The next morning, very early, Grandmother invited Shanum into the joglo behind the house, which had been prepared very neatly. On the old, yellowed wooden table were various types of fresh herbs and special tools used to prepare the ancient recipe. In the corner of the joglo, Denar stood quietly, his eyes full of hope and a little worry.
"Before we begin, there is a secret I must tell you, child," said the grandmother in a soft but deep voice. "This recipe is not just a way to unite the supernatural world and the real world. It was created by our ancestors who also had a relationship with supernatural beings and wanted to realize eternal love."
The grandmother opened an old notebook and showed a page containing an image of two people standing in the middle of an energy circle. "These are our ancestors, Sri Rahayu and Raden Kertarajasa. They were the first couple to use this recipe hundreds of years ago. However, this recipe cannot be used carelessly—you must face three final tests that will test your loyalty, courage, and love for each other."
Shanum looked at the picture with admiration in her eyes. "What are these tests, Grandmother?"
"The first test is a test of loyalty—you will be faced with the temptation to give up and choose the easier path. The second test is a test of courage—you must face your deepest fears. And the final test is a test of love—you must prove that your love is stronger than all obstacles," explained Grandmother as she began arranging the ingredients on the table.
The process of preparing the ancient recipe was very complicated and required great precision. Shanum and her grandmother worked very closely together, each step carried out with respect and awareness. They mixed ingredients such as white ginger root, fresh jasmine flowers, sandalwood extract, and water from an old well believed to have special spiritual powers.
During the processing, Denar helped by providing guidance and keeping the energy around the joglo stable. Sometimes he recited ancient mantras that helped strengthen the potion's power. Shanum felt that their relationship grew deeper during this process—even though they still couldn't touch each other physically, they could feel each other's heartbeats.
After several hours of work, the potion is finally ready in the form of a clear liquid with a beautiful golden sheen. But before it can be used, they must face the final test that her grandmother mentioned. Suddenly, the sky outside begins to darken even though it is still morning. Thick black clouds gather above the house, and the wind begins to blow with extraordinary force.
"It's time for the test to begin, child," said the grandmother in a firm but supportive voice. "You and Denar must face it alone. I will be here to provide energy support, but all the effort must come from the two of you."
Without further ado, a purple light portal appeared in the middle of the workshop. From within the portal emerged the figure of our ancestor, Sri Rahayu, her face full of seriousness. "You are Shanum Asmara, our chosen descendant," she said in a melodious but powerful voice. "You have shown loyalty and courage all this time, but now it is time to face the final test."
The portal began to absorb Shanum and Denar into it. They found themselves in a place that was very beautiful but also full of mystery—there was a flower garden they had never seen before, a river whose water shone like crystal, and a rainbow-colored sky. But the beauty quickly faded when Raden Surya appeared with the black shaman who had helped him before.
"You will not be able to realize your love, Shanum!" shouted Raden Surya with a voice full of anger. "I have made a deal with another world to gain greater power. This time, no one can save you!"
The black shaman raised his hands to the sky and began to chant a spell in a loud and terrifying voice. Several terrifying supernatural creatures appeared from all directions, attacking Shanum and Denar with extraordinary power. Denar immediately formed a golden shield to protect Shanum, while Shanum used the potion she had made to fight back.
The first test began when Shanum saw a vision of herself living comfortably and richly with a wealthy man—a temptation to choose the easier path without problems or obstacles. But Shanum quickly rejected the temptation, saying, "The love I have for Denar is far more valuable than all the riches and comforts of this world!"
After the temptation disappeared, the second test came in the form of Shanum's deepest fear—the fear of losing her loved ones and having to live alone. The image of her sick grandmother and Denar disappearing appeared before her. But Shanum remained strong and said, "Fear will never defeat the love I have. I will always fight for the people I love!"
When that fear disappeared, the final test began. They found themselves in the middle of a sea with huge waves. The waves formed the face of a huge and terrifying supernatural creature. "To be together physically, you must prove that your love can overcome all obstacles, even death itself!" the creature's voice sounded like echoing waves.
Denar took Shanum's hand spiritually and looked at her with eyes full of love. "I will always be there for you, Shanum. Nothing can separate us anymore."
Shanum responded with a soft and strong smile. "I will always be there for you too, Denar. Our love will be eternal."
Together, they lifted the potion they had made up into the sky and recited an ancient spell in strong, clear voices. Golden and silver light shone brightly from the potion, spreading across the ocean and destroying all obstacles in its path. When the light began to fade, they found themselves back in the joglo, with the potion now shining with far greater power.
Sri Rahayu reappeared with a face full of smiles and respect. "You have passed all the tests very well. Your love has proven to be stronger than all obstacles. Now it is time to realize your dreams."
The grandmother took the potion and gave it to Shanum and Denar. "Drink this potion together. It will unite the supernatural world and the real world for both of you."
Shanum and Denar drank the potion together. Immediately after that, a bright light enveloped Denar's body, and slowly but surely, his figure began to become real—visible and tangible like an ordinary human being. Shanum cried with happiness when she was finally able to touch Denar's face with her real hands.
"You're really here," whispered Shanum, her voice trembling with happiness.
Denar took out the silver necklace that Shanum always wore and put it back around her neck with his real hands. "I will always be here for you, Shanum. Forever."
Outside the joglo, the sky began to clear and the sun appeared with a warmer light than usual. People from both communities gathered in the yard, watching this happy moment with joy. Dewi came with a face full of smiles and respect. "I am very happy to see such eternal love. This is something we have been waiting for for centuries."
Grandmother watched this scene with eyes glistening with happiness. "Our ancestors have seen it. True love will never be defeated by anything."
Shanum and Denar stood together, their hands clasped tightly. They knew that there would still be challenges in the future, but with the love they had and the support of all their loved ones, they were confident that they would be able to face them together.