Memories of a Thousand Years
Tale

The atmosphere of the room is getting hotter. This big thing was finally revealed bit by bit. This big thing how can no one know it. 

Bayu "Master, how many people know this?"

Chairman "Only 5 or maybe 7 people"

Bayu "7 people, one of them is in front of me. Never been out of the mountain for thirty years. Establish a group that many fear. If I look. Your group is great people. Let me guess. You've been expecting this to happen again. That's why you're forming a colony."

Bayu's tone was so haughty. But he sounded confident in his words.

Chairman "Wrong. I didn't guess. I was worried it would happen again. I'm sure you've guessed why I gathered these great men."

Bayu "Of course because you know ordinary people will be difficult to face the creature."

Nirmala "Chairman ... I want to ask."

Chief "Please."

Nirmala "Did Mr Budhi know you? Do you know lord Budhi? Is he one of the survivors?"

Bayu was stupefied at the question. "Why are you asking that?"

Nirmala "The chairman always accommodates people with special abilities. People who are wasted. They were abandoned in the forest by their families. One unusual ability is considered a bearer of doom, curse or such. The public believes such a thing. Killing them is not a good path because it will bring them misfortune. They finally threw the guy away. Their families. Maybe their child. Mr. Budhi knows the chairman did that. That's why he left me in the woods. Wish I was the one who could be useful in this group."

Bayu "What???...He did it on purpose?"

Nirmala "Other people will probably believe I'm going to die in the woods. The place where wild animals nest. The magic gathering place. What a cruel mountain bandit. But he still left me there. Because he knew the mountain bandits weren't as cruel as people tell them."

Bayu "If that's true then, could it be that lord Budhi knew Mister?"

The chief smiled "You are not wrong. It's true that he and I have met. But we don't know each other. He has his own way of finding information. And it's true he was one of the survivors back then. But he's just a civilian who doesn't understand anything. He's still very young."

Bayu "Then how's the story going?"

Chief "Find up to the end of this island. I'm sure no one knows that time anymore. All the stories have changed. In the end the city was said to be a dead city due to the plague. Why do you think that is?"

Bayu "If it is made intentionally then there are those who want to cover up the event as if there was never a war."

Chairman smiled.

Nirmala "Is it something to do with the case this time?"

Chief "What do you think?"

Nirmala had already guessed that there was something strange about this matter. And the creature seemed to be deliberately cultured for personal gain. If not for personal then they should have made it a weapon for us. Not to destroy us.

Bayu "Kurasa is very closely related. If the past can get that bad. Then do not rule out the possibility that the same thing will happen that may be more terrible"

So this is what the spirit warned me. Something more terrible is war. But what I think is more worrying is unfaithfulness.

Jaka "So where are the survivors, chief? And why has the chief never left this mountain?"

Chief "Isn't that a question from me. Why do you think that is?"

Nirmala "No more survivors Jaka, the case was closed. Anyone who survives will be killed. That city will be a city dead from the plague."

Jaka "What?.... But. But..."

Nirmala "That's why the chairman never left. He's the only one who knows about this. If they know. They'll find him and kill him. All his secrecy. Is for this." Nirmala stared fixedly at the chairman. There was something he did not talk about in front of them. This one secret only Nirmala knows.

Chief "If I go out maybe I'll die. Or maybe I should have died by then. But god wants something else."

Bayu "Alright. Thanks for the information. You can rest in peace. The rest of it I'll try to clean this up."

Nirmala was astonished by the words of Bayu. Bayu leaves the room and Nirmala follows him. Nirmala wants to keep him away. Many things were falling on his head. Bayu stopped from his steps and looked at him.

Bayu "Nirmala if you have anything to talk to me about. We're talking about this at Sae's herbal shop."

--------

Dhika stands in front of Sae Herbal store. Look at the sign hanging in front of the store. I don't know how long he's been there. 

Nirmala and Bayu have just arrived. He saw that beautiful figure. His face grew even colder as he glanced towards the two of them. 

Nirmala "Dhika??"

Bayu "Come in. We're talking inside"

Bayu set foot into the half-closed shop. I don't know what Uncle Arif meant. The shop's cover board is partially left out. 

Bayu "Sampurasun, uncle. I'm home"

Uncle Arif put a small painting frame on his desk. Immediately out of his room when he heard Bayu's voice. His grim face instantly changed brightly to see Bayu before him. 

Uncle Arif "Wood." She hugged Bayu. His eyes glazed over with gratitude looking back. "You okay? You injured? How's den Haris?"

Bayu laughs. "Hehe uncle can see for himself, I'm fine. Sorry I just got to visit you. Harris is fine too"

Uncle Arif "Uncle thought you weren't coming back. Uncle should be much grateful."

Bayu smile.

Uncle Arif "Sit down. You guys sit down too. I'll bring you tea and snacks. Nirmala still likes to eat snacks?"

Nirmala smiled and nodded happily.

Tea and snacks are served. More than usual. Uncle Arif looks really happy. It had not been visited by the three of them for a long time. Uncle Arif often heard news about the three of them. Herbal buyers always share information with him. Either directly or just listening to people. One news that makes him sad is the disappearance of Bayu. She loved Bayu as much as her own son. 

Uncle Arif "Woodoo tonight want to stay here? Uncle wants to hear your story again."

Bayu nodded. "A few days I'll be here. I have something to do."

Uncle Arif "Then you guys talk first. Uncle's going to Pamunjungan for a shave." He also left.

The radiant face of Bayu smiling changed coldly and hatefully. Nirmala who was a little happy to see her sweet smile. I was disappointed to see that cold look. Dhika was not looking at him at all. 

The atmosphere became very awkward. This was the first time they had gathered together again after so many years. 

Sayu "You won't ask me again?" His eyes stared intently at Dhika who was still staring at the wooden table. 

Bayu "What do you need to visit this place? Is there something you want to make sure?"

Dhika is still silent.

Bayu "What are you daydreaming about?"

Dhika "Speak whatever you want to talk about. I'm not gonna start the question."

Nirmala felt increasingly claustrophobic hearing her cold every word they spoke. 

Bayu "Good"

Bayu "Nirmala what are you thinking?"

Nirmala "ha?.. me....?"

Bayu "Nirmala can you leave your group?"

Nirmala "What?, why are you talking like that?"

A sentence that made him feel sad. I remembered Mr. Budhi yesterday. This sentence astonished Dhika. Bayu is not someone who does not know thank you. He knew it was the group that housed Nirmala. Give her life. There's no way Bayu could talk like that. Chances are there are things that doubt it against the group. 

Bayu just smiled "It's okay. Forgetit. Don't think about it."

Bayu "So, who did you meet? Who told you about what the chairman was talking about?"

Nirmala "Someone who's been dead a long time."

Nirmala looked down "Shadows of sadness" the longer Bayu asked. The more pain he felt. Bayu is so different. He's like everybody else.

Bayu "May I ask you one more thing?" Bayu plays his knife with his right hand. I don't know why he's always holding it wherever he goes. "Where is this guy now?"

Dhika "What do you mean? Wasn't that taken by Boris?"

Bayu "Looks like he cheated everyone. I don't know what Boris took. It's not the Jade of Light." 

Nirmala "Why are you talking about that now. Isn't this war more important?"

Bayu "Everything has to do you know that. You never talk a little. You managed to fool everyone"

Nirmala was sick enough to hear all that. He stood up and took his foot off. 

Bayu grasped his arms strong powerfully. Stopped his steps. "Ah, sick" 

"Leave the group immediately" Bayu's gaze grew even more sinister. His face is red. She's upset. I don't know because of what.

Nirmala "What's wrong with you?"

Dhika grabbed Bayu's arm and took it off Nirmala's hand. "It's enough Bayu, you're not like you."

Bayu chuckled "You don't know what"

Dhika "I'm silent doesn't mean I don't know. You have indeed changed. I don't know who you are"

Bayu "Just give it up, it's none of your business"

Nirmala "What's wrong with you Bayu? Why are you like this? What changed you?"

Bayu "Leave the group, and you'll see me back."

Nirmala shook her head "no. That's not what you want. What are you afraid of?"

Bayu "Don't you understand? You're not safe there."

Nirmala "I'm not a plain 18-year-old girl. You can't lie to me."

Bayu again gripped Nirmala's arm "You're very rude Bayu" 

Dhika again forced to take it off. "It's pretty Bayu. You hurt her."

Nirmala left with a sliced heart. Everything he's been through is hard to digest. Very disconcerting. So hurtful.

Dhika "I wish I could always trust you. You really changed."

Dhika also walked away.

Dhika runs after Nirmala. This time Bayu may have a hard time talking to her. Bayu is more secretive and mysterious. Exceeded before. The only one who could answer his sense of urgency was Nirmala.

Nirmala growls. Kicking rocks on the riverbank. Annoyed by what he heard from Bayu. Water splashes make fish swim away. 

"Ah. You fucking kid. Why are you so annoying." Sometimes he threw rocks in the middle of the river. 

"Basic Stupid. 

Who is the fraud

I wouldn't care about you. 

Why are you like that. 

You're changing. You're so different.

All's fault. It's all because of me."

His screaming voice was getting longer and lower. The old one is getting slower and more hesitant. Her lips quiver her eyes water. He sits by the river. Closing face. Sobbing crying. 

Dhika watched him from a distance. Let him give you sadness. He thinks Nirmala needs time to herself. He kept waiting for her.

Nirmala stands in the middle of a wooden bridge. See the beautiful rainbow in front of the waterfall. The waterfall was carried by the wind on him. His eyes closed feeling the feather caressing his face. Dhika comes near. "Waiting someone?"

"Waiting for something."

"Something like what?"

"Like a sign or a hint from God. I don't know what to do now. My heart is not friendly."

"Because Bayu?"

"Because of many things."

"You never told me again"

"I feel empty. I don't know if I should tell you or not. I feel empty."

"..."

"Do you feel it?

"...."

"Are you disappointed?"

"Aware of what?"

"This world."

"Come"

"Are you disappointed in me?"

"Come"

"Are you disappointed in Bayu?

".... Don't know"

Nirmala smiled "It's okay. Sometimes express your feelings. I-i understand. You're disappointed in him. Maybe I'm disappointed in me too"

Nirmala's eyes twitched. His lips are still tightly closed. He hesitated to speak.

"I'm sure you know something. In that valley.... What's he doing?"

"D Dhika, about that I don't know"

"Then what do you know?"

"That's.... I'm....."

"It's okay. You don't have to tell a story if you don't want to. I'll wait." Nirmala smiles. He is grateful to have someone who understands him. But he was also disappointed in himself. He can't be honest with his friend. 

"I promise Dhika, I'll tell you everything later. You're... Believe me?"

Dhika nodded

"Dhika let's go back. I have something to discuss with Bayu. Also with you. The situation upset me. I haven't even said anything yet. This is very important."

Dhika nodded in trembles.

* Pamunjungan \= place of worship or offerings at that time. Usually a place shaped Punden Berundak to place offerings etc.

At that time their beliefs still adhere to the system of Animism and Dynamism. (Try in googling only yes 🤣)