Kandara Jaya almost couldn't believe his own eyes. The ten people in red robes jumped as if they were flying to meet Rangga before reaching the edge of the cliff, immediately attacking with three-bladed spears.
Rangga immediately used the move 'Eagle Splitting Mega Wings'. With this move, he can freely fight in the air, just like fighting on the ground. Rangga was a bit surprised too, because the people in red robes could fly like birds. His movements were so fast and dangerous. The Rajawali Sakti warrior was a bit overwhelmed when facing his opponents in a fight in the air, on the surface of a ravine that was ready to swallow anyone.
"I wouldn't be able to compete with them without weapons," snorted Rangga to himself.
Drag!
The sparkling blue light immediately radiated when the Rajawali Sakti sword came out of its frame.
With his heirloom sword in hand, Rangga was like an angel of death ready to take lives. Blue light flashed, hunting the people in red robes. Several times the Rajawali Sakti sword clashed with the three-bladed spears. And this made Rangga startled. Because, there has never been a complete weapon when it collided with his sword! But the spears in the hands of the red-robed men did not change in the slightest.
Move after move passed quickly, Rangga felt that it was increasingly difficult to fight in the air continuously. Several times he had to borrow strength when his weapons clashed, to stay in the air. But this method can be seen quickly. The red-robed people no longer clash their weapons. They seemed to be deliberately avoiding, even fighting by keeping their distance.
"Unfortunate! I could fall into the abyss if this continues," thought Rangga.
Several times he tried to get out of the fight. But his efforts always failed. The people in red robes seemed to have read every move of this Magical Eagle Warrior. In fact, it can easily break Rangga's attack in the middle of the road.
"Suiiit...!" suddenly Rangga whistled loudly. Ten people in red robes simultaneously jumped to the edge of the cliff when they heard a shrill whistle from Rangga's mouth. Just as their feet landed sweetly on the edge of the cliff, in the sky they saw a blackish brown object hovering, then diving down.
"Hurry! I'm not strong anymore!" Rangga shouted when he saw the giant eagle. Strange! Ten people in red robes immediately let go of their weapons and knelt down. With their arms stretched upwards, they bowed and then straightened up again, as if they were worshiping a god.
"Hey! Why are they like that?" Rangga wonder did not understand.
***
Rangga ordered the giant eagle to land on the other side. The ten red robes continued to grovel. It was so cute that Rangga jumped down from the giant eagle's back. He stepped closer to the ten people who remained on their knees with their palms touching the ground.
"Which of you is the leader?" asked Ranga.
One person who was in the middle immediately stepped forward. His attitude remained on his knees and bowed while kissing the ground several times. Very respectful.
"What's your name?" asked Ranga. "Forgive me servant. Forgive all the sins of my nation, the Great God who rules the universe," said the man, continuing to worship.
"I asked, what's your name?" Rangga repeated his question again.
"My name is Natrasoma. And they are my courtiers, Great Lord God." "Hm"
Rangga turned his head to the other side. It seemed that Kandara Jaya was still standing still in astonishment at an incident that he had never witnessed before. It seems like I'm just dreaming right now. Seriously, he almost fainted when he saw a giant eagle swooping down on Rangga.
Kandara Jaya was flabbergasted because the bird was so docile, it even understood Rangga's orders. And what was even more astonishing, the red-robed people immediately started groveling. It seems that Rangga and the giant eagle are the gods they worship.
"Rajawali, bring Kandara Jaya here!" said Rangga.
"Khraaaghk!"
Then the giant bird's wide wings flapped. He flew, and quickly grabbed Kandara Jaya's body. Of course the young prince screamed in fear. He struggled trying to escape the grip of the giant bird's claws. Rangga just smiled seeing Kandara Jaya scared to death. The young prince's face looked pale, even though he was next to Rangga.
"Thank you," said Rangga as he patted the giant eagle's head, then kissed it gently.
"Rangga...," Kandara Jaya shuffled in horror when he saw a giant eagle nearby.
"It's okay. He's my best friend," said Rangga calmly.
Rangga's attention turned to the ten people in red robes who remained kneeling in front of him. His eyes stared intently at the one at the front. The person who claims to be named Natra-soma.
"Natrasoma, I ask you to answer honestly. Why did you kill and destroy the villages around the foot of the Arang Lawu hill?" asked Ranga.
"Wait a minute!" Kandara Jaya interrupted quickly before Natrasoma answered Rangga's question.
"What else is there, Kandara Jaya?" asked Ranga. "I want them to remove the veil covering his face," said Kandara Jaya.
The ten people raised their heads. Without being asked twice, they immediately removed the veil covering their heads and faces. Kandara Jaya and Rangga were shocked when they saw their faces damaged like living corpses. The flesh and skin of the face peeled off, exposing the bones.
Kandara Jaya shuddered at the terrible situation. They don't even have hair. The scalp was peeled off in several places.
"There, there! Close again!" said Rangga, unable to bear to see such a terrible sight.
How come? They looked more like the undead! Difficult to understand. Under such circumstances, they were still able to survive. Appropriately, they always wear long robes that cover their entire body. Only the hands look intact and unblemished.
In the mind of the Magical Eagle Warrior, a plan suddenly emerged after seeing the condition of the ten people in red robes. What's more, seeing how frightened they were when the giant eagle came to answer their call. The giant eagle who has taught and educated Rangga to become a sparring warrior to this day.
***
The giant eagle flapped its wings, soaring high into the sky. Rangga stared at it until it was no longer visible, it disappeared behind a mega mass. Meanwhile Kandara Jaya remained standing beside him. His mind was still filled with various kinds of questions raging. The questions were difficult to answer, and it still amazed him.
Rangga stepped closer to the edge of the ravine. He was standing right on the edge of a gaping abyss. His gaze straight looking down the dark thickly covered. Regret flooded his heart again. I don't know what happened to Pandan Wangi in the ravine there. It took a while for Rangga to stand looking into the abyss. While releasing a long breath, turned his body upside down.
"Natrasoma, tell me the truth. Why did you throw that woman into the abyss?" asked Ranga.
"Forgive me, Gusti Dewa Agung. I was forced to do it. My entire nation is threatened with extinction if you don't obey the will of Her Majesty Dewi Sri Tungga Buana," said Natrasoma, bowing her body.
"Dewi Sri Tungga Buana? Who is she?" urged Kandara Jaya.
"The goddess who gave us eternal life and peace in this realm."
"At the expense of the girls?" Rangga shook his head.
"The girls were chosen by Her Majesty Dewi Sri Tungga Buana. They will be ladies-in-waiting to decorate the royal palace of the gods in heaven."
"Why did you have to be thrown into this abyss?" asked Kandara Jaya, still not really understanding. "That is the only way to the divine palace.
Her Majesty Dewi Sri Tungga Buana
ordered us to show the way for the girls."
Kandara Jaya looked at Rangga with uncomprehending eyes. Rangga swung his feet to approach Natrasoma who stood at the front among the others. They stood with their heads bowed. Somehow. As soon as they saw the blue light radiating from the Demonic Eagle's sword, they immediately thought that their Great God was coming. Especially after the appearance of the giant eagle.
Rangga who realized this misunderstanding, made good use of it, even though his mind was still wondering. How could they consider him a god? He is an ordinary human being. Same with them. But Rangga didn't want to question it. So he took advantage of this opportunity to uncover the mystery contained in Bukit Arang Lawu.
"Natrasoma among your people there are women, right? Well! Why do you have to kidnap girls from other villages? Even kill all the inhabitants. Is everything you do the will of Dewi Sri Tungga Buana?" asked Rangga started fishing.
"That's right, Gusti Dewa Agung," said Natrasoma, bowing.
"Then who did you dump?" there was a bit of pressure in Rangga's voice.
"A stray girl entered our territory. And Her Majesty Dewi Sri Tungga Buana wants her to be sacrificed immediately."
"Miss girl?" Ranga frowned.
"That's right, Gusti Dewa Agung. My people found him drifting in the river. On his body were a sword and a fan."
"Satan! You killed Pandan Wangi, heh!" Rangga growled, interrupting Natrasoma's words.
"Forgive me, Gusti Dewa Agung. We are only carrying out orders from Dewi Sri Tungga Buana," Natrasoma's voice sounded shaky. His body was shivering with fear.
Rangga became furious, and peaked his anger. But he suddenly didn't have the heart when the red-robed people in front of him threw themselves down and knelt down.
"Ah, Pandan... why did you fall into the abyss twice?" Rangga groaned, full of incomprehension.
"I accept my fault, Gusti Dewa Agung. We are all ready to accept punishment," said Natrasoma tremblingly.
"Get up all of you," said Rangga.
His voice is majestic and authoritative.
Kandara Jaya himself was stunned when he heard Rangga's voice so majestic and full of authority. For almost a day they talked and got to know each other, but this was the first time Kandara Jaya heard such a majestic voice coming from Rangga's lips. Tenth! the red-robed man rose to his feet. Their heads were still bowed, covered by a cone-shaped red cloth.
"We are all ready to carry out orders and accept punishment, Gusti Dewa Agung," said Natrasoma. His voice still sounded trembling with fear.
"There is no point in punishing you. I know you are innocent and pressured by a demonic force that claims to be Dewi Sri Tungga Buana," said Rangga with authority.
No one made a sound. There was silence for a few moments. Rangga looked at the ten people standing bowing in front of him. From the light in his eyes, it could be seen that he was at war with his own mind. Rangga is now faced with two choices that are very difficult to solve.
On the one hand, he really loves Pandan Wangi, who now knows what his fate is in the abyss. He couldn't lie to himself anymore. He really loved that girl. But on the other hand, his short spirit is required to resolve the crisis he is facing. From the answers and information given by Natrasoma, it can be concluded that these people in red robes are under pressure from a demonic force.
Rangga's short spirit said that he had to help these red-robed people. The people referred to as the Puri Merah Group. Rangga asked them to take him to the top of Bukit Arang Lawu. Of course they would be happy to accompany Rangga, who is considered the Great God. According to their beliefs, the god is the king of all existing gods.
***
"This is where we live. We call it Puri Merah," said Natrasoma.
Rangga looked at the shapes of the buildings which were all made from piles of stones. In the middle of the building there is a small red castle. This entire place is surrounded by a stone wall shaped like a giant ring encircling the top of Arang Lawu Hill.
Most of the people here wore red robes. But there are also those who wear ordinary clothes. Rangga and Kandara Jaya continued to follow Natrasoma towards the red castle. Natrasoma stopped in front of the castle and knelt down. One by one the people in red robes approached, and they immediately knelt in front of the red castle.
Natrasoma stood up again, then turned to face Rangga. His body was bent with his hands on his chest.
"Allow me to speak, Gusti Dewa Agung," said Natrasoma politely.
"Please," said Ranga. "Thank You."
Natrasoma took two steps towards the Red Castle and then climbed one of the castle stairs. For a moment he glanced around. The area around the Red Palace was filled with people wearing red robes. Meanwhile, those wearing ordinary clothes stood guard with their weapons drawn.
"All my brothers and sisters. Today Gusti Dewa Agung is pleased to visit us all. Brothers and sisters, you can see who is standing in our midst!" Natrasoma's voice sounded loud and authoritative.
Murmuring sounds sounded like bees in their nest. Everyone wearing red robes fell to their knees at the same time. Rangga really didn't understand why he was considered a god! He is an ordinary human who still loves to eat, and still enjoys living in the world.
"How about this?" Rangga asked Kandara Jaya.
"I don't know myself. They really think you are a god," said Kandara Jaya in a whisper.
"Crazy! I'm not a god!" grumbled Rangga, but slowly.
"Have you seen Ganga?"
Rangga turned his gaze in the direction Kandara Jaya was pointing. The Rajawali Sakti Warrior was shocked beyond words. Right at the top of the castle, there is a statue of a giant eagle being ridden by a man who...
"Impossible!" sighed Ranga.
The statue is almost like him. The shape of the face, clothes and sword on the back. The Rajawali Sakti warrior didn't understand anymore. Meanwhile, the people in red robes around him began to sing sacrificial songs that he didn't understand at all.
"Natrasoma!" Call Ranga.
"Servant, Gusti," said Natrasoma as he approached.
"I want to talk to you," said Rangga in a half whisper.
"Please, Gusti Dewa Agung, enter the palace. That is the holy place that we provide for the gods who visit here."
"Thank you," said Rangga as he walked towards the Red Castle. "You come with Kandara!"
Kandara Jaya immediately followed Rangga's steps, accompanied by Natrasoma. Meanwhile, the red-robed people continued to kneel while chanting offerings. Meanwhile, people who seemed to be from the martial arts circle, just stood around with their weapons drawn.
Rangga, Kandara Jaya and Natrasoma climbed the stairs of Puri Merah. Natrasoma stopped and bowed when he arrived at a door that had no shutters. Rangga continued to walk in followed by Kandara Jaya. Natrasoma followed closely behind.
"Ck ck ck ...," Rangga chuckled in awe at the state of the palace which was so magnificent it was like being in a palace.
Kandara Jaya shook his head. He was the son of a king, but had never seen such a beautiful layout. All the articles and furniture were made of pure gold and silver. i The floors were covered with thick, soft rugs and beautiful patterns. Around the walls to the roof, full of carvings that have a very high artistic value.
Frankly speaking, Rangga had never entered a place as beautiful as this. It seemed like a place reserved for the gods. Even a great king, does not necessarily have a room as beautiful and luxurious as this. Rangga sat on a bed covered in soft and smooth pink silk. Natrasoma sat kneeling at his feet. Meanwhile, Kandara Jaya took his place beside the Sakti Rajawali Warrior.
"I noticed, there seem to be two groups here," said Rangga, starting his conversation. "Can you explain, Natrasoma?"
"That's right, Gusti Dewa Agung. The people who don't wear red robes are those brought by Her Majesty Dewi Sri Tungga Buana. They are heavenly soldiers disguised as humans, just like Gusti," answered Natrasoma in a respectful manner.
"Hm..., then where is Dewi Sri Tungga Buana?" I asked Rangga again.
"Your Majesty usually comes during the full moon, to attend the sacrificial ceremony of a virgin."
"Oh... so you kidnap girls just to use them as sacrifices?" said Kandara Jaya.
"That's right, Gusti. We did all this because we were forced to. We had no other choice. Because, if the sacrifice was not delivered on time, then Her Majesty Dewi Sri Tungga Buana would destroy us all."
"With his heavenly soldiers?"
"That's right, Gusti. Those heavenly soldiers are guarding our place. Well... our fate has always been bad. We are people who were banished and ostracized, because our nation has been cursed by the God of Justice. We have chosen a remote place ", far from the reach of other nations. But apparently there are still those who don't like it, like Her Majesty Dewi Sri Tungga Buana. She really doesn't like people like us. She said, we are the bringers of disaster for all mankind."
Rangga nodded his head. He turned to Kandara Jaya who was also looking at him.
"Okay. You can go," said Rangga. "I beg your pardon, Lord God Agung," said Natrasoma.
"Yes please."
***
"Impossible!"
"I saw for myself, Nini Dewi! The person who came with Natrasoma was almost the same as the statue of their Great God!"
"Their Great God rides a giant eagle. I have studied this for years. I don't believe in the existence of a Great God!"
"If you don't believe it, please Nini Dewi see for yourself. She's in the castle right now."
The beautiful young woman dressed in tight red clothes walked back and forth. Meanwhile, the old man standing near the door just stared. That young woman called herself Dewi Sri Tungga Buana. Meanwhile, the old man's name was Ki Datapola.
"Bring yesterday's captive here!" Dewi Sri Tungga Buana ordered.
"For what, Nini Dewi? I think the arrival of two people who are considered Great Gods has nothing to do with our captives," argued Ki Datapola.
"I think it's the opposite, Ki Datapola. It happened so quickly and sequentially. Meanwhile, according to your report, the soldiers of the Mandaraka Kingdom have left the hillside. Well! It's not impossible that they used a new strategy, because they couldn't defeat our strength!"
"Okay, I'll bring the prisoner here." "Quickly, Ki Datapola!"
"Okay, Nini Dewi."
Ki Datapola immediately left the room which had entirely stone walls. In the four corners there are large burning lamps illuminating the entire room which is beautifully and neatly arranged, with a soft and subtle touch. This room is similar to a cave, but because it is arranged in such a way that it looks like it is in a king's daughter's room.
After Ki Datapola died, Dewi Sri Tungga Buana threw her body on a bed covered with fine light blue silk. Annoyance was visible on her smooth and beautiful white face. Her lips, which were always red, moved tremblingly. That day he was very worried after hearing reports about the arrival of Rangga and Kandara Jaya, who were considered Great Gods by the people of Puri Merah.
Dewi Sri Tungga Buana tilted her body. One arm is bent to support the head.
At that moment there was a knock on the door outside. The woman raised her head slightly to look towards the door.
"Enter!" he exclaimed a little loudly.
The door, made of thick fingerwood, slowly opened. It was seen that Ki Datapola stepped in accompanied by two men with swords hanging on their waists accompanying Kitri Boga. Both hands of the young son of the Maha Patih of the Mandaraka Kingdom were bound by iron chains. Kitri Boga was pushed hard and fell to the ground. He then knelt in front of Dewi Sri Tungga Buana's bed.
"You all come out," said Dewi Sri Tungga Buana calmly.
Ki Datapola snapped his fingers, then stepped out accompanied by two well-built people who had accompanied Kitri Boga earlier. The door closed tightly again. Dewi Sri Tungga Buana looked at Kitri Boga with rolling eyes. The day was also thrilled to see the handsomeness of this young man.
Dewi Sri Tungga Buana got up and sat dangling on the edge of the bed. His eyes continued to stare at Kitri Boga's face, who also returned his gaze. Kitri Boga's heart was thrilled to see the beauty of the woman in front of her. His young blood immediately bubbled when he saw the white hills sticking out as if they were about to come out from behind the low slit of his clothes.
"What's your name?" asked Dewi Sri Tungga Buana. Her voice sounded soft and immersive.
"Kitri Boga," answered the young man, son of the Maha Patih of the Mandaraka Kingdom.
"How did you get to this place?"
"I was captured by the Red Castle people." "What do you know about Red Castle?" "Not many."
"Then why are you at Arang Lawu Hill?"
"Surely you can answer that yourself, right?"
Dewi Sri Tungga Buana smiled sweetly. He stood up and approached the young man. His legs swung slowly and smoothly around Kitri Boga who remained sitting on his knees with both hands chained. Dewi Sri Tungga Buana stood in front of him again. Smoothly curled fingers, pointing to the wrists shackled by chains.
A red light shot from the finger of the pointing hand. Kitri Boga was shocked, but the red light had grabbed the chain. The young man's eyes widened when the chains shackled his hands came off without breaking the skin on his hands.