From the rim of the cirque, a figure emerged, radiating an aura of power.
The mysterious figure's body was wrapped in bandages like a mummy, revealing only a pair of piercing dark red eyes that burned with an eerie intensity.
He towered over them, a giant of a man at least the same physical size as Purba.
His faded, dark brown sleeveless coat, hem brushing his ankles, was tucked into a weathered leather belt, cinching loose-fitting trousers. A leather strap, worn smooth with age, crossed his bare chest, disappearing beneath the coat at his armpits.
The broad-brimmed straw hat, its edges frayed and sun-bleached, cast a deep shadow over his features, adding to his enigmatic presence. Olive wood bands, worn smooth with time, adorned his wrists.
Purnama felt an oppressive energy emanating from the stranger, an overwhelming aura of dark Shakti that sent a chill down his spine.
"W-Who are you?" he asked, his voice taut with trepidation, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his kris.
The mysterious figure remained silent, his face obscured by the shadows of his hat.
With a flick of his wrist, he released a powerful gust of wind, a shockwave that sent Purnama, Suria, and Riang crashing against the icy wall of the cirque.
"The name," he said, his voice a low growl reverberating through the cirque, "Eznar."
Suria glared at the imposing figure before them, struggling to her feet and cradling the miniature Riang protectively in her left hand.
"LIGHT ARROWS!" Suria cried, unleashing a volley of glowing projectiles toward Eznar.
A powerful gust of wind erupted from the enigmatic figure, deflecting the attack away from him. The light arrows struck the eroded valley wall, exploding in a shower of sparks and shattered stone, sending shards of ice raining down around them.
Eznar leaped from the higher ground to confront the Kshatriya warriors, landing with a thud that shook their feet.
Purnama exploded into motion, a whirlwind of limbs and fury. His fists, honed by years of rigorous training, lashed out with the speed and precision of a venomous snake.
But Eznar, a towering figure of impossible grace, seemed to anticipate each move. With a flick of his wrist, he sidestepped the blows, his movements fluid and effortless, like a dancer navigating a treacherous storm.
A whirlwind of dark energy gathered around Eznar's left fist, growing more potent with each passing moment. Then, he unleashed a devastating counterattack, sending Purnama crashing through the icy barrier.
"I'm disappointed," Eznar said.
His gaze shifted to Suria, who was holding Riang protectively, and he began to advance slowly, his presence radiating an aura of menace that made Suria's heart pound in her chest.
Eznar loomed over her, a titan blocking out the meager light that filtered through the icy cliffs. His long, menacing shadow swallowed her whole, dwarfing her into an insignificant speck.
Suria felt a tremor of fear, a chilling realization of her vulnerability against this towering figure.
"Suria," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle, "perhaps it's time for you to consider joining our force. You have great strength and talent. Leave the weak behind. Together, with the strongest, we can build a better civilization."
Suria's eyes widened in shock. How did he know her name? For a moment, doubt flickered in her mind. Eznar's words, though laced with darkness, held a seductive appeal, promising power and a world free from the constraints of her current life.
A thrill, both exhilarating and terrifying, coursed through her. Was this freedom? Was this the power she had always secretly craved? A part of her, a dangerous part, was strangely intrigued by Eznar's offer.
Riang, sensing Suria's hesitation, grew alarmed.
"Hey, Suria, knock it out!" she shouted, her small hand flying out to give Suria a sharp slap. "Don't even think about it!"
The sting of the slap snapped Suria back to reality. She blinked, the doubt vanishing from her eyes, replaced by a fierce determination.
Purnama emerged from the shattered wall and saw his sister falter under the dark invitation. He summoned Zirko, who materialized beside him in a flash of icy mist.
"My kind of weather," Zirko remarked.
In an instant, Purnama signaled Zirko to distract Eznar.
The icy moose, transforming into a swirling cloud of frost, darted towards Eznar. As it closed in, Zirko materialized in his giant moose form, charging with mighty antlers, forcing Eznar to dodge and weave.
This bought Purnama precious moments to get close to his companions and strategize.
"Riang," Purnama said urgently, his voice tight with worry, "do you have a Dykin seed?"
"Err... I lost my partner," Riang stammered, her eyes wide with worry. "Everything is safer with him."
"Take one of these," Purnama said, pressing one of his seeds into her tiny hand. "Suria, give one of your seeds to Riang. Go to Rona. I'll meet you there."
Purnama's voice took on a serious tone, his eyes locking with Suria's.
"Look for the Aracca Motel. If I don't arrive within two hours, you must find Belang. He'll know the closest way out. Leave Rona as soon as possible."
"W-What?" Suria exclaimed, her voice filled with confusion and fear. "How are we supposed to find Belang?"
"He's well-known in Rona; ask anyone inside the motel pub. Someone should know him. Riang, you're good with numbers; keep track of the time. Remember this: four hours is your time limit in Rona, and if you can't find Belang, turn back the way you came in and jump into the lake as fast as you can. Now go!"
"Got it, Purnama!" Riang responded.
Suria, concerned about Purnama battling against her desire to stay and fight, reluctantly took out her Dykin seeds and gave one to Riang.
As they both crushed the seeds, two swirling portals opened before them, their depths filled with colors and unknown landscapes, different from what the portal usually was.
Suria stepped into her portal with a final, worried glance back at Purnama, and Riang followed suit, disappearing into her own.
The portals closed behind them with a soft whoosh, leaving Purnama and Zirko alone to face Eznar.