Leaving Bali was a heavy-hearted decision for Arya. After confronting the darkness at Lake Batur, he now had to prepare for an even greater challenge in Java. The sea lay calm beneath the moonlight, but the cold wind carried faint whispers, as though warning him of the dangers ahead.
Rangda, seated near the ship's bow, gazed at the horizon with a contemplative expression. "Mount Merapi is no ordinary place. Its energy is immense, and if the seal there begins to weaken, countless supernatural beings will awaken."
Barong nodded in agreement. "Not just beings of the Nusantara. I sense traces of foreign energy there. Astaroth and his followers might already have plans in motion."
Hovering above Arya, Vassago spoke in a grave tone. "This is more than just a seal. Merapi is the center of balance for all of Java. If the seal fails, all the energy contained within the ancient temples, ancestral tombs, and sacred sites will be unleashed."
Arya could only nod, trying to steady his pounding heart. "Then we have no time to waste."
Traces at Prambanan Temple
Upon arriving in Java, the group decided to head to Prambanan Temple first. According to Mpu Gandring, Prambanan was one of the key sites to strengthen Mount Merapi's seal. Renowned as a sacred place guarded by ancestral spirits, it was revered as a center of spirituality in Java.
However, upon their arrival, the temple's atmosphere felt different. A thick mist enveloped the area, and the air felt heavy. In the middle of the main courtyard stood a woman in a white robe, her eyes covered by a black cloth.
"Who dares to approach this place?" she asked, her voice soft yet commanding.
Arya stepped forward. "We've come to protect the seal at Mount Merapi. Are you the guardian of this temple?"
The woman removed the black cloth covering her eyes, revealing a piercing gaze that seemed to see straight into Arya's soul. "I am Nyai Roro, the guardian of Prambanan. If you truly seek to protect the seal, prove that you are worthy of carrying this temple's relic."
The Trial at Prambanan
Nyai Roro explained that Arya would need to undergo a spiritual trial to obtain the relic from Prambanan, a sacred keris known as Kyai Nagasasra. This keris was one of the keys to fortifying Mount Merapi's seal.
"This trial is not about strength," Nyai Roro said. "It is about the heart and the purity of your intentions. Many have tried and failed because they did not understand the true meaning of maintaining balance."
Arya had to enter a mystical chamber within the temple, where he would face illusions designed to test his fears, guilt, and greed.
Inside the chamber, Arya saw shadows of his past, his mistakes and the guilt he had buried deep within. He was also tempted with the offer of immense power by Astaroth.
With Vassago's guidance, who continuously encouraged him, Arya managed to overcome these challenges. He realized that true strength comes from a sincere desire to protect, not from seeking personal gain.
Nagasasra: The Key to Merapi's Seal
After successfully passing the trial, Arya emerged from the mystical chamber holding the Kyai Nagasasra keris. The energy emanating from the relic felt alive, responding to Arya's spirit. Nyai Roro gave him a faint smile, her eyes filled with pride.
"You have proven yourself, Arya. This keris will aid you in maintaining balance at Merapi. But remember, your journey has only begun. Greater challenges lie ahead."
Rangda and Barong greeted Arya with pride. "You've shown your worth, Arya," Rangda said. "But we must head to Merapi without delay. Time is running out."
Shadows at Mount Merapi
As they approached Mount Merapi, Arya began to feel the presence of something immense and dark. The towering volcano loomed in the distance, with smoke continuously billowing from its crater. Vassago hovered lower, his expression filled with concern.
"The energy here is far stronger than what we encountered in Bali," he said. "The beings locked within Merapi's seal might already be awakening."
On their journey to the summit, they encountered signs of destruction: scorched trees, ominous rumblings from deep within the earth, and shadows darting quickly through the mist.
But at the peak of Merapi, Arya saw something that sent chills down his spine. A massive portal stood in the center of the crater, emanating a pulsating purple light. Standing before the portal was a colossal figure cloaked in an intimidating aura of darkness.
"Astaroth," Arya whispered, gripping the Kyai Nagasasra tightly.
The figure turned, revealing its terrifying form, with glowing red eyes piercing through the haze. "You've arrived just in time," it said in a booming voice. "Bear witness as the destruction of the Nusantara begins here."
The Battle at Merapi's Summit
With the relic in hand and the determination to protect the Nusantara, Arya prepared for the greatest battle of his life. Yet, he knew this was only the beginning. The darkness attempting to consume the world would not surrender easily, and he would need to summon every lesson he had learned to stop it.
(To be continued...)