Memories of a Thousand Years
Desperate Asa

Last night was a terrible thing that Bayu and Haris experienced. Haris sat on his bed. Hugged both of his legs. Her tears have dried up. Sayu's eyes. Face pale. He looks messy. The noise outside the inn did not make him flinch.

"Can you help me" Haris spoke without changing his flat expression. "Kill me. I don't want to live anymore."

"Haris don't talk like that. We're looking for a way to reclaim our home."

"I don't want to go home. There's no one else there."

"Remember, there's still a Galih. He'll be alone if you don't exist."

The look on his face softened "Galih, poor boy. He can't take any more affection from his parents."

"Tablah. For your sister. We three have to survive."

"I'll see him before they."

Haris running. Get out of the inn. Bayu followed from behind. Run and settle to avoid the soldiers who were passing by looking for them.

That soldier is too much. Some people recognize them. They're blocking. Surrounded him. They probably won't get away.

"Raris..... Run if you have the chance. Don't let them beat us."

"I'm not giving up. I'll go back and avenge them all"

"Then I'll arrest them. I'll catch up later."

"All right"

The soldier attacked. Six against two. And they were armed while Haris and Bayu only relied on their bare hands.

As soon as the gap opens. Bayu yells "Running line!!" At that moment Haris ran. With all my might. No more crying no more despair. There is only hatred for revenge.

Haris believes Bayu will be fine. At least Bayu also showed the same thing. Although actually the wound on Bayu's body is still very painful.

Bayu's still there. Kneeling. Some people are lying. Some pulled out their weapons. Bayu is helpless. Blood flowed again from his mouth. The wound must have been open again. Bayu is already on his threshold. Goddess Fortuna is still with her. The arrows shot through the body of the warrior warrior. Bayu smile.

He forced his body to rise. And left the corpse. Half-conscious. His right hand held a wound on his chest. The wound was bleeding again. He ran and kept running. I don't know where he's half conscious. There was a noise in his mind. As if leading him to approach.

Some soldiers came back to look for him. Searching traces. Bayu's blood drops become an easy trail to follow.

-----

Four months passed. Haris and Galih are still safe in the village where her grandmother lives. During that time Haris trained to become stronger. The spirit of revenge has not yet subsided. But he was a little worried Bayu still did not hear any news. There's no word that Boris caught him. There is no news if Bayu is dead. Bayu seems to disappear somewhere.

Boris also attacked the Wiriya residence. But everyone knows Wiriya's family is famous for its martial arts. And strength. Not a few members under his education became a great person. The Wiriya family also plays a role in the central government. There's not much Boris can do. Even with a sudden attack. The Wiriya Family can still survive.

Mr. Wiriya increasingly furious with the action of arbitrarily mena from the Wilis family. As Mandalika she cannot control her attitude. Abusing his power. But indeed its power and role in central government also makes it unable to be lowered.

North Sunda is very precarious. The news had already reached the central palace but there was not much they did. I don't know what reason. Not even a single representative of the central Palace investigated this further.

North Sunda had to fight on his own.

One night a group of bats flew. Dropped something in a residential area. Something that might be dangerous for the lives of the people of North Sunda.

The bat carried a shadow creature in a small form. The creature must have split itself very much. But no matter how small it is, it is still dangerous. Especially if he possessed the human body.

A few hours before the bat dropped it, the Wiriya Family received a scrap of information. Shot with an arrow out of nowhere. At that time Mr. Wiriya was leading a meeting with other family members about the cruelty of Mandalika Wilis. The arrow pierced through the bamboo wall and landed right on the meeting table. It makes everyone surprised.

No one understood the content of the message, but Dhika could read it. He knows who the information is from. And he believed it. An information about the bat that dropped the parasite. He urged residents not to leave their homes. While Mr. Wiriya assigned some of his students to stand guard if the information turned out to be correct.

Night approaching. And that information is true. The students of Wiriya's cottage are indeed very good. They can control the situation quickly. They could easily use his spiritual energy to kill that parasitic creature. Thankfully, there is that information. If no. Maybe the area was already flooded with corpses.

It is different from Mandalika Wilis. He even argued that it was on purpose. Boris accused Nirmala of being the source of the chaos. And Mr. Wilis trusted him.

The news that Nirmala is still alive makes the Wilis family infested with hatred. His confidence in the oath of the Jade of Light made him always close his eyes. "The Light Jade will not work if the owner does not voluntarily give it. Or it won't work if the previous owner dies." Nirmala did not give it up with her willingness. So, the only thing the Wilis family wants is Nirmala's death. So that Jade's power he can use.

The Wilis family will do anything to make Nirmala's death a reality. He even spread the rumor that all the mess was the work of Nirmala. North Sunda increasingly believes in rumors circulating. However, the local Mandalika believed that.

------

Pradhika Wiriya pensively stood staring at the waterfall in the middle of the wooden bridge. He's waiting for someone. His face now looks softer.

A veiled woman approached him "follow me"

Dhika recognized the voice. Without a second thought he followed his steps away. He led her away from the crowd. Entering forest.

On a rocky cliff they spoke.

"Why is it so hard for me to meet you?"

"Dhika, things are getting more complicated now. I always feel sad. As if something big is going to happen soon."

"That information is from you?

"I sent the same information an hour earlier to Mandalika's palace. No response."

"Nirmala, how do you know that?"

"We always keep an eye around the mountain. Any weirdness we can know. It's just that for this matter I think it's very complicated."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure but. Someone like controlling that. Someone like to use that."

"Someone?"

"I'm not sure. That's just my guess based on the information we collected."

"You found Bayu?"

"Because that's why I brought you here"

"...."

"Three days after the Wijaya attack. Found her. But he disappeared there"

Nirmala pointed at a spot under the cliff. "Delivering like it just vanished"

"That's... Valley Soul?"

"Soul valley?"

"A lot of people say when they enter the valley. Never to return"

"I can't find anything in there at all."

"You going in there?"

"Yes. Butno. It's not like that. Do you know the ability to detect with the five senses of death?"

"Schuckles?"

"That kind. Hm. If in my world I might be called a Clairvoyant. I can see something very far away. And very clear. It can also be very centralized or fluttered."

"That's what Jaka was talking about back then?"

"really. My ability is far below average if compared with Jaka and others only this time I feel confident. I found nothing in the Valley. Like someone was protecting the valley. It's like there's an energy hiding everything from this world."

"..."

"I wait here every day. Wish I could see him out of there."

"What do you think is in there?"

"I've been in it before but something scared me. As if there were a lot of eyes watching me. It was as if many people were whispering in my ear. I just turned around there. Then came out in the same place. I don't want to go in there anymore."

"I'll try to get in"

"But..."

"I'm sure he's fine. No need to worry"

"All right"

"Jaka and the others were unable to see through the valley. I'm almost desperate"

"Daughter!!"

Someone came from behind the trees. Jack. Still holding his bow. His gaze turned as if he did not want to see someone with Nirmala.

"Joe, what's wrong?"

Jaka just shut up. Breathe in and turn his body. She's upset.

"You angry?"

No answer at all. But it answered the question.

"I'll be back Dhika, take care of yourself"

Nirmala leaves Dhika and Jaka.

"I advise you not to try contacting him again. He was dead a year ago you remember that."

Then Jaka leaves Dhika.

Dhika was troubled by all this. Both of his close friends left him. Dhika feels very alone. In his heart he still hoped that Bayu would return.

------

A few weeks passed and nothing changed. Dhika spends her time training at her family's camp. Occasionally going to the mountain to meditate increased the strength of his spiritual energy.

Desas desus said that Mandalika Wilis will go to the dense forest. Attacking the group of Halimun the mountain bandit. Maybe that's true. But everyone knows. Mountain bandits were not an easy group to conquer let alone attack their territory. The area is full of mystery and not many know anything in the forest. Mr. Wilis must properly prepare himself for that.

Dhika sits in the library in the padepokan. With a bunch of books on his desk. One of the books is open. He's reading it. He stopped when someone knocked and gave him a letter.

The sender is Haris. He asked for help to reclaim his family's home. Boris occupied the house like a host. And made her his. Of course Haris did not want to stay silent. It was the only place the Wijaya family lived. He didn't want to lose anything of his. What's more. Boris also disobeyed the surrounding residents. Sometimes they become slaves. Taking back his house meant taking back the area around that region.

Wiriya's family agreed to help Boris and his army too much. Now two families become enemies to the Wilis family. And they will never remain silent.

The ambush was carried out at night when all the followers of boris were getting tired. It starts with the Wijaya family training cottage. Divided into three groups of followers Dhika settles around the area. Ensuring a safe state. The group of Haris's followers settles in paralyzing all the soldiers. And Haris's group with Dhika will barge in and defeat all who resist.

Things were so good that Haris and Dhika settled in. Something strange has happened there. So silent. It's easy to get through. All the guards were like puppets that just stood up. Like hypnotized. They keep getting into the paddle. Down the hall combed through all the rooms. The bodies of the soldiers were left unscathed, without blood. It was like being scared to death. Haris and Dhika were amazed by all of that.

"Who did this?" Harris asked.

"Someone seems to be ahead of us."

They keep going down the hallway. Until they hear something in a room.

"Please forgive us. We beg. We're just following orders"

"Is that? Is killing an order too? What if they order you to kill your family? You gonna do it?"

"Master please forgive us"

Dhika heard that from behind the door. So is haris. He recognized that voice.

"Where is he? Where is the man who rules you. I didn't see the big house of Wijaya. Did he run away?"

"Ttttuan Boris?? He left here two hours ago."

"Thank you please enjoy your life for a few minutes."

"No no please let me live. No" He shouted in fear.

Hearing of situations that seem dangerous. Dhika and Haris break through the door and enter. Something happened in that room.

Fresh blood flowed on the corpse of the corpse lying down. The splashes are enough to make the walls red. Broken goods become flakes. An officer kneels before someone. Surrounded by creatures from another world. Rub like a dog. Large-bodied long-fingered, creepy red eyes. They prepared to pounce on their helpless prostrated prey. But that's not all. The man, the man in black clothes stood before Haris and Dhika. Deflect them. Both arms folded back.

He looked towards Haris and Dhika. Eyes with hateful eyes. His eyes that he never showed to anyone. He's different. Totally different. He's not like someone they know. The dog just waited for his orders.

Someone ran down the hall. Gasps ran nonstop towards the same room.

"Wood!!" Nirmala just got to the doorstep. Shout with the rest of his breath.

Bayu turned around and looked at the three of them. "stop that Bayu. Don't do it again."

Dhika just looked at the two of them as if asking what had happened.

Nirmala "It's enough Bayu. Don't do it again"

Bayu just shut up. A little looked down at the three people. Soon the dog disappeared like air.

Nirmala fell in her place. Haris tried to digest everything. "Wood..."

Bayu "Apakabar Haris's. Sorry for worrying you"

Haris "Where have you been all this time?"

Bayu "I'm a little lost"

His tone was not as usual. Now he's calmer, but darker. His eyes are not as they used to be. It was as if there was something stored up that was ready to explode. The look on his face grew flatter, a fake smile adorning him.

Haris "Why didn't you call me? You're not looking for me?"

Bayu "Ah.I am confused where to go"

Dhika "Wood, that one..."

Bayu "Russia. Let's go home. I'm tired already"

Haris "Where is our house still occupied by....." He remembered the talk.

Bayu "I've done it. Let's go home" Bayu put his foot through. Then it stopped when Dhika spoke.

Dhika "Wood. Breached her? You don't remember what you said?"

Bayu "Dhika it's all my business. No one can mix it up."

Dhika "Learning such a thing is a perversion!"

Bayu "Whatever you say. Whatever I do is not for the same actions as them"

Dhika clutching Bayu's arm. "Black science breaks your heart, darkens your mind. Someday it may take your soul."

Bayu released Dhika's grip and smiled. "Nothing to worry about. All knowledge depends on what the master wants. If you think great powers will take me like they do (Boris and the Wilis family), then I will never have them."

Dhika "That's your decision?"

Jayu just smiled and then left. Harris followed. Even Bayu did not stare at Nirmala at all.

Tears flowed down both of Nirmala's cheeks. It was very painful to see Bayu leave without a word. It was as if he had never seen Nirmala.

Dhika bowed softly. His heart may hurt even more. Long enough to hope he comes back. He's back, but everything feels different. Feels painful.

Nirmala stood from her place "Dhika.... Do not put it into the heart. Maybe she's thinking a lot" she wiped her tears and left again.

The wooden gate was full of scratches. Bamboo grove emblematic gate. It must be because the attack was all broken. Not as good as usual. The yard is full of broken pieces. The blood splashes are still left. The place of slaughter will usually be a dark tenpat. But they don't care. It was their beloved home. Where everyone was happy there.

Bayu picked up a flower vase that fell on the floor of the living room. He cleaned it with his shirt. And put it back on the table. He recalled when Rindah scolded him for almost dropping him. Bayu was very careless back then.

Haris looked around. Everything feels different. But he still felt the presence of his family. Father's laugh. Joking mother. He still remembers when he had a new brother. He still feels like he sees them. The tears flowed again. How painful was what he was going through. But he should be grateful. There is still her sister and there is Bayu. Everything is different, but he will not forget it all.