The Thousand Mask Warrior

The Tiger of Kedah

According to cultural customs and historical records, the establishment of the Kingdom of Kedah or formerly named Kadaram occurred around the year 630 AD. Kedah Kadaram Kingdom is replacing the ancient kingdom Langkasuka that stood before. Kedah Kadaram was founded by Durbaraja I, a follower of Hinduism who came from Gemeron in Persia. The Hindu dynasty in Kedah Kadaram ended when the ninth king, Durbaraja II, who was given the title Phra Ong Mahawangsa by the Siamese, converted to Islam in 1136 AD.

Since then, the kingdom of Kedah is Muslim, replacing the teachings of the previous religion. Today, in the lifetime of Jayaseta, in 1639 AD, Sultan Rijaluddin Muhammad Shah is the thirteenth Sultan of Kedah. He has ruled the kingdom of Kedah since 1625 AD, more or less since fourteen years ago.

Similar to various Malay countries, Kedah also has the characteristic of gayong silat although it is still strongly influenced by other Malay-style gayong silat. At present, Kedah silat moves are developing towards a fighting style that will be called Silat Cekak. However, at present, the seeds of Silat Cekak moves are still in the seedling stage.

The journey of Baharuddin Labbiri when he was very young, along with some 'remnants' of the disciples of the Malacca hulubalang who were captured by the Pranggi soldiers to be punished, were, take him to the Malay lands of Islam bordering the land of Siam which adheres to Buddhism. He went to Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pattani. In Kedah, Bugis men studied Silat Gayong Kedah with an early form of Silat Cekak.

This ability of Silat Gayong Kedah is taught specifically to Hamid by Baharuddin Labbiri himself directly.

Hamid's sudden attack on Jayaseta who did not heed the knight's respect and behavior was indeed he himself hoped to finish the fight soon. However, Jayaseta's ability clearly passed Hamid. All layers of skin, pores, eye tip vision and inner sensitivity feel well for that sudden attack.

Jayaseta shifted her body just a little bit so Hamid's elbow went past her.

Hamid was stunned to realize that his elbow struck empty air. With the addition of anger and excessive fighting spirit, Hamid faced Jayaseta, giving a kick to Jayaseta's leg and again elbowed towards the heart. Both attacks were carried out in one direction.

"Ah, this is what it looks like" Jayaseta said in her heart. Getting one possible attack is the most dangerous of Hamid's, given he wants to finish this fight soon.

Jayaseta raised his leg and brushed off Hamid's elbow by banging his palm against the young man's shoulder. Hamid almost lost his balance and fell down, but he hurriedly flopped and rolled away. This made his pride quite saved.

Baharuddin Labbiri laughed loudly. "Ha ha ha, I told you to mean it, Hamid. Don't underestimate your opponent. Whoever he is. Now get up, face your opponent to the best of your ability" said Labbiri.

"Who is this man, Tun Guru Labbiri?" asked Yunus the Tiger of Pattani to see his sudden and lightning-fast peer attack can be dismissed by not using much effort.

Baharuddin Labbiri looked at the three students who were 'waiting for their turn'. "Just watch it first. When the moment you arrive, mean it" said the teacher in secret.

***

Hamid stands. He looked straight at Jayaseta with mixed feelings of shame for being trivial, probing, a little upset and angry, and curious.

"Friend, Hamid. I know your attack was aimed at finishing the fight. Often times in many circumstances and occasions, it does work. But this time, on the contrary. That's because you look down on your enemies so that the attacks you launch instead of endangering, tend to just aim to paralyze and teach me a lesson, don't you, Hamid?" jayaseta said slowly.

The words of this stranger pierced deeply into Hamid's heart. Just for his own sake, the words of the man he did not know were true.

"I'm sorry, brother. May I ask what your name is?" hamid. He realized that he did not pay attention to the name of the opponent because he underestimated and considered there was no enemy.

"My name is Jayaseta, my brother" Jayaseta replied with a faint smile.

Hamid clenched his palms together in front of his chest. "My name is Hamid, the Tiger of Kedah. Let's start our silat guard, Jayaseta. Please help and guidance," said Hamid, smiling thinly. The facial lines of solemnity were clearly imprinted on his face.

Jayaseta also gave her greetings, clenched both palms in front of her chest and bowed her head respectfully.

"Prepare yourself, Jayaseta!" exclaim Hamid. He jumped up high and again tried to implant his elbow towards Jayaseta's head.

Jayaseta is shifting fast. Elbow Hamid escaped back. But of course Hamid connected this attack with a long sideways kick and a fist towards the stomach. Jayaseta repelled all attacks, and retreated.

Hamid's attack pattern can still be read well by Jayaseta. But Jayaseta never underestimated the enemy, although the level was very different from most warriors. That's why he was not surprised when Hamid's next attack became faster and more continuous.

Two fists toward the face and neck, a straight kick to the stomach, as well as a fist or fist with the back of the fist done in a row.

Jayaseta fended it off. Then deliberately retaliated because he felt it was time he tried out the defense of Gayong Kedah silat.

A straight blow to Hamid's chest or heart.

The Cekak Kedah Seedlings finally appeared.

Hamid shifted to the side, then spun but not after tucking one hand into Jayaseta's inner arm. When his body turned that, Silat Cekak happened. Hamid locked his arms and neck from behind.

One of Hamid's hands twisted Jayaseta's arms back, the other tucked in his neck. Jayaseta is barely moving. The Cekak Tigers Kedah Silat Lockdown grew stronger as Jayaseta moved.

Stifled breath. The three Malay Tigers felt this was the end. Baharuddin Labbiri was still wondering about what would happen, including the disciples. The rest, the entourage of Sukadana, wondered what Jayaseta would do.

Hamid decides to incapacitate Jayaseta by knocking him unconscious. He would tighten the lock on the man's throat so that he could not fight again.

Saru took a breath, Jayaseta's body holding back following Hamid's lockdown. There are no signs of giving up, let alone losing. The man in front of Hamid is not in danger and threatening. Hamid strangled Jayaseta's neck with his inner arms. Jayaseta is still flexing backwards.

One breath, in one jolt, Jayaseta swerved following the locking direction of her arms and neck, lowered her head slightly then lifted Hamid's body that locked her from behind with her back. One more jolt, Hamid slammed, thrown into the air.

His body twisted and slammed on the ground.

In a state of surprise, Hamid tried to get up and then thrown backwards until two spears, hit the wall. Jayaseta used this opportunity to emulate the Malay style of Gayong Kedah which has a long-term style. His elbow pierced Hamid's chest hard.

BUGS!

Hamid felt his veins, muscles and bones in excruciating pain. This is more or less what it feels like if the elbow attack succeeds in hitting the enemy. Unfortunately, he himself was affected.

Hamid tried to get up, but his body refused. He collapsed to his knees.

"You okay, Hamid?" his friends almost together. Even Jayaseta was about to get close knowing his attack had injured Hamid quite badly.

Hamid raised one hand up, forbidding anyone from coming to his aid. "I lost, Tun Guru Labbiri. You're correct. I don't know anything. I was too jumawa," he said. "Jayaseta. Thank you for your knowledge" said Hamid Short. He stroked his chest, managed to stand up, then saluted towards Jayaseta by clenching both of his palms in front of his chest.