That night was incredibly quiet.
A gentle night breeze blew, causing the leaves in the yard to sway softly. Inside the warm house, Baskara sat cross-legged between his father and mother. His face beamed, his smile bloomed like any ordinary child—though in silence, he kept the story of today's grand adventure with Elder Mardana to himself.
"How was your day, dear?" his mother asked softly, combing through Baskara's hair with love.
"It was good, Mom… I just accompanied Elder Mardana to look for herbs outside the city," Baskara replied casually, hiding the fact that he had witnessed a volcanic eruption, saved a village, and seen two great forces battle in the sky.
Meanwhile, in the Main Hall of the Baskara family,
The elders' meeting had begun. The luxurious room, filled with the scent of agarwood and fine incense, was lit by torchlight and lanterns. In the center sat Grand Elder Pradipa—calm, yet exuding authority. Around him, elders from various branches of the family were present: Wira Dharma, Aswina, Cakra Dara, Phasta, Subhaga, and Kirandi.
"What do you all think?" Grand Elder Pradipa broke the silence. "Should we intervene in the conflict between the nobles of Tirta Negara and the Jayakarta faction?"
Elder Wira Dharma crossed his arms. "I only want to know one thing, Grand Elder… What exactly is the treasure they're fighting over, that it caused Mount Loka Geni to erupt and destroy forests for hundreds of kilometers?"
Grand Elder Pradipa looked at him deeply, then turned to a guard behind him. With a small gesture, the guard stepped forward carrying a roll of cloth filled with secret records.
"According to intelligence gathered from Tirta Negara…" Grand Elder Pradipa said as he slowly unrolled the scroll, "the treasure they seek is called the Eternal Flame of the True Gem—Api Abadi Manik Sejati. A core of elemental fire said to appear only once every ten centuries, and legend says—whoever possesses it will have absolute control over the fire element across the land."
The elders fell silent. So quiet that the hiss of lantern flames could be heard.
"Eternal Flame… Manik Sejati?" Elder Cakra Dara murmured. "That's not just some spiritual artifact. That's… a relic from the age of legends. Has it truly appeared on that mountain?"
Grand Elder Pradipa nodded slowly. "And it is now in the hands of the nobles of Tirta Negara. But Jayakarta won't stop. If we remain passive, their war may spill into our city."
Elder Kirandi spoke in a deep voice, "So... you mean to say we should help the nobles?"
All eyes turned again to Grand Elder Pradipa, awaiting his response.
"Indeed. If not properly refined, that treasure would only become a fire of destruction," Grand Elder Pradipa said sharply. "I once heard from our ancestors... the Eternal Flame cannot be used recklessly. If it doesn't align with the wielder's soul, its power will last no more than thirty years. After that, the fire element will leave the body… and return to a place rich with fire energy."
Several elders nodded slowly. That statement was not just a warning—it was also a subtle jab. Even though noble families had many talented heirs, not all were worthy of such an inheritance.
Elder Aswina sighed deeply and said with a worried tone, "So we truly are on the edge of uncertainty. If we help the Tirta Negara nobles, and in the future, they fail to control that power—or worse, are betrayed by the one who absorbs it—we too will be dragged into ruin."
Elder Phasta added, "But… if the person who absorbs the treasure is compatible, and their power grows… we could also share in the benefits of our alliance."
Grand Elder Pradipa nodded slowly. "That's the risk we must weigh. Damned if we do, damned if we don't."
Silence briefly fell over the room.
Then, a deep voice came from the left side of the table. Elder Chakra Dharma spoke, "Fine. I don't like those damned nobles, but… I like even less the thought of our family being destroyed for doing nothing. I agree—we offer our support."
Grand Elder Pradipa then looked at each elder one by one. "And the rest of you?"
"I agree."
"So do I."
"If Grand Elder Pradipa supports it, then we follow."
"There's no other choice."
A decision was made.
The Baskara family, indirectly, would lend aid to the nobles of Tirta Negara.
However, their intention was not full allegiance. They had only one goal: to drive the noble families of Jayakarta out of Tirta Negara's territory. For them, noble power struggles should be resolved where they originate. If this conflict spreads, not only their homes would burn—their ancestral land could become a battlefield.
---
Though each city had its own protectors like mayors, guards, or legal enforcers, in the face of spiritual power and the temptation of treasure—what could they do? The nobles were not royal by blood, but had earned their status because they had spiritual cultivators who had reached the Mandala Raya stage. In this world, spiritual power still ranked above the law.
The meeting ended.
The elders slowly left the hall.
Yet in their hearts, unease and suspicion did not leave with them.
Because now, they faced not only the family from Jayakarta—but also the ambition of nobles within their own land.
After the meeting of the family elders concluded and an agreement was reached to support the noble house of Tirta Negara in order to maintain regional stability, the elders dispersed with contemplative expressions on their faces. Their footsteps echoed through the main hall, leaving Eyang Pradipa alone, still seated cross-legged in his place.
The night grew deeper, but Eyang Pradipa's thoughts only became sharper. He closed his eyes, aligning his breath and spirit, and began to meditate. Subtle waves of energy radiated from his body, flowing into the spiritual plane. In the silence, he used the ancestral art of telepathy to contact Teguh, Baskara's father.
"Teguh, tomorrow morning, send your son to meet me. There is something important I must tell him personally."
The message glided gently yet firmly into Teguh's consciousness, who was seated cross-legged at home. He slowly opened his eyes and nodded. "Yes, Eyang."
That night passed in silence, with only the soft whispers of the night wind rustling through the leaves.
---
The next morning, a family envoy arrived to pick up Baskara in the family's car. Calmly, Baskara bid farewell to his father and mother, then stepped into the vehicle. Few words were exchanged, but his expression suggested he understood that this was no ordinary meeting.
Some time later, in the main residence of the family, within a study filled with ancient carvings and the scent of ancestral incense, Baskara sat directly across from Eyang Pradipa.
"Baskara," Eyang Pradipa's voice was deep, "you've surely heard that Mount Loka Geni erupted. But I also know that you must have realized… that wasn't an ordinary eruption, was it?"
Baskara gave a slight nod, not answering immediately. His gaze was sharp but cautious.
Eyang Pradipa continued, "Correct. The mountain exploded due to the clash of two great forces… two factions that are still not fully clear, but one comes from the noble house of Tirta Negara, and the other from the capital city Jayakarta—assisted by warriors from abroad."
The room fell silent.
"They fought over one thing, Baskara. A rare object—Manik Abadi, a core of elemental fire energy that can dominate territories and elevate the spiritual strength of anyone who possesses it."
Baskara listened intently.
"Our family, whether we like it or not, has been drawn into this. We have agreed to support the local nobles of Tirta Negara. Not out of loyalty, but to prevent this great fire from consuming our family."
Eyang Pradipa looked closely at his grandson.
"I know you witnessed the eruption yourself. But it is not yet time for you to get involved in this storm. Your time will come. Before that, there are things you must learn, and I will prepare you—step by step."
Baskara bowed slightly, "I understand, Grandfather…"
"Good if you understand," said Eyang Pradipa, staring deeply at him. "Child, I will recommend a technique for you—something powerful that you should study and make the foundation of your strength."
"Really, Grandfather?" Baskara's eyes lit up.
"Of course. Come with me. I must also report this event to the ancestors." His voice was steady, filled with wisdom.
Without delay, they left the study and made their way to a rarely visited part of the family complex—a sacred place only accessible to the main elders and chosen heirs. There stood an ancient stone temple, sturdy and graceful, covered in old carvings and radiating dense spiritual energy—Candi Leluhur, the Ancestral Temple.
Inside the temple, Empu Nala—a venerable sage who had guarded the ancestral legacy for decades—usually meditated, undisturbed by the outside world. He was the teacher of past generations, including Eyang Pradipa himself.
As they reached the large sealed stone door of the temple, a deep, powerful voice came from within:
"Enter."
The temple door slowly opened with a rumble like grinding stone. A wave of heat and spiritual pressure surged out as the gap widened. Baskara shivered—not from fear, but from the awareness that he was about to face a vital part of his ancestral legacy.
Eyang Pradipa smiled faintly, "Yes, that's Empu Nala's voice. He's been waiting for us. I contacted him beforehand through meditation."
Baskara nodded, then stepped inside with his grandfather.
After entering the ancient temple filled with sacred energy, they were greeted by Empu Nala's booming voice, the guardian of the family's legacy.
"Sit."
His voice shook the air, echoing as though from across time.
They sat cross-legged on flat stone mats surrounded by small spiritual flames that formed a sacred circle. Silence fell, broken only by the sound of breathing and heartbeats in the stillness of the temple.
Eyang Pradipa spoke, "Ancestor…"
But before he could continue, Empu Nala interrupted, "Yes, I already know. No need to waste time. I'll get straight to the point."
He gazed deeply at Baskara, his stare seeming to pierce into the soul.
Eyang Pradipa spoke again, his voice calm but heavy, "Child, this ancestor will give you something—a treasure, a technique, and… a map."
Empu Nala raised his right hand, and before him, lights materialized and condensed into three objects: a small box containing a mysterious, warm-glowing item; a scroll with a written technique; and an old map sealed with blood-red spiritual sigils.
Slowly, he placed the map in front of Baskara.
"As for the treasure and technique, you may use them if you are able to master them," Empu Nala said, his voice like thunder. "But this map…"
He stared more intensely at Baskara.
"You may only open it once you have reached the realm of Resi Loka. Remember that well."
His words sank deep into Baskara's consciousness, carrying the weight of grave consequences if disobeyed.
Baskara swallowed hard, his eyes a mix of confusion and concern.
"Ancestor… why does all of this feel so sudden?" he asked softly, yet with heavy emotion. "Is this a sign of something big… or a danger that will befall our family?"
Empu Nala closed his eyes for a moment.
"I know what you're thinking," he replied quietly but firmly. "The fire from Mount Loka Geni didn't just burn the land… it scorched the very order of things. What happened between the nobles of Tirta Negara and Jayakarta is just the surface… the root of this conflict runs far deeper, older, and darker."
He looked at Baskara as if to ensure his words were forever etched in memory.
"Your family—and you—will stand in the eye of that storm. But when the storm will strike, I cannot say for certain. So prepare yourself."
Baskara bowed his head, his breath heavy. He realized this was no longer about mere training or adventure.
This was a battle of destiny.