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"Deputy Secretariat Director! We detected an unknown presence from the distance! It looks like it's a Phantom Beast!"

Hokuri heard one of the Trilaksana Officers informed, making him turn around with narrowed eyes. "What?" he growled, causing Kohaku to woke up as he heard what happened. The assassins are outside the headquarters to see the black void like portal from the distance, which the field is located in the isle not far from here. For some reason, he felt heavy by the gravitation from the distance and that made him tensed. However the creatures he detected are not Phantom Beasts, it looks like alien-like beings similar to the clocks and that was one thing he hates about them; they're similar to the alarm clocks. He could sense they're coming closer to them and he could hear the sounds of gears turning inside their body.

"They're mechanicals..." Kohaku muttered, he couldn't believe it since the last time he encountered them was months ago. "They are known as Interceptors, an imaginary-type beings from the Dark Sea of the Void; the deepest layer of Phantom Samsara and the source of quantum forces--no humans can gain the access to go there except Devas, Asuras, Herukas and Yakshas can gain an access through them. It can create quantum damages, just one smallest wrong steps."

Kaname explained, as he is observing the mechanicals through his binoculars. "But these are different from normal ones, they have more than just one function. They can possess objects, they can fly and they can also act like a tool to help the other Phantom Beasts. They gave a sound of clock-ticking mechanics, and I hope they aren't 'actually' ringing like an alarm," Hokuri muttered under his breath, before he glanced at Kaname and nodded.

Hisato heard the rumbling from the dark gray clouds above them--after they left the headquarters, he knew it will be difficult for them--but about the script that Damien just told him; he was reminded about that. "What's the next script, Damien?" he asked, waiting for the Secret Garden commander's instructions and he turned his head around to him, still observing the mechanicals in the area. Damien goes in front of Hisato, standing in front of him so no one can read his lips except for those who are nearest to him. "Let them investigate that area, just let them do their job. This is for everyone's sake."

Hisato nodded, even though deep down he had to watch them according to the script. "Let's split up to find the passage so we can get away from them, we don't want to deal with them all at once. We need to capture some of the corrupt officials alive if we can, they might be of use to us later."

"B-But sir, if we capture them alive, they might pose a threat to us..." one of Damien's men spoke to him nervously, he couldn't blame him for being worried, since they haven't dealt with these types of beings before. "Don't worry, we'll be careful, and we'll take careful measures."

Damien assured him. "I will lead the group to the west side, while you guys hold the east. The last thing we needed… is someone know our powers, that's the last thing we have to avoid."

They agreed while responding; "Yes, sir!"

They began to split up when they did, leaving the Trilaksana Forces to deal with them. Kohaku has arrived at the field when he entered the field with ceramic tiles, it feels heavy that he tried to keep up his pace. The atmosphere was tense and unpleasant whenever he moves around, as if the gravity pressured from above him. "Now where the hell is the passage huh…?" he whispered, looking around in attempt to find safety zone from these imaginary creatures.

Kohaku tried to fight against the pressure but he couldn't, it was too powerful and it made him feel heavy and exhausted. He continued his task and searched for the path by himself while his mind is clouded by this feeling that makes him dizzy and sick; it deeply struck him with slight fatigue. "Oh fuck..." he hold his head, feeling the erupting heaviness on his shoulders while he tried to hold back his emotions. "This is bad..." he whispered, before he let out a sigh. He has to do something about this, as soon as possible.

'I need to think of a plan to stop them.'

He focused his attention on the mechanicals in front of him, he looked around the area to inspect the surroundings. He heard the crash from across him and he stepped back, watching what it seems to be not the beast he expecting to see.

The alien-like creature appeared on the ground, the mechanics and the black armor-like gears similar to the clock which made them surprised by the sight of the creature--it was the Interceptor. . "It's a mechanical... but..." Kohaku couldn't believe that it was actually a mechanical, he watched on how the mechanicals are moving and standing as if it was a real person. "...it looks like one of them..."

Kohaku prepared his bullwhip when he saw a clock pointer-like black spear lunging towards him and he jumped to the side, he was surprised at how sentient the creature was, but he couldn't let the chance to kill it pass. While he landed on the ground, he swung his whip to hit the mechanical's chest and impaled it in the middle of its chest. It took few hours for him to fight off the Interceptor, his strength and speed almost ceased that he was horribly injured on his limbs--but he manage to hold back as long he can take it down by himself.

'You seems to be at your limits, why don't you just stand down?' Kohaku was wounded from his limbs, head and whole body severe enough to make him stand up. The pressure was so deep that he couldn't believe this was happening, the last thing he needed is dying and he was too young to die. He was panting he kneeled down with one knee, resting his hand on his other knee and his chest tightened from his unsteady breathing. "Oh fuck… this is so bad…"

Kohaku noticed the core exposed right before him, before he goes to ran into the creature and stabbed his last weapon to the red gem. As he stepped back while he was watching the creature destroyed, he was holding his arm that was horribly wounded and almost broken from the fall. Well then, not sure if you can make it… but I will make you do it if you couldn't--

He ignored the voice, but soon he couldn't when he said that.

Kohaku heard the call from his flip cellphone, so he took it out and answering the call while panting a little. "Yes…? Oh, Hisato… did you find it? Good… which means we have to go back… wait, sorry? O-Okay… I'll be right there soon, tell the others that we'll be meeting there on the other side in this location…" he closed the call, before he sighed that his head was spinning around like crazy. What's happening to me? I thought I'd make it, don't tell me… he thought, trying to walk carefully.

He suddenly saw Byakuya and Kyouka laid there, making him shocked to see blood all over their bodies and the rods were stabbed through them. He was shocked to see what just happened to them, did they actually died? Byakuya's wounds are fatal that he was damaged from head to toe, his head's was bleeding from the blow and his chest is bleeding from the cut. His katana was on the ground beside him, with his glasses across him that his face is bloodied from his wounds like him--he was stabbed on between his collarbones.

Kyouka was stabbed through her back from behind, laying on her chest that her hair is loose with her white flower ribbons displayed across the ground-stained with blood matching with her kimono and her own headband--her tantou laying beside her as well and fatally wounded on her hands and throat--it's unknown if Hisato, Damien, Kiryu, Sherry and his father Kahayana are alive but this doesn't seems... good.

Kohaku heard the reconstructing noise which stopped him from walking, he'd be turning around with a surprise from his eyes. The pointer lunged into him, stabbing through beneath his collarbones that he look down in shocked gaze--blood oozing out from his mouth when the pointer stabbed him. Was that an illusion? The pointer was so deep that it hitting almost through him into his back, making him stop from moving due to the pain.

He ignored the burning sensation that pierced his chest, he only wanted to close his eyes so he can sleep away--the flashback returned as it playing on his mind and thinking about that memory before, until his vision was getting blurry when his body was losing its energy as soon as he is losing his focus. Then, the lights went out in front of him as his eyes slowly becoming dull before he fell on his back with blood all over him on the floor. As he lost consciousness and vision went black after falling to the back, his glasses fell across him at the same time even cracked.

***

Well well well, look who we got here, hm?

Kohaku heard the Heruka has spoken right before him when he was kneeling on four before the wrathful deity, he was beyond exhausted that his mind becoming fuzzy the moment he think about her words. His eyes are covered by his bangs and didn’t move an inch, he still wounded from before and coughing up blood. You emotional wreck, what did I tell you? Of course you wouldn’t, because you cared… right? He heard him, yet he didn’t event say anything about that.

In all honesty he was weak from the heart, he was worried.

It’s not about dragging someone in trouble, everything made it worse for him.

That bastard ruined his life.

Yamantaka was standing with his hand on his hip while walking towards him, seeing him being frozen on the ground and he kneeled before him. He was still weak, that was why he couldn’t do anything, even if his heart was beating. He didn’t know what to say, so he just said. “I’m sorry…” That’s what he said, yet he still had the energy to speak to him. “It’s not your fault that you’re tired of being weak, Kayana,” he said with a smile, before his smile turning into a devilish smirk. He said it with such a serious face, his face was like a mask, the devil was smiling. “Don’t be inferior to yourself.”

I was so tired. My heart had been pounding for hours, my head felt like it had a thousand knots inside it, I couldn’t control it.

Kohaku opened his eyes tiredly when he felt his hands moved him, so he was kneeling on his knees before him.

“It’s time to move forward, just like the one who suffered just like you,” he whispered at him, still smiling at him with that devil-like smile. I had no idea how long it took me to fall into that state, how much time had passed. There wasn’t any time left, just a little bit… his eyes slowly becoming amber-gold colored, with the black sharp pupils that he didn’t resist him. “In exchange of your fate in here, no one can stop you, you are yourself.”

Is this another cycle of samsara?

When this will end?

Is this some kind of script or something?

Kohaku opened his eyes tiredly when he felt his hands moved him, so he was kneeling on his knees before him. He was physically injured and exhausted, mentally exhausted and weak, but he still remained faithful to the world he sought—especially to himself. He stared at the white haired man with those amber eyes, which he wasn't even sure if it's that person; or, perhaps his imaginary being. The white-haired man could see in his mind that those words made him remembered something that happened a long time ago, he knew what this boy was capable of.

"You won't turn back to the past where you used to enjoy, it's not your fault that you had to suffer from the trauma," Yamantaka continued. "It's not your fault that you can't get back the happiness that you lost and it's not your fault you became weak. It is not your fault you joined the organization to become an assassin, it's your will so I can't judge you. So, it's not your fault, but you should do something about it!"

Kohaku was silent, feeling ashamed at himself.

"But seeing your condition ended like this, I started to feel sympathy for the first time," Yamantaka stated as he tried to encourage him, and by the time he had to work on it--breaking it to get into him. "Even if I didn't met you, I would still believe in you."

Kohaku narrowed his eyes tiredly, before he look down thinking. 'I had no idea how long it took me to fall into that state, how much time had passed. There wasn't any time left, just a little bit…' he thought, trying to think of the reason why he became like this. "You probably wondering why and how did I appear here, to deliver this message," Yamantaka said, making Kohaku surprised by his sudden words. "I know why you're worrying about the city. You knew it all too well and the worst will happen, because you're connected to the Samsara."

Kohaku flinched as he close his eyes, "No… No, it can't be... there is no such thing!" he gritted his teeth and let out a shaking exhale, and he immediately changed his tone when he spoke. "Wait... nevermind, I believed in their existence..."

Yamantaka--the god of revenge and wrath known as 'Destroyer of Death' and conqueror of the lord of death. His voice was surprisingly calm, despite the smile. Even as he is doing this, he wondered why did he trust this god. "But, no, it's not just the past. It's something that triggered him from long, long time ago. So, here's the condition," he stated, stopping in front of him. "In exchange of your fate, I will awaken the power within you."

Yamantaka prompted him, before he lifted Kohaku's chin to face him. "What are your conditions?" he asked him. Kohaku was silent for the first few seconds, his face was blank, as if he had forgotten what the hell he wanted to ask him and just wanted the answer. Then it dawned on him that he made up his decision, when he answered him for his condition. "Do whatever you want, I'll give you anything you wish of me."

The wrathful deity smiled at him with that same grin he always had, his eyes are still blazing with crimson ice-like flames. "I am sure you have a lot of questions, but first let me tell you this: I won't be able to be with you after this, your comrades you joined will suffer the same to us Herukas--that means you will abandon everything in the past," Yamantaka informed, that made Kohaku's eyes widened. "You might think you would get angry and yell at me right now, but you won't, because you don't have anything to hold back against me anymore."

I don't care anymore… I accept the consequences…

I'm not regretting it.

Kohaku thought when he lowered his head for a moment, he nodded that he eventually agreed with him. 'He's right, there isn't anything left for me...' he thought, before he finally spoke up again. "Can I ask you something, please?"

Yamantaka nodded.

"Why are you so kind to me?"

Yamantaka had not replied, and by now he was almost certain that he was thinking about him. After a few moments, he finally replied. "No particular reason, except the fact that you are indeed you, Kayana. However, it is all up to you as to why you remain this way--like the way you are right now," he said, before he reached his hand to the trespasser and touched his face gently. "This is the first time I'm talking to someone who actually accepted everything without a single question, and you're the first one including your companions in the organization to have accepted us," he said as he chuckled with the dark eyes, he stared at him for a few seconds before he raised his hand at this. "Now you won't see me anymore after this, and you won't regret this."

Everything suddenly changed that he sensed the Core inside his body reacted. Kohaku gritted his teeth when he sensed the painful sensation entering him, which made him wreathing with pain and agony he had. He tried to stand straight, but it was hard because of the excruciating pain he felt inside his body, he seemed to be feeling it inside his brain, his heart and on his whole being. It took him a lot of effort to stay conscious, a lot of focus just to hold back his control with his hands together.

He felt a black mask formed on his eyes and it was painful with burning sensations on his skin, making him yelled and tried to rip off the mask from his face--blood poured out from his face. The pain was too much, it felt like he's being stabbed repeatedly with a blade. Until his eyes slowly becoming amber-gold colored, with the black sharp pupils that he didn't resist the newfound power. He felt his body was freezing and burning, like the ice and fire running through his skin.

Farewell… Kayana Sahanaya Tirta…

***

Kohaku opened his eyes when a sudden warmth energy starts to overpower him, the glowing and dimming scarlet colored energy on his chest emanating powerful shock waves around his body. His dark auburn hair slowly turning into fiery and long messy dual-colored hair with red streaks which his bangs fell over his magenta-purple eyes that turned into amber gold-color with black scleras and some of his white bangs fell on his cheeks--he gained red and amber scales on the corner of his eyes and neck--along a pair of floating gold-red burning horns on his forehead. His attire consists of black turtleneck bodysuit underneath his red cloth with orange feather-like ornaments that attached symmetrically to his gold sash with Batik patterns, a red threads connected to golden large ring on his left wrapped around his waist and tied into five-petaled ribbons on the back and the front--along a black armor-like plate clasped on his left hip and wears a white long two symmetrical white capes with pockets and red undersides with traces of flames. He wears a black thigh-high boots with red accents and red gems on his knees, along a red armor-like plate on his right shoulder that has red four-petaled ribbon on it--in addition of a red cape attached on the back of his right shoulder. He wears a black and red fingerless gloves with golden claw attachments on his fingers which has a gauntlet part on the back of his palm.

Although, he wondered if the other Tiryags were not infused with Heruka's Core but the other Core--the Yidam's Core; a tutelary deity and the same rank as Heruka. But, it doesn't matter for now.

The Heruka left him, everything has changed when he was looking up to the sky in melancholic gaze.

One of the Interceptors found him attempted to attack him, Kohaku knitted his eyebrows together as he used his gauntlet to hit the Core of the creature, thus destroying him entirely along the Core itself; destroying the quantum mechanics around the area. Some of the creatures were all slain into pieces, watching the gems destroyed and the Interceptors are dead--thanks to his powerful attacks. He has a cold and demeaning look on his eyes, whether he was somber or not--he couldn't care less at all. He sensed another creature is trying to ambush him, so he use his flames to shot the attacker and destroying it completely--even the gems as well, same for the mechanical creature with the same physical appearance.

Kohaku watched the creature vanished into thin air as he started to use the same gauntlet and fired a massive ray at the crowd of mechanical creature, as the creatures demolished--his expression remained unflinching. When it used to be him being in this mission, he would do this without hesitation but this time--he has changed the life of his friends as well. Even his words aren't genuine and was a very cold human in general to everyone, including for those who share something in common to the Secret Garden, but he is so generous that he will make the enemies suffer for what they did--a one and only lesson to be taught, and he hated people who became such a threat to humanity since he isn't a 'special person' after all.

As long his mission will go along well and no one dared to stop him from getting the mission done, he has to kill anyone who dares to threaten them. There was a downpour for a moment, Kohaku's cold gaze went before his eyes; he didn't hear his voices anymore--his entire soul and power are already becoming part of him.

Yamantaka is right, this is the beginning of a new journey that he shouldn't forget in his lifetime.

He sensed another Interceptors attempted to attack him from behind, soon Demon Cloud ultimately slayed the creature--and Demon Snow made countless cuts on the other beasts that tried to attack Kohaku--now all defeated behind him. Kohaku turned around, looking at both of them who transformed into Tiryags.

Byakuya stood there as he was in his Tiryag form--he inherited the Heruka's Core; Matarah, it changed his appearance almost entirely like his younger sister. His purplish black hair shimmered in slightly light purple black shades while he kept his white mask with horns on his hand, his hair was mixed with white and light neon-like streaks. Along ombre of light blue and some tints of a sea green color underneath his hair, showing the theme of 'white night' true in his name. With his alabaster complexion, his purplish-black long bangs fell upon his cheeks and his bangs and has headdress behind his ears with the beads and strings fastened behind his head.

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His eyes were light purple mixed with golden colored, with a pair of sharp pupils. Wearing a black sleeveless turtleneck bodysuit reaching his feet with a white-gold high collars around his neck, he has white and gold pair of sleeves on his mid-upper arms reaching his wrists-in addition of black long fingerless gloves with a golden sharp talon-like nails with metallic pads. He wears a white and black sleeveless Japanese tunic with purple-gold ombre shades and some accessories like beads and ribbons reaching his thighs, with a black obi and red threads with sachet around it.

With a white-black and gold waist-cape similar to a bird's tail behind his waist reaching his feet and fell upon his side waistlines, he happens to wear black and purple cape with gold strings attached on his left shoulder and a thigh-high white heeled boots with black armors. He collected his five katanas floating beside him, and a bright purple ring-like light floats behind him with the strings and beads.

Kyouka is also in her Tiryag form, inheriting the Heruka's Core; Vishuddha, her purplish-black hair extended longer with white streaks and light blue highlights at the end of her length. There was a light blue lotus flower ornament on the side of her head, it has a white headband with white bowtie-like tied ribbons on both sides of her head with a purple beads and golden dangles--with the golden kanzashi hairpins behind her back--and red strings on her ornaments and retained her alabaster complexion. Her light purple eyes were mixed with purple and blue color, including a white-gold horns from behind her ears. Wearing a white Japanese traditional noblewoman's kimono with a light blue large lotus flower ornaments on the back of her obi, with the large purple bow on the front part of her sash and has a long furisode with a blue snowflake-like motifs on them. She wears a black long thigh-length socks underneath with the high-platformed dark purplish-blue sandals--along a dark blue and gold pads on her hands. She wears a black turtleneck sleeveless bodysuit underneath, with white choker and dark blue strings with a light blue lotus ornament on it.

There were their phantom familiars Demon Cloud and Demon Snow floating behind both of them, it still retaining their main forms without changing but even more powerful. Byakuya has a calm and coolheaded demeanor, retaining his usual self when he and Kyouka faced Kohaku who approached them. "You woke up earlier, Kohaku," he greeted him, folding his arms as he remained composed. "It has been a while since you got your ass kicked into a coma by the Interceptors."

"It hurts like hell, actually," Kohaku spoke, the only thing they can hear now is his normal husky voice. Byakuya hummed a little as he moved his fingers. "I just got my senses back, now I can move again," he replied, before he added. "You know... after thinking about what Damien has been hiding from us... there's no need to keep secrets like this from each other anymore," he advised, before he turn around. "Byakuya, make sure the area is clear as soon as possible--don't kill the rest."

Byakuya nodded, he and Kyouka began to check the whole area and leave him alone.

"My my, I've been waiting for you to awaken."

Sherry stated as she was present across his side, while Kohaku remained silent--not looking at her when he did. "I get it, I understand that you always hate it whenever I 'mess' around with you," Sherry began. "Or, let's just say about our so-called 'date', and it seems you've awakened in a form of Tiryag... it was all according to Damien's 'script'--all of it," Sherry explained, and Kohaku didn't responded to it, knowing that he trusted him and knew how sly he is. "He knew a thing or two after the loss of your friends, how fortunate. But, luckily he didn't break your trust--consider yourself lucky that you were indebted to him."

Kohaku remained silent, not moving an inch as he gaze into the distance. Sherry walked around him in circle, before her arms wrapping around him that he caught his attention. Her eyes were glowing brightly, before he looked at her with his emotionless gaze. "We were ordered to dispose everyone, I wanted you to know that," Sherry announced to him and he nodded, returning to his stoic personality. "Until now, he gave you a choice but we need you to help--there's more Tiryags for you in your team; just like me," she said, he nodded slightly.

"Well then, shall we, my lovely assassin?"

Sherry asked, releasing him from behind his back and unleashed her purplish-red strings that she manifested--crisscrossing around Kohaku's presence and he froze in shock. He couldn't resist her--it felt like his mind is numb and lost, as he lost control of his body. A smirk appeared on his lips, and Sherry smiled mischievously with a chuckle before she turned around. "Damien! I got him!" she called, while the latter walked past her--while awaiting for both Byakuya and Kyouka to return. "It seems like both of them already renewing our contract," Damien spoke, as his eyes glowed mysteriously with that mischievous, devious and creepy smile on his lips. "That makes all of them under our command, no one will stop us anymore--but it will come into an unexpected 'turn of events'," he said, before his ruby-red eyes under his sunglasses shimmered in front of Kohaku.

"Kayana Sahanaya Tirta."

Kohaku look up at him when he called his real name, still petrified and feeling heavy all over his body. He was so powerful, too powerful and somehow... Kohaku has been a witness to all of it. Damien used his bangs to hide his eyes as his smile widening even more that he's creeped out, with his sunglasses went below his nose. "Remember the oath that you made to me, please be kind and remember of that oath."

"Yes, Damien."

Those words, it wasn't his own and those eyes... was that really him? Damien used his gloved index finger to the petrified assassin's chin, his gaze met with him. "Say it, for the second time," he grinned, turning his gaze at him. "Follow what I said, a pledge as you bound to this oath will result in tragedy for your enemies and allies. Never cross me or defy my will..."

Kohaku met his gaze, with his body frozen and stiff from his chilling manipulation. He gulped, his subconscious remembered his oath--which he swore. "I swear it... I will obey your command no matter what wishes you had, I won't forget my sworn oath for you... and I will follow your order, until my last breath," he muttered, looking up at him. "Damien Fernandez Christiadjie."

He still remember them, after everything had came and go so fast... there isn't any way to back away. "Just repeat these vows for me; _"My life and soul are yours until death, everything will be according to your will,"_ Damien's eyes piercing through the Tiryag's lifeless, dull expression when he muttered and confirmed. "My life and soul are yours until death. Everything will be according to your will, Damien Fernandez Christiadjie."

Not before long, Kohaku's body was released from Sherry's grasp--he saw his father Kahayana was standing with Hisato as they observed him who finally renewed his contract. "Don't worry, Byakuya and Kyouka already renew their contract with him--just like you," Kahayana reassured as he stepped towards him, while Hisato remained silent. Kohaku took a deep breath when he recovered from his condition and felt nausea all over again, it hurt when he used his left hand to pressed it against his forehead.

Kyouka watched her older brother's best friend look away for a moment, before Byakuya observed Kyoran who landed in front of them--it appears like his contract is renewed as well.

Kyoran was in his Tiryag form, inheriting the Core of Lokastotra. His light blue hair with black streaks now switched its gradients from dominant black and light blue streaks, almost covering his green-yellow eyes with sharp pupils and cheeks--his pale complexion still retains the same. He gains a black fox mask with red threads and white camellia covering his face and revealed his eyes instead, entirely covering his face and has gold strings on it. His attire consists of light lilac kimono with black accents and themes of butterfly and chains, only wearing one sleeve and exposing his right arm that has separate sleeve attached--wearing a black and red obi with light gold large bowtie-like ribbon in the front and black bodysuit underneath. He wears a black thigh boots with straps and a long black fingerless gloves, with a light gold armor-like plates on his left sleeve.

"You too?" Kyouka asked, making Kyoran startled by it that his hair is twitching. He still somber-faced as always, like why the fuck he always seen everything horrible happened in the universe? He lost someone very important to him because he was too late. Kyoran keep looking up at the downpour, before he look down to see a dying dragonic Phantom Beast laying on the ground across them. The Tiryags could be the most coldblooded, heartless, and sadistic--yes, they're ruthless in the battle field and no doubts if their emotions got triggered as a warning. They could turn from just that, to an inscrutable killing machine in an instance. "I tried my best to protect the dragon... I saw him dying when Kyouka and I found it, the name of the Phantom Beast was--"

"Mahapadma, right?"

Byakuya paused, he wasn't surprised that Kyoran can guess the name. In fact, he was there the first time. "We are the only ones who remembered that name... I am glad that you hadn't forgotten that," Byakuya complimented, still looking at the poor dying animal. He has somewhat a sympathy toward this Phantom Beast but they have to move on, the Interceptors already overpowered their stamina. "I didn't know you had a soft spot over a Phantom Beast," Kyoran muttered, watching him approaching the dying beast as he kneeled down in front of Mahapadma. "From now you, you'll be no longer a mindless Phantom beast, I am sorry that you were forced into existence... after seeing you got injured by those Interceptors."

Mahapadma sniffed the man's scent as she was touching his snout, the dragon's purple and white scales slowly changed into black, light cyan blue and white--and the blue luminescent thread-like markings slowly changed into black markings with red and orange marking replacing the others. Byakuya look up to see those magenta-colored eyes stared back at him, feeling its calm tranquil soul awakened from within--Sherry whistled upon the awakening. "Murasame..." he named his dragon companion and watching the reborn female dragon awakened and roared into the sky, Kohaku and Kyouka wide-eyed by the sight.

'He... re-awakened the dragon?' Kohaku thought, this is the first time Byakuya have ever 'revived' the dragon with a new identity with his newfound power. The dragon named Murasame stood there in a large posture, it's no doubt that it is a female dragon with the same posture as the male counterpart and that dragon have a long scaled lion-like mane on her body. Her eyes were purple and a pair of shimmering draconic wings spreading from behind her back, which is her new appearance and physique. The dragon approached Byakuya and lowered her head down, so he can pet her and comforting her.

The Tiryags reverted back into their human forms, except the dragon who was Byakuya's companion. Damien was first to notice that, Kohaku has been his 'favorite' when it comes to being in this mission. "... the reason why I choose you, Kayana... is because you're the one I'm seeking and haven't met someone like you in years," Damien told him, making him surprised to hear him saying something like this. "You're a rare one that most people don't tend to think of things related to assassination or even betrayal, before you began everything with yourself. But when I see a person in your past when you were still in college, the one who betrayed you--broke everything and trashed the memories that were meant to be cherished, memories of your loved ones, memories of your friends... and especially memories with someone you used to be with."

Kohaku felt his own heart panged when his memories are triggered, all the promises, the words that made him want to kill himself again--but he moved past that. "Not only that, you and your father Kahayana used to be from poverty... it must be hard for you and your father too, I mean how could I saw you when you had no choice but joining a gang to make a living and getting money from your home. You want to be strong, but your heart couldn't make you stronger--and somehow it changed you... did you start to lose your memories from then?"

Yes, because it was terrible.

"So... tell me, what was the most suffering pain you've ever gone through?"

Kohaku winced when the trauma of his past came rushing back into his head, flooding all his senses with pain, nightmares and other unwanted things he wished for him to not remember. It was painful, horrible and sad that made him want to forget all those nights... yet he tried to move forward. It must be hard, he heard that question from behind him and sighed, lowering his gaze. "Everything is enough for me to suffer, sir. Every day, those days before..." he muttered with his voice softened and uncharacteristic, he was lost his words when he was talking to him. "... you probably understand how I really want this to stop, so there isn't anything that I want to suffer by again."

Damien was listening, hearing him confess about everything must be heavy for him--because Kohaku was often pretending to act like nothing ever happened and only ignoring the people around him when no one was even aware of him suffering this to begin with. "Life's shit, so full of problems... but sometimes being here, isn't about having a good life or happy ending. Sometimes you just gonna have a neutral ending for yourself, that's why you were going far," Damien explained. "There's no need to dwell in the past, cause we will have different future where we can change everything... and we're willing to take the risk, there's no need for tears or any problems about leaving behind someone's family who wanted him back."

"That, because when I chose you, Kayana Sahanaya Tirta... as our secret weapon. You have what it takes to end what was started, and it won't end."

Kohaku's magenta-red eyes under his bangs of his dark auburn short messy hair shimmered and flashed in red, gold and black, he replied. "As long you trust me, Kayana. There's nothing I have to regret having you as my weapon," Damien said in a cold voice that made him let out a broken breath. "Don't forget the oath that you swear to me, so protect the organization and no matter how high the heavens become or no matter how vast the underworld is, you will have the chance to have your revenge against those who destroyed your happiness."

Kohaku nodded, he hasn't forgotten the oath when he reminded him and he felt him letting go of him. "Alright, I'll let you go for now... and I want you to help them investigate the intruder after your job is done," he said with a firm nod.

Kyoran followed Damien as he nodded at Kohaku, seeing him close his eyes and let him leave. "It appears like you have to protect your friends by leaving them under Trilaksana Organization's care, especially that Shania girl who's being protective of you," Sherry spoke, walking beside Kohaku, Byakuya and Kyouka to the city where his three remaining Indonesian compatriots are; Andrew, Julian and Shania. He knew he failed to protect Misuzu and Juan, so he had to do something with them.

Even if the contract is made, the organization will ensure their secrecy for doing their job like some mercenaries.

Damien said those words and the new world awaits for his desire.

You have to accept your fate, Kohaku.

"Where is he?"

Shania grumbled, while she came with Julian and Andrew--trying to search for Kohaku even though he asked them not to follow him and it's dangerous. She looked around the empty city and keep looking left and right for the boy, both of them didn't find him. "Why did you have to follow him? You know what Sherry warned us, don't get involved in his work--there's a lot of creatures on guard here," Andrew reprimanded, glaring at her that earned a groan in frustration. "What do you want with him?"

Shania frowned, looking back at him. "Because I know he won't forgive himself if something happens to his friends," she answered, crossing her arms. Julian facepalmed, there's no way they're coming to save him if they found him somewhere in trouble. Then, someone was walking toward them, there's one someone they knew and couldn't help but relieved. "It's Kayana," he said, looking at Kohaku who walked towards them. Kohaku could hear Shania was first calling him, before he noticed. "Oh, hey. I found you guys," he replied, when they gather around him.

"Now that you're back, let's go home before we get found--"

Kohaku look away from them, before he close his eyes. "I'm sorry... but, I can't come back yet," he muttered, glancing at the ground with a sorrowful expression before he returned. "Please, don't search for me... you are not authorized to come here."

"Excuse me?" Shania furrowed her eyebrows. "You can't decide whatever the hell are you talking about!" she rebutted, she turned around to glare at both Andrew and Julian. "Tell him why he can't come and join us, guys?"

Julian keep looking away, whereas he was clearly unnerved. Andrew avoided his gaze, which made her annoyed when neither of them seemed to say it. "I told you... I'm not coming back with you," he repeated, making her fell silent. Kohaku's gaze remained tranquil and dark--it was devoid of any remorse of what he said to her. "I don't want all of you get hurt... because of my mistake," he explained, closing his eyes. His scars hurt by these memories, the lives that are already lost and cannot be saved.

No regrets, except the lives that were lost.

When he opened his eyes, Shania saw his magenta eyes glinted with red in a split second--before becoming his normal magenta-red color. Then, she was reminded on how he always had those glints when he left the class. Not only that, there has been urban legends of Secret Garden--the assassin group known as unofficial paramilitary organization under Indonesian shadow government; the group was led by one of the Nine Dragons of Indonesia, the most infamous and most dangerous nine executives in one organization. There has always been a nine executioners in this world, and they have a role to eliminate potential threat to their country. They have taken an oath to protect the interests of their national independence, also to ensure the country not would be exposed to foreign or threats. When it comes to fighting wars without receiving any casualties or damages, Secret Garden sends in their agents to ensure no one will reveal the truth about it--even when their enemy is World Government.

"The rumors I heard about the Secret Garden is real... then, you are part of them?"

'Don't reveal it' his subconscious said when he heard his own voice repeating, the wound was bleeding in agony and the scent of blood lingered--his scars are too terrible, not to mention that he himself isn't perfect and isn't what she thought to be true. "I don't know what are you talking about," he stated, true to his contract--an assassin must not reveal his identity because it is a binding oath.

"Did you know about it, then why won't you tell me?!"

Shania demanded, grabbing his right hand before he looked back at her. "I don't care if it breaks your NDA, you could tell me!" she exclaimed, making him remember that he couldn't reveal it to anyone who wasn't part of it. The secret can't be revealed, no matter how many times he was tortured but it was impossible to be broken, impossible to escape. "Shania, please... stop asking me about that."

She went silent again, before tears streaming from her eyes. This isn't how he thought of saying anything, but this is for everyone's safety. "I wanted to know everything about you, because you'll be killing yourself at the end of your journey," she stated, choking back her tears. Kohaku look down at her, before his eyes darkened under his bangs. 'Did I... do the right thing?' he thought, holding his tongue so she won't cry in pain and that's his friend, he hated seeing her cry all this time--but it's understandable because he felt it. "But... when the time comes, I will understand everything--so when your journey is almost over, I will take your life and wake you up from the nightmare--it's my fault for not realizing it, I'm so sorry."

She embraced him in her arms, Kohaku frozen in place--but he knew that he has to stay calm for this. Although Kohaku has standing on his own, he leaned forward to the female and took a deep breath as he held her. Maybe, he will put this entire thing aside... it was enough, now he thinks he'll need time to do this. Kohaku look up at Julian who hummed in response and Andrew is still lost in thought as he rubs his head with annoyance; while he heard Shania made a sobbing noise. It takes a lot of effort to endure his pain, he could use Shania's presence to distract him from remembering how painful the hell and back he must have gone through.

Shania wondered, where's his old self? Why is he changed?

_"Everything is going according to Damien's script."_

Sherry stated, walking towards them with Byakuya and Kyouka who were backing him up--there was Kyoran as he stood on the platform with his usual somber expression; indicating a sign of 'betrayal' against Julian, Shania and Andrew. They were shocked, except Kohaku who have known Kyoran after he joined Secret Garden in the first place. "Kayana, your decision?" Sherry asked with a usual alluring smile, no sign of regret coming from her expression when he couldn't face his friends. "Now we have everyone here, what are you going to do?"

Kohaku close his eyes, although he felt conflicted--as if he doesn't have the strength to stand against anyone. All he wanted... is just a world peace, but... everything was only an illusion of what we are but isn't what it seems. Instead, Kohaku keep his calm demeanor when he took a deep breath. He has made his decision, without any disturbances from his emotions when he suddenly remembered the promises; and he has the key to restore everything that had been destroyed to its end. "..." he remained silent, in the meantime his subconscious was repeating his voice. 'The world... is my oyster.'

He can do anything he wish and go anywhere he want in his life, because he have the ability to do so and there is a lot of things that could happen that will be good for him in this life. "Shania, remember what you said to us... about how we protect the world with our own way?" he asked, looking up at her with his expression fell into neutral. Then, he looked at the confused look on their faces, before Shania began to understand and tears trickling from her cheeks--she knew what he had done to say goodbye. "Yes... even though I want you to save the world... in a way that only you want it to happen..." she answered with a quivered voice, she'll keep his memories in the treasure of her memories for the rest of her life.

"Will you hate me forever, if I save the world with my own hands... by doing the things that only I myself can do?"

Shania could only wonder if his decisions will save the world, and not only his own family, his friends, those lives and everything that were important in his heart. "Back then... you're so strong to protect me from being making fun of, because I was weak back when we're in high school. It motivate me, so I can train myself to become stronger--that's why I want to be like you guys who always protect me from the bullies... so I wanted to repay the debt--by protecting the three of you back," he stated, before he took a deep breath.

They have a pure loyalty toward him as he remembered all his memories and found out what Damien planned for him; but what if it's only their lies, a well-placed acting, and his decision will be different than their loyalty? Those three were amazed, before looking up at him... wondering what makes him so good to be his friends because he always listen and doesn't appear as hostile as they always described. "I don't want to be weak anymore, ever since I got sexually assaulted... by that fucking former professor. Yet, that skinwalker made me weak... by impersonating into that man who made my life a living hell in the past. All I wanted is to move on, but... why fate is so cruel that I didn't have much love and attention because they don't see me enough for them to learn the truth," he confessed in a low voice, looking at the Tiryags before he glanced back at her. "I'm sorry, Shania... that I can't be strong for you when you need me."

"I am weak, and I have committed sins," he announced before they could react. He can feel a pulse racing from inside, making him bite his lower lip and turn around--facing his back on her. "Let's meet again someday, until then... please keep your promise to help me."

Kohaku spoke, but when he was about to leave--a hand tugged his wrist and stopped him. He hasn't heard a word coming from his friends, before he heard her voice spoke with determination. "Let me help you, you can't give up! I'll help you with everything, cause I'm the one who should've looked after you more!" Shania responded in defiance, Kohaku wide-eyed upon hearing her voice almost broke. "... don't make this more difficult than it already is."

"Stop, that's enough..."

Julian approached Shania and glanced at Kohaku, he knew he didn't want to do it yet because Shania's emotional state right now is hard to predict. "Give him time, you just have to let him take the path he think is right," he advised with a sigh, trying to persuade her to let go and trusts her with Andrew. Shania shook her head, before she look away for a moment. "You have to tell us why did you join Secret Garden? Don't you see how shady they look like?! Or, is there anything that you can't tell us, including Julian and Andrew?!" she demanded, tears flowing down her eyes that made him stunned when she confronted him.

"... Shania, don't be mad--it'll cause trouble for your health," Kohaku interrupted, closing his eyes. He then, held her wrist and he turned his gaze at her friend; it was the last time that he met their eyes. "At first, I was just curious... until I realized that when I joined them--I have to be stronger for them," he answered, and he has revealed that Secret Garden taught him something... that will prepare him in the future when the crisis has started. It made her paled, and there wasn't much response from both Andrew and Julian; but instead he paused as his gaze faltered and released her. "That's all I can say, I can't reveal all of my activities... that's a breach of the oath I made."

Shania's eyes widened, immediately shaking her head in denial when Kohaku placed his hand onto her shoulder before he lowered it down to her hand. "Shania, stop worrying so much of me. I'll be fine, okay?" he reassured, but her mind reject his word and shakes his head. "Please Shania, be strong... until we can meet each other again," he muttered, before Shania closed her eyes and nodded sadly.

The Tiryags left the city and leave them as allies after the oath and the contracts are reestablished--it is time to head back before it is too late.

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