"Oh God, please protect my family! Keep them safe from the vengeful spirit!" cried Devan, clasping his hands in desperation.
Tama blinked in confusion. "Wait a second… didn't you say you were an atheist? Who exactly are you praying to?"
Devan paused. "Uh... good question. Whoever's on shift tonight, I guess!"
Even in a stressful moment like this, the two managed to argue about theology. The Grim Reaper, growing increasingly annoyed, groaned in frustration.
"You two are so noisy! Want me to take both your lives and put an end to it?"
"No, no! Please don't!" Devan said, throwing his hands up. "I'm still single! If you want to take Tama, that's fine—he's already dead!"
"Gee, thanks," Tama muttered.
But then, Tama's eyes lit up. He suddenly had an idea.
"Uncle Grim Reaper, I'll help you catch this vengeful spirit," he offered. "But I want something in return."
The Grim Reaper raised an eyebrow. "What is it you want?"
"I want the ability to turn into a human whenever I want—not just on the full moon. That way, I can spend more time with Nadia."
After a moment of silence, the Grim Reaper extended his hand. "Deal."
Tama beamed. "Yes! I've got a part-time job now!"
"Tam, are you sure this is a good idea?" Devan whispered nervously. "You just made a deal with Death!"
"Don't worry, bro. The power of love can defeat even the worst evil!" Tama declared proudly.
Surprisingly, the Grim Reaper seemed slightly moved by Tama's enthusiasm. But he gave a solemn warning. "Tama, I advise you to end your relationship with Nadia soon. The truth about your death will eventually come out, and when it does… she'll be devastated."
Tama nodded, his tone softening. "I just want to be with her a little longer. I'll end it… when she finds the one who's truly destined for her."
"Cu-cu-cu… Let's go home now," Devan said, tugging on Tama's sleeve. "Playtime's over."
They both turned and began to walk away, but the Grim Reaper raised his hand and pulled them back instantly with a swirl of supernatural energy.
"I told you not to be careless with the Grim Reaper," Devan muttered under his breath.
A glowing white light emerged from the Grim Reaper's palm. He directed it toward Tama, and as the light entered Tama's body, he felt a sudden surge of energy.
"This power will help you," said the Reaper. "Use it wisely. Catch that vengeful spirit."
"I will," Tama promised. "I'll do it… with passion!"
That night, Kirana sat alone by the edge of the villa's pool, sipping warm tea and gazing up at the starlit sky. The breeze was gentle, and the air was clear. The peaceful setting stirred memories of the man she once loved—General John Willem.
She remembered the first day they met. John was injured and on the run from palace soldiers. He collapsed near the edge of a lake, wounded and weak. Kirana had been harvesting vegetables when she saw him fall. Out of compassion, she dragged his unconscious body behind a tree to hide him.
When he awoke and saw a giant snake before him, he panicked. But before he could scream, Kirana transformed into her human form and gently covered his mouth with her hands.
The sound of rustling grass made the palace soldiers suspicious. They searched the area but found nothing. Eventually, they returned to the palace, and the two were left alone.
"Thank you," he had said. "My name is John Willem."
"You're welcome," she had replied with a gentle smile. "I'm Kirana Amrita."
From that moment, they became friends… and slowly, something more.
Kirana snapped out of her memory as she heard a familiar voice.
"I thought I'd be late," said Tama, standing near the pool, holding a can of soda.
"You're surprisingly punctual," Kirana said.
"Princess, I'd never break my promise," Tama replied.
Kirana gave him a long look. "Do you regret making a contract with me?"
"Not at all," Tama said sincerely. "In fact, I'm grateful. Thanks to you, I had the chance to express my love to the woman I've loved since childhood."
"I see… You're lucky," Kirana said, looking back at the sky. "You still get to see the people you love. Even if just for a little while."
"And you're lucky too, Princess. You've got Denok and Limbur… and of course, me—the handsome one," Tama said with a wink.
"Hmph. My father was way more handsome than you!"
Kirana then shared something she rarely told anyone. Her mother died when she was a child, so her father raised her alongside her stepmother. Though the throne was meant for her younger brother, her father loved Kirana deeply and spoiled her in every way. Over time, her requests became selfish—sometimes even harmful to the people under their rule.
Now, centuries later, Kirana lived with that regret.
Tama, sensing her pain, tried to cheer her up by making funny faces. It worked. Kirana laughed—loudly and freely.
It was the first time Tama had seen her look so human. So beautiful.
Later, Kirana invited Tama to her study to work on the financial report. Tama agreed and worked through the night while Kirana eventually fell asleep at her desk.
By 4 a.m., Tama finally finished. Quietly, he carried Kirana to her room, covered her with a blanket, and gazed at her sleeping face.
"She hides behind her anger," he whispered to himself. "But deep down, she's just a lonely woman filled with guilt. I hope I can find the reincarnation of General John Willem soon… and free her from this."
He closed the door gently and returned to his room.
From the shadows, Denok and Limbur peeked out from behind a column.
"Wow! Do you think they slept together?" Denok whispered excitedly.
"Shh! Don't talk nonsense," Limbur scolded.
Back in his room, Tama lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Even though he was technically dead, his days still felt strangely human—waking with the sun, working until exhaustion, dreaming about love and purpose.
It made him feel... alive.
The next morning, Denok reported to Kirana that Tama was still sleeping.
"I let him rest," Kirana said calmly. "He stayed up working on the report."
"Ohh… or maybe you both fell asleep together," Denok teased.
Kirana gave her a sharp look. "Would you like to be turned into a centipede?"
"Forgive me, Princess! I'll take my leave now!" Denok cried, bowing repeatedly before running off.
THUMP!
A crashing noise echoed through the hall.
"I told you not to run," Kirana sighed.
Curious about Tama's analysis, Kirana opened the financial report but couldn't make sense of it. Frustrated, she stormed to Tama's room, kicked open the door, and shouted—
"TAMA! WAKE UP!"
Startled, Tama jolted upright. "Wha—what happened?!"
He stared groggily at the open door… and at Kirana's very, very annoyed face.