That night, atop the hill that felt increasingly eerie, cold winds blew through the gaps between the large leaves of the tropical forest. The group, now reduced to fifteen members, faced a deep division. In addition to Rizal, Rangga, Amira, Sari, Fauzan, and Fahri, there were other members who played important roles and were involved in equally complex conflicts.
There was Dito, a skilled but pessimistic radio technician, who often sat apart from the others, knitting anxiously in his mind, wondering if help from outside would come before they all succumbed to the forest. Lina, a persistent amateur medic, tried to help treat wounds with whatever she had, but was beginning to despair because the medical supplies had run out. Bima, a muscular man with a rebellious spirit, follows Fauzan in his doubts about Rangga. There is also Tono, a quiet navigator who often observes with his sharp eyes but is reluctant to talk much; Maya, a tough hunter known for being practical, chooses to remain silent and assesses every situation from a survival perspective. Hasan, an experienced soldier, provides calmness and observations that are almost like a shadow. Andi, a shy young man who often acts as a mediator, and Reza, the analyst who is always doubtful of his analysis, always consider all sides before taking a stance.
As the campfire began to burn small, the tension could no longer be hidden. Fauzan raised his voice, bringing up an issue that had been smoldering for a long time. "We have to be honest here, who is Rangga really? He's too cold, too perfect to be part of us. He's hiding something. We're being hunted by wild tribes, landslides, and other natural disasters, but he remains calm. Is he an agent of the tribe? Or a hidden enemy?"
Rangga replied coldly, "I'm just trying to survive. You guys are the ones panicking and accusing each other. Fear will kill you, not me." His voice was like the wind cutting through the night, emotionless but piercing.
Sari stood up to defend him, "Fauzan, we've seen Rangga save us several times, including with the potion that stabilized Fahri. But I'm also confused about him. We don't have enough evidence. We have to focus on surviving, not accusing each other."
Dito sat playing with an old radio, his voice heavy, "I tried sending a signal this afternoon. There's still no response. Out there, no one knows we're still alive. We can't be divided; we have to look out for each other."
Lina interrupted, "But how can we look out for each other if there's a traitor? We need clarity, not endless doubt and suspicion."
Bima, who had formed an alliance with Fauzan, added, "I agree. Rangga must be closely monitored. If he is indeed an enemy, we must be prepared."
Amira tried to mediate, "Let them talk. But remember, tonight we are still one unit. If we are divided, this forest will burn us all."
Hasan, remaining steadfast, calmed them, "We survive because of solidarity, not tension. Tomorrow morning, we must decide on our next steps. But tonight, beware of threats from both outside and within."
Andi and Reza agreed with Hasan, trying to be the calming mediators. They reminded everyone, "Sometimes someone who seems cold like Rangga isn't really the enemy because he's strong enough to control himself in the midst of chaos."
Fahri, who was lying weakly, could only listen, his eyes half open but already full of exhaustion. His voice was soft, "If we continue to fight, we will all die... Look at this forest. We only have one choice—unite or disappear."
That night, the group split into invisible but powerful factions. The alliance of Fauzan, Bima, Sari, and Lina, who were already suspicious, opposed Rangga, Tono, Maya, and Hasan, with the passive support of Rizal, Amira, Dito, Andi, and Reza, who were learning to maintain balance.
Behind the cold night and the threatening sounds of nature, they knew the greatest battle was not just with the forest, but with each other. Everyone waited for morning to determine the group's fate, where trust was the greatest stake and betrayal could come from the closest place.
***
Dawn broke with a blood-red light seeping through the thick fog at the top of the hill, illuminating the weary faces of the 15 members of the group who had survived hell when their training plane crashed. The flash flood in the valley below began to recede, leaving behind thick mud and traces of uprooted tree roots that looked like giant hands clawing at the ground. The humid morning air pierced their lungs, mixed with the smell of wet earth, Fahri's infected wounds, and unrelenting internal tension. Rizal stood in the middle of the circle, leading the emergency vote with a firm voice, but hidden factions had already begun to erode their unity like rotten mushrooms on a dead tree trunk.
"We vote now: does Rangga come with us or is he tied up? Fauzan's faction says tie him up—the motive is to protect Fahri and prevent betrayal. My faction says monitor him closely—the motive is to protect the group that is still intact. Those who support Rangga: Tono, Maya, Hasan. Neutral: Andi, Reza. Start voting!" said Rizal, his eyes sweeping across everyone: Dito, the radio technician, nodded loyally at his side; Lina, the medic, bit her lip in doubt; Bima, the fighter, growled, ready to fight.
Fauzan was the first to rise from among everyone there, his voice booming with hungry anger. "Tie him up! Sari, Bima, Lina—there are four of us. My motive? He appeared just as we were starting to weaken, giving us a 'magical' potion that stabilized Fahri, but it could be a slow-acting poison. The bone pendant from the wild tribe is proof! We don't want to die foolishly because of his coldness!"
Sari nodded angrily, holding Fahri's feverish hand. "Agreed! Fahri said his dream smelled of blood—my motive is to protect my only sibling here. Lina, you're a medic—is that potion definitely safe?"
Lina sighed, her hands trembling as she checked Fahri's pulse. "It's safe for now... but yes, I think we should tie him up first. My motive: if the medicine runs out, I don't want to risk additional infection from that mysterious 'savior'."
Bima then hit the tree, his arm muscles instantly tensing. "Tie him up! I almost died in a landslide because he led us through a strange route. Fauzan's motive is right—he will take over the leadership if Rizal fails!"
Rizal raised his hand, supported by Amira and Dito. "Let's just observe closely! Watch, Dito—there are three of us. Motive: division now, the primitive tribe will kill us before we reach Skull Valley. Dito, is your radio picking up any signals?"
Dito shook his head, the radio cracked in his hand. "Nothing again, Riz. My motive: solidarity. If we tie Rangga up, the faction will split permanently."
Tono stepped forward calmly, an old map clutched in his hand. "Support Rangga to be free. Motive: he showed us a dry route far from yesterday's flood. Maya, Hasan—you agree, right?"
Maya, a tough hunter with an emergency bow, nodded sharply. "Agreed. Motive: practical and efficient survival—he shared the potion, saving us. His coldness comes from strength, not evil motives."
Hasan, the bearded soldier, spoke softly from the shadows. "Free. My motive is my war experience: a traitor won't save the enemy multiple times."
Shy Andi muttered, "Neutral... motivated by fear of causing a commotion. Reza?"
Reza, the analyst, nodded hesitantly. "Neutral. My evidence is insufficient. Motivated by logic: 6 votes to bind, 6 to free, 2 neutral—a tie. Rizal, please decide."
Rizal took a deep breath, staring at Rangga, who remained seated with a cold expression, sharpening his knife with a rhythmic motion. "Let's just observe, tighten security for 24 hours. Fauzan's faction, you take turns guarding him. We're moving to Skull Valley this morning—the route we got from Mr. Karto is the only route. Get your weapons ready, check your wounds. Fahri will be carried by Sari and Bima."
Fauzan frowned but remained obedient, but the faction's whispering continued during packing. "Tonight we'll tie him up secretly," Fauzan whispered to Sari, Bima, and Lina. "Motivation: Rizal is way too soft."
Amira whispered to Rizal, "Rangga's faction is very solid—Tono, Maya, Hasan. The neutral ones like Andi and Reza could be swayed. This conflict is actually a time bomb."
They began to slowly descend the hill, mudslides trapping their shoes, thick fog limiting their vision. Dito tried the radio again, "Still dead... the signal is completely gone." Lina checked on Fahri, "His fever is starting to go down, but he's very weak. Rangga's potion is very effective... strange."
Suddenly, there was a loud rustling sound from the bushes—the primitive tribe appeared again, 20 people wearing skull masks, poisoned spears ready to be thrown. "Run! Skull Valley!" shouted Rizal, firing a warning shot. Bullets whizzed by, spears flew back—one managed to graze Tono's shoulder.
They ran hastily into the steep, rocky valley, the tribe still chasing them with ritualistic roars. Bima tripped over a rock, but Rangga quickly pulled him up. "Thanks... but I'm still watching you," Bima muttered suspiciously.
At the mouth of the valley, a giant skull carved into the cliff welcomed them, the smell of dried blood very pungent. The tribe suddenly stopped at the edge, throwing the last spear that almost killed Reza. "They are afraid to enter this valley," said Rangga coldly. "A curse on them."
The group collapsed in the cave at the mouth of the valley, breathing heavily. Fauzan accused again, "See? They stopped chasing us when you said so! What's your motive, Rangga?!"
Rangga shrugged coldly. "Survival. Enter the valley, or die outside."
Rizal spoke firmly, "Rest for 30 minutes, then we move forward. The faction guards their positions—the conflict will be postponed until it is safe." But the faction's whispers grew louder, small landslides rumbled in the forest, the tribe roared outside—15 souls were now on the verge of internal and external slaughter.
***
Skull Valley welcomed them like the gaping mouth of hell, with steep cliffs dozens of meters high on both sides, carved by nature into the shape of a terrifying giant skull—its empty eyes like black holes staring as if thirsty for blood, its teeth made of twisted tree roots protruding like rotten fangs. The air inside the valley was stuffy and smelled of dried blood mixed with rotten moss, a thin fog hung low over the slippery rocky ground, which was full of traps in holes and formed from natural thorns. A gentle wind carried the whispers of ritual incantations from a primitive tribe that had stopped at the edge of the valley, their roars still echoing faintly like the cries of trapped spirits. The group of 15 people advanced slowly into the cave located at the mouth of the valley, their weapons at the ready, breathing heavily after running from the tribe's attack, but the internal conflict within their faction was reaching a climax—like embers ready to burn from within.
Rizal led the line at the front, his SS1 aimed ahead, his voice firm, cutting through the tension. "Stay close! Fauzan's faction, guard Rangga closely—Sari, Bima, Lina walk behind him. Amira, Dito cover the sides. Tono, Maya, you read the route map—to avoid pits. We find a safe cave or we walk out of this valley before nightfall. Fahri is carried by Reza and Andi!"
Fauzan, walking behind Rangga with his machete raised, snorted cynically, his suspicious faction (Sari, Bima, Lina) surrounding the mysterious figure like hungry wolves. "Keep your distance, Rangga! One wrong move, and I'll cut your throat. What's your motive for entering this valley? The tribe stopped chasing us when you mentioned the curse—you know more, don't you?!"
Rangga remained calm, his steps steady on the slippery ground, his dagger hanging casually at his waist. "My motive is survival. This valley is taboo for the tribe—the skulls on the cliff are the spirits of their ancestors. If you tie me up now, you will die first."
Sari, taking turns carrying Fahri with Reza, screamed angrily while treating Fahri's bleeding wound. "Shut up! Fahri's fever is rising again—your potion might be poison! Bima, Lina—tie his hands now! Our faction's motive is to protect the weak, not to follow traitors!"
Bima moved forward roughly, his machete approaching Rangga's neck, but Tono from his supporting faction blocked him. "Don't! Your motive is panic—Rangga saved me from the spear earlier. Maya, Hasan—prepare your weapons!"
Maya pulled out her emergency bow, her arrow ready. "I agree, Tono. Fauzan's faction is just hungry and afraid—their motive is to take over the leadership if Rizal fails!"
Hasan, an experienced soldier in the back, spoke softly but thunderously. "Everyone be quiet. Listen to that—the rumbling from the cliff. Another landslide."
Dito, the radio technician on Rizal's side, tried to find a signal again. "The radio is completely dead, Riz. The fog in this valley has blocked the signal. My faction is solid—it has broken now, tomorrow we will be victims of that tribe."
Amira whispered to Rizal, "Rangga's faction is solid with 3 people, Fauzan's faction has 4, your faction has 3 including me, and the neutral ones are Andi, Reza, and Fahri. This conflict will kill us before we get out of the valley!"
Lina, the medic from Fauzan's faction, checked on Fahri, who was delirious again. "His pulse is weakening... the infection is quite severe. Sari, help me bandage him. Reza, Andi—how long are you going to stand there, hurry up and help!"
Reza hesitated, but he began to carry Fahri while answering. "I'm neutral because of logic—proof first, then accusations. Andi?"
The shy Andi shivered, "I'm... scared. The motive is so we don't die stupidly because of a fight."
Suddenly, the ground shook—a small landslide from the left cliff, rocks and mud sliding down rapidly, forcing them to run to the right. Bima tripped over a hidden hole, causing him to fall into a narrow ravine filled with thorns. "Aaaargh! Help!" he screamed, blood beginning to flow from his leg, which had been torn by sharp roots.
Rizal threw a rope made from tree roots. "Hold on! Sari, pull! Everyone, unite now—or Bima will die!"
Fauzan helped pull the rope with Sari, but he blamed Rangga again. "This is your fault! You chose this trap of a route!"
Rangga pulled Bima slowly, coldly. "No. This valley is alive—it moves on its own. My motive is to save again."
They managed to save Bima, but his severe injuries added to the potential casualties. In the cave in the middle of the valley, the wall carvings were covered with blood symbols for rituals, and human bones were scattered like decorations. Tono read the worn map. "The way out is to the east, but it passes through a room full of skulls—a pile of 50 skulls in front of it."
Maya glanced over. "There are fresh bloodstains... That means there's been a recent victim."
Suddenly Fahri woke up briefly, delirious. "Massacre... screams... don't go in..."
The conflict escalated when Fauzan pushed Rangga against the cave wall. "Confess! You brought us to the site of the tribal massacre!" Bima, despite your injuries, stand up and support me. "Tie him up!"
Rizal separated them, firing into the cave ceiling. "Enough! Shut up, factions! Look—there are human bloodstains leading to the skull chamber. We will investigate together, or this valley will become our own slaughterhouse!"
Rangga smiled coldly. "Join us or die."
They advanced into the skull chamber, where 50 human skulls were scattered, fresh blood dripping from the cave ceiling like red rain. Faint screams echoed from the darkness ahead—the massacre had just begun, the internal factions ready to split completely apart amid the horror of the valley filled with curses.
***
The skull chamber located in the belly of the valley was like a living death trap, the rough cave walls carved by nature into natural patterns resembling grimacing faces filled with fangs, piles of 50 human skulls scattered on the mossy floor like rotten gems glimmering faintly in the torchlight from resin branches. The stench of fresh blood mixed with decaying moss and putrefaction was overwhelming, blood dripping slowly from the crevices in the cave ceiling like a red rain in an ancient ritual, forming small puddles that reflected terrifying shadows. A faint scream echoed from the darkness ahead of them—not the sound of the wind, but the voice of a tortured human, punctuated by the clanging of metal and the roar of unknown wild animals. The group of 15 people froze at the threshold of the room, the weapons they held trembling in their hands, their internal factions fracturing further as the mysterious slaughter lurked like breathing shadows.
Rizal raised his hand in a signal to be quiet, his SS1 aimed into the darkness, his voice whispering but firm. "Don't move! Listen to those screams—humans, not tribes. Fauzan's faction, guard Rangga closely. Amira, Dito—advance slowly with the torchlight. Tono, Maya with the map—find the exit. Sari, Bima, carry Fahri and Lina, check their wounds. We investigate together, or this valley will devour us alive!"
Fauzan, with his machete pressed against Rangga's back, hissed suspiciously, his faction (Sari, Bima, Lina) flanking the cold figure like guards of a living corpse. "Investigate what? This is your trap, Rangga! Screams from ahead—more primitive tribe victims being slaughtered, and you brought us here! Your motive? To make us the next victims? Bima, tie his hands now!"
Rangga remained calm, his eyes sharply scanning the pile of skulls, his dagger hanging casually. "Those are human screams, not animals. Look at the fresh blood on the bones—it was only an hour ago. My motive? Join us or die at the mouth of the valley. The tribe is afraid to come here because of the spirits of their ancestors—but there is something else killing them."
Sari, tending to Fahri who was delirious in the corner, screamed angrily as she bandaged Bima's bleeding wound caused by a thorn. "Shut up, murderer! Fahri said the screams were like his nightmare—a massacre! Lina, check your potion—this must be a slow-acting poison! Our faction's motive is to protect what remains, not to follow this cold-blooded traitor!"
Lina, her hands trembling as she checked Fahri and Bima's pulses, nodded tensely. "Fahri is stable for now, Bima only has a minor infection. But those screams... a human in pain. Reza, Andi—whose side are you on now, or should we tie Rangga up by force!"
Bima, whose leg was bleeding but who could still stand tall, pushed Rangga against the cave wall. "Tie him up! My motive is to avenge the landslide and the thorns—you chose the path of death!"
Tono from Rangga's faction stepped forward quickly, an old map still clutched in his hand, his bow ready. "Don't! Maya, Hasan—the screams are coming from the side room. The exit to the east means going through there, but it's very dangerous. You're panicking—Rangga saved Bima earlier!"
Maya drew her arrow, her eagle eyes spotting a trail of blood. "Agreed. Look—those are modern boot prints, not tribal ones. It's a human killer, not a spirit. Hasan?"
Hasan, the soldier, spoke softly but thunderously. "Follow the trail. Motive: ritual slaughter, but boots? That's an outsider like us."
Dito tried his radio again, his voice sounding desperate. "Zero signal, Riz. The valley fog is still blocking everything. Amira, bring the torch forward—my fax is solid, protecting everyone."
Amira held the torch high, its dim light illuminating a skull dripping with blood. "Riz, Rangga faction 3, Fauzan 4, your faction 3, neutral 2 again—the split happening now, those screams will kill us!"
Reza, taking turns carrying Fahri, began to hesitate. "I think it's safe... but boot prints? This is clearly not a tribe. Andi, what do you think?"
Shy Andi bit his lip. "I'm scared... the screams are getting closer. Don't let the motive die."
Rizal moved forward slowly, following the blood trail to the side room—the screams grew louder: "Help! Don't... aargh!" In that room, horror was revealed: five soldiers from the village (as Mr. Karto had once told them) were tied to a stone altar, their wounds fresh and bleeding, surrounded by three masked figures with bloody machetes—not primitive tribesmen, but mysterious killers wearing modern boots and animal skin cloaks. They stopped screaming, their white, empty eyes behind the masks turning toward the group.
"Hey, ritual killers! Are you a tribe or a new cult?!" shouted Rizal, firing a warning shot. Bullets whizzed by, and the killers responded by throwing machetes—one of which grazed Dito's arm.
Fauzan pushed Rangga forward. "See?! The ritual is just like the one on your pendant! Kill him!"
Rangga drew his knife, coldly cutting the rope that bound the first soldier. "This is not a tribe—it's a cult of outsider hunters. Their motive: forest sacrifices. Help or die!"
The killers attacked brutally: Maya's machete nearly severed his hand, Bima retaliated by slashing one of them but was wounded in the chest. Suddenly, a soldier screamed, "The Skull Cult... they're taking souls... run!" Tono fired his bow, Lina screamed while checking her wounds. Rizal led the retreat while shooting, "Run to the east door! The factions are united now!"
Rangga saved Sari from the machete. "What did you say? My motive is survival."
They fled to the east gate, leaving two dead soldiers behind. The killers roared and vowed to curse them. In the narrow tunnel, Lina screamed, "Bima is badly injured! Fauzan's faction... lost one!"
Fauzan, taking a breath, said, "He saved Sari... Rangga... wait for proof." The faction cracked and began to crumble.
The valley rumbled with a landslide, screams echoed—the massacre had just begun, the mystery of the Skull Cult revealed a new layer of horror, 15 lives had been lost under pressure, but Rangga's secret grew deeper.
***
The narrow tunnel behind the skull valley chamber was like the hot, breathing intestines of the earth, its walls slippery with slimy moss and fresh blood still dripping from the cracks in the rocks, creating pools of dark red and emitting a smell of stale iron mixed with rotten mushrooms. The light from the torches made from burning resin branches only illuminated a few meters ahead, shadows dancing wildly on the walls like spirits rising from the pile of 50 skulls behind them, their teeth clattering softly as if laughing at the fate of the victims. The roar of the skull-masked killers wearing modern boots and animal skin cloaks—a mysterious cult thirsty for sacrifice, not a primitive tribe as initially suspected. The group of 15 people ran frantically through the tunnel, their breaths mixed with screams and the sound of return fire, new wounds adding to the long trail of red left behind them. Internal factional conflicts were fractured but temporarily forgotten by the horror of the massacre they had just witnessed, even though the accusations against Rangga still hung like valley fog.
Rizal led the run at the front, his SS1 still hot from his frequent return fire into the darkness, his voice booming over the screams. "Don't stop! The east gate is close—this trail of blood will lead us out of the valley! Amira, bring the torches forward! Dito, cover the rear with Tono! Sari, Bima, carry Fahri—Lina, check his wounds quickly! Factions, end your conflict now, or the cult will cut us down one by one!"
Fauzan, still holding the bloody machete after slashing one killer, pushed Rangga roughly as he ran, his suspicious faction (Sari, Bima, Lina) flanking the cold figure, breathing heavily. "This is your fault, Rangga! The Skull Cult wears masks just like your pendant—your motive brought us to their lair! Bima, tie his hands—our faction's motive is to avenge Bima and Fahri's blood!"
Rangga remained cold despite running fast, his dagger flashing as he slashed the killer's machete chasing him from behind, saving Lina just in time. "This cult isn't a tribe—they're hunters of outsiders like us. The ritual skull masks seek sacrifices to offer to the forest spirits. My motive? To save again. If you were traitors, you'd already be dead on the altar."
Sari, carrying the unconscious Fahri while bandaging Bima's bleeding chest wound, cried angrily as she ran. "Shut up, murderer! Fahri was delirious about ritual screams—this must be your plan! Lina, Bima—if he moves, cut him down! My motive is to protect Fahri before the cult takes his soul!"
Lina, her hands covered in blood from checking the wounds while running, screamed in panic. "Bima is in bad shape—his chest is torn open and bleeding heavily! Fahri's fever has returned, your potion is effective but the infection is getting worse! Reza, Andi—help carry him or the cult will kill us all!"
Bima, grimacing in pain but still holding his machete tightly, pushed Sari forward. "I... am strong! Tie Rangga up later—my motive is to avenge my blood from their machetes. But... he saved Lina earlier... damn it!"
Tono, the navigator with his soaked map, continued to shoot arrows while running, his supporters (Maya, Hasan) closing ranks. "Don't tie him up! The east gate is 50 meters away—there are tracks leading out of the valley! Maya, Hasan—get your arrows ready! Our faction's motive is survival, not blind accusation!"
Maya shot an arrow at the killer who appeared from a crack in the wall, and it successfully pierced one of their chests. "Agreed! Look at their boots—military or hired hunters, clearly not tribesmen! Hasan, you're a soldier—what are they?"
Hasan fired his pistol accurately, his voice calm but firm amid the chaos. "The Skull Cult—I heard it from the villagers. The victims are outsiders to 'awaken the forest'. Their motive: a ritual of power. We are the perfect victims."
Dito, covering the rear with the radio as a makeshift shield, fired wildly. "The radio is completely dead, Riz! The fog is still blocking us! Amira, bring the torch—my faction is solid, but Fauzan's faction is almost broken!"
Amira, holding the torch high to illuminate the tunnel, saw a faint light at the door. "Riz, 14 people survived—Bima is critical! Rangga's faction 3, Fauzan's 4, your faction 3, neutral 2—unite or die!"
Reza, taking turns carrying Fahri with Andi, shouted hesitantly. "Human cult, it's not a spirit! Andi, choose—carry him or get shot!"
Shy Andi bit his lip as he held the gun with trembling hands. "Just help carry him... don't die alone!"
Suddenly, the tunnel wall cracked—a landslide came and the cave collapsed, large rocks fell, forcing them to turn. A cult killer managed to jump out of the gap, his machete slashing Reza and nearly severing his arm. Rizal shot him in the head, blood spurting out immediately. "Through the door! Run!"
They finally managed to get out through the east door to the open valley slope, the thin fog began to recede, the dawn light shining brightly. But three cult assassins were still chasing them, roaring, "Sacrifice of the forest! Your souls belong to the skull!" The machete whirred, one managed to slash Lina's leg—she fell and screamed.
Rangga turned coldly, throwing his knife right into the eye of one of the killers. "Back up! The valley door is closed by a landslide!" He pulled Lina up, quickly bandaging her with cloth he tore from his clothes.
Fauzan was silent for a moment, his machete falling to the ground. "You... saved me again. Lina, are you okay? Our faction's motive... wait for proof first."
Lina grimaced, "Alive... thank you, Rangga. Bima, hold on!"
Bima nodded weakly, "He... isn't an enemy. Faction... unite?"
Rizal collapsed on the safe ground, counting his breaths. "14 survivors. The Skull Cult—they're our hunters. The faction is closed—Rangga is completely free. Move to the safe village or the eastern mountain. Now tend to your wounds first!"
Rangga shrugged coldly, sharpening his knife again. "What did you say? Survival."
They rested on the valley slope, faint screams echoing from the collapsed cave, ritual blood dried on their clothes. The fractured faction began to heal temporarily, but the mystery of the cult and Rangga's pendant thirsted for answers—the valley massacre left two soldiers from the village dead, new wounds, and deeper secrets.