True Martial Arts

Old Friends of Akhza

“I want to go home.”

“You mean go back to that village again?” kala Goda.

“I'm not kidding, I don't want to be near this building anything else come in and sleep in it! Oh, that's the worst nightmare!”

“Quietly, there is someone in it.” Kala said lightly. “And hopefully he's not a bloodthirsty madman.”

“Do not be afraid of me!”

“I'm serious, usually the one who lives alone in the forest like this is a person who is wasted by the community.” Kala chuckled softly. “And usually the outcast is a crazy person who is completely crazy! In a sense, it is a bloodthirsty criminal or fugitive.”

Kaia could not answer Kala, she had already run to the back. Run as fast as possible. Kala did not care, in a moment he would also return, Kala also told Alang not to pursue Kaia.

Eve when she was near the house immediately changed. It's an aura of death, but not a murderous aura. And this aura was oppressive, as if this house was a ruler to be obeyed.

Kala took off her footwear when she arrived at the wooden terrace of the house. The first sensation when the soles of his feet touched the fragile wood was cold. The wood under the soles of Kala's feet also creaked amidst the silence of the forest. Only Kala's right foot stepped on the terrace floor, his left foot was still stuck behind and did not dare to advance.

I should have just run with Kaia.

Kala began to sweat coldly and slowly pulled his right leg back. But it seems like it's too late. Behind the door, there was the sound of footsteps with creaking wood. The door opened, then opened quite quickly.

“Ho! Look who's coming! Come in, you've I've been waiting for, outside not too safe.” A short-spirited man turned his hoarse voice into a whisper. “Didn't you notice those old trees always staring at you?”

Kala was still astonished. Who is this short guy? Why is he so familiar with Kala? Why is his presence expected? That was what Kala kept asking in his mind.

“Hoi! Why just shut up? My name is Mahanta. If you want a brighter explanation, come on in.” The man said seriously now. “And where's that girl's friend? Did he die on the way? Oh, I hope not.”

Kala said nervously, “Ah, she just ran away after seeing your house. Anyway, why are you about me?”

“Oh, I know everything about you! Garuda's knight, Kala, the hero who saved the villagers, the good man. Anyway, I know about you, but not too much. Listen to me now, it's not safe to talk here. Call that girl's friend in.”

Kala gestured for Alang to call Kaia, it might not be too far from here. Mahanta looks enthusiastic when Alang flies.

“I'm interested in the bird, how much does it cost?”

“Sorry, Mahanta, I didn't sell it.” He refused politely.

“I'm just kidding, hoho.” Mahanta laughed off as he patted Kala on the shoulder.

Shortly thereafter Kaia comes, though she is somewhat afraid of mixed curious and enthusiastic.

“Hei! You're like the girl on the first night! Shy but willing!”

Mahanta laughed off with that joke. When he frowned, he seemed to have heard this joke at some other time. Kaia did not know whether to laugh or get angry, but she still approached Kala with Alang on her shoulder.

“Well, now very good if we enter, now also.” Mahanta entered first, Kala holding Kaia's frightened hand.

The contents of the house turned out to be much different from the creepy outdoors, here the atmosphere is very warm with shades of shiny brown wood. The items here also have artistic value. Not to mention the red weaving mats that are called warmers. There are also paintings of angels as well as beautiful masks.

“Welcome to my creepy house!” Mahanta laughed again while glancing at Kaia. “You're scared of my house, aren't you?”

Kaia laughed awkwardly. “No-no, I was just kidding.”

“Already, I know,” he said, “ I admit, my house is indeed very creepy, because that is the point. Ah, never mind, it's not important to talk about that, because it's so creepy, I'm afraid you can't sleep tonight.”

Mahanta explains how he knew Kala's whereabouts.

“As long as you believe, I am the ruler of Telu Forest. Ah, that's crazy. But I'm the one who makes my way here and rules the borders, whatever plants grow, and the water here.

Kala and Kaia were welcome to sit on the warm mat, Mahanta also sat there.

“Well, from the trees that became my best friend, I know that you are a Garuda Knight, Kala you are amazing. And of course a woman is much needed as a supporter, Kaia you are also amazing. Not to forget about Alang, you're amazing.

“Now I just want to tell you about the lurking danger. Earlier, I would have told you that I was Akhza's best friend. Surely your teacher didn't tell you about me, don't take him as an unfaithful friend, it's because I asked for him. My existence is very secret.

“Listen, there is a group of people who came from outside the archipelago. They were the culprits of the Pandataran-Geowedari war. They use the sheep that are constantly being done.

“They are even worse than the Black Moon Kingdom. Not shamans, but they harness the energy of darkness. You should know that this dark energy is very dangerous and powerful. They can conquer anyone with that energy.

“Sama is like Prana, but darkness is deeply bound by heresy. They know God, but they hate him. They are devils. Listen, Nusantara is a group of islands that have extraordinary abundant resources. Starting from Andalas, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and Jayapura. Everything a lot of resources.” Mahanta's explanation stalled here because he slapped his forehead. “I almost forgot to prepare this dish for our guests! How stupid. You guys wait a minute, I'll bring you warm drinks and snacks in a minute.”

Then he went to the back leaving Kala who was still thirsty and Kaia who was still trying to understand the language of the Mahanta.

Danger from outside the archipelago? From where?

Kala has not been concerned with other land outside the archipelago, because his duty is only in Nusantara. But who would have thought that the real danger came from the outer land? Not to mention that the teacher was right, if the darkness that would be a heavy duty Kala. However, can Mahanta's words be ascertained the truth?

Mahanta arrived shortly afterwards. With a wooden tray on it were three cups of tea, some cigarettes, and dried pastries. When Mahanta looks like he wants to continue the story, Kaia prefers to eat snacks only.

“You don't smoke, Kala?” Asked, Kala nodded. “Good, don't get hooked.”

“I didn't mean to lie to you, Mahanta, but my cigarettes are different. More healthy.”

“It looks good, but another time only. I thought Akhza inherited everything from you, including his crazy nature on the butts, but I was wrong. Well, now back to the threat that lurks the archipelago.

“So, I told you earlier that the danger came from outside the archipelago. Exactly where the darkness is, I don't know. It is definitely farther from the Malayan mainland and a little further from mainland China. I don't know exactly.

“Nah, the dark kingdom is indeed often colonizing small islands to take resources. But according to history, they still do not dare to target large islands such as China or Malaya.

“Now even they directly eat a very large island, Nusantara. Oh it's terrible, I myself feel the aura, so I told you to go into the house, of course this rickety house has a myriad of functions.

“They are very afraid of Garuda, maybe that's what makes them not dare to set foot an inch in the archipelago. Unfortunately when they were ready, the universe gave rise to the Garuda Knights.

“Don't be happy first. They seem to already know that you are a Garuda Knight. You are very careless, do not be as good as using the power of Garuda, rely on the strength of your own natural strength.

“And bad again, they're looking for you, and now you've been followed. Well, about the village, why Pandataran and Geowedari looking for an heirloom desperately.

“Darkness—we call it so—has sent a heirloom. It was more or less like a long black sword. It was that sword that managed to damage the interspatial ring dimension.”

“So it was their doing! I feel like bringing out a very rude language!’ kala said, “how to fix that?”

“Honey, Garuda Knights, this dimension is broken for permanent,” he added, “but take it easy, you should instead be grateful. The interspatial ring makes peace difficult. The strong can instead step on the weak in war if the existence of interspatial rings supports.”

“Yes, it looks like so. But it can even help us win from Darkness!”

“Then from it they damage the interspatial dimensions. Dark energy could not be used to create dimensions, and they were strictly forbidden to use Prana, or else the demons would rampage. With the archipelago without interspatial rings, they will be easier to colonize.”

Kala nodded in understanding. Looks like the task will be worse in the future, do not be lazy again.

“Well, it is also assisted with Ice Crystal Castle. Let me give you a secret, the Black Moon has long had a close relationship with the Darkness. Trading with the outer landmasses was only their guise. And the Ice Crystal Castle pretended to help Geowedari, but in fact they only wanted to master the Telu Forest.

“Listen, they'll be here any minute. With a huge amount. For now they only send a few people.” Mahanta closed his explanation. “I think it's enough for this afternoon, I'll prepare dinner and room for you guys.”

Mahanta invites Kaia and Kala to the room to the right of the house that turns out to be this big. There are two rooms that are big and good for both of them. Alang can freely choose to sleep in any room.

Kala only took a moment to rest, that's all with meditation without falling asleep. After that, he exited the room to return to the living room where the warm mat was held. Here, Kala's mind is even smoother.

From the ventilation above the walls, the light began to decrease, the night mark began to pick up. Mahanta greeted Kala before putting down many dishes and trays containing delicious food. Mahanta also told Kala to call Kaia.

“For tonight, we eat big! I haven't had a guest in a long time. Tonight we'll have a wine drinking party!”

Kala cleared his throat when Mahanta said about the party. Mahanta realized his mistake. “I mean, just me and Kala. That's if he wants to. Well, now let's eat!”

There are lots of vegetables and dishes here. Everything is delicious and savory. Not to mention the cold and sweet coconut water drink. They ate with a crooked lace until night and until their stomachs were filled to the full except for Kala's stomach, he ate as necessary. Not the time to be full here.

Mahanta cleaned up the leftovers, there was leftovers but only a little. Dirty dishes he also brought back before returning with many wine jugs. Kaia chose to return to the room, while Alang would accompany them in discussions.

“Do not drink much, we will discuss all night instead of drunk,” message Mahanta, “young pour palm wine for older ones, please pour me.”

Kala poured the wine in a jug on two cups. “Actually, how old are you, Mahanta?”

“I am your teacher's best friend, which means I am older than him by hundreds of years. Yes, as I recall, I was five hundred years older less.”

Lucky Kala hasn't drank the wine, or he'll spurt. His teacher said that he was a hundred years old, that alone had amazed him. Not to mention this time he heard for hundreds of years.

“Don't be too surprised. Darkness has older humans. Their agreement with the demons is really very scary.”

“Honestly I don't believe much in demons.”

“Eak eak?”

“True to the bird, Satan is an energy, but he seems to have intelligence and always make the user bound. I highly recommend that you do not try even the slightest bit of dark energy. Indeed the result will be very satisfying, but your sin is very much after that, not to mention you will continue to be bound by Darkness.”

Mahanta was already five hundred years old, no wonder he understood the language of Alang. I felt there was no need to argue this.

“I know it, Mahanta, but I don't know yet how to resist this colonization.”

“Don't hold, but finish!” mahanta. “I have some suggestions. All you need to do now is gather strength from the white schools. The kingdom really cannot be expected, at least not for now. Do not forget to always run, hide, do not get provoked emotions, and do not use the power of Garuda if not necessary, they are everywhere and are now looking for you.”

“If they're looking for me, why is it as if you're holding me here?”

“My house has a special formation that makes this place invisible. Even the road to my house is not on the map. I purposely allowed you to see the way to my house, because I was waiting for you.”

“That means I'll be safe here?”

“Yes, but you have a duty. Don't forget that.”

“I know it, Mahanta. Looks like tomorrow I have to go.”