Kalak Cave Shrine

"I told you, it should be the man who protects the woman."

Kamaniya was stunned. Her tongue seemed to be tied. Only her eyes moved, following Yada's movements.

Yada was incredibly agile as he deflected Latuhayu's sword. It must have required significant strength, considering that the sword wielded by Dayu Datuh's disciple was enhanced with black magic spells.

A simple deflection wouldn't have been effective, especially against someone like Yada, who possessed human strength. Yet, he effortlessly repelled Latuhayu's attacks that were already on the brink of landing.

Yada didn't stop there. Like a possessed warrior, he charged at Latuhayu. Without mercy, he landed a powerful spinning kick that struck the woman's face with precision.

Latuhayu was thrown to the side. Yada's strength was enough to send the female sorceress flying several meters, crashing into the trunk of a trembesi tree.

"Will you leave on your own, or shall I escort you to your doom?" Yada asked with an icy tone.

Latuhayu spat blood. Her eyes gleamed with fury. She staggered as she attempted to stand, but the grimace on her face indicated internal injuries.

"Who are you?" Latuhayu hissed.

"It doesn't matter who I am. What's clear is that I have to drive you away. This is not your place."

"And this is not your place either," Latuhayu retorted angrily.

Yada kicked a fist-sized rock into the air. Swiftly, he caught it and began tossing it around as if playing with a tennis ball.

"Will you leave on your own, or shall this rock find its place in your head?"

Latuhayu trembled. Initially, she thought that Yada was just an ordinary human who was easily susceptible to her Aji Sirep. But she was gravely mistaken.

Through that kick, Latuhayu could already gauge the strength of the man before her. Her gaze briefly landed on Kamaniya, who was still standing in the middle of the backyard.

"This time, you win," Latuhayu growled in anger.

"But next time, I will personally take your souls, Silver Hair!"

With that threat, Latuhayu performed a high backflip. Her body disappeared into the dense foliage of the trembesi tree.

Silence descended upon Yada's backyard. Latuhayu's Aji Sirep had completely dissipated. The surroundings returned to normal as if nothing had happened.

The same went for Yada. The once imposing man suddenly collapsed weakly to the ground. His eyes were tightly shut.

"So, who are you really, Yada?" The woman stood beside the unconscious man at the edge of the backyard.

Without much difficulty, Kamaniya carried Yada into the house. She gently laid him on the bed.

The Aji Sirep had caused all the inhabitants of the house to fall asleep. No one was aware of the life-or-death battle that had taken place in the backyard.

This worked to Kamaniya's advantage as she didn't need to explain anything to Arum and the hired housekeeper. When Kamaniya emerged from Yada's room, only Arum and the housekeeper had awakened.

The next two days were quite eventful. Yada remained unconscious, and Kamaniya faithfully kept watch. As dusk approached on the second day, Yada finally opened his eyes.

"I slept so soundly," he mumbled contentedly.

Kamaniya, who was reading literature about the second king of Majapahit from Yada's book collection, looked up. Her gaze met Yada's gentle eyes.

"Your voice has returned," Kamaniya commented.

"Why wouldn't it?" Yada asked.

Kamaniya shook her head. She closed the book and handed Yada a glass of water.

"Do you know how long you've been asleep?" She carefully examined the man on the bed.

"Just a short while, right?"

"Two full days."

Kamaniya enjoyed the surprised expression on Yada's face. Without saying a word, she turned on the television and showed Yada the time.

"Two days. Do you remember the last time you slept?"

Yada widened his eyes. "Oh my God, was I sleeping or unconscious?"

"I don't know. I've seen you lying here for two full days." Kamaniya intentionally lied.

She had made sure that he was healthy. So, Kamaniya felt confident to express her desire.

"After taking a shower, would you accompany me for a stroll?"

"To where?"

"To Kalak Cave."

Yada widened his eyes for the second time. A joyful whistle escaped his mouth uncontrollably.

"Wow. Wow. Your hangout place is really unique, Kama. Okay, I also want to go to that cave."

Arum protested when Yada decided to leave on the same day. His personal assistant was concerned about the health of the professor who had just awakened from a long sleep.

Especially when she learned that Yada was in a hurry to accompany Kamaniya. A mixture of hatred and curiosity had already formed in the young woman's heart for the mysterious and beautiful silver-haired woman.

The journey from Yada's rented house to Kalak Cave was quite far. After driving for approximately two hours, they finally arrived at one of the caves, which was somewhat secluded compared to Gong Cave, where Yada had encountered Kamaniya.

Throughout the journey, the woman remained silent. Although her mouth was silent, her mind kept guessing who Yada really was.

"Do you not remember anything before falling asleep?"

Yada carefully parked the car under a large tree. "You've asked that three times since we left. Is there something wrong with me before sleeping?"

"Just curious." Kamaniya struggled a bit to unbuckle her seatbelt.

Yada couldn't wait. He reflexively leaned forward. His intention was only to help the silver-haired woman unbuckle her seatbelt. However, their proximity caused Yada's heart to suddenly beat uncontrollably.

Their gazes met. Kamaniya could even feel the warmth of Yada's body clearly. For a moment, time seemed to stand still between them.

The memories resurfaced. Kamaniya's past lover reappeared in the form of the man before her. The only person who had occupied Kamaniya's heart besides her siblings.

"Done."

Yada's voice was hoarse. He withdrew to his seat after unbuckling Kamaniya's seatbelt.

There was no further conversation between them. Kamaniya focused her attention on the rocky road leading to Goa Kalak.

"It is said that this place was once a hermitage for Prabu Brawijaya, the last ruler of Majapahit." For the first time since leaving the parking area, Yada spoke up.

"Brawijaya V," Kamaniya whispered.

"Sorry?"

Yada turned to the woman beside him. Kamaniya's silver hair was now neatly tied up. However, her exotic beauty still couldn't deter people from staring at her.

"This is the location of the hermitage of the fifth Brawijaya. He used to contemplate here, seeking inspiration to build his kingdom."

Kamaniya touched the wall adorned with stalactites. The ancient water droplets felt cold on her fingertips.

Meanwhile, not far from where she stood, several people could be seen queuing in front of a small pavilion that was said to be the hermitage of Prabu Brawijaya.

"Where did you learn that?" Yada appeared curious.

Kamaniya fell silent. She couldn't possibly reveal that she had once entered the time portal of Lonji Hill and emerged during the reign of Brawijaya V.

She had even stood so close to the king while he was in meditation in Kalak. In this case, Kamaniya had disguised herself as the fifth Brawijaya's personal attendant.

"From people's talk," Kamaniya joked.

"That's unlikely. I've interviewed many people here, and none of them specifically mentioned which Brawijaya frequently meditated here."

Kamaniya chuckled. "Did you really ask many people? Kalak is the territory of one of the sons of the fifth Brawijaya. It's not difficult to deduce that."

"Oh my, if it's that easy for you, archaeologists and historians don't need to bother studying."

Kamaniya laughed again. "Why should they bother studying history? What's the importance for all of you?"

Yada opened his mouth to respond. However, his words were distracted by the bustling noise from the crowd in the pavilion.

Spontaneously, Yada and Kamaniya approached the source of the noise. They saw a middle-aged man dancing, with his arms stretched out and his eyes moving actively from side to side.

"Leak dance?" Yada furrowed his brow.

"Leak?" Kamaniya asked, puzzled.

"Yes, it's the movement of the leak dance. A traditional dance from Bali. But this is in Pacitan, why is he dancing here?"

"I think he's dancing unconsciously." Kamaniya pointed her finger towards the man's face. "His gaze is vacant."

"Is he possessed?"

Kamaniya turned. "What is possession?"

"Being possessed by spirits. The way he dances is too captivating for an ordinary person. It's like he has no fatigue."

Kamaniya gazed at the man who was still moving with enthusiasm. Sweat drenched his body. His dark brown skin glistened under the sunlight.

"If only I still had my magical powers." The woman whispered softly.

She turned around without being curious about the man's fate. But just as she took two steps, a loud shout forced her to stop.

The man who had been dancing suddenly stopped. His eyes sparkled, and he pointed his finger straight at Kamaniya.

"Witch! You don't belong in this world. Leave now!"

Kamaniya froze. She felt many eyes piercing her back. Slowly, she turned around.

A gentle breeze brushed her face like a hand softly caressing her. Strands of Kamaniya's hair, escaping from her bun, danced along with the wind.

The fresh scent of foliage in the midst of the rainy season filled Kamaniya's senses. Then, a faint trace of incense immediately furrowed Kamaniya's brow.

"Latuhayu?" Kamaniya spelled the name she had only learned a few days ago at Yada's house.

No response came. However, the fierce glare of the male dancer quickly turned into a sharp, murderous gaze. The furrows on Kamaniya's forehead deepened.

"Leave this place! You're a troublemaker! Leave!"

The expulsion words echoed again. Kamaniya wanted to speak, but a sudden gust of wind swept in.

Dry leaves rustled upward. Soil flew through the air. Reflexively, people covered their faces, avoiding the assault of nature.

Including Kamaniya.

Forged by centuries of physical training in the Valley of Virgin, Kamaniya's instincts became razor-sharp. She knew this was no ordinary wind. When Kamaniya opened her eyes, the face of the male dancer appeared right in front of her.

"Oh my, who are you?" Kamaniya exclaimed in shock.

She moved backward, but the man grabbed her arm. Harsh hisses filled with anger escaped his mouth.

"Cursed witch! Misfortune will always follow you. You should never have lived! Go away! Go!"

Kamaniya forcefully jerked her arm out of his grip. With an icy tone, she responded to the dancer's words.

"If I could, I would definitely leave."

"Why can't you?" the man shouted amidst the swirling wind.

"Because I don't know the way back," Kamaniya snapped.

The dancer yelled in a strange language. Kamaniya didn't understand. The man retreated in a dance filled with mystical energy, then entered the small pavilion and suddenly collapsed.

Then, the wind ceased to blow.

Nature regained its tranquility.

People began lowering their hands, looking confused. Some hurriedly approached the man in the middle of the pavilion.

A second commotion unfolded. Kamaniya stood frozen in her spot, her cold gaze fixed on the people surrounding the man.

"So, you're here."

Kamaniya caught sight of Yada approaching.

"I've been here the whole time," Kamaniya said.

"The wind was really strong. I was afraid of losing you."

"Why were you afraid?"

"Because you're my friend. And you're still injured."

For a few seconds, Kamaniya felt disappointed. She turned to leave Yada behind.

"Kama."

The woman turned. "Yes, Yada?"

"Who are you really?"