ADILAGES
MIDSHIPMAN 1
What does a hero mean?
These words kept ringing in Julia Pranata Lin's mind. She was a beautiful eighteen-year-old girl, her long black hair that was double pigtailed waving in the wind of the beach. He gazed at the horizon in the distance of the ocean, acted by a sunburner greeting from the warm east caressing his soft yellow skin.
Karang Hawu Beach, Pelabuhan Ratu near Sukabumi, the southern coast of Java Island. This is where Julia contemplates everything.
Are heroes like the dawn that hits the night? Giving you new hope on a new day?
Julia looked at the brooch patterned flower petals in her hand, then grasped it tightly while turning her head. If so, should I be “dia”?
Julia's forehead wrinkled. His hands swung backwards, gurgling about to throw the brooch all the way to the vast expanse of sea. No. gabe. Because of that. goodbye.
Suddenly the voice of a man stopped his movement. “Oi, Julia!”
“Current disruptive”.
The one called out instead turned the other way, deftly pinning the brooch on his inner sweatshirt. The brooch so impressed the only decoration “antik” in combination with green leaf patterned sweatshirts and tight jeans, characterizing a modern private that is quite feminine.
Only then did Julia turn to her interlocutor who was close enough, while putting on a ketus face. “You're late, Brian. Look, the sun is high. We must quickly meet Mr. Bejo, the fisherman and boatman who knows these waters, otherwise would be bothered later!”
Twenty-year-old full name Brian Suryawinata is short-haired, upright and blond, slim-bodied but muscular like an athlete. His father is indigenous, his mother is Norwegian. Brian immediately smiles spread the charm. “Take it easy, Lia. I'll hire a speedboat, huh! Besides, the Gilang has not appeared yet, ‘kan?”
Julia looked left. That's true Brian said. He had to breath. “Basic of Gilang, he is always late! We've gone all the way to Hawu Coral Beach to find Leony, Gilang's girlfriend who disappeared while traveling, but he even made us late! Sebel!”
“Well, I hope he doesn't come, how about we take a day off today, say? Just sit back on the beach.” Brian took the opportunity by trying to embrace Julia.
However, before the intention was accomplished, an exclamation sounded. “Ooh, so you guys really don't intend to help friends, huh? Want only a vacation?”
Brian flips and moves away from Julia. “Eh, Gil... I'm kidding, kok.”
Julia turned back. His eyes recognized a young man who was running around in the distance. Black-haired, boat-long, the stature of a young man named Gilang Kandaka Putra Perdana is slimmer than Brian. His facial expression looked lethargic, as if he had been staying up for days. This nineteen-year-old student always wore a hat, and was always offended when someone told him to take the hat off.
“Yeah, I know. Besides this is my fault,” said Gilang while closing both palms in front of the face. “I couldn't sleep again yesterday night.”
“Ciee, think of Leony again?” chirps Julia.
Gilang did not reply, his originally pale face reddened. That alone is enough to make his two friends smile, not so scold him.
Although Julia was on campus with Gilang and different campuses with Brian, these three friends were very often together. What unites them is none other than Julia's secret identity and her penchant for investigating and solving mysteries. For the sake of friends, they have been shoulder to shoulder many times, helping each other. This time, it was Gilang's turn that they needed to help.
Brian who nicknamed himself “The Brain” back processing information. “We've been here three days, walking down the beach. But Leony still can't be found.”
Julia gets goosebumps herself. “Brr, lest the legend be true. When Leony surfed or swam in Pelabuhan Ratu, he kidnapped Nyi Roro Kidul.”
Offended, Gilang yelled, “What are you talking about? It is true, this beach is famous for its big waves. But there is no Nyi Roro Kidul, Queen of the South Sea there!”
“Wah, you misunderstood, Gilang,” Brian said. “You remember ‘kan? Rescuers have been on the beach for two days, searching for Leony without success. It could be Leony drowning, that's the worst possibility. After all, since Julia has ‘dia’, we often face supernatural powers, right?”
Unknowingly, Gilang nodded even though his face looked sullen.
Brian continued, “So, just hope Nyi Roro Kidul saves Leony, like ‘dia’ once saved Julia.
“That is why we help you here, as a fellow member of the supernatural detective club, and also a friend,”.
Gilang did not answer. However, he is now being helped by his friends. So it is appropriate that he cooperate and respect their opinions.
Brian stepped. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go find Leony! May today we have better luck and find it safe!”
Coveted Julia cheers, “Yeaah!”
As the three friends stepped up, Julia suddenly gasped. “Aduh, where's my bag?”
Brian patted the forehead. “Nih, I've brought you. Thankfully there is.”
And Gilang muttered, “Custom, deh. We know exactly ‘sickness’ this Lia. Hope that doesn't get us in trouble.”.
\==oOo==
About an hour later, a motorized boat boarded by three friends drove, splitting the Indian Ocean waves.
The strong sea breeze hit, making Julia's hair flutter like a flag. Faced with the roar of the waves and the boat engine, the girl exclaimed, “Are you sure, Brian? Have we not been down the coastline between Pelabuhan Ratu and Karang Hawu?”
“Yes, but we're on foot. By boat, we will be able to see the other side of the missed beach,” replied Brian who sat near the boatman.
“OK, ready boss!” Julia saluted with one hand on her forehead.
On the other hand, Gilang chose a silent thousand languages. His eyes swept across every stretch of the coast. Just trees, trees and trees, there was no sign of Leony there.
Suddenly, Gilang pointed in one direction and shouted, “Stop the boat, sir!”
The speed of the motor boat stopped.
“Hey, Cross! What the fuck?” sergeant Julia.
“Friends, look there!”
Julia turned her attention in the direction Gilang pointed. Looks like a human in the distance. It was a woman standing with her body leaning to one side, staggered like a madman or drunk.
“Maybe we should approach in order to see more clearly,” Brian said. “Please yes, Mr. Bejo.”
Mr. Bejo, the motorboat helmsman deflects the direction of the boat and directs it as close as possible to the shore.
When the boat stopped again, the figure of the woman seemed very clear now. Julia could recognize that face, let alone Gilang.
“Gosh...” Brian is glued. Leony's tattered clothes, his disheveled hair was enough to make him exclaim, “Pak Bejo, we must get closer again!”
But the boatman nodded. “Can't, son. Many of his corals!”
Julia looked at the surface of the water. A moment later, without warning, he jumped out of the boat.
Brian shouts spontaneously, “Lia, wait! Too dangerous!”
Regardless of the reaction of her friends, Julia swam towards the beach. Every now and then, his skin and clothes were scratched by sharp corals. However, the girl only grimaced and continued to slide forward. In the shallows, his feet trace the water.
Seeing the target still staggering in place, Julia drew closer. “Leony! Ony! It's me, Julia! Friends Gilang, your friends too!”
Leony held his head up, turning his head towards Julia, his girlfriend's best friend. Although only a few times met, Leony who recognized him made a bright smile Julia they. “Thank God you know me. Let's go home..”
Suddenly Leony lunged, roaring like a wild animal.
Surprised, Julia reacted by dodging to one side. His movements slowed down due to the water inundating his jeans and shoes until his legs felt heavy. However, the blind opponent gave him a golden opportunity.
Armed with Wushu martial arts, Julia managed to drag a high kick to the back of Leony's head. Surprisingly, the girl who seemed to be possessed remained unmoved like a steel pole.
Before Julia could do anything about it, Leony's head held her back. The two-pointed girl fell, her waist crashing into the reef. It was fortunate that it was not a sharp coral, so it only groaned in pain. Julia knew sometimes people possessed stronger than they came from, but never as strong as this Leony.
It took a few minutes before Julia could stand up straight again. At that moment, he saw Leony fighting Brian. On the contrary, it looks Gilang just stand not far from there. The young man in the hat slightly advanced, then retreated again.
Because of her understanding and familiarity with Gilang's attitude, Julia decided to observe Brian. He had mis-measured the strength of the opponent. Unexpectedly, this possessed girl was extremely strong, surpassing even Brian, who was the strongest among the three comrades.
How not, a series of punches and kicks ala Muay Thai mainstay Brian brushed aside opponents with ease. In fact, one claw of Leony managed to tear Brian's checkered shirt.
One stroke of Brian's right jab slammed into Leony's cheek. The girl twisted to one side, then quickly punched back at the opponent's chest. The turn of the blond man was pushed three steps back, blood splashing from his mouth.
“Brian!” Seeing that, Julia exclaimed towards Gilang, “Let's help! The opponent is too strong!”
“P-free!” kilah Gilang, his voice shakes. “Better run and ask for help.”
“What are you talking about?! It's Leony, Lang! Your boyfriend! If we stay him now, we'll lose him forever!”
“But..”.
The Gilang really sucked. Puffing in annoyance, Julia finally said, “Alright, you guys hang in here, while I call ‘dia’.” Seeing that, Gilang clucked furiously and ventured forward step by step.
On the other hand, Julia swiftly ran into the grove of beach trees. Disguised from anyone's eyes, the girl touched the little flower on her chest with both hands. Instantly, a pink glow of light enveloped his entire body.
A moment later the light faded, replaced by a unique costumed female figure. From the stature and shape of a small body, as well as the tail hair of his horse, some people must think it was Julia. However, judging from the Dahlia Citra Mask that covers the entire face except her mouth, Julia became a completely different figure.
Complete with the Kirana Puspa Zirah in a blend of pink and green leaves, it is clear that it is Dahlia, the master swordsman of the mandraguna flora and fauna.
This is the secret identity of Julia, heir to the magical power of the legendary figure Roro Jonggrang from the legend of Sewu Temple. That said, the beautiful Queen of Baka Country, Roro Jonggrang once thwarted the efforts of Bandung Bondowoso to build a thousand temples overnight with the help of the genie to edit it.
With his magical singing, Jonggrang made chickens all over the country crowed marking the morning before the thousandth temple was completed. Knowing his defeat was caused by a hoax, Jin Himawari helped Bandung Bondowoso wrath. The anger was exploited by a third party who killed Roro Jonggrang. Raga Jonggrang is confined in ice, while her tribe is imprisoned in the girl's favorite dahlia brooch. The queen was buried in the depths of the thousandth temple which was finally completed.
Centuries later, Julia found the brooch and was elected Dahlia.
In Dahlia's hand was clutched with a magic violin and a string, a flagship weapon to influence and borrow the power of nature. It is said that the violin is a new form of Kecapi Jangkar Sukma, a powerful musical instrument belonging to Roro Jonggrang.
Instantly, Dahlia plunged into the fighting arena on the sandy beach.
Meanwhile, Brian and Leony are still selling the attack. Brian was getting desperate, his injuries were getting more and he was often pushed back. Seeing this situation, Dahlia shouted, “Brian, Gilang! Back behind me and cover your ears!”
The two young men retreated in order while closing their ears. Naturally, Leony turned around and chased after the opponent blindly.
Dahlia stops the opponent from swiping his violin. A series of beautiful and strange rhythms flowed, filling the air. Rupaya, the magical song Kenanga Full Memories managed to make the possessed girl stop stepping. The expression on Leony's face turned into a blank look. He just stood in place.
Seeing this opportunity, Gilang stepped forward to “tame” his lover. Brian's hand blocked him. “Wait. Look carefully,” said Brian.
Sure enough, “evil spirit” in Leony's body rebelled, warding off Kenanga Control Memories of Dahlia. Leony's body convulsed for a moment, then the girl lunged forward again. This time the target was Brian.
Suddenly, a high kick Gilang pounded Leony's face so hard, that the girl slammed to one side. Apparently, once his courage appeared, Gilang became the best fighter among the three friends, with his flagship Pencak Silat technique.
However, Gilang should be flabbergasted again. Apparently Leony was still standing after receiving his powerful kick. Inevitably, this Leony they were dealing with was definitely not an ordinary human being.
Before Leony fully recovered, Dahlia again burst forward saying, “My turn again. Worshiping Roses, Jerking Hearts.”
As a supernatural swordsman, Dahlia certainly still have another “stapans”. The rhythm of his violin friction changed instantly, much more bizarre as if slicing an ear. It's not like the sound of a rock electric guitar is shrill, blaring.
This time, even friends who close their ears tightly affected by the impact of pain. For opponents who are difficult to control “raga Jajahan”, this music is like lightning that penetrates all over his body.
Leony roared wildly, trying to drown out the torment of sound waves. A moment later, his roar sound weakened, as did his movements.
“Exposure!” Just as the music stopped, a single punch with the palm side of Gilang hit Leony's nape. The possessed woman fell into the sand and did not move anymore. Gilang's face looked expressionless, bewildered displaying joy, fear and worry that swirled in his heart.
Dahlia's face was fixed straight at the young man in the hat, who was now supporting and hugging the body of her lover. When looked at more closely, Gilang was the least and least injured among the four fighters in the place.
However, both Dahlia and Brian did not want to question him. In addition to being quite knowledgeable about Gilang, Leony's safety is paramount today.
Making sure Leony had completely fainted, Dahlia looked out at the sea. However, Mr. Bejo the boatman had already escaped.
Turning back into Julia, the girl clucked in annoyance. They should've hired a speedboat and let Brian drive it. As a layman, a super strong possessed woman and a strange costumed woman must have been terrible for the boatman.
“Well, what else to say,” comments Brian. “Forced us to walk to Ratu Port.”
Gilang added, “Hope there is a resident house or clinic here. Body Leony hot once.” He looked at the girlfriend held on his back. Well, at least Gilang is still quite self-aware, not forcing his injured friends to transport this “bean”.
As the three begin to walk into the beach forest, Julia just recognizes the gold-colored bracelets on both of Leony's wrists.
Strange, I did not see the bracelet when fighting with Leony earlier, Julia's inner with frown.