EVERNA Ring of Fire

IDHARMA Part 1

Long before the State of Rainusa Islands was established, Mount Idharma has always been considered as the holiest site of the Mahesa Religion. This is the religion of the entire population of Rainusa, which has spread to Jayandra, Swarnara, Kalingga to the entire western region of Antapada.

While the eastern region of Antapada, especially the region of Akhsar, Bethara and Dhuraga the majority of the people are devotees of Sang Srisari. Only in the regions of “dark”, certain regions of Antapada there are secret sects or certain tribes who are devotees of the Angkara, like thorns in the flesh of a nation.

While Barong, the Sacred Lion of God was born in the Age of Restoration, the Second World Era Terra Everna. Barong has fought Rangda, the Queen of Leak many times. He is the chief criminal, ambassador of the Angkara in Antapada.

In the first fight, Barong manages to kill Rangda, so he is worshipped as the Ambassador of Mahesa, appointed as the guardian of Mount Idharma. Pura Agung Kharayan then built as “istana” Sang Barong and the shrine of Sang Mahesa. The largest temple of all time is also considered to be one of the holiest sites in Antapada.

However, the history of Rangda does not end forever. As the spirit of darkness that “ imprisoned” in Vanapada, the mortal world, Rangda possessed the body of his choice, took over the body and returned to action. He will never stop trying to defeat Barong and make Rainusa a kingdom of darkness.

Therefore, Barong also always guard Mount Idharma. That is the essence of his eternal life. The threat of Rangda will always be there until the end of time, unless the cursed tribe is so powerful that it can be completely destroyed by a form of almighty power.

Ni Luh Widuri ended the story she told along the way by pointing straight at the temple and the mountain in front of her. “Nah, that is it, Pura Kharayan, where Sang Barong reigned. Amazing, isn't it?”

Nirya then turned her gaze in the direction pointed. Although it still looks far away for the size of pedestrians, Mount Idharma looks towering very high as if covering the sky.

The front gate of Kharayan Temple which stands on the mountain slope of the plain is like a tower shaped like two keris that is enforced in slices, full of beautiful sculptural details on the surface of the rocks. Miraculously, this gate seems deliberately built so that when viewed from a certain distance, for example in the current position of Nirya, Kharayan Gate so looks as high as the Peak of Idharma.

The first to respond was Arumi. “Has fast, every time Mount Idharma erupted, the power of the eruption seemed muffled and never to damage nature, let alone the surrounding cities and villages. This must be the blessing of the Barong!”

But Sthira even moping durja. “Then, the only way for our mission to succeed is to kill Barong.”

Suddenly the driver turned to Sthira. “Killing Barong, you say? What exactly is this mission you're on, hmm?”

Nirya and Arumi gasped, then glanced towards Sthira. The leader of the group gaped, only to realize himself free to talk.

Forced Sthira to hold the handle of the mandau sheathed on her back while saying, “I deliberately kept this mission a secret from you. Because if you, in your status, find out, I'm forced to kill you.”

“And lost the only driver in this world who knows exactly the ins and outs of Pura Kharayan? I don't think it was a wise decision,” said Widuri calmly. “Alright, in order to save time, I won't ask you about your mission again. Instead, you must follow my every lead without asking much. Agree?”

Sthira was silent for a moment. He turned to Nirya and Arumi who just shrugged their shoulders as if to say, “As far as you are, chief.” Finally Sthira said, “Alright, we agree.”

“Alright, the important thing is that you believe in me and I believe in you,” said Widuri as she stepped back, followed by her three young girls. “What is certain, inevitably you have to infiltrate directly into the path to Balairung Saka Cahya.”

Those words made Nirya sigh suspiciously. “How to?”

Widuri only returned with a smile. “As I said earlier, just follow me.”

\==oOo==

In her entire life, Nirya never thought she would have to infiltrate a house of worship. Moreover, he and his friends had to rely entirely on a driver whose origins were unclear.

So, under this starry night sky, forced Nirya along with Sthira and Arumi to walk behind Ni Luh Widuri and her three disciples.

“Lho, why do we rotate from the main gate of the temple?” nirya protested while looking at the guide with concern.

Widuri responded casually. “So we don't suspect the temple guards. Me alone, a religious leader is not allowed to enter, let alone you. No choice, we have to move tonight too, through the secret passage.”

“Alright, then keep following me.” Ni Luh smiled. “Nah, look at that mountain slope. We'll get in from there.”

Nirya again stared in the direction she pointed. Strange as it is, nothing stands out on that mountain. There's no entrance, no boulders, no entrance openings like in a cave or anything. But this time the girl chose to stay quiet and observe the next action of Widuri.

If this is a trap, if Ni Luh Widuri betrays, Nirya and her friends are ready to fight it out.

With complete confidence, Widuri arrived and stood right in front of the slope wall of Mount Idharma. Clearly, as far as the eye of inquiry, there was absolutely no sign, any unique feature, distinguishing the piles of rocks from their surroundings.

The priestess stretched out both hands. He touched one of the stones that stood out, then exerted his true energy, pushing the stone in. Nothing happened. Widuri shifts to the right side and pushes the stone in a diagonal position on top of the first rock. Then it goes down horizontally pressing on the second stone, and goes up diagonally again pressing on the third stone.

“You may need to stay away from here for a while.” Widuripun stepped back to the distance he considered safe, followed by his students, Nirya, Sthira and Arumi.

A few moments later, a rumbling sound was heard. It looks like the rocks on the mountain wall are shifting neatly, from the beginning of the overlap is now moving occultally to two sides. That effect leaves a large hole that is none other than the cave entrance, and the stones that are “the entrance” was again arranged to form a gate.

“Well, let's go in,” said Widuri, entering the earliest with his three students.

Nirya followed them while exchanging glances with Arumi and Sthira. They nodded slowly, a sign so far that all is safe.

While going further in “gu”, again Nirya was flabbergasted. The rough stone walls of the cave appear to be changed into flat brick walls, full of carved images like reliefs of a temple.

When noted, the reliefs are illustrated by the birth story of the Holy Lion, Barong, his charity as the protector of the country and his battles against Rangda and demons and demons. Surprisingly, whether this was intentional or not, the wall that narrates the beginning of the story of Sang Barong is located near the threshold of the secret entrance, not the official entrance of the temple.

After all, the walls along this corridor seemed to be standing irregularly, like a labyrinth. So, if someone wants to “read” the stories in the relief in order, it means he must be ready to go in and out of the dead end.

“So, so as not to waste time, we should ignore the reliefs. Let's find the entrance to the Barong residence together!” ni Luh Widuri.

“Lho, didn't you say you already know the exact path to Balairung Saka Cahya?” Nirya gave a full search.

Viduri seemed to have prepared the answer. “Ngg, yes, of course... But you need to know, the walls in this labyrinth can move magically. So, what I knew yesterday would be different from now. This labyrinth changes at any time as if.. live!”.

Sthira reprimanded Widuri, “You should have told us about it from the beginning.”

Widuri replied, “If I tell you, you will definitely think things through. You need to know, you need me not only as a guide, but also as a sealed door opener... And also guards like that!”

In the direction that Widuri pointed, it appeared a swarm of creatures with bodies full of white feathers came storming. The skinny creatures were human-like in stature, all wearing white masks that covered the entire face to the base of their white hair that was expanding apart. The only clothes they were wearing was a black-and-white checkered sheath that covered the bottom of their bodies. They don't talk, they just talk, “Cak-cak-kacak!”

“Cockmark!” exclaimed a girl disciple Widuri.

“Run! We can't handle them all at once!” Widuri took a thousand steps, followed by her entire entourage.

Sure enough, some kecak who mastered magic began shooting at the “ infiltrators” with various magic bullets. Nirya managed to avoid one-two shots. However, a sharp ice grazed his shoulder. Nirya groaned in pain, but she tried not to care about the scratches and continued to run away.

Upon arriving at a crossroad, Widuri exclaimed, “All, split up! Donate the kecak when pressed!”

Only the disciples of Widuri answered, “Good, teacher!”

The source of the reference image for Pura Agung Kharayan is Pura Besakih in Bali: google.com