(There are 2 version of narrative in this chapter. The new script format and the traditional one. It is recommended to read the script format.)
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Script format (including extra content)
[EXT. FOREST - PAHANG]
Hffyl: This forest be something else. This might be the place where I could get back home.
With each step, the forest's embrace grew tighter, its whispers more insistent. The deeper he ventured, the thicker the canopy became, obscuring the sky and erasing the sounds of the city from his consciousness.
In a surreal moment, Hffyl stumbled upon an eerie clearing. At its center stood a colossal tree, ancient and gnarled and its roots plunging into the earth. He heard a voice behind him.
"Ah, a young traveler. You shouldn't be here, young one."
Hffyl: Nenek Kebayan, I seek a way back.
Nenek Kebayan: I heard about your story a year ago. The sky-born child. Sometimes, answers are not found by seeking them.
Hffyl: That is not how learning works. You seek knowledge; it doesn't just come to you.
Nenek Kebayan: That is true, but amongst the knowledge you seek, only some are truly the answers to your questions.
Hffyl: Just tell me how to head back home.
Nenek Kebayan: I'm afraid I couldn't answer your questions, for I myself had never experienced what you had been through, and I thought very few people had either.
Hffyl: If so, then I have to find someone else.
He went back to the way he came from, heading back to the city in disappointment.
Every tree seemed familiar, every turn leading him back to the same spot. An old, gnarled tree stump, a distinctive boulder etched with curious markings, a gently babbling brook – all appeared repeatedly, as though he were trapped in a relentless cycle.
Hffyl: Why couldn't I leave?
He tried to find other ways to get out of the forest, but he ended up at the same place. He suddenly spotted a tall figure, hovering in the air, its form ethereal. Hffyl's breath caught in his throat as he realized it was a jinn.
Hffyl's mind raced as he whispered a silent prayer, hoping to ward off the jinn's attention. But as soon as the prayer escaped his lips, the jinn vanished into thin air, leaving behind an eerie silence.
Hffyl took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He knew he couldn't stay in this forest forever. He had to find a way out, no matter the cost. With renewed determination, he pushed forward, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of an escape route.
[EXT. CITY GATES - MALACCA - AFTERNOON]
Hffyl emerged from the forest, his feet weary but his spirit reinvigorated from the encounter with the jin.
Gossiper: ...So, did you find anything in the forest?
Hffyl: I did. But it is a place best left unexplored. The dangers that lie within are far greater than mere disorientation.
Gossiper: What do you mean? What did you encounter?
Hffyl: There are forces at play in that forest, forces that defy comprehension.
Gossiper: But surely, there must be something of value within, something worth risking it all for?
Hffyl: Perhaps, but the cost may outweigh the rewards. Just dont.
Hffyl then headed straight home.
In the Malay tradition, it was believed that forests were homes to a myriad of unseen beings. Though they might not always be malevolent, it was widely understood that the scent of the forest might attract these entities. For someone who had encountered a jin, this was even more crucial. The scent could act as an unwitting invitation, allowing those beings to follow an individual back to their abode.
Wasting no time, Hffyl filled a large basin with water. He added lime, known for their cleansing properties, reciting prayers as the water cascaded over him, washing away the residue of his forest ordeal. The cool water gave him a sense of purification.
Once done, Hffyl dressed in fresh clothes and head outside.
Artisan: Have you found any clues, my young friend?
Hffyl: I found nothing. It seems I may be staying in Malacca for a while longer.
Artisan: In that case, come with me to the harbor. I have some gifts for you.
Intrigued by the unexpected offer, Hffyl followed the artisan through the bustling streets of Malacca until they reached the harbor. There, amidst the maritime hustle and bustle, stood a medium-sized warship. Its sleek design and well-maintained appearance marked it as a vessel of significance.
Hffyl: Why did you brought me here?
Artisan: This is a gift from the Laksamana Hang Nadim himself. He recognized your unwavering dedication and the need for swift travel and protection.
Just as the realization sunk in, the Laksamana emerged.
Laksamana: This vessel is now your crew's to command. Use it to safeguard Malacca and its people.
Hffyl: My crew's? You mean Captain Rahmat got a new ship?
Laksanana: No, you own it. registered in your honour. You are not required to steer the ship, though. It is, in essence, the ship of your crew, but you have command over it.
Artisan: ...and I heard that you had lost your hand-crafted machete on one of your battles.
Hffyl: That's true. It was flung off my hands into the sea.
Artisan: Then take this. (hands over a keris.) Design specifically for you and your size.
Hffyl: (inspect the keris.) I admire it's carving.
Artisan: Then you might like this next one. (give him a wheel-lock pistol) Remember when I told you I might make you one of these?
Hffyl: I sure do. It will be really helpful. What about the ammunition?
Artisan: Oh, you purchase it separately.
Hffyl: What? So you give me a gun with no bullets?
Artisan: Need to keep the business running. Though, I do got something else. (hands over a new machete). Parang lading. The parang lading serves for defense, while its handle holds the power of healing. In your hands, it will be both your shield and solace."
Hffyl: This is fascinating. Thank you, both of you have my sincere gratitude.
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Original version (a bit outdated. recommended to not read)
Hffyl had become a familiar figure in the city of Malacca, a young man who had fallen from the skies, weaving his destiny into the fabric of this ancient land. The people whispered tales of his adventures, his encounters with legends, and his unyielding spirit to find a path back to his era.
Yet, as days turned into months, Hffyl's determination remained unbroken. He couldn't accept that he was forever stranded in a time not his own. He had heard of a mystical forest on the outskirts of the city, a place whispered to hold secrets of time and space. It was there he ventured on this fateful day, carrying a small satchel of supplies and a heart filled with hope and trepidation.
The forest welcomed him with its ancient grandeur, the trees standing as sentinels of a realm untouched by the passage of years. Shafts of dappled sunlight pierced through the thick foliage, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor as Hffyl navigated this enigmatic labyrinth.
Hffyl's voice, a mere murmur, betrayed his determination. "There must be a way back. There must be..."
With each step, the forest's embrace grew tighter, its whispers more insistent. Hffyl forged ahead, undeterred, his senses keen and alert, every footstep a quest for answers.
The deeper he ventured, the thicker the canopy became, obscuring the sky and erasing the sounds of the city from his consciousness. Hffyl's resolve was unyielding, but doubt gnawed at the edges of his determination.
Time seemed to shift in the forest's heart. Hffyl's sense of direction wavered, and he felt as if the very trees were conspiring against him. Still, he pressed on.
In a surreal moment, Hffyl stumbled upon an eerie clearing. At its center stood a colossal tree, ancient and gnarled, its roots plunging into the earth like serpents seeking hidden treasures.
Hffyl, in awe of this arboreal behemoth, extended his hand to touch its weathered bark. It was then that the forest's ancient magic stirred.
The world around him transformed. Trees swayed as if in a dance with an otherworldly breeze, and the ground quivered beneath his feet. Hffyl's vision blurred, and he felt the unsettling sensation of being untethered from time.
Desperation surged within him as he tried to resist the forest's pull, to find his way back to the familiar city of Malacca. But the forest, it seemed, had its own agenda.
In a final, bewildering twist, Hffyl found himself transported not to his time but to a realm steeped in legends and folklore. Here, the boundaries between reality and myth were blurred, and the mystical Nenek Kebayan awaited him, a figure of Malay folklore known for her capricious nature.
Nenek Kebayan, her demeanor cryptic, acknowledged Hffyl's quest with a knowing smile. "Ah, a traveler from another time. You seek answers, young one."
Hffyl, bewildered by this surreal turn of events, stammered, "I... I seek a way back."
The enigmatic Nenek Kebayan replied in riddles, "The path of time is a tangled web, my dear. Sometimes, answers are found not by seeking but by embracing the mysteries that surround us."
As he departed the mystical realm, Nenek Kebayan's parting words echoed in his mind. "Remember, young one, sometimes the journey itself is the destination."
As Hffyl ventured deeper into the forest, the surroundings began to play tricks on his mind. Every tree seemed familiar, every turn leading him back to the same spot. An old, gnarled tree stump, a distinctive boulder etched with curious markings, a gently babbling brook – all appeared repeatedly, as though he were trapped in a relentless cycle.
The weight of the forest's enigma and the dizzying repetition began to bear down on Hffyl. Doubt gnawed at him. "Am I trapped here forever?" he wondered.
It was then, as despair threatened to engulf him, that he felt an intense presence. The atmosphere grew palpably colder, and an eerie silence settled around him. Before him, emerging from a dense mist, appeared a figure – neither human nor animal, but something transcendent and otherworldly.
The being had a humanoid form but seemed to be made entirely of shifting shadows, with eyes that glinted like twin stars in the darkest night. Hffyl's heart raced; he knew he was in the presence of a jin.
Remembering the teachings of his faith, Hffyl recited verses from the Quran, seeking protection and strength. The jin seemed momentarily taken aback, then tilted its head, regarding Hffyl with a mix of curiosity and respect.
"Why have you entered my domain, young traveler?" the jin asked, its voice echoing like a whisper through the trees.
Hffyl, summoning all his courage, replied, "I am lost, and I seek a way out. I mean no harm nor disrespect."
The jin studied Hffyl for a long moment before speaking. "You are trapped in my realm, a loop of time and space. Few have ever entered, and fewer have left."
Hffyl's determination burned bright. "I must find my way back. Please, guide me out of this loop."
The jin, its demeanor softening, responded, "I sense no malice in you. Yet, why should I help you?"
Hffyl, drawing upon his faith, answered, "In the eyes of Allah, we are all His creations. Helping one another, be it man or jin, is a noble act."
The jin, seemingly contemplative, nodded slowly. "Very well. Follow the setting sun, and you will find your way out. But remember, young traveler, respect the sanctity of this forest and its inhabitants."
Hffyl bowed in gratitude. "Thank you. I promise to honor and respect this place."
With the jin's guidance, Hffyl finally broke free from the infinite loop. As he made his way out of the forest, he couldn't help but marvel at the mysterious encounter and the profound lesson it imparted.
He realized that understanding, respect, and faith can bridge even the most profound divides, uniting entities from different realms in mutual understanding and harmony.
Hffyl emerged from the forest, his feet weary but his spirit reinvigorated from the enigmatic encounter with the jin. The familiar sights and sounds of Malacca greeted him like a comforting embrace. Yet, there was an immediate urgency in his steps as he headed straight for his bath.
In the Malay tradition, it was believed that forests, especially those as ancient and mystical as the one Hffyl had traversed, were homes to a myriad of unseen beings. Though they might not always be malevolent, it was widely understood that the scent of the forest might attract these entities. For someone who had encountered a jin, this was even more crucial. The scent could act as an unwitting invitation, allowing those beings to follow an individual back to their abode. It wasn't just about the physical scent; it was the spiritual and energetic residue that clung to a person after such profound experiences.
Wasting no time, Hffyl filled a large basin with water. He added fragrant pandan leaves and lime, both known for their cleansing properties, reciting prayers as the water cascaded over him, washing away the residue of his forest ordeal.
The cool water, combined with his fervent recitations, gave him a sense of purification, as if he was shedding not just the dirt and grime but also the weight of his recent experiences. The pandan and lime's aroma filled the air, acting as a counteractive force to the dense, earthy scent of the forest that had clung to him.
Once done, Hffyl dressed in fresh clothes and took a moment to offer a prayer of gratitude. He felt lighter, both physically and spiritually.
"Have you found any clues, my young friend?" the artisan inquired, his voice carrying the weight of their shared experiences.
Hffyl's shoulders sagged slightly as he replied, "I found nothing. It seems I may be staying in Malacca for a while longer."
The artisan nodded in solemn comprehension, his weathered face etched with concern. "In that case, come with me to the harbor. I have some gifts for you."
Intrigued by the unexpected offer, Hffyl followed the artisan through the bustling streets of Malacca until they reached the harbor. There, amidst the maritime hustle and bustle, stood a medium-sized warship. Its sleek design and well-maintained appearance marked it as a vessel of significance.
Hffyl couldn't contain his amazement. "Is this...?"
The artisan's warm smile held a touch of pride as he confirmed, "A gift from the Laksamana himself. He recognized your unwavering dedication and the need for swift travel and protection in these tumultuous times."
Just as the realization sunk in, the Laksamana emerged, a commanding presence that demanded respect and admiration.
"Hffyl," he acknowledged with a nod, "this vessel is now yours to command. Use it to safeguard Malacca and its people."
But the generosity didn't end there. The artisan presented Hffyl with a keris, its blade expertly forged to match his body's proportions. The weapon gleamed with an almost mystical radiance, imbued with a sense of destiny.
"Remember," the artisan imparted as he handed over the keris, "the right measurements of a weapon won't harm its owner."
Hffyl felt the weight of history and tradition coursing through his veins as he accepted the keris.
Next came a wheel-lock pistol, a symbol of subtlety and precision in times when discretion was paramount.
"And for moments when subtlety is the key," the artisan explained, "a pistol. Wield it with wisdom."
Lastly, a parang lading was presented. Its design was unique, its handle seemingly emitting a gentle, soothing aura.
"The parang lading serves for defense," the artisan elucidated, "while its handle holds the power of healing. In your hands, it will be both your shield and solace."
Overwhelmed by the significance and generosity of these gifts, Hffyl felt a renewed sense of purpose ignite within him.