ADILAGES
THE JONGGRANG 1
“Prabu Baka! As long as I'm alive, don't expect you to set foot in Pengging!” That was the heroic cry of a young man in blue-green arm while brandishing his extremely long sword, under the speck of heavy rain during the day.
In front of the young man appeared two men of much higher stature than an average human. Although not including the pure giant race, the very muscular body and the fierce and fierce face they made all humans, both the soldiers of the Kingdom of Pengging and the Kingdom of Baka to stay away from trepidation.
But not this one.
“Oh, apparently you, Raden Bandung Bondowoso, prince of the Kingdom of Pengging who ‘anya’ sakti mandraguna. Just so you know, Pengging is mine, and I can take it anytime from the already frail Prabu Damar Maya and the dandy youth like you!” threaten Prabu Baka while swinging a giant mace two-thirds the height of his body.
The handsome face of Bandung Bondowoso even showed a cynical smile. “Try it if you can. Let me ruffle your ugly face with this Himawari Ice Sword!” The sword in his hand shimmered in a bluish-white, scattering the freezing cold across the meadow that became this battleground.
Ice energy is indeed very rare, even very foreign in the tropical archipelago near the Equator. Ignorance of the effects of “mu strange” this and how to deny it encourage the second giant ugly, prime minister Baka named Patih Gupala said to his king, “Ampun, Sire Prabu. Let the servant who faces the prince not know himself. Your majesty does not need to dirty your majesty's mace with his disgusting dirty blood.”
“No, Gupala!” sergeant Sang Prabu. “Only I can take the head of the country's guard dog. Step aside from you, and watch the invincible power of Baka!”
Gupala retreated while saying, “Daulat, Sire.” But his face looked very worried.
“Greet your fate, pulverized under my roof, Bandung Bondowoso! Goodbye!” Baka advanced while stomping his feet, shaking the ground like a barrage of earthquakes.
Surprisingly, Bandung did not move, as if waiting to welcome the unsuspecting attack. Prabu Baka swung his rock towards the opponent, but the giant weapon only hit the rain. Apparently Bandung just swerved to the side with incredible agility, then put a sword on the opponent's back.
“Cih, Prana Coral Stone Sanggabuana!” rutuk Bandung's. As expected, the bare-chested Baka was actually completely protected by invisible stone prana armor. Not only was he not injured, Baka even put his elbow on Bandung's face. The young man bounced and fell flat on the ground.
“Well, you won't be as handsome as God when you show your face in hell! While I will show your head to your ant-bold father, let him die surprised!” Prabu Baka approached his opponent, then swung his rock high to crush the powerless, sprawled prince into the earth.
“Wrong! It's your head that I'll take to Baka!” At a very precise moment, Bandung suddenly rose, moving like a very fast shadow while stabbing his sword.
When Baka realized it, his body seemed to be pierced by giant ice needles. “M-why can this be? Isn't...my cabin armor is matchless?” He cried out in disbelief, his voice trembling.
“Did you forget, this battle of ours took place under the torrential rain?” said Bandung while returning alerting his sword. “On the first attack earlier, I secretly drained the prana of ice through the rainwater that hit your armor. Because it is in the form of prana, the armor is frozen and fragile, vulnerable to being penetrated by energy from the same element. Plus the magic of Himawari Sword, your path to the afterlife is certain!”
“Oh, so apparently..” Baka forced a weak smile. “I, Prabu Baka lost in this place. Just one message, Bandung Bondowoso, Prince Pengging. Take good care of the country and the people of Baka, let alone my beloved daughter. Roro Jonggrang.” Depart Prabu Baka to the afterlife.
Bandung Bondowoso who had raised his sword to behead Prabu Baka undoes his intention to see the attitude of the giant knight.
Seeing their leader dead, the Baka soldiers were instantly in disarray. Even the call of Patih Gupala was not echoed by them. Furious, the second big man quickly shouldered his brother's body and ran away. His eyes looked at Bandung hatefully, as he said, “You will pay this compensation, Bandung Bondowoso! I'll make sure of that!”
Fatigue after draining the prana through the ultimate move, Absolute Frozen, Sukma Sirna, Bandung just stared at the departure of Gupala. But the words of the threat of the great man made him realize, this is a sign of danger.
“Pursuit Patih Gupala! Keep chasing his country! Don't forgive anyone who protects Gupala!” raju Bandung as loud as sound. The Pengging army shot up, obeying the prince's orders. Bandung wanted to move following, but he fell. Apparently he was seriously injured by the Prabu Baka attack earlier, and now he had to sit, ride on a war chariot.
Patih Gupala is dangerous. When thinking about it, Bandung even almost forgot his promise to Prabu Baka, especially when it comes to Roro Jonggrang. His premonition was unceasing, that in order to avoid another disaster later, the Baka Kingdom should be entirely within the power of Pengging.
For all of that, Bandung Bondowoso will experience tremendous tests and efforts.
\==oOo==
The thoughts of Bandung Bondowoso in line with his father made him step in this vast palace complex without hurry. He was the first time he visited this unfriendly neighbor. No wonder the luxury of stone-walled palaces full of beautiful relief carvings made him amazed.
But only something, or rather someone here that makes Bandung stunned. Among the maids, hulubalangs and officials gathered in the middle of the hall of the Baka throne, there was a long-haired girl with long hips, black and choppy standing upright, wearing her best dress. He is so beautiful, even the prettiest angel in kahyangan will blush embarrassed when juxtaposed with him. Everything was so perfect, except for the expression on the girl's face that was without a smile and her brown eyes that were staring intently at Bandung, exuding deep hatred.
The handsome prince realized that, but he kept his attitude as polite as possible. “Pardon my sassness, but are you Roro Jonggrang, princess of the Kingdom of Baka?”
Instantly, the hate speaker in the eyes of Roro Jonggrang changed his attitude according to the rules. “Yes, I am the daughter of Prabu Baka, and now I am the queen of this land.”
“Receive my respect, Your Majesty Queen.” Bandung bowed but did not worship. “One coincidence. My intention here is to negotiate about this with Paduka.” While continuing to mince words, Bandung and Jonggrang occupy their respective seats, namely on the seat of state guests and thrones.
When Bandung arrived at his explanation of the battle that had just passed, Roro Jonggrang was silent a thousand languages. The atmosphere heats up instantly. Roro stared intently at Bandung, ready to give an order of revenge to the roang who had killed Jonggrang's father and entered to colonize this country.
“Actually, the point of my arrival here is to find and capture a war criminal named Patih Gupala. Is he in this palace, Sire?” ask Bandung.
Roro Jonggrang's answer was quick and straightforward, “No, he disappeared after the war, we do not know of his whereabouts anywhere until now.”
“Ah, so it seems. If so, I will stay in this Baka Palace until all war criminals get a reward that is worth.”
Jonggrang was surprised not to be a bitch. Bandung's words were like a sledgehammer hitting his head. If it turns out that Gupala fled to another country, it means that Bandung will be entrenched forever in Jonggrang's homeland. Wanted it to feel like Jonggrang was fighting back, but what power? Although armed with unique talent and magic, it is difficult to beat Bandung who has finished Prabu Baka. Moreover, plus the Pengging soldiers in Baka who were clearly far more in number than the host soldiers.
However, the worst thing in Jonggrang's heart was when Bandung looked at him gently and said, “After returning home, Sang Prabu Baka impressed that I take care of the entire Baka Country, including Paduka Ratu. Now, after witnessing for himself the reason he loves you more than anything, let me love you in the same way. Be my wife, Roro Jonggrang. Thus, the union of the two kingdoms, Pengging and Baka will be stronger for the welfare of all the people.”
The water of Jonggrang's face had changed hearing the insolent words of this selfless person. However, if he made the decision to reject the Bandung proposal, Pengging would attack Baka and Jonggrang would lose his life. Realizing that, the beautiful woman's common sense takes control of her emotions.
“Yang Mulia Raden Bandung Bondowoso, give me time to think, and you will get a definite answer tomorrow.” Without waiting for the prince's response, Jonggrang immediately stuck and walked away from the hall. While passing through Bandung Bondowoso who was still sitting cross-legged on his base, Jonggrang accidentally glanced towards the impeccable handsome face of the young man. He choked, with one jolt of his heart.
\==oOo==
When Bandung Bondowoso returned to the princess the next day, Roro Jonggrang said his answer, “Yang Mulia Prince Pengging, I have been considering cooking your offer overnight. Your good intentions I appreciate, and frankly I admire your thoughts and Prabu Damar Maya that will undoubtedly make Baka and Pengging prosper together.”
Bandung nodded his head in response to these pleasantries. Patiently he awaits the core of his answer.
“However, it has become a tradition in Baka that the future companion and protector of the queen or princess of the king should be tested first his sincerity and worthiness. Will you test me?”
Bandung kissed the shrimp behind the stone, but he still said, “Please, Her Majesty.” For the sake of his love for Jonggrang, any request would be willing.
“Alright, there are two tests that you must pass, and the results must be perfect,” said Roro Jonggrang. “Regarding the first test, you are certainly aware that Baka Country is located in the mountains. So, people rely heavily on springs to live and grow crops. Recently, a landslide has closed the only Baka spring on Mount Jalatunda. As a result, water seeped into the mountainside and filled its crater niche. Well, your task is to dig a well into the crater niche so that the excess water rises and flows the river regularly. Thus, people are also spared from floods and landslides.”
Secretly Bandung Bondowoso began to admire the thoughts and broad insights of this new queen. However, digging a well on the slopes of Mount Jalatunda rocky rocks is impossible for ordinary humans. Even if the entire Pengging team is deployed, the work in the old fashioned way will take approximately one year, not to mention various obstacles including the risk of landslides in the rainy season. Wait, is this task some kind of trap to destroy Bandung and the entire Pengging army without fighting?
Bandung thought hard with a frown for a moment, before finally giving a straightforward answer, “Alright, let me myself do the excavation of the Well of Jalatunda.”
Jonggrang. What kind of man is Bandung Bondowoso? He may be very powerful, but trying to regulate the flow of nature alone? I don't know what demonic powers helped him.