Alas Purwo is one of the oldest forests in Java. Legend has it that it is the kingdom of the Jinn. Many mystical things happen there. Even humans knowledgeable in the unseen, those who have been since birth, are sometimes fooled by them.
The Jinn there are high-class. Carrying provisions from my Mother, Marsya, and Sepuh walked along a winding path.
This place was similar to my village. It was located deep in the remote areas, overgrown with large trees. Several times along the paths we took, there were also many banana and bamboo trees.
You all surely know that Yellow Bamboo is the tree favored by invisible celestial beings. Let's just call them Kuntilanak. They really like to perch there, like monkeys.
Today, I brought that amulet again. I wore it because I didn't know what the future held. With this, I have stronger protection, capable of overcoming Cak Dika's protection.
After walking for quite a while, a gate was visible some distance ahead of us. A young man stood there, bowing briefly before standing up again and waving towards us. Ah, of course, he was probably one of Cacak's patients. We quickened our pace, walking closer to him.
"How are you, Mas Dika?" the young man asked, shaking Cak Dika's hand, then hugging him briefly.
"I'm fine, thank God! How about you, are you healthy?" Sepuh asked him.
"Yes, Mas, I am healthy, thank God! Come on, Mas, I'll take you to the guesthouse. It's better to talk there than here!" the young man said.
"Sis, he didn't greet us! Even though we'll be the ones doing the work here later!" Marsya whispered softly beside me.
I just nodded, listening to what she said. Maybe Cacak Dika heard the conversation between Marsya and me. He immediately stopped and introduced us to the young man.
"Hi, nice to meet you! I'm Pram, I'm Mas Dika's friend. Nice to meet you, Miss," said the young man named Pram.
Both Marsya and I nodded. Then the journey continued. As we walked deeper into the village.
I saw many temples here. Small shrines and statues too. But, since earlier, my eyes hadn't caught sight of any evil entities.
The inhabitants of this area or village were ordinary Jinn. They weren't disturbing, and their aura was very positive.
"The atmosphere isn't scary, so what's the problem?" I thought, looking up at the dense canopy that blocked the sunlight from entering.
"What are you looking at?" asked Barend, who suddenly appeared beside me.
I let out a small yelp at his sudden presence next to me. This made Cacak and Marsya turn to look at me. They stared at me in confusion, then their eyes quickly fixed on Barend beside me.
"Oh, the Dutchman?" Cak Dika asked me.
"Yep," I replied, still ignoring Cacak and not looking at him.
"Don't be arrogant here, Rachel!" Barend said again.
What does this little boy know? Why did he suddenly appear and lecture me? This devil is truly impolite.
"Hahahahaha..." Marsya laughed upon hearing what Barend said.
"Don't laugh!" I replied, which immediately silenced Marsya.
"What's going on here? Do you know something?" I asked him.
The little devil smiled at me, then flew behind my body. His tiny, transparent hand tried to cover both my eyes. I just stayed still, watching, then he whispered to me,
"You won't be able to see them if your ability is only at the level of a small fry! There's a reason why you were invited to come here!" Barend told me.
When he disappeared and I looked up. I was immediately shocked. What was that? A figure taller than the trees here was watching us.
The figure was so massive it seemed to cover the entire area above us.
"Ohh..." I groaned softly, my head felt increasingly dizzy.
The feeling after my eyes discovered the massive entity immediately pierced my chest like a dagger.
It hurt, and I still couldn't believe I would encounter such a huge guardian with such a malevolent aura.
"Are you okay, Sis?" Marsya asked beside me.
I just nodded in response, continuing to walk. Every step we took. The roar of the demon confining the area grew louder.
My heart felt so restless. He was truly too large and evil. Even I couldn't bear the full force of this aura of hatred.
I almost felt like I was dying if Cacak hadn't helped me here. Perhaps he understood what had just happened to me.
Right now, he was standing behind my body. The energy flow he gave me was quite helpful in my recovery. Cacak said that the more we fear them, the more advantageous it is for them.
Because they feed on human energy. Especially negative energy.
"Don't be afraid!" Cacak said to me.
"Yep," I answered softly, faintly.
We continued our journey. Until finally, we arrived at a house, but the building was made of wood.
It looked decent to live in. The lighting there was still oil lamps. It seemed this remote area truly hadn't followed the development of the times.
"Here it is, Cak! This is the place! You can stay here, I've prepared a place for you during your time here. Please come in, Cak!" Pram said.
Cak Dika, who was still behind me, just nodded. Pram opened the wooden door. It was dark inside, but the aura inside was normal.
There was no sign of subtle demonic activity that was sensitive to me or might disturb me. It was truly neutral and clean inside.
Feeling that way, I immediately felt like I had found new protection. I walked in first, ahead of them, while saying,
"Peace be upon you, excuse us!" I said.
The feeling was extraordinary. The burden that had been piling up on my shoulders slowly disappeared. As my eyes scanned the whole house. There was one photo that made me freeze.
A man in a white turban. He looked like a father figure. He didn't have a beard, just a thin mustache. His face was beautiful to my eyes, I don't know, he seemed to have a charm of his own for me.
"That's my ancestor! He passed away a long time ago! He was also the one who often helped us in the village if there were any disturbances from the Unseen," Pram explained while standing beside me.
I just nodded, listening to that. Then we were directed to sit on the sofa. This sofa was quite simple, also made of wood.
"So, what is it, Pram, why did you call us here?" Cacak asked him.
"It's like this, Mas, my younger brother recently played around Alas Purwo. There, he found a mystical piece of wood, Mas! I have a video of him solo camping in that area! The forestry officials always say, if you want to go to Alas Purwo, make sure you come back before sunset. That time, he didn't come back, Mas, he stayed there and met two people from the other realm coming towards him. The problem is, that wood is still following Agus to this day. And also, his right leg can't be moved at all! So I want to ask for help, Mas, return that wood to its place!" Pram explained.
"How could the wood follow him?" Cak Dika asked him.
"I don't know, Mas, but Alas Purwo truly is a sacred forest, Mas. It's the kingdom of the Jinn, Mas. They are also sensitive to our arrival. Maybe they were disturbed while he was camping, so that's the impact on Agus!" Pram explained.
"Where did he find the wood?" Cak Dika asked again.
"Initially, the wood was just perched on one of the large trees. At that time, while in the tent, he was cooking. Something hit his tent, he went out, but there was nothing. Agus is a curious person, so he looked for who was being mischievous that night. From a distance, there was a sound of grass being stepped on. He ran there, it wasn't too far from his tent. He stopped in front of a large tree, right in the middle of it was that wood. Just an ordinary piece of wood, and at that time Agus kicked the wood with his right foot. When he returned to the tent, it was unbelievable, Mas. The wood was inside the tent. He was surprised at the time, and then there was the sound of grass being stepped on again, and he turned towards the source of the sound again. But still, no one was there!" Pram said again.
Cak Dika just nodded, listening to the whole explanation. Then he looked at me.
"Actually, even without you telling me, I already know the problem, Pram. It's just that these two siblings of mine aren't as sophisticated as I am. But I still need them. While polishing them a bit so they can be stronger and regain their abilities! So the problem really is with that wood! If I may ask, where is Agus now?" Cak Dika asked.
"Agus is at home, Mas!" Pram answered.
"Alright then, just call him here! I want to help, bring the wood too!" Cak Dika said.
Pram nodded, then stood up, excused himself, and left. I looked at Cak Dika, but he just smiled in response to my gaze.
"Cak, what should I help with?" I asked him.
"Explore, where did you bring this little Dutchman from?" Cak Dika replied, looking at Barend who was beside me.
Barend tugged at my clothes, his eyes looking at Cacak. He seemed scared.
"He's cute, Sis, where did you get him?" Marsya asked.
"He suddenly appeared at night! I think it's Mother's doing!" I said.
"Well then, explore with Queen and him! I'll tell you your task later!" Cak Dika replied.
I just nodded in response to that.