After escaping the Wana Loka forest and surviving the pursuit of Buto Ijo, Aisha, Yoona, Oliver, Amelia, and Jay were still filled with confusion and uncertainty. They walked behind Anindya and Raka, passing through a vast field of tall grass. The forest behind them now looked like a distant shadow, but the strange feeling lingered in their minds.
"So, you don't know how you ended up here?" Anindya asked, breaking the silence.
Aisha shook her head. "We were just reading a book in the library... A book titled The Myth Journey," she recalled, thinking back to those final moments before everything changed. "And suddenly, after I said the word 'Atlantis,' we... disappeared. We don't know how, but when we came to, we were already in that forest."
Raka glanced over, deep in thought. "Atlantis?" he muttered, the word seeming to spark his interest.
Jay, walking cautiously, couldn't contain his curiosity. "Do you know something about Atlantis?"
Anindya didn't answer right away but quickened her pace. "There's someone who might explain it better. Follow us."
Soon, they arrived at a simple yet dignified padepokan—a hermitage. The building sat atop a small hill, surrounded by shady trees and well-maintained gardens. The atmosphere here felt different—more peaceful yet mysterious, as if the place radiated an immense energy.
In front of the padepokan, an old man in a white robe sat calmly on a large stone. He looked serene, like a monk in deep meditation. His eyes were closed, but his face reflected profound wisdom. This was Sangaji, an old warrior known for his mastery of spiritual knowledge. His presence emanated an unseen aura of power.
Anindya and Raka halted and bowed in respect. "Master," Raka said, "we've brought guests who need answers."
Sangaji slowly opened his eyes and looked at each of them in turn. There was a brief silence before he spoke, his voice gentle yet filled with strength. "I already know," Sangaji said without preamble. "You five are not from this world, not from this place. And I know you seek something deeper."
They stared at Sangaji in astonishment. "How do you know?" Yoona asked, surprised.
Sangaji gave a faint smile. "The universe has many doors, young one. You opened one of them through the book you read."
Oliver stepped forward, trying to grasp what was happening. "We ended up in the forest... and were attacked by a creature that should only exist in legends. How is this even possible?"
"You stand between two worlds—the physical world and the spiritual realm," Sangaji explained with a wise gaze. "When you opened that book, you didn't just open a story but also a portal to another dimension. A world hidden from ordinary humans."
Jay, who had been quietly observing, felt uneasy. "Does this have something to do with Atlantis? We read the book, and as soon as Aisha mentioned its name... everything changed. Do you know anything about Atlantis?"
Sangaji took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting seriousness. "Atlantis... was one of the greatest civilizations to ever exist. But it is not merely a myth as most believe. There are hidden secrets within it—secrets involving ancient powers beyond human comprehension."
"So, Atlantis is real?" Amelia asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Sangaji lowered his gaze, as if recalling something from the past. "Atlantis never vanished... it only became hidden. Protected by a powerful force, accessible only to those truly determined to find it."
"What do you mean?" Aisha asked, sensing the weight of what was being discussed.
Sangaji's sharp eyes met theirs. "If you truly wish to find Atlantis, you must be certain of your desire. The journey to Atlantis is not merely a quest for a lost civilization—it is a journey of self-discovery. The real question is: Are you prepared to face the truth hidden within?"
The five students exchanged glances. Jay, with his ever-curious eyes, sensed that something far greater was at stake than they had imagined. "Do we have another choice?"
Sangaji gave a faint smile. "You always have a choice. But this journey is not without danger. This spiritual realm is filled with beings that will try to stop you, as you've already experienced in the forest. But the greatest danger is not those creatures—it is what you will discover within yourselves."
Aisha exhaled deeply. "Do we have any clues on how to get to Atlantis?"
Sangaji looked into the distance, as if seeing something unseen. "The book you read is the key. It is no ordinary book but a portal. Every word within it is a door leading to different dimensions. If you wish to reach Atlantis, you must find the right words. And the journey will take you across time and space, through worlds you've never seen before."
"But how will we know the right words?" Yoona asked, feeling confused. "The book kept changing as we read it."
Sangaji gazed calmly at Yoona. "Your hearts will guide you. Every world you pass through is part of this grand journey. Each world contains clues, and only those who believe in their purpose will be able to move forward."
Jay gave a wry smile. "This feels like we've stepped into a fairy tale."
Sangaji did not smile. "This is no fairy tale, Jay. This is a hidden reality, concealed behind the veil of your world. And Atlantis... is the pinnacle of all these mysteries."
A heavy silence fell over them as they pondered the consequences of the journey ahead. Amelia, normally brimming with curiosity, felt a mix of fear and excitement. "What should we do now?"
Sangaji stood, his old body still radiating strength as he stepped forward. "You must prepare yourselves. This is no ordinary journey. You must strengthen your hearts and minds, for the path to Atlantis will not be easy. Anindya and Raka will help you get ready."
Anindya and Raka nodded, understanding that the challenges ahead would be far greater than the Buto Ijo they had just faced.
Sangaji stepped closer to Aisha, who seemed uncertain. "You are the key to this journey, Aisha. You were the first to mention Atlantis. Something connects you to that civilization. You must find it."
Aisha's heart pounded. She didn't know why, but something about Sangaji's words felt undeniably true. This journey wasn't just about finding Atlantis—it was about discovering something far greater, something hidden within herself.
"Are you all ready?" Sangaji asked finally.
The five students looked at one another. Though fear and confusion still lingered, one thing was certain: they were already too deep into this adventure, and turning back was no longer an option.
With determination, Jay was the first to answer, "We're ready."