Wira : The Peerless One from Mount Tarakan

Dawn broke on their sixth day of travel, chasing away the cold mountain air with a golden-orange glow. From the hilltop where they had spent the night, Sky Dragon City lay clearly spread out below. Its colossal walls loomed high, made of sturdy stones that exuded an ancient aura. Beyond them, the peaks of pagodas, majestic towers, and intricately carved rooftops rose into the sky, veiled in a thin morning mist. A faint hum of city activity began to drift up, like the heartbeat of a giant just awakening.

Wira stood silent, his eyes wide with awe. He had never seen a sight so grand. The mountains where he lived, the small villages he'd passed through, all felt minuscule compared to the magnificence now spread before him. "It's so big, Laksmi," he whispered, utterly amazed. "Is that a mountain carved into a city?"

Laksmi offered a faint smile. "No, Wira. That's the largest city in the western region. A place where many people gather, many martial artists, and also a lot of information." Her face held a mix of anticipation and apprehension. She knew that behind all that grandeur, the intrigues and dangers of the martial world awaited them.

Kargo/ Darkie, standing beside them, grinned widely. "Well, this looks promising. I can smell trouble from here." He stretched his thick muscles, ready to face the city's hustle and bustle. As a bandit accustomed to living on the fringes, a large city was a new ground for adventure, or perhaps, trouble.

"Remember our plan," Laksmi reminded them, looking seriously at her two companions. "We are a small group of merchants coming from the east. I'm the main merchant, and Wira and Kargo are my guards. Don't act strange, don't show excessive power. Wira, you're just an ordinary martial artist. Kargo, you're just an ordinary guard."

"Alright, Laksmi," Wira nodded obediently, trying to mimic Laksmi's serious expression.

"And don't call me Darkie in front of people," Kargo added, looking at Wira. "My name is Kargo."

Wira pouted for a moment. "But Darkie is good."

"Enough! Now let's go down," Laksmi cut in, not wanting to linger there any longer.

They began descending the hill, following a path that gradually widened into a dirt road, well-traveled by carts and other groups of travelers. The closer they got to the city, the more vibrant the atmosphere became. The sounds of horse hooves, creaking cart wheels, children's joyful laughter, and merchants' shouts began to fill the air. Wira watched it all with eyes full of curiosity, as if every single thing was a marvel.

Far above, on a higher mountain peak, hidden behind a thin mist, an old man with a long white beard gazed down. His sharp eyes focused on three small dots moving toward the city gate. A faint smile etched itself on his wrinkled lips. "So you've found friends, my grandson," he murmured softly. "Good. You won't be alone in this complicated world anymore." A subtle Sura power enveloped his body, as if merging with the mountain wind. He had been watching Wira all this time, ensuring his grandson's safety. Now, he saw that Wira had found his own path, and most importantly, he had found connections. With a calmer heart, Wira's Grandpa turned, disappearing back into the mist and into the silence of Mount Tarakan, where he belonged. He knew Wira was now strong enough, not only in physical power but also in heart, to face the world.

Wira, who was walking at the very back, suddenly stopped. He turned his head, looking back towards the mist-shrouded mountain peak. A faint smile touched his lips. "Smelly Grandpa," he whispered softly, as if speaking to the wind. He had been aware of his grandfather's presence for a long time, feeling the familiar Sura aura following him from a distance, keeping its space. Now that aura slowly faded, returning to its origin. There was a touch of sadness, but also relief. His grandfather truly was there, watching over him, and now he was willing to let go.

When they finally arrived at the Sky Dragon City gate, the sight truly left Wira agape. The colossal gate, made of sturdy ironwood and adorned with carvings of mighty dragons, was guarded by dozens of city soldiers in full armor. A long line of merchants and travelers queued neatly, waiting their turn to enter.

"Wow!" Wira exclaimed, unconsciously. "Are there real dragons guarding this city?"

"No, Wira," Laksmi whispered, quickly covering Wira's mouth with her hand. "They're just statues. Don't talk so much."

Kargo merely shook his head, trying to hide his smile. Wira's innocence was truly beyond expectation.

They joined the queue. Laksmi explained the city entry procedure: identity checks, baggage inspection, and paying a levy. Wira patiently observed, while Darkie occasionally grumbled about the complicated bureaucracy. Some soldiers at the gate eyed Darkie with suspicion due to his fierce appearance, but Wira's innocent gaze beside him seemed to neutralize that suspicion.

Finally, their turn arrived. A tall soldier with a thick beard scrutinized Laksmi. "Your identities? Your purpose for coming to Sky Dragon City?"

"We are fabric merchants from the east," Laksmi replied calmly, showing several rolls of silk fabric from her bag. "We wish to sell our goods in the city market."

The soldier glanced at Wira and Kargo. "And these two men?"

"They are my guards, sir," Laksmi smiled amiably. "The roads are very dangerous now."

The soldier nodded, but his eyes lingered on the fierce-looking Kargo. "You look familiar. Have you been here before?"

Kargo tensed slightly, but Wira immediately piped up innocently. "Darkie has never been here before, sir. He's a little nervous because he's never seen a gate this big!"

Wira slapped Kargo's back hard. Kargo almost snorted in anger, but then remembered Laksmi's warning. He merely ducked his head slightly, hiding his face. The soldier raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by Wira's innocence and Kargo's reaction. He then nodded. "Alright. Pay the levy, and you may enter."

After paying the levy, they stepped through the gate. Sky Dragon City immediately welcomed them with its hustle and bustle. The streets were teeming with people, horses, carts, and merchants shouting offers for their wares. Shop buildings lined the streets neatly, from eateries exuding tempting aromas to weapon shops displaying gleaming sword blades. Wira was awestruck, his eyes darting wildly, trying to absorb every detail.

"This is like a really big market, Laksmi!" Wira exclaimed, almost shouting.

"Don't shout, Wira," Laksmi whispered, quickly pulling Wira back as he almost bumped into a merchant. She glanced at Darkie. Indeed, some people in the crowd began to part, quickening their steps upon seeing his large, dark, dreadlocked figure. Young girls moved away, and even some small children tugged at their mothers' clothes, hiding their faces behind their backs. Darkie, noticing these stares, suddenly felt a pang of discomfort. He was used to being feared, but being stared at with such blatant disgust or fear, especially in a crowded city, felt different.

Wira, with his natural sensitivity, sensed Kargo's change in mood. He turned to Kargo, who was now walking with slightly slumped shoulders. "What's wrong, Darkie?" Wira asked innocently. "Are you sick?"

Kargo let out a soft snort. "No, Brat. It's just... these people are weird. Why are they avoiding me?"

Wira glanced around, then looked back at Kargo. He saw confusion and a hint of sadness in Kargo's eyes. "Maybe they're not used to seeing someone like you, Darkie," Wira said, his tone sincere. He then patted Kargo's large arm. "Don't be disheartened. You're not bad. They just don't know yet. They'll find out."

Laksmi overheard the conversation and smiled faintly. Wira, with all his innocence, always managed to say the right thing at the right time. She knew Kargo, beneath his fierce exterior, possessed a simple heart.

"We need to find an inn first," Laksmi interjected, diverting their attention. "Then we can look for information at the market or a tea house."

Kargo nodded, slightly cheered by Wira's words. He resumed walking with a straighter posture, though a few pairs of eyes still lingered on them.

They found a simple yet clean inn on the edge of the market. After negotiating the price, Laksmi rented two rooms—one for herself, and one for Wira and Kargo.

"You two rest first," Laksmi told Wira and Kargo. "I'll go to the market for a bit to look around and gather some initial information."

"Be careful, Laksmi," Wira said.

Darkie nodded. "I'll keep an eye on this brat in case he tries to run off and explore the city alone."

Laksmi offered a faint smile, feeling a bit relieved. At least Darkie could be counted on to look after Wira. She then hurried towards the bustling market, leaving Wira and Darkie at the inn.

Wira and Darkie entered their room. It was simple, with two beds and a small table. Wira immediately jumped onto a bed, feeling the softness of the mattress, which was vastly different from piles of leaves in the forest.

"This is so good, Darkie!" Wira exclaimed, bouncing on the bed. "It's like a cloud!"

Kargo merely grunted, then dropped himself onto the next bed. He stared at the room's ceiling. It had been a long time since he'd slept somewhere so comfortable. His mind wandered. Sky Dragon City. A world much larger and more complex. He knew that behind this bustling facade, there must be greater intrigues and dangers.

"Wira," Kargo called, his voice a little softer than usual. "Have you truly never seen a city like this?"

"No," Wira shook his head. "In the mountains, there are only forests, rocks, and animals."

Kargo smiled faintly. "This world is vast, Brat. You'll see many things. And perhaps, many troubles too."

Wira nodded, his eyes fixed on the small window that offered a glimpse of the city's hustle and bustle. The lessons about humans in the mountains and villages had been challenging enough, but he felt the lessons in this city would be far more interesting, and perhaps, more difficult. However, with Laksmi and Kargo by his side, he felt ready to face anything. Sky Dragon City, with all its grandeur, now became a new stage for their destiny.