Travel Stories
There's No such thing as a Free Lunch, Son

Without a clear clue, Kay was trained to collect various things and information scattered. The seconds shifted to the minutes and ran to the clock as he kept trying to search the various corners of the small house, a variety of knowledge that would be able to brighten his mind. As the hours passed towards the end of the day, the Arborite really looked weaker. The glow surrounding his body seemed increasingly thin and faint, and Kay did not want to lose it. Although the old devil always has a tendency to continue being cynical and annoying, Kay knows that in fact it is only she does to cover herself. Her actions of saving Rayna some time ago really gave a clear picture of her true nature...

Ray's?

Ray, where are you??!

Kay sighed softly as her mental call hung on the loneliness without an answer for a long time. I don't know what that silly girl is doing now. Since eliminating his existence, he no longer answered anything. Though Kay really needs another figure to brainstorm for now. Too many things had progressed far beyond what he had anticipated before. When he was finally able to muster the determination and desire to free the spirits of his parents, he had absolutely no shadow of how the situation would be able to progress in this direction. The contents of my father's relics, which now always inhabit his pocket, were truly astonishing, and it seemed, having almost overturned the entire corner of this little house, that, it seems that the last option is simply to open the window door that is under the desk in the father's den and find out more. He only hoped that whatever happened in the process did not make him feel any further regret...

...----------------...

The world is constantly moving in the constant dynamics of the flow of life without waiting. Featuring a variety of plays that develop according to the choice of each entity undergoing, which ultimately produces a variety of stories without pause. As the cloud continues to transform in the sky, the form that appears can never be predicted. As events unfold, so do stories develop on the stage of human life.

The storm kept breathing heavily. He was still unable to accept the fact that he had been lost to the spirit world for almost 10 days. The various flashes of memories of his interactions there were intense and seemed to be imprinted deeply in his memory. Who would have thought that the elegant figure he had met and interacted with for almost more than 10 days was the spirit of the dead?

The young man leaned back slowly. Fatigue does not seem to stop tussling physically and mentally. Makes it seem as if it is tightly isolated from the human world when even a lit cigarette sandwiched between its fingers just puffs up its smoke to be carried by the afternoon breeze, offerings for the trees that shade the current area of the city park. Soft sunlight that warms the boisterous atmosphere of the city park, chattering and joking some young people who are engrossed in their activities, or even lovebirds who are friendly in the view of love who are chatting on the edge of the garden fountain are not able to drive away the cold that continues to hit his heart.

How is this place different from Mr Budi's house yesterday?

Turning off the exhausted cigarette without him knowing, Typhoon only moves to light another rod for him to ignore.

Without Ronald guiding her, she knew that forever, her body would be trapped in that place for a long time. If there is no Ronald, an indigo man who happened to be a good friend of Mr. Budi's spirit when he was alive, Typhoon doesn't even know what the end for him in that place.

Typhoon does not worry about what he eats or drinks as long as he is trapped in that place. He knew for sure that it would not cause him any cause. He even once shopped at a magical market on a mountain most active in Central Java and enjoyed various types of market snacks that he bought at the top of the mountain, he said, and the proof is that he remains healthy to this day. Rather than that, he thought more about what if one day, he stepped into a similar world without anyone like Mr. Ronald awakening and helping him out like yesterday...

Damn it, the more thought of how the side effects of this science are getting horrible, huh?!

Inevitably, the meaning and the curse of the indistinct more powerful in his mind when he realized that all this was caused by the science of medicine taught by his sensei first. But angry and annoyed and free. The grandfather had said that science has terrible side effects, and, and even forbid him to study when he kept trying to recklessly steal and study the old book made of a kind of dried leaf. So, whatever is happening right now, Typhoon is only able to curse himself for the stupid things he did first.

"Ehm, sister, wife.. I'm sorry, do you have any shareable change?"

Eh??!

The girl's clear voice sounded melodious, although the tone of fear and doubt wrapped in her voice appeared unstoppable, the voice resembled the clanking of a clear and pure wind clapper, which was pure, infiltrate and pull Typhoon back into reality..

Or is this really the world of living humans??! Damn it, I'd go crazy this way...

The figure of the little girl was thin even though she seemed to be well-maintained, as well as allowed by the poverty that was clearly suffocating the boy's life forcefully. But at least the simple clothes he uses look clean even though the patches can be seen in several places. Her black and thick hair also looked clean in neat two pigtails. A smile wrapped in fear developed from the tiny lips that display a row of white teeth was maintained cleanliness. The large, oddly-looking woven bag he was holding looked far away from the dust. But even though the overall appearance of this little girl was pleasing to the eye, Typhoon felt that there was something wrong with her.

"Where's this sister from?" reply the Typhoon slowly while upholding its seat. His sharp eyes paid more attention to the overall appearance of the little girl who seemed to be currently, half regretting having come to him.

The boy, who seemed to be only about seven years old, seemed to be getting more agitated, but somehow he did not look at the Typhoon sitting in the chair not far in front of him.

"A. a. Anu, I live near here with my Grandma, Sister." she said again nervously.

Seeing how the little girl was behaving, hesitating, Typhoon raised one of the hands and waved it in front of the girl's face slowly. And when there was no reaction from the girl, Typhoon let out a heavy sigh.

Gusti Prince, what kind of world are you creating??!

His mind roared in grief that swelled uncontrollably. This little girl, unable to see and the fact that she had to ask for this kind of abuse when even the youth hordes on that side were engrossed in comparing the gadgets they were holding??!

Damn it!!!

"My name is Typhoon, Nduk. Have you eaten?" he said softly without being able to untangle the sudden bond as if pressing down on his body, blocking the airflow he was forcibly breathing into his chest.

"Anu, if I may be given a change, brother. Grandma had not eaten since this morning." her great-granddaughter softly, as if afraid of incurring the anger of the person who seemed to be willing to help her this.

"Sit down first. I understand a little bit of medical science, if you want, I can see your grandmother later..."

"Ehmm, but..."

"I won't do anything evil to you, let God curse and take my life at that very moment if I have bad intentions for you. Sit down first." said the gentle Typhoon as he put away his backpack, giving a place for the girl.

"In the meantime, I've got bread here, it seems like it's not just your grandmother who hasn't eaten since morning." typhoon immediately stuttered his backpack when the rumble of a small stomach that finally decided to be willing to sit next to it greeted his ears.

"I'm sorry, sister." replied the girl slowly. A strong sense of shame appeared to appear in the form of a red hue on his tiny cheek as his tiny hand seemed busy squeezing the tip of his shirt. The sight that momentarily made the hard-hearted young man pecked in the charm of world purity.

Huft, the miserable human earth. Gusti Prince, if it was true that they were the owners of the kingdom of heaven, what kind of paradise forced one of its owners to even have to starve like this??!

Inner Typhoon continued roaring with various kinds of negative things uncontrollably. His feelings that were already bad because he had just escaped the death trap of the spirit realm, were getting worse with the real world conditions that were in front of his eyes at this time.

"And why don't you finish your meal, Nduk?" asked the gentle Typhoon when he saw the girl crumple up the plastic bread wrapper he had just eaten in half and tried to put it in the bag.

"I'm full, brother. Grandma had never eaten such good bread as this either." she said. A slight smile appeared on his lips. The moment of gratitude looming from that little face really felt like a razor blade that was pressed down firmly and dragged slowly in the heart of the Typhoon.

Duh, Nduk, just such bread alone is enough to bring gratitude until it looks on your face like this, lha I have been doing it all this time??!

"Spend, Nduk. Brother still has it for your Grandma." said Typhoon slowly when unknowingly, water flowed from his eyes without being able to hold it. This simple sight really made his hardened heart fall apart. Looking at the joyful shock mixed with gratitude emanating from the little boy's face over a loaf of bread and water was truly able to make him question himself..

If I were in his position, would I be like this brat???

Will I be able to not complain, for a while now, I often curse because I feel that my life is so miserable??!

Compared to this boy, what can I count???

Looking at the boy who seemed to be enjoying such a simple meal, the young man became more and more immersed in various thoughts of self-deprecation. He could not even stop cursing and cursing when he realized that for some time, he was trapped in the spirit world. In fact, after Ronald's departure, he found several pieces of money with a decent amount, worth the amount promised by Mr. Budi when he came to ask for work. Not to mention all the knowledge he had gained??

It seems that I am still the same trash, who chose to hurt rather than heal, lamented the inner Typhoon.

......................

Rayna couldn't hold back her own feelings. Hearing Abo's words, seeing him in a weakened condition every time he tried to get out of the circle, and finally knowing that Abo was trying to give him a chance without thinking about his own safety was really sad, he could not see or hear it any longer. So he chose to shut himself up and leave the house.

He may need to find out more about the circle. If even Abo knew all this to the point of confusion, and no clues about him could be found in the house, he might be able to find answers elsewhere.

And armed with a noble mind without careful consideration, Rayna began to move from one place to another, in the hope that there will be clues even a little about it. But almost all day he moved from various places without getting anything. Which is actually very reasonable. If the Arborite alone did not know, how could anyone else be able to understand about such an old thing so easily?

But the beautiful ghost did not give up. Every place he thought he'd be able to keep a clue, he came. And it was frustration that finally led her way back to this place.

The main intersection of the city road is deserted, but it should be, the festive atmosphere of the various shop lights and city crowds should be able to give a little color, but not.

Hmmm, it seems that this grudge eater had eaten up apparently. May he be spoken to when he is not hungry anymore, Rayna's mind.

Slowly, he concentrated as much as he could. The girl began to materialize as her hand reached for the pebbles and began to scratch some symbols on the ground, and when it was done, gallantly she stood back up.

"Vengeful Eaters, get out!!! I know you're here!"

The violent wind whirled wildly, threatening and causing horror as his swish seemed to carry thousands of poisonous thin needles.

"Hmmm, although I am not too hungry, but rejecting the windfall that comes alone is not good, hyks hyks..."

The voice sounded faint, but unlike mental communication, it was like being carried by the wind from a distant place. While outside the circle of various symbols drawn by Rayna, the wind seemed to try to damage the lines and images but was unable to break through.

"Owh, apparently this little spirit can play around... Let's see how long you can last, little girl..."

Despite her fear, the beautiful ghostly figure tried hard as she replied, "I'm not afraid of you, old Grandma. You can't get in without me. Answer my question, and when your answer satisfies me, I let you in."

"Owh, brave princess. Well, I can play with you a little longer. What do you need to know, little ghost?" the sigh of the dark shadow that seemed to manifest from the wind and cold was slow.

"What do you know about symbols like this? I need to destroy it..."

It's very typical of Rayna. If he already knew that even a Vengeful Eater needed his permission just to pierce through his shield, how could he know about breaking through something even far greater than what was protecting him at the moment?

The shadow of the frail old grandmother's embodiment sniggered long. It seemed that he would be able to last much longer when he could eat this stupid ghost soul. His lips formed a vile grin as his wrinkled hands waved in an intricate pattern, and slowly, the wind seemed to gather and form small tornadoes that moved together, blowing various dust and earth to damage the symbol Rayna made.

"Silly boy, tattoo the children's toys you showed me... It seems that you are tired." he said amid the vile chuckle that was thrown.

Seeing this, horror appeared on Rayna's pretty face. As the part of the symbol section on the ground began to break down, a foul-smelling chill seemed to compress the air, blocking its ability to move and escape. Fear began to stir up and take control of his mind. Every exit he could think of, gave no real result. The frail grandmother moved closer and closer, her thin, wrinkled fingers began to lengthen and revealed nails that looked very sharp. His lips seemed to be torn to the inner ear a vile grin, revealing terrifyingly sharp teeth.

Shit, if this is how, how should I???

"No. no. Just go! YO!!!"

......................

The little girl's name was Andini. Over time, it seemed that he finally accepted that the soft-spoken young man wanted to help him. Slowly, a previously unseen cheerful attitude began to emerge. Questions and jokes came out of his lips. Even when he told me that he only knew Grandma all this time without anyone else taking care of him, he told me that as if it was a very good thing. There is no remorse for his ignorance of the two parents who might leave him for dead or what the story might look like. He didn't even seem to think a single bad thing about it. It makes Typhoon very ashamed of itself.

The entire time, the young man had only followed the small steps galloping beside him. If Typhoon doesn't know that Andini can't see, maybe he'll think that this girl is okay, seeing how this vision disability seems to be a meaningless hindrance to him. But as he moved further away from the settlement, a feeling of threat began to appear in his heart. The dim atmosphere of twilight that penetrates the lush scrub fence is nothing for the Typhoon, but there is a presence of this concentrated clear meaning.

Damn, if this one can bother business.. Don't you think this kid is a demon too?

The inner Typhoon was full of thoughts as the air began to feel dense, pressing and stifling. The faint smell of musty soil mixed with the stench of sulfur floated carried by the restless twilight wind, as if to move away from that location as fast as he could.

"Sir, stop for a second. Where are we going?" ask Typhoon slowly. Although prejudice filled his heart, he did not want to be rash. The eve and smell brought about by the presence of this entity was not something that could be considered playful.

Andini stopped hearing this question. Although he could not see, he turned to the sound of the Typhoon.

"The house where Grandma and I live is at the end of this street, sister" he replied.

The typhoon heaved a heavy sigh hearing this answer. Sadness emerged from the bottom of his heart. Annihilating an entity capable of displaying purity like this little brat was simply awful. But he realized, if he allowed this kind of presence to remain, a human without the ability and knowledge of the world like this brat lived could suffer a terrible death.

I'm sorry, Nduk.. May the Creator accept you in His heaven, as He has always promised...

The inner Typhoon rang with regret as a series of evil existence-destroying spells strung together. Briefly, both of his hands formed a mudra stance as pure power surged from the depths of him, which seemed to also press the panic button of nature at that moment. A strong wind sweep came suddenly, hitting like a high-speed truck, waving various shrubs and lush trees that shaded the small path. Bringing along the cold freeze the bones along with the strong smell of sulfur rot.

But the Typhoon stood firm. His lips continued to tremble in the incantation, pushing pure power towards his two hands that were still continuing to form mudras. His steps were steadfastly unshakeable as his preparations reached the top. Nature seemed to be mad in the hysterical screams of the wind that slapped and clawed at the earth with all their strength as the hands of the Typhoon stretched out towards Andini, seemingly untouched by even the slightest wind. A sweet smile still lingered on her lips, although the small frown on her forehead slightly showed me a question, why did this soft-spoken sister seem to be confused and scared when they were almost home.

Forgive brother, Nduk...

"STOP, YOUNG MAN!"

But the ringing cry of an old woman exploded in the Cyclone's mind, blocking and freezing the movement of his hands. A dense cold chill emerged and strengthened from the end of the path in front of him.

"Let the boy go, otherwise, I'll ruin your miserable existence."

The grunting typhoon was acting out the threat that rang in his mind. His eyes that were filled with a gentle radiance earlier started to harden in a radiance of determination.

"If you think you can, do it. Your existence is no longer here. Go, go back to your realm, and I'm not going after any of this.."

"A snob!"

The wind chirping seemed to have completely solidified in the form of blades that were hardening towards the Typhoon, bringing a terrible chill, but it seemed that the young man had completely ignored him. He only slammed his left foot onto the ground three times as a spell struck in his mind. His fingers continued to move in an intricate form, forming various mudras as wind forces began to land and tear his flesh in several places. But it didn't take long when suddenly, as quickly as it came, the wind simply disappeared, leaving the Typhoon with some superficial wounds that were still draining blood.

But this whole series of short but terrible events seems to involve no Andini in the least. The little girl was still silent waiting for an answer from the Typhoon, which at this time, was beginning to be filled with confusion about this.

"But if you don't want to, papa. Tomorrow if it's bright, brother? Andin likes to forget that other people's worlds have dark and light." he said slowly, which actually hurt the Typhoon much more painful than the presence of the evil spirit of the damned before.

Ah, never mind.. Likes do not like, this is a consequence that I have to bear, lamented inner Typhoon sad

But as the power began to form and layered both of his hands in a strong black red light, the ringing of that frail voice re-sounded in his mind

"Please stop that, young man... Please..."

"Huh, now you're begging?" the Typhoon in his mind. He did not destroy the evil spirit, not yet. He had only imprisoned her in a special seal, a seal capable of imprisoning and eliminating the abilities of various evil spirits from harming humans, even the seal was able to destroy their existence. And for him, even though a creature like this could hurt him, but his ability was not enough to endanger the soul in the slightest.

"The boy has no one to look after him but me..."

"What do you mean??!"

"The child is still human..."

Eh??!

"Sister?"

"Ehm, let's go again, Nduk. Sorry, I was a little confused." replied Typhoon. Finally he went back to following the little girl's steps as the frail voice of the old woman continued to ring in his mind. Tells the story of another similar tragedy, a tragedy that almost happened in every era and time. Tragedy that occurs because humans are unable to deny lust and are reluctant to accept the consequences of their own actions. The tragedy Typhoon was hoping for, was not the same as his...