I. A Morning Forged in Unease
The morning mist still hung thickly, clinging tightly to every corner of Wellspring Valley Village as if unwilling to release the night's secrets. The first kiss of dawn was shy, trapped behind that thick blanket. Inside the silent Private Sanctuary, Nadim opened his eyes. His first glance fell upon the faint shadows dancing on the cengal wood walls of his room.
Wellspring Valley was not just an ordinary settlement; it was the essence, the Heritage Valley, considered the spiritual and vital heart of the entire Realm of Bantara. The surrounding nature was like a giant's embrace: it was encircled by a majestic chain of hills and seven mighty mountains—a natural bulwark that had long served as a shield for the natural world. This fortress, forged with ancient magic and the covenant of Demang Lebar Daun, had existed since the beginning of time, impervious to both physical and mystical foes. Yet, this morning, the fortress felt shaky, as if its supporting pillars had been afflicted by a silent, rotting disease.
The serene atmosphere was a fragile illusion. Only the sound of the late-sleeping owl, interspersed with the rustle of wind passing through the bamboo groves planted by the window, broke the silence. The sun had not yet climbed over the peak of Mount Lambak, the sacred hill east of the village and the landmark of Wellspring Valley, but its faint glow was beginning to touch the heavy clouds, painting them with cool orange tones.
However, this day felt different. The air, usually clean and fresh with the aroma of the valley and forest blossoms, now felt thick and heavy. It was laden with something Nadim did not yet understand, something cold, alien, and terrifying, completely unlike the mystic warmth of the Heritage Valley he had absorbed since childhood.
II. The Pulse of the Sky Heritage Kris
Beside his bed, placed upon a black velvet cloth embroidered with gold, rested the Sky Heritage Kris (Keris Warisan Langit). It was known as one of the primary weapons of the Pusaka of the Seven Kingdoms of Bantara, a kris believed to store a fragment of the seven mountains' strength itself. Its blade, which legend claimed was forged from a meteorite shard that fell to earth thousands of years ago and tempered with the tears of the last dragon, possessed a unique dark blue color—almost resembling a moonlit night sky, unlike ordinary iron blades.
Nadim took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart, which was beginning to beat erratically. The morning light filtering through the small window of the Private Sanctuary touched the blade, and there seemed to be a subtle, soundless pulse, felt only in the air, waiting for the right hand to grasp it.
Nadim, a young man in his early twenties who had just completed his rigorous training under the guidance of High Master Raja Biduanda, felt a burden on his shoulders. Not a physical weight, but the gravity of a responsibility recounted repeatedly in ancient tales: that when the first darkness touched the land of Bantara, a new guardian would emerge. That guardian, titled the King of Seven Mountains, would become the shield and carry the Sky Heritage Kris.
"Why is my heart beating like this?" Nadim whispered to himself, his voice almost lost in the stillness. His hand rose to touch his chest. The throbbing was not the thrum of paralyzing fear, but the pulse of terrifying excitement and profound readiness. He knew, without being told verbally, that 'his time,' long awaited by the entire Wellspring Valley and the High Master, had arrived.
III. The Trembling Gateway
A soft knock on the door broke the silence—a knock that was polite yet urgent, as if it could not be delayed any longer.
The figure of High Master Raja Biduanda appeared at the threshold. His dark red robe, adorned with neat gold cloud embroidery, fluttered slightly in the morning breeze. The High Master's face, usually calm and filled with unwavering wisdom, now showed deep lines of tension. His eyes looked hollow, as if he had stayed awake all night, his mind striving hard to keep the world from collapsing.
"Nadim… the time has come," the High Master's voice was heavy, carrying a tension that made the hair on Nadim's neck stand on end. "This morning. The Darkness no longer waits at the border. It has seized our first gate."
Nadim rose instantly, casting aside any questions lingering in his mind. He knew that in such a state, there was only one thing to do: act. He took the Sky Heritage Kris, unsheathing it briefly—its dark blue glow seemingly absorbed the light around it—and then sheathed it at his waist. The kris felt heavy, like the burden of ancient history, yet it was not cumbersome; instead, it felt like an extension of his own veins, calling him to action.
"Bukit Banang?" Nadim asked, referring to the northernmost hill in the defensive chain.
"Yes. Bukit Banang," the High Master replied, turning his gaze north as if he could see the situation there. "The Great Chain that binds the Bantara Gate… the first link at Bukit Banang is beginning to weaken. It is the bond forged when the Creator united the seven mountains. If it breaks, the entire Realm of Bantara will shake. Not just the physical world, Nadim, but the balance of spiritual energy will collapse. The Darkness will be free to enter, like a flood breaking a fragile dam."
IV. Allies and Responsibility
With every step Nadim took towards the veranda of the Heritage Sanctuary, his heart hammered like a distant war drum, driving his blood. When he arrived, his two allies, also the High Master's most prominent disciples, were already waiting in full readiness.
Hang Jaya, the Young Commander renowned for his agility and physical strength, stood rigid like a bronze statue. His eyes were filled with unwavering determination; in his hand, the Silver Sundang—a great sword inherited from the Maritime Kingdom of Malacca—was gripped tightly. Its blade, forged from meteoric silver, shimmered even in the dim light, showcasing the grandeur of the revered weapon.
Seri Biduanda, a traditional medicine practitioner and leading tracker, stood beside Hang Jaya. She was known for her tactical intelligence and close-quarters combat skills. She inspected the bronze kerambit sheathed at her waist, its curved blade gleaming sharply. Though she tried to conceal it behind a firm and calm face, her expression revealed a slight apprehension that Nadim recognized. The Darkness was one thing, but an enemy capable of shaking the Great Chain, their strongest bastion, was something they had never faced in training.
"We depart now," the High Master stated firmly, his voice regaining its calm, controlling the tremor of worry. "The three of you are the first hope of the Realm of Bantara. Jaya, you lead the line. Use your strength to break the physical barrier. Biduanda, you are the rear guard. Find the weaknesses and control the field. Nadim… the Sky Heritage Kris is your guide. It will know where the spiritual weakness you must strike lies."
Nadim swallowed. The subtle vibration he felt from his kris seemed to tell him that the world was waiting for his action.
"We follow the High Master's command," Nadim raised his head, unafraid, yet full of respect. "Show us the way."
V. Semerpura Forest Attacked by Dark Aura
The journey to Bukit Banang was usually a half-day trek, but this morning, the atmosphere made it feel as if they were on the brink of another world.
They entered Semerpura Forest. This forest, usually filled with the sounds of life, the cheerful chirping of birds, and sunlight penetrating the thick canopy, was now unlike its usual self. The dense, creeping fog not only obscured vision but seemed to absorb sound, creating a terrifying silence. The leaves rustled slowly, as if a silent fear had infected the flora and fauna. The tall, massive trees stood still, but Nadim felt as if thousands of eyes were watching him—all belonging to the creatures of nature that had been attacked by the dark aura, now silent observers.
"This dark aura… it's getting stronger," whispered Hang Jaya, the Silver Sundang gripped tightly, its blade now feeling cold. The words escaped his lips like mist dissolving into the darkness. The aura was not just a shadow; it was a cold, pressing spiritual substance, piercing into the bone.
They paused by a small stream that was usually clear, but now its water was murky and moving sluggishly. On its bank, some wild hibiscus flowers that should have bloomed with bright red color were now wilted and blackened.
Seri Biduanda knelt, her ears catching a subtle sound—a sound inaudible to ordinary humans. "There's a sound… chains being dragged. And… listen? It sounds like Jusuf Angkasa has been fighting all night."
Nadim sighed softly. Jusuf Angkasa, the Chief Warrior guardian of Bukit Banang, was a living legend standing on par with High Master Raja Biduanda. Jusuf was an expert in defense, his strength like rock and his mind like flowing water. If he fell… then they were now standing before a true enemy, an enemy capable of defeating a warrior as formidable as Jusuf.
"If Jusuf fell, the enemy before us might not be the Black General himself," Nadim said, his eyes piercing the thick fog. "Perhaps it is only a shadow, or a servant sent to test the fortress. But their strength must come from the same source as the whispered Black General."
They continued their journey. The closer they got to Bukit Banang, the stronger the feeling of oppression, as if they were climbing into a sealed cave.
VI. The Vibration of the Broken Great Chain
Finally, they arrived at their destination: the South Gate of Bukit Banang. The Gate stood tall: two colossal boulders meticulously carved centuries ago. The stone was now covered in a thick black moss, not ordinary moss, but like a spiritual soot that stung the eyes. In the center, a carving of a dragon named Sri Gumum with an open jaw and rough scales stared at them as if alive. But now its eyes were stained with a repulsive red-black aura. Nadim felt the heavy air pressing down on his lungs, every breath feeling like drinking muddy water.
Suddenly, the earth trembled. The tremor started slowly, then increased, as if the heart of an ancient giant was beating beneath their feet.
From behind, High Master Raja Biduanda appeared, having followed them with undetected speed. He knelt, his hands touching the trembling ground. Sweat beaded on his forehead, not from physical exertion, but from the spiritual energy he used to examine the hidden Great Chain.
"The first chain… it's cracking," the High Master's voice echoed, filled with deep sorrow, as if he had lost a part of his soul.
Klang… klang… klangg…
That sound! It was not the sound of ordinary iron chains. It was a deep resonance, coming from the ancient stone itself, like the sound of the earth's bone breaking.
A searing red light flashed from the crack in the golden chain carved on the gate, spreading a wave of aura that suppressed their hearts and minds. The wave was accumulated fear, sorrow, and ancient rage.
Suddenly, a voice boomed, a voice coming from beyond the gate, from the area guarded by the Great Chain.
"I… AM NOT DEAD… AND MY SUNDANG… WILL RETURN!"
The voice was not human. It was a rumbling tremor, a harsh sound like stone dragged across sand, piercing into the soul. Nadim closed his eyes for a moment, feeling his small soul almost snatched away by the darkness.
High Master Biduanda looked at Nadim, his old but experienced eyes focused completely. He touched the Sky Heritage Kris, and the blue blade pulsed stronger, as if it already understood the role it was about to play.
"You… the Sky Heritage Kris chose you," the High Master said. "You are the only one capable of countering this wave. If the last chain breaks, we will be defeated here. But if you can master the Dragon Tread on the Clouds—the basis of the Seven Mountains Movement—under this pressure, you can seal that crack."
Nadim swallowed, the world seeming to stop spinning around him. The Dragon Tread on the Clouds was the highest defensive and offensive technique requiring absolute calmness, and now he had to execute it in front of a dark aura trying to tear his soul apart.
VII. The Beginning of the Battle
Hang Jaya and Seri Biduanda were ready. They knew their task was to give Nadim a moment, even if only a second.
Hang Jaya stepped forward, his Silver Sundang already drawn and held high. "I will hold the first wave, Nadim. Find the opening! Remember the Dragon Tread!"
Seri Biduanda stood to the side, her kerambit drawn. "We protect the High Master. This moment is yours, Nadim. Don't waste it!"
From the widening crack in the stone, a searing red eye stared at them—an eye like a burning ember in the dark night. The Black General—the evil shadow that had long slept beneath the seven Mountain Kingdoms, was now awake, and was stalking its prey.
The first real threat, and Nadim knew: this was only the beginning.
The gate cracked wider. The smell of burnt earth and old iron swept over them, bringing with it foul fragments of scent from the world beyond the gate.
Klangg!
With a painful sound, the carved golden chain snapped completely. Its fragments exploded like black fireworks, radiating a spiritual shockwave.
The sky at Bukit Banang trembled violently, and the earth roared, releasing weakened ancient energy. The black shadow of the Black General appeared fully, like a giant wrapped in black mist and armor forged from the darkest night.
The voice from within the earth boomed, now stronger and more terrifying, penetrating every corner of the Realm of Bantara.
"OWNER OF THE SKY HERITAGE KRIS… I HAVE COME FOR YOU…"
In the midst of the chaos, the Sky Heritage Kris at Nadim's waist suddenly shone brightly. Its dark blue light emanated, fighting the darkness trying to engulf it. Nadim took a breath, closed his eyes, and drew his kris. His first focus was on his footwork, on the Dragon Tread he had learned.
"Dragon Tread on the Clouds!" Nadim roared, his voice overcoming the Black General's roar.
The first chapter of the battle at the threshold of the Bantara Gate had begun.