Wanara Project

Chapters 8. Climb

[10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1….]

“Start....!”

When the cue began to be shouted, unexpectedly Julia immediately stepped her feet very quickly. Julia did not run, just walk, but the speed shown was far above the people in general.

The entire members were shocked and tried their best to chase Julia so as not to lose track. Dirga who has been preparing to join this project shows his ability. Unexpectedly Dirga was able to match Julia's speed with running. In second place there is Galih who also does not want to lose. Galih is not as fast as Dirga, but still faster than other team members. In third place there is Yuna, while Ayu in fourth place. As usual, Rama was in the last place.

“Huh... It turns out that person is just nonsense.. Enjoy the dry bread tonight..” thought Dirga while looking at Rama who is behind.

“But there seems to be something strange.” Dirga realized that the expression Rama showed was completely different from what the other team members showed. The other team members ran with serious faces and were seen constantly trying to catch their breath. While Rama looks very relaxed even at a glance looks a small smile on his face.

“What's with that guy..?” thought Dirga.

“No need to think about unimportant things, I have to keep maintaining speed so as not to lose track of Julia” he added.

An hour passed while the position still had not changed. In the first place, Galih in the second place, Yuna in the third place, Ayu in the fourth place and Rama in the fifth place. But they could not maintain speed. Plus the terrain is getting harder. Initially, the road tends to be sloping and can still be passed by running. But now it's starting to get a little steep, it's quite difficult to run on the streets like this.

Dirga slowly began to slow down his running, even more like walking. Dirga lost track of Julia. Now he could only rely on the directions that had been installed. Unknowingly someone patted Dirga on the shoulder and drove past him.

“Hey Dirga.. I first ya” Galih said.

“Ya please.. please leave food for me yes.” Dirga.

“Care of course friend.” Answer Galih.

Galih precedes Dirga, but the distance between the two is not too far away. Dirga tried not to fall further behind. On the other hand, Yuna and Ayu always go hand in hand. Yuna and Ayu slowed down and decided to walk together to take care of each other. Rama followed Yuna and Ayu.

Darma who had been guarding behind Rama felt strange about what Rama did. In the eyes of Darma, Rama did not look tired at all. Even Darma felt that Rama could have been the frontrunner.

“Hey Rama, why don't you speed up your pace. You look very fresh.” Darma approached Rama and asked out of curiosity.

“Not want Sir, it's just that I feel worried about both of them. Although Yuna has the highest potential value, but they are both still women. Their physical endurance may not be as good as men. It turns out that my guess is not wrong Pak” replied Rama straightforwardly.

“Do you not believe me Rama?” ask Darma.

“Not so Mr. Darma. I just thought that 2 was better than 1.” Answer Rama.

Darma was speechless and stunned by the answer given by Rama.

“Teruplah if it wants you..” said Darma with a little smile.

Two hours have passed since the training began. I don't know how far they've moved. Suddenly though….

“Arggggghhhhh...” Ayu screamed in pain.

Darma and Rama rushed over to Ayu after hearing the screams. Ayu is seen lying on the ground by holding her right ankle that swells.

“Rama... Mr. Darma. Please Ayu, Ayu fell and sprained his leg.” Yuna shouted as she saw Rama and Darma running over.

Darma swiftly looked at Ayu's ankle and opened the first aid box she had carried in her bag. Darma gives first aid so skillfully that Ayu's ankle feels much better than before.

“What Ayu can stand?” ask Darma.

Ayu tries to stand aided by Yuna who holds her tightly enough to worry that Ayu will fall back down. Ayu managed to stand up but was unable to walk properly. Every time ayu tried to move her legs, Ayu grimaced in pain.

“Do not force yourself. For a while Ayu can't step foot in first.” Darma.

“The journey is still very far Sir..” said Ayu sadly.

“That's right, and we have to get to the top before the wild animals around here come out of the nest.” Darma tries to explain.

“Is here really a lot of wild animals sir?” ask Rama.

“Of course a lot, you think this is where?” answer Darma.

“Rama... Please help raise Ayu to my back. I'll carry Ayu all the way to the top.” Pinta Darma's.

“Are you sure you'll take Ayu to the top? The journey is still very far sir.” Ask Ayu.

“No need to worry, your safety is much more important.” Answer Darma.

“Baiiiiklaa…. Then we'll take turns Mr. Darma. If you're tired, I'll carry Ayu. Likewise, if I am tired, I will ask Mr. Darma who carries Ayu.” Rama gave a proposal to Darma.

“Sorry so troublesome brother Rama..” said Ayu with tears haru dripping on his face.

“Already... don't hesitate. We're a team, right?” rama tried to comfort Ayu.

Yuna was amazed by the words spoken by Rama and unconsciously Yuna continued to pay attention to Rama.

“No need...” said Darma firmly and calmly.

“I am very impressed with your solidarity, but you still have to remember that this is a competition. It's not just about who is the fastest, but rather every choice you make will affect the success of your own potential increase.

"But sir.." Rama's speech stopped.

“No need to worry Rama, you think people with Dasa level like you can do what?” continued Darma with a little mocking Rama with a smile.

“I will also help keep Ayu. Even though I am a woman, my potential value remains the best among us.” Yuna added Darma's words.

“Huft... I'm always upset if I remember that...” Rama.

“You can go first, try as soon as possible to reach the top and get first place.” Said Darma by giving a little motivation.

“Well if so. I'll wait for you at the top. We'll eat together upstairs. Don't take too long, I can't resist hunger.” Rama said to Ayu and Yuna.

Ayu and Yuna nodded and smiled again. Not only them, Darma also smiled because of Rama's words.

“I'm sorry can't help you much Mr. Darma.” he added.

“Go cleanest first..” said Darma.

Rama nodded and immediately continued on with excitement. Things that have just happened further add to the motivation of Rama to be able to reach the top in the first place.

“Be careful brother Rama...” shouted Ayu saw Rama running and moving very quickly.

Rama kept running following the instructions given. It did not feel like it had been more than 1 hour Rama moved non-stop. The clock has shown at half 4 pm, meaning the journey to the top is getting closer. But Rama still has not met with Galih and Dirga.

“What they have arrived..” Thought Rama.

“Ah, it seems impossible.” he continued.

Rama hastened his pace. Step by step Rama passed very quickly. Rama does have high stamina and endurance. This is because Rama has long been homeless. He was forged by the rigors of city life. Almost every day Rama had to play chases with security officers in the city of Pasundan. Almost every day Rama also held back thirst and hunger.

“Dirga??” rama said when he saw Dirga in front of him.

“If it's Dirga, it means that the one in the first place is Galih. Didn't think the guy turned out great, too.” Think Rama.

“Haloooo...” Rama said to Dirga while without hesitation passing through it.

“Ramaa…?? It is impossible..!!” thought Dirga.

Rama kept his feet up and quickly left Dirga behind. He was surprised by what he saw. At this time Dirga was very tired, his face looked very pale. But Dirga saw absolutely no signs of exhaustion on Rama's face.

“I won't lose.....!!!” Dirga shouted to motivate himself.

Soon Rama saw Galih. Unlike Dirga who looks alarming, Galih looks fresher and still full of spirit. From behind Rama called Galih.

“Hey Galihhh...” Shouts Rama.

“Rama?” Galih turned around and stopped her steps for a moment when she saw Rama calling out to her.

“I didn't think it turned out that you were great too huh Rama..” Galih said.

“I'm just lucky to have so much stamina.. Ha ha ha...” Rama is flattered by Galih's praise.

“Did you meet Dirga?” ask Galih.

“Ya of course” replied Rama briefly.

“Thankful..” Galih responded calmly.

“Oh yes Rama, you still have the rest of the drinking water no? If there's still, can I have a little?” ask Galih.

“Sure can...” Rama took out drinking water from his bag.

“Why so much? Aren't you thirsty?” Galih was again made surprised because it turns out the rest of Rama's drink is still very much.

“I'm used to..” replied Rama briefly.

After Galih drank a few sips, Rama asked Galih for permission to go ahead. Rama left Galih very quickly. Within seconds, Galih could not see Rama in front of him.

Step by step continued to be swung by Rama until finally Rama saw something that made him amazed.

“What is a palace?” think Rama.

Rama quickened his pace because he was curious about the large building in front of him at that time.

“What is this hallucination? Did I accidentally break into another world?” rama thought of confusion.

“There can be no building of this size in the interior of the forest that even sunlight is difficult to enter because of the lush trees” he continued.

“Hai...”.

“Whuaaa…. Ghostuuu...” Rama shouted in surprise.

“I Julia sir...” Julia.

“Why are you surprised so Juliaa....” shouted Rama.

“Sorry if you are surprised sir. I didn't mean to surprise you. I just say hello to you, sir.” Julia tried to explain.

“Ma.. Sorry Julia...” said Rama.

“My reaction was a little excessive.” he added with a little embarrassment.

“No problem sir.” Answer Julia.

“I didn't expect to see you in first place sir. You are very great.” Compliment Julia to Rama who made Rama wrong and blushed embarrassed.

“Welcome to Mandalawangi Peak..” Julia.

***