True Martial Arts
Shadow of Terrible Creatures; Mahanta's Death

“Of course. Before that, I'll give you plenty of supplies. You got an interspatial ring, don't you? It was made directly from your teacher, he already knew that at some point the interspatial dimension would be broken.” Mahanta went to the back, like picking up some stuff.

He came back with a pile of old scrolls. It must contain science, which is very valuable.

“This is all our made, me and Akhza.” Mahanta put the scrolls in front of Kala, then back to the back.

This time he brought wooden boxes with carvings of wayang and batik.

“In it are pills and some plant seeds that you really need later. It's made by me and Akhza as well, I highly recommend don't give it to anyone other than the three of you.” Mahanta took out a single scroll from his pouch. “Well, if this is a food recipe that we have not tried. We promised to cook this for our students. We dreamed of gathering when we had disciples and tried this recipe. For now, I can't cook it because Akhza isn't here.”

“Mahanta, if you had known that Master had ...”

“Hold it, I don't want to hear from you. Just a little bit, I don't want to hear it!” yells. “It's midnight. You have to sleep to prepare the energy tomorrow.”

Kala sighed and went to her room, before that, she told him to wake her before sunrise. After that, he slept well. Really sleeping, not as usual just meditating.

***

When he felt that someone was shaking his body, he woke up from sleep and found the room completely dark without a single candle lit. In the window, Kala saw the shadow of Mahanta waking himself up.

“They've arrived here. They found this place, I don't know how they broke through my formation. However, that is the reality, you must be secured.”

When you wake up. Alang had woken up first. All the candles in the house were turned off. They just rely on instinct to guess the road.

After which, they both settled into Kaia's room, waking her up very slowly. Mahanta explained the condition to Kaia, the cold girl was half sleepy but panicked, quickly taking her sword under the bed.

“Listen, I have a basement. Very safe there,” whispered Mahanta, “tie the mattress as neatly as possible, make it as if this mattress is not used. I'll sleep on Kala's bed so they don't suspect.”

Kaia assisted Kala to tidy the mattress quickly despite the dark conditions. After that Mahanta started to point the direction towards the basement. Kala and Kaia rushed for a brisk walk towards the bathroom, where the basement door was right on the bathroom floor.

After entering the hole, Kala again locked the door. He led Kaia down the stairs using the Eye of Garuda. As their feet touched the ground floor, the room instantly brightened with a yellow light. The candles automatically lit up, a miracle in this old house.

It is clear in this room. There were sacks of rice, weapons, books, air chimneys, and stoves to make small-scale food, and one hard mattress.

“Yes, here we are. Just for a while,” said Kala, “if you're sleepy, sleep on that mattress.”

“We are being chased by a terrible creature that we ourselves do not know, how can I sleep in peace?” Kaia's eyes were half closed and she was also half asleep.

“Already, sleep only. Tomorrow we have to walk far, or even run.” Kala smiled as she pushed Kaia into the bed. “You are also Alang, tomorrow I will be expecting you very much. It's possible you'll stay in the air all day.”

Alang had refused, but finally obeyed and slept perched on the wooden bed next to Kaia.

“You didn't sleep?” tanya Kaia was in a lying position.

“If I want to sleep, I'll sleep downstairs. Well, now you have to sleep.” Kala leaned against the brick wall behind him and drowsiness began to attack him.

***

“Hey, Young Boy! You must wake up!”

Kala woke up after hearing the sound of the door opening and the cry of Mahanta. Kala got enough sleep, but it looks like Mahanta didn't sleep last night at all.

“Mahanta, how is the condition?”

“They're gone, but not far from here. Probably still driving around the woods looking for you.” Mahanta rubs his eyes. “I don't mean expel, but you guys need to get out of here. They're so dangerous, even I almost died last night.”

Kala nodded then took Kaia and Alang upstairs. The room above is no longer in good condition. Many spots of blood-like black stains on the walls, and some of the furniture split in half. The drawers opened and all the items inside were already scattered below.

“They ransacked the whole house, I beat them half dead until almost killed.” Mahanta continued to lead them into the middle room. “They are just like ordinary humans. Their swords were black, and they wore the same black armor. I don't see their faces, covered in shadows!”

“How about their strength, Mahanta?” kala asked, Mahanta stopped his way with a horrified face.

“Difficult to explain, but they are so powerful! Their aura was filled with hatred and death. When you're nearby, maybe you can't move so scared!”

Mahanta told them to repackage things, because Kaia's backpack had been torn by them, along with the contents. Mahanta has some nice girl clothes, somehow he can have it, Mahanta refused to tell the story.

“Oh, my good guest. Forgive Mahanta who can't entertain you guys well.” Mahanta lethargic. “If you guys don't go, maybe they will come back here with more amount. Last night they just retreated, I only managed to kill one.”

After preparing a new backpack, Mahanta serves food. Just a few times chew while standing, not special and long.

“Listen, Kala. They would not dare to attack in the crowd. At least it will be until they bring in troops, because that is the nature of darkness. All you have to do is get to Red Grail City, the closest city from here.”

“Yes, Mahanta. I am so grateful for your protection. I will repay your kindness if the situation is at peace again.”

“No need to think about it,” said Mahanta then laughed, “it is my duty to protect you, as the teacher's uncle, or the teacher's grandfather. Well, now you guys have to go, there's a road behind the house, follow me.”

Mahanta led them to the back house. The door opened, cold air entered while the sky was still dimly lit. The reeds flew into the sky, according to plan, sneaking among the crowd of small birds that went foraging.

Kala nodded her head and walked out of the door, stepping on the still wet ground followed by Kaia. Mahanta stood in the doorway, silently stroking his fatal wound from the fight last night, right next to the heart. He had endured the pain for a long time so that Kala and Kaia would not worry.

Mahanta certainly knew the battle of Kala while protecting many villagers and how regretful the result of a precious person dying for him. Mahanta does not want Kala to be depressed again by regret, if he has to die.

“Ah, they're gone. I can sleep well.” Mahanta closed the door and his body fell to the floor without moving again.

The forest grew darker as they moved deeper and deeper, until they again heard the sound of crickets and met the road on the map. But Kala refused to use the main road, cutting the road to the southeast.

Although walking through the forest is more difficult than walking on a road that has been made before, Kala prefers to sneak between the trees so as not to be seen.

The sun was rising, but it was cloudy. They continued walking, except for Alang who was monitoring the two from above.

An extremely vast bamboo forest stretched out before their eyes, that was what was visible on the map. Kala decided to take a lunch break, he also called Alang.

“Food this time is not special, but I try to stay good.” Kala took out some cookies and grilled meat, but he realized that the grilled meat had rotted.

It seems that the damage of the interspatial dimension is not unaffected by Master's ring, food can be rotten when only how many days ago I burned it.

Knowing the grilled meat was not edible, they only ate pastries, except for the Alangs who ate the energy stones. Now it can be known by Kaia, pastries taste very delicious in these conditions.

“This bamboo forest is very dark, it does not seem safe if here continue, Kala?”

“Safe only, the most important thing is there is no hill near, they can not see us. It is also impossible if by any chance meet us here, the forest is very vast.” Kala explained. “Moreover, they wear iron armor, which will definitely sound clangs if they are close to us, coupled with that terrifying aura.”

Kaia nodded in understanding, but she still did not feel safe. Kala can understand that, Kaia used to live in a quiet and peaceful village, now she has to run around in fear of being chased by dark creatures, Kaia also has to accept that she does not have a home.

“Kaia, forgive me for having to involve you.” Kala smiled lethargicly. “After reaching Red Cup City, you should stop following me. I'll make you a dress shop or whatever, so you can live in peace. I will also ask for a cure from Maheswari to cure you, after which I and Alang can leave you.”

“What are you saying? It's just nonsense!”

Kala just shook his head slowly with a listless smile.

“I'll follow you, anywhere! Even if it's to the Black Moon or the Dark Lands! Catch that and stop your bullshit.”

“You must get away from me! It will only endanger your life!”

“Oh, then, let's estimate for a moment.” Kaia took her breath. “If medicine for me cannot be found, then I will die. If I live selling in the city, then I will die in vain.”

“No, Kaia. You can enjoy a period of peace before you die.” Kala spoke after holding back her anger as much as possible, Kaia went back to discussing this matter again!

“I don't want to die like that. I want to die next to you. I want to die when I'm done helping you, until the end. I want to die after I've enjoyed your cooking for the rest of my life. Let me get this, I beg.”

Kala did not answer Kaia, she was already too angry. Kaia similarly doubted her ability to heal herself, but on the other hand Kala also thought of the worst possibility: Kaia died.

Kala stood up, cleaned her clothes and then said briefly, “We have to go.”

***

It's been two days the brand has moved. The situation is very shabby, lack of rest and eat well. Now they hide behind the bushes, waiting for Kala's decision.

The green valley is very open, with many high hills and cliffs on both sides. It is more correctly referred to as a grass field, because there are almost no trees in the valley.

“There is no other way, we have to pass through the valley,” chirps Kala.

Kaia looked at Kala for a moment with a look of wonder. It's something very risky. They do not know how fast the darkness is, or know for sure their strength. Although they eventually walked in the valley, Kaia still felt annoyed.

Just this time. In warm daylight, the open scenery is nice with gorgeous hills, cool air, but so scary. It was as if walking through a sea of haunted old graves in a night without stars and moons, even more terrifying.

When he felt himself naked and seen in public, he really felt very reluctant to stand in the middle of this open valley.

The grasses are a little higher than the knees, making them unable to move too fast, yes although Kala can actually be faster, but it is impossible to leave Kaia behind.

The long valley felt longer. They start to get dizzy instead of clutter when they feel they have not reached the end of the valley.

However, after a while of not seeing any black shadows or anything dangerous, they started to relax more and enjoy the ride.

They made it through the valley safely. The road turns to the right, slightly uphill to the east. After that the road again decreased until they met a small river whose water was clear and the current was calm, seen some small fish swimming quickly under it. Kala decided to take a break.

“We don't know where exactly the darkness is right now, I hope your eyes aren't relaxed for now, keep looking around.” Kala gave a warning. “After we get to the Red Grail, then we will be safe. After that, forget about this fuck-up incident.”

They filled the bottle with fresh water, had a short lunch with cookies, then resumed their journey. Kala chose to go into the forest, not through public roads.

***

After going through the river, the ground became arid and the sun seemed to ferment many times. Had there not been clear water from the river, they would not have survived. Not to mention Kala continued to force his way.

“This is not true, I can not walk anymore.” Kaia fell to the ground.

“I don't want to take any chances. This forest is dry, the leaves are not lush and it makes our body visible even from a very long distance.”

Just finished Kala said like that, a rustling sound was heard from the far west. Kala quickly took out Keris Garuda Puspa on standby and was very frightened to face the worst possibility: black armor from the darkness!

The sound moved very quickly in the other direction. When confused about where to pull the keris.

Alang was aware of the danger, he cheered loudly before flying into the sky. The limp Kaia seemed to have all her strength back, she woke up with a drawn sword, but her body trembled violently.