The next morning, after a night of rest and reflection, the group gathered outside, ready to continue their journey. The sun had risen, casting its warm light over the fields and signaling a new day filled with possibilities.
Mayang, who had remained quiet up until now, finally spoke. "Eyang, what do we do now? Where do we go from here?"
Brahmantyo looked at her with a knowing smile. "First, we need to go to the Imogiri area. There is a place there where your potential can be awakened further. It's a sacred site, one that has been passed down through generations. There, you will find the next piece of the puzzle."
Sebastian and Pandu exchanged a glance. They both knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they were ready. They had to be.
"We're ready," Sebastian said, his voice unwavering.
"Good," Brahmantyo replied, his gaze shifting to the horizon. "Then let's begin."
With that, the group set out for the Imogiri area, knowing that their destiny was waiting for them, just beyond the horizon. The challenges ahead were great, but with the knowledge they had gained, and the bond they shared, they were determined to face whatever came their way.
As they drove off into the distance, the lab and the past faded away, replaced by the uncertainty of the future. But one thing was certain—they would fight for the balance, for the survival of not only their world but all worlds connected to it.
And so, their journey continued, with each step bringing them closer to the truth, and to the ultimate showdown with the forces that sought to disrupt the balance of life itself.
—
"Okay, Sebastian and Mayang, you two focus on learning how to combine your abilities. Pandu, I will teach you to develop medicine," Eyang Brahmantyo instructed, seeing Pandu as his potential successor, especially since Pandu shares a similar bio-evolutionary connection to plants like him.
"Yes, Eyang," Sebastian and Mayang responded in unison, heading toward a special training room. Meanwhile, Pandu followed Grandpa Brahmantyo into the backyard, where a variety of plants were cultivated—plants that had been the subject of his research.
"Pandu, may I ask you something?" Grandpa Brahmantyo inquired.
"Of course, Grandpa , what is it?" Pandu replied, his attention still on the rhizome he was carefully transplanting into a clay pot.
"Do you think the virus infecting the world now is an artificial mutation or a natural evolution?" Eyang asked, her tone serious.
"I believe it's an artificial mutation, Grandpa ," Pandu answered, carefully observing the plant's roots.
"Why do you think that?" Grandpa pressed.
Pandu looked up and began explaining. "Well, like many other viruses, this one likely originated from genetic manipulation in domestic animals or livestock, which were genetically modified to increase production yields. But genetic engineering often neglects the side effects that are impossible to predict." He paused, adding, "Unlike natural genetic evolution, which takes place with nature as the determinant, the consequences of artificial mutations are much more unpredictable."
"You were taught well by Professor Rhinno," Eyang Brahmantyo said proudly.
Pandu raised a question that had been bothering him for some time. "How well do you know Professor Rhinno, Grandpa ?"
Eyang Brahmantyo smiled, a faint sadness in her eyes. "Didn't Professor Rhinno ever tell you that you're his adopted child?" she asked, her forehead furrowing slightly.
"No, Grandpa , he never did. He's been so kind to me that I hesitate to ask," Pandu confessed, his voice carrying a hint of sadness. "I don't want to disappoint him. It's just a feeling I have."
Eyang Brahmantyo paused, sensing the weight of the moment. But instead of pursuing the awkward conversation, she suggested they focus on their work. "Let's finish this for now. Later, I will show you something that will answer many of your questions."
—
Meanwhile, in the training room, Sebastian and Mayang were discussing their abilities.
"So, Mayang, do you know what's going on with these two hands of mine, and this shield that surrounds my body?" Sebastian asked, a bit surprised that Mayang seemed to know more about his powers than he did.
"It's not that strange, Brother Sebastian. We all have similar abilities here in the village. It's part of our heritage," Mayang explained.
Sebastian was curious. "What do you mean it's 'normal'?"
Mayang elaborated. "This village has a long history of people with bio-evolutionary abilities. We all share a common ancestor, which is why some of us have the same powers. But only a few of us, like you and I, have a pure genus. Every generation, someone is born with it, but it's not predictable."
Sebastian's eyes widened as he listened. "What's the deal with my hands, then? Eyang Brahmantyo once mentioned they were linked to our ancestors, something about energy in the form of a keris?"
"Exactly," Mayang continued. "According to Eyang, the number of curves in the keris determines the amount of energy it contains. The more curves, the greater the energy."
Sebastian looked down at his right hand, where a faint light shimmered, forming a dagger-like shape. "I see four curves... right?"
Mayang nodded. "Not quite. There are seven in total, when you count both hands."
Sebastian was surprised as he raised his left hand, and a different light emerged, taking the form of a cleaver. "And what about this one? Where does this come from?"
Mayang smiled, recognizing it. "That's called a kujang, from West Java. Eyang told me it's a bond of brotherhood with that region. Different regions have different weapons, each with their own significance."
Sebastian's curiosity deepened. "So, what do we have in common with the people of this village?"
"The most common thing is the light shield," Mayang explained. "Everyone in this village shares this ability. The light is a result of the energy from our ancestors, but the strength of the light varies depending on the geography and the practices of the people."
"Is that why people here care so much about nature?" Sebastian asked.
"Exactly," Mayang replied. "Our bond with nature is essential. We protect and care for it because it's part of who we are."
Sebastian's mind raced as he absorbed Mayang's words. The balance between nature and humanity, the interconnectedness of all things—it was a philosophy that made him rethink his place in the world.
—
Just then, a voice called out from outside the laboratory. "Tian...!"
It was Mother, bringing food for everyone. Sebastian's younger sisters were with her, and the smell of food filled the air.
"Mayang, can you help Auntie for a moment?" Mother asked.
"Of course, Auntie," Mayang replied, rising to assist.
—
Meanwhile, Sebastian and Pandu set up the tables and chairs in the backyard, ready for the meal. As they gathered, Grandpa Brahmantyo led a prayer of gratitude for the food and the natural resources that provided it. The atmosphere was calm, warm, and filled with a sense of family unity.
Pandu sat quietly, feeling an unfamiliar joy. This was the first time he had truly experienced the warmth of a family. It was a feeling he had always longed for.
Eyang Brahmantyo noticed the look on Pandu's face. "Pandu, don't sit there quietly. Join us, you're part of this family now!" she said with a smile, encouraging him.
Mother chimed in, adding, "That's right, Pandu. The light you have is a sign that you are one of us."
Pandu smiled, the sadness in his eyes replaced by a flicker of hope. He had finally found a place where he truly belonged.
Sebastian observed quietly, feeling the shift in the atmosphere. His two younger sisters were emitting rainbow-colored light, a sign that the family's power was growing stronger.
Mayang turned to him. "Sebastian, can you show me your abilities again? Let me help you understand them better."
Sebastian nodded, ready to delve deeper into his abilities. "Show me, Mayang. I want to know more."
With a graceful movement, Mayang began a slow dance, her body swaying as she snapped her fingers. Water began to flow over her body, slowly enveloping her in a glowing, liquid aura. A moment later, the water on her fingers formed into a flower, which she gently placed in Sebastian's palm. The sensation was cool, and Sebastian could feel the flow of energy in his body, as if his own blood was being harmonized with the energy Mayang shared.
"Now, Sebastian," Mayang said, "take out the keris weapon in your right hand."