THE TEARS OF KUMARI KANDAM
CHAPTRE 35

SREK'S! SREK'S! SREK'S!

One by one the ancient books were turned upside down by Braheim, as he could not wait to arrive at the page about the prophecy of the wandering tribe's ancestors. Until what Braheim was looking for finally plastered right in front of his eyes. A line of sentences contains a ridiculous prophecy that Gaana* has successfully altered*.

*Gaana* the saint-soul-eating creatures living in Mook* Forest*.

Brahim began to read. "The world will perish because the heir to the oath of allegiance Yusef Bahadir gave his heart to the wrong man."

"Could it be that passage that Gaana has changed, Your Majesty?"

"Yes," Braheim replied to Haala.

"Then, what does the original prophecy sound like?"

Bheim was silent for a moment. "War of destruction is coming soon. It was not King Kumari of Kandam who would stop the war, but rather the son of the wandering tribal leader and successor to the oath of allegiance Yusef Bahadir."

Haala seemed surprised, because the content of the false prophecy is very far from the content of the original prophecy. Now Haala only understood the meaning of Princess Gaurika's last message which was entrusted through the war commander Narak. That Haala does not love the wrong person because in the original prophecy there is no discussion of the right person nor the wrong person.

And either Haala should feel grieved or rejoiced at being free to choose her man. Given that Bheim and Daxraj were both nomadic tribal leaders, there was no longer any reason for Haala to carefully give her heart. For whoever Haala's heart is anchored, a war of destruction in the future will still occur. Yet.

"But what if the war of destruction comes sooner? Then what if Kumari Kandam's enemy at that time was not human, it would be more appropriate if the servant chose Daxraj."

Bheim closed the ancient book rough in his grasp. "Because you don't have the strength of a wandering tribe leader. Plus, I'm worried that Gaana is also changing the contents of the other book" Haala added.

"What?"

"What if Gaana also changed the origin of your ancestors who turned out not to be from a wandering tribe? Doesn't that mean you're not the leader of a wandering tribe?" ask Haala in doubt.

"I guess even Daxraj Natesh and my shadow bodyguard said if I was a wandering tribe leader, you wouldn't believe it."

"No, Your Grace. You are indeed the leader of a wandering tribe. Not only was it written in the ancient book, even Daxraj had said it directly to the servant. But what is this feeling?" ask Haala in my heart.

"Why? You still don't believe it? I can call Daxraj Natesh as proof. Although it is very risky because it will endanger my people," added Bheim.

"Hamba doesn't understand."

Bheim moved, approaching Haala. "I called Daxraj Natesh with Smrti*. But the result after that was not rainbows or rain, but earthquakes."

*Smrti* is a forgotten memory-recovery herb. Smrti is made from fairy tears, and can only be consumed during the day, because the results will immediately appear in the form of rain or rainbow. If the rain that appears, then the dream that occurs is just a sleeping flower, but if a rainbow appears, then it can be sure it is a forgotten memory*.

"You should put the safety of the people of Kumari Kandam first."

Bheim. "I can change my mind if you ask."

Spontan Haala turned to Braheim. "You've given your heart completely to the people, how can you say that?"

"And how can I give my heart to the people when you take half of it?"

Haala looked surprised. "The Smrti banquet makes me remember all my memories with you in the future" Braheim added.

Haala was speechless at what Braheim had just said, and grew increasingly speechless as Braheim dropped his head next to his shoulder. Haala longed to wipe the lonely back, but realized a little touch could make Braheim completely empty the throne of Queen Kumari Kandam.

Then it seems, the heartbeat of happiness is only pleasing to stop for a moment. After pounding happily for being free to choose the man who will accompany him to old age, Haala also had to pound tight due to hereditary responsibilities that required him to be a living shield for the sake of peace Kumari Kandam land.

And if only the blood of the hero did not flow in the veins of Haala, of course Haala chose Braheim. No matter how Gaana changed the entire contents of the ancient book. It doesn't matter though that Braheim isn't the leader of a wandering tribe. And no matter if in the future the land of Kumari Kandam will be destroyed by a war of destruction that is against whom.

"Hamba wants to put an end to this feeling right now, Your Majesty."

Bheim smiled forcefully in response to Haala. "So in the end you still chose Daxraj."

"Because no one knows who Kumari Kandam's future enemies will be. It's lucky if it's human, but what if the demon is stronger than Gaana? And lucky if the war of destruction arrives on time, but what if it arrives sooner?"

Braheim raised his head. "The son of Daxraj Natesh will certainly inherit his power. So, it would be more appropriate if the servant chose Daxraj Natesh," added Haala.

"While I love you?"

Haala was silent for a moment. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"And even if you love me?"

Haala was silent again. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Bheim. "Let's end this feeling right now."

...¤○●¤○●¤○●¤...

"Just wait, Jihan Joozher. I'll tear your filthy soul apart" Gaana muttered with a sigh.

The terrible laughter accompanied the cries of the babies who called their mothers broke the solemnity of one third of the night. The tiny bodies of the little girls were instantly turned to ashes shortly after their souls were devoured by the starving Gaana. Although not as delicious, Gaana feels better than just being a lump of meat.

Slowly, the original form of Gaana was transformed into a charming young woman. Gaana threw herself into the river, and ascended there to restore her strength. Along with the loss of Gaana's figure in the depths of the river, Kumari Kandam also lost his trademark noisy chatter. Babbling babies asking for milk bottles.

Until the warm rays of the morning sun made all living beings aware that a disaster had just occurred in the peaceful land of Kumari Kandam. And again, for the second time during the reign of Braheim. People flocked to the main gate of the kingdom carved phoenix, they want to complain about the disaster that came without a cue.

"What's going on?"

"Daughter of servants, Your Majesty. The servant's daughter was not in her bed" one of the women's inhabitants replied to Braheim.

"Princess servant too, Your Majesty. Slaves searched for it everywhere but there was none. Please, Your Majesty. Please give me back my slave daughter" said another female resident.

A male resident began to make a sound. "How can there be a way out if this is all the devil's doing?"

Other men are speaking out. "really. If this is true of the devil, even the war commander Kumari Kandam will not be able to do anything."

"Please! How dare you say impolitely before His Majesty the King!" exclamation Murat.

"No, Murat. They're correct. If this is indeed an act of the devil, we who are just ordinary humans are definitely not able to do anything."

Murat cleared his throat, "But, Your Highness, isn't it too soon to conclude that all of this is the work of the devil?"

A male resident approached Murat. "Advisor, who else does it besides the devil? If it were any beasts, why wouldn't there be a single trace of them left behind?"

The other male residents nodded. "really. And if they're thieves, why are they more interested in our babies than their jewelry?"

"Enough. My people, come back and praise the Lord. I promise I won't scare you more than this. Murat, prepare an emergency meeting." Bheim left the main gate.

An emergency meeting was held shortly after Braheim opened his mouth. The veins of anger on Braheim's tired face made everyone who attended the meeting compactly have difficulty breathing. No one spoke, because the meeting leader who was still loyal to his silence since occupying his magnificent seat.

"I feel it. It's Gaana." It's Gaana."

The social minister looked surprised. "Please speak, Your Majesty."

Bheim only nodded in response to the social minister. "Hasn't Gaana been dead since her accomplice was caught? And even if he's alive, isn't it impossible for him to survive because you've starved him with the early marriage laws?"

"Not if he has a new accomplice" Braheim replied to the social minister.

"Please speak, Your Majesty."

Bheim nodded back at the minister of religion. "Hamba agrees with you, Your Majesty. I think Gaana was forced to make those innocent babies his victims because the new laws you've made are starving him."

"I think so too. Does anyone have any other opinions?"

The political minister cleared his throat, "Please have permission to speak, Your Majesty."

"Say."

"But, who is likely Gaana's new accomplice?" ask the political minister for doubt.

Bheim looked at Murat. "My advisor and I have a name, but that's not what matters now. We have to figure out a way to kill that demon before it falls more victims."

"Give us an order, Your Majesty." Everyone in the meeting room was sound.

Braheim again struggled with his silence. There is only one way to fight Gaana. The way is relatively easy if done by the leader of a pure-blooded wandering tribe, Daxraj Natesh. For it is only necessary to mention Gaana's real name, and in an instant the demon of indecent form will be devoured instantly by the fire of hell.

To be honest, Braheim wants to try to realize the only way. But Haala's doubts about her having no strength of a wandering tribe leader, as well as her shadow bodyguard's warning of her being mixed-blooded, made Braheim unsure.

And it is time that Braheim discusses the tales of knee-deep children. Bheim was ready to accept the bullshit stares of everyone in the meeting room, because there was no other way that could minimize the loss of life. Really, only Daxraj Natesh of the future can stop the vicious massacre of Gaana all along.

"For now, we hide the remaining babies and pregnant women in the temple. Although it is unlikely that Gaana will be afraid, just trust God."

"According to your orders, Your Majesty," everyone replied to Braheim.

Bheim. "Then I will hold a follow-up meeting that discusses the new law on birth rate suppression. So prepare your best advice."

"As per your orders, Your Majesty."

"Last of all, find a way to call a tribe of nomads. Regardless of the way that is beyond reason. Because the tribal leader can immediately end the disaster on our land. The meeting's over." Bheim left the meeting room.

...¤○●¤○●¤○●¤...

HOSH.. HOSH.. HOSH..

Jihan awakens from a nightmare about Gaana. Even Jihan had believed that the one who had just disturbed her sleep was not just a nightmare but a memory a few days ago that was deliberately played by her fear. Yes, two days ago Jihan was really close to death. Armed with recklessness, Jihan challenges Gaana to play a puzzle.

The puzzle of who exactly has been twisting the clock all along. An interested Gaana accepts Jihan's challenge, but Jihan's madness refuses to talk more before Gaana is willing to kiss the back of her foot. Gaana went up and attacked Jihan. But luckily Jihan prepared the attack first.

A small bottle of holy water that Jihan tucked in every corner of her room just in case managed to make Gaana even weaker. Feeling unsatisfied, Jihan again poured two bottles of holy water tucked behind a window into Gaana's body. And slowly, that monstrous demonic figure disappeared leaving behind a dense foul scent.

Jihan got out of bed. "He won't die that easily. Is correct. I have to do something to get back on guard."

The belief that Gaana was still alive made Jihan more and more held tight by fear. Jihan rushes to meet Haala's father, a former accomplice of Gaana's, intending to figure out a way to kill the leech-shaped demon. But of course Jihan did not get the answer she wanted. Jihan was forced to make her final attempt.

"Servant."

A female servant hurriedly ran over to Jihan. "Give me the command, Your Majesty."

Jihan stopped her steps. "Burn Forest Mook. No. gabe. Burn all the woods in Kumari Kandam so that the demon has nowhere to hide anymore."

"As per your orders, Your Majesty."

Jihan stopped her steps again. "wait. There's one more. Make it look as if Murat Iskender did it."

"As per your orders, Your Majesty."

"This is a reward because you have become a useless brother, Murat Iskender," Jihan said inwardly, grinning and continuing her steps out of the dungeon.