Even just saying sorry, I couldn't say it to him. I couldn't face him since that incident. Since he buried Jagoan near Telaga Dahaga, my self-confidence was buried too.
________________________
That the sky is looking at you.
Exhaling his unborn desire.
Hoping you'll ask him to give you a drop of rain.
With which you don't feel alone anymore - with lots of raindrops accompanying you, isn't that not alone?
I know for sure it makes you sad, holding back your sadness for him.
I want to be with you in his place.
Walking the long road without a lantern.
In order to make a life of a sliced heart.
Oh, you
How cold.
More than the cold of this rainy night.
I don't know how to face you anymore.
_______________________
***
I still remember the sound of his neighing. "Jagoan, your struggles so far must have often made you feel thirsty. Now the Lake of Dahaga is beside you, hopefully you will not feel thirsty anymore…" I decided to take a walk to relieve this feeling of sadness. I walked past the terraces of the joglo rooms.
I accidentally saw a group of soldiers. They looked messy. It seemed like they had just returned from the battlefield. Stretchers were being carried into a room. Among the soldiers on stretchers, some still had swords and spears stuck in their bodies, like the sword that had stuck in Jagoan's chest at that time.
They were badly injured. Countless soldiers were lining up to be taken to the royal clinic. Like a human train lined up.
It was just a scene of hundreds of soldiers queuing to be treated, not to mention the number of soldiers buried in mass graves on the battlefield. Thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or millions of lives were lost in a single war. Even though this was not a major war. This was just one small war to stop the betraying allied kingdom. Then what about the war against Manunggal tomorrow?
Witnessing the victims of the war, my mind was momentarily diverted to my world there. We should be grateful, the archipelago is no longer at war. Mmm, is it true that it is not at war? Then what is that condition called? When, for example, in a company or organization there are those who compete to become leaders. Not all parties strive for healthy competition. The effects of bad competition cause people to fall ill and eventually die. Even more terrifying, an example is in political competition. How the ambition to become a ruler causes them to use despicable methods; incitement, slander, mutually badmouthing the opposing party and over-imposing themselves, dividing each other, and other low methods. Oh yes, strangely, those methods are not considered low because they have become part of the culture. 'That smooth and friendly game' is actually considered 'elegant'.
The archipelago currently has a ton of regulations on human rights enforcement, but it seems like none of them realize it when implementing tactics to bring down opponents. What's even sadder is that when the incident of mutual attacks occurs, they don't realize that they have brought down their opponents in a bad way. Instead, they are euphoric over their success in occupying a position.
I shudder to remember the manner in which that power struggle took place.
Indeed, those conditions are not wars that cause victims to die from being stabbed by swords, spears, arrows. However, is a soul stabbed by slander better than a body stabbed by a sword?
I don't know which condition is actually better; fighting physically like I see here, or fighting subtly like in my world.
"Hmm, why should I think so much about this war. After all, it's not certain that the power grabbers in my world realize that we're in a state of war…" I exhaled as I continued walking.
***
I went back to my room. When I arrived at the door, I saw Bara talking to someone in the living room. I waited for them, and couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversation.
After observing for a while, I realized that the person who was discussing with Bara was Gajah Mada. I continued to pay attention to their serious conversation.
"More than half of our warriors have been defeated by Arya," explained Bara.
"I already guessed it. We need to find additional warriors," suggested Gajah Mada.
"Yes, as many as possible. Even though they are new warriors and far from the archipelago. We need to double the number of paid warriors. Make sure to visit every martial arts school and ask for their services."
"I'll have someone take care of that."
"The recruitment of warriors must be carried out the night before the war. So that Arya does not know their identities and destroy them."
"The night before the great war? That's too close, we need half of those warriors to come with you to face Arya."
"No! Their lives will be in vain if they come with me. I will face Arya alone."
Their conversation stopped for a moment.
"Okay, if you're determined," Gajah Mada apparently let Bara face Arya alone. He then got up to end the conversation.
He stepped out the door. I observed this famous figure. But the closer I got, the more I lowered my head, not daring to look at him. When he was right in front of me, I bowed as a sign of respect. He stopped and said to Bara, "As you requested, I will leave two chosen men to guard him."
He continued walking after ordering two of his soldiers to stay and guard in front of my room.
Bara also packed his weapons. It seemed like he was ready to carry out his mission again.
***
Tuesday, August 14, 1347 AD
(3 days before the great Majapahit-Manunggal war)
It's been almost a week since Bara returned. Of course, his task this time is harder than usual. And I can only wait. Even my movements are not free at the moment, I can't go anywhere. I am guarded by 2 soldiers. Bara makes sure that I don't run away and cause any more trouble.
When I left the room, wherever I went, the guards always followed me.
"Hey, aren't you guys busy preparing for war? Look at your friends so busy training?!" I said, a little bored of always being followed. They ignored me.
The Majapahit soldiers would leave for the battlefield the night before the D-day. For that, they trained very hard day and night.
I don't know why I'm nervous about this war. As the day approaches, my heart starts pounding harder. "Do the soldiers feel the same way I do?" I take a deep breath to calm myself.
***
(2 days before the great Majapahit-Manunggal war)
My thoughts became more chaotic as the days went by. My appetite also disappeared. One thing that was the focus of my mind at the moment was Bara's conversation with Gajah Mada at that time. After I digested it deeply, I managed to conclude that; by allowing Bara to face Arya, it meant that Gajah Mada allowed Bara to take his life! Bara would face Arya alone, without the Keris Galaksi and Jagoan. On the other hand, Arya had the Keris Galaksi. I couldn't imagine what would happen to him...
The Majapahit and Manunggal war will begin the day after tomorrow, meaning tomorrow Bara will face Arya. I paced back and forth thinking if there was a solution to stop them.
***
I stayed awake all night without being able to solve this tricky problem.
Today, the time has come for Bara and Arya to compete. Have they met? Maybe they fought at Telaga Dahaga. That place is historic for both of them. Unfortunately, I can't go there because these guards are keeping me from running away.
I was very anxious. My mind was very tangled. The palace was also getting more crowded with soldiers coming and going preparing for war.
"If I don't meet Bara today, maybe we won't meet forever. Maybe I'll be trapped here forever, unable to return to my world. Oh God, what should I do…"
I decided to ask the guards to take me to see Gajah Mada. At first, they refused on the pretext that Gajah Mada was very busy because tonight the Majapahit troops would visit the battlefield. After hours of explaining, they finally reluctantly agreed to my request.
As I walked, I mentally prepared myself to face Gajah Mada. After meeting him, I asked to speak privately. I was actually very nervous about talking to the man whose name was listed in the history book.
"Say what you want to say?" he scolded after waiting for some time and I still didn't speak.
"Before, I apologize for interrupting your time," I stuttered a bit as I started this conversation. Even though I was very emotional knowing his intention to allow Bara to face Arya, that emotion lessened when faced with the authoritative figure in front of me. I tried to choose words to express my intention that opposed his intention, "Did you know that Bara no longer holds the Keris Galaksi?"
"Yes, I already know," he responded, still with a calm and dignified expression.
"Without the Keris Galaksi, Bara would not have won against Arya. Moreover, the keris is in Arya's hands," I explained. Gajah Mada did not respond to my sentence. He turned around and walked slowly towards the chair. This time without thinking I said again, "Don't you consider them both your own children? Then, why did you let Bara fight against Arya?? That's the same as you telling Bara to die..!" Finally, the emotions I had been holding back exploded.
"It's not like that, Son. I couldn't stop it," he answered softly, looking down.
"Alright. I'll get straight to the point, if you still have a bit of conscience for Bara, then let me follow him."
"What are you going to do?"
"You just need to trust me. I have a way that can at least delay Bara's death for a day, two days, or luckily until you finish fighting. I can go alone without a bodyguard," I tried to convince him.
***
I watched the brothers fight for their lives. Knowing my presence, Bara was surprised and forced me to go back. But in a fighting condition, he couldn't argue with me much. Finally, he just signaled me not to get close to the battle arena.
Now I can understand why I have never seen his lips smile. He always faces the day seriously. His mind only revolves around; improving his martial arts skills, planning war strategies, facing enemies, winning in battle or being killed. During his life, those were the only things that were the focus of his mind. All for the sake of uniting the archipelago with Gajah Mada.
________________________
With the wind
I witnessed it.
A piece of iron clashed with each other.
The iron is shining sharply.
As sharp as your tongue when you bring down your opponent
I calmly watched the intense scenes.
Like on a movie screen. The difference is, this movie theater doesn't have a glass screen but a wind screen.
The sharp iron cut through his soft skin.
Then the soft skin sprayed out drops of water, but not clear water, but rather a fresh red color like cherry syrup.
The red liquid dripped, dirtying the grass and the cloth that stuck to his body.
What an artistic scene. The action movie director probably wouldn't cut this scene.
Unfortunately, I was just a spectator who couldn't get into the scene.
I was just silently moved because I really enjoyed this spectacle.
_______________________
***
Just being scratched by a knife, I feel very sore. Even though it is treated and bandaged, it still stings for a few days. But Bara doesn't seem to feel any pain. Even though his body is full of wounds that are not just scratches. The wounds are deep, I can see the red part in his flesh. And the blood keeps dripping. He only occasionally wipes it lightly like wiping sweat.
Arya was not without wounds. He was also struck by Bara's sword. Who knows how much longer he can hold out in this battle without taking out the Keris Galaksi. It seems he is still calculating the limits of Bara's martial arts skills.
Bara hoped to hold Arya back until Gajah Mada finished the great war. He tried his best to prevent Arya from joining the battlefield to wipe out Gajah Mada's soldiers. His strategy might be realized, as long as... as long as Arya did not take out the Keris Galaksi. Although Arya was very great, without the keris, at least there was a glimmer of a chance for Bara to save his life. He could act as a tough defender. No matter how great Arya attacked, Bara would try to defend with his spirit. 'Cobras fight using their deadly poison, pythons fight using their muscle spirit', perhaps these two types of vicious snakes could describe them.
***
The swords of the two young men shone orange as they reflected the light of dusk. Soon, the light that illuminated the field would change to a darker color. The sun would exchange thrones with the moon.
I'm increasingly worried that Arya will decide to speed up this battle because she wants to join the Manunggal Kingdom soldiers on their way to the battlefield.
Sure enough, my negative prediction immediately came true. Arya held the Keris Galaksi. He prepared to open it. Bara also looked cornered.
Like the previous atmosphere, the sky accelerated its night light. Stars appeared in groups, as if they were skillfully arranged to form a galaxy. The view of the sky was very beautiful if there was no battle.
The cold air vortex also hit my skin. Keris Galaksi began to focus its energy to absorb the power of the sword and the life in front of him. On the other hand, Bara persistently tried to keep his position stable. He used all his inner strength to block the energy suction of Keris Galaksi. Bara's efforts were able to prolong Keris Galaksi's consumption of all his energy.
Bara seemed to still be able to stand his ground. But slowly but surely, his energy was being sucked into the Keris Galaksi.
The color of the Keris Galaksi also changed to red, a sign that it was at the peak of its power. Now the Keris Galaksi was ready to devour anything in front of it! The Keris Galaksi began to move forward to stab its opponent..!
I was prepared for it. I ran to block the movement of the Keris Galaksi. Exactly, it pierced the upper part of my stomach.
I held the curve of the keris that was tearing my heart. To avoid seeing my blood, I turned my face towards the beautiful sky. The number of stars was very many, a night painting that I would never have witnessed without the Keris Galaksi.
The cluster of stars that make up the galaxy, surrounds a black vortex. I wish I could enter the vortex that looks like a black hole soon, so that I can stop feeling this excruciating pain…
***
________________________
When words no longer work.
Only the sound of the soul can communicate.
Living with a veil of the heart.
Radiance of light covers my earth, your earth, the earth we stand on.
If only he could incarnate in the depths of my heart.
I'm happy remembering it.
Along with the beautiful decoration of the sky this time.
Life is just a phenomenon of the nadir flapping its wings.
You will not be able to carry out what is assigned to you, without a burning heart.
The struggle was tough.
Not as light as a gentle breeze.
But beautifully, it is crowned with the hearts of friends.
Bursting into your chest.
A beautiful beam of pain.
________________________
***