren frowned a little, looking back at him then went back at him. "Your former wife, Nanda... who died long time ago--her worshippers wanted to revive her just to kill you and your descendants," he explained, making the latter paused and slowly widened his eyes in shock. "T-They wanted to...?"

"Yes, they knew the way I killed Nanda, I pierced her through the heart with your weapon; Cosmic Wrath--she said, and she made a wish to go back to life through her cult," Ren said, standing up and turned to look at him. "I'm serious, Kuran... as much I don't want you to get involved in something tragic once again, but as fallen god and ancestor of your siblings... perhaps you can try to help us," he muttered, eyeing at him with a gleam of conviction.

Kuran fell silent and he remembered his recent nightmare regarding the ritual, the ceremony to summon the dead won't happen immediately before the 50th day. He folded his arms, letting out a soft sigh and turned to face his reincarnated descendant. "I already knew she doesn't accept her death... because she died with a bitter feeling within her heart. Yet, the other gods never liked her due to her malice toward anyone and everyone," Kuran paused for a moment, and he closed his eyes after standing up as he gripped his jeweled staff and told Ren--the modern descendant.

"Very well, I'll come along. I have decided that I have no choice but help everyone, because it's for the best as Vidyadharas are reliable enough and warrior monks are already waiting for me. Sakura and Ruanyi might help as well, but not much because this cult is ruthless and able to fool anyone just for their safety and... true beliefs," the fallen god informed him, and he began to put on his attire as a god, he should do something not to be suspicious so he put on his glasses.

Kuran retained his old robe as a God of Pledge, even though he's retired as one--he kept his true role in hidden so no one will find him in case they want to kill him. Ren gave him the heirloom as it was now reformed as Primordial's Guidance, which he accepted it and slowly obtained his newfound power almost like Ren's power but with different color. He still tall and handsome young fellow in his mid-twenties despite his true age living for more than thousand years, his dark brown hair with slight amber highlights with a longer fringe on both sides of his face and even almost covering his ruby-amber colored eyes--and porcelain complexion; he wears an oriental attire attire that is elegant and form-fitting--a black collared changshan, a light gold violet waist coat with black trousers underneath; and black boots with black belts holding up his pants--that is paired with golden rings on both hands; which his signature golden ring is a sign of contract and power.

Ren also noticed that Kuran has his own weapon, not just a Cosmic Wrath and Celestial Oath (the one that Ren's father has) that he formerly wielded--it's a polearm as well but with chakram-like curve blades as the blades that is able to transform into a double-edged swords, giving some unique characteristics. It's called Blazing Pillar. He once watched the blade spun like a chain--that's why he said the weapon had been unlocked with him, he later told him that they're already connected and the reincarnation of the God of Chaos and God of Calamity once said: "Until you truly find the reasons to live, don't... try to use my powers."

Rihan watched his son and his ancestor Kuran talked as he approached them, he happens to be surprised after seeing Kuran regained his old power despite it was a power from a fallen god, Ren high-fived him before turning around and smirked at him. "Guess, are you going to be okay?" his son asked as he already packed his necessary necessities, making him chuckle in reply. "Of course, I'm not a soft-hearted person and also... I think it's time to end this madness--as it felt like this is more than what I've seen. Ren, Rihan," Kuran addressed, towards the two of his former vessels of his existence. "You know you can always depend on us, I know--Ruanyi is skeptical about everything but you can deal with her about this," the modern male Vidyadhara said.

Kuran only snarked, rolling his eyes while muttering. "Ruanyi... I'd rather not, her behavior is even worse than other deities," he muttered, causing Ren to snicker quietly. "Urgh... I don't want to go out, I know those monks going to ask why that I'm here in mortal world, I guess... I should just come," he added, before he glanced at Rihan who was annoyed that he had to keep him sealed temporarily--before appearing before them.

Yifan was in the Sanggar Agung Temple with the other warrior monks, he watched them investigate the area in case there are remnants of the Dust Cultists. He was caressing his binturong Bing-Bing that keeps climbing over his shoulder, he looked at the other warriors in the room with vigilant demeanor. Yifan was alone and he preferred it that way, he didn't want to be like the other monks who were trying to get in touch with the other people and his focus was solely on the investigation. "Wait, how do you address warrior monks again?" Ren muttered, walking towards the location where the warrior monks are gathered in.

"I think warrior monks are the equivalent for regular monks, not entirely--but we all have our own beliefs. In fact, we have a major code which helps us focus on our mission," Kaizo spoke, walking beside him during term break with the others. "So, let's just call him Bhante, we don't even fucking know what's his Dharma name," Izumo mutters in whisper, feeling annoyed after being pulled by Hakuren. Ren hummed as he thought for a second and he sighed, he waved at Yifan while walking with his friends. "It's you guys again," Yifan greeted him, patting his binturong who wandered around his shoulders.

Eiko grinned at him as she loves his binturong so much, as it looks so fluffy and cute; she also had some for herself as a pet and her komodo dragon friend called Bobby--Konami and Hyde were still feeling exhausted due to them got drained from the exhaustion from the Phantom Beast and going back and forth throughout Indonesia. Shiro wasn't talking to Hyde since the last event and he was playing with Shenlan, he had to keep himself at peace. "Bhante, right? We don't call you by your first name when the warrior monks are here. Usually we called you guys Venerable, some are vice versa or so."

Yifan sighed, before he unfolded his arms. "Fine, my Dharma name is Meishin Yangten--keep in mind that I have two lineages within me. So there, pray you wouldn't forget my name again. Also, you know you shouldn't be here right?" he reminded, it seems like they were in bad mood after the Dust Cultists were messing with them. "Crap, I forgot you're with them--also, what's up?" Ren exclaimed. Yifan was with Jiaheng the whole time and they investigated about the corrupted sutras and it must be the Dust Cultists at fault, which he hold the corrupted sutras that the Dust Cultists gathered. "We're trying to cure the corrupted sutra, thanks to His Excellency and Hierarchy Clergy Foundation for assistance. It would take time before we gathered the parts and try to read it together so we don't disturb the natural balance," he replied, crossing his arms.

"Ah, I see... we want to ask if you guys know Kuran's real name, I know we shouldn't refer deities by real name since it's disrespectful but this is an emergency," Kaizo explained, smiling briefly with them and asking kindly to them. Yifan arched his eyebrows in confusion, a lot of doubts within his mind. "God of Pledge's real name? His name isn't Lánzhōng, Kuran is just a 'human' name given by his father who he adopted..." he explained the truth. "He's known as Dizang Bodhisattva of Immeasurable Knowledge, because that's how it called him according to monk and warrior monks."

They were confused, they never knew he was not a human after all.

Hakuren stared at her friends, she was confused--they thought that Ren was his descendant, but to think this god isn't even human but also a celestial that died for who-knows-how-many-years and later reincarnated as human, his vessel in the past was himself before passed through Ren and his father--Rihan. "Look, every gods hides their true names because their powers and attributes might affect the nature if someone from outside uses it, so... it's his real name too and Kuran is just a given human name from his adopted father... he didn't wanted to tell, you know. It also applies to Sakura the God of Rebirth, Ruanyi the God of Creation and Tenzing the God of Chaos, what do you expect me to tell the name?"

The students nodded at the news, they were shocked--especially Ren who know about Sakura and Ruanyi for the first time, which means... they were INDEED more than just a deity. "There are court deities above Phantom Samsara, they're a fallen deities who were unpleasant the Heavenly Gods' order so they choose to abide in Earth--the stories of these gods are just a little vague to cover up their identities from them--let's just say... different," he told them, making them nodded in agreement. When a deity falls from the ranks and chooses to live among humans, most were known as the Fallen Deities as they have unusual beauty in humans' eyes and the ancient poets made a lot of lyrics and poems about them.

"So, does Nanda...?"

"Nanda is still a God of Wealth, but she died alone in the hands of his 'son'. Her remaining power and strength is gone and all she ever been is vengeance on his former lover's descendants, by the way--it's not safe to reveal her original name but I'll tell you anyways. Her real name is Vaisravana Bodhisattva... during her hours, when someone from Heavenly Rulers didn't like her for becoming Vaisravana, the previous one was more than her and... she was exiled because one mistake. Yes, she's infamous because she married to Kuran. Gods aren't allowed to fall in love with mortals nor immortals, don't you know that? Her actions cost a lot and the war ended because Kuran lost his heart after his first wife's death."

A tragedy for Kuran... no wonder he's doubting his relationship with her as he didn't even see him as a bride, just like a partner. At this rate, his hope for life went to void as he kept himself waiting for hope--in fact, that's why he doesn't want the cultists to kill him. "So, technically... Nanda is not supposed to marry Kuran?" Konami asked, feeling disbelief and slightly worried when she noticed Ren calmed down too. Yifan shook his head with a smile, before telling them with serious stare. "You shouldn't trust too much of their words no matter how genuine they are, because one betrayal lead to so many fallout, pain, and ruin as once their faith collide like that... it's irreversible. A single misunderstanding can lead to unforgivable crime."

Jiaheng nodded as she walked towards them, the female warrior monk stood beside him and continued. "We know the whole story, not just from one side... two fallen deities who didn't get along and both have conflicting goals--almost resulted in catastrophic outcome. Instead... they hide their motives and intentions from others, before it was too late... they have their own goals too, and even Kuran didn't know until it was the very end that she got killed. During the years, deities usually have their own families--at this rate, I feared that this world would slowly become more corrupt after Shura..."

"So, you warrior monks already know it."

Kuran spoke when he approached them, frowning with a wry smile as if he already knew they will spill everything to them after mentioning the forbidden name. Rihan followed when he accompanied him, he nodded at his son Ren as he was shocked by the full discovery of his hidden truth. The god walked through them and approaching at the window, staring at the lotus floating on the pond. Yifan remained silent, but Jiaheng approached to bow at him. "Your Excellency, Dizang Pusa," Jiaheng greeted him, before he held up his hand. "it's alright, you don't need to be afraid to say my true name to my--well... descendants from the reincarnation, I can't keep saying I don't have a connection to them..."

Ren wasn't offended, but he didn't want to judge his actions as well. He finally know who this deity actually, a god known with power that was separated and he can already sense it--it's connected to the Seven Court Deities and he was one of the Seven Court Deities. Sakura giggled as she floats beside Ruanyi who holds her yueqin and Tenzing now standing with his arms folded, before she folded her fingers. "Ren, everyone... we're so sorry that we hide these things from you for so long," Sakura apologized, she bowed. Tenzing glanced at him with his emerald-gold eyes, grinning slyly. "Apologies for that," he snickered, Ruanyi rolled her eyes, before looking away from them. Dinda was surprised as well, she also noticed the other three court deities are here but from the distance.

"No, it's fine guys... you guys helped us through this, in fact. We wanted to hear it directly from a source, before figuring it out ourselves," Ren replied, smiling with conviction. "Say, do you deities want to join us and fight in the final battle? I'm aware that no enemies can never win against us, but we have limits you know..." he snarked, leaning his arm towards the wall and smirked slyly. Kaizo snorted in a slight reaction, sighing quietly. "We'll assist in the plan, and I think it's suitable. In case other people learn that truth, they might feel unsatisfied or something."

Yifan was dropping his cigarette and stomping it, before he addressed their real names. "Puxian, Wenshu, and Guanyin... we can chat and talk about this with you guys," Yifan referred them in Chinese while he smiled in annoyance, he was glancing around the hall as there's no doubt they're here... when Shiro sensed them hiding. "Not funny, guys! Guess is all of you are joining us?" Ren teased, seeing those deities appearing in their true form with no changes in facial appearance, he just noticed a symbol that appeared. He noticed that Ruanyi never changed as a celestial since she's literally the God of Creation, her ability still the same--just hiding her true identity. "Which means... we're dealing with Nanda and her cult in case she got revived, gods fucking damn it."

"We never gave up in everything, dear fallen Vaisravana..." Ruanyi pointed out, playing her yueqin calmly and sitting on her stool, glancing at them after her glance. "Now, it's the time to decide your true intentions and goals... all these that happened were just mere mistakes and circumstances were an impact to the future."

In the monastery...

While the warrior monks, the Abbot and the monks were talking with their gods--Ren had to figure out a plan to stop the cult from recovering Nanda's power to find all of her severed spirit parts and create her complete form. They don't want that to happen, they need to prevent that from happening otherwise, they'll doomed the world--again. "Nanda doesn't like poverty, she believes that wealth will save her from it... she's not immune, like a fallen god. Well, she used it for survival and survival is all that matters for a being, a deity isn't free from it because they need money to survive like humans."

Kaizo spoke, he knew Ren is sensitive when he recalled his rough life with poverty and shit as a child. "She had no love for life after Kuran's death, that's why she wanted to take over him and marry him because he's the only hope left for her as a 'survival'. But, she still loved him even until death... and she knew that Kuran always true to his duty as a court deity instead of hers."

All of them understood, they're reading a certain book that says Kuran, Nanda, and another deities in secret place away from society, they're trying to unveil what happens with these deities--it was written in the legend. Turns out, the warrior monks already know about the entire story from the beginning--just that they're trying to guide them so no one got their personal feelings towards gods within their thoughts.

One night, Izumo found Kaizo on the courtyard after he practiced doing some zen, he watched at the distance and thought about the recent circumstances, Rihan was sitting on the edge while talking to respective fathers of Ren's friends. They were discussing on how to stop the revival of Vaisravana, mostly the reasons that she's the God of Wealth and supposed to accept her peaceful rest. The rest had a conversation and rest their energy before going to some research on more knowledge, as much as Kuran hid the book as his memories were within those words and wrote to not to be revealed.

"One shall not break the law of nature and Karma--and that's the very reason why the world continue in its cycle... that's what she have in mind. As it was told, she's also the very one who tried to destroy the chaos. She did whatever it takes... even abusing her divine powers, and she felt it's not enough as a member of court deities..." Izumo whispered as he sat beside Kaizo, trying to encourage him to sleep. He yelped when Kaizo elbowed his side, he grumbled. "Don't disturb my meditation you motherfucker..."

Ren called them to go inside, he asked everyone that he believed there must be secret area within the underground temple but he need to know his ancestor's real name since the Gods' Temple. He was meditating while using a radar to detect any hidden place in the hidden areas of Surabaya as he folded his arms, his vision shows a lot of things about the Dust Cultists, including the ritual to summon the dead. For this, he must prepare and bring their comrades to enter it. "Crap, they even stole the soul orb of the real Vaisravana... those fuckers actually had the guts to revive her vessel!" he muttered to himself, he clenched his teeth after he concluded that the enemy must be that confident to get the orb if the warriors were too occupied with the 'massacred ritual', that bastard.

Ren eventually calmed down when he focused on his true goal, before opening his eyes when he sensed Yifan arrived. He stopped searching for the location and told them what he heard from his own vision, Yifan already read a lot of book regarding on how the Gods' Temple is constructed with complex techniques and methods, only to realize that they shouldn't be open the souls and forbidden paths--but Ren had to open a forbidden door if he need to go in at all. "You better not do anything rash, Riyanda," he warned Ren, knowing this mission is not meant to be easily done because there's one key to activate the gate.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"From what we gathered about this cult, turns out the cult's real name is Golden Wealth's Order--the Indonesian Supreme Sangha warned us about this cult as well. The warriors who fight for order and balanced is not your everyday warrior you had fought, because the Order of Gold consists of the most elite warriors..." he continued, telling Ren to never be reckless. "They have their own monks, they were known as black monks because they were corrupted and worshipping the wrong way of Buddhism, this cult was the main cause for spreading dark arts and using their powers to gain more in the worst way possible. There's also Phantom Beasts gathering around the area, probably guarding their hideout."

Jiaheng stood on the branch of the high tree in the night with the other warrior monks, she used her enhanced vision to zoom the hideout closer at the area in the island almost far from Surabaya. She can see the shining red-orange radiant glow in the sky as the air looks more windy, so they have some kind of barrier to prevent their nemesis. The warrior monk saw the Black Moths, Jade Cicadas (swarms of bugs) and Phantom Spiders (spider soldiers) surrounding the perimeter, with their high-alert standing by and made everyone gulped when they're all going to ambush the enemy along the way. The dust suddenly scattered and covered up the place, it looks like the place has its own wind barrier from the outside. "Bhante Lobsang," one of the warrior monks addressed Jiaheng by her Dharma name and title, since all warrior monks also has Dharma name like the other monks. "We will dispatch as a scouts and attack them to gain some important intel, but I believe... some warrior monks should back up the frontlines."

Jiaheng hummed, she muttered a mantra and saw something. A group of shadows appeared, as the golden speckles began to turn into a form of the wind spell from the dark clouds. "Those Black Moths have high resistance to wind, if I recall--wind, earth, and thunder spells shouldn't be casted to them due to their immunity. I believe we still have at least five of them and we only have few minutes to calculate the plan for infiltrating the enemy's hideout, so those exorcists should get some holy water as the weapon."

She stated, before she saw a large spider attacking them from the distance--the scrolls began to surround her as she casted a powerful golden lights after the chants. The warrior monks nod, they believed on her or else, they will destroy the whole cultists here. Jiaheng continued her recitation, closing her eyes before smiling confidently. "It appears like we need more reinforcements, for we suspected that at least the cultists are more than hundred."

Yifan told Ren to get his team and prepare themselves, Hyde and the rest looked worried but they needed to keep their energy intact before all hell break loose on the ritual they're preparing now. Kuran, Tenzing, Sakura and Ruanyi began their prayers with the monks because they were dealing with the dark arts here and during that--no one will catch anyone off guard. "Nanda... I won't let you ruin this again, I don't understand why she kept coming back to face me--especially for the past errors we have done. Guess that's the price for our lives, huh?" Ren growled, before he goes with his six Vidyadhara friends and headed to the seashore where the island in the distance could be seen--there's a barrier on it and Jiaheng explained that the cultists were preparing something by the Golden Temple as she and the other scouting warrior monks caught what is that facility.

Giving in to the thoughts of vengeance, even Kuran was deeply effected when he learnt the truth on how cruel his foster-father was before and later turned Nanda to sane so the evil and vengeance within her came slowly crept upon her mind. The warriors are prepared when the battles begin, because the cultists managed to break a lot of things and they must prevent this from happening at all costs. Ren unleashed his two polearms; the Cosmic Wrath and Samsara Blade in his hands, creating a gold-red aura around him and there were were ancient characters floating up and down around him--in addition of the Vermillion Bird manifestation around him.

Kaizo unleashed his katana as he produced a violet energy with violet waves around him, along the ancient characters that he has as the Azure Dragon began to manifest across him. Izumo unlocked his tanegashima (matchlock) and has bluish lights around him, creating a water-like waves from his element and also the White Tiger. Lastly, Hakuren made a sea-green colored aura with turquoise color from her katana--alongside a Black Tortoise with a serpent around it.

Dinda played her zither when a purplish aura surrounding her with ancient texts around her, producing a melody that manifested into arrows as she has a Huli jing symbol as well around her, Shenlan grabbed her three weapons and held them as soon as they emit red colored energies--with a symbol of Bixi on her as well. Then, Farlan summoned his axe-like polearm as his true weapon--revealing a yellow energy and represent the Qilin. The SHANGRI-LA team is a group of Vidyadharas who's known as 'wisdom-holders' and successors of the deities who sealed the true villains for long, including the Gods themselves.

Ren became a leader of SHANGRI-LA as he was considered the 'supervisor' of the group, he commands his fellow members to advance and eliminate the threats that incoming. They clashed onto the enemies once they arrived at the Golden Temple, the island was in control by the cultists as they saw a large tree with a skeleton standing inside of it. He chanted a mantra to clear his mind before focusing on his goal, that was his first step to enter the inner temple until he passed the holy river that was formed from the ritual. The cultists began to fight with the Vidyadharas; the divine warriors started slashing through them, Farlan killed many with his weapon before he started slashing the monsters and creatures that getting on their way as the two demons began to follow the leader.

Dinda used her zither to produce elemental projectiles while jumping on trees with agility before noticing an elephant beast coming at her from the distance, her eyes widened and she landed onto a banyan tree before twirling onto it. The Vidyadhara shot three strings using the zither that soon turns into sharp-shaped arrow and it pierce into the elephant's chest, dropping onto its knees. The monkey-like Phantom Beast caught her in time, she closed her eyes when the chakras began to descend. As she plucked a string, an arrow-like blasts released, defeating the monsters while she landed beside the snake demon and she allowed the blast to hit the demon.

Hakuren made a large ice lotus made the target frozen completely, spinning her weapon as she saw a snake spirit heading at her before she sliced through it. Then, she saw Konami slashed her katana through the undead who just got revived by the cultists--kicking her foot towards the spider's head that fell off and she yelled. "Watch out, Konami!"

Konami slid on the puddle and her katana clashed with the war axe from the recently revived evil beast, she began to counter with her graceful agility as the spirit kept chasing her. Her eyes widened when she saw an upcoming attack by the serpent and Hyde slashed his rapier towards the creature, beheading it and landed on the ground. "Thanks, partner!" Konami thanked her boyfriend, seeing another monster coming at them as Jiaheng shield herself by using a large shield made of light energy from her sutra before she stabbed the monster.

Izumo shot the cyclone winds onto the enemies to knock them off, catching his breath before he noticed the swarms of black moths coming at them as Jiaheng warned him by avoiding that. Riding on top of the tiger made of wind that was formed, as Kaizo followed Ren behind him and wielding his azure blade. After that, Ren teleported and reappeared behind the enemies to ambush them and one of the black monks conjured a fire that engulfed Ren, his two pairs of feathered wings popped out and managed to push the attacker.

"Where's the temple key, fuckers?!" Ren demanded, seeing one of them laughed evilly and replied. "The key lies to the broken gates... never you tell to forget to mend it back, Court Deity's vassals!" one of them snapped, before he got restrained by Shenlan's chains before stabbing him to the death with her sword. "Don't talk shit if you don't want me to eradicate your soul, scum. If you gonna reveal the important item of my ancestors, then... you might as well die," Shenlan said, a sadistic smile crept up on her lips. The cultists screamed when Ren unleashed the red laser on the place, his iris turned crimson as the target got defeated to their death.

Ren began to examine the altar, he had to dig out the key since it was hidden. "Now... where's Nanda? Tell me, one of you black monks," he asked in a calm demeanor, walking closer to the dying black monks on the floor before kicking them on their face. "How dare you! Vaisravana's gonna be so mad after this--"

"Did you ever think of talking for so long, or did you consider death a bit of a privilege? Look at you, you're lucky if someone decides to take the money instead of this corpse... for what? For something that is eternal and worthless to most," Ren interrupted, looking down on the deceased enemy with his arms folded--feeling a little impatient. "Turns out, she believed that only the wealth can save her life but in fact--she needs love and hope more to be sane again, money doesn't worth anything right now."

Yifan grinned slyly, Ren was like a devil from the eyes of his enemies; he couldn't help himself--he was impressed by his 'true' personality before. 'This is interesting... he's indeed has SOMETHING that Kuran doesn't have,' he thought, walking with the other warrior monk on the island to search for the special barrier. "She thinks that only wealth can get us through in the worst situations, she fears that her precious riches would be taken away from the one she loves and fears. Listen, if you want to obtain wealth--do it from zero... there's no such thing as money grow from the trees and give luck," he added, before grabbing his two weapons and teleported away before the enemy tried to shoot him.

The rest managed to arrive at the final boss room, they have to defeat the army of the monks, including the elite monks from the Order of Gold who wore pure golden robes and headdresses. On top of them stood a floating platform, with Nanda sitting on it with dark violet aura emanating from her after a group of monks sacrificing to her in the middle of her resurrection. Not only that, the deceased corpse of Shūhei and Hakusan are here too--waiting for their revival. "Shiro, Eiko!" he yelled at the two, Shiro still retained his white tiger arms while standing beside him and Eiko had her dual handguns with chains attached. "Lure these two undead outside, I'll deal with Nanda... alone," he said, staring at Nanda before looking back.

They managed to lure them both, Hakuren called their support and started to dodge every attack coming her way. Eiko and Shenlan managed to fight with the duo, while Konami ran and used her feet with her black thigh-high strapped boots as her secondary weapon to create a diversion. Shiro transformed fully to his animal, roaring as he smacked his hand on the floor to initiate a thump before aiming his hands at Shūhei. Eiko narrowed her eyes as she faced Hakusan together with Hakuren, she was conflicted at first when he was her former lover. "If I need to destroy you back, I'll do it," she frowned, before activating her ability and managed to strike him using her ice blasts--leaving cuts on his body.

"Hakusan, everything is in the past now... I've moved on, but you know what I can't turn away without doing it for a good reason. Even the god used their abilities to protect something in this world," Eiko replied, revealing her dual pistols and Hakuren swung her katana to free him from the curse. Both Hakuren and Eiko began fighting against him, while Hyde went outside before he was attacked by one of the elite monks, his eyes darkened as his blades showed his dark gold-black aura surrounding his blades. Konami kicked the elite monk with her powerful harsh kick, throwing the monk in the air when she received her attacks before being thrown back as the brawl continue.

Hakusan seemed to be awakened, he understood despite the cuts that revealed his wounds and bruises on his face. "Eiko, Hakuren... we meet again, huh?" Hakusan hissed, dodging a slash from a swordswoman who wielding her katana from the Vidyadhara. He manifested his two silver guns, before he smirked. "Besides... I can't wait to have another battle with you two," he added, chuckling darkly.

Hyde took the lead to start attacking with his agility--he knew those monks has the ability that can reflect projectiles, he got his blade pierced into the wall as he noticed them running after him before one of the undead tried to charge against him. Konami stabbed the undead and kicked his head, before dodging the sword as she flipped and jumped over the elite monk before stabbing the enemy from behind. "Shit, there's endless of them!" she yelled.

Shiro fought against Shūhei as he had to evade his scythe attack, as he made a distance on the ground and Shiro narrowed his eyes. "Shiro... you loved me, remember? You said that forgiving Hakusan... is right, despite his crimes? Is that true?" he asked with a sadistic smile, Shiro's pupils shrunk when the memory comes back. Shūhei begun to summon the skeletons to fight against him, Shiro narrowed his eyes as he dodged a blow from the blade before he summoned the golden spirit dragons who roared towards his adversary--using the prayer beads that given by Yifan. "Hakusan may have a terrible past, but his crime does not warrant a sentence... even I, myself have done terrible things but this time, I decided to fight with my friends... no matter how many enemies we get. Because being someone good... isn't entirely bad, even if you done terrible tings--you can do something good to atone for your sins, especially to redeem yourself for the greater good," he replied, in the language of living creatures.

Eiko evaded a spear on the temple grounds, a bunch of black monks charged towards her when she made an ice slide towards them and freezing them on the area. "Hah!" she snapped, shooting the ground that creates a shards of ice that were thrown towards the enemies before they were immediately destroyed with one shooting. One of the black monks stopped in the track, holding a burning lantern before aiming at her. "Come at me!" he shouted, before she growled as Hakusan immediately slashed all of the black monks in her speed. Then, Eiko glared at Hakusan and scoffed. "You think I care about breakup after that incident? That black hair of yours made you look uglier... I thought you're the only one."

Hakusan's crystal blue eyes widened at this, but he understood the situation--the person he loved before wants to keep her life intact, and he no longer considered her as his first lover now. "Kagerou may be dead, but he made you like this and you can't get your white hair back... you said that there's no other way--but there is!" she shouted, before clenching her grip on her dual guns. "You don't want to fight... yet, you choose to leave your friends. There's a certain way you can redeem yourself... for the world and your own redemption, I'm not saying that I'm right... but seeing you suffering like this--you have to stop..."

"Say what, Eiko... would you--" Hakusan paused, her words were true after all and he felt regretful and guilty. She was the first human he fell for, and the girl who always make sure his father Reoh is alright--even sympathizing with him. "Are you happy... that you see your late-mother up there?" she asked, pointing at the moon that was shining upon them. They continued their fight Hakusan couldn't find the strength to answer her question without anger getting on to his head. He understood that the decision he have might be wrong, Hakuren appeared and managed to immobilize the said undead with a wave of ice, which she managed to knock off Shūhei back to life. "Hakusan, you may not be able to love me like we used to, so am I... because I realized that seeing you like this--"

Hakusan paused when she spoke the truth about him; he knew about his hidden intentions and selfishness was driving him into doom as he saw him leaving the team before. His heart almost ached, realizing the mistakes he had done and regrets it as he learned Eiko also have that feeling too. "Say, you loved Akane right? I don't know if she's alive or not--but if you regret for not loving her back and vice versa, now's the time to say you're sorry... before it's too late. Life has her own limitation and the way to stop Nanda... is within our allies," she replied, being cold and emotionless.

Eiko lost her parents in Phantom Eruption, it made her yearning for someone that be there in her life... before meeting her former boyfriend. She was there for him and his father's help, making her understand his situation and her understanding towards anyone are at the best. Hyde and Konami let them have their own opinions and thoughts, no matter how dark their past had became. "If I'm annoying and a burden to you, I'm truly sorry..." she sobbed silently, looking down on the ground. Hyde and Konami walked towards them and decided to deal with it, as the said couple had to stop him.

"I have the amulet to purify them, the one that Bhante Jiaheng gave to us," Konami spoke, tossing the golden prayer beads similar to what Shiro carries towards Eiko. "Purify them, the enemies were going to retaliate and you know how did you defeat him, right?"

Hyde started moving by pushing Shūhei when he received a blow from Konami, managing to make Shūhei caught his curved blade and Shiro restrained Shūhei when he pounced on the enemy. He widened his eyes and managed to reflect the claw strikes, Shiro's eyes widened in shock when he reflected his attacks and sending him back on the surface. "Shūhei!" he yelled, before he hold the undead's head with his hand that has the golden prayer beads--it made Shūhei yelled in pain by the said purification.

Shiro's eyes darkened after Eiko and Hakuren managed to corner Hakusan, he glared at his adversaries. "That's enough of your nonsense! Don't keep on making me feel pain, every single damn that I remembered when your whole body had gone foul!" Hakusan yelled, summoning his iced spear, swinging it and slashing Hakuren on her arms. "No... don't!" Shiro gasped, seeing blood trickling down on her wounded forearms when the ice from her sword melting down after Hakusan already sliced through her--but Hakuren spat the blood on his face as she regenerated herself; watching Hakusan stepped back and tried to wipe the blood from his eyes.

Eiko was panting heavily, before she closed her eyes and smirked--she stand up and scoffed. "Pain? You're the one who need to grow up and you need to stop being so gullible, now it's time to remove that blackness of your hair," she growled, before she formed a dust on her palm and blow it to his eyes, he yelled in pain as the dust blinding him. She spun and slammed her fist towards Hakusan, forming a hole on the ground where he fell in. "It won't hold him for long..." she panted. "But, this should be enough..."

Hakusan smirked when he manifested his black iced spikes as if Kagerou possessed him, until his eyes widened that the shadow iced weapon turning into light when she has the prayer beads on her wrist. "Now..." she panted, still injured like the rest but it's worth to have it--before she kneeled down and put her hands on his head and closed her eyes with him. As she was in his subconscious, Eiko saw Hakusan who was confused in his surroundings--he still has a short white hair with long bangs over his crystal blue eyes and pale complexion; wearing the previous uniform he used to have.

"Hakusan."

He turn around to see Eiko is here, instead of anger--he remained stern but not aggressive and cold like before. "Why you bring me here, Eiko? Are you here to save me? Or... you're just wanted my death?" he snarled, before Eiko walked towards him when the flower petals are coming up from the ground. "No, I came here to save you, besides... despite your crime--this prayer beads can give you a chance to reborn and make a rebirth from scratch. I wanted you to move forward for the redemption, you can't resist your father's influence or else you will be weak with darkness and the god itself is your weakness... you have to move on from the past and remember that strength exists within you--because you have to try... to forgive yourself."

Hakusan and Eiko were at least young when they met for the first time, he felt a pain within him as a certain pain in his chest were stabbing him within--he felt tears building up from his eyes but the ice barrier is preventing him to let it out. "You don't realize that what you're trying to do is becoming a villain, it may look understandable... but it was just you underestimated by everyone and you don't even bother to learn your lesson... we're still immature back then. You missed your mother, right? I know how it feels, because I have lost one too..." Eiko said, trying not to cry when Hakusan touched her by grabbing her hand. "Say, I don't care about what did you did wrong in the past... as long as there's someone who watched your back all this time, even when I'm no longer with you as a girlfriend..." she said with a smile.

"No, Eiko..."

He stopped her from talking, Hakusan could feel his eyes are tearing up as he lets it out--he heard his ancestors were like this but he can't fight the impulse to shed a tear. "You were born in unfortunate life, even the hatred deep inside made you suffer from cold and silence... but still--you're not alone..." Hakusan wept, when he's doing a redemption from his past misdeed. "Hakusan... I didn't regret our past relationship, because I know I had to go my path and no matter what... you won't find me ever again in your dreams," Eiko said, smiling.

"To have my memories about you, all of them because it's fun... was special... it is true that you couldn't let it go and I used to hold on to those times, not everything is gonna be the same as it always was. The pain you inflicted, the mistakes you do, the past that seems like now I can just try to forgive you as you forgave me--is healing. I want to share my pain and my joy, because I found it stronger that way... and I don't regret anything because it showed me the path towards more respect."

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