Three Years After the Kediri Hillside Tragedy
The air on Lawu's slopes was always cold before dawn, but that morning it cut deeper than usual. The wind from the peak carried the scent of pine resin and damp earth. Birds had yet to sing—only the soft thudding of small footsteps broke the silence within the mist.
Eza had been standing in the training yard long before the first bamboo bell rang.His body was now far different from the small child once found in the ruins of a village. His muscles were taut, his movements smooth and precise. Beneath his dark eyes, a faint scar remained—a thin line on his left cheek, a memory from his first year's trial.
Today, he knew, was no ordinary training day.Today was the Second Soul Trial, a sacred ritual that determined whether a student was worthy of advancement—or expulsion from Padepokan Watu Langit.
🌒 The Second Soul Trial
Twenty students stood in a circle on the stone courtyard. At its center, Raka and three other masters stood tall, clad in black robes bearing the emblem of five eyes across their chests.
"This trial," the eldest master's voice echoed, "will not merely test the strength of the body, but the balance of the soul. Those who fail to control themselves will lose more than just their title."
He pointed toward the cave behind the yard—a large fissure in the mountainside."Enter, one by one. Inside, you will face your Shadow Self."
Whispers stirred among the students. The Shadow Self was a legend among them. It was said that what appeared inside wasn't a real enemy, but the darkest part of one's own soul—fear, rage, sorrow left unresolved. Many had failed. Some never came out.
When his name was called, Eza stepped forward without hesitation.He gave a slight bow to Raka, then walked into the cave without looking back.
⚔️ Within the Darkness
As his footsteps crossed the cave's mouth, all light vanished.The air inside was thick, as if pressing down on his lungs. Eza moved slowly, guided only by the distant drip of water.The deeper he went, the more blurred the line became between his thoughts and reality.
Suddenly, a whisper.
"Eza..."
It was soft—a woman's voice. His mother's.
He froze. His breath caught. Before him, a faint figure in white cloth emerged.
"Son... why did you let them burn our home?"
Eza took a step back.
"You're not my mother. She's already—"
"Already dead? Or was it you who let us die?"
The voice echoed now, changing from gentle to cold.The figure stared at him with pitch-black eyes, and her face began to melt like wax, shifting into a dark shadow with glowing red eyes.
"You want power? But you couldn't even save a single soul."
The shadow lunged.
Eza deflected by instinct, forming a vortex of Soul Energy in his palm—Basic Sukma Force.The first impact flung his body against the stone wall. He winced but steadied his breath.
"If you are me..." he said quietly, "then you know I won't give up."
He closed his eyes, regulating his breath just as Raka had taught."Follow your heartbeat's rhythm. Let rage fuel you, but never let it lead."
When he opened his eyes again, the black pendant on his chest glowed faintly.Energy spiraled around him, forming thin threads of light.
The shadow screamed, its body tearing apart into black mist—drawn into the stone of his necklace.
Then—silence.
Eza stood alone in the darkness, his body trembling, but his eyes now shimmered with a faint silvery hue.He had just conquered his first Shadow Self.
🜂 Return to the Light
When he emerged from the cave, dawn had broken.All eyes turned to him.
Two students had failed to return. Only three had succeeded—including Eza.
Raka stared at him without a word. But in his gaze was recognition—and concern.
"You saw something in there?"
"I saw myself... and something older than me."
Raka paused."Your pendant... still vibrating?"
Eza nodded.
"It consumed something from the shadow."
Raka stared at the pendant for a long moment, then placed a hand on Eza's shoulder.
"Take care of yourself, son. That stone isn't just an heirloom. It's a key—to unlock the world... or erase it."
🌕 Six Years Later
Eza was now sixteen.Tall, sharp-eyed like a blade. Among the students of Watu Langit, he was known as the "Child Without a Shadow", because during meditation training, his energy signature never appeared in the detection circle.
Only Raka knew why—Because Eza had consumed his Shadow Self years ago.
That night, Raka summoned him to the main hall.The room was filled with ancient maps, lit candles, and stacks of aged scrolls. At the center stood a large symbol—five eyes linked by golden lines.
"Eza," Raka said quietly. "It's time you knew the truth."
"About what?"
"About your father... and why that village was burned."
Eza held his breath.
Raka unfurled a parchment—an ancient map of the 13th-century archipelago.Five red marks were drawn: Kediri, Majapahit, Samudera Pasai, Ternate, and Bali.
"Twenty years ago, your father was one of the highest-ranked Shadow Watchers. He betrayed the Council's orders to protect something—an ancient scroll known as the Suluk Rahasia Sukma."
"What is it?"
"A manuscript containing the secrets to control the World's Soul Energy. If it falls into the hands of any of the Five Shadow Rulers, the balance of the world would collapse."
Eza clenched his jaw.
"So they killed my parents... for that?"
"Yes," Raka replied bitterly. "And now that they know you're still alive... they'll come for you."
🌘 The Dawn of the Shadow World
A few nights after that revelation, Watu Langit was attacked.
Without warning, black-clad soldiers emerged from the mist, moving like shadows.They were no ordinary men—their movements were unnaturally swift, their eyes glowed a faint red.
Raka immediately ordered all students to escape through the underground tunnels.But Eza refused.
"I won't run anymore."
For the first time, Eza fought not in training, but in war.His Soul Energy merged with his fury. He struck his first attacker with a vortex of searing wind, shattering stone around them.
But there were too many. One of them broke through the line and wounded Raka.
"Go!" Raka shouted, blood dripping from his mouth. "Find the Suluk Rahasia Sukma! It's the only way to save this world!"
Eza shook his head, refusing. But Raka placed a hand on his chest, pouring his remaining energy into him.
In an instant, Eza's body was flung far from the stronghold, hurled into the forested slopes.
When he awoke, Watu Langit was nothing but embers behind the mist.
And through the smoke, he saw the silhouette of a figure in a crimson cloak—eyes like fire, standing atop the ruins.
"You're next," the voice echoed.