The Thousand Mask Warrior

Win So Charcoal, Lose So Ashes

Dara Cempaka was in Jayaseta's burly arm. His body had been unable to move at all, but he could still feel with his five senses. He can smell, hear, and see everything around him. It was as if he was in prison, where he was still alive but had no power over his own life.

Now, in Jayaseta's arms, his weakness and feelings of confinement still come and go, flickering like coals. But he was very relieved, because in his heart there was no fear if Jayaseta was by his side.

***

Temenggung Bears finally died, shortly after his son, Punyan, came and reported that their village had survived and the Biaju had been driven out by first finishing off his frontmen, including Commander Asuam.

Temenggung Bear kept his promise. He left after apai and Jayaseta finished facing his opponents, as if the Temenggung indeed postponed his death.

***

"I represent the tribe and this village gives deep thanks. The late Temenggung Bears will feel the same for you, our guests" said Punya a day after everyone helped each other bury victims and clean up the mess as they could.

Standing in front of Punyan and the residents, Jayaseta, Dara Cempaka, Ireng, Siam, Katilapan, Narendra and a few Javanese helped the fight the other day.

"We're sorry we couldn't give you more, even if I personally apologize for any losses you've incurred and received in the war. Rest assured, this action of yours will not be forgotten by me," continued the village leader and the new tribal leader.

"As per apai's mandate, in the near future, I will lead the villagers to move towards the North," a low-browing crowd whispered. I don't know what they have in mind about this. "There's not much I can say more personally. Here's life. Perhaps this path has been given by the Jubata and we must walk."

***

Jayaseta was mingled with the speech of Temenggung Bears before he went home about sin and curses against this village. Jayaseta is reluctant to deny that he may be a contributor to the destruction of the village because of the bad deeds he did with Dara Cempaka, tarnishing the sanctity of the village.

"I know if I've ever spoken to you from heart to heart, even though I don't know what you're talking about. Apai has always been like that, conveying things in the most personal way. But whatever it is, Jayaseta, I'm sure I never blame anything that's happened. What happened to this village has indeed been outlined by the Power and Owner of Life. We are involved, we are also responsible for whatever we live, but that does not mean we are guilty" Punyan said as if he could read Jayaseta's mind, when they had time together.

"Then your responsibility is now with Dara Cempaka. I know I was involved in that incident, right? But ....,"

"I understand, Punyan. Your greater responsibility lies with your tribe. We can't avoid our involvement in other problems" Jayaseta said.

Jayaseta's sin that he regretted the most is that now Dara Cempaka is the one who suffered the curse of the magic of Cuca Bangkai, similar to him who suffered internal injuries due to the curse of the Kyai Ageng Plered spear.

Cuca Bangka on Dara Cempaka's body is just a small amount of magic power that crashed into his body. Partly destroyed by Punyan, some managed to conquer Jayaseta who has matured his inner science and may have been immune to various types of internal wound attacks. Unfortunately, a bit of magic power about Dara Cempaka.

The girl did not know the science of internal energy. Although he learned to breathe and probably slightly offended the use of energy in his body, it was not enough at all.

Punyan spell aid and power in Jayaseta did turn out to only hold the magic temporarily. Cuca Bangkai becomes a kind of recurrent disease in the body of Dara Cempaka. He needs the most effective medicine and he himself must be able to take care of himself and process the body.

Then what about drugs or ways that can fully heal the wounds in Dara Cempaka?

Jayaseta will return to Sukadana, taking care of everything, including talking to the Datuk including Dara Cempaka's parents, to marry the girl.

After that, he will think well about a solution that is most appropriate for this problem.

"Apai once said, Cuca Bangkai is also used in the land of the Siam people in Ayutthaya, Jayaseta. There is a story that I could not tell more fully. However, apai also explained that his best friend, Datuk Mas Kuning, knew enough about the continuation of the story. It's obvious you should go back and ask him directly" Punyan said.

There is a glimmer of regret and concern about the state of Dara Cempaka in Punyan that is quite visible. However, what to say, even Jayaseta understands that they both have their own responsibilities and duties.

***

Karsa is still tightly bound. He was down and down. His neck is out. Either because he was ready for the consequences, or because resigned could not do anything else.

People watch the scene. Right in the dirt field in the middle of the house building and the cage that burned down. Even the smoke still sometimes appears because of the embers blown by the wind.

Karsa chuckled, "You must be glad to finally kill the Poet Baka, right? For a long time this old man has frightened your life with his majestic appearance. He died many times just to live and send the living to the afterlife, where he was previously excited," said Karsa at length.

His arrogance never completely disappeared from his soul, even though he was aware that his death this time was his last. He will most likely not rise and live again as before.

Punyan advanced. In his right hand was the mandau mantikei returned by Jayaseta who had previously been loaned to Dara Cempaka. Jayaseta thought that the weapon was somehow more suitable for use by the chieftain, Punyan.

"I know you're not afraid of death. It's just that you need to remember carefully that this incident was caused by treason by your own close ones, and you died completely dishonorably. It wasn't me or Jayaseta, or any other great warrior who killed you. You died because you were ready to be put to death. After all, I killed you not out of revenge or fondness, but out of necessity" Punyan retorted.

Hearing the words of the new chief, Karsa became so furious. Something was poking at his feelings. The shame and disappointment of being supported by a Chinese healer without the knowledge of his grandson, and finally having to die in a punishment.

Karsa shouted furiously and was ready to get up to fight.

But his body collapsed headlessly as Punyan slashed his neck with a single swing using the mandau of the metal mantikei.

Karsa's body burned a wooden pole until it was completely reduced to ashes. His head was burned elsewhere.

The ashes of Karsa's body and head were scattered in different rivers. They understood that Karsa's body was impossible to return to being one. However, there is no harm in keeping watch.

Here again, there is no feeling of satisfaction, pleasure and excessive victory from the villagers over the death of Karsa and the defeat of the Biaju attackers. For them, it is true the saying, 'Win to charcoal, lose to ashes.'

Nothing good comes from a war.

Their journey is still a long one because they will move to a new place. War will always be there and waiting in plain sight, but that is what they have to face. The path of fate and destiny must be lived.