pancason
60. Journey home

Jaka is absolutely dead. After being examined by a special team. Eventually the two team members took Jaka's body away, returning to the village. The journey does not stop there. They continued their journey with the goal of another. That is the village called as the village died because it turns out all the villagers have died simultaneously. Indeed, among the residents of Tabuk Hulu village and Tabuk Hilir Village rarely meet each other, especially until they say hello. Because the location of the village is blocked by the surrounding forests makes the village of Tabuk Hilir more isolated from the outside world. In contrast to Tabuk Hulu Village which is still often active with local government employees, often even get health assistance from the city.

There is a myth circulating that the residents of Tabuk Hilir village are actually a Punan tribal group.

The Punan tribe is one of the oldest Dayak tribes whose distribution is quite significant in the Kalimantan Island region. The term Punan itself is more viewed as a general term for groups of hunter-gatherers who used to live in a mobile way in the forests of Kalimantan. Therefore, this tribe is known as the "guardian of the jungle", because the life and distribution of the population are found in the forest and separated from other sub-Tribe Dayak.

Since ancient times, the government has labeled the Punan Dayak Tribe as an isolated tribe, as well as the Kubu Tribe in Sumatra. This labeling is certainly not separated from the lifestyle of those who move around in the forest, do not have permanent residence because it follows the rhythm of nature. Punan people often move not only because they follow the natural cycle, but also to find a sense of security and away from other tribal disturbances. Hunting, searching for sago, catching fish, and processing plants into traditions that continue to be passed down through generations.

The thing that is still maintained since the past is living in groups in the forest and separated from other Dayak sub-Tribes.it cannot be denied that as the times develop, the, there have been several generations of Punan Tribe living side by side with other Dayak Tribe and immigrant tribes. Since the end of the 19th century, the Punan tribe is known to have begun to settle in small hamlets. Then entering the 20th century, they do cultivation like other Dayak Tribes with the cultivation of food crops such as rice and sweet potatoes.

Nevertheless, the Punan tribe still continues to be known as "the guardian of the jungle". The distribution of Punan Tribe Punan Tribe is considered as a tribe of people who live in the interior of West Kalimantan Province to the region of East, Central, and South Kalimantan. The increasing number of members in the tribe that is increasingly massive makes the Punan Tribe must spread in order to survive

Begin them to separate and form small groups to find their own territory. This makes the Punan Dayak Tribe eventually spread and generally live in the upper part of the river even in the middle of a very remote forest. In the West Kalimantan region, they are mainly located around the upper reaches of the Kapuas River tributary. In East Kalimantan, Punan people live in Balungan Regency, but also in Kutai Regency as in Tabang District.

Based on the existing story, the origin of the Punan tribe comes from the land of Yunnan, mainland China. They from one of the Chinese kingdoms lost the war, then they ran by boat to the island of Borneo. Because they feel safe, they also live on the land. In addition, there is also Dayak Punan spread in Sabah and Sarawak, East Malaysia, and other areas that are still part of Kalimantan. According to local residents, Punan tribe is feared by many people because of violent. Among the 400 Dayak Tribe in Kalimantan, Dayak Punan is a tribe that has all the "excess" among other Dayak Tribe. This tribe is known as the most resilient tribe, great when fighting and hunting, to be able to survive in the forest.

That is the origin of the residents of Tabuk Hilir Village. It's just that with the times, the label of the Punan people is not so attached to them, because they have lived in the village for almost two decades. They begin to settle down, but are still estranged from the outside world. In fact they often refused outsiders to enter their villages. That is why they are not known by villagers in other regions. And the villagers in other regions seemed to understand this because the past of the villagers of Tabuk Hilir were Punan. They had not even come to Tabuk Hilir village in their lifetime. Although Mr. Wiryo often went around the forest looking for firewood or grass for animal feed, but he also never set foot in the village.

"That's there, sir," pointed out Dana who did decide to take part in this mission. Fortunately they did not suffer any serious injuries, so it was still strong to walk, to return to that dead village. They arrived at the village gate which did look dull and weathered. A house was there, and it looked quiet. Carefully they entered and searched for other villagers mentioned by Dana's entourage and comrades.

The house is the one Dana and her friends first saw when they got lost the other day. A house that gives light of hope to them, even though it ends up being a tragedy. However, Dana, Hani, and Blendoz do not see any residents of the house who are usually around, as they met yesterday. The house looks empty. They continued to enter the village. But strangely, the atmosphere of the village which is usually crowded in the hours like now suddenly quiet. No animal sounds were heard. All is silent, and it makes the feathers goosebumps.

But thus the statement of Rea and his friends certainly makes sense for all of them, especially the special forces teams who at first had doubted their speech. The houses began to appear, but they had not found a single villager living around. Until finally one by one the houses were traced, and suddenly they were all surprised to see a body lying just like that in every house they came to.

Their pulses and breaths were gone, indicating that they were dead. Until finally began to smell a foul odor that turned out to come from the bodies.

"Kapt, it looks like they've been dead a long time. Their bodies are still new, but inside they are rotten" said one special forces team member who was in charge of examining the bodies.

Well, their bodies still look fine. If indeed they had died, then it would have been only a few hours, because their bodies were still fresh. It's just that the stench that was smelled actually came from inside their bodies, which had been rotting for quite a long time.

"Yes, pick up the bodies and we'll take them all for inspection."

"Well, Kapt!"

It's just that once the corpse was lifted, suddenly his entire body was crushed. Crushed. Automatic everyone immediately stepped aside and nauseous, because the foul odor that smelled more and more stinging. There was even smoke that suddenly shot out as the body shattered and fell to the floor.

They looked at each other, confused by what was really going on. Finally, Mr. Wiryo approached the captain. "It seems the young man's words were right. They had all died long enough, just that the influence of that person, named Jaka, made their bodies still durable. But apparently only the outside, the inside is still rotten all," explained Mr. Wiryo whispered, although almost everyone in the place was able to hear his words and agree to his analysis.

"So how, Kapt. Are we going to bring them back?"

The captain remained silent for a while, until he took a deep breath. " Yes already. Not necessary. Because it will be free later. When we take them to the base, they'll just rot. We'd better bury them all here."

Finally they made a mass grave in the village. The whole body was collected and put into that big hole, and finally buried. Although not one of the proper ways to bury, but seeing the condition of the bodies that have been destroyed like that, making this step is the best way.

"Then what about these houses. Do we just leave it?"

"Why Mr Wiryo, do you think we need to burn this place down or not? Considering there was a massacre here, and maybe there's a human like Jaka again in the future."

"Fine let it go, Kapt. Because the spirits of the villagers will definitely look for the existence of their homes later. Believing in disbelief, they are still here, staring at us, and thanking us for being buried properly. They were tormented all this time because what Jaka had done, had prevented their souls from being freed from the shackles of the devil."

"All right then. Let's leave the houses here. It might be an occasional patrol so that something similar doesn't happen here."

"Good, Kapt. I'll come to check this place out later. You don't have to worry."

The burial event became the last thing they did before deciding to return to Tabuk Hulu Village. They are also relieved, because one by one the problems have been solved well. At least the source of the problem has been crippled and will no longer be a fear for villagers in other regions. Because this news will certainly soon spread, and all villagers in other regions will certainly quickly find out. But if they had known, if the person responsible for this tragedy had died, then there would be no more riots that might arise due to this incident.

They went back on their journey. This time they will return to the village of Tabuk Hulu. The journey home to Tabuk Hulu Village is not too hasty or full of vigilance as when leaving earlier. They began to fill their free time by chatting casually while enjoying the atmosphere of the forest around. Mr. Wiryo and the team captain walked in the middle of the entourage. They are still discussing the problems they are facing right now.

"Here the mystical aura is indeed still very thick, captain. So we also can not examine the events that we just saw from the scientific side," said Mr. Wiryo.

"Yes, that's right sir. I was confused earlier. Because I'm with a new team having experienced something like this."

"Well, I'm sure that the people in town aren't all who will be able to accept freely about cases like this. Only a few people understand and understand."

The captain nodded. "if according to Mr. Wiryo himself, what has been done by Jaka? How could he bring to life the entire village of Tabuk Hilir who had clearly died a few months ago."

" Of course it's all because of magic. Jaka is a cult follower. Actually there is one of the legend stories that occur around this region," said Mr. Wiryo while pointing and twisting.

"What kind of legend, sir?"

"There used to be an incident that is still a folklore in this place for generations. There was someone who had brought the devil and imprisoned him in one of the forests in this region. This demon is very strong. If he escapes and escapes, then the order of human life will falter. According to our ancestors, the demon was imprisoned in an old well in the interior of the forest. We all call it the forbidden forest. Since then no one has dared to enter the forest area. Even the forest was given a perimeter fence to avoid if there are villagers who get lost and suddenly enter the area. Everything went well for a few years after that. It's just that over time the legend about the demon imprisoned in the old well began to attract the attention of humans followers of the cult, or maybe it can be called the devil worshipers."

"Like Jaka?"

"Yes right, like Jaka. They bravely and fearlessly entered the forest and searched where the old well lay. Some succeed, earning whatever rewards they desire. Whether it's wealth, glory, romance, or the immune sciences."

"Sort of a prank, sir?"

"Well, you could say that. Because of the tumbals they have to present, we usually call it the term pesugihan. But in fact they are only deceived by momentary pleasure. Because the devil's purpose it must immediately come out of the well, in order to be more free to move."

"Wait, Sir. If indeed they worship the devil, how do they communicate with each other, and whether the devil can get his wish while he is in confinement?"

"For what, sir?"

"For power. So that the knowledge he has is growing rapidly, so that he will be difficult to beat. While waiting, he ate human souls resulting from the collision. He ate the souls of many humans in order to have the power to release the demon from confinement. There was actually one of the easiest things to do, to release that demon without waiting for a long time like this."

"What is that, sir?"

"A pure soul. This soul only belongs to someone every one generation."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"There is a purest, purest soul that is very powerful. Although the owner of the soul usually will not realize its power, but the soul that is precisely the main key of the devil can come out of confinement. I thought they were looking for that soul."

"Wow, what a new thing, that I got."

"You don't believe this story, do you? The imprisoned devil and the pure soul? Usually soldiers or learned men do not believe in such mystical things."

"Ah, not really, sir. Precisely me and some teams have experienced something mystical like this. Eum, he means something that is caused by demons, demons and the like. I was working in a small country in the United States. There was a case of terror that made us have to intervene there. Incidentally in that place there are several communities of Indonesians who become permanent citizens, they work, and study there. Then there was someone who carried out a terror attack, but there was something strange that we found at that time."

"What's weird?"

"As we were about to ambush him, suddenly the eyes of the person turned black. It was only a few seconds, but after that the impact was huge. He has immense power, and it overwhelmed us all."

"Devil. It's the devil's doing."

"How did you know?"

"Because if we are possessed by demons, then the eyeball will turn black and only last a few seconds. This is according to the experience of our ancestors. Because the caged devil once messed up our village and possessed one of the citizens. He said the man's eyes turned black."

"That's right, sir. Finally, after we were in trouble, we called the priest and performed an exorcism ceremony. "

Exorcism is the practice of expelling or other subtle or evil beings from a person or place that is believed to be possessed by a demon. This practice is quite old and becomes part of the belief system (religion) in various countries.

The person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, is often a clergyman or someone who is believed to have special powers or abilities. Exorcists can use other religious things, such as spells, gestures, symbols, images/sculptures of saints, amulets, and others. The exorcist often asks the help of God, Jesus and/or some and others to interfere in the exorcism.

In general, people who are possessed by demons are not considered as demons themselves, including also completely irresponsible for the actions of the person himself. Therefore, the perpetrators regard exorcism as more of a cure than a punishment. Rituals common to this usually pay attention to the element, ensuring that there will be no violence against the possessed person. If there is a potential for violence, then people who are possessed are usually only laid down and tied up.

The journey home was not too exhausting. Without feeling they have almost half the journey. "Wait, it looks like we're going the wrong way. This is not the path we just passed," said Mr. Wiryo, then looked around. The villagers who took the trip this time also felt the same way.

"Really, Sir. We went through the previous path. Why did it get here?"

The statement made them all start to get confused. Especially the villagers who took part in this mission. "Dim, did you guys take the wrong path?" ask the captain to the soldiers who are in the vanguard.

"No, Kapt. We sure went through that path. But ... somehow turned out like this," he said trying to defend himself. The Captain also felt that the path they took was the right path. Although he was busy discussing it since then with Mr. Wiryo, but he can still focus on the surroundings. He remains alert to the conditions around them, because he has been taught hard enough to be ready in any condition.

"What's the matter, sir? Is there no way out to return to the village from this path?" ask the Captain in confusion. He also felt that the path they took was the same path, as when they came earlier.

"could. It's just ... We must pass through the forbidden forest to be able to return to the village."

"The forbidden forest we were talking about?"

"Yes. And ... That's the place I mean," pointed Mr. Wiryo to a grove of trees with darker conditions than other forests. " It seems that the devil knows that we were talking about it" whispered Mr. Wiryo and immediately walked into the place.

They finally entered the forbidden forest. A sacred place that is forbidden for the surrounding villagers. "Sir Wiryo, it's okay if we go inside," prevent one of the villagers. Some wara village Tabuk Hulu is not at all willing to enter the forest no matter what. In contrast to Mr. Wiryo who still want to enter the huatn is just looking for firewood, or animal feed. In fact, he also often took fruits that grew wild in the forest. But still, Mr. Wiryo did not dare to enter the forest deeper, especially when alone. He abstained from approaching the old well that became the confinement of the devil. Because Mr. Wiryo really understands how the influence of the devil even though he is in confinement.

Ever since entering the forest, they were all silent, as if the atmosphere had turned gripping. Not like before that seemed relaxed. No one is talking. Everyone looked around with a watchful look. It was as if an enemy had been lurking around them ever since they entered the forest. Until finally their steps just walk more and more into the forest and suddenly all stop walking when they see there is an old well in the middle of the forest.

"That's ... Not that old well," muttered one of the villagers by pointing in the direction he saw. His hands seem to shake. But his friend hurriedly pulled him to stop pointing.

"Sir, how is this?" ask Riswan.

"Come, let's continue the journey. Don't let us get to the village by noon."

As they walked out of the forest, someone suddenly fell from a tree not far from the well. The man, who was bound by his hands and feet, shouted for help. The special forces team was silent for a moment. They looked at the man who suddenly appeared fixedly.

"Dim, help him," the captain said.

"Okay, Kapt."

The arm and leg ties were immediately released. The other team continued to be vigilant with weapons in each other's hands. Just in case there is a sudden movement of the stranger that will harm them.

"Please, Sir."He seemed to cry in fear.

"Loh, you're not the Jakarta boy?" ask Mr. Wiryo to the young man.

"I-yes, Sir. I am separated from my friends. I've been tied up here for a few days. Something made me come here. I don't know why I can come back here. I really don't know, sir. I went home, but when I woke up, I was here! Help me, Sir."

Captain and Mr. Wiryo looked at each other. There was a hint of doubt from their faces, only that they brushed it off and brought Fauzan back to the village with them.