Wira : The Peerless One from Mount Tarakan

Mornings in Lembah Pelangi Village felt very different from those on Mount Tarakan. Instead of the roar of waterfalls and strong mountain winds, Wira awoke to the din of crowing roosters, the mooing of cows, and the faint murmur of conversation from Aunt Suri's kitchen. He jumped from his simple wooden bed, feeling refreshed, though his sleep wasn't as restful as in the familiar stone cave.

"Second lesson, Wira," Laksmi was already standing in the doorway, watching Wira with an amused smile. She had showered and looked much more presentable in the clean clothes Aunt Suri had borrowed. "In the human world, we can't just jump out of bed. There are morning customs."

Wira frowned. "Traditions? What kind?" He imagined a series of elaborate stretches or breathing exercises.

"Like... washing our faces, then having breakfast together, and then helping out with the work," Laksmi explained as she fetched a bucket of water from the small well behind the house. "And, you need to take a shower. You smell."

Wira sniffed his own arm. "Smell? It's the scent of nature, Laksmi. It's so fragrant." He truly thought it was pleasant and earthy, like the wild scent of the mountains.

Lakshmi just shook her head. She handed Wira a clean cloth. "Bath in the well over there. Don't use any strange techniques. And don't be naked in public."

Wira nodded, still a little confused. He followed Laksmi to the well, watching as she deftly drew water and poured it over her body. He imitated Laksmi's movements, though his own were a little stiff, unused to such controlled movements. The cool well water felt refreshing on his skin, a stark contrast to the chill of the waterfall that had pierced his body during his training. He noticed how the water flowed over Laksmi's skin differently, how her movements were more fluid and aimed at hygiene, not just survival. It was another small piece of the human puzzle, slowly coming together.

After bathing and changing into the simple cotton clothes Aunt Suri had lent him—Wira found the fabric strange against his skin compared to his usual black clothes—they gathered in the small kitchen for breakfast. Aunt Suri had prepared warm corn porridge and sweet tea. Ayu, the girl who had fetched water yesterday, smiled kindly at Wira.

"Eat a lot, Young Wira," Aunt Suri said kindly, though her eyes still showed sadness. "Thank goodness you two are safe."

Wira nodded, then looked at his bowl. He hesitated for a moment. "May I... eat all of this?" he asked, glancing at Laksmi.

Laksmi stifled a laugh. "Yes, Wira. It's for you. But eat slowly."

Wira began to eat the corn porridge, whose taste was vastly different from cassava or hunted meat. There was a sweet, savory flavor and a soft texture that felt comforting on his tongue. "It's really delicious, Auntie!" he exclaimed honestly, making Aunt Suri smile faintly. He savored every spoonful, a new sensory experience that was both soothing and unfamiliar. It wasn't just food; it was an invitation into this new world, a taste of human kindness.

While eating, Laksmi began to recount last night's events to Aunt Suri. Aunt Suri listened intently, occasionally sighing with concern.

"So, you really don't know what they're looking for?" Aunt Suri asked Laksmi. "And this pendant... do you recognize it?" Aunt Suri held the jade pendant around Laksmi's neck, examining its faint and intricate symbols. "I've never seen carvings like this before in our village."

Laksmi shook her head. "No, Auntie. This pendant has always been with me since I was little. My parents never told me anything about it."

Wira, who was busy eating, chimed in. "My Grandpa said if a pendant is weird, it must have a secret. Usually, ultimate techniques are hidden in strange objects."

Laksmi and Aunt Suri exchanged glances, a little surprised by Wira's remark.

"This isn't a technique, Wira," Laksmi said. "This... could be big trouble."

After breakfast, Wira helped Ayu fetch water and chop firewood. Wira performed all these tasks with extreme ease, even too easily. Lifting a full bucket of water felt as light as a feather, and the axe in his hands split large logs with a single, effortless swing. Ayu gaped at Wira's extraordinary strength, but Wira himself was oblivious. To him, it was just helping, as he always did for his grandfather. He noticed the little girl struggling with the axe and offered help, his actions purely instinctive, driven by a desire to lighten the burden, just as he helped his grandfather carry heavy game back to their cave. He didn't understand the sighs that escaped Ayu's lips, or the suddenly wide-eyed stares from other passing villagers. To Wira, it was simply the efficient application of strength, a basic skill for survival and offering assistance.

Meanwhile, Laksmi and Aunt Suri sat on the porch.

"Laksmi, are you sure that young man can be trusted?" Aunt Suri whispered, still a little worried. "His strength... it's unnatural. And his innocence... it could be a disguise."

Laksmi sighed. "He saved my life, Auntie. And I'm sure his innocence is real. He truly knows nothing about the outside world. He only lived with his grandfather on Mount Tarakan. He doesn't even know the difference between men and women, let alone about money or possessions." Laksmi then recounted how Wira had mistaken her chest for 'muscles' and the concept of 'a bride' for 'a technique.' Aunt Suri stifled a laugh, but also looked distressed.

"Mount Tarakan? I've heard of it. They say it's a forbidden mountain, very remote, and no one dares approach it because it's inhabited by wild beasts and mysterious energies," Aunt Suri said, her face turning serious. "His grandfather must not be an ordinary person. And him... no wonder he's so strong, Laksmi?"

Laksmi shook her head. "He calls it Sura, Auntie. I've never heard of it. But his fighting style, his energy... it far surpasses ordinary Laksa martial artists. I don't know if that's good or bad, but he's incredibly strong and terrifying."

Suddenly, from the village's main road, a commotion erupted. Several villagers ran in panic.

"The assassins! They're back!" someone shrieked.

Wira, who was helping Ayu chop wood, immediately stopped his movements. His keen senses caught the familiar sound of approaching horses and the clang of metal. His innocent expression suddenly turned serious.

"Laksmi," Wira called, his voice low yet firm. "They're coming."

Laksmi and Aunt Suri rushed outside. At the end of the road, a group of armed men on horseback appeared. They wore black clothing with a crescent moon symbol on their chests—the Night Shadow Sect. This time there were more of them, about twenty men, led by a large, bearded man with sharp eyes. A powerful aura of Laksa radiated from his body, chilling the air.

"That girl! Laksmi Sari! You must come with me!" the bearded man roared, his voice echoing throughout the village. "And anyone who protects her will face the wrath of the Night Shadow Sect!"

The other villagers hid behind houses or ran in fear. Tension enveloped Rainbow Valley Village. Aunt Suri pulled Laksmi behind Wira, her body trembling.

"Wira…" Laksmi whispered, her voice trembling. "There are too many of them."

Wira stepped forward, leaving Laksmi behind him. His innocent gaze now turned cold, emanating a faint, pulsating Sura aura. He observed the approaching men, their aggressive demeanor, how their Laksa energy seemed to shake the air. It was different from the direct threat of wild animals; this was human malice, and it felt heavier, more complex.

"You disturbed our dinner yesterday," Wira said calmly, his voice clear amid the rising tension. "And now you're disturbing the peace of this village. This is disrespectful."

The bearded man sneered. "Insolent mountain boy. You think you can stop us? Get out of the way, or you'll die before the girl!" The man's Laksa aura grew stronger, shaking the ground.

Wira stood silently, watching. This was a new lesson about humans: sometimes, they can't be talked to. And sometimes, they need to be taught a different way. Behind him, Laksmi stared at Wira's back, confused and afraid. She knew Wira's strength was extraordinary, but against twenty organized Laksa warriors? This would be Wira's first true battle in a human village, a test of his strength against the brutal reality of the martial world.