*ೃ༄

The high school graduation has begun, Ren couldn't believe he has went through this phase and he couldn't believe he had to part ways with his juniors in high school and some teachers as well. Time has passes, he already prepared his speech paper but screw this shit because he might not look at it and memorize the fuck out of it. All he thought was how is he going to speak professionally like a leader (or professor perhaps?) without sounding so stupid, he was in absolute shit when he was chosen by the headmaster for the speech on behalf of the graduated Diploma Programme students like him.

They still have seven days left before the graduation date, Ren was laying on the floor like a fucking log and Kaizo facepalmed at his panic--Izumo wanted to laugh so bad and Hakuren frowned when she saw their friend was super nervous. "Relax, will you! We're all in the same boat here," Kaizo patted his shoulder, trying to cheer him up from his horrible, freaking mood. He looked so tired that he hasn't eaten nor sleep, but he already ate his French toast so he couldn't do anything now. "If you're hungry or something, we bought some macaroons," Hakuren took a box out of the bag, giving him one green macaroon from the box. "Damn, he's an absolute mess now," Andini grumbled at her friend, they couldn't believe Ren became anxious when he's having a panic attack on speech-writing or reading and memorizing everything.

'If it was all this simple, then we don't have to deal with problems!' Ren griped in his thoughts, while he's eating his macaron--he couldn't get distracted by eating so he have to think of a damn idea or at least thinking positive things. Otherwise, their teachers might laugh at him or called him weird or laugh of him! 'Fear is not stronger than one...'

"DUDE! STOP FINISHING THE MACAROONS!" Izumo and Hakuren yelled, stealing the macaroon out of his mouth which he almost was being choked by them. Izumo grabbed the paper from him, feeling hopeless--although his junior members were no help for him during those times. "Now, this is why all of us and our juniors can't be surprised for the annual meeting..."

At the evening, Ren was just staring at a window when Kaizo was sitting in front of him, having another debate again because it's been a while since Ren and his friends no longer part of Student Council. "You're such a dumbass!" Kaizo groaned when he dropped his notes, but still manages to continue on to read. "How do you sleep at night? Aren't you always worried or anything?" Ren questioned, it was 10:30 AM and he wondered how does the Scions were doing. "Hell, I live normally. Also, you supposed to be good at making announcement remember? Back when we're having hectic events and shit?" Kaizo asked, because he knew Ren is skilled at making announcement by his vocal abilities to hype up his class. "That's different, making a graduation speech?"

"Why it's so hard?"

'Yeah, even how he's comfortable telling his 'autobiography' to the public. He's too overqualified for this kind of job...' Andini thought as she laid on her side, leaving her eyes closed. Izumo yawned when it was nearing 11:30 AM, before he turned to the Vidyadhara. "He may not like to admit it, but it's really his way of making the crowd lively, energetic and they wanted him to do it more," he hummed with a grin, Hakuren snickered while shaking her head a bit. "Yeah, as energetic and passionate as he is--he always be the 'energetic' guy he is," Hakuren replied, Ren sighed when he think about it--it's not just about graduation speech; but he also have to present it without breaking into pieces or just an accident or trouble happened that they wouldn't go outside to celebrate.

What can happen anyway?

Ever since their alliance against Heaven Court by destroying the divine deities and the everything that going on in their adventures, he really liked adventures a LOT--especially his mind to show him the future and everything. There are so many that was hidden by human knowledge and history for so long, it felt like watching a news about the gods did when they left the world behind to seek the new discoveries--no wonder they vanished without a single trace. "Like, you start with the opening first and thanks to them for their help and contributions, we're still here discussing like a teacher about exams or future or..." Kaizo rephrased the content, holding back his laughter as he imagine the situation.

"We wouldn't go out there like that. We didn't know if our destination will be the last one, nor will we know what the god's intentions..." Ren muttered, before he closed his eyes with a deep breath and feeling a sense of foreboding once again. Was that visions showed him where this was gonna lead? Even he didn't know--the result might just go in the right path and he was just being paranoid. "Huh? Something wrong?" Izumo asked, Ren shook his head. "No, it's fine... it's just feels nostalgic now, I guess."

Hakuren wondered how is Farlan, Shenlan and Dinda for few past years, feeling proud of them for being their allies and able to help Ren during their adventure together. "Look man, just act like you're a Vidyadhara again--keep it professional."

'I guess, this might be an easy path...' Ren hummed in his thoughts, crossing his legs on the couch when he took the sheets of paper--he was having a conversation with his own thoughts as he sat down, in his break. "Alright, what help this time, hm?" he heard his father Rihan asked, approaching him and his friends in his bedroom. "Mr. Tjahyana, we're helping Ren for his graduation speech!" Andini greeted his father, while Rihan chuckled when he spotted his son was feeling nervous. "Oh? It's going to be tough, huh? This is an official announcement, I bet many will watch your graduation."

"You're not helping, dad," Ren said, grumbling at him. Rihan laughed, before he ruffled his hair. "See? You have a bunch of classmates after all, or at least some friends. You did learn a lot of stuff during your three years in high school after all," he patted his shoulder and asked the other guests to stay until the dinner's ready. Ren took a deep breath, his soul is relieved from his busy daily activity but it still bugs him sometimes. He continued searching for something for the preparation, before he began with starting a speech.

And things get really crazy later...

Things that one didn't expect will come true, Ren couldn't believe it.

He stared at the text that his father send him during his break in training; the graduation is next week and for the commencement there will be some important discussion about some laws involving the deities and the future people. "Man, no wonder all of us are excited--except the debate between mortals and divines is getting tougher," Izumo groaned, only to get a smack from Kaizo to his face and Hakuren elbowed his shoulder. "Woah... okay, that hurts!"

They spend their time at school with mixed reactions in the cafeteria, for real everyone are freaking out for real. Ren was being a leader to prepare everything, because it's their duty to get everything on check. Since their exams are already over, Ren decided to let Kaizo, Hakuren and Izumo take a break because he noticed that Izumo and Kaizo looked like they're panicking as hell. 'These idiots gonna bust from their duties huh... now you know how it feels like to have a speech prepared in 4 hours...' he thought, leaving the three to deal with their mess. However, Ren frowned a little--he surely missed this Student Council office (even though he hated it because this is WHERE their stress starts).

He opened the door, turning on the lights as he saw some dust collected and began to clean it. 'Let's get this shizzle started!' he thought, going into 'ready' mode. He began to clean up the dust on the storage room, it has been part of their resources when they're part of the Student Council and when they're busy with some events. Until, he came across an old scrolls, filled with poems or legends and many history related with the past... such as the oracles' prophecy, the first generation Vidyadhara, and the World History which depicted some symbols that are similar to the ones he saw on Izumo's house when they're investigating about the Phantom Eruption and the classification of Phantom Beasts.

He also saw an old book about gods' favorite culinary recipes to prepare during the festivals, which was pretty useful if any events happened, a famous fair with food booths and pop out activities that had popular game where food that were served depends on your luck of the draw. He hummed, because he has been wanting to make an event for his graduating batch, and they might open up the project again! 'If it's related to graduation, it's going to be nice,' he thought. So, he checked the calendar to see if there is no events that needed their confirmation or permission, as far as he know... he could set a proposal as part of new Student Council's involvement for their past achievements or as a way to attract the newcomers. 'Our goal of setting a new project needs to be approved and recommended by the former members and approved by the board.'

The next day, he set up a plan while eating some ice cream--that was his usual thing he always do when he's stressed. But, today is the second day so there's only six days left before his freaking graduation! When he finished his morning chores and homework, he decided to search about it by asking a few people and also took some recommendations. Kaizo narrowed his eyes when Ren explained to him, making him took off his glasses. "Woah, you're making a what? I mean, we should give a last event for them! I can't remember about this section, geez..." Kaizo grumbled, munching on his cheesecake roll--damn, the temptation of this cheese cake was screaming in his ears when he saw this delicious devil.

"Come on, Kaizo... I'm not a typical person who works in the office--I prefer to work in field activities such as outdoor plans, but I never tried handling any administration works before that," Ren shrugged. "Well, not directly... but the council did call our help, don't they?" he put a finger on his chin as he recalled a few moments, which Kaizo sighed softly. "Fine, besides... I always want to give a last gift for our school."

Ren beamed, feeling his spirit has renewed--now they need to fix this! "Wait, didn't they need our support to participate?!" Ren pointed to himself, waving his hand with a casual smile which Kaizo rolled his eyes. Seriously, he's being a clumsy dude in social life like usual--but still he's their bestest friend.

Izumo was surprised when Ren explained to him, with a bewildered expression--eyes widened in shock when the amber brown-haired boy began to tell him about this. "Damn, now you're like a typical character in anime trying to reach its goals to be accomplished," he replied with a huge grin, leaning against the chair. Hakuren rolled her eyes at her fellow friend, before she glanced at him. "We're fine with it, we told Konami that she wanted to give a last theatre play for her fun though. Guess they didn't know what happened in the council, my man."

Ren laughed as his response, raising his thumbs as he had to be ready with the notes and make an appointment with them. "Woah, you want to what?" Eiko asked when she sat beside Hakusan, while Hyde was listening as well with Konami. "Yeah, come on guys... let's just discuss about it," Ren said as he waved the others and they settle down around them in the courtyard. It turned out, Shenlan, Farlan and Dinda walked inside and also join them. "It sounds fun, because we also have to give a happy farewell--not sad one!" Shenlan chirped, smiling brightly. "The joy, the happiness... is a much better present!"

Shenlan turned out to be a good speaker just like Ren, they exchange happy thoughts and plans for their next event for the upcoming graduate class.

Ren cleared his throat, folding his arms as he smiled. He waited for the room to be completely silent, eyes surveyed with his serious gaze before he spoke. "We are, as the people... want justice, freedom and truth as our main ambition. People worked hard during difficult situations and survive when times comes for us to fight, and thus we gain strength. Today, this place has protected peace and harmony, many challenges and obstacles to come and strengthen our determination."

It took a week to prepare the proposal, as many heard of that sudden act and joined in to help. Ren listened to their opinions, before it was carefully selected and written in a list that most important things to deal with. He didn't get much workload unlike last year due to it's already wrapped up neatly and the procedures has been done as he still focused to work with this issue. Everyone who he asked had to let them and didn't disturb their junior student council activities, only his friends have to help them. "Alright, now it's time for plan-making!" Ren exclaimed, making the students squealed and cheered in excitement.

'Man, I can't believe I'm already doing this...'

While making the draft of the proposal was more than a piece of cake, the important parts would need approval from the board of administration and/or parent's consent--many of their seniors were quite amused when they're on different moods. "When did you become the freaking boss of everything anyway?!" Izumo snapped at Ren, who kept ordering them around (which didn't bother Kaizo and Hakuren at all). "You ordered me before, so it's even now," Ren replied casually, before he yelped when Kaizo smacked his head. "Hey, you already no longer in Student Council president position and you wanted to make an event, so yeah... you're doing your part at least," Hakuren said while opening the laptop, and Hyde sneered behind them (before Izumo bickers with him to ask him to talk and discuss the plan further).

"Shit, I hate my habit a lot..." Ren muttered, after the third time he got smacked on the head by Hakuren, Kaizo or Izumo when he get overworked or dazed during their second night working on that. Izumo snickered while checking the documents, munching on his sandwich as he prepared one cup of coffee for Ren. "Here, drink this," he said, receiving a grumble from the Vidyadhara as he reluctantly sat down. "Listen here, I had bad habit so you should know that it's your fault too because you become very leader-ish since you're going to graduate soon Ren. Not to mention, you're about to become a successor and all the stuff that's coming on ahead for us--including our 'resume' in the life itself," Kaizo explained firmly while scanning the files with his tablet and Ren drank his coffee.

Ren frowned, before he recalled his days in Student Council and made him absolutely loathed that activities a lot--he facepalmed; why is he going through this shit anyway?! He turned to the other while raising his eyebrows. "Well, that's a good reason... then where the fuck this craze came from?!" Ren groaned, glaring at Kaizo with an unimpressed frown and Kaizo and Izumo sighed with a smile. "You deserve a rest, buddy. After this is finished, let's all go on our usual escapade once in a while!" Izumo patted his shoulder, before Ren began to work on that document because his brain went into 'mode' or 'machine'. "Okay, stop that. Let us do your work instead--as a treat."

Ren relaxed in the seat when he let the three do their work, he need to get used as an ordinary life before facing the new problem came after and help those in need once again. Soon after, he opened the email to send the draft and printed the envelope of proposal for them, packed his bag. "Alright, our deadline is the weekend so we don't have to rush. Yosha! let's take a break," Izumo yelled as Ren stretched his back, before the four left their school.

While Hakusan, Shiro and Eiko took Hyde, Farlan and Shenlan to book a reservation at their Floating Sanctuary's space during lunch--or an official reason for some important customers or clients for meetings or visiting their business partners or what he called friends. Sadana was playing mahjong with one of his allies--Xanadu, he also seen rolling the dices as Faylan informed. "Yo, did you know that Riyanda will be graduating from school?" she chirped excitedly, making Sadana furrowed his eyebrows--so does Xanadu whose eyes opened when his fox ears twitched. "Huh, he also booking a restaurant for some 'business' meal. You know how he is," Xanadu answered with a tone and returned his attention on the game, making Faylan crossed her arms.

"It's for graduation, duh!"

Sadana dropped his tile when he heard that, making his face turned into a shock when he realized that they also had their schedules prepared and he cursed. "Shit, we need to start preparation from scratch?!" he gasped, returning the tile to the pile and Faylan put his hand to her mouth when she laughed. "Hey, relax! We already prepared for the graduation party for all of us and Merlin's Claw, let Riyanda do his best!" Faylan said, while Xanadu fanning himself as he pushed the bowl to them which he played mahjong professionally or whatever that shit is. "I agree, Sadana. You should have fun too, you know? Other than your gambling business."

"It's not just about business, you guys... I saw with a happy face how he grows and changes."

Faylan snickered as she spun her flintlock with blade on top while Xanadu hummed in reply. "Yeah, soon or later he will see the results--people like him... eventually have good outcomes," he said, smiling with his eyes closed. "Oh, it seems like he's here now," he added, making Sadana stand up and opened the front door. Wulan saw her boss was greeting their friends, before she waved at Ren happily as he was visiting them with his friends.

Little they realized, this day was the day before the new journey for the next generation, the young generation that will work hard and be happy until they realize it's happening as they do their best--like every time they face a big challenge. "I was preparing a mission for them, a last mission before they will focus on college," Sadana spoke to Faylan, making her perked in interest. They had been watching the time and moment how they come across like legends, not 'the' but an ordinary child--becoming a hero they can grow up. "They're still part of us, since they're known as SHANGRI-LA--we definitely won't forget them," she said with a smile, before she wrapped her arm around Ren's shoulder and made him startled by her bold approach.

They joined on a fun night with Chinese food, and Farlan reminded them that they will have a mission on Tuesday.

The morning sunlight shone and warmed their skin gently--another wind blew in his face before blowing the curtains a bit, making the Vidyadhara's black changshan with gold borders fluttered a little. "So, the mission is securing the Qingming Festival, right?" Izumo said as he wrote in his memo on his phone, before his eyes met Ren's own olive-blue eyes. "Yeah... we had to make sure that the spirits are resting safely for their 'revival' or another dimension," Ren nodded. "Don't tell me you believe in all those folk tales," Kaizo raised his eyebrows, patting their backs. "Just keep their faith and stay strong, all we know is that life isn't a easy road all along--it's your everyday choice."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Ren agreed, he promised them that he will stay back since he can't keep on stalling all of his friends without having to worry about them--even if it includes his allies such as Scions and friends he made in life. After making sure everyone prepared themselves, they departed from their world to head to the Underworld and continued their celebration. Ren was giving directions to the Vidyadhara allies beside him, who were following their commands while listening to his conversations with the people from different realm.

When the festival began, Ren can see the spirits were here! He decided to guide them, when Hakuren and Kaizo helped Izumo and Ren, while Shiro and Konami used the incense stick to lit up some people's souls. Faylan watched the whole festival event went to a better place with brighter atmosphere, making them pleased that they had achieved this goal (which, might take a day with lesser damages). She frowned when one of her pair of white fox ears twitched a little, her white vulpine tail got lost during her fighting--in addition, the wounds inflicted when she fought in the past and she had to live without tail. He couldn't help but worried about her, hoping for her welfare to recover from her tail loss that was nearly fatal. "Are you doing okay?"

Ren asked, since usually Zetian race are humans with vulpine ears and tail--but it seems like Faylan was an exception. Her fox's blood was purer than most and she has more abilities that Ren always learned from his uncle Farlan, even at a young age they have no idea whether they are an 'other' than their own people. "Yeah, and you know I'm proud with what happened except losing my tail. It was my own battle, after all... it cost something important to the part of you" she replied with a smile, understanding her problems. "You make a good captain, Madame General."

Faylan heard Ren complimented, making her smirked widely while spreading her arms wide. "Who wouldn't I am! People knew us as the Merlin's Claw! We fought against these Phantom Beasts in the Heaven's Gate in Zhangjiajie! The ultimate war took everything and everyone," she ranted, punching the air before she was doing flips and landed smoothly. "Our members changed, we didn't know that this would happen. Someday, the fate will tell."

'Damn, I love her already--WAIT I DON'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!' Ren wanted to yell and hit his head on the wall, her energy was contagious and kinda addictive--kinda remind him with Izumo sometimes when his spirits rejuvenated. "Heh, she's really more energetic than I thought," he muttered, before he gave a wry smile and continue helping the deceased spirits to find their homes.

"So, are you coming over to hang out? In the celebration," she asked, turning to the young successor who was quite in a deep thought. Ren hummed, tapping his cheek as he was considering her offer or invitation to join the event with Scions. "Sure, why not? But we'll be arriving a bit late, but I'll join you for a party," he said, before he yelped when one of the spirits was trying to do something mischievous and he had to stop it. 'He definitely learn how to adjust his personality, kinda made me cry here for a little...' she thought, putting her hands on her waist before she walked away.

Hakuren reassured the spirit that he can go in the afterlife, before it smiled when it wanted to seek its home. She never thought she is needed or that she is a member of Scions, even though Ren and their friend never see her as a tool for them, just a normal and newbie members of the Scion. Until they froze when they heard one of the people got possessed by one of the spirits who was trapped in the netherworld and trashed everything. They began to panic and chaos ensued and Ren frowned, before Kaizo stood beside him with a sword of his.

They began to fight using their unique abilities, helping the Vidyadhara allies to chant their spells--using their powers, before the main antagonists appeared! Kaizo snorted at that statement, in a dramatic and his typical way he would imagine. "Oh, I see now... Phantom Beasts are also ghosts huh? Time for purification then!" he yelled, before they were dealing some foes using their quick speed and strength as they utilized their battle skills. The festival went to another direction, before Kaizo began to distract the Phantom Beast as Dinda began to heal them and purified the other spirits that was being controlled by other Phantom Beasts.

"Here we go again..."

Ren muttered, before he made a constructive strikes on the Phantom Beast and defeated them, with Farlan, Shenlan and Izumo dealing a mass destruction to clean them all through a single strike by releasing their limiters. "I like that! You really do learn from us!" Izumo hollered, with Faylan began to praise Ren with a gentle pat--while his friend was pouting at them with a smirk which makes their hearts fell when he does that.

After the celebration was finished, Ren fell down on the grassy ground while watching the view--he was exhausted but relieved that the people have fun and not having to worry about their lives. However, he was curious about Merlin's Claw flagship that Faylan led--before Faylan approached him with a boastful smile. "Riyanda, wanna go and check out my flagship up there? I bet you like some sparring or practicing your battle skills."

Faylan offered, seeing his eyes sparked in awe as he imagined flying in an airborne battleship--she liked how excited and flared his olive-blue eyes before he accepted her offer. The youthful woman began to lead Ren to her flagship in the sky, it made him curious how she can go up there without being seen in the city sky or something. 'Maybe using an equipment to make an escape...' he thought, before he saw a man wearing dark blue changshan robes with white belt--along with some weapons and other accessories on him. "Hello there! You must be one of the famous Vidyadhara that our crew heard a lot about," he said to him and Ren was surprised when this guy had a vulpine features like fox ears and tail, he also has a sharp pupils as well.

'Huh... so they are Zetian race, huh...' he thought, before he smiled at him. "Yes, I'm Riyanda Tjahyana, leader of SHANGRI-LA group--I would like to talk with you further about the Zetians," he introduced, shaking his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Master Tjahyana. Also, what do you want to request, Master Lim?"

Faylan always gave different password to each crew member which is essential to avoid spreading to anybody else or the enemies, making him amused as he looked around the surroundings. "Jade Moon," she replied, making the attendance nodded and formed a spell around them--so they were transferred to the fleet. Ren put his hands on his waist when they're in the fleet--the fleet was large with the flag of Merlin's Claw with a logo of merlin falcon symbol, the armor and the exterior were consisted of iron and gold with jades around them. 'Nice architecture...' he thought, moving on to the interior--he was pretty impressed by the design and beautiful blue lights that's glowing.

He also came across Chinese drums and weapons--asides that, she was leading him to their training yard, giving a duel by training together before it went intense. Ren loved the martial arts that were practiced in this world, all he can do was listening to their stories and when Faylan was getting too close to him... he felt her arm around his shoulders and he just went along, even when he has gotten a bit chubbier around his stomach after eating too much food which is inevitable for guys his age, he was confident and yet soft personality around those friends and people he met and knew.

"Fuck, I wanna work out! I feel so fat," Ren grumbled, only to receive a chuckle from Faylan. "Don't worry about that, people tend to get lumps when they grow up," she said, tapping his back before she added. "There's a gymnasium too in the sparring arena, wanna come along?"

And after that, Ren worked hard to keep his body in shape when his father Rihan visited the flagship--he also told his son to perform wushu as usual, watching how Faylan and Rihan taught him how to fight while they were in the sparring ground. 'I can see he wants to be the best apprentice ever in terms of fighting and defending from the front lines...' he thought, reading the book as he continue watching with a smile. It took 15 days for Ren to gain his muscles back, which he also took Chinese martial arts to improve his fighting skills. He got out from the shower as his short messy amber-brown hair was drenched in waters, almost covering his olive-blue eyes and his alabaster complexion still the same--he also surprised that he gained abs back and his cheeks were also prominent (due to his young-teenage years), not gonna lie; he looks like an athlete (rather than the leader of the team), well... nothing changed really. "Hey, Riyanda! Please come over here so I can..."

Faylan paused when she accidentally saw his half-naked body when he pulled his towel, before her gaze dropped below. "Oh... wow... you're packing, boy," she whistles, making him yelped. "WHAT THE FUCK?!" he yelled, snapping at her as he blushed really hard and yelped when she pinched his biceps, making him yelped. "Woah, no wonder you're so energetic as hell! You're like this when you were a little young one," she teased, patting his bare muscular back.

"That was uncalled for!"

Ren wanted to hide under the rock after that embarrassing interaction, with Rihan and the others just chuckled at his reaction. After that, Ren had to get a new trademark attire for him (since his friends already had theirs from the beginning) and Faylan prepared that for him, so he would be able to move freely at will. He wears a black Mandarin-collared sleeveless turtleneck underneath black sleeveless changshan and his white-red trench coat with golden batik patterns and jade-green beads behind his back--with a red threads on his upper arms. He wears a black pants tucked into his thigh-high black heeled boots with gold-colored toe caps with gold latches on his calfs, alongside black combat pads on his long black fingerless gloves--with chains. On his lower chest, he wears a decorative gold hexagonal plate attached to a golden metal loop around his waist that's used to seal off his attire. He also carried a jade-green fan with golden blades attached, decorated with red flowers and vines, with a leather and gold handle and a beautiful blue and white designs on the back.

Ren spun his two polearms; his beloved Cosmic Wrath and Samsara Blade before it folds into a chain-staff. He took a deep breath before he practice the movements with the other crew, they were battling each other and gained more respect for their skills. "You're truly capable, Riyanda," Rihan complimented him, watching the crew train together. "Yeah... I had to work out after graduation, I ate so much food so..."

"You had to face the consequences, I get it..." Rihan said with a smile, patted his shoulder. "You're always been the same man," he said, making Ren snorted in reply and turned his head to him. He saw his friends also come here and participating in their training as well! Soon, Ren met the general of the fleet (who happens to be Faylan herself) and their crew members, gaining some wisdom to lead your own group and a strong bond between humans and deity of nature. There were two captains who were under her commands, including the man who has a fox features who was known as Ruquan and Jianshi.

After finishing their training, they took a rest for the whole day. Ren went to the rooftop while gazing at the sky, seeing the bright stars that glowed so beautifully around the city, as if the lantern's fire are here. A wind gently waved in his amber brown hair, before he sat down. 'We really change and grow throughout our journey,' he thought, before he heard someone came and sit beside him, recognizing that white fox ears. "May I sit here, Master Tjahyana?"

"Of course, General."

Faylan snorted at his last phrase, before sitting casually beside him. Ren made a little smirk as he gazed at her, noticing that white vulpine ears on top of her head wiggled a little--but he felt odd to see that she doesn't have a vulpine tail. "You seem different... is it about the festival incident?" he asked, making her raise her eyebrows at him. She sighed softly, glancing down while scratching her cheek with her index finger as she explained. "I lost my tail when I was captured by the Heaven's Court Deities in the past, they made me a slave and one of them... cut it off. Luckily, my loyal crew saved me from there," she told him in a quiet tone, making Ren gasped in surprise. He watched her carefully, noting the familiar expression on her face when he first met her and felt sympathy. "Darn... how hurt was it?"

Faylan smiled, before her hand played with her long hair--it felt silent for a moment between them before she explained to him with her calm tone. "It hurt really bad, my blood spluttered and spreading around the floor--screaming and crying loudly. Luckily, I was found by Jianshi's and Ruquan's fleet and we escaped to the Merlin's Claw. However, to answer your question... I want to learn 'happiness' by protecting you guys."

Her answers was very sincere despite being a powerful general of her flagship, Ren was surprised as he looked down to her as she crossed her legs. She wasn't the typical strong woman that he knew--her past and her stories, the people she knows or anything that happened... were sincere, sincere indeed. Ren doesn't really care about labels, everyone are unique, which is why she sees the good side of each others (beside the fact that Scions usually has 'connection' or 'bond') but this can't be happening at all... they felt 'invisible' before they could do their mission as well. He let out a thoughtful hum, that's weird... "Don't judge a book by its cover, a pretty-looking person and appearance usually deceiving you," Faylan told him, Ren nodded in understanding.

He could hear Izumo being drunk again and they had to deal with his drunk-ass personality (thank God, his father Senjū came and helped them), Ren snorted to see the walking encyclopedia being like that--this is his first time consuming a chocolate liquor. Ren yawned as he suddenly feel sleepy, before he yelped when she pull his head down to her lap. "Wha... WAIT WHAT--"

"Just shut up and sleep... this is an order," she shushed him, pushing his body down to rest his head on her lap and put her hand on his cheek, caressing his eyes with her fingers and closed them. Ren felt her fingers were so soft, loving as it moved and caressed his scalp a bit to calm him. He decided to enjoy it for now, and closed his eyes to fall into the deepest sleep in his life. Soon, he could catch his dreams... their memories went back to the festival, traveling the world, their stories and how they're connected to him--which made him peaceful. 'This boy, he has dreams that brought this entire group together like a puzzle of life...' she thought as she hummed silently, before she look up to the dark sky. 'Are you doing okay? I can understand you, this kid has tough challenges,' she thought, putting her hand on the railing.

Faylan used her ability to track his memories in case someone was intruding and hurting the boy's feelings and emotions, trying to calm and help him. Her sharp pupils and fox ears twitched, before the breeze come back and blew her hair, with her closed eyes glowing gently. She became very curious about him as he told her about the tale of his journey and she feels something had to do with their situation here--but what is it? All she knew is Ren was Kuran's reincarnation, one that she was attached to--not as an ally, as friend, like what Rihan told her that one day. 'Not just her, someone as important as you is not just a Vidyadhara,' Rihan said when they're at the fleet, when Ren wasn't here and she didn't understand. 'I heard about his travels with his friends to defend humanity with another one.'

She recalled his words before her hand gently touches the railing with a pondering frown, seeing the flickering lights in the distance while wondering if they have ever known each other in the past life. The gentle gust continued to blow through her clothes, before she glanced down at sleeping Ren on her lap. She wondered when someone had put him down in this world--their stories and his family and his friends, does he think this is a curse and a blessing at all? Is he trapped? Or does he... come here because fate wants him to set them free... 'Probably he was reborn just to live in a normal life,' she thought, her turquoise-blue eyes shimmered a bit.

Who could have thought that he is an interesting guy?

Faylan watched him stirred awake while the party still ongoing on the main dock, Ren take off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, pushing his hair as it cover his eyes and smiled at her. "You're a good person," she blurted, making him blinked in surprise. She let Ren sat down, facing him with a knowing expression before it disappeared, leaving a smirk before patting his head. "So, how's your sleep? Hope I wasn't sleeping with you."

"Hush, don't ruin it," he said casually, before putting on his spectacles. "It's been a while since I sleep without nightmares, that time after Nanda's death... I can't even sleep properly," Ren admitted, remembering how the God of Wealth made his life a living hell during the school and making the exam become dangerous to cause his death. "Ah, the money-blowing god who was kind of obnoxious?" Faylan clarified in a light tone, making him stifled a laugh. "Yeah, I'm still having mixed feelings of her death until now... should I feel relief or not?"

'This man...' she thought, her hand reached his. "What is it?" he asked, noticing her strange behavior, making her sighed as she tried to find the right answer. "Hey... in any case if someone is fighting you and you won, you need to let that go, trust me. You can't keep pushing yourself to avenge or else... everyone will force themselves to do that and their relationship started to disintegrate from their own differences," Faylan advised, grabbing his collar. Her expression was serious and her eyes glowed a bit as the dim golden-lights shone her, leaving Ren in stunned state as she continued. "You can't keep taking guilt and worry too much, you'll just be hurting yourself even further--you even blaming for everything! Stop it!" she exclaimed, Ren was still shocked for a while but he give her an understanding stare.

"Not everything is your fault, Riyanda. When you already made a choice, for the sake of your own people... they knew the consequences, they knew and accepted it as the aftershock--so the blame is not in your hands," Faylan replied, punching his chest that surprised him. "You're the leader, you have to lead the people and they're following their orders not because they don't want, they have courage to stand up and protect their own from evil. There are people who doesn't know shit about who you're really are, sometimes... you might even forgot who you're looking for and did not recognize. You already did the right thing."

Her words struck deep into Ren's heart, as he understood her statement. 'When I made a choice back then, as a leader, to let someone protect me or choose their fate themselves... I ended up not thinking properly and regret my choice sometimes,' he thought, his olive-blue eyes filled with the tears he repressed so many years ago. 'I thought that because I don't want people dying around me anymore... it actually makes them more hurt than help?' he thought, as he realized something really important. Ren clumsily stood up and hugged her while their bare arms touched. He shook a bit, before his olive-blue eyes filled with guilt, Faylan widened her eyes as she looked back at him. The young teen sobbed as he repeated himself... "I'm so sorry..."

Faylan clenched her eyes shut, feeling the tears behind those orbs before she remembered her own encounter, when she was under heavy pressure and suffered. Every time, every night she was losing hope to get out there, before she saw him with his friends came to her world and liberate their land and freed them from one of the underlings and took her--together with his allies such as the Scions, the SHANGRI-LA and the deities. "I was trapped, the other warriors don't see me as a worthy enemy until we battled once, to be... 'our own version of a dream'. Guess, your story must be the same as me," Faylan croaked with a smile, putting her hand on his back and Ren nodded while still hugging her.

After their comforting exchange, the duo returned to the party and having fun for their reunion while drinking and eating foods (again). Faylan passed him a drink when they are sitting, munching on hamburgers like a savage that they are--and Ren liked it. "Hah, we don't care when your friends do it but we aren't gonna join this banquet and stuff, we love junk foods too!"

Faylan told him, munching on her hamburger, making him choked after Izumo shoved a huge amount of pork bacon into his mouth and Ren whined. "Goddamnit, Izumo!" Farlan snapped, he had to handle his drunk-ass while Shenlan was eating in frenzy and Dinda was playing zither happily for the party. Hakuren shake her head to see Ren gulped the food, and Kaizo also got drunk just like Izumo and those drunk men makes chaos--Ren had no idea that he made them... and he had to take responsibility on them somehow!

Faylan playfully stole his food as she chatted about their journey and battles against the Phantom Beasts, telling some jokes and funny stories about Scions' moments that they miss so much--but if Ren must say it. "Hmm? What is it? Tell me what you feel about!"

"We have our 'fight' but won't ever forget our friendship," he spoke, making her realized something... and the atmosphere was not tense anymore. The partying continued as their 'ritual' and traditions that Scions held (because they're not being rude guests, apparently) and Faylan told him more about their backstory...

*ೃ༄