Back in Talang Asri, the village chief arrives at Rangkabhumi's house, breathless.
"Arkadevi! The border is in danger. Galuguh's forces are approaching. We must evacuate!"
Arkadevi shakes her head firmly. "There's no way I'm leaving this place without Prabu Jayantaka's permission," she says.
"Why?" The chief blinks.
"It's the king's decree for me to stay here. After all, I know the king will not abandon us!"
She declares with confidence, her face betraying no fear. But as the village chief turns away, doubt creeps into her heart.
It's not just her trust in the king. The real reason she can't leave is because the king's son is here with her. But he is not at home, and she hasn't found him yet.
***
Not far from home, in a secluded cemetery, Adanu Raksa lounges in the grass, lazily watching his cows graze.
The cemetery is simple, unadorned, a resting place untouched by time. No stone markers, no grand memorials, just mounds of earth blending into the wild landscape.
Tall grass and thick bushes sway in the breeze, creeping over the graves as if nature itself has reclaimed the land. The dense undergrowth sprawls unchecked, not eerie, but serene.
Unlike most, Adanu Raksa feels no fear here. To him, the cemetery isn't haunted, only quiet and peaceful.
He comes here almost daily, undisturbed by the living or the dead.
But today…
A strange movement in the bushes catches his eye.
"Huh?"
The air ripples unnaturally, as if something invisible stirs within.
Rubbing his eyes, he blinks, and sees a woman bursts from the undergrowth. Draped in flowing white garments, she runs with urgency, glancing over her shoulder in fear.
Adanu Raksa tilts his head. He knows everyone in Talang Asri, but he's never seen this woman before.
"Oh! Hello there!" he calls, raising a hand in a friendly wave.
She doesn't answer. She just keeps running, glancing over her shoulder, and then stumbles.
"Kyaa!"
With a cry, she falls forward, landing in the grass. Adanu Raksa rushes over. But as he reaches for her, his breath catches.
Her skin shimmers, faintly transparent, as if she isn't entirely real.
For a moment, he hesitates. Then, determined, he grabs her hand. But the moment he touches her, her skin solidifies, appearing normal beneath his grip.
Was he imagining things?
"Are you okay?" he asks, looking concerned. "You look exhausted. Is something chasing you?"
The woman doesn't answer. Instead, she tilts her head to the sky, her expression tightening with worry.
"No… It's getting dark."
"What's wrong?" Adanu Raksa frowns.
Then, she finally looks at him, this time truly looks. Her wide piercing eyes study his face with intensity.
"You…" Her voice lowers to a whisper. "How can a child like you have such an overflowing spirit?"
Adanu blinks. "Huh?"
"Your vessel… It's deep. Your spirit energy is abundant, yet… you are so small."
Adanu Raksa scratches his head. "Lady, what are you talking about?"
She blinks, then offers a soft smile. "Nothing. You must be the son of someone great."
Adanu puffs out his chest proudly. "Yeah! I'm the son of Rangkabhumi, the greatest general of Talang Asri!"
Her smile falters, a strange emotion flickers in her gaze. Then, gently, she leans closer to him.
"Um… Lady? What are you doing?" Adanu Raksa shifts awkwardly.
"I'm sorry," she murmurs. "But I need your help."
"Help?"
Without warning, she brings her mouth closer to his, her lips slightly apart. In that instant, a strange sensation washes over him.
Adanu Raksa instinctively flinches. A cold shiver crawls down his spine. His fingers twitch, his breathing falters, but his body feels too heavy to resist.
Then something is being pulled from his mouth and nostrils, something almost unseen. A pale, glowing mist drifts from his skin, drawn into her slightly parted lips.
Adanu's limbs grow heavy. His vision blurs.
"What's… happening?" His voice weakens. "Why am I… so tired?"
Slowly, darkness creeps at the edges of his mind. And the woman, now glowing faintly, exhales with relief.
Her once-weary face appears refreshed, her pallid skin now vibrant and warm. She gazes at the boy's sleeping face, a strange heaviness settling in her chest.
She gently traces his features with her eyes, memorizing every detail, the curve of his brow, the softness of his breath, the faint traces of exhaustion lingering in his expression.
This debt… I would not forget.
She leans down, whispering softly.
"My name is Indri Kesvari. Forgive me. I had to take a little of your spirit energy. But don't worry, you will recover after a night's sleep."
She presses a gentle kiss to his forehead. And then, her form shimmers, becoming weightless. She drifts into the air, her white robes billowing like mist.
And before Adanu Raksa's conscious completely vanishes, she transforms. With a flutter of wings, a white pigeon soars into the twilight, vanishing into the forest.
***
Not long after, Arkadevi arrives. As soon as she spots Adanu Raksa lying motionless on the ground, a sharp wave of panic seizes her chest.
She rushes to him, her hands trembling as she checks for breath, searching for warmth. Then, relief washes over her. It turns out the boy's just sleeping.
"Hey, wake up!" she calls, shaking him gently.
Adanu Raksa stirs, his eyelids fluttering open. "Uh… Mom? It's just you."
"Yeah, it's just your mother. Why are you sleeping here?" Her voice wavers between relief and frustration.
He yawns, rubbing his eyes. "I don't know. I just feel… so tired. And so sleepy. Anyway, I thought I saw an angle just now."
Arkadevi sighs, scooping him up into her arms. He's heavier now. Still, she carries him with ease.
"An angle? Or a ghost? How can you sleep in the middle of a cemetery like this?" she mutters. "If Prabu Jayantaka knew about this, he'd be furious at me."
Adanu Raksa blinks. "Why would the king be mad at you, Mom? Is he grumpy?"
"Very," she replies, adjusting his weight. "And he really hates naughty children. He sends his army when he gets angry."
"Mmkay… If he's mad at me, he can face my dad first."
"You fool," Arkadevi chuckles, shaking her head. "The king is much stronger than your father."
"No way!"
She only sighs in response, holding him a little tighter, carrying him back home.
Arkadevi steps into the yard with Adanu nestled against her shoulder, her movements calm and unhurried, yet carrying a quiet strength.
Behind her, the path falls silent. And concealed in the shadows of a banana grove, Bramasti lingers, his gaze fixed on her.
Desire coils within him, sharp and corrosive, feeding on every detail; the curve of her back, the sway of her hips, the way her long dark hair lifts in the afternoon wind. His hand tightens on the rough trunk beside him until his knuckles pale, the need almost unbearable.
She was never meant for him, he knows that. Yet the thought of Rangkabhumi far away at the fortress, outnumbered and perhaps already doomed, gnaws at him like a secret promise.
Reinforcements will never come…
Not if I never delivers the message.
Slowly he exhales, forcing the fever in his blood to cool. Not yet, the moment isn't ripe. But soon, when she is truly alone, she will be his.
With the hunger still twisting in his chest, Bramasti turns from the grove and slips back into shadow.