Guess The Ghosts
Page 18

Heirloom. In the 5th grade Zaidan studied the material and understood its whole meaning as well as its characteristics. An item called an heirloom is an item that has been passed down generations for a specific purpose. At this moment, the item in his hand was an item similar to an heirloom item according to what he had learned. Feelings of disbelief, confusion and nervousness accompanied Zaidan.

"Moma, how can ghosts hurt humans? Most people can't see ghosts? Then, can humans and ghosts interact skin-to-skin?" Zaidan said the thing that had intrigued him all along.

Kesti' answered, too,

"First, spirits and ghosts are two different things. You can't make them both sound the same. Easy, some families around the area often ask for help to Moma to help one of their relatives to be calm without leaving a sense of regret or resentment after death. It's called a ghost. Because Moma can see things that not everyone can see, therefore Moma always deal with the invisible world at the request of the family who feel the presence of these creatures."

"Regarding interactions... Although humans cannot see the figure, with unusual auras the two creatures can communicate with each other directly or indirectly. And actually, even if we can't see them once 'even, they'll always be able to see us as well as our fear of them."

After hearing Kesti's long explanation, Zaidan nodded in understanding. Moma was amazing to have been patient in listening and explaining, but those words could not cover up all of Zaidan's curiosity back then, and he wanted more answers.

"Is someone who can talk to the dead called a 'Feeder' or a 'Liaisoner'? As I recall, I've heard Moma mention that before"

Zaidan's eyes continued to be fixed on Kesti who was acting very calm. Zaidan appreciates his Moma as the elder in the family, and that does not diminish his affection for the rest of the family.

"Right, exactly as Zidan said"

...

Each line of his word was well and wisely arranged. Somehow the woman felt as she uttered her words however, Zaidan was so happy to hear those fearless emphases. Zaidan seemed to be made to detail and understand one by one its meaning.

'So, I'm also the 'Filter' or the 'Liaisoner?' He really could not believe that he could get such a call.

'But... I heard that only Indigos are very close to ghosts and whatever it is! If you think about it more clearly, why would I see Nina? Though I am also not someone who can feel the presence of 'them' from childhood, and I have only heard the story... How could that not be thought of by me?'

In his mind settled many questions that would not be possible Kesti answer everything. As long as Zaidan doesn't get the answers he wants to hear immediately, all of that will slow down the solution.

"Now, try to hold that Keris, Zidan" pinta Kesti gently.

"Hm! Alright."

Despite the doubts, Zaidan raised the important object in his hand and touched it. His eyes twinkled as he twisted the object to see every pattern engraved there. He glanced at Kesti and Vivie with the intention of asking for their approval to open an object that was not his through that glance. Kesti lowered his head for a moment, then straightened it up as before, indicating he agreed.

*dry.

Zaidan pulled the handle and turned away the holster or inner cover.

"Eh...?"

Zaidan was very surprised to see the sharpness of the blades inside which even emitted a spark of light as it was pulled.

Keris is a type of dagger that is typical of several regions in Indonesia. As Kesti mentioned, the name of Keris which is almost entirely made of wood is Capenti. A very foreign name for Zaidan. In the handle there is a batik pattern made of ordinary brown wood, then, the scabbard there is a peacock fur pattern and various gold flower decorations, and, while the blade itself has a contiguous shape resembling the body of a snake and decorated with gold flowers on the part that approaches the handle.

The beauty between the combination of brown wood and gold decoration makes Keris is very luxurious but also simple at the same time. This reminds Zaidan of Kesti who if he can describe through objects, Keris's objects are very suitable for him.

"Zidan's never seen Keris like this before, has he? All of these decorations were melted gold, hence it persisted even after so many years" Vivie who was now in a happy mood changed her tone to be softer, as usual.

Feeling sufficient, Zaidan closed the blade of Keris back with his Keris holster.

"Why did Moma hand over this precious thing to me?"

Kesti began to make his point on the reason why he gave Keris to Zaidan. As it turned out, it was one of the items that was passed down specifically for the boy in order to protect himself in the future.

"Zidan's journey is long, and this is just the beginning. Now you can see some figures that you should not have seen, such as Nina and the school ghost, and in the future many more that will take various forms, he said, therefore this Keris thing will help you in fighting against the spirits or ghosts that attack you. Do you know how to fight them?"

Not really knowing, Zaidan simply replied "No" briefly while shaking his head.

"All right," said Kesti.

Kesti then put the tea cup a little far away, and asked Keris who was in Zaidan's hands.

"When looking at that figure in case of danger, Zidan could swing this towards that figure. Like when a human is stabbed, the figure exposed to the blade will experience an unusual pain, which is a pain that makes its strength weaken and feel burning"

"Usually, they will disappear like smoke and stay away as much as possible. But for some types, they would still attack without knowing the limits of their strength. In that position also Zidan needs to be careful, because even though this Keris can be used forever, but this Keris will indirectly deplete Zidan's stamina when fighting, he said, and as a result Zidan will experience dizziness and very, very sweaty"

At the end, Kesti added quite useful information regarding that Keris.

"So, there is a reason why these flowers and batik decorations are made of real gold. In addition to adding its extravagant style, this gold can also be bright in the dark. Does Zaidan believe that?"

Zaidan who was serious when he listened to it also began to be interested and wanted to try the Keris directly. But he also understood, that it was still so early for him to be able to swing such a sharp object in the air. As he had said earlier, he never used a knife, because any work that used sharp objects and something that was considered dangerous for his family would be done by his mother and aunt. The use of Zaidan in the kitchen, yes just peeling onions, washing vegetables or fruits and eating ready-made foods.

"Will I be able to do that?... "

Zaidan's face was grim. He is not so sure of his abilities, but he is trying because it may be the wish of his family.

Zaidan concluded, if his Moma is someone who is respected because it often helps people with its advantages. And now he wants Zaidan to be able to help the unsettled spirits like Nina. But, can he follow the ability of his Moma first which is certainly much better?

*Shelf, srak.

Zaidan gasped as he felt something touch his head.

It was Vivie's hand that was gently stroking her hair. He smiled sweetly at Zaidan and said, "Zaidan Izra Rowen... There is no perfect beginning. Everything needs effort and hard work"

He continued in a very deep voice.

"There are also times when situations force you to do it, but that means not ability, but a way that you can solve it either way."