***
Morning arrived, and two sleek SUVs stood parked in front of my house. It was the day we were venturing out to find Nyi Roro Kidul, the legendary Queen of the Southern Sea. Although we were skeptical about her existence, believing the stories to be mere folklore, we decided it was worth a shot. After all, we had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I loaded my bag into the second SUV, a wave of excitement washing over me.
"How long will you guys be gone?" my mother asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
Dove approached her, a reassuring smile on her face. "Just a few days, Auntie. Three or four, at most."
"Ah, well, be careful, okay?" my mother said, her voice filled with maternal worry.
I nodded in agreement.
Dove turned to me. "And say hi to your other cousin," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"My other cousin...?" I asked, confused.
"You know, the one who doesn't want to be in the group," Vill explained, walking towards me.
"Oh, Vill, you're coming? How's your baby?" I exclaimed, surprised.
"He's with my mother, She's babysitting while we're gone."
I nodded, then glanced at the second SUV, where a young woman sat in the middle seat, earphones plugged in, scrolling through Instagram.
That's the last cousin, right? The one who doesn't want to be a part of the Unveiled Family?
I looked at Dove for confirmation. "Is that her?"
"Yes, You'll be sitting next to her."
Everyone piled into the SUVs, with half of us in each vehicle. I found myself in the second car, sandwiched between the silent girl and Dove, who was driving. Vill sat in the front passenger seat, her expression a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"Ready?" Dove asked, starting the engine.
I nodded, my heart pounding with anticipation.
"Yeah! Family time!" Vill cheered. "No screaming kids, just us!"
Dove chuckled as the first SUV pulled away, and then we followed suit, embarking on our journey towards the unknown.
The girl beside me removed her earphones, her gaze meeting mine for the first time since we left the house. "So... I'm supposed to sing to summon Nyai Roro Kidul?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"Yeah," Dove confirmed, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. "You're the only one in our family who has the gift of song."
The girl sighed, a hint of resignation in her voice.
"Why didn't you want to be part of the Unveiled Family?" I asked, my curiosity piqued by her apparent reluctance.
She hesitated for a moment, then replied, "I just want to be a normal girl. Most people are scared of my family—well, not scared, but... intimidated. They know we own a huge company, and it makes them uncomfortable."
I understood her sentiment. The weight of my family's legacy was already starting to feel heavy on my shoulders, and I couldn't imagine what it must be like for her, growing up in the shadow of such immense power and wealth.
"What's your power again, Ratu?" Vill asked the girl beside me.
Ratu? So that was her name.
"My power?" Ratu replied, her voice soft and melodic. "Why do you ask?"
"Just show it to Xian. He doesn't know his own power yet," Vill explained.
"Hmm... it's something like a weave," Ratu said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can control sound waves, weaving them into different patterns and frequencies."
"Hmm, can you give an example?" I asked, intrigued by Ratu's power.
"Like right now," she said, gesturing towards the open window. "There's a breeze blowing, right? How do you hear it?"
I nodded, listening to the soft rustling of leaves. "It just sounds like a 'whoosh'?"
"Right," Ratu confirmed. "But I can amplify that sound, twist it, manipulate it. I can make the wind sound like a deafening roar, or I can create a piercing screech that will make your ears ring."
"That's... a bit overpowered," I commented, a shiver running down my spine. The thought of someone being able to control sound like that was both fascinating and terrifying.
Ratu closed the window, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"So, just because you want to be a normal girl, you're staying away from all of this?" I asked, trying to understand her perspective.
"I don't want to be involved with... those ghosts," she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The drive was quiet, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Ratu seemed to be lost in her thoughts, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. I couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking, what fears and anxieties she was wrestling with.
As the hours passed, the landscape began to change. The towering skyscrapers and bustling streets of the city gave way to rolling hills and lush green fields. The air grew cooler, and a sense of peace settled over me.
We continued along the highway, the sun slowly sinking below the horizon. The sky was ablaze with vibrant colors, painting the clouds in shades of orange, pink, and purple. It was a breathtaking sight, a reminder of the beauty that surrounded us.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we reached our destination. The toll booth loomed ahead, a gateway to the unknown. I took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
We paid the toll and proceeded through the gate, leaving the familiar behind and venturing into the heart of Java.
The road ahead was long and winding, but I was ready for the challenge. I had my family by my side, and I knew that no matter what obstacles we faced, we would overcome them together.
Night had fallen, and the road stretched out before us, illuminated only by the headlights of the two SUVs. We were heading towards a remote, secluded area, far from the prying eyes of the city.
< Chapter 072 > Fin.