It was almost midnight by the time the carriage crossed into the distinct territory of the Batik tribe.
The biting, cold mountain wind rushed through the trees, dislodging flurries of soft white cotton from the branches and sending them swirling to the earth, creating the magical illusion of a steady snowfall.
Towering stacks of high-quality tree bark lined the sides of the road, harvested by the locals to produce their famed woodwork.
Azareth commanded the driver to halt the horses in front of a colossal row of ancient trees that completely blocked the path ahead, choking the center of the jungle.
Stepping down from the carriage, Azareth unclipped a heavy horn from his belt and blew a long, resonant note.
To Suria and Riang's absolute amazement, the giant trees at the center began to shift, their massive trunks groaning as they lowered themselves downward to form a perfect, sloping wooden ramp.
The carriage pressed onward, riding along the shifting bark to cross into Batik Town—a breathtaking settlement constructed entirely atop the canopy of giant trees.
As they reached the upper levels of the canopy, a vibrant, glowing town unfolded before them. The structures were crafted entirely from rich timber, their unique, geometric shapes wrapped in elegant, colorful silk exteriors.
Intricately sculpted wooden monuments were scattered across every corner, housing thousands of glowing fireflies that illuminated the entire town with a warm, magical light.
Batik was the second smallest quadrant in Tambora, inhabited by the Batikan, who were legendary for their woodworking and silk-weaving craftsmanship.
No two structures looked alike—some rose multiple stories high, others were elongated or sweeping, while several curved dynamically or formed perfect spheres built directly between the colossal trunks of the trees.
Just as it had been in Sawa, the arrival of the carriage drew the immediate curiosity of the Batikan, as foreigners were a rare sight in their hidden world.
Batik Town was laid out in two massive, interlocking circles. The first circle served as the bustling trade and artisan district, while the second circle housed the private residential settlements and the grand elder's estate.
Passing through the checkpoint of the first circle with the guards' clearance, the horse-drawn carriage headed straight toward the far end of the residential sector, stopping before a magnificent five-story spiral wooden tower decorated with long, thick drapes of woven fabric hanging from its roofline.
The carriage came to a halt. Azareth turned to Suria and Riang, requesting that they join him to meet the leader while his soldiers remained behind to guard the transport.
As they entered the grand lobby, they were met by a garrison of seven tall guards dressed in loose white trousers, leather sandals, and fine blue silk tunics reinforced with heavy chain mail.
Upon spotting Azareth, the guards instantly snapped into a traditional Tamboran salute—tucking their thumbs tightly beneath their palms, pressing their remaining fingers against their left shoulders, and bowing their heads in respect.
Azareth presented the sealed scroll, and one of the sentries promptly escorted them up to the first floor, which housed a lavish waiting area complete with a local cafe.
They sat down to wait, feasting on a specialized local delicacy known as Kuih Batik, a rich, layered chocolate and biscuit cake.
Shortly after, the sentry returned from the upper levels, announcing that the elder was ready to receive them. The trio ascended the grand spiral staircase and entered the elder's private chambers. Flanked on the left and right by two remarkably tall, stoic bodyguards, a woman sat gracefully at the center of the room.
She possessed a radiant, timeless face, her smooth skin carrying the pristine luster of a pearl. Her light brown eyes shined with a mesmerizing intensity, contrasting beautifully with her stark white, shoulder-length hair. She firmly held a wooden staff wrapped in vibrant, multi-colored silk, a sweet smile playing across her sharply defined pink lips. Dressed in an exquisite, uniquely woven gown of fine white lace, she stood up to welcome her guests.
"Welcome to Batik, my honorable guests. My name is Lyta, and I am the elder of this quadrant," she said warmly, gesturing toward the seats. "Please, have a seat."
She turned her gaze to the commander.
"Let me see the scroll, Azareth."
Azareth stepped forward, carefully handing the parchment to Elder Lyta. The warriors watched silently as she unrolled the document, her eyes scanning the text before she smoothly rolled it back up, tied it securely, and placed it inside her desk drawer.
"Who would have thought the prophecy would unfold during my time?" she murmured softly.
Elder Lyta offered them a gentle smile and stepped away from her desk.
"Please, take a look at my town. As midnight approaches, the fireflies will go to sleep, leaving only the pure moonlight to illuminate the brave night. Tomorrow, we shall celebrate with a grand feast! Hukta, escort our special guests and show them our beloved hospitality."
One of the broad-shouldered bodyguards stepped forward, bowing respectfully before gesturing for the group to follow him.
Hukta led them on a brief, scenic night tour of the settlement before the town's lights faded. Right at the border connecting the artisan district and the residential circle, they arrived at a beautiful, dome-shaped wooden estate.
"Please, feel free to choose any room you find comfortable," Hukta instructed warmly. "Inside each closet, you will find a selection of our traditional garments. You are welcome to wear them to celebrate the festival tomorrow morning."
"Thank you very much, Hukta, for your incredible hospitality," Suria replied gratefully.
Offering a warm smile in return, Hukta cast his eyes toward the night sky.
"Embrace the moonlight, as it shines to guide us on our path," he said softly, before turning to leave them for the night.
As the clouds drifted lazily across the sky, a magnificent full moon was revealed, casting a brilliant, silvery glow over the entire canopy.
The thousands of fireflies slowly went dark, letting the pure moonlight take over the midnight hour.
Staring out at the majestic, serene sight, Suria felt a sudden wave of understanding wash over her—little by little, she began to realize exactly why her father had dedicated his life to protecting the people of Tambora.
"Suria," Riang spoke up softly, her eyes fixed on the glowing sky. "Do you think they are doing all of this—showing us their home—not just to gather the elders' votes, but to make us question why your father did what he did?"
"I was thinking the exact same thing," Suria admitted, walking slowly toward the bed and collapsing onto the soft cotton mattress with a heavy sigh. "Seeing how much they revere him... it makes everything even more complicated. But the mission Ria gave us still has to take priority. It came directly from the King himself, so there must be a crucial reason behind it."
She stared at the ceiling, her voice softening.
"I just hope we get our freedom very soon, Riang. I'm completely exhausted by this keshatriya life. Who knows... once this is over, maybe Purnama and I can finally return to Rona for good."
Hovering off the floor, Riang flew over to the bed and flopped down onto the mattress right beside Suria.
"Well, Gema managed to leave the keshatriya life behind without any issues," Riang noted, turning her head toward her friend. "There might be a good reason why King Awan is keeping you and Purnama in the service."
Suria let out a sharp breath.
"I intend to have a serious word with Purba about that eventually. But for now, I need to focus on completing this task so we can finally return to Aurea. Let's get some sleep, Riang. We have a massive festival to attend in the morning."
Early the next morning, the distinct sound of flapping fabric echoed through the canopy as the giant tree ramps were lowered, allowing the Batikan artisans to descend into the valley and gather raw jungle resources.
The morning bustle woke Suria and Riang. Feeling completely refreshed, they stepped out onto the balcony to watch the Batikan efficiently begin their daily routines.
Turning to the suite's closet, they looked through the traditional garments and selected matching outfits.
The moment they changed into the local attire, a sudden wave of vibrant comfort and excitement washed over them.
Without a second thought, filled with an uncharacteristic burst of pure energy, Suria and Riang leaped directly off the high balcony. They touched down perfectly on the ground below—entirely startling a group of nearby Batikan, who gasped at the clearly non-human feat.
What the two warriors didn't realize was that the Kuih Batik they had feasted on the night before possessed a unique property: it provided a massive, joyful boost to the energy and mood of anyone who ate it, taking full effect the moment they woke from their sleep.
"Uhm... Suria," Riang whispered, looking around awkwardly as she hovered slightly. "I think we got a little too excited just now. We forgot that they're still Atman."
"Er... yeah," Suria mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck as the surrounding villagers stared in shock. "Batik just... made me feel like I was back home in Aurea for a second."
"There you are, my beloved guests!" a warm voice called out, cutting through the awkward commotion.
Emerging from the parting crowd were Elder Lyta, Azareth, and their entourage, walking directly toward the two travelers. Upon seeing their leader enter the square, the surrounding Batikan instantly straightened and delivered the traditional thumb-tucked salute.
"My fellow Batikan!" Elder Lyta announced proudly, her voice carrying across the plaza. "Let me introduce you to our special guests. Standing before you is the true daughter of our deity, Lady Suria, and her celestial companion, Lady Riang!"
To Suria's absolute dismay, Elder Lyta instantly dropped to her knees to bow, and the entire crowd of villagers swiftly followed her lead, prostrating themselves on the wooden floorboards.
"...Oh, not this again," Suria groaned softly. She rushed forward, gently catching the elder by her shoulders to lift her back up.
"Please, please stand up. At ease, everyone, at ease."
"Now, go and prepare the grandest feast for our sacred guests!" Elder Lyta ordered cheerfully, turning to her people with big warm smile.
Hearing the command, the Batikan immediately burst into movement, rushing to set up a massive celebration in the square of the first circle.
"Lady Suria, please excuse me for a moment," Elder Lyta said with a polite bow. "I must personally oversee the final preparations. In the meantime, Barta will guide you through our town."
As the elder departed alongside Hukta, a knowledgeable guide named Barta stepped forward, leading Suria, Riang, and Azareth into the artisan sector of the first circle.
He proudly showed them the grand workshops where the Batikan processed raw cotton and silk, the open courtyards where craftsmen carved and sculpted magnificent timber, and the massive storage warehouses filled with raw materials.
"Three nights from now, we will journey to the midpoint of the crater to trade our specialized textiles and woodwork with the other tribes of Tambora," Barta explained, his voice deep and raspy as he gestured to the heavy crates lined up inside the warehouse. "The goods on the right are ready for delivery, and the storage bays on the left hold the vital resources we expect to receive in return from the Exchange Day."
Outside the structure, several Batikan could be seen carrying large crates of fresh food toward the central square.
"Is all of that food being prepped for our feast?" Suria asked, watching the heavy load.
"Indeed it is, my lady," Barta smiled.
Suria frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of guilt.
"You really don't need to go to such lengths for us. Food clearly isn't your primary resource up here in the canopy; you should save these provisions for your own people."
Barta stopped and looked at her with deep reverence.
"You are the daughter of our deity, Lady Suria. Your father protected this sacred land and blessed it with his own shakti so that our resources would never stop growing. Do not worry; our elder is profoundly wise, and she knows what is best for the tribe."
"If you say so," Riang murmured, exchanging a look with Suria.
"I believe the feast preparations should be fully complete by the time we walk over," Azareth interrupted politely, checking the horizon. "We should enjoy the celebration, but let us not waste too much time afterward, as we must continue our journey to the next quadrant."
"Of course, Azareth," Barta agreed, gesturing toward the main thoroughfare.
A short walk brought them to a wide, open clearing near the entrance of the first circle, which the Batikan traditionally used for grand festivals.
From a distance, they could see several massive, bright blue triangular tents erected across the field, surrounded by hundreds of cheerful Batikan who were already singing and dancing in unison.
The crowd erupted into loud cheers as Barta escorted the travelers toward the high table. Given the seats of honor right next to Elder Lyta, they dined heartily, filling their stomachs with an array of delicious local dishes and refreshing drinks.
As the celebration peaked, the local musicians began to play lively, rhythmic music using handmade wooden instruments and fine silk strings.
The contagious excitement of the festival swept through the entire quadrant. Elder Lyta warmly invited Suria and Riang to join her in the center of the field for a traditional dance, and the two warriors happily complied, losing themselves in the rhythm.
Azareth slowly walked up to Elder Lyta, leaning in to quietly whisper a reminder. Nodding knowingly, Elder Lyta gradually brought her dance to a stop and reached out, gently taking both Riang and Suria by the hands.
"I hope you are having fun," Elder Lyta said with a playful wink, guiding them back toward the table. "However, let us not waste any more time, as you have some rough terrain to travel next."
Returning to her seat, Elder Lyta reached into her robes, pulled out the official parchment scroll, and handed it directly to the commander. She then stood up, raising her carved staff high to signal her people for an announcement.
"Thank you for honoring us with your presence, Lady Suria and Lady Riang!" Lyta spoke, her voice ringing clear over the hushed crowd. "I truly hope you have enjoyed your time in Batik. Let us meet again at the midpoint arch!"
The crowd erupted into a chorus of loud, joyous cheers. Turning back to the two warriors, Elder Lyta wrapped them both in a warm, sincere embrace before addressing her tribe one last time.
"My fellow people, our honored guests must now depart to visit the next town. Please offer your prayers for their safe and swift journey!"
Escorted by Azareth, the warriors walked out of the festival grounds, showered in warm waves and bright smiles from the grateful Batikan.
The horse-drawn carriage was already waiting for them right outside the tents.
"Thank you, everyone! We had an amazing time here!" Suria called out with a bright smile before stepping into the carriage.
With a chorus of affectionate goodbyes echoing behind them, the travelers departed, charting a course deeper into the volcano toward the next hidden tribe.