The Origin of Maruyung Mountain

Grandpa faithfully continued the story that had been delayed.

"So what happened after they were caught, Grandpa?" asked Gisel.

"Well, after the soldiers caught up with the Duke, their belongings were confiscated and the bodyguards were killed, but the Duke escaped with one bodyguard, while the other bodyguards were killed with the others. The Duke and the soldier returned home, only to find that his wife had given birth to a son. At first he felt he was failing as a husband and father, but as his wife continued to persuade her husband, he finally accepted that he was the best father and husband for his little family, not long after the rebel chieftain came and made a mess of things, kidnapping the Duke's son while his wife was almost mad at losing her son. With courage, he and his wife went to the forest that had once captured the Duke. Pretending to be a farmer, they entered the village full of cruelty, until three years later the Duke managed to bring the child back home, while the woman was rumoured to have died because it was discovered that she was the Duke's wife. Finally, the child went to the top of a mountain that was not yet known to many people. The child was not given a name until he was five years old, because the child often cried that he wanted to be called Maruyung, and so the unknown mountain was named Maruyung. As the child grew and the father became ill, the child did not know where to go, but finally the child met a grandfather who took care of the father, and soon the duke died after his wife.

Maruyung was saddened to be left behind by her father. "Don't be sad because every story has a beginning and an end," Grandpa advised her. The grandfather, who helped Maruyung with strong determination, finally took care of her until she grew up. During the year of living with the grandfather, he also felt that Maruyung's aura was very different from the others. The grandfather went to the top of Maruyung Mountain to meditate, and it transpired that Maruyung held knowledge that could access the astral world and alter the face's shape, albeit Maruyung did not believe it until reciting a prayer, transforming into a white deer. Until one day Marayung transformed into a white deer and he was shot dead by the hunter. Finally, his spirit still roams around Maruyung mountain and everyone respects Maruyung because he is the founder of this mountain and the guardian of it."

Flashback off.

 "So that's the story, the origin of Mount Maruyung." With a sigh, the grandfather bowed his head.

"So now he's still around and guarding this mountain?" asked Gisel.

"And all this time the one who kidnapped the climbers was Maruyung?" asked Gisel with a shake of her head.

"The one who kidnapped the climbers on the mountain was Maruyung, not Maruyung, but it was caused by people luring Maruyung out of his place then they would fight and grab the necklace that Maruyung was wearing. "So they are targeting climbers to be used as sacrifices because every full moon Maruyung mountain will be different from other mountains," explained the old grandfather.

"Grandpa is serious and why does Maruyung wear a necklace?" Gisel was getting curious about mystical things from now on.

"Because the necklace has been given a blessing by his ancestors and he also vowed that when he met someone with a pure soul, at that time Maruyung would depart and abandon this mountain to become the most flourishing mountain in Central Java," explained Grandpa.

"So they also sacrificed hikers to obtain the necklace and remained near Mount Maruyung?" Gisel rolled her eyes in disbelief at the ritual and received a nod from her grandfather.

"Why can't you assist her?" murmured Gisel while gazing at her grandfather innocently.

"Because you have attempted to aid the climbers on multiple occasions, but they apprehended you and nearly killed you a hundred times," explained Grandpa with a faraway gaze.

"How did you escape from their custody?" asked Grandpa, looking serious.

Grandpa shook his head and replied, "I don't know. Every time I fall asleep there, I'm always here when I wake up!"

"Looking up at the moon, the child asked, "When will the full moon happen, Grandpa?" "The full moon will be next Sunday.

If you want to help your friend, I hope you bring your other friend with you. Because if you're alone, the risk is very big!" explained Grandpa.

"The full moon will occur next Sunday. If you wish to assist your friend, I hope you will bring another companion, as the risk will be high if you go alone," explained Grandfather.

"What, I live alone, the others have been abducted," I squeaked in confusion. "Here, Grandpa, take this. Hopefully, it will be helpful if you stab it into the queen's chest," Grandpa said, handing me a small but sharp knife tip. Hopefully, it will be helpful if you stab it into the queen's chest," Grandpa said, handing me a small but sharp knife tip.

"Just in case it's useful, and look out for your friend before tomorrow night." Before I could ask further, Grandpa disappeared instantly while I was looking for him, which left me confused and a little scared.

"Okay, Grandpa Gisel, thank you for the help and for helping Gisel and Grandpa stay safe..." I was about to express my gratitude, but Grandpa disappeared very quickly.

(POV Chandra)

I don't know why I always stutter when I'm close to Gisel, especially when she smiles. She's sweet, but I'm sincere. If she smiles all day for other people, it always annoys me, so she rarely shows a happy face. Like now it's been two days without seeing me, I miss him, so my friends and I are climbing Mount Maruyung even though he says this mountain is scary, but it still makes the climbers immediately climb without thinking long to get to the top because every climber who climbs this mountain is sure to be lost and not find the slightest trace. "I'm a little worried about Gisel if she gets caught, but until now I haven't seen or heard anyone's voice - anyone who has wind friction with leaves and even with trees.

"Boss, you know, he said that if you climb this mountain, you will be made into a sacrifice!" Angga has the ability like a woman to easily get information that is sometimes strange.

"Who said that, haven't you stopped spreading hoaxes?" Aldo shouted while making a campfire

"I said the rumour, not the truth, you idiot." Angga swore while slapping Aldo's head."

"Just relax, don't be too angry, your hands don't have to be clenched like that." Aldo said with a light rub of his head, to which Angga grinned.

"Don't fight already, it's better for us to sleep first, it's late tomorrow we'll continue the journey and don't forget to take turns to guard you." Chandra interrupted and was met with a nod.

(End POV Chandra)