EVERNA Ring of Fire
DANURAH Part 4
It is no secret, anyone who visits Danurah, the Capital of the Kingdom of Rainusa on the westernmost island of this region, Penida, must feel a different feel to other cities throughout Antapada.
Try comparing it with the city of Wulantra, for example. In Wulantra, the average resident squeezes the brain every day, looking for all the means that can be memorized to get a bite of rice. On the contrary, the inhabitants of Danurah tend to take the time to pray every morning to the Mahesha. Similarly at noon after lunch, the afternoon after dinner and the night before bed.
So, it is not surprising that on the road that passed by Sthira and his colleagues seemed people were worshiping in front of a kind of small temple at the corner of the fence or the gate of each house. They prayed and performed a solemn worship ceremony. As if nothing, even the eruption of the holy mountain, Idharmapun able to disturb them.
Even one of the famous King Rainusa, Ida Agung Anggayuha centuries ago has built a magnificent place of worship at the foot of Mount Idharma, the Great Temple of Kharayan.
That said, in that place lived the Ambassador of Light named Barong. Barong is the king of all the bright and magical spirits of light, who for centuries was the guardian and caretaker of Mount Idharma. Yes, Barong is the oldest caretaker in Antapada of all time.
“Really?” sthira asked an old man. The old man had just told him about the temple of Mount Idharma while serving food in the tavern.
“Well, frankly no one in Rainusa, even in the world who has entered the Kharayan Temple can reach the highest and deepest parts. Moreover, meeting directly with the most holy Sang Barong,” said the man, his wrinkled face somewhat stiffened as if worried about the “tour” travelers who asked this much. After all it was only a shopkeeper, not a teacher or a scholar. “That's all I know, excuse me.”
When the floater was far enough from sight, Sthira sighed. “Huh, the description is the same as everyone we ask, even since we first set foot in this Danurah.”
Nirya responded to Sthira, “Well, at least now we know where to go and who to face in our mission in Rainusa. We just need more information, even a guide. We can not continue ‘try-try jalan’ like in Sriwedari Forest again, ‘kan?”
“You're right, Nirya,” said Arumi while crossing her arms. “We need to be more careful from now on. But, frankly I feel like something is wrong here.”
“What's wrong?” ask Sthira.
“There are two things that bother me. First, since entering Danurah, I felt that all the eyes of the residents were looking at me unfriendly. Although they all put on friendly smiles, their gazes imply that my presence, or maybe Jayandra's people are not liked in this city.”
“Why can that be? Aren't the people of Rainusa famous for being peace-loving and friendly to all comers?” ask Nirya.
“It is so, but lately it is not,” replied Arumi. “You need to know, Jayandra has colonized Rainusa for five years. They had exiled Anak Agung Wiranata, the rightful King of Rainusa and appointed a puppet king, the uncle of Wiranata named I Gde Bahangga. From then on, Rainusa had to pay a huge tribute in order to continue under the protection of Jayandra's army.”
“Aih, it's just fitting that they behave so,” responded Nirya. “Moreover you wear Jayandra.” war gear
“So, how are our next steps?” sthira hatch.
Nirya responded to Sthira, “Well, at least now we know where to go and who to face in our mission in Rainusa. We just need more information, even a guide. We can not continue ‘try-try jalan’ like in Sriwedari Forest again, ‘kan?”
“You're right, Nirya,” said Arumi while crossing her arms. “We need to be more careful from now on. But, frankly I feel like something is wrong here.”
“What's wrong?” ask Sthira.
“There are two things that bother me. First, since entering Danurah, I felt that all the eyes of the residents were looking at me unfriendly. Although they all put on a friendly smile, their gaze even implies that my presence, or maybe Jayandra people are not liked in this city.”
“Why can that be? Are not the people of Rainusa notoriously peace-loving and friendly to all comers? Ask Nirya.
“Lately... not all,” replied Arumi. You need to know, Jayandra has colonized Rainusa for five years. They had exiled the rightful King Rainusa, Anak Agung Wiranata, and installed a puppet king, Wiranata's uncle I Gde Bakangga. From then on, Rainusa had to pay a huge tribute in order to continue under the protection of Jayandra's army.”
“Aih, it's just fitting that they behave so,” responded Nirya. “Moreover you wear Jayandra.” war gear
“Yes, I did not expect the attitude of the locals would be this hard.”
Sthira made a quick decision. “You need to go undercover right now, Arumi. Regarding the guide, maybe we can ask..”.
Sthira turned her head quickly, her hands ready to pull out her machete. But he did not continue his action, seeing the woman parachute quite beautiful and dressed modestly like the locals. And especially, his movements were not excited to attack.
“Who are you? What's the matter with us?” sthira Tegur.
The woman replied, “I heard from the townspeople, you are looking for a guide for the pilgrimage to the Great Temple of Kharayan, don't you think?”
Sthira was silent for a moment, then spoke again, “Yes, that's right, but..”.
“You don't just want to make a pilgrimage, ‘kan? You want to continue exploring to Balairung Saka Cahya, the core space of Kharayan Temple. Because that's the only reason anyone needs a guide.”
Sthira, Nirya and Arumi looked at each other.
Arumi's turn responded, “You can guess. But you haven't answered our question.”
“Ah yes. My name doesn't matter, and I'm not the one to guide you. The person you are looking for is definitely my teacher.”
“Your guess?” sergeant Arumi. “Is he a very influential religious figure, very powerful, powerful or something?”
“It could be, though it might be a bit different from what you thought. I'm sorry, I can't tell you about my teacher too much. I'll take you to him, but don't ask me anything more. If you do not agree, this agreement we can cancel.”
Hearing those half-threatening words, Sthira tried to sort through her words. “Okay, take us to your teacher's presence. But if you guys turn out to be cheating or something, let our weapons speak.” He does not need to pull the goal, the words were enough to express his attitude and decision.
The local woman just turned around and started walking. “Follow me,” said. “Do not fall behind, or you will lose yourself.” In an instant, the woman's steps became extremely fast, as if she had vanished from behind the store's doorstep.
Sthira is forced to run after Nirya and Arumi. Fortunately Arumi had left more money than the price of their entire order, so they were not pursued and did not attract the attention of the locals.
Only, Arumi was forced to “borrow” cloth tablecloth on an empty table, which he immediately wore like a hood and robe, covering the Jayandra-style trinkets he wore. Well, just think of it as “direct gift” for its generosity.
When the sun is about to set, it is better that the Sthira group does not take the risk of continuing to be recognized, avoiding unnecessary conflict. So Sthira focused his mind only to catch up with the three wanta who flashed like a flying angel.
Unwittingly Sthira, they arrived at an area full of dense trees on the border of Danurah City. Most cities in the Antapada countries are not limited by walls or fences. So, every battle is almost always done in the open field, both land, sea and air. There was no prolonged siege, it was the inhabitants who chose to surrender or resist at the risk of the city being destroyed.
Therefore, the infinite City of Danurah easily developed to penetrate into the forest like this.
However, the development of cities in this way tends to be uncontrollable. The proof, the place that is now headed by the Sthira troupe is more like a dark dense wilderness than a suburban area. Obviously, Sthira is not sure he is still in Danurah today.
Even more astonishingly, it appeared that the three people that Sthira was following suddenly stopped their steps. What the hell is going on?
Have they arrived at the place in question?
Or is the person they want to meet just want to meet in a secret, dark and haunted place like this forest?
Without warning, several ghost-like figures flew over. Sthira gasps. With highly trained reflexes he twitched to the side. One “ghost freak” managed to claw Sthira's upper arm, while he dodged the other two “ghantu”. Instead, the ghost's fingernails were quite pointed. Sthira's blood spilled as evidence, these assailants are completely invisible to the eye.
As a dueling fighter, Sthira expressed her dislike of being attacked by knocking her machete, firing an energy array shaped like a Sky-High Thunder Dragon towards the attacker. Honey, the ghost is too nimble. As a result, the scythe shot missed altogether.
Not yet had Sthira clucked irritably, two other “hantu” seemed to shoot as fast as the dart's lesion right at him.
Image Source: Tribunnews.com
