The Tepian Forest is the outermost part of the forest that surrounds Mount Rinjan, the highest mountain in Lombo Province. In the Tepian forest live a variety of small to medium-sized animals such as wild rabbits, deer, and tigers.
That afternoon, the silence of the Tepian forest was broken by the run of a deer which swiftly jumped over the tributary of the Jangkuk river. Even though the deer jumped over the creek, it did not land completely. The deer almost fell because his hind thigh was stuck with an arrow, the wound was still bleeding.
About 50 meters from the riverbank, three boys were seen chasing the deer. Seeing that the deer was about to fall and lose his balance, one of the thinnest children fired an arrow as he continued to run.
"Siuuuuu ...", the sound of arrows splitting the wind.
"Jleb!"
The arrow hit the deer, this time piercing his neck. The poor man fell, unable to run anymore. His eyes darkened and his last breath left his body.
"Ha ha ha, finally you died too. I'm tired of chasing you"
"Hey Marin, this time you and the Duke are processing this deer, I've done my part", said the skinny boy who released an arrow.
"Ok Zuki" Marin said. A little dark-skinned child.
"But let's take a break first, I'm so tired", the big boy who arrived at the back connected.
"Ok, but let's move first and clean the blood. Otherwise, other beasts will arrive." said Zuki, the skinny boy.
Without being prompted, before Marin touched the deer, Duke raised the deer with one hand, bringing it to the riverbank. With swiftness, the Duke pulled out the arrow and cleaned the blood, then skinned it on the spot.
This deer wasn't huge, the Duke cut it into three big parts. About 20 minutes later, the Duke finished processing the deer.
After cleaning, Duke put his share into the basket behind his shoulders, Marin and Zuki took their respective shares too.
After that, they crossed the river, headed north, towards the outside of the forest.
It was getting dark in the afternoon, when it was almost nightfall and the torches at the hamlet gate had been lit. Then they arrived. At times like this it is usually the peak time, as the men will return from the forest.
Some found game, some did not.
Those who do not bring game usually carry wild herbs that grow in many Tepian forests.
"See you tomorrow" said Marin.
At the hamlet gate, they parted ways. Zuki took the right direction, towards the northern part of the hamlet.
Zuki's house, like the houses in a hamlet, is made of wood, has a foundation of hard mud, and has thatched roofs.
Even though it is on the outskirts of the forest, the inhabitants of Tepian hamlet are not worried about snakes or wild animals entering the house, because Tepian hamlet is built with a high wooden fence around the hamlet, let alone a 3 meter wide trench with a 2 meter depth that surrounds the hamlet.
Tepian Hamlet is a busy hamlet, even though it is on the edge of the forest. The population is around 200 people, mostly men from the hamlet work as hunters and herbal seekers, while the women work half a day in the farm.
"Mama, Zuki is home!" shouted Zuki from the gate of the house.
Amina, Zuki's mother, is usually already at home. Amina came out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl of Zuki's favorite meat soup.
"Today what you got?" Asked Amina
"Deer ma, there is also wild ginseng, tomorrow Zuki will go to Jangkuk Village, we already have a lot of ginseng"
"Mama, what message?"
"Buy me thread, cloth, and salt."
"Yes ma", Zuki nodded and continued eating.
"Use this money, you can buy whatever you want, this is a gift from mom", Amina gave 10 Gold coins to Zuki.
"Ma!, this moeny is from mom's hard work for a year? Zuki doesn't want it!", Zuki refused to take the money from Amina.
"It's okay, we still have a lot of money in savings"
"The money from selling herbs and skins is enough until next year, you don't need to worry"
"Really ma?" Zuki is happy. He had wanted to replace the bow he had been using for a long time.
Although this bow was made by his father, but no longer suitable for Zuki, Zuki needed a bow for adults.
"Oh yes, today you are 15 years old, right? Starting tomorrow, you have to take preparatory classes to enter the academy. After selling herbs, you are looking for Uncle Pintun."
"Sleep fast, don't stay up late!"
In Madja Empire, 15-year-olds will enter the military academy for 1 year. At 16 years old, they will be in the military for 1 year. Before entering the military academy, children were required to take a 1 month preparation class in their respective village.
Tepian Hamlet has a parentage in Jangkuk Village. Jangkuk Village is in charge of 5 hamlets scattered on the edge of the Jangkuk River and Tepian Forest.
The night was getting dark, some residents had fallen asleep.
But Zuki hasn't slept yet. Zuki was lying down, padded with left hand. His right hand holds a medal as big as a palm.
The medal was got from his father, given just before Mura, Zuki's father disappeared while hunting in the forest. It has been 5 years, but there has been no news at all, not even a body has been found.
The medal is dark black. The surface is flat and shiny. Zuki don't know what it's made of, not metal, not rock, not wood. The material has never been found in this world. On the back of the medal is a picture of a chubby little boy with a round face with horns. Underneath was an unknown inscription. But if human race from modern earth sees it, they can definitely read it. It says Android.
According to his father, the medal was "born" at the same time as Zuki born, therefore according to Mura, only Zuki could use it somehow.
Midnight has arrived. Zuki is still awake. Suddenly the medal in Zuki's hand felt hot.
"Akh!" Zuki took off the medal which then fell. The moment before the medal touched the floor, it turned into black particles which then entered Zuki's chest.
Zuki's gaze darkened. His body slammed on the bed.
Before long, there was a voice,
"Ding!"