Chapter 3:Enigmatic encounter with hap depun tiana

Harith had embraced his life in Indraloka, a place where the tapestry of Malaysian folklore interwove with his daily existence. The village, nestled amidst lush greenery and ancient traditions, had welcomed him as one of its own. As days turned into weeks, Harith found himself standing shoulder to shoulder with Hang Jebat and the villagers, a guardian against the supernatural forces that occasionally threatened their world.

One moonlit night, as Harith walked through the village, he felt a peculiar presence in the air. The usually calm night had a restless quality, and an inexplicable feeling of mischief hung like a veil. It was then that he heard faint laughter, like the tinkling of bells, and caught glimpses of a fleeting figure darting between the trees.

Curiosity piqued, Harith decided to follow the elusive presence, trusting his intuition. He navigated through the dense foliage, his senses attuned to the enigmatic energy that filled the night. The laughter seemed to draw him deeper into the heart of the forest, and he soon found himself in a secluded glen.

In the midst of this tranquil clearing, an ethereal figure materialized before him. It was Hap Depun Tiana, a spirit known throughout the village for its capricious nature and boundless love for pranks.

Hap Depun Tiana's eyes sparkled mischievously as he addressed Harith, "Greetings, Rajan, the man who straddles two worlds. I have a proposition for you, one that could lead to hidden treasures and untold wonders."

Harith regarded the spirit cautiously, well aware of Hap Depun Tiana's reputation for tricks and deceptions. "I'm listening, Hap Depun Tiana. What kind of proposition do you have in mind?"

The spirit's voice had a whimsical quality as it recited a cryptic riddle, "In the heart of the village, beneath the ancient tree, where the first ray of sunlight touches the ground, a treasure of the past lies waiting to be found. Solve this riddle, and you shall uncover secrets long buried."

Harith's mind raced as he contemplated the riddle. It held the promise of unraveling the mysteries of Indraloka, but it also had an aura of hidden agendas. With a determined look, he accepted the challenge, "I will solve this riddle and uncover the hidden treasure, but I must know, Hap Depun Tiana, what is your true intent in this?"

The spirit's laughter tinkled through the glen, "Ah, Rajan, you're a perceptive one. My true intentions will be revealed when you reach the end of your quest. Until then, let the winds of curiosity carry you to the heart of the village."

Harith nodded, understanding that this journey would lead him deeper into the world of Malaysian folklore, a realm where ancient legends and hidden wonders awaited those who sought them.

Over the following days, Harith delved into the rich lore of the village, seeking clues and insights that might unlock the riddle's meaning. He consulted with Mala, the herbalist, and Pak Din, who held a wealth of knowledge about their traditions. Together, they pieced together the riddle's elements, each clue leading them closer to the heart of the village.

The significance of the first ray of sunlight in the riddle became a pivotal clue. Harith realized that the treasure must be associated with the sunrise, a time when the village began to stir with life. He decided to stand beneath the ancient tree in the village square one morning, waiting for the first rays of the sun to touch the ground.

As dawn broke, the village was bathed in a soft, golden glow as the sunlight pierced the leaves of the ancient tree. Harith's heart raced as he spotted an unusual stone hidden in the earth, shimmering with an ethereal light. With trembling hands, he unearthed the stone, and as he held it aloft, the villagers began to gather around, their eyes filled with wonder.

The stone was adorned with intricate carvings, each line telling a story that revealed the secrets of the past. It spoke of an ancient hero who had once protected the village from the malevolent forces of the supernatural world. Most intriguingly, the stone hinted at the existence of a legendary keris, a weapon of great power, hidden in a place only the chosen one could find.

Harith had uncovered the first piece of the puzzle, but he knew that the true challenge lay ahead. With the guidance of the villagers and the wisdom of Mala and Pak Din, he embarked on a quest to find the hidden keris. This legendary weapon could be the key to safeguarding the village from future threats and preserving the ancient traditions that bound the villagers to their mystical world.

As Harith delved deeper into the world of Malaysian folklore, he realized that the spirits of this realm had a plan for him. The journey to find the keris would not only test his wits, courage, and understanding of the mystical forces that governed their lives but would also lead to a profound connection between his own destiny and the folklore that now defined his existence.

Unknown to Harith, Hap Depun Tiana watched from the shadows, its capricious nature hiding its true intentions. The spirit had set in motion a quest that would unveil ancient secrets and test Harith's resolve in ways he could