WiraCandraTirtha Sang Akalamis(SUB ENGLISH)

Chapter 3: The First Steps Toward Mount Agni

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The next morning, WiraCandraTirtha and Niswara began their journey to Mount Agni. The sun had just risen, bathing the trees in soft golden light. The narrow path they followed was overgrown with bushes, indicating it was rarely traveled.

Wira led the way, with the ancient artifact hidden in his backpack. Niswara, her wounds starting to heal, trailed behind him. However, the silence between them didn't last long.

"Wira, are you sure Mount Agni is where we need to go?" Niswara asked, wiping sweat from her forehead.

"Yes," Wira replied firmly. "Empu Tirta once said that a powerful hermit resides there. He might know what I need to do with this artifact."

Niswara nodded, but her eyes betrayed her doubt. "Mount Agni is known to be full of dangers—not just the harsh terrain but also the mystical creatures guarding the area. Have you thought about what to do if something goes wrong?"

"I don't have all the answers yet," Wira admitted, pausing for a moment. He stared ahead, where Mount Agni began to appear faintly in the distance. "But I know one thing: if this artifact falls into the wrong hands, the world will descend into chaos."

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The Danger of the Poisonous Swamp

Midway through their journey, they came upon a dark and foreboding swamp. The air was heavy, the stench of decay biting at their noses. Wira stopped, sensing something unusual.

"This swamp… it's not normal," Niswara whispered. "I've heard stories about a guardian spirit that drains the souls of those who enter."

Suddenly, their steps were interrupted by a rustling sound. From the fog of the swamp emerged a massive black figure with glowing red eyes. The creature resembled a demon, its body covered in slimy mucus that emitted a toxic haze.

"Run, Niswara!" Wira shouted, drawing his sword.

But the demon was faster than expected. With a massive leap, it lunged at Wira. A fierce battle ensued. Wira used his martial arts skills to dodge its attacks, but each strike of his sword seemed ineffective against the creature's seemingly impenetrable body.

Niswara, despite her injuries, didn't stand idly by. She grabbed a small bow she always carried and fired arrows repeatedly at the creature. One of her arrows struck the demon's eye, causing it to roar in pain.

"Now, Wira!" Niswara yelled.

Seizing the moment, Wira attacked the creature's exposed area, using a technique taught by Empu Tirta. With a powerful strike, the demon collapsed and dissolved into black smoke.

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A Clue from the Old Merchant

After escaping the swamp, they encountered an old merchant at the edge of the forest. He carried a basket of herbs and seemed friendly, though something about his gaze made Wira suspicious.

"Greetings, travelers," the merchant said. "You look weary. May I offer some food and a bit of advice?"

Wira glanced at Niswara with caution, but they decided to rest for a moment. The merchant offered them an herbal tea that oddly rejuvenated Wira.

"What is your destination?" the merchant asked, his sharp eyes glinting.

"We're headed to Mount Agni," Wira replied curtly, avoiding mention of the artifact.

The merchant chuckled softly. "Mount Agni is no place for the faint-hearted. But if you must go, seek the Great Hermit at its peak. He's the only one who knows how to face what lies within the mountain."

Before they could ask more, the merchant vanished, leaving his basket of herbs behind.

"Who… was he?" Niswara asked, her voice trembling.

Wira picked up the basket and found a piece of ancient cloth bearing the same symbol as the artifact he carried. A sense of foreboding grew stronger within him.

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Cliffhanger: A Sudden Attack

As they continued their journey, Wira felt as though they were being watched. The sound of light footsteps and shadows darting between the trees kept him on edge. Suddenly, a group of dark-clad figures ambushed them from all sides.

"Followers of the Sky World Sect!" Wira exclaimed.

A brutal fight broke out, more vicious than any before. The attackers wielded poisoned weapons and dark magic that threatened both Wira and Niswara's lives. Amid the chaos, one of the attackers managed to knock Wira down, and the artifact he carried was nearly snatched away.

Panting heavily, Wira struggled to rise, but one of the enemies, grinning wickedly, pointed a dagger at him.

"This artifact is ours now," the enemy sneered triumphantly.

But just as the dagger was about to strike, the artifact in Wira's bag began to emit a blinding light, shocking everyone present.

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The light grew even more blinding, causing the attackers to retreat momentarily, stunned by the power that had emerged.

"It can't be!" shouted their leader, his face turning pale instantly.

The artifact in Wira's bag continued to glow brighter, releasing an energy that was beyond explanation. The light filled the surrounding area, and in an instant, the attackers staggered back, as if the artifact's power was physically and mentally pressing against them. The noise of the battle seemed to vanish, leaving only silence.

Wira lifted himself up, feeling an unusual strength flow through him. At that moment, a voice echoed in his mind—coming from the artifact.

"True power lies not in this object, but in the heart wise enough to wield it."

Wira stood still for a moment, sensing the incredible change within himself. The artifact, which had once seemed like an ordinary object, now appeared as if it were a living entity, channeling energy that could alter fate. With the newfound power coursing through him, Wira stood tall and fixed his gaze on the still-shocked enemies.

"Don't try again," Wira said in a deep, authoritative voice. "The power of this artifact will destroy you."

However, before Wira could strike, the enemies retreated, realizing they couldn't win. Their leader glared at Wira in anger but dared not continue the fight.

"This isn't over, WiraCandraTirtha!" the leader of the Sky Universe Sect shouted, and with a swift motion, they disappeared into the shadows of the trees.

Wira and Niswara exchanged glances, both feeling the tension still lingering in the air. But Wira knew their threat was far from over.

"What just happened?" Niswara asked, still confused.

Wira looked at the artifact glowing in his hand. "I'm not sure. But it seems like this is just the beginning of a much harder journey."

They continued their journey, but Wira felt increasingly connected to a fate that had already been set, and he became more aware that the artifact was not just an inanimate object but an entity carrying a great burden—not just for him, but for the entire world.

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Chapter 4: The Search for the Truth about the Artifact

After the encounter with the Sky Universe Sect, Wira and Niswara knew the threat was not over. The artifact they carried was showing an increasingly extraordinary power, but Wira felt more and more confused about what he was really holding. Not only because of the dangers posed by their enemies, but also because the artifact seemed to have a will of its own—and Wira began to feel that he needed to learn more about it.

That night, they stopped in a remote village, a safe place for the moment. Wira sat by the campfire, the artifact lying beside him, glowing softly under the moonlight.

"Niswara, what are we really looking for?" Wira asked, his eyes fixed on the artifact. "This power, it feels like it's not just for us... it's for the whole world."

Niswara sat beside him, gazing at the artifact with the same curiosity. "Maybe we need to find someone who can explain everything. There are many legends and stories that say only those with pure hearts can understand the power of this artifact."

Wira nodded. "That's what I thought. But who can we trust?"

Their decision was to search for a wise sage, a keeper of ancient secrets, believed to live on Mount Kedaung. This mountain, according to legend, was a place full of mystical secrets, where many people came seeking enlightenment and answers about their fate.

However, the journey to Mount Kedaung was not easy. It would take days, passing through dense forests and dangerous terrain. Along the way, Wira began to notice strange signs. The artifact seemed to vibrate in his bag, guiding him in unexpected directions. Occasionally, Wira heard a soft voice, not from someone, but as if it were a whisper from the artifact itself.

They met many people along the journey—friendly farmers, honest merchants, but also many who were suspicious. Some looked at the artifact with fear, while others were fascinated. Over time, Wira realized that the artifact was attracting more attention than he had imagined.

One night, when they reached the foot of Mount Kedaung, an unexpected event occurred. They were attacked by a group of mysterious people who seemed to know their purpose.

"You have the artifact, don't you?" asked a tall man, his voice deep and heavy. "We must stop you."

A fierce battle ensued. These enemies were far stronger than any they had faced before, and Wira struggled. But when he raised the artifact, the light suddenly appeared again, brighter and stronger than ever before. The artifact seemed to retaliate against the enemy's attacks with an incredible energy, defeating them in an instant.

After the battle ended, Wira felt an overwhelming exhaustion. Yet, he knew that this fight was just the beginning of a much longer journey. With a heart full of resolve, he continued their journey toward the peak of Mount Kedaung, hoping to find the answers they had long been searching for.

At the summit, Wira and Niswara met an old hermit named Mahaguru Tantrika. Tantrika, who had long isolated himself from the outside world, knew much about the artifact they carried. He warned Wira that the artifact was the key to maintaining the balance of the universe, but only those with wise hearts could wield it properly.

"Do not let that power consume you, WiraCandraTirtha," Mahaguru Tantrika said. "This artifact has a power greater than you can imagine, and the fate you choose will determine the world's destiny."

With those words, Tantrika began teaching Wira how to use the artifact wisely, and together with Niswara, they began a spiritual training that would change them forever.

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Next Story Direction: Chapter 4 opens many possibilities for further developing the story. During this journey, Wira not only learns about the power of the artifact but also faces spiritual trials that will transform him. His internal conflict on how to use this power, along with the growing threat from the Sky Universe Sect and other dark forces, will play a pivotal role in their journey.

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