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Phantom Samsara: Path of Yaksha
Chapter XXXIX: Vow of Samsara

Chapter XXXIX: Vow of Samsara

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The war has just begun and the Secret Garden and OUTLAW assassins must hide themselves from their sight, heading to the Divine Forest for the artifact according to Erfan's suggestion--the psychic warn them that something bad will happen after this so they must be prepared. Kohaku noticed the time is three o'clock, making him huffed as he went to the waterfall area and searching for the artifact that Hifumi told them. "Where is it...?" he muttered, they need to get it first but seeing how every civilians evacuating from the Island, the war came and Kohaku sensed it. 'And it's clear that our lives are now in danger, like we're traitors or some shit.'

The battlefield shows an army of Sandyakalans lead by her father against the rebels of one of the South Regions of Sandyakala, a place where people who opposed their hegemony and yet unaware of that certain crown princess had betrayed her kingdom and she worked with rebels to end the entire ruling system from this important countries. The Southern Rebels, the faction that founded by Maharasthra Anjasmara--the figure who disagreed with everything related with Sandyakala dynasty, while having ties with them and later formed into a powerful resistance group, bringing devastation to anyone who dared to mess with them. "These people, we're fighting over a worthless war and my daughter... couldn't even prevented herself to stop for her people but risk it all," the king of Sandyakala, Maharaja Ajisaka spoke, drawing his sword.

Kohaku look up to see something shining behind the waterfall--realizing this area was the hiding place, he tilted his head at what's behind the harsh-falling waters. The assassin must get it, but how? Is this what Kohaku needed, but he need to find the way to reach the artifact in order to not getting pushed by the strong falling water and he won't have time to go out. "Hey, you better not drench yourself," Kyouka reminded him, followed by Byakuya as both have arrived and looked to see him. Byakuya told him, folding his arms. "Just pull the trigger and watch out!"

Sherry was tempting to kick him playfully from behind, but Radjasa who was holding Rayna to his knee whispered that she better not doing something real bad now, before Kohaku rolled his eyes--this team is being a shit, they just want their leader to get wet while he get the thing and he groaned. "Yeah, yeah, thanks guys. You guys are assholes (except Rayna) anyways," he hissed, before he jumped into the entrance behind the waterfall where he is inside the cavern--and now it's water shooting to him as the assassin began to swim and search for a switch, ignoring his beloved friends' smirk towards him as they heard the scream from outside while Kohaku was cursing mentally at them for shits.

"That's it, you're coming with me!"

Byakuya yelped when Kohaku used his ability to blow a huge air as the torrent of water drenched their entire body, Radjasa and Sherry knew their 'boss' aren't in his good mood at all. "Anyways, let's not piss him off... hey Kayana, we need an artifact to fight them off right?" Sherry called, making Kohaku sighed. "We need the Divine Artifact that known as Astra-Vaisravana, an ancient Astrasutra that can only wielded by Tiryags--no other power-seeking kinds other than Asuras who can't handle it! But, we also don't know where it is located--"

He paused, his head perked up in a middle of the waterfall. He glanced at the shining claymore-like lance weapon with iridescent lights and burning flames, emitting the brightness. He narrowed his eyes and his expression turned serious and determined, before he approached the one and only... ancient weapon he never seen before. He saw another weapons also formed for the other six of them, in case if their powers got separated but... Kohaku can't explain that right now, because his eyes reflected the reflection of the lance which the name kept calling him.

'Kayana... will you do it?'

The voice rang in his ears, which made him froze. But, he narrowed his eyes as he grabbed the handle without hesitation--his eyes widened that the light began to appear, coming from the shining colors all over the Divine Weapon, causing his pupils retracted with the bright light.

The ancient weapon was emitting many warm-feeling after glowing.

Meanwhile, Kamila was slashing the rebel's axe with her sword skillfully but her foe also skilled despite his axe class is heavy, the Crown Princess was pretty confident to win--he did but she has to wait. Then, all of a sudden she saw her father fought with them as his eyes filled in such a deep hatred and fear but at the same time, she too must be doing this. What Kamila doesn't like, what this war is ruining their history and legacy from the beginning of the end and destruction. "Enough, you have to stop this governance for all!"

The leader of the Southern Rebel--Maharasthra Anjana yelled as he swung his sword to the king of Sandyakala, Ananta watched her sister leading a few of her agents down there but she knew the assassins must be still hidden and finding the key they wanted to use against them--thanks to Kamila. "You know you're dealing with Indonesian government, their soldiers will come here and you will regret it, Hainar!" she mocked at the other rebel, before she got into a perfect position. "We can help your daughter if she became our next 'king'. Who knows?"

"Tsk, you must think bringing your ally will make you a ruler of Sandyakala," the king snarled.

Damien watched the war as he read the script from the screenplay book, he couldn't believe this is happening. "Erfan," he called his psychic advisor, Erfan nodded. "It must be done, but Kayana must do an ad-libs--by means one have to break one of the lines... he have to do something that should stop the war--her father must die," he said, Kahayana watched his son Kohaku as he frowned. "It can't be helped, we can't let the OUTLAW interfere until the battle is done... but it must be done... which is why we had to let Anjana kill him--after her mother fell ill."

Anjana finally slain the king, ending the war that must be done. He was panting heavily after he withdrew the sword from the king's corpse, staring at his body as he stood in front of him. "Damn, he must be powerful enough to fight me..." he said, before he saw Kohaku has arrived in the battlefield with downpour on them. However, Anjana did not care--he just wanted Sandyakala became a country that can make them have the same goals and he just kill him like how the story is going, fulfilling this world. "Are you... Kayana Sahanaya Tirta?" he asked, Kohaku didn't answer--but his eyes tells it.

"Save our nation... you're the only hope, for an Indonesian like you--you have to make a decision... save the Crown Princess."

He requested, before he buried his face to his shoulder with the blood all over his mouth. "Save... everything... we want... a better world... it hurts to kill the king, but... it's the only way..." Anjana muttered, hearing the cries of Kamila on her father's dead body across him. Kohaku's expression did not change, he merely had his eyes darkened under his auburn bangs while listening to his wishes. With his auburn hair slightly covered his face, a look which reminded him of the lost emotion he have not known... his hands were stained with the killer's blood and he merely clenched his fist, the eyes and its face may not change. "I beg of you... young one... what is the world without changes... humanity, for a reason to make humanity is weak. Or... how do you truly feel it?"

So, the Southern Rebels... just wanted a new era where they won't afraid of the people who have more authority, or is it in order to keep the Eclipse Prophecy being fulfilled? And, Kohaku doesn't understand their objective is... until Anjana whispered while Kohaku's eyes stared at Kamila who still crying--with her soldiers who mourned for their deceased king; plus her mother no longer with them because of her sudden illness. She truly wished things could get resolved without so much blood and all, as much as she would give her life to replace her father's--she became the ruler of this kingdom.

'I'm sorry... Kamila...'

Kohaku thought, before Anjana muttered his dying breath. "Don't let her people... die by her hands... especially the innocents... her trusted lieutenants... her army... I beg of you... to bring... peace..." he choked, his leader told him--after the rebellion succeeded... they just want a new world. As he was captured by the army, Kohaku walked towards Kamila as she cried. 'It's not going to be a better world, because human doesn't just think what's inside or out to get. But once you don't want more corruption coming for this country... you just had to do the impossible,' he thought.

He kneeled beside her, feeling the regret and guilt is creeping up his spine for awhile before he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry... Kamila, I know you won't feel better. You lost your family, loved ones, even everyone because of this damned civil war. Sandyakala is no longer the same, but please, no matter how much it cost..." he uttered, before Kamila hugged him tightly and cried harder as the tears streaked her cheeks and Kohaku can't decide what to do. '...end this suffering, once and for all... the history will always repeat itself...'

"I will stop you."

That's what she said, before he could leave.

***

During the funeral, Kohaku watched from the distance as he didn't want to interfere anything--staring at Kamila and her remaining family left... he felt like he didn't deserve to be alive, in this time period, and never, he was just merely wasting his times here. If things were different, maybe the conflict within her family, and his best friends still alive. Feeling the agony was consuming him, it seemed there is no end in his suffering and Kamila saw his expression--becoming more and more despicable until something reached to him and comfort him, but not really aware of his sins, the hidden blood in his hand was a sign--she could feel, this conflict could have escalated and caused problems. "You should be talking to her... yet you leaving?"

Radjasa asked his friend, everyone were ready as they need to back to Indonesia--Byakuya can tell that he was still upset and he tried not to show much emotions during work. Kahayana approached his son while taking his face, before stroking his hair as Kohaku was hiding his face. "Son, I understand... we decided to take matters in our hands..." he tried to comfort, in their first travel... it wasn't the real meaning of their adventure they need to achieve. "It's just... I'm having mixed feelings, I..." he muttered, before his arms wrapped around his father as the cold wind breezing by...

Until he saw Kamila standing there, making the atmosphere changed from somber into tense.

She was glaring daggers at Kohaku, before they have come to a decision. Kohaku took off his sunglasses, before he glanced at her as he began to speak. "What is it--" he gasped when her palm grabbed his wrist, before he sensed his Tiryag powers drained from his body. "Kohaku!" Kyouka yelled, making Sherry glared at Kamila for stealing his power. "Give the power back, Crown Princess Kamila of Sandyakala! We will do whatever we can--" Rayna was stopped, after Kamila use her other hand and summoning several spears that almost stabbed them but Kahayana used his psychokinesis to halt the incoming spear.

"Why did you take his Tiryag's power?!" Damien yelled as he had to intercept, however he has to back out. Kohaku fell down as he felt one of his three Tiryag forms got stolen by Kamila, did she just... betrayed him and everyone, it all makes sense to him. The feeling on her eyes have never been an same to express the sadness of seeing such loss, because she is destined to be just like her father--Maharaja Ajisaka... he slowly stand up--trying not to get his emotions the best of him; but fuck it. He was fucking furious.

"Did you just betray me, Kamila?!"

Kamila swung her hand to his way, it caused him slammed into one of the boulders before Kahayana took down one spear using his hand--before she smiled grimly. "Well then, assassins of Secret Garden and OUTLAW huh... not to mention Trilaksana Organization came here as well. I was expecting all of you to come here and trap all of you here, so you won't be able to leave when the next Phantom Eruption comes," she said, getting ready to brandish her own newfound weapon which she summoned a colorful claymore of Shashtra Tiryag; Yamantaka the Finality--who was Kohaku himself. "Now, I'll leave all of you here."

Lastier watched as he glanced at his wife Alda, with their subordinates grew angered--but their leader will command them soon enough. Kiryu glanced at Kohaku as his friend was about to strike back at Kamila, Kohaku realized she hadn't finished the rest of the story yet--so he decided to hold it back when she left them with his beloved weapon. "Now I have a reason why I have to defeat her, what do you say?" Kiryu suggested. Kohaku frowned, this could be the start. "To safe and salvage whatever she might destroy? No, we have the right to end the conflicts. Damien, your order?"

Damien was waiting for their reply on his phone, after he texted everything to them and turns out--here comes the reply and he turn around to face them with serious expression. Not only the mission got a lot of fuck-ups, but they had to finish this one as the last chance for them. "Indonesian shadow government gave us their permission to stop them, so please... if you have to defeat her in order to accomplish your mission, it has been confirmed," he replied.

'Go, Kayana... you have to stop her. One misstep... will lead to catastrophe and something worst that out of imagination,' Damien thought, watching Kohaku's head perked and his expression didn't change at all. Not too long after he and the Tiryags were about to confront the Crown Princess as one of Damien's ability is a future vision, however his mind is the real weakness in order to use his power completely so that's why he put a hypnosis on his mind.

The commander told him of where the artifact are hidden to revive a powerful, ancient civilization... the Lost Civilization. "Are you listening?" Damien asked. Kohaku still focused on the crown princess as he heard that the Revealed Stone Cube is what could save her from destruction, but they had to find that artifact first before the gate of Phantom Samsara will be opened in no time. Kohaku had to rely on his two Tiryag forms, making him annoyed that he had to rely on that.

Then, he remembered the Astrasutra--the ancient weapon he wields as he summoned the claymore-like lance... feeling his energy was overpowered to counter her powers now. "We'll be on your back!" Kiryu said happily. It made him thought that Kamila still hadn't known of what her weapon can do--she wanted to stop Maharasthra Anjasmara; the commander of resistance group that will bring a new nation and rule the world.

Kohaku gripped the handle, lifting his head with full confidence--and no, not again he won't let his powers taken away from him. He didn't want Nadya and Kyoran to suffer within the encased crystals, he wanted to stop this conflict without getting someone sacrificed their lives in vain. Not really want to use that voice that triggered her dark instincts, he had to defeat her before the apocalypse happens. "If it takes my life, just know there's people who believed you for a reason. But, it's not your strength, but it's your life you have risked it," the master assassin of Secret Garden muttered. But, the difference between her--the Crown Princess and him.

It's time to delay the flight to end the war, even so that have a different meaning.

"Kamila... I understand... you lost your father, your entire blood family... your people... and even the innocent ones were ruined by both sides. It hurts so much, especially losing your loved ones. But... the path that you take isn't the same as the salvation you once have, as the rebel's desire can change this world until a war that will happen."

Kohaku spoke, entering the palace area where the army of Kamila were ready to fight them. Erfan informed him, going through his in-ear as he watched the battle. "Astrasutra... allows the person who wielded the weapon if its power meets the right criteria, such as a Tiryag and the Cores' harmony. Those seven weapons were yours to use, however be careful! Because we don't know what Kamila's plan is--outsmarting you to reach the gate. It's the center of Sandyakala. Secure the Will of the Samsara, obtain your power back and save the future, Kayana Sahanaya Tirta," warned the psychic.

Kohaku smiled, before he faced his subordinates. "Do whatever it takes, even if I don't want you guys to risk it... I trust all of you to accomplish our mission, eliminate the targets." That's what he said to them, before he looked at them in the eyes. "Trust me, this is for their salvation. Just like what you have told me during the war, Radjasa."

Radjasa snickered, before he unfolded his fan. "Haiyah, you always know what's best Kayana," he added, watching Kohaku left to have a one-on-one combat against the Crown Princess--like her father had the past years before he died. 'What do you mean I have a terrible luck? I don't want to bet shit' he thought, before he swung the lance. He narrowed his eyes, not flinching at all when the dust storm came as the collision created some tremors from his attack--but his attacks are the strongest on his own because of his prowess and true strength in a fight.

Closing his eyes and meditate for awhile, before he used his ability--slashing a powerful strike of flames in his foe, Kamila smirked before she dodged it as the attack managed to sliced everything around them until the entire ground melted with just her sword. However, he would use his speed and unleash a breath of flames out of his mouth until she had to flip herself to avoid such attack, before he kick her side as she responded with her lance.

For awhile she gave him a kick to his jaw, trying to control himself as he resisted the urge to kill him. It's not like he gonna die with that and his experience of getting beaten up would change the current situation so he transformed into his Yamantaka Inferno form, his flaring red flames was present as his blazing gold-red eyes completely burning his path towards her. He used his gauntlet of his fist to slam the ground, creating a crater behind them--only to get blocked by her barrier before launching him away from her.

The battle continues in heated tension, where they fought with their flames attempting to dominate one another while the Trilaksana Organization and Secret Garden members began to stop the army from getting themselves killed. She was about to use her power before Kohaku's body began to turn crimson, before his eyes--they turned sharper and crimson color as he seemed to know his instincts have going berserk as he was similar to inferno itself. Her eyes widened when Kohaku's presence felt different, making it clear to her and she gasped. "You..." he hissed, trying to take control of himself but it seems these days in dealing with his own enemies for a cause was driving him into the very endless misery, so he had to resist these negative emotions and keep them hidden from his heart. Even so, he wasn't sure if his soul will consume him.

'Accept those powers, it's yours after all,' Sherry's voice ringed in his mind, now he was calm.

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Kohaku close his eyes, before he linked his flames into the lance--combining his power as he began to fight her again but this time, it's more desperate because she have the only one power from his Tiryag forms. Narrowing his eyes to see the upcoming aerial spears, he had to adjust his strategy for a moment--the Crown Princess wouldn't give up easily despite she knew that his power is dangerous. "Just know this, Crown Princess... I am going to stop you if the war came back here--by using your newfound weapon and make you remember of your loved ones you once trust," he calmly explained, his eyes never showed any fear, nothing. "If you made a wrong move... it's over."

Kamila growled, before she unleashed her true power in front of him--the one and only Maharani Paramitha Kamila. Kohaku would react quick enough, his skin became protective until the flames engulfing him. So she called him to face her, thus... allowing herself to use her trump card of hers to burn him in fiery explosion. He transformed into his Yamantaka Ambers, creating a purple-violet crystal spikes emerged from his hands... making himself a barrier and protecting himself from the flames. For awhile Kohaku could do this, he took a deep breath to lower his temperature down.

"You should not mess with the fire," he whispered, turning his head slowly to face her.

Kamila's eyes became white that she was consumed by fury, Kohaku could smell something different around her aura and he stepped back when he watched her sword also engulfed by an ember flame with a swirl. With her emotions raging out of control and remembering how her kingdom destroyed by this war, and her family died--to save her own people... thus making her a woman who always trying to overcome everything, although by betraying someone isn't the right way.

She was panting, before he raised his hand--waiting for her to bring the war to another phase. As she fled from the palace, he saw her headed to the temple where the gate would bring to a chaos if she touched it. Kohaku's eyes shut for a moment, before he swung his lance. The flames had burned anything who stood on the way, trying to pursuit her once again before it hit her in a critical spot that she dodged away from his area, but leaving her alone. She clenched her hand into a fist, before using the flaming sword to decimate him. "What kind of weapon did you have, Kamila?! Just a flaming sword with this? Are you hurting yourself?!" he yelled, clashing their sword together and unleash an explosion of it that he been weakened.

"You can never... have this power... Kayana Sahanaya Tirta!"

Kamila roared, aiming his claymore at him that he saw the gate finally opened by her power--he reached out his hand in struggle at his weapon; begging to return to its master despite the burning sensation between them; testing its loyalty of who's worthy to wield this kind of power. "Astrasutra... Mahapadma... come back to me..." he muttered, with the crown princess trying to fight over the urge to not give up. "No, you... won't!"

All of a sudden, the two powers that clashing collided each other to determine the victor's path of ruling the world as the two swords trying to decide. "I am... Shashtra Tiryag; Yamantaka the Finality... I command you to return to my side and my hands, Astrasutra Mahapadma!" he roared, making the claymore shimmered as he transformed back into his form as Shashtra Tiryag; Yamantaka the Finality--causing the fight to ended to prevent him from destroying the entire portal and all. However, Kohaku told her... like what her father used to tell her... sometimes, just have faith with all the consequences happened.

They panted respectively as Kamila was still burning with dark red flames around her and her eyes still white, her fiery crimson hair fell loose while looking at Kohaku--who revealed his final form once he obtained his weapon back; now with the two Astrasutras on his hands as he was panting with feral grin, looking at her with eyes of the demon from hell like hers did. "Tsk, you never knew how strong you are, don't you?" she hissed, slashing the fire with her sword that it barely avoiding him.

Kohaku was panting heavily, he was feeling his chest beat hard after he used the full of his strength to retrieve his Astrasutras and now, he found himself to fought the last fight against her. "I don't need your compliment, after you stole my powers... and after you betrayed me, so... why should I trust your words, Crown Princess?!" he snarled, before he swung his sword. He used his Astrasutra power and unleashing the infernal and colorful force towards her, seeing her furious face contorted to evil grin and her aura was different. "What a little kitty I have ever seen, coming to strike me?"

Kamila smiled coldly as her body already felt painful enough before she received a slash against her left torso, resulting the blood coming out and was able to put an effort to not give up. "Now that I obtained this power from the gate... I finally can transform!" she yelled, before she morphed her soul into two forms as the first one turned into a gigantic white serpent with red eyes and the second one is her spirit-like form--the same time the portal of Phantom Samsara realm just opened and caused them to leave this world because the time paradox was trying to undo it and wipe it off for good before causing such destruction happened, Kohaku thought this have to end but he must secure the gate quickly enough.

"Kohaku!"

Hokuri yelled as he landed beside his student, Kohaku was surprised to see the youthful lecturer in his late-thirties has arrived. "Goddamnit, where have you been?!" he yelled, causing his student to shudder in fear comically. Hokuri and Kohaku were distracted momentarily before they tried to cover it for a moment, a few moments after he was done, Hokuri announced. "I'm quite proud to see how you've learned a lot without relying on luck to resolve the problem you encounter during your journey, I'm going to assist you because my three pets--I mean my beloved three serpents will be helping you. Remember the Dharma-class Phantom Beasts? Here they are."

Brahmana roared as the gigantic bluish-black serpent with lime-green neon eyes arrived with the crimson-colored gigantic serpent known as Vishnuda and the golden-scaled serpent who is Shivada, they were facing with the Vipralopa-class Phantom Beasts in the island and the transformed serpent who was Kamila within. 'I will be taking on this serpent, you two better stop the portals and the beasts from coming out, got it?' they spoke, the other two serpents nods as they began the massive battle. 'Kayana Sahanaya Tirta, get on top of my head.'

Kohaku heard Brahmana hissed as he gulped, he started to feel nervous because standing on top of the serpent would making his life more miserable until he will back to his safe zone and also this battle wouldn't be a waste of time. He noticed the Crown Princess was looking down at the serpent beast who was currently attacking everything in its path, her eyes glanced around them. "Okay, wait..." he said, before he jumped forward and landed on the serpent's head. "Brahmana... I'll deal with her spirit form, you deal with her serpent form--they have two souls split before becoming like... this."

Brahmana chuckled, even thought their mouth didn't move. 'You don't need to tell me that. We'll talk later, just give her what she deserved...' the serpent remarked before Kohaku yelled his roar as his blazing neon, pink, gold and blue fiery cloak waving by the wind. As he clashes with her spirit form, the serpent roared at Brahmana and both the serpents was eager for their fights that began between them. Kohaku's eyes widened that this woman in traditional dress and armors slashed him using her dark red flaming spear, forcing him to block it and create a huge wind.

The battle went wild, Kohaku was finally to able to reach out his hand towards her feet as it could be the only time to halt the power within, but Kamila was stopped--knowing the war affected her so much so did him, perhaps the others as well. Brahmana caught the serpent's neck with their jawed maws, before he slammed the giant serpent's body as the portal was disappearing along with the rest. Kohaku used the flames to close the gate off and also destroying the spirit-like Phantom Beast. He finally land as Brahmana released their bite, having no choice but to kill her even if she was crazy enough to destroy her own kingdom when it's not about it.

He did as the wind engulfed her body, falling down until her crimson hair fell loose. She knew she was losing, before she suddenly fled into Phantom Samsara realm, making his eyes widened--to bring her back, he have no choice but to follow her as his father Kahayana must go to the location where they need to use one of Secret Garden's technologies for a moment. "Kamila!" he yelled, shocked that she left and refuse to lose. He may hate the conflicts, but to make someone's life being consumed by wrath was unbearable for him to watch. "Damn it!" he roared, his crimson fire bursted from his feet as he entered the phantom gate.

Damien was informed about this as well, seeing Kohaku and his friends returned with Trilaksana Organization members and the three serpents are here. "Looks like we have to split some groups... to stop Kamila from her madness," said Hisato, looking at Dorothy who analyzes the realm and the portal around the islands. "And we'll try to seal this portal once more... just like two centuries ago, by using the Astrasutra that our ancestor uses. Kohaku, some of us may have to guard this island--but we'll be backing you up in Phantom Samsara realm. Is that okay?" Kaname asked, making Byakuya surprised that they have to accept it.

Kohaku didn't really listening to this until he sense a huge pain across his body for the first time, and it hurts very bad until he stumbled down. But, he began to get up again from his knees as he nodded. "I don't really care... I just want to save her, that's all... no matter what happens here..." the assassin replied. His friends would go with him to rescue the Crown Princess, only him and the OUTLAW to go with them--along with Byakuya, Kiryu, Sherry, Kyouka, Radjasa and Rayna. Damien, Kahayana, Hifumi, Hokuri and Kaname decided to tag along. "Well then... let's do this."

Vishnuda open their jaws to reopen the gate as Brahmana did the same with Shivada, before all of them entered to hunt down Kamila down there until Kohaku was already tired, his legs shaking and slowly began to breathe heavily as they finally arrived in Phantom Samsara realm with the rundown of black and red skies with pandemonium-like structures. He saw the lava-like red river was shown into view from the distance; they almost forgot that these are similar to legends. "Guys... I know it sounds crazy but..." he paused, seeing some of his friends also injured after the battle--making him hissed a little. "... all of you and your power, you can infuse them to me so I can gather my strength back. I know it sounds crazy... but we really need to give her a merciful punishment. Or else this will happening all over again and you know the deal."

Byakuya nodded and Kohaku was on his knees, until he close his eyes as his appearance glowing in bright light. Everyone suddenly morphed into lights and entered his deeply injured body, he gasped that the three serpents backing him up didn't want to lose. Kohaku opened his glowing purple eyes and glanced at the remaining Tiryags, before he slowly felt the same energies within them and his other friends were there. After awhile, he stood up. His eyes took on a pale blue and violet-mixed hue with a hint of amber, and he had pointed pupils while his scleras went black as well.

'You can do it, Kayana...'

Kohaku thought, before he infused his two Astrasutras into the ground and summoning an array of colors into reality, breaking the corrupted crystals and he has to stop her. His weapons morphed into a combination of a lance and claymore, his eye were almost hidden in shadows due to his long messy white hair with a streaks of amber, yellow, and sea green blue color tinted with red beads and a golden hairpin, when he spoke--Kamila turned around and she wanted to ignore him. But, she turned around and looking at the assassin as she was surprised, staring at the colors emerged. "Kayana?" she muttered, she thought of who would save her... until they have finished the rest of the fallen beasts.

Brahmana used their snout to help Kohaku to get his will back, by helping him stand up... Vishnuda helped him to attack with their tails, even Shivada also covered his back with his bite--each serpent would help his human allies for a moment. "Kamila..." he muttered, walking past the dead comrades of hers who yearned for her help--but she killed them because her power is not enough to get her way of destroying her land with Phantom Beasts. "Kayana... why do you keep coming back for? I don't want you too, but... look at me now, my friends killed by beasts or by my own hands because of this. And, I know you want to save me."

"You killed your fucking comrades."

Kohaku spat out, causing her startled. "Then again, in war, isn't everyone having to make a tough decision in order to give peace? And, the one who wins... the winner get the freedom, and the loser will face a different outcome. Now that you choose your people over a chaotic destruction you might be causing, you decide to kill them in here. You may have suffered like me, but that doesn't mean you have to go down the route of madness," he exclaimed, making Kamila was overwhelmed with her broken self.

"For example, you have someone to call when you lost everything. With their power can make you have a meaning, a goal. So that's how I chose my best friends to have a reason, even though I caused a dilemma because of my friends--even worse when I got something powerful in my hand. Yet, that doesn't change the fact of being able to have a same path. I decided to go after you and forgive yourself with the sins you have committed--I know I always blame myself for causing the nightmare and my hatred was increasing ever since. I don't want to see the rest being consumed by darkness," the assassin added, aiming his newly-formed Astrastura Mahapadma-Vaisravana in front of her. "Now, let's end this match."

Kamila clenched her fists, before she yelled when she transformed with a Will of the Samsara that she wielded--turning her into a spectral-like being with one eye that is formed by a skull icon. Kohaku pointed his sword to her, glancing at his subordinates and friends around him for a moment in their spirit forms. Kohaku narrowed his eyes as the beast to strike--causing the explosion around as they entered into a fierce combat, his eyes never were shown in darkness before he will save them for good. Brahmana, Vishnuda and Shivada morphed into their spirit forms to Kohaku's body as well--assisting him so he can borrow their powers.

Kohaku took a deep breath, his regenerative ability still low due to his injuries before but he had to admit it--this power is way more difficult than most of his works of elimination. His body was wounded by her deadly slash before, she has also obtained the Will of the Samsara herself--making him grunted. "Well, look at you now... a spectral one-eyed creature with appendages and shit. I'm quite interested because I wasn't aware of the abilities those Will of the Samsara could bring, as well as an army..." he smiled wryly.

"You aren't giving up, even if you caused any more tragedies to happen. So the war might bring you to this."

Kamila was just laughed with a twisted voice, before she raised her hand--chained the assassin and slammed him to the ground and throwing her fire dragon-like like an attack at him until he was pinned. Although the injuries didn't affect him, Kohaku fell on the ground as it made his state looks like he's struggling--but deep down he was planning something in his head. Suddenly, Kohaku let out an insane laugh, which the creature confused of what's happened.

"What's so funny, huh?!"

Kohaku let out a laugh that looks so insane as his head tilted slowly to the Crown Princess, that made Kamila pissed that why is he laughing at her. But, he stopped--his blade is still unsheathed as his flames became colored with pastel-like lights and mixed with his friends combined within him. "Kamila... no matter how many times you hurt me, all you brought me... is nothing but amusement! Am I right?!" he yelled, slowly rising up as the chained shackled with fire broke into nothing but dust. "Now... that's such a delightful tone, if only you could listen of what me and my friends told you in the first place! We wouldn't in here and having a bad day!"

She knew the final battle would decrease their stamina and a chaos reignited, Kohaku will make it sure by defeating her this time. The sky above them was glowing a colorful and bright-colored horizon, so radiant, and so peaceful. "All of these things I was dealing with during the wars and missions... just for saving the innocent ones... to stop the wrongful things happened... no matter the sacrifices have made! Nothing has to lose!" he roared, before he stand up with a few injuries around his arms and legs as he activated his weapon's abilities.

Kamila, on the other side of things, knew this must be it. So the Crown Princess decided to not let herself fall--and she won't fall, either.

Kohaku watched her morphed into a terrifying spectral form of herself, he began to sympathize with her but he couldn't let his friends in his mind by falling into grief. So what he decided to do was to use his newfound powers instead and combining each elements to stop her, but like before... he realized he wasn't enough to defeat her even he was stronger--same as her. But, is he just going to keep fighting and defeated her?

After facing her, he had no choice but... he must take her down.

As the appendage began to launch at him, it was evaded by the six katanas that Kohaku manifested and replicated--which is part of Byakuya's power as a Tiryag and Demon Cloud manifested in assisting him as well. It made her growled a little that he begun slashing each of the spear-like appendages to slices them into pieces as the Crown Princess was feeling ashamed of him who mocked her, which he replicated Kyouka's power and Demon Snow also present with him. Brahmana wasn't making a mistake when they claimed him to be the most skilled and legendary warrior, as all humans will live forever in every incarnation.

Once, she was about to slice him with a flaming claymore in her hand, but she got hit from behind as he replicated Nadya's attacks and using the prediction of Kyoran's. He replicated Kiryu's move with his claw-like attacks from his ability, then he cut down the beasts who were getting on his way--dicing them into cubes as he replicated Sherry's attacks as well. "What are you--huh?" she gasped, seeing he was... there. That shocked her before he attacked her in a swift movement, replicating both Hifumi and Kaname's attacks through Jade Demon and Golden Demon manifestations.

BOOM!

With an explosion that his attack made the entire area trembled a little, Kohaku made a red threads around the other spectral appendages--imitating Radjasa's move as he tighten them and severed their limbs. Then, he made a bomb-like blasts which is from Rayna's mecha-humanoid Tiryag form as IRIS--which he spirals around them to create a whirlwind. He will have none of her madness and she haven't won, which came from his father Kahayana's ability. Closing his eyes, he created a red web-like strings similar to spiders bursting out from his other katana as he imitated Damien's attacks from as his eyes were shimmering ruby-red color. "Surprise."

Kohaku whispered with a smirk, snapping his fingers as the explosion around them appeared by causing her fall to the ground, until he blocked all of her attacks and repelling the incoming missiles and fire-based attacks like a ghost so it will not harm himself, before finally getting a better at him as he replicated Byakuya's dragon companion's attack--Murasame. "Ah... you're transforming again?" he asked, sensing another transformation thanks to the fucking Will of the Samsara. Oh no, that's not a nice timing... "Whatever then, just take a look from here, perhaps it will make your day until you fall!"

He took a deep breath and close his eyes, focusing the positive energy to infuse the negative aura in her. Then, he replicated Brahmana's launch attack towards her--until the Crown Princess also took a deep breath--perhaps she had to deal with him too, it will not changed at all. "I won't let you die to someone else's hands! And, I am going to see you at the altar even if you try!" the assassin warned, blocking the fiery spears with his attacks before making a defensive stance from the light based attacks. Kohaku and Kamila was at stalemate as the forces above them was getting clashed--signifying the end is happening.

However, she suddenly noticed his actions towards her are a bit strange. After dodging those six-katanas, she realized that his expression was angry before it changed... into fiery determination and forgiveness. Kamila hesitated for a moment, feeling the real sadness beneath the surface.

'Do you have any regrets before facing me?'

'For almost ruining my life of peace? No, I'd say not... I used to be a good person, but sometimes it isn't good enough to resist my natural instinct that could also bring something awful--just like my friends, although we tried our best to hold it back, yet sometimes we failed. But... in war, can you really sacrifice some innocent ones that were not even part of it? Death is nothing compared to what we are facing in the darkness. Anyway, some spirits were coming into my way--it's almost end now!'

"Kohaku! Do it now!"

The voice of his friends within him yelled, Kohaku leaped into the high air as he aimed his weapon upwards--creating a burst of colorful and bright light enveloping from around, the spirits within him smiled before they went to support him. That made Kohaku grinned as well, his wounds were injured that the Crown Princess saw him. "You're not alone, Kamila... because we're your friends, I hope that you repent for all you did," he stated. "But it doesn't change the fact that I forgive you, even after you betrayed me--I'm not going to let you get away from your mistakes."

Kamila was slightly terrified when his body was bursting a bright radiant light, until she was embraced by the strong arms--Kohaku looked at her and tried to forgive her. "Don't you forget who I am... you already know who am I," he said, seeing her scared face in a face-to-face situation in this moment. "You've known me, you've seen me have friends--those ghosts are the souls of them, helping me to reach up on the top and show you some light; they supported me and you too. That you want to live your life with your people and have them to show you how you are worthy and loved."

Kohaku spoke, before he narrowed his eyes as he retrieve the Will of the Samsara from her--making her scream in agony. His friends also did the same--the remaining ten warriors with the serpents held each other's hands as his remaining energy began to disappear but he has to save his comrades even if it means he must put the blame upon his shoulders, the portal closed off when he brought them out from the Phantom Samsara realm.

"Your Highness!"

The soldiers approached fainted Kamila who reverted back to normal, as Kohaku and his allies finally went back to their human forms--he fell down on the ground while his face completely on the ground. "I've got her... please someone treat her injury, fuck... she just... well... the results are very different than your typical assassins do," he mumbled, feeling the pain hitting him after he regenerated his wounds and recovered with them. Byakuya coughed a little as he took his inhaler, Kohaku was breathing slowly but deeply as it is showing that he's still alive. "It's over... but we need repairs in this island first... god damn those damages are awful..." he muttered.

His eyes widened to see Nadya yawned after she broke free from the crystals, before she smiled at them while Kyoran adjusted his spectacles as he also broke free from the crystals. "Nadya... Kyoran..."

"Heya! We're free now!"

"Where are we again, guys...?"

Oh well, he was relieved that they're okay--but he need to keep an eye on Kamila first.

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