Baskara received the cup from Elder Nala's hands with both of his own, then slowly brought it to his lips and took a gentle sip. The warm liquid felt like a subtle flow of energy spreading throughout his body, opening his awareness, calming his mind. After placing the cup back down, he looked at Elder Nala's face, who was watching him attentively.
"Elder," Baskara said softly but firmly, "I did not come because of restlessness, but because of awareness. I know my time has not yet come, and many things are still hidden from my life path. However, I want to begin stepping forward as a person who is conscious of my destiny and responsibility."
Elder Nala did not answer immediately. He nodded slowly, then closed his eyes for a moment. The atmosphere was silent, only the faint sound of leaves rustling outside the temple could be heard.
"You have merged with silence," he finally said, "and that is a sign you are ready to listen not with your ears, but with your soul."
Baskara nodded. "That is why I came to you. Not to ask for blessing, but to ask for advice — where should I step? Should I start a journey outside? Accept a mission from the family? Or is there something else I need to deepen before that?"
Elder Nala slowly opened his eyes, his gaze strengthening like embers hidden within charcoal.
"The step of a hermit is not to seek crowds, but also not to run from the world. You are different, Baskara. You are not only a soul explorer but also a balancer of fate."
"For now, perhaps you should request a mission from the family head first. But still control your power, son. I feel you cannot control your power yet," Elder Nala said with a resonant, authoritative voice.
"Alright, elder. Then..." Baskara replied softly, his face blushing with embarrassment.
---
In a luxurious house, in a meditation room dimly lit except by reddish light, a young man sat cross-legged. His gaze was sharp, his brows furrowed, and sweat dripped from his temples, soaking the wooden floor beneath him. Before him, a fireball about the size of an adult's fist hovered, radiating waves of heat that made the surrounding air ripple.
"Just a little more... I can conquer this treasure!" Daniel hissed through clenched teeth, breathing heavily.
He was Daniel Atmadewa, the eldest son and heir of the legendary family patriarch. At this moment, he was trying to absorb the Eternal Fire Jewel — a spiritual treasure his family had painstakingly conquered years ago.
It had been almost a year struggling, but the Eternal Fire Jewel still had not accepted him as its master. Understandable — this treasure was famously fierce. It required not only extraordinary spiritual potential but also a body capable of enduring its energy's torment.
Even with his flesh and bones reinforced by spiritual technology, Daniel was nearly collapsing. But he could not fail. Not just for himself, but also for the Atmadewa family, who had entrusted this treasure to him.
---
Deep inside a damp and dark cave, a group of people dressed all in black, in traditional Nusantara style, appeared. The flickering torchlight danced on the shadows of the stone walls, creating an atmosphere full of secrecy and tension.
One of them, muscular with sharp eyes, spoke up.
"How do you think, is this the time for us to move?" he asked quietly but with firm tone.
The man next to him, thinner but equally vigilant, whispered cautiously.
"Wait for the leader's decision. When and where we start moving, don't be reckless," he said softly, as if afraid their voices would echo.
Not long after, in front of everyone, a middle-aged man wearing a black robe embroidered with ancient patterns stepped forward. He was the group's leader. His authority made all heads bow.
With a deep but passionate voice, the leader said,
"Alright everyone. After waiting long enough, we can finally make a decision."
All eyes focused on him, tense but hopeful.
"According to information from our intel," he continued, "right now Tirta Negara City is busy with construction. The fearsome figures who usually guard the city have also been reduced in number. So, this is the right time."
His voice rose with pride.
"Finally, we can execute our plan!"
He raised his hand high.
"Are you ready?!" he shouted loudly.
"Ready!!" everyone answered in unison, their voices echoing and shaking the cave.
The leader nodded with satisfaction.
"Then, get ready! Prepare each small squad you command! I will send every coordinate of the targets we must attack later. No one moves without my signal."
He paused, then flicked his hand decisively.
"Disperse!!"
The people dressed in black immediately moved, blending with the darkness, carrying the newly awakened spirit of war.
---
In the middle of the bustling Tirta Negara City, a luxury car drove steadily on the main highway. The neon lights from tall buildings reflected off the car's surface, adding to the city's night sparkle.
Boom!!
A loud explosion shattered the night's noise.
Suddenly, a muscular man dressed all in black appeared on top of the car, wearing a black conical hat covering his head. With swift and extraordinary strength, the man grabbed and clenched the car's roof. With one brutal strike, the roof detached from the frame, then was thrown high into the air.
Inside the car, a hysterical woman's scream was heard.
"Nooo!!! Help!!"
Her panicked voice echoed amid the suddenly slowing traffic.
Without saying much, the muscular man quickly pulled the woman out of the car. His large hand gripped tightly, then in a flash he dashed, carrying the victim up to one of the nearby tall buildings.
Their bodies disappeared behind the building's shadows, vanishing without a trace, as if swept away by the night wind.
Meanwhile, the people on the street only managed to glance in surprise, before the situation was once again dominated by the sound of sirens and panicked screams flooding the city air.