Wira : The Peerless One from Mount Tarakan

They stepped out of the forest, onto a faint path. Behind them, the traces of last night's battle were already covered by the morning dew, as if they had never happened. Yet, within Wira's heart, the lesson about human evil had been deeply etched. And in the martial world, the name "Anomaly from Mount Tarakan" had already begun to whisper, waiting for the moment to explode into a storm.

Dawn broke once more, shattering the jungle's darkness with a golden hue. The cool morning air enveloped the leaves, carrying the scent of damp earth and lingering dew. Their bonfire was completely extinguished, leaving only a pile of ash and a few charcoal logs. Wira, Laksmi, and Darkie prepared to continue their journey, leaving behind the rocky alcove that had silently witnessed last night's brief yet memorable battle.

Darkie, with his towering, muscular frame, pitch-black skin, and unruly dreadlocks, still looked awkward. He scratched his head, his red eyes occasionally darting towards Wira and Laksmi. "So... we're really going to that city?" he asked, his voice raspy, as if still struggling to accept the reality that he was now part of this strange company. He, the feared Forest Bandit, ruler of the haunted jungle, was now a "traveling companion" to a nimble female martial artist and an innocent boy with terrifying power. The irony amused him, yet also churned his stomach.

"Yes, Kargo," Laksmi replied, slinging her bag strap over her shoulder. She tried to appear calm, though internally, she was still slightly wary of Kargo's presence. Her martial artist instincts warned of danger, yet she also knew Wira's power was an unmatched guarantee of safety. "We're going to Sky Dragon City. And remember, you must act normal. Don't bother anyone, especially don't try to snatch girls off the streets." Laksmi added emphasis to the last part, glaring sharply at Kargo.

Kargo snorted. "Alright, alright, Sword Girl. I've heard that from this brat countless times," he grumbled, though there was a note of resignation in his voice. He looked at Wira, who was now grinning widely.

"Good, Darkie!" Wira chimed in, with an innocence that made Kargo want to ruffle his hair. "Grandpa says friends should help each other and not cause trouble. You'll be a good friend."

Kargo just shook his head. He never thought he'd live his days like this. All this time, his life had been about survival, raiding, and hiding. Now, he had to learn to be a "good friend." A concept utterly alien to him.

They began their journey. Laksmi led the way, her eyes keenly observing every detail of the path. She chose a denser, less-traveled jungle route—a path known only to experienced hunters or explorers. This route was indeed tougher, filled with steep inclines, sprawling tree roots, and thick bushes. For Wira, however, it was nothing more than a playground. With his Sura power, he easily leaped over rocks, climbed low branches, and even cleared thick bushes with a light sweep of his hand, leaving both Laksmi and Darkie in bewildered awe.

"Don't use your power carelessly, Wira!" Laksmi chastised him whenever Wira got too enthusiastic. "We need to stay hidden! Someone might get suspicious!"

Wira merely offered an innocent smile. "Sorry, Laksmi. I just wanted to help."

Darkie walked in the middle, grumbling softly now and then. He was used to moving quickly through the forest, but he admitted that keeping up with the seemingly floating Wira and the nimble Laksmi forced him to expend more energy. He carried the sack of provisions that Laksmi had originally borne, even though he had already insisted she divide its contents to avoid drawing too much attention.

"Hey, Sword Girl," Darkie asked, "how much longer are we going to keep grumbling through this forest? Isn't there an easier way?"

"This is the safest path, Darkie," Laksmi replied, without turning her head. "We're avoiding the main roads that might be patrolled by the Night Shadow Sect's men. And this forest... it's the best hiding place."

"But this place is awful," Darkie grumbled. "Lots of ghosts and evil spirits lurking around."

Wira, who overheard the conversation, moved closer. "Ghosts? What are they like, Darkie? Are they troublemakers too?"

Kargo gasped. "Of course, they're troublemakers, Brat! They're cold, they steal souls, and they make people get lost!" Darkie, who was known for being fearless, suddenly looked a little agitated. He did indeed believe in the mystical tales of the forest.

"Then I'll get rid of them," Wira stated firmly, his eyes sparkling. "No troublemakers allowed."

Laksmi quickly interjected. "That's not how it works, Wira! Those are just stories! Don't go looking for unnecessary trouble!" She knew that if Wira decided to "get rid of ghosts" with his Sura power, it could cause chaos no less significant than a fight against martial artists.

Their journey continued with a new dynamic. Kargo, despite being a bandit, proved to have highly useful practical knowledge of the wilderness. He could track animal and human trails with precision, find hidden sources of clean water, and even distinguish between edible and poisonous plants. One evening, he managed to catch several wild rabbits with simple traps, providing them with a delicious meat meal after days of only dry provisions.

Wira, on the other hand, often left both Kargo and Laksmi stunned. When they reached a small ravine, Kargo struggled to find a way down. Wira simply leaped down smoothly, then looked up. "Why are you two so slow, Darkie? My Grandpa taught me how to float." Laksmi quickly silenced him, explaining it was merely a special "high-jump technique."

They also encountered other groups of travelers or hunters several times. Laksmi would swiftly adopt a friendly expression, explaining that they were a small merchant group heading to Sky Dragon City, and that Wira and Darkie were their guards. Wira would nod obediently, trying to imitate Laksmi's serious demeanor, while Darkie would grumble softly, attempting to look like a menacing bodyguard. Several times, Darkie almost blurted out something inappropriate, but a sharp glare from Laksmi or a light kick to his leg from Wira would stop him.

"You need to be more patient, Darkie," Wira once whispered to Darkie while Laksmi was talking to a group of hunters. "Laksmi says we have to be ordinary martial artists."

Darkie merely snorted. "I'm a bandit, Brat. Not an actor."

"But you were great earlier," Wira praised innocently, making Darkie blush faintly beneath his dark skin. "You looked like a really strong bodyguard."

Over approximately five days of travel, they grew increasingly accustomed to each other. A strange bond of friendship began to form. Laksmi started to see Darkie not just as a crude bandit, but as a useful and sometimes comical ally. Darkie, though still grumbling and occasionally trying to tease Laksmi with his rough jokes, began to show a protective side toward her. Wira, meanwhile, was the glue for both of them; with his innocence and boundless power, he became the axis around which their group's dynamic revolved.

Despite the journey being full of challenges and dangers, they successfully avoided major confrontations. However, Laksmi knew it was only a matter of time. News of Jati 'Beardie' and the Night Shadow Sect being humiliated, along with rumors of the "Anomaly" from Mount Tarakan, must have already reached the ears of the high-ranking leaders in Sky Dragon City.

One afternoon, as they reached the crest of a somewhat open hill, a panoramic view unfolded before them. Far in the distance, at the foot of towering mountains, lay the faint silhouette of a large city. Giant walls were dimly visible, and beyond them, the majestic peaks of grand buildings.

"Is that... is that Sky Dragon City?" Wira asked, his eyes wide with awe. He had never seen such a vast and magnificent sight. It was vastly different from the small villages he had visited.

Laksmi nodded, a mix of relief and unease on her face. "Yes, Wira. That's Sky Dragon City. The heart of the martial world in the western region."

Darkie let out a low whistle. "Not bad. I reckon I can find some trouble there."

Laksmi looked at both of them. She knew the real adventure would only begin once they set foot in that city. There, they would seek answers about the pendant, "Why are they hunting me too?", and the origins of the Night Shadow Sect. And there, Wira's Unrivaled power would be tested in ways he had never experienced before, amidst the crowds, intrigues, and unexpected dangers of complex human civilization.

They decided to rest for a while at the top of the hill, enjoying the distant view of the city before continuing their journey in the morning. That night, their bonfire was larger than usual, providing extra warmth from the biting mountain air. Laksmi occasionally glanced at Wira and Darkie, who were now sitting close, sharing stories and quiet laughter. Wira recounted tales of strange animals in the mountains, while Darkie reciprocated with stories from his bandit travels, carefully omitting any overly vulgar details.

"In the city, there'll definitely be lots of delicious food, Darkie," Wira said, his eyes sparkling. "Grandpa says city food comes in all kinds."

Darkie snorted. "Of course, Brat. But don't try to eat everything you see. Some of it can make your stomach churn."

"And don't try to trade for it with a rock-splitting technique," Laksmi added, looking at Wira.

Wira chuckled. "I remember, Laksmi. Use silver coins."

That night, under a sky full of stars, this unexpected trio shared a rare moment of camaraderie. They were a unique blend: a female martial artist searching for truth, an innocent youth with god-like power, and a crude bandit trying to be "good." Each of them carried a different past, but now they were bound by the same destiny, heading towards a city that would change everything. The whispers of the "Anomaly from Mount Tarakan" spreading throughout the martial world were about to meet reality. Sky Dragon City awaited them, and there, a new chapter in their story would begin, with greater trials and more cunning foes.