Bukit Barisan Forest, 26 Asuji 664 Z
In the middle of the forest dimly lit by the crescent moon, a ray of light shines from the sastra power of controlling akik. "Batu Mustika Siliwangi shine... TIGER CLAWS." An attack rushed towards its target.
The white-robed creature's figure remained silent despite the approaching attack. When the attack hit her, it turned out that her body was like a shadow that could be penetrated by anything. And this sastra attack was seen hitting several trees which fell instantly, the birds sleeping on the branches of the trees flew off and sang noisily.
"What happened, Sandanu?" A girl's voice trembled with fear.
The boy called Sandanu felt the same fear, even the mysterious creature in front of him stepped closer to him. "Quickly hide, Mutia!"
"But.." Mutia hesitated to leave Sandanu alone, but she realized she couldn't do anything. She turned away and looked for a place to hide behind a tree.
From beneath its white robe, the creature laughed shrilly and its body flew through the air around Sandanu like an eagle ready to devour its prey. Sandanu himself put on a stance. In case the creature pounced on him, he was ready to attack.
When the white-robed creature who looked tall and slender approached, Sandanu immediately avoided it. Moments later, a flash of light came out of her hand movement and attacked Sandanu. Sandanu immediately took cover behind a nearby tree, causing the large tree he was hiding in to fall almost on him.
Instead of continuing to dodge Sandanu trying to attack, he glanced at his akik embedded in his right ring finger, and recited a mantra. "Batu Mustika Siliwangi shines.... WHITE TIGER"
The figure of a white tiger spirit appeared from a beam of light with a roar that was able to shake the surrounding trees, making the white-robed creature startled. The animals around were panicking in fear. Next, the cloaked creature approached Sandanu slowly after the white tiger spirit disappeared.
The creature in front of Sandanu opened the cloak covering her face and saw the face of a beautiful, shining woman with long, flowing hair. "It's been a long time since I've seen a human, and you really cheer me up, boy," she said, whose delicate figure was like a shadow when the moonlight illuminated her.
"What do you mean?" asked Sandanu surprised.
"The Minangkabau people call me an Orang Bunian whom they have made a god, my coming to meet you is truly a matter of fate. So, know that this world is approaching a turning point when the sun rises from the west and the power of Sastrajendra falls to the world..."
The Orang Bunian also conveyed a message to Sandanu regarding his future. Then, the creature showed Sandanu the way to where they were going, namely the Tanah Minangkabau.
***
"Extraordinary."
This is the most amazing place that Sandanu could only see after crossing the mountains, going up and down hills for days after leaving the Tanah Kerinci because of the actions of the Orang Bunian who misled him. Even though it only takes a maximum of two days.
Standing beside him, Mutia smiled while placing her hands on both cheeks. Her skin is reddish white. "I want to travel around Tanah Minangkabau."
That's right, and anyone who comes to this district will definitely feel at home for a long time or stay forever to enjoy the beautiful and peaceful district. The surroundings of Tanah Minangkabau are protected by dense teak wood fences layered in ten rows with sharp edges so that no foreign intruders can enter. Protection is very strict.
The buildings stand very majestic and towering, the Rumah Gadang. Its pointed gonjang roof is like a support for the sky and its height is taller than a coconut tree. It is only part of a small house for common people made of ironwood. All the outer walls of the building are engraved with beautiful colorful plant and animal motifs, red, yellow, blue, and always brown and black.
"Welcome to the Tanah Minangkabau." A security officer approached Sandanu and Mutia and greeted them using IND, which is a common language in the world. "Please fill out the guest book before continuing your journey to enjoy the beauty of our district." The security guard handed them a guest book which they had to fill in.
After filling in the guest book, they immediately walked among the residents of the Tanah Minangkabau and went back and forth in metal carts pulled by buffalo. The village layout is very neat and beautiful with palm trees lining the sides of the road before the pointed-roof houses stand taller. The road looks beautiful with the river stones which are not uniform in shape but come together to form a beautiful random motif. The stones are glued together with natural glue or asphalt.
From the long journey they have traveled, of course a restaurant is what they will look for. "And now, let's eat!" Sandanu grabbed his friend's hand.
Mutia was a little confused looking at Sandanu, who had light brownish skin covering his fit body. "Where to eat?"
Suddenly, someone made a suggestion. "If you want to eat, go to a Padang restaurant, there is the most delicious rendang."
"Rendang! That's what I really want to try," said Sandanu, looking at Mutia, whose maroon hair was cut unevenly at shoulder length.
Then, they walked towards the Padang restaurant near the indicated park. A large park with lots of trees and green grass that fills the area so that the atmosphere feels shady.
The fresh air is fragrant mixed with the fragrance of blooming flowers. Even though there are different types, the mixture of fragrant flowers makes the air feel more pleasant in the nostrils and calms the heart.
Sunlight creates shadows that begin to lean to the east of every object. A gentle breeze blew away the dry leaves and shook the weeds that were neatly planted in several locations in the park. The feathers of the dried flowers flew about.
Mutia had a cheerful face and tried to catch the flower cotton that flew across her face. But before the soft feather was reached, Sandanu blew it until it flew even higher and Mutia's hands couldn't reach it.
"Danu." Mutia lightly hit his shoulder.
Sandanu grinned while scratching his flaxen-colored hair. "Somehow I want to bother you?"
"Once again you irritate me," Mutia raised her index finger to Sandanu's face. "I won't buy you, rendang."
"Yes, don't be like that," whined Sandanu, asking for mercy. He pulled the hem of Mutia's clothes which resembled a kemben with short cloth bottoms, and around her hips was tied a multi-purpose scarf made of openwork cloth.
Seeing the magnificent Padang restaurant, Mutia remembered that what she had left would definitely not be enough to pay for the food there. Mutia also looked at the contents of the ties at the end of her shawl, there were only two knots and one pin. Benggol is a type of gold coin that has a hole in the middle and ketip itself is a silver coin without a hole that has a lower value.
Mutia glanced at Sandanu, who was wearing a blue velvet cloth that was unbuttoned and sleeveless with black ankle-length pants. A batik cloth was tied around the waist which was also to hold the front of the shirt together in a crosswise manner. "It seems like eating there is expensive," said Mutia.
"So, we have arrived at Tanah Minangkabau but we can't eat rendang?"
Mutia immediately grabbed Sandanu's hand and turned to leave the Padang restaurant which stood majestically and looked busy with visitors. "Let's look for another place to eat, surely rendang isn't only cooked at that place!"
Sandanu relented, considering that rendang was not his main goal for traveling far away to Tanah Minangkabau. There is still a bigger goal and takes time with a long journey, as well as funds to go to another country. Therefore, he advised his stomach to give in. While gently rubbing his stomach, Sandanu walked after Mutia.
"Wait!" Suddenly a voice with a Minangkabau accent tried to stop them. "If you want to go to a Padang restaurant. I can treat you guys."
Sandanu and Mutia were surprised by the generous offer that suddenly came their way. They turned to see who the good person was.
He was an old man who wore black penghulu clothes, with red sesamping cloth on his shoulders and a destar as a head covering. The grandfather also used a cane in the style of a prominent old man in Minangkabau.
Who is this grandfather? []