Shivaratri: Destroy the Darkness

Smallpox Plague

The Rawi again showed the light. Uncovering the darkness in the deep night. The atmosphere of Karanglengki Village is still shrouded in grief. Ganendra only sleeps on a mat made of woven bamboo. That morning, Balin woke him up. Bring a jug of drinking water. Ganendra squirmed slowly. Then rubbed his eyes.

“Well this, drink it first.”

Ganendra immediately drank the water that was served. One sip two sips until the water in the jug is gone. His left hand rubbed the water splattered on his chin. It feels pretty fresh. Balin simply stared at Ganendra, occasionally glancing towards the young man's right hand.

“Why? Is something wrong?” ask Ganendra.

Make Balin take a look.

“Ah, I just remembered it looks like you haven't eaten yet. I brought this for you.” Balin sambal replied putting boiled tubers and vegetables from steamed banana midribs.

Ganendra immediately ate the boiled tubers voraciously. During his time in Swastamita, Ganendra only ate boiled tubers. They rarely eat meat. Villagers rarely go to the fields or farm. They were afraid of Ditya's sudden attack. This makes food also gradually shrink. People are literally engulfed in fear because of the terror of the Ditya.

Ganendra's left hand took the banana midrib in front of him. Observe carefully.

“What is this food to eat?”

Balin replied quickly, “of course can be eaten. It's very good for health. Try.”

The young man with a thick and plontos-headed body was devouring a mouthful of banana midribs. His face was very enjoying. Ganendra hesitated a little. But the worms in his stomach thrashed to be fed. Without thinking Long, Ganendra immediately bribed into his mouth. Although he is not used to the taste of banana midges. Ganendra kept eating it. He needs food to survive.

“After you finish the meal. We'll meet the village elder.” take Balin.

Not long after, Balin and Ganendra faced the village elders.

“Ki, please give us a hint. How to treat villagers from smallpox outbreak?” ask Balin.

The village elder who looked old was only stroking his long white beard. Draped to his neck. The sound of heavy breathing was heard several times.

“This smallpox outbreak, not the usual outbreak. A Ditya sakti mandraguna who made all this happen. Even the late Buyut Prabawa has not had time to tell how to treat this smallpox outbreak.”

His old face showed a look of sadness. Moreover, Balin increasingly felt dashed hope to heal other villagers. Suddenly Ganendra's voice broke the silence.

“I know someone who is quite experienced. Maybe Old Man could help.”

“Old Sir? Who is he?” ask the village elder and Balin together.

“Buyut Wengkeng from Medangwantu Village.”

“Ah, you mean Buyut Wengkeng owner Padepokan Satvva?” ask the village elders.

Ganendra nodded quickly.

“But, the distance of Medangwantu Village is quite far from here. It can be a day or even take up to two days to travel there.” said Balin not excited.

“You must stay there.” village elders order.

“But what about the villagers? Are they able to last longer?” balin asked as if he was unsure of this decision.

“I will try to use the power of Kadewatanku to make the villagers affected by smallpox can last a little longer.”

Hearing the exit the village elder gave. In the end Balin agreed to go to Medangwantu Village with Ganendra. They had to pass through the forest that Ganendra had come to shortly after coming out of Pancapratala. They had to travel without being escorted by the Saka Knights from Karanglengki.

The Knights were almost all affected by the smallpox outbreak. While the Knights who are still healthy must guard the village. Balin hopes that on his journey he does not meet Ditya.

Ganendra and Balin were walking through the forest. A pair of eyes watched from behind the trees. A bright smile was clearly visible from the look on his face. Long, sharp fangs protrude outward.

“Hemmm, is this the man Kalimakara brought from another world? Stupid actions bring useless humans like this.”

Balin who was walking beside Ganendra looked terrified. He felt like someone was watching.

“Do you not feel anything strange?” ask Balin who is getting closer to Ganendra.

He gripped the shawl cloth on Ganendra's waist.

“What are you doing? Sana stay away.” pinta Ganendra who felt uncomfortable when Balin attached to him.

“I'm afraid, here the atmosphere is different. I didn't hear the sound of the forest beast at all. Isn't this bad?”

Ganendra took off Balin's hand which gripped the shawl cloth on his waist.

“Isn't it good. If there are no forest animals. Our trip will be given smooth.”

After Ganendra said his last sentence. Balin's eyes widened, his face filled with deep fear. Ganendra waved in front of Balin. The young man did not blink at all. Even in the fabric he was wearing there was water seeping from his frankincense bag. The longer the harder it is. His body shook violently.

“Di...Di...” Balin said stammered while pointing at something behind Ganendra.

“What?” ganendra asked, looking back.

Right then, a large tall figure with long hair was frowning. Married nonong and bare-chested were staring at them. The cover cloth is worn only to cover the bottom. On the chest is overgrown with feathers that are quite dense. His neck was pinned by a snake-shaped necklace.

Ganendra was astonished, he took a step back and kept his distance from Ditya who was in front of him.

“Hemmm..” The voice of the Ditya growls.

“Waaa!!! Are we going to be the prey?” Balin screamed in fear.

Ganendra slightly smiled.

“Hei... monster...can you just let us through once?” asked Ganendra with a grim face.

“Khukhukhu. If it can kill me.”

Ganendra sighed, it seemed like he had to face Ditya who was in front of him. Ganendra was cautious.

“Balin, if something bad happens. You have to run whatever happens.” said Ganendra.

Balin was confused. He was about to ask Ganendra what he meant. But Ganendra had already run towards the Ditya. Although it was unlikely that he would defeat Ditya who was in front of him. Ganendra had faith, if he continued to endure there must be a way out.

Ganendra ran quickly while carrying a piece of wood. Then with all his might swung that piece of wood. Hit the head of the Ditya.

Brak!!!

It was not the head of the Ditya that broke. But the wood that Ganendra brought was smashed into pieces. The Ditya smiled cheerfully. Then flicked his fingers at Ganendra's head.

Blaar!!!

Ganendra's body bounced off several cubits. Hit the trees in the forest. Fresh blood came out of his mouth. Balin was suffocating in fear. Watching Ganendra bounce that far. He immediately approached Ganendra.

“You all right?” ask Balin to worry.

Pih!

Ganendra spewed blood. The breath goes up and down. He looked at Ditya who was in front of him. Seeing the traces of his body that bounced so far only with a small flick of the fingers of the Ditya.

That monster, different from the other monsters. He's not just any monster. Ganendra can only. If it's like this, there's no point fighting back.

“Balin, in a matter of three. Follow my orders.”

Balin frowned.

“One...two...three! Run!!!” shouted Ganendra.

He immediately held Balin's hand and led him to run away from there. Running is one way that Ganendra can think of at this time because it will be useless to fight. It could just lead to life.

Balin understood and immediately followed Ganendra running away from the Ditya. But is it that easy. The answer is not necessarily. Ditya who faced Ganendra set his foot on the ground. Then jump very high. It floated in the air and landed right in front of Ganendra.

Ganendra and Balin were shocked. They turned around and ran away. The Ditya just chuckled. He quickly set foot on the ground. The ground that Ganendra and Balin were treading shook violently. Make them bounce against the trees. Both of them grimaced in pain. The Ditya moved quickly like lightning. Directly strangled Balin's neck. Lifting the body of the young man with just one hand. Balin can't breathe.

Ganendra who saw Balin in trouble immediately got up to his feet. Then quickly kicked the bottom of the Ditya.

Roaaar!!!!

The voice of the Ditya boomed throughout the forest. Make the birds fly. Both of his hands were holding his incense bags that felt linu. His grip on Balin's neck came loose. Ganendra smiled triumphantly.

“Ah, apparently as strong as you. Men's weakness is always in the same place.” sneered Ganendra.

“Bigger!!! I kill you!!” The Ditya growled violently.

Ganendra immediately asked Balin to run. But in vain. The movements of the Ditya were very fast and hit the two to the ground. The Ditya was about to step on Balin's head. However, Ganendra held the leg of the Ditya with all his might.

“Run fast!!! Run as far as possible!!” ganendra.

Balin who was feeling frightened immediately stood up.

“I won't run and leave you alone.”

“If I say run. Then run!!! Save your villagers.” pinta Ganendra while holding Sang Ditya's foot as hard as he can. Hope to hold it.

Balin looks crying. He still did not move from his place. Not wanting to leave Ganendra.

“Stupid man!” yelled The Ditya.

“Wisa Sarpageni!!”

From the necklace on his snake-shaped neck suddenly emitted a green-colored smoke. Directing to Balin. But with a quick movement Ganendra uses his body to protect Balin. Balin was aghast not playing.

Ganendra collapsed to the ground with his entire body filled with smallpox. His body felt an incredible pain. Hot air seemed to attack his body. Balin held Ganendra and cried.

“Why? Why are you protecting me?” balin asked among his sobs.

Ganendra merely commented a smile at the corner of his lips.

So this is how the Knight feels, Ganendra said in his heart.

He recalled, the last time one of the Saka Knights from Medangwantu sacrificed his life to help Ganendra and one of his colleagues escape from Medangwangi Village. Ganendra's eyes could see nothing but darkness. Vague sobs Balin sounded away and then disappeared.