EVERNA Ring of Fire

DABONGSANG Part 1

Give up today to win big tomorrow.

No matter how much power and funds have been deployed, blood has been spilled in the struggle on Mount Idharma. But Nirya, Sthira and Arumi are forced to leave Penida, the main island of Rainusa empty-handed.

This was confirmed when Nirya and her friends had come out and run away from Mount Idharma. Even when they reached the port city of Danurah, there was no sign of bahkal volcano erupting.

The atmosphere in Danurah even seemed calm, as if there was no turmoil.

Perhaps this is the best thing that must happen, the destiny born of the decisions and actions of the perpetrators. Not the eruption of Idharma means once again, Barong, the mountain's caretaker managed to defeat Rangda, a mortal enemy comparable to him.

It was the fate of the Mahhesah who had outlined the escape of the center of Rainusa from disaster. Logically and reasonably, this is clearly unfair. However, this proves that Barong's words to Nirya, Sthira and Arumi are in harmony with the truth of the Mahesa, which has now become reality and certainty. Every attempt to change that reality is against destiny, and it is clear that it will not have the blessing of the Mahesha.

These facts also put Nirya back in the Arumi-led Pinissi warship. In the ship's officer's special cabin, he had just finished exerting the Wind Healing Magic on Sthira's body. Then Nirya fell on the chair next to the bed.

Nirya's breath was hunting, yet it was just exhaustion. That's still nothing compared to Sthira's condition before treatment. The severe injuries from the battle that had not yet recovered, plus the tremendous fatigue from the relentless escape from Idharma made a mighty man like Sthirapun finally collapse.

After nearly three hours of exerting magic, plus medicine from the ship, Sthira's originally pale face was now back in a hue. The expression of his pain loosened, and now he was sleeping quietly.

Looking at that calm handsome face, Nirya's heart suddenly thumped hard. Trembling and timidly the girl extended her hand. Then he stroked his cheek, then the forehead of Sthira very gently. Sthira cobbled and moaned comfortably. Nirya's smile was terkulum upon seeing this.

It was that face that had pulled Nirya from the void due to losing everything in Bayunara College. A fierce face when fighting, firm while leading the group yet gentle each time spoke carefully with Nirya. That face was what Nirya had followed all the way. All the struggles, energy, blood and tears of Nirya is for the good of all Antapada. But only he himself knows the reason for both, which is so that he can continue to look at the face of Sthira like today.

Long looking at the face of his idol, Nirya's courage was gathered again. Again he stretched out his hand and again gently stroked that face. Then, the girl gathered all her courage and sense. He moved his head about to kiss Sthira when suddenly...

“Nirya!”

Arumi's cry made Nirya aghast and quickly retreated and laid her back on her chair.

“What's up, Arumi?” Nirya quickly asked.

“Oh, you're still taking care of Sthira huh? Sorry if I interfered.”.

“Ah, not really. Coincidentally my magic just finished and look, Sthira's face again blushed..”.

Arumi forced a bitter smile. “True too..” He gaped for a moment, maybe about to comment on the “posip” Nirya-Sthira that he saw earlier, but he undoes his intention. “Well, we will arrive at our next destination, Dabongsang City about four to six days away.”

“Ya, right. Whether Sthira will agree or not, we must release Wiranata at Dabongsang, according to the message of the Barong. He even allowed us to make Tubar’e Volcano erupt and destroy ‘new capital’ Rainusa,” said Nirya.

Arumi with chin support. “Which I do not understand, why can Barong say that cruel to the City of Dabongsang? What's in that city that it has to be destroyed?”

“Entah,” says Nirya. “According to our captain, isn't Dabongsang a city of criminals? Do all residents have to act sneaky, cheat and violate all applicable laws in order to survive there?”

“Can be so it is indeed the most depraved city in Antapada.” Arumi then asked again, “Then, why did Barong himself not make Mount Tubar’e erupted a long time ago for the sake of destroying Dabongsang City?”

Nirya replied, “To my knowledge, according to Rahli Marus, former caretaker of Mount Barkajang, fellow caretakers are very abstinent from clashing with each other. Even if one of the locksmiths wins in a strong fight, he is forbidden to kill other locksmiths or the killer will be subject to the curse of the Mahesa. Who lives in the curse is far more tormented than dead.”

“Yes, as we know, The Mahesa, The Srisari and the Angkara do not immediately intervene to overcome all the crises in the world. This agreement between the three of them, between the clashes that occurred between the Trinity that almost destroyed Vanapada not repeated.” Arumi quotes from the holy book Mahesa.

“So, everything depends on our efforts, yes.” Nirya's fingers traced her gray hair.

“Yes, that's it. Besides, we're facing a serious problem right now.”

“Hah? What problem is it?” Nirya.

Arumi explained, “Our funds and supplies are limited. I'm afraid the present won't be enough until the end of our journey.”

Nirya's eyes were wide. He felt naive, not at all taking into account the supply problems on his journey, thinking they could do the same as when crossing from Swarnara to Jayandra first.

“I have been too busy on the ship, must constantly convince the captain and the crew that the mission around this antapada is the order of Prabu Narendra, said, on the initiative of Mahapatih Galahasin and the authority of my leadership from the medal of Admiral Begarwana. If there are less supplies and less funds for the crew, they will definitely leave Pinissi or worse, rebel.”

Nirya simply nodded, confirming the words of her comrade.

“Well, so let me handle the ship's business. The task of caring for Sthira I leave it entirely to you.”

“Oh, clearly visible. Besides, you have more alone time with Sthira ‘kan, Nir?” arumi Syndir.

Nirya gelagapan's. “A-what? L'm... We don't..!” His face was red like a boiled crab. “I don't have any feelings on..!”

But Arumi had already left the cabin laughing contrivedly. That intentionalness made Nirya snort angrily. Not because it was found to be too gentle with Sthira. Not because Arumi may be jealous, Arumi may also secretly like Sthira and maybe Sthira also actually likes Arumi.

The annoyed grunt was actually due to Arumi's complex and volatile attitude suddenly. From the beginning of not liking Nirya, suddenly became familiar after Idharma. So the innuendo made Nirya more confused and wondered if Arumi actually put her heart on Sthira or not. That way, Nirya became more worried, whether to openly approach Sthira or not.

You cruel base, Arumi, Inner Nirya. Perhaps for now he would have to settle for secretly stroking Sthira's forehead while the man was still unconscious, once again, at this moment. Enough of this for now. Let fate someday show me whether I can advance further.

\==oOo==

“Nirya... Nirya!” The voice of a man who still seemed weak but was forced to violently wake Nirya who was asleep with a chin on the table next to her bed. Hearing that, Nirya's head shifted from her fist, then stumbled on the table.

“Thouh!” erang Nirya's.

But the response he heard was only confused speech. “Where is this? Where are we headed?”

Just focusing and knowing who was talking was the new Sthira, Nirya replied, “We are back on the Pinissi Ship, now on the way to Dabongsang.”

“What?!” Sthira wakes up. “Turn this ship! We have to go back to Idharma!”

“Free. Barong has won against Rangda and Mount Idharma has not erupted. Besides, you still passed out, so..!”.

“At least wait until I'm human first, just sailing! As group leader, I have the right to decide where and when! Where's the ship's captain, I have to talk to him!”

Nirya held onto Sthira's shoulder, preventing her. “Do not! This ship's Nahkoda is only obedient to Arumi who holds the Order Medal of Admiral Begarwana.!”.

“Aah! Move you!” Sthira brushed off Nirya's hand and stood up. But when he stepped, he fell. Apparently, the condition of his body had not recovered properly.

“What's the fuss?” arumi Hardik as he suddenly appears in the cabin doorway.

Sthira exclaims, “Arumi! Turn this ship's bow! We have to go back to...!”

“I refuse,” firmly Arumi. “We must continue the journey to Dabongsang.”

“What?! How dare you..!” Sthira. He was about to force his will through violence and threats, but his body collapsed, collapsing again on the floor. He tried to reach his great Mandau, but the weapon was nowhere.

Leisurely Arumi held the large machete of Sthira in his hand. “I thought that was your attitude, Sthira. So forced ‘kuamankan’ first this machete of yours. Remember, I agreed to join you because of Mpu Galahasin's mandate, provided that the three of us become equal partners. Wherever we go, any action we take must be based on the agreement of the three of us.”

Sthira who was indeed a fellow former commander of the troops only fell silent in growl. He is always used to making his own decisions, plus his young soul who is easily offended when opposed. He is a strict commander of his subordinates, but sometimes he forgets, Nirya and Arumi are partners and comrades, not subordinates.

And so, Arumi continued, “See the situation now. If we continue to survive in Idharma, not necessarily we will win against Barong who has subdued Rangda. After all, as I have talked with Nirya, we need to find additional funds and supplies for this very long journey.”

Nirya chimed, “So, the only place we can collect it at all costs is the city of criminals, Dabongsang. Coincidentally that city is now so ‘unofficial capital’ Rainusa, more important than Danurah and located at the foot of the volcano, Tubar’e.”

“But, rather than coincidence, I prefer to call it the fate of the Mahesa,” continued Arumi. “Destiny has brought us here.”

Sthira did not immediately respond to the long explanation of the two colleagues. His forehead is wrinkled, maybe he is doing considerations through his common sense.

“Alright, we go to Dabongsang,” said Sthira finally.

Arumi did not immediately hand over the big mandau to the owner. “So you admitted to being wrong and behaving inappropriately earlier?”

“Yes. You hold my gun first, Arumi. And please leave me alone, Nirya. I need to calm down and refresh my mind for a moment,” said Sthira, her tone much softer than before.

“Alright then,” said Arumi as she passed away.

Without saying anything, Nirya was also about to leave this room. At first glance, he still stole a look at Sthira's face. However, that handsome facial expression looked extremely gloomy. It was as if there was a fierce fight raging within Sthira, and at this time only Nirya was aware of the gurgle.

Nirya's worry that had originally subsided was now even re-emerged. Which Sthira will win this inner battle? Sthira the former officer, or Sthira who sacrificed everything, even his own ego and honor for the cause he considered the noblest?

Image Source: Barong, Wanara and Rangda from Pinterest.com