The Thousand Mask Warrior

Almira

Jayaseta, who was still wearing a mask of light colored ganongan, rushed to take a few points on the body of the Arab merchant, whom he later knew was named merchant Amir. Totokan is expected to close the blood flow of the merchant who is constantly pouring. In a short time he will be dead.

With the science of internal energy medicine that he learned from Grandpa Keling also Jayaseta then immediately channeled warm air into the body of the merchant Amir so that in addition to the blood that continues to flow out of the wounds of his stab can be stopped, the pain that spread in the body of the merchant will be slightly resolved. Beside him, the princess continued to cry at the helpless body of her weak father.

“Alhamdulillah, you .. you. da.. da.. pat saved my son, pen .. dekar,” stammeringly the merchant said to Jayaseta.

“That's why don't talk again, we must immediately treat Abah,” said the princess.

Hearing this merchant Amir even smiled bitterly, “Daughter Almira, Abahmu's life has been ... ti .. ti. dak may be saved. This foreign fighter only took part .. Abah's body parts to slow Abah's death. Well, swordsman .. explain all that to my daughter .. Almira.”

“That don't say anything bad like this,” then the beautiful princess who still reluctantly turned towards Jayaseta who did not look like her face at all.

“Please whomever I can, tell Abah it's all not true. Abah could have survived, right? I've seen kisanak so powerful mandraguna, kisanak can definitely save Abahku!”

Hearing this behind his mask, Jayaseta felt a strange feeling of sadness. First, he felt very sorry for the girl who he was worried would not be able to accept the fact that the father was no longer able to be helped. Fellow people who understand the science of Kanuragan, he and the merchant Amir understand how severe the injury he suffered. Second, the girl who turned out to be named Almira had to admit Jayaseta was a girl who was so charming.

With sadness hanging on his face absolutely can not remove his harmony. Even Jayaseta feels guilty because she is so stunned by Almira's beauty because this feeling is like misplaced. He should feel concerned instead of enjoying the beauty exposed in front of him. Comfortable and clumsy feeling attacked Jayaseta. He was confused what this feeling was. Unfortunately he is now in a very, very inopportune state to feel this new kind of feeling.

From the very beginning when Jayaseta plowed into battle to the present, he said not a word. This situation is very unfavorable to both parties, his side and Almira and the Arab merchant entourage. He could not simply leave Almira, his dying father and the two oxcart wagons that were grimacing with fear and confusion near the grass.

“Almira,” Jayaseta finally spoke with her voice that she deliberately made sound low and deep.

Almira was fixated, not expecting that this masked person finally opened his voice.

“With great regret I have to approve your father's remark.”

The crying has already broken. Almira cried with grief. Her disheveled hair covered her face. For a moment her hair was wet with tears.

Hearing this Jayaseta felt her chest drifting because she felt sad. He was confused how else. Or maybe he said it wrong? This girl's heart may be so fragile that she has to be very good at speaking.

He himself knows very well that the loss of the people he loves especially in a terrible way like this is not an easy thing to deal with. The horrible death of her father also made Jayaseta very hard hit. The difference is that he is a boy who is nurtured by the way of the sword, as a swordsman who must be ready to face death and various life misfortunes.

What about Almira? A beautiful young girl, the son of a wealthy Arab merchant whose father happens to be capable of kanuragan.

Jayaseta stood up, unable to think what he should do. Then stay away for a moment and approach two people sais the cow cart that had avoided the war. Both of them were lucky to still live in the merchant entourage. Knowing the masked swordsman whose extraordinary football was approaching them, with a struggle they also came closer.

“How are we treating our master?” one of the two men ventured to question the masked hero who had saved them.

“Amir traders won't last long. How long does it take to the nearest settlement, and where does this group want to go?”

“Eh, actually Kotagede Mataram is the closest kisanak. But the journey takes a few more days. We will bring these merchandise to Kotagede, to the house of the younger brother of Mr. Amir for sale,” sais only this time who spoke.

“The merchant Amir will not be able to survive until Kotagede. But we must go according to your plans. Help me bring the dead from your entourage. It is not appropriate to leave them on the road. I will join your entourage until Kotagede.”

The two sais looked at each other and suddenly breathed a sigh of relief without the need to cover up again. They realized that this group was already so weak because there were only three of them left and it was impossible to survive the slightest attack. With this powerful warrior mandraguna, they can be sure that their lives are guaranteed.

Jayaseta then along with the two oxcarts carried the bodies of their dead friends and wrapped them in cloths they had brought to make them more appropriate. As for the hordes of robbers both dead and dying and seriously injured, Jayaseta asks them to put them by the side of the road, right next to the Demon Bee so that later it will not disturb other pedestrians.

Jayaseta then took back two discs he had used to attack the robbers after cleaning them of blood stains. He then put the two discs back on his head along with one more disc that he did not use earlier.

By trying his best, he then lifted the body of the dying merchant Amir into a horse-drawn carriage. There he will be guarded by his son in the remnants of his time. All day they worked to get all this done, including burying their fellow travelers.

While Jayaseta himself then replaced the horse carriage sais which was also dead after he had previously jumped behind the bushes to take his leather puffer bag which he had originally placed under the banyan tree. On the way, the merchant Amir died less than a day later.

They were forced to bury him in a village on the way and advised that people take care of and care for the tomb of the merchant, by giving enough wages of course, a Blow of Almira along the way made Jayaseta more anxious. As a swordsman, dangerous attacks from weapons or deadly moves do not make him daunted.

Yet every breath of Almira's grief made his defenses collapse. It felt like he wiped out all of Almira's grief and assured her that it would all be over and well.

But how? Hugging Almira? Huh! It's so rude to think. Who did he dare to touch the girl? What difference does it make to the robbers? Although the shadow hugging Almira made her chest choked. Of course, if this was possible, he would very much like to be able to grab it. Ah, what kind of thoughts is this, Jayaseta thought.

Their journey, which should only be a few days, was forced to retreat to a few weeks. It is predictable, along the way several times obstacles occur. Begundal-begundal seemed to have somehow heard the news about the merchant entourage. They seem to try to make sure and a little try their luck which unfortunately does not side with them. What else if it wasn't for a strange-looking warrior accompanying their entourage. Most were unwilling to die or at least severely injured for trying to rob the ox carts and carts.

The Amir merchant entourage that was overseen by Jayaseta finally reached Kotagede, one of the centers of Mataram government that was so large, crowded and rowdy. Jayaseta had imagined that Mataram was many times bigger than Giri in Gresik there. Although the center of the Mataram palace has been moved several years ago to Karta, Kotagede is an important city and visible from the business activities and the population is very neat.

The high walls are built solidly while the path is wide and smooth where in some parts arranged by using a neat and dense arrangement of rocks.

At first when Kotagede was still the center of the Mataram palace, the walls of the fortress in the inner part of the city named cepuri, surrounding the Mataram palace, were, while the fortress on the outside called baluwarti surrounds and protects the city of Mataram.

Outside the fortresses were also equipped with defensive trenches that were as wide as rivers. This shows the efficacy and strength of the defense of the Mataram state. Houses large and small of teak or brick lined up neatly.

However, they continued their journey away from the crowds of Kotagede to the suburbs. The group then arrived at a large house that was said to belong to the younger brother of Almira's mother, in this case the sister-in-law of the merchant Amir. A large wooden house, with a wide yard. Several neighboring houses are also visible, but not so close to the rice fields, small rivers and vacant land.

It seems that this neighborhood is indeed a luxurious neighborhood where the hosts are likely wealthy people, merchants and merchants, or perhaps priyayi. Seen some typical Javanese priyayi stage houses. Almira's uncle's house is Javanese. It is also known by Jayaseta that apparently the family of Almira's mother herself is also pure Java.

Sadness was still inescapable over the big house. All told clearly to the uncle by Almira and the sais who witnessed the incident. Although Jayaseta is still there, he speaks a thousand languages without even taking off his mask. Thank goodness Almira herself seems to have started strong. Either because he was increasingly able to accept this reality or even had run out of tears.

To show his sense of responsibility, Jayaseta is two days away from the family. He slept in one of the carts carrying merchandise. He changed the mask every few moments between the mask of the ganongan, the mask of the tiger barong, and the mask of the banner.

All the members of the merchant's family, though still in a state of sadness, could not not be surprised, amazed and a little proud of their house visited and held by a swordsman who managed to save their other family members, namely Almira, even with their property and merchandise.

On the third day, it was time for Jayaseta to feel he had to go back to wander and finish his goal. That morning, he was in a state of anxiety whether he wanted to leave or just leave. Isn't it too strange for a warrior of unknown origin who used to come away at will to say goodbye to someone? But while he was still confused Almira turned out to have come with a glass of hot tea yellowed him in one of the carts.

Almira's forehead shriveled at Jayaseta, “Are the kids about to go?”

For a moment Jayaseta was lost for words. There is a sense of affection for leaving Almira. This morning she was getting more beautiful. Moreover, the sadness seemed to have faded from his face which slowly began to be replaced with a shining light on his face. Almira's black hair peeked out from behind her green veil. Creating a scene that makes Jayaseta's breath choked.

The wrinkles on Almira's forehead faded. He now smiled at the masked warrior. Adorable, makes Jayaseta feel both knees loose. Like being exposed to power attacks in magic and the incantations of a black magic swordsman. No, it's even worse. He felt his defense was broken. If there was a champion supporting him, he would have been killed from earlier.

Slowly Jayaseta replied, “Yes, Almira. I think it's time to continue the journey. You seem to be strong enough and can accept everything. Thank you for the place to stay and the food you have given me for these few days.”

“Eh, kids. We have to thank the children for saving my life. After all, the kisanak who insisted on sleeping in the wagon, instead of in a much more appropriate room in our house,” Almira's voice already showed her true identity. Almira who seems to be a young girl is cheerful, intelligent and tough.

“Kisanak, I can't possibly prevent your departure. You are the Thousand Mask Swordsman known as the defender of truth and justice. I was one of the witnesses of his life,” Almira opened her veil and continued her words, “I also can not possibly repay your bud. However, before you leave, may I take a moment to look at your face? Can I possibly see the face of my helper so that I can remember it all my life?” both of Almira's eyes exuded an allure that Jayaseta could not resist. Honesty and sincerity were there, as if floating on the surface of a clear well.

Jayaseta. He felt ashamed in front of Almira. Somehow he felt better masked than having to show his face that might look stupid and ugly in front of Almira. But this might be the last chance of their meeting. What's wrong with a little knowing Almira by showing her face.

The mask he took off.

If Jayaseta knew what was on Almira's mind right now, maybe Jayaseta would scream and jump for joy.

Almira now who turned out to be fascinated with the look of Jayaseta. He painstakingly covered his true feelings by holding back his facial water. Basic ndablek, Jayaseta should at that time also understand the feeling of awe that is hidden in the face but clearly drawn in both eyes that are as clear as the lake water.

For Almira the swordsman choose a match that managed to save his life and finish off the heroes of the robbers who are well known in the martial land in Jawadwipa is apparently a young man whose age may not be far adrift from her. But his face is very beautiful. He did not expect that the face of the warrior could tear down his heart this fiercely.

The body of the warrior who is tall for his age and looks more mature makes the young man even more charming. His two narrow eyes are opposite to his pointed nose, similar to his nose and nose like the typical Arab. His skin was slightly lighter, unlike most of the slightly dark Javanese men.

When calculated, the age of Jayaseta and Almira at that time was considered mature and eligible for marriage. Already many people their age are married, even younger than them, although many young people who decide to become travelers demanding knowledge. Many of them are interested in studying religion and want to become scholars.

Some also intend to visit many termpat in Jawadwipa even to the land of Malay to study kanuragan or look for big names, challenging and defeating martial arts heroes and warriors. Some are looking for identity, studying religion and kanuragan, or both. Their decision to be a traveler or traveler makes them a little ignore or dismiss for a moment their desire to get married.

At the age of a dozen years where many men are married, Jayaseta has clearly had to postpone the goods for a moment this opportunity to fill his entire thirst for life experience and identity.

Almira tucked some of her hair behind her ear. He looked down, aware that he had been staring too long at Jayaseta's good looks. He lowered his head and bit his lips and closed his eyes tightly covering his clumsiness. But for a moment, he did not want to linger to turn his eyes on the handsome face of the hero. He looked back at the prince, “Rupanya kakang still young. Sorry if I previously thought the kakang might be the same age as my uncle, especially with the ability to silat kakang qualified and mature,” Almira again smiled. But this time with a bit of embarrassment.

Jayaseta will not want to return the smile of Almira as usual. He doesn't want to look more clumsy. Immediately he sipped hot tea in the clay cup that Almira brought earlier to cover his feelings. It's just that Jayaseta's simple smile even makes Almira more stunned and blushed embarrassed.

“Kakang, can I know what the name of kakang is? For a long time with my brother I only heard the title of swordsman kakang. If not excessive, I still want to know the real name of kakang,” Almira trying to set the pace of his words. He didn't want to sound so excited even though he obviously couldn't turn his eyes to Jayaseta.

“My name is Jayaseta, Almira. But please keep my face and my name. Don't you tell anyone anything you know about me behind this mask.”

Almira shook her head as well as nodded loudly and smiled very widely to convince Jayaseta. This made her excited face become even sweeter in Jayaseta's eyes, making Jayaseta even more limp in her knees.

“I promise I won't say anything, brother Jayaseta. I understand very well on the grounds that kakang keep his identity a kakang as a warrior.”

Jayaseta put her banner mask in her leather bundle.

“I really hope we can meet again, brother. Stop by when the kakang returns to Mataram. I will definitely welcome you well.”

Jayaseta just nodded, “Assalammualaikum, Almira,” he said.

“Walaikumsalam,” says Almira back.

Jayaseta then turned around and left Almira and all her beauty behind. Almira continued to kick Jayaseta's back until her body disappeared over the fence and became small on the trail. The two teenage hearts are equally flowery because of love even without realizing each other's feelings.

Almira's uncle rushes to Almira with the two sais employed by his late father. He intended to ask the hero's sudden and sudden departure. He and the sais felt they had not had time to express their gratitude to the hero and did not have time to get to know him further, let alone see the face of the masked swordsman. Almira just smiled knotfully, closed her mouth so that no one knew that she had known Jayaseta's face and that the face would stay forever in her head.