The night air is hot. The wind seemed reluctant to blow. The sky is red like a fire. It's a sign that it's going to rain tonight. This seemingly unfriendly situation did not make Rangga feel upset, the Sacred Eagle Warrior seemed to be sitting quietly, leaning on a large rock and laying on thick grass like a carpet spread out.
His eyes wandered far away, staring at a village that looked quiet and calm. According to a wood seeker who was met this afternoon, the village's name is Pasir Batang. Residents' houses are lit only by lamps from Jatropha fruit, lined up neatly along the village's main road. Rangga's gaze stopped at a house that was bigger and brighter than the other houses. Four torches stuck in every corner of the front yard.
Through the open doors and windows, one could see the bright, bustling interior of the house. Maybe the house belonged to a rich merchant or the village head who was having a party. Several people were seen keeping watch around him
The Sacred Eagle Warrior's allegation was indeed almost correct. The large house that had now caught his attention belonged to the Head of Pasir Batang Village. But there was not having a party, but a kind of meeting. Several prominent leaders and figures from the village of Pasir Batang gathered at the invitation of Ki Brajananta, head of the village of Pasir Batang.
In that quite spacious room, Ki Brajananta sat with dignity. His eyes were a little glazed looking at the guests. An old man dressed in all white sat beside him. He is Ki Gandara, a teacher.
Padepokan Pasir Batang. His face was bright clean reflecting authority. In front of them were still six more people.
"Seven days until the seventh full moon," said Ki Brajananta slowly, somewhat muttering.
The six people sitting in front of Ki Brajananta looked at him. They had been able to guess the direction of the conversation. A talk that always occurs every seven full moons.
"Seven days is not a long time, and we haven't prepared anything yet," said Ki Brajananta again.
"This has been going on for a long time, Ki. Why is Ki Brajananta gloomy and restless?" asked Sawung Bulu who was sitting right in front of the Head of Pasir Batang Village.
"Don't you know, Sawung Bulu? For this full moon, it is Dewi Purmita who must be dedicated!" Bangka Putung interjected
"Is that right, Kim?" Sawung Bulu was very surprised. His eyes were bulging and burning sharply.
Ki Brajananta nodded weakly. "Huh...!" Sawung Bulu let out a long sigh.
All eyes turned to Ki Brajananta and Sawung Bulu in turn. They all knew that Dewi Purmita, the only daughter of Ki Brajananta, was the lover of Sawung Bulu, a student at the Padepokan Pasir Batang.
"This can't be happening! We have to fight back!" suddenly Sawung Bulu said loudly.
"Sawung Bulu!" The trumpet is no less loud, while standinghe pounded the table. His face is red. His eyes were sharp on his nephew. Sawung Bulu stared back as well.
Sawung Bulu's blood boiled. His heart broke when he heard that Dewi Purmita would be made a sacrifice for the demon whose name was din, Raja Dewa Angkara.
In fact, it's not only the village of Pasir Batang that has been hit by this kind of anxiety. Previously, a village-which is adjacent to the village of Pasir Batang, once tried to challenge the tradition of sacrificing one virgin every seven full moons. But as a result, the village was destroyed to the ground. Nobody was left alive. Virgin girls vanish without a trace. This incident made the other villages around the foot of Mount Balakambang think a thousand times if they dared to oppose the will of King Dewa Angkara.
Sawung Bulu's words, which were based on the hot day and the turmoil of young blood, indeed surprised everyone present there. More so, Sangkala, Sawung Bulu's uncle. Ki Gandara is no exception, teacher and substitute for Sawung Bulu's parents. But his demeanor was very calm. His eyes only stared at his beloved student.
"I'm going to challenge that bastard King Dewa Angkara! If he can beat me, then I'll be willing to make Dewi Purmita a sacrifice!" the loud and firm voice of Sawung Bulu.
"Crazy! Are you crazy, Sawung Bulu?" Sangkala cleared her throat.
"It's because I'm sane, so I dare to challenge!" said Sawung Bulu, still firm in his voice.
"So, you think we are insane, huh?!""I didn't say that, Uncle."
Sawung Bulu turned his eyes to his teacher. Meanwhile, Sangkala returned to his seat after being gently tugged by Rangkuti's hand, who had been sitting quietly next to Sangkala.
"You know, what is the consequence of defying the King of the Gods of Angkara?" Ki Gandara's voice still sounded soft, calm and dignified.
"I know, Ki," said Sawung Bulu. "I'm willing to give my life for the truth."
"I'm proud to hear that, Sawung Bulu. It's just that you misplace your warrior attitude."
Everyone was quiet. Sawung Bulu slowly sat back down
Everyone felt embarrassed when Ki Gandara spoke. No sound could be heard.
"Never have I taught a lesson about short and self-centered thinking. You can oppose King Dewa Angkara. But, try to think about the wider consequences. You won't be the only one who will be killed, even the entire population of this village will be destroyed because of your carelessness. Remember, Sawung Bulu. You and all of us stand for the benefit of the people of Pasir Batang village that we love," said Ki Gandara with dignity.
"But Ki...!" Sawung Bulutry to argue.
"You don't want Dewi Purmita to be the sacrifice?" cut Ki Gandara.
Sawung Bulu just stared. His heart was indeed not willing that his lover became a victim of the devil's offering.
"Look at Ki Brajananta, Sawung Bulu. Dewi Purmita is his daughter. Of course, her affection and love exceeds yours. She also doesn't want her daughter to be sacrificed, just like other parents whose daughters are victims. We all don't want , sad, and want to rebel But the safety of the residents of Pasir Batang is above everything. We still have the power to curb anger, even though it hurts You understand Sawung Bulu?" at length Ki Gandara gave understanding to his students who were being hit by emotions
Sawung Bulu was silent. He lowered his head. Those soft and authoritative words touched her. His heart felt dwarfed by Ki Gandara. It's really short-sighted if he can't see the situation around him. But his heart still groaning and crying. Sawung Bulu was not willing and wanted to rebel, but as a result the entire population of Pasir Batang would feel the wrath of King Dewa Angkara.
Sawung Bulu became increasingly unenthusiastic following this conversation. His mind was confused and focused only on his beloved Dewi Purmita. In seven days the girl will be the offering sacrifice of King Dewa Angkara. The night crept-getting late. The conversation continued, albeit falteringly.
***
Rangga shook his body several times. The sun shone warmly from the eastern horizon, waking him from a deep sleep last night. His eyes immediately stared ahead, towards the village of Pasir Batang. With the knowledge of the Speaker of the Sound, he had heard all the talk at Ki Brajananta's house last night.
The Raresponsible Sakti warrior then stood up, and returned to hismove his body. He yawned widelyrubbed his eyes. After tidying up the clothes, the Sacred Eagle Warrior stepped towards the main road of Pasir Batang village.
"Seven more days... hm. Not a long time," muttered Rangga while walking.
Some residents have started to go to their fields. This morning life in Pasir Batang village was running normally as if nothing was going to happen. They seemed to be used to the event of offering sacrifices to King Dewa Angkara. Events that have been going on for years. so that it becomes an inevitable tradition.
"Uh... Hungry too. I didn't eat last night! Where's the diner?" Rangga muttered to himself while patting his stomach.
He was also a little annoyed, along the way he passed, he didn't see any food stalls. Meanwhile, his stomach kept grumbling asking to be filled. Rangga grumbled to himself.
"Excuse me, sir. Can I ask a question?" Rangga intercepted a middle-aged man who passed by Riya.
"Oh, yes. Yes, Den," the middle-aged man observed Rangga from head to toe.
"Is there a tavern in this village, sir?" askRanga. "Oh, there is. There is, Den. It's at the corner of this street, right
under the walnut tree.""Thank you sir.""You're welcome."
Rangga nodded his head, then rushed to the end of the corner of the road. He didn't realize that the middle-aged man he asked earlier was still staring at him. Someone approached the middle-aged man. Meanwhile, Rangga continues to walk.
"Who is that young man, Pak Bolang?"
"Oh!" the middle-aged man whose name turned out to be Pak Bolang was surprised "Just shock you. Ujang!"
"It seems he is not from our village, sir?" Ujang half muttered.
"Yes, like a wanderer," said Pak Bolang."Find who is he?"
"Food stalls," said Mr. Bolang. "Ah, come on! We'll be late to the fields."
The two men walked side by side.
"Seven more days, full moon, sir!" Ujang said after a long silence
"Yes, the seventh full moon,"replied Mr. Bolang slowly. "Who is it, who is about to be the offering sacrifice
Later?"
"What is clear is not my family. I don't have any more daughters. All of them are married," Pak Bolang felt grateful because no one from his family was a victim.
"Over time the girls in this village will run out."
"Okay, don't think about it, Jang! Let's just work..." said Mr. Bolang walking away.
Rangga, aka Sacred Eagle Warrior, sat facing a table full of food and drink. They are students of the Pasir Batang wearing all white and tight clothes, none other than Sawung Bulu. While the other wore a tight dress also colored ivory yellow. At the waist of each was tucked into a short stick, with a gold ring in the middle. Rangga did not know them. But the conversation of the two young men really caught his attention.
"No matter what, I must fail the demon ceremony!" Sawung Bulu's voice was a bit depressed. "You may disagree with my determination, Badara. But I need a friend to defeat King Dewa Angkara."
"Have you spoken to the teacher?" asked Badara. "It's useless, your father would never approve. Not to mention
my uncle. Obviously he's against it!"
"It's hard to agree with your good intentions, Sawung. I'm sure everyone won't support you."
"They are too resigned to fate. In fact, if we want to unite, the devil will not think twice about our village. After all, they are also ordinary humans like us. What is there to be afraid of?"
"King Dewa Angkara is very powerful. Even against his accomplices, all Padepokan students may not win. Do you remember the incident in Kenanga village? The village also has a Padepokan which is famous for people with high knowledge. But in one night, the village destroyed because of opposing that crazy offering! What's more, we are only relying on Guru Gandara's father? I think your efforts are in vain, Sawung..."
Sawung Bulu took a deep breath. And indeed there is some truth to Badara's words.
Will the village of Pasir Batang have to be destroyed too, just because one person doesn't want his girlfriend to be made a sacrifice to King Dewa Angkara? Only one person is saved, but sacrifices the entire village. No! Sawung Bulu shook his head.
Sawung Bulu doesn't want the whole population to be victim. But he also didn't want his girlfriend Dewi Purmita to be a victim. Sawung Bulu is really like eating simalakama fruit. Awry.
"I understand how you feel, Sawung. You're not the only one who feels that way. But this has become the will of King Dewa Angkara. No one dares to go against him. Be aware of that, Sawung," again Badara tried to make his martial brother aware.
"I will still oppose. I will walk in my own name, and will not involve anyone from the Padepokan or the residents of this village!"
Although with a wavering heart, Sawung Bulu remained in his stance. His resolve is unanimous. No matter what, he had to face the demon king god of anger! "Sa."
Badara had not continued his words, suddenly a spear stuck right in the middle of their table. Simultaneously the two students of Padepokan Pasir Batang jumped in surprise. Everyone in the diner was shocked as well. They knew that spear very well.
For those who have little guts, run away immediately. In the diner that is on average only ordinary residents. Then in an instant the diner became quiet. Sawung Bulu stared intently at the hltam spear.
"Too bad, King Dewa Angkara already knows," Badara muttered with a slightly pale face
Rangga was still sitting where he was. He was more and more interested to know what happened next. His eyes could not leave the two youths who were still staring at the black spear. Even though they look handsome and dashing, but they tremble too.
"Sawung Bulu," Badara's voice trembled.
"Go!" said Sawung Bulu. However, his tone trembled slightly.
Badana, who originally did not want to interfere, left go. His feet had just taken two steps when suddenly a spear slid back and stuck right at the tip of his foot. Badara jumped in surprise
"You've caused havoc, Sawung Bulu!" Badara was a little annoyed.
The second spear that came to block his steps, already sensed its meaning. There is no other choice. He has been indirectly involved in this crisis. It is impossible for King Dewa Angkara to let go of even one life.
"We have to face it together," Badara groaned."Sorry, Badra!" said Sawung Bulu.
"Forget it!" said Badara.
"Good!" suddenly a heavy sound boomed. "Students at the Padepokan Pasir Batang seem to have some guts too!"
The surprise of the two students at Padepokan Pasir Batang had not yet disappeared. Suddenly, from the roof of the diner, four people dressed in all black with a red corpse flower on their chest jumped. In the middle is also tucked in the image of a golden scorpion.
The four people who were known as members of Raja Dewa Angkara stood around Sawung Bulu and Badara. Their faces were covered with a sheet of black cloth, except for the eyes. Each of them held two tridents. A thrilling appearance.
"God KingAngra is pleased to forgive, if you apologize quickly," said one of the men, who was dressed all in black from head to toe.
"Why didn't the devil himself come? I don't need worms like you!" snorted Sawung Bulu. For him there is no other choice but to continue all intentions against the devil.
"He...he...he..., your teacher might not be able to beat one of us."
"Devil! I'll kill you!" Badara growled when he heard his father-he was insulted. his heartinstant heat.
Without saying much more, Badara immediately jumped up while pulling out his short stick. He attacked with stances mainstay to people who mocked his father. Seeing this situation, Sawung Bulu did not want to be left behind. The battle is now running one on two people.
***