"So, what's the next plan?" Adibahari asked, his voice filled with urgency, his eyes darting around the dense jungle as if expecting an ambush.
"My task is done, Adi. Now I can rest. Let Meloidee do her work. We can leave now and go our separate ways," Tatai replied calmly, almost nonchalantly, as he poked at the small campfire they had built, the flickering flames casting long shadows on the surrounding trees.
"What do you mean?" Adibahari pressed, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"The Axinite stone is with King Lipyang. And what do you think will happen next?" Tatai's tone was cryptic, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He glanced at the darkening sky, as if expecting it to give an answer.
"But Meloidee only wants you, not the stone," Adibahari countered, his voice tinged with frustration and desperation. The flickering firelight accentuated the worry etched on his face.
Tatai sighed and stood up, walking a few steps away from the fire to where a stream trickled quietly through the jungle. He knelt down, cupping his hands to drink the cool water. "Do you know why the jungle is so silent tonight, Adi?" he asked, not turning to face him.
Adibahari shook his head, impatient. "What does it matter?"
"The jungle knows when a storm is coming. The animals hide, the insects grow silent. Nature itself braces for the impact," Tatai explained, letting the water slip through his fingers.
"What will Meloidee gain from killing me? Revenge will only satisfy her, but it won't solve the problems or the situation. Imagine hurting someone to satisfy your anger but at the same time, you will also be in pain. Unless you forgive them and don't dwell on past problems. The same with Meloidee, she only wants to kill me for what I've done but the root problem isn't from me; the problem comes from the rulers who are obsessed with wealth and power."
He stood up and turned back to Adibahari, his eyes dark and intense. "And do you think it's worth it for Meloidee to kill me just for revenge, when her home and children still were destroyed by the orders of those in power?" Tatai continued, his eyes meeting Adibahari's with an intensity that made Adibahari take a step back.
Adibahari frowned, his mind racing. "But how does the Axinite stone fit into this?"
"Therefore, you need the Axinite stone to bring me to Meloidee. Meloidee is blind; only the guidance from the Axinite stone can lead her to me," Tatai added, his voice lowering to a whisper as if the jungle had ears.
"And did you notice? In the palace, there were no beetles around. Do you know why?" Tatai asked, a sly smile playing on his lips.
Adibahari thought back to their time in the palace, the eerie stillness that had pervaded the halls. "So the people in the palace wouldn't be aware of Meloidee's anger," he realized, his grip on the sword hilt tightening.
"Yes. Like bringing a hurricane during the scorching sun. They will feel like nothing is wrong when disaster strikes. They will all die in fear," Tatai said, his voice carrying a chilling calmness. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if savoring the thought.
Just then, a loud crash echoed through the jungle, and the ground shook beneath their feet. Adibahari's eyes widened in alarm. "What was that?"
Tatai opened his eyes, a dark determination in them. "It begins," he said softly. "I have long wanted the destruction of Apokarpa. And the stone they seized will turn against them."
Adibahari's eyes widened as the realization hit him.
"So, all this time, you were helping me just so I would hand over the stone to King Lipyang? And you knew from the beginning all this was going to happen? What kind of Antler are you? You ignored your people, and you want to destroy them just like that?" His voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and anger.
"Good conclusion. Let whatever happens to them happen. They deserve it for all the sins they committed," Tatai said coldly, his face devoid of any emotion.
The flickering campfire illuminated his hardened features, making his words even more chilling. "Why should I care about a bunch of ingrates who can't do anything for themselves? They're weak and useless, and I have no sympathy for their pathetic existence."
"What about the people of Lombongan village? They are expecting you to come to them. They are the Tias you are supposed to protect," Adibahari shot back, desperation creeping into his voice as he stepped closer to Tatai, the firelight dancing in his eyes.
"Oh, those Tias?" Tatai sneered, the disdain dripping from his words. "They're nothing but a drain on my resources. They don't deserve to live. They're rejects that should be discarded. I don't have time for weaklings who can't pull their own weight." Tatai turned away, the shadows of the jungle closing in around him as if to swallow his contempt.
Adibahari's heart pounded in his chest, his disappointment transforming into a boiling rage. Memories of the innocent villagers flashed in his mind—their hopeful faces, their trust in Tatai. "You heartless coward!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the silent jungle.
With a roar, Adibahari lunged at Tatai, his fist connecting squarely with Tatai's face. The impact sent Tatai sprawling to the ground, leaves and dirt scattering as he landed. A look of shock replaced his earlier calm, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Tatai glared back at Adibahari. His eyes burned with a mixture of anger and something else—perhaps a flicker of regret. "You fool," he spat, struggling to his feet. "You have no idea what you're dealing with."
As the jungle around them seemed to hold its breath, Adibahari stood over Tatai, his chest heaving with emotion. The campfire crackled, casting long, eerie shadows on the trees, reflecting the deep conflict between them. The night seemed to close in, a silent witness to the betrayal and the impending chaos that Tatai's actions would unleash.
"Those 'rejects' still believe you can save them. Those 'rejects' are the ones enduring hardship for you, Axinite Antler. Those 'rejects' sacrificed their lives for your kingdom. They're suffering, Tatai. Where is your sympathy for them?" Adibahari's voice was fierce, his eyes blazing with righteous fury as he stood over the fallen Tatai.
"Fight me, Tatai. If I win, you must follow my orders. If you win, I will do whatever you want."
Tatai sneered, wiping the blood from his chin. "I see. Youngsters these days are so brave, not like in the past. No respect for their elders. You really don't understand what it means to be an Antler, do you? There's a reason we are called Antlers and not just ordinary Astakona bearers. But no matter, I will go easy on you because you are a Tias. Let's see your strength."
The jungle around them grew even more silent, as if it was holding its breath in anticipation of the battle. Adibahari's heart pounded in his chest, but he stood his ground, determination etched on his face.
"Not here," Adibahari said, his voice steady. "Lantana and Litu are sleeping nearby. We need to move to an open space."
Tatai nodded, a glint of respect in his eyes. "Very well. Follow me."
They moved through the dense jungle, the moonlight filtering through the canopy, casting eerie shadows on the ground. After a short walk, they emerged into a large clearing, the stars above providing a stark contrast to the darkness of the jungle.
"This will do," Tatai said, his voice echoing in the open space. He extended his hand, and the ground beneath them began to tremble. The earth cracked open, sending jagged lines spidering out from his feet.
"Let me show you why they call me the Axinite Antler."
With a swift, decisive motion, he slammed his foot into the ground, and a golden shield erupted around them. The shield morphed into a formidable semicircular fortress made of glistening stone, encasing them within an area covering approximately 3 hectares.
Tatai dropped his knife, the blade clattering against the stone floor, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Come, Adibahari. Show me your worth."
Adibahari swallowed hard but steeled himself. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with the scent of dust and the faint, metallic tang of magic. He glanced at Tatai's discarded weapon, then at his own.
Since Tatai had dropped his weapon, Adibahari did the same to make the fight fair. He would rely only on his fists, his breath steadying as he mentally prepared for the impending battle.
Tatai sneered, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and contempt. "This is the first time I've seen a Tias so brave. What are you, Adi? Do you think you can win like that?" His voice dripped with scorn, each word a taunt designed to unsettle Adibahari's resolve.