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Phantom Samsara: Path of Yaksha
Chapter XIII: New World Order

Chapter XIII: New World Order

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Shania wondered if Kohaku is doing fine out there, she couldn't help but worry about him after he left them--the trio were in Trilaksana Organization after Hifumi escorted them. Kayla watched them as she stood beside her Kaname--the Director-General under Alda's order, the Secretary-General couldn't help but pondered why Andrew and Julian had to calm her down. "Is she okay?" Aliyah asked her colleague, Kayla shrugged and her gaze was looking at her friend. "She's been like that since 'he' left, what a poor kid. She lost her hope, you know?" Kayla spoke softly.

Hifumi was fanning himself with a pouting expression, looking at Kaname who folded his arms--they were eyeing on them. "Don't you start, Kaname," Hifumi warned. Kayla scoffed when her best friend rolled his eyes while Aliyah is checking her nails. There were sudden footsteps coming from the entrance of Trilaksana's office as their Executive Director is here, Alda clasped her fingers with a frown at the three of them--she doesn't look so pleased with them in particular. "Executive Director," Luca called, but Alda nodded as if she already know the signal. "I know, let me talk to them and it'll take long... we'll get you later."

Alda stated, before she kneeled in front of Shania to meet her gaze. "Hey sweetie, are you okay now?" she asked, making her shook her head and it's surprising that Julian and Andrew are the quiet ones to comfort her. "Listen, the boy who left you earlier... he was the target of World Government from the start, and because of it... he couldn't stay any longer. It breaks him to leave you," Alda said in a soft tone, seeing Shania look up to her as she took her into her embrace. "Until you are ready, find a way to get close to him and not give up on him. Don't ever think bad things that he chose his path."

Shania could only listened to her words, but she always doubted when she remembered those dark images that appeared in her nightmares about her friends and family. It breaks her, everything and why she is like this.

Lastier has arrived to see his wife Alda comforting Kohaku's remaining friends who left them, he folded his arms with his eyes closed as his wife's subordinates saluting at the director of Secret Police. "What's up, Lassie?" Hifumi teased his superior's spouse with a devilish grin when he arrived--immediately regretting it when Lastier looked at him with a closed eyes and smile that looked anything but friendly. Hifumi didn't hide his horror upon seeing him smiling at him, all those people shuddered by his mere presence because not only he is feared--he has an unknown presence as he walked by. "Sorry about that, sir... apparently those Secret Garden assassins had to leave Indonesia because they became World Government's wanted criminals," Hifumi said, answering the reason for his questioning.

"... Where is he?"

Lastier asked in a stern voice, that made him shocked. "You are talking about Kayana Sahanaya Tirta, sir?" Kayla asked, Lastier nodded silently. Aliyah raised an eyebrow, why is he interested with the kid out of the blue? Alda released Shania from the embrace, looking at her husband--aware that he talked about her friend, Kohaku. "Prof... why didn't you stop him?" Shania asked Professor Hokuri, seeing him reluctant to speak as he remained quiet. "I'm sorry, Shania. But, Kohaku's superior and I made an agreement--I can't disclose any more information related to this," Hokuri answered sadly, even he couldn't guess that Kohaku would involve with the problem of World Government's corruption that spread across the globe and why they couldn't spare him, so he has to settle on the matter and do what he needed to be done.

Alda agreed, apparently Damien already talked to her subordinate regarding it--but in secret. The group of the Tiryag he serves can't be tracked by the organization, which requires a high authority government official to approach him for a peaceful meeting and not be disturbed. Lastier wasn't surprised, before he turned to see Shania. "In the first place, we're planning to make him a fugitive along his peers," he stated, making her pale upon hearing it. Alda sighed as she knew her husband wouldn't mind scaring this poor kid, but how could she stop him? "Now young lady, if it weren't for Alda's request for giving you a job in Trilaksana Organization as a help for your dear friend... I won't be merciful at all," Lastier told her with a smile, Shania was stunned to hear his wife have been involved in everything. "So, you will be in their care and work with them. Welcome to Trilaksana, if there's anything wrong--I will punish you for that."

The Trilaksana Organization has been working together with Secret Police, even around the world... which means one thing; they may have close contacts with the international spy network and agency that no one was aware or guessed at all. Hearing this, even Julian and Andrew felt unnerved yet in awe when Alda revealed how advanced they are; once the Indonesian government decided they are dangerous for them, World Government will declare the nation rogue--which explains the status quo in the trilateral (Indonesia, the US, Russia, China) issue... as Jakarta may not only be the home of the Trilaksana Organization alone, that is also why Lastier made himself a Director General of Secret Police.

Shania reluctantly nodded, realizing that while Kohaku had his job and mission given from Secret Garden as he takes an oath and extended his NDA... things won't be the same after the contract have been reset.

When she promised to protect him and his friends until they met again someday in the future, when the time is right...

The three remaining friends... shall rise from the darkness.

Shania began to get changed in her Trilaksana Organization's standard uniform, retaining her long sandy blonde hair with her two long bangs framing her forehead on both sides, fair complexion and blue-colored eyes with red paint on her eyelids and flower card-like earrings on her ears. She donned a dark Prussian blue and red uniform with Trilaksana's head on the left side of her body, three pins of the organization's symbols are featured in the middle while having puffy sleeves, white collared undershirt with a black tie around her neck, frilled, short dark Prussian blue skirt. She wears a black tights with thigh high boots that were black.

Andrew look rather displeased with the attire, he was forced to get himself changed into their uniform. He now have dark brown short hair that has a gradient ombre from light grey at the top to a darker grey in the lower sections, under his ears with messy bangs over his green eyes and cheeks, along fair complexion and wears glasses. He adjusted his Trilaksana uniform consists of signature dark Prussian blue and red collared with Trilaksana's symbols on the left side of his shoulder and has same three buttons on the shirt. He wears a white long sleeves underneath with black wrist sleeves, has blue and black pant with a yellow belt tied around his waist. Then, he wore a brown short knee-length boots.

Julian tidied up his short black hair with long bangs over his green-blue eyes and light tan complexion. He wears the Trilaksana uniform as similar to Andrew's, in addition of having black fingerless gloves and black high knee-length boots. "Shania, you're not jealous of Sherry, right? I know she's quite annoying sometimes just to play around with him, but that's what my thoughts were based off," Julian asked, making her rolled her eyes--she couldn't help but glare at Sherry who was walking toward them in their office. "I don't think you got anything to worry about that little turd, Julian... I mean have you seen his face when she's not around and ignore her? He doesn't really care about anything and hardly even answer her," Andrew reminded him with crossed arms.

Shania stopped glaring at her and blinked, now she remembered Kohaku's reluctance of meeting her when he happened to be alone before. But, she's his co-worker--there's no way he will resist her existence; especially when he have known her back when they met her for the first time. "He always chill whenever he's around girls," she added, although she was worried about her friend. Julian scoffed when he folded his arms. "Hey, why are you that worried for him? Not that we're judging you, but sometimes you gotta ask yourself is it that important? He's a grown ass man, ain't he?" Andrew reprimanded with an angry tic mark on his temple, while he was sweating. "Not helping," Shania whined.

Andrew still couldn't see how any of their relationship is becoming too complicated in reality. Julian sighed, comically gazing at her as if she was still a kid to him. "Eh, let's just say you're jelly or something like that. You must admit it, she looks more like a perfect match," Julian joked and teased her, using hand motion by mimicking scissor to her and snip, making her annoyed by him. "Shut up, she's just annoying than any gold digger would be!" Shania yelled, whereas she also remembered those dreams about how Nadya was being bashful around him (even though she's bad at socializing).

Kayla was listening to them when they have began arguing about something, looking at Shania and that caused Kaname to hum. "Girl problems, eh?" the second-in-command of Alda murmured, clasping his fingers together. "Damn, Andrew was such a horrible person to mention about being the jealous type..." He shook his head, as if he found himself disappointed with them, now this might cause a slight concern to Kayla. "Back to work!"

Hokuri grumbled, closing his laptop and placed it into his desk. "My money to our bet that these kids will get their ass beaten."

Kaname rolled his eyes in response, he wanted to fight Byakuya and Kyouka again--but Hifumi forbid him because he might lose his focus on the job. Aliyah can only facepalmed when she walked away to another office, because she didn't want to get caught in the conversation. Then, she turn to see the leader of the group after Alda's leave due to personal business she couldn't disclose more. "Pardon for me, Luca... what are you trying to do right now?" Hokuri asked.

Luca was hiding his phone, almost getting caught for texting with Damien--his own older brother. He was smiling sheepishly, "Well... you see, Hifumi--I need your... 'help'." Luca informed him, Hifumi looked a bit distraught, as if he already got this a million times before. He groaned, before he glanced at his remaining teammates with crossed arms. "This better isn't any pranks that Lastier will hunt me down for that, then you owe me that favor--then go back to doing your damned job!" Hokuri reminded them, Luca snickered as he hold his wrist.

"Trust me, Hifumi."

Shania couldn't help but sigh, feeling that a headache's already arrived after they had an argument. "I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this, Julian," she commented with a frown, scratching her head. "Look, don't worry about him. He already told you that everything is fine, you know?" he stated the fact while trying to reassure her, by placing a hand on her shoulder. Julian is very friendly and kind when he is calm, yet has a playful nature and has a cool composure whenever he wants to help her with any advice. "Just believe in him, he want to repay your debt by keeping his promise--that's all we can expect from him," he reminded her.

The feeling was just a small start of the disaster that will befall upon them all, she just needed someone who would understand her by heart--and she have him to be that companion.

Few days later...

Kohaku finished his training as he took an early warm bath in the bathroom, he took off his clothes as it revealed his lean and muscular body with several scars and other marks on the back from the case--scratching himself as the hot water gushed out. He entered the bathroom after putting his clothes into the laundry baskets, before getting himself into the warm tub. "Phew... the mission went well... at least the blood stains didn't make the clothes ruined, thanks to Byakuya, Radjasa and Kiryu," he said to himself, ruffling his auburn hair as he sighed.

After he finished the shower, he got a mission to infiltrate a ballroom in Dubai--so he grabbed the suit that Kahayana gave to his son. The dress code was: formal and comfortable, but didn't ignore the fact they are also assassins--the mission was to sabotage the guests and 'strange' figure hiding behind the crowd, unknown to this country. But, Damien came to him and added one more thing from his 'script' or whatever the additional notes for his mission that said: "You need a partner for your mission. Ask any from your teammates, that is my order."

Kohaku asked why he needs a partner, wasn't he able to go alone? It's just going to mess him up with these assassinations, especially that some people are gonna die as the party was full of corrupt politicians and shit--and now he need a partner? Luckily, they aren't dumb as 'some people' he knows. As soon as he stopped thinking, his thoughts has been wandering to the corner of his brain as he walked across the front yard and enter the bar area where his friends are spending some time. Wait, that's not all--Damien also added: "Byakuya will be your partner in the next mission tomorrow, so don't ask him to be your 'partner' today."

Huh? So... a partner for the ball mission is random? Great.

Kohaku had to think twice, because if he ask Kyouka to be his partner for the mission--she actually didn't mind but he almost forgot that Byakuya is her big brother and knowing how protective he is... he wouldn't let Kyouka come over to the party with him, regardless if he told him she's safe with him. Kiryu? Nope, he messed up once because the blonde teen is too carefree and yet he can sense a lot of people walking toward him--how did he know? He was in front of the statue and using this advantage to hide himself (that he's trying not to laugh because of Kiryu's bad luck). Radjasa has another mission with Rayna, well that's bullshit--the last option is Sherry herself who seems that already had a costume set for the mission. "... Sherry."

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He called, staring at her with a dejected look, ready to be rejected immediately--as the woman turned around and smiled. "What? Do you want me to be your partner for this?" she said, making him bewildered how she even knew about it without giving her the details of his thoughts! He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows, staring at her but she didn't respond. "Fine, tonight at 18:00 PM sharp. Make sure that you're there in front of the place, you'll know who is me. Don't come up late, or else," he warned.

"Alright, your wish is my command and yada yada..."

Sherry replied with a yawn, before she went out from the room--Kohaku tapped his chest with his knuckles. Looking like he has never shown himself in a real ballroom, the party would be fancy and fun, but yet.

That night, Kohaku donned a white formal shirt with black cravat underneath his dark bluish-black and red-gold blazer, dark bluish-black pants and polished black shoes. He kept his hair in his usual messy style, but he had to wear contact lens because of his terrible sense of sight to which Kahayana gave to him when he had gone home the first few months. He stood in front of the stairs as the clock strikes 6:00 PM, before Sherry clings her arm around his arm--making him surprised to see her all clean and sparkling... but of course that's just the accessories reflecting the colors of the street lights and building.

Sherry wears a black dress with straps and collared black cape draped over her shoulders, black high heels and a purple ribbon on her collar while holding a black handbag. "Shall we?" she said, with a pleasant smile as Kohaku exhaled and his eyes returned normal, adjusting himself to her new look. "Shit, I can't even rub my eyes..." he grumbled, not only the contact lens making his eyes blinking a lot--but he had to keep his eyes on the mission. They entered the ballroom with a special ID they need to show it, as a proof of invitation with their fake identities. There were the people who danced with their partners, chattering with their peers while they walk by. "Oh dear, who is this handsome fellow?" one of the guests questioned.

"Him? Oh..."

Kohaku knew that Sherry will do the talking for his part, he didn't talk much unless needed. He wasn't very good at talking to someone because most of his clients were just the higher-ups of organizations or some groups who come to hire him or whoever assassinated him whenever the hell their agents had the highest bids. "He's my boyfriend, he's rich. We are having a relationship problem and this is a new beginning for our love," Sherry is serious in describing the story with Kohaku's bewildered expression for a few seconds before he changed his expression into a stoic one. 'Fucking hell, playing this far to go with this... I don't even know how to 'suitable date for the relationship' kind of thing, damn it!' he thought to himself.

But, good thing this was a plan to detect their targets and find a way to lure them. "Darling, say hello," Sherry called, shaking him off as the masked man blinked and sighed. "Good evening, Miss... Macy, and uh... Mr. Aaron," he greeted them, feigning a courteous smile at them as he turned his head with the excuse of wanting a fresh air (aka--getting out of here fast without his cringe on purpose because he never went to ballroom). While both of them sat down together on the seat, Sherry was holding a champagne glass so does Kohaku--eyeing the guests around the ballroom. "Kayana," she whispered, using the tip of her foot to lift the hem of his pants by her high heels.

"I could already tell that my stomach wants to throw up every time I'm the one who says the lies or feigning other's story in acting," he whispered again, tsk-ing as he glares at his 'girlfriend'. Sherry laughed silently behind her palm, giggling as she playfully elbowing at him and nudging his knee with her high heels under the table. "Oh dear, aren't you a bad boyfriend? Make me get pissed, really..." her teasing words make him swallow, what's wrong with him? Then, Kohaku had an idea--a cruel one as he was giving that sly grin look from his closed eyes. "If that's the case, it would be your chance... I mean, a couple hug will work. Wouldn't it? 'Darling'," he mimicked her voice, before standing up.

Sherry lifted her eyebrows when he lend her a hand, because here goes the dance in the ballroom. "You're quite demanding... well, let's see how long will you make me fool these guests," she said, accepting his hand as he pulled her. They were the beauty of a male with a woman who has the face to kill, even with her presence--the others guests swoon over her figure that could kill while others turned their attention to Kohaku, they felt that the atmosphere feels like it's going to explode with passion!

Kohaku spins her, lifting her up the air--carrying her but Sherry swiftly adjusted her grip to his neck. Kohaku gracefully swirling and spinning their way through the crowd with the perfect and graceful time of their waltz steps, the tempo never slowed and stopping--from their gaze as the assassin, with that deadly glance and focus eyes has begun. "Damien usually do the flamenco and tango for both of us," Sherry spoke, pressing her hands on his back and pressing their bodies together. "You don't seem like a slow dance person to me, but to them--an opposite has made."

"Damien taught me how to dance. How else could I manage to not walk into the wall back then?"

He added the last one, Sherry giggled when they leaned against each other's ears. "Don't go to the walls, someone might think that you're not drunk," she said, giggling and looking away--for the audience. They spin their way back to the crowd in close-by with each turn, elegantly dipping in the air and making their audience applauded. Their faces and touches were inches and it was unavoidable, the couple playfully pushed themselves and waltzing the dance hall--after their feet run around in circles to let their mood get up. "Did you see our target?" he asked, eyeing the crowd from a distance.

"One, spotted at the counter," she told him in a brief response. "Nice."

Then, Kohaku and Sherry gave their audience a signal that they finished their dance and claps given. One of the couples, the husbands and wives looked very disappointed as their performance is worth the cheer and applause. The music started to a slow and simple tune as a tune of love, and 'holy shit' they were in this mood for real. "Gosh, let us take a break already..." Sherry muttered, she sighed and pulled Kohaku's hand--they sneaked their way out of the crowds and heading to the upper floors.

They were in their mission, their job isn't done yet because by the time he remembered; one of the doors has lead them to a private area and outside to an open balcony view of the city, despite the cold breezing was blowing the open doors. This is it, now--he wasn't sure if this was going to end well--any kind of sudden things can happen. 'I wonder who's that skinwalker in Phantom Eruption at Bali that day...' Kohaku thought, staring at Sherry from the window's reflection. "Have you ever felt fear before? Or some kind of feelings you never felt?" he asked, looking at the view.

"No, never I did."

Sherry replied casually, she never felt any fear in her body and what do you know--because he saw it. She always performed dangerous stunts in front of many without hesitation, often shocking people around her by doing the same things over and over again. Kohaku had to 'save' her for the umpteenth times due to her habits, not only that making Kohaku scolded her (also, he got his arms wrapped over her back too when he lifted her like carrying a cat); but also driving the car for her. "I wonder why Damien assigned me as a leader for my team..." he muttered, since his position as a class monitor is temporary for several months--but he was surprised that why Damien assign him to lead his own team since Damien has his own team.

Kohaku noticed her arms began to tremble and shivering a little--then he hugged her, but when she looks up to meet with his dark gaze on the windows with a stern expression--she couldn't stop herself. "You tricked me," he said, narrowing his eyes at her. "I didn't do anything. You did this yourself, partner," Sherry replied as she hugs him too. "For the sake of acting skills? We'll see about that later," she giggled a little--because she wanted more time with him so, there! As an actress, she gave the cue to signal it's her cue and moment when he felt the goosebumps on his skin. She gave the right words, tones and expressions to take action.

They noticed their target began to flee from downstairs, both of them nodded before they jumped over the railings and landed smoothly with their respective weapons. Kohaku with his black chained bullwhip and Sherry with her gun and katana on her hand, both Indonesians ran towards their target with flaring red eyes. Some of the people cowered, realizing a killer on the loose!

They managed to infiltrated the garage area and hunt their target in a confined space, eventually having a fierce battle with the guard before Kohaku let the guards chasing and lured him down towards an open space of the floor. Sherry created a purple-red web strings around the bodyguards, trapping them under her hypnosis spell before she caught up with Kohaku and the third guy. "Kayana," she called calmly, landing behind him with her katana blocking his movement from stabbing him--but he quickly counterattacked with his black bullwhip chain, tying up his arm before they jumped to the top of the room.

Meanwhile, Sherry pinned their target to the wall--gripping his neck with her purple webbing, a bright colored purple-red eyes and a creepy-wide smile. "Look who we got here, hm? How long will you waste your money just to save yourself from drowning in debts?" she asked, tilting her head playfully as the red strings flew through the man. Her captivity will make him think that he's in a room with lots of spiders and cobwebs everywhere, along with a low growl and shrieking noises of the strings. She's letting him scared and terrified as all the fear that he'd been refusing were bubbling into his skin. "Your prey have awakened."

The last words escaped from her lips.

"Shanti."

Kohaku landed on the ground, hearing the loud explosion he triggered on the bodyguards below--a cloud of fog after a sharp whip strike, the guards are thrown away to the walls. But they were not out, however. Their blades clash with him as the auburn-haired man dodged the slashes and stabbed his opponent from his waist before he threw his bullwhip into the guards and slain them with the chains. He lifted his head to see Sherry and her prey were above. 'Oh dear, she's going to release him like that?' he thought, after his eyes turned red from the lust of murder as he watched her pulling out her katana. "Kayana, should we make a double lariat?" she asked, smirking at him.

"My pleasure. Call my name in the next game."

Kohaku spoke, before he smirked. "Unleash."

The impact that she gave to her prey brought an extra leverage into their gravitation, the man fell into the ground on his chest as Sherry jumped to meet her partner--whirling gracefully before Kohaku intercept her by grabbing her around her lower back and left his hands. He easily held her over his head and spun swiftly, before Sherry was already prepared and kicking him to break the impact and now throwing the target from below. It looks like an acrobatic battle with them, showing their finesse of grace and power, swinging the bodies in the air with their hands.

Sherry released from his hand in the last seconds, before she lands the final blow with her katana on the guards after their prey. Kohaku landed safely from the fall, looking at the scene from the corner of the building as Sherry approached him while she sheaths back her blade, she smiled and reached for his collar with a dust cloth. "Do you know how much this fancy suit costs? I've to pay the money for this," he said sarcastically, before she cleaned up his collar. "It's okay, it's yours that you bought. If it's Damien's suit, he will lash out," she reminded him, smirking teasingly.

"We had to act like couples on purpose, plus 'boyfriend and girlfriend'," she told him, her face was less than an inch from Kohaku's. "We pretended that we're dating, so what? It's for the mission and we can just have a pretend break up to make the way cleared. Besides, don't couples in games usually have a pretend one? Perhaps in movies, maybe they made a contract for two or three months? Or breaking up with each other? Don't overthinking it."

Kohaku didn't say anything, he can't even talk back at her because it's true. "I would like to see classical orchestra next time, but I wouldn't mind if it's either you or the rest," Sherry reminded, before she clung her arm around Kohaku's arm as they walked away from the crime scene.

When it comes to these particular moments, some assassins, as well as the rest of them... they tend to be quiet, serene and peaceful.

After the mission is over, Damien was listening to the report that both of them make--until he heard the whole 'dancing part' that made him spun his chair to face them. "Wait, you two did the dancing and waltz in the party, while following that creep out and killing him?" he asked, half-baffled and surprised. Kohaku ended up not wanting to remember that dance anymore, what the fuck is he doing back there? What? Fucking show-off dancing in the crowd while his brain isn't focusing on this bullshit. "W-Well, you see..." Kohaku had to explain the story, using his words and actions which Damien immediately realized the situation and laughed his ass off.

"Argh, I wish I should ask my father to teach me ballroom dancing, but the ballroom is way too posh and fancy, apparently!" he replied sarcastically with a sigh, before Damien grinned. "Hey, don't forget that I taught you flamenco and tango once. When it comes to dancing, nothing is posh and fancy."

"He's naturally a good one for a beginner."

Sherry complimented him with a soft smile, since Kohaku, even while dancing--kept his thoughts straight until he released the tension. "You two... you can play that again, as practice for the next assignment," Damien suggested, smirking. "Let me guess, we will have to do the same thing as that ballroom mission, right?"

"Absolutely not."

Kohaku growled, almost glaring at him with a low snarl. The last thing that he needed was just to play along with the missions, even with their teammates joining in with him--can he only sit there and watch while watching his friends working on it instead of engaging himself in their games or missions.

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