As they stepped outside the hotel, the warm Bali air enveloped them, but a sense of foreboding lingered. Ethan turned to Mr. Budi, his brow furrowed with concern. "Do you think we can drive there?" he asked, glancing at the winding path leading into the dense woods.
Mr. Budi let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "Ethan, it would be delusional to think we could drive through those woods! Not only was it dangerous, but the roads were barely passable. We'd be better off on foot, where we could navigate the terrain."
Ethan nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination. They set off down the path, the sounds of the bustling streets fading behind them as the trees loomed closer, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The air grew thicker, and an unsettling silence enveloped them, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
As they ventured deeper, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced at Mr. Budi, who walked with an air of confidence, but Ethan's mind raced with thoughts of the Sundel Bolong and the dangers that lay ahead. "What if we encounter her?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mr. Budi paused, his expression serious. "We must be prepared. The spirits of these woods are not to be taken lightly. Trust in the traditional ways to protect us."
As they ventured deeper into the dense forest, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air. Ethan's heart pounded in his chest, nose catching a scent ,a sweet yet rotten smell from the abandoned hotel creeping back into his senses. The familiar scent sent shivers down his spine, a warning of impending danger.
In the eerie silence of the woods, Ethan's keen senses picked up on the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Before he could even speak, his gaze locked onto a figure in the shadows. The Sundel Bolong stood before them, her presence hauntingly ethereal. Her gaze pierced through the darkness, sending a chill down Ethan's spine as he met her eyes, filled with centuries of sorrow and rage.
The ethereal glow of her figure flickered, a ghostly flame in the darkness, illuminating the twisted path of her existence. "You wanted to take my daughter!" she shrieked, her voice echoing through the trees, "You coloniser!"
Ethan's instincts kicked in, and he turned to run, but before he could escape, the Sundel Bolong lunged forward, her cold grip wrapping around his arm. In a panic, Mr. Budi swiftly threw salt towards her, and she dissipated into the shadows with a furious hiss.
But the danger wasn't over. The Sundel Bolong reappeared behind Ethan, grabbing his feet and tripping him, dragging him towards the depths of the woods. "No!" Ethan yelled, scrambling to break free. Mr. Budi reacted quickly, throwing more salt in their direction, and Ethan managed to pull himself out just in time.
Mr. Budi then pulled out his talisman, pointing it toward the darkness, "Stay back, you demon!" he commanded with authority.
"Ha! You are more demonic, come to think of it! You sacrificed your daughter for money!" the Sundel Bolong hissed back, her voice laced with venom before she quieted down, her presence still looming.
With fear pushing them forward, they ran deeper into the woods, adrenaline pumping through their veins. Suddenly, Ethan stumbled over a protruding root and fell to the ground. As he stood up, a figure wrapped in white emerged from the earth, and Mr. Budi chuckled nervously, "You did it again; it's like you're a spirit magnet!"
The creature loomed before them, its white wrappings glowing faintly in the moonlight, and Ethan's heart raced as he realized the gravity of the situation. The air grew thick with tension, and he felt the weight of the supernatural pressing in around them. "This wasn't funny, Mr. Budi!" Ethan snapped, trying to shake off the fear that threatened to paralyze him.
The figure wrapped tightly in white cloth moved closer, its eyes wide and unblinking. The air grew colder, and a low moan escaped its lips, a sound that sent dread coursing through Ethan and Mr. Budi. The Pocong's presence was a stark reminder of the supernatural forces at play, and it seemed to sense their fear, moving closer with an unnatural grace.
"Stay back!" Mr. Budi shouted, brandishing his talisman, the silver glint catching the faint light. The Pocong paused, its head tilting slightly as if contemplating the threat. Ethan felt his breath hitch in his throat, the tension palpable as the two entities, the Sundel Bolong and the Pocong, seemed to converge in this haunted realm.
With a sudden burst of courage, Ethan shouted, "We need to keep moving!" He grabbed Mr. Budi's arm, urging him to retreat, but the Pocong advanced, its feet barely touching the ground as it glided forward, the white cloth billowing like mist. The chilling moan grew louder, echoing through the trees, a lament for the souls trapped between worlds.
As they stumbled backward, Mr. Budi hurled a handful of salt, the grains sparkling in the moonlight as they scattered toward the Pocong. The figure recoiled, its face contorting in a silent scream, and in that moment, Ethan seized the opportunity. "Run!" he yelled, and they dashed deeper into the forest, the sounds of the supernatural beings fading behind them, but the lingering dread of their encounter etched in their minds.
The night was far from over, and they knew that the spirits of Bali were watching, waiting for their next move.
***************
Ethan and Mr. Budi sprinted through the dense underbrush, their hearts pounding with a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. As they broke through the last of the foliage, the sight of the temple brought an overwhelming sense of relief. The structure, a typical Indonesian shaman temple, was adorned with intricately carved wooden pillars and a thatched roof that seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature. Vibrant offerings of flowers and fruits lay scattered at the entrance, their colors vivid against the earthy tones of the temple.
"Look, Mr. Budi! We made it!" Ethan shouted, his voice echoing in the stillness. They approached the entrance, where a few flickering candles cast a warm glow, illuminating the worn stone steps leading inside. The air was thick with the scent of incense, mingling with the dampness of the forest.
As they stepped into the temple, a wave of tranquility washed over them, momentarily dispelling their fears. The interior was dimly lit, with shadows dancing along the walls, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. They saw the Shaman standing with his back to them. Ethan took a deep breath, ready to explain their purpose. "We're here to find a way to rescue Adhwa from the Sundel Bolong," he began, his voice filled with hope.
But as Mr. Budi's eyes adjusted to the dim light, he noticed the peculiar arrangement of candles and strange objects scattered across the altar. A sudden cold breeze brushed past him, sending a shiver down his spine. "Ethan, wait... something's not right," he murmured, his instincts screaming that they were not alone. The figure they believed to be the Shaman turned, revealing the Leak in all her haunting beauty and dark allure. In a moment of panic, the Leak dashed away, prompting Ethan and Budi to sprint toward the exit. But as they reached for the door, it slammed shut with an unseen force, trapping them inside. The flickering candles extinguished, plunging them into an oppressive darkness. Budi's quick thinking led him to turn on his phone, the dim light offering a small comfort as they navigated the unfamiliar surroundings.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath them, causing them to stumble and drop the phone. The faint glow from the screen revealed the eerie details of the temple, and just as they regained their footing, a drop of blood fell onto the phone's surface. They both looked up to the source of blood as Ethan crawled backwards. His foot touched something stiff and unmoved but it was smooth and warm and alive ,he could hear it breath faintly ready to strike .