EVERNA Ring of Fire

HAMENTANE Part 3

"Sthira!" Nirya screamed hysterically, but her life and the life of her baby were also threatened. The gangsters deliberately did not attack Nirya so that Nirya saw the results for herself because it was on the side of the wrong person. As the weapons swung towards him, Nirya's cry grew louder, hoarse and shrill.

Surprisingly, the voice of Sthira he heard said, "Nirya, wake up! Awake, Nirya!"

At that moment, Nirya's body felt shaken. Nirya's eyes turned dark, as if she was closing her eyes. When Nirya opened her eyes, the face she loved looked anxiously at her. Sthira is still alive, apparently what Nirya experienced earlier was just a dream.

Without a second thought Nirya immediately rushed into Sthira's arms while crying so badly. "Sthira, thank goodness...! That was..it was horrible...!"

Sthira stroked Nirya's hair and back gently. "Calm down, Nirya. It was just a dream. You were delirious, but all the things you're shouting about aren't real."

"No, Sthira! If we succeed here, the war in Antapada will not necessarily end. Inevitably we must end our mission here. We'd better let Kalingga take control of all of Antapada. That way, at least the whole country can unite and recover."

The atmosphere was silent for a moment. Sthira then extended her hand, loosening her embrace at Nirya. The young man had absolutely no intention of hiding his smile, making Nirya snort, wondering.

"Frankly, I didn't expect you to say that" said Sthira softly.

"really?" ask Nirya.

"Yes. At first I thought you'd act like Arumi and Dhaka. To weaken a country without them accusing another country, we must bring disaster to the most important city of the country."

"That's what we've been doing, but it can't be in Hamentane."

"I'm fully aware of that. We could have triggered a volcanic eruption by defeating its caretakers and guards, then seizing the key to the mountain's occult script. If we want to create a flood or landslide, we can clear the forest and wait for the rain to fall very hard."

Nirya sighed. It is true, basically there are several kinds of disasters caused by human activities. Volcanic eruptions are not included in that type, but in Antapada is made possible by the presence of the caretakers.

Sthira continued, "However, what about more devastating disasters, such as earthquakes and storms? Even magicians or supernatural beings are not necessarily able to bring earthquakes or storms as powerful as natural disasters. If we pray that the Mahesh will bring about a natural disaster, will he grant such a request?"

Nirya shakes.

"Well. Any act of destruction of man, whether army attack, terror, arson or anything else will surely make Kalingga wrathful, accusing the other Antapada countries of conspiring against him and advancing into all-out war."

"So, the only way is..."

"Your capsule was the best way" Sthira cut. "But I'm sure Dhaka and Arumi won't agree. I had to keep this secret about Kalingga from the beginning on them. Otherwise, we would still be in jail in Wulantra."

Nirya nodded, assuring.

"Somewhere I was surprised by Arumi who knew a lot about Antapada from Arya Manikrama's travel records. Fortunately, there is no record of Kalingga, the country that deliberately closed itself. Then, I can breathe a sigh of relief."

Catching a speck of doubt on Nirya's face, Sthira muffled her by once again hugging her lover. Not stopping there, his lips are now adrift less than a inch from Nirya's lips like a pomegranate. So connect the two men in the warmth of love, on the threshold that can only be passed in the sanctity of the bond of marriage.

Sthira and Nirya almost broke the boundary when suddenly the door of the inn room was broken open. The loud sound of the action made the two lovebirds take off their hugs and stand on standby. Nirya had not had time to draw the twin kerambit that she always hid behind the folds of her belt.

Several men in uniform burst in and closed their way out. One of them exclaimed loudly, "Nirya and Sthira! On behalf of Triawarman, King of Kalingga, we hold you responsible for planning terror in Kalingga! Surrender, or we won't hesitate to use force!"

Of course Nirya was aghast and protested, "That's a baseless accusation! How do you know our names? Who reported that to you?"

"We're the ones reporting!" exclaim Dhaka while stepping forward with Arumi.

"You guys?! W-why...?"

Arumi's turn said, "It's obvious, isn't it? Whatever you do will inevitably lead to disaster in Hamentane. That's why we have to stop you."

"Yep, you're right." All eyes were on the man who said that. Everyone there, including Nirya, Arumi and Dhaka, was shocked to find out that Sthiralah had said so.

"What do you mean, Sthira?" snapped Arumi. "Don't make it up! Want to trick us again like your stale fainting tactics?"

"Let me reiterate," responded Sthira. "I did intend not to damage, let alone destroy Hamentane from the beginning. I wanted to go back alone to this country where I was born and get things done. But baby, I really fainted again and you guys came to this town."

"That's it, don't have to be convoluted" Dhaka said. "You know we people don't trust you anymore."

"Oh, is that what it looks like?" Sthira was surprised, but it was not clear if it was real or artificial. "But it doesn't matter. Your job is over. Nirya came with me because we intend to get married after this mission is over. It just so happens that I intend to face King Triawarman and Queen Pirimatha. Although I prefer to visit Pantikei Labih Palace without being shackled and herded by the army, inevitably I have to come without much fuss."

"All right, tie the four of them!" exclaim the commander of the army.

"What?" Arumi surprised. "But we have reported Sthira and Nirya...!"

"Based on the talk, obviously you are a group even though there seems to be a severe split. To avoid any unwanted possibility, let the decision of the King in the court of justice determine your fate."

Dhaka and Arumi clucked in annoyance. Apparently, Sthira deliberately spoke at length so that the soldiers who did not know anything thought they were both betraying, making Sthira and Nirya a scapegoat for whatever they're going to do in Hamentane.

Now, the four of them are to be tried before the King and Queen of Kalinga.

As in Jayandra and Dhuraga, almost certainly the results will not be pleasant.

Nirya's premonition said, really?

The reference picture for Empress Pirimatha is a picture of Princess Aji Bidara Putih. Source: Creepypasta.