BERHALA ISLAND
EPISODE 42: SACRIFICE

    Podin had reached the beach, where he used to wait for the boat to pick him up, the beach opposite the island of Berhala. Podin who had invited his son Goddess, he was already happy, because he would present his son on the night of the full moon on the island of Berhala.

    That afternoon, Podin was ready to bring the Goddess. Podin was ready to take his son to the island of Berhala. Podin was ready to present his son to the ruler of Pulau Berhala.

    Podin stood in a rocky place, under the hut he always used to wait for the boat to come to pick him up. He waited for the boatman who would be his introduction to the island of Berhala. Podin waited with his son. Yes, Podin's hand was holding his son's arm. He was worried that his son was missing again.

    "Where are we going, Mr ...?" ask the Goddess held by her father.

    "We will cross over to the island .." replied Podin while pointing towards the Island of Berhala.

    "In the island there is something ...?" ask the goddess to her father.

    "We will travel on the island, we will take a boat to get to the island .... There we can see the beautiful palace, we can buy good food ..." said his father while hugging his son, of course while hoping the boat will come soon.

    "Where's the boat, sir ...?" ask the goddess to her father.

    "Wait a minute .... Just wait here, soon the boat will come." replied Podin told his son.

   Of course Podin who wanted to bring his son to sacrifice, he kept very secret what he would do there. Podin did not want his plan to dedicate his son to the ruler of Pulau Pahala to fail again. Therefore, Podin seduced his son with various lure. The goddess was promised to be invited to see a very magnificent palace, promised to be invited to eat in the middle of the island. They will even take a walk around the island. The Goddess must be happy. His son must be happy. At least he wanted to board a ship that could deliver him to the island.

    Podin is certainly very happy, his hope will be granted to bring his son. Podin will present his son on the Island of Idols. Surely Podin will later see how the gold coins, how the jewels, how the, how the diamonds falling from the stones of the range poured and entered into the treasure chests that were under the stones of the range, the, the treasure entered by the ponggawa carrying the chest.

    Podin was already happy, surely later will get a lot of wealth. Then Podin clasped his son's hand tightly, of course, he did not want his son to break away from his grip. He didn't want his son to go again like he used to. He did not want his plan to fail again as before, when his children left him and just disappeared. So that time, he could only see people who obtained wealth in abundance, while Podin at that time could only bite his finger.

    "Where's the boat, sir ...? How long ...?!" back Dewi asked his father, which of course he also very much hoped to take a boat, could take a boat as promised by his father.

    And suddenly, when the Goddess asked her ship, what was waiting for by Podin and his son, the boatman had come to him. The boatman was in front of him.

    "That's it .... The boat had come .." said his father, who showed the boat to his son.

    Of course, Podin was immediately happy, immediately happy, because what he hoped would be done, what he wanted would be accomplished. Podin rushed to take his son up to the boat, which was paddled by people in long robes and petals, and held a long pole.

    "Goddess ..." suddenly the voice of the one who called the Goddess was heard.

    So the Goddess immediately turned her head, the Goddess wanted to know who the person who called her name was.  And when he turned to the voice that called out to him, it happened that his father was also about to jump into the boat, because the boat that picked him up had arrived, and the boatman was very close to where his father was standing.

    "Come .., let's go ..." said the boatman, who had marginalized his boat near where Podin was standing.

    Therefore, Podin jumped directly into the boat, and his hands were still holding his son's hand. He does not want to lose his son again. So Podin did not want to release the small hand he had been holding since.

    But apparently, when Podin jumped on the boat that picked him up, suddenly there was an oddity that happened. But that oddity was unknown to Podin. Yes, when Podin jumped into the boat, his son who was behind him was actually his hand released. But Podin's hand still felt still holding the hand that was not separated from his grasp. Podin who did not want to lose his son again, he immediately held tightly to the hand, and dragged the small hand and was invited to jump into the boat. Podin, who was convinced that his son would be carried into the boat, was in his grasp, he was calm and happy. His lips were smiling, so happy.

    A little later, the ship left the shore. The boat was heading to Berhala Island. As usual, only once twice did the boatman push the pole in his hand. The boat had also walked up to the edge of Pulau Berhala.

    A round round round moon, which was emitting a golden radiance, had already shot out from the eastern sky. The perfect full moon. The moon looks huge over the ocean. In the dim atmosphere of the twilight, the boat that was boarded by Podin was immediately pulled over to the beach of Pulau Berhala. How happy Podin can get to the island of Berhala, by holding his son's hand. And of course, Podin jumped off the boat, holding his small hand. Podin continued to step, and walked towards the middle of the Island of Berhala. The place to go by Podin is to the palace of Pulau Berhala.

    The night is getting dark. Especially when entering the island. The mangrove forest will definitely block the light that will enter the middle of the island. But at the time of the full moon, the atmosphere of the island changed completely. The lights were scattered on the side of the road through it, like when the night of the last full moon. Podin passing on the road, as if he enjoyed the beautiful scenery, as if he enjoyed the beautiful lights in the colorful garden and very exciting. Moreover, coupled with the lights in the middle of the island, which is a very magnificent palace courtyard, with very bright lights. Yes, if the full moon has begun to rise to chest level, at least the full moon was a quarter of the way, the atmosphere on the Island of Idols seemed to change completely. And later, when the full moon is directly above the island, that is when the offerings are carried out.

    "Tuh ..., see .... The lights are beautiful .... Colorful scattered everywhere ..." said Podin who certainly wanted to tell his son, so that his son feel happy.

    Surely Podin can show off with the beauty of the lights along the path through which he passed. Indeed, the atmosphere is very beautiful, and certainly very interesting for children, as well as Dewi who is still sitting in the second grade of SD.

    "Look at that one over there .... The light is very bright .... It was very crowded there .... Well, that's the place of that very magnificent palace .... You will be amazed .... The palace is like the ones in those stories .... As in the films .... Anyway very amazing. Surely later you will be amazed to see it." said Podin who is certainly very excited to tell the beauty of the palace.

    Podin continued to tell stories, along the way. Of course, you want to show the beauty on the island of Berhala, which is filled with ornamental lights and sparkling light that is very bright. Until he arrived at the court of the Pulau Berhala palace. The atmosphere in the courtyard was already very crowded, crowded with people who would certainly present their victims to be used as a collision in asking for treasure to the ruler of Pulau Berhala.

    And finally, the full moon came at its peak. The moon was right above that magnificent palace. The moon was emitting its full radiance over the palace. At that time, the door of the palace was wide open. The palace door began to emit a very bright light, a light that was very blinding to the eyes of those who saw it. From inside the palace also looks sparkling gemstones that reflect the light of various colors with its beauty.

    The first person to present his victim had already advanced to bring his son, closer to the offering stone. Podin observed the man who was preparing to offer his son. He wanted to know how to make an offering on the stone, and of course Podin wanted to know how to stab his son in the neck using the idol-edged dagger. Yes, the dagger is very sharp, with a handle made of gold decorated with various gems, and at the end of the handle there are very strange eyes, which are very strange, it was as if those eyes were alive and could see the person holding them. That's the dagger of the idol's eye.

    The thin-bodied man was flattened, making offerings on the big rock. The presented is only a small child, which is directly lifted and placed on the stone range. Then deftly, the man took the idol-eyed dagger that was on the offering stone. Then his hand immediately stuck the dagger on the neck of the victimized child.

    "Aaachhhh ...." only briefly heard the shrill scream of the child lying on the stone table.

     Instantly, once he stuck the dagger of the idol's eye on the neck of the child who was lying on the offering stone, the child immediately drooped lifelessly. Blood from the boy's neck immediately flowed on the offering stone, which further turned into a treasure as expected by the person who offered his victim.

    The ritual of offering happens many times. All sorts of people advanced to the palace altar. They offered their victims. They hoard property and wealth from the blood of their victims. They all worship idols by slaughtering their children in exchange for the wealth they desire.

    Until finally, it arrived at the turn of Podin. He was immediately prepared to present his son, Dewi who was still sitting in second grade Elementary School. Podin hoped that, from the body of the Goddess, from the neck that would be slashed with an idol-eyed dagger, it would later radiate blood from her neck, he said, and the blood of the Goddess will later turn into a treasure for Podin.

    Heart vibrating Podin. This is a very thrilling event. Only this first time Podin will make offerings to the ruler of an idolatrous island. He is still covered in fear. Deg-degan between will slaughter his son, so that he will come home with a lot of wealth. But also comes compassion, compassion, pity for his child. Podin started to fret. Started shaking. Getting confused. Of course because this is the first act he will do. This is a heart ritual, offering ceremony, the ritual of sacrificing his son. Of course, the heart of Podin was trembling, because he as a father also felt love and affection. Even when Eko, his first child, was hit by a truck, Podin was palpable. Even Podin also cried because it was so sad to be left dead by his beloved child.

    But today, on the night of the full moon, when the moon shines its full light unobstructed by the slightest cloud, as if the moonlight had been a witness to his sacrifice of his son, which was offered to the ruler of the Isle of Pahala, the ritual offering made him somewhat nervous, making Podin somewhat fearful, and also a bit hesitant.

    "Come ..., hurry ...!!" shouted one of the palace ponggawa ordered Podin who had brought his victim to be immediately placed on the stone range.

    Podin was increasingly trembling to hear the scattering of the Ponggawa of the Idol Palace. Of course, because Podin was told to quickly make his offerings, and Podin must immediately make his sacrifice to speed up the process of offering to the ruler of the Island of Idols. And of course also still awaited by other people who will make sacrifices like him.

    So in a hurry, Podin immediately brought his victim to the center of the palace altar. Then Podin lifted the victim, raised the person to be offered, raised his son, Dewi, who he had kidnapped while in school. Raising his son who has been held continuously since crossing to the island of Berhala. And Podin immediately put his would-be victim on the offering stone. Then Podin held the idol-edged dagger, which would be used to tear his son's neck. But because Podin could not bear to watch his son who would be cut off his neck, Podin also closed his eyes. Podin was ready to do it.

    "Craaakght ....!!!" the dagger hit the victim's neck.

    However, something strange happened when Podin stuck the psau dagger in the neck of his victim. Everyone in that place, especially the ponggawa and the soldiers in the palace, shouted loudly.

    "Nonsense ....!!!! How dare you fight what the ruler of Pulau Berhala ordered ....!!! What are you going to do, huh ....??!!" the ponggawa palace.

    "I did the show .... I made a sacrifice ..." so replied Podin who was certainly confused when yelled at by the ponggawa palace. Even the soldiers in the palace had already approached Podin.

    "This is not a show ...!! This is not a sacrifice ...!! This is an insult to the Ruler .... You have insulted the ruler of Pulau Berhala ...!! How dare you come here to insult the ruler of Pulau Berhala ...!!" the soldiers immediately held the hand of Podin who was on the altar with his victim.

    "I have offered the best sacrifice .... This is my son whom I love very much, whom I love. I sacrificed my dear son here .... Why was our son not accepted into the offering ...?" podin is certainly confused.

    Even Podin was astonished, so much blood came out on the offering stone, so much blood flowed on the offering table, but the blood did not turn into a jewel, it turned into a jewel, not turned into jewelry, not turned into gold coins. Of course, Podin himself was also surprised, why the blood just flowed and went down to the shelter, into the treasure chest, but the flow is still, only liquid blood.

    Podin, who had been held by palace soldiers, then his head was pulled by the palace hollow, told to watch the sacrifice he offered.

    "View .... Is this what you present ...?!! You have insulted the ruler of the palace of Pulau Berhala" said the palace ponggawa while still holding the head of Podin which was brought closer to the corba.

    Really, how shocked Podin was when he looked at the offering table, when he saw his victim. It turned out that what was sacrificed by Podin was not the Goddess, who was offered instead of her child. The victim whom he had stabbed with an idol-edged dagger around his neck was not the child he loved, but a little lamb. The one offered by Podin was just a helpless sheep. Yes, the lamb was silent, even according to the way he was pulled by Podin, when he was carried by Podin, when he was raised up on the rock of that range. Even when Podin took the dagger, the sheep was silent and as if the sheep had resigned without struggling.

    Podin must have thought that the sheep he had been chasing since crossing the ocean was the Goddess, his son. It was very fitting the size of the sheep with his son. It was as if the sheep had become a goddess. So when the sheep was dragged and placed in the stone range, the eyes of Podin as if holding the sheep was his son. Of course, Podin did not know at all, nor did he even understand that the one he slaughtered was a sheep.

    The ponggawa and the angry palace soldiers, immediately caught up to Podin. But once he knew that he was arrested, which would certainly be punished or imprisoned on the Island of Idols, then immediately Podin rebelled. Podin tried to escape from the grip of the soldiers who caught him. Podin tried to run to save himself. Podin was afraid of getting punishment from the ruler of Pulau Berhala. Podin was afraid, surely he would be punished, and the punishment would be heavier as would the headless inhabitants of the Island of Idols, who roamed and used as building materials for the palace. Likewise, his head will certainly be laid out in the streets, as will the sacrifices.  The heads will later be used as a road on the island of idols.

    Podin, who imagined the cruelty of the punishment, tried to escape from the palace, escaping as quickly as possible. Escape from Pulau Berhala.

    Finally, once able to escape the clutches of the warriors, Podin continued to escape. Of course he went to the beach, and of course he would save himself by leaving the island of Berhala. Podin would search for a boat that would pick him up and pick him up every time.

    But of course it is not that easy to escape from the pursuit of the Warriors whose number is not small. Many times he fled quickly, Podin who had tried to save himself, but behind him still there were soldiers who chased after him. Podin was chased by many warriors. Podin is pursued by the retainers. For sure they will catch and punish Podin.

    But Podin is not a fool. He's very cunning. Podin who intends to escape does not want to be caught just like that. He didn't want to die silly. He does not want punishment. Then Podin's running gets louder. And then, when he saw something like a boat, maybe a broken boat. The podin immediately swept, to pick it up, then pushed towards the sea. Podin immediately tried to run the boat as he could. Surely he rowed it with all his might, in order to quickly get to the mainland.

    Finally, Podin reached the opposite shore. Podin was finally rescued. Relieved to be able to survive the pursuit of the warriors and cavongwa of the idol palace.