Terrorist

Galuh Kingdom, 1295 AD.

Pengason Village, is a village located at the foot of Mount Galunggung. The village is famous for its lush pine forests, as well as gold mines managed by the Royal Government for decades.

In this village there is also a place that is the center of the burial of the kings and their families. Although it is located far from the capital city, the location of the cemetery in this village has existed since the days of the Tarumanegara kingdom, a few years ago. It has become a hereditary tradition that cannot be changed. This is the meaning of the name Pengason which means funeral on javanese.

That evening, the wind was blowing cool. It is enough to be able to fly a black flag cloth in the middle of which there is a symbol with a white pine tree silhouette surrounded by a circle of the same color. The flag cloth is tied to a medium diameter ivory bamboo. It is about 4 meters high.

Under the flagpole, stands a pavilion building which is a place for village youth to gain knowledge. Yes, the image on the flag is the symbol of this school called Wana Wira.

This school is managed by an old man named Sutaredja. He is the only teacher here. Or we can call him... Master.

The cost of managing this college comes entirely from the kingdom government. For that, all students here when they have completed their education, are required to serve the kingdom.

The education system in this school is divided into three groups.

The first group is political education. This is intended specifically for the descendants of nobility only. Such as the royal family, the children of royal dignitaries, to the descendants of other officials from the Prime Minister level to the District leader level. Graduates from this educational group will occupy positions according to their respective rights. There are those who become successors to their parents' positions, or at the beginning of recruitment they just become assistants to government officials. It all depends on the direct consideration of the King.

The second group is Defense Education. This is a martial arts education or kanuragan. This is free for anyone to study, as long as it is still a native of the Galuh kingdom. Graduates from this education will immediately fill the positions of state soldiers. If during service you have good achievements, you will be given a promotion. It could even become a Tumenggung or Commander.

The third group is spiritual education. This is an education that studies the knowledge of God. Sometimes studies about philosophy. Students who complete this education will eventually be free to choose to channel their knowledge anywhere, even if they go across the world outside the Galuh area. On the condition that you must first marry someone who must be a native of the Galuh Kingdom.

This college is located in the middle of the forest at the foot of Mount Galunggung. In the late afternoon, cold air accompanied by fog began to envelop, coiling between the crevices of the pine trees around the college building. some of the students in the defense faction were still eager to train.

Sutaredja, who was standing in the courtyard, was focusing his eyes on the pine forest which was located behind the guardrail of the college building. His vision was biased by the fog that was starting to thicken. Not long after, a child emerged from behind the fog with his shoulders carrying two barrels filled with water. One by one the group of little warrior appeared more and more, all of them carrying two barrels of water together. Even though their steps were so fast, none of them spilled water from the barrel they were carrying. A child in the leading position smiled happily, then when he arrived at the gate of the college complex, he cheered happily as if he had won a competition.

The water they brought was then immediately poured into the pond located on the right side of the main building's courtyard. After that one by one they put the barrels neatly near the pool. Then they stood in a row facing their Master in the courtyard.

"Today's activity is enough. But before you rest in your cottage. I want to ask all of you. What have you learned from today's activity?" Sutaredja asked his little students who were lining up. Then one of the students raised his hand as if to answer. "Well, Turo, Go ahead."

"We learned about struggle, Master," answered one student.

"Well, you're absolutely right, Turo. But there's a lot more deep lessons for you to learn. You've worked so hard to get water from the river under the mountain to bring you here, uphill through paths and thickets full of thorns, carried as hard as you can. energy, maintain balance so that the water you carry does not spill everywhere. Does anyone understand the meaning implied in the struggle that Turo means?" asked the teacher again.

"From sunrise to sunset, we were only told to carry two barrels of water taken from the river at the bottom of the mountain and then brought up here and poured into the pool. Then we went down to get some more water and then went up to pour it into the pool again. , just like that over and over again, Master," replied one of the other students without raising his hand. "Even though there is a spring near here, and also this month has entered the rainy season. Why don't we take an easier way to fetch water from a nearby place? Or, why not wait for the water to be filled with rain? Did you intentionally torturing us? Looks like we're not learning anything but thirst and hunger."

"Hey, Sayuti, keep your politeness in speaking. He is our Master," Turo whispered to Sayuti warningly.

"It's okay Turo, let your friend talk freely, he has the right to say his discomfort," said the teacher.

"What is your purpose in studying here, Sayuti?" asked the teacher.

"Want to be a soldier of the country, Master," replied the student.

"State soldiers with what duty? Border soldiers? Palace guards? or combat soldiers?" asked the teacher as he slowly stepped closer to Sayuti.

"Soldiers guard the Great King, Master," said Sayuti firmly. The Master walked casually to the back of the line.

"Being a soldier, is not only about physical strength, but also heart strength. How to control emotions, how to be patient, how to be sincere in duty. In real situations, soldiers often get what an unexpected matter. You don't even have time to prepare, much less being the King's Guards Corps that bears the huge responsibility of protecting the life of the most important person in this country," replied the Master calmly.

"Okay, Master. Forgive me for being presumptuous."

"It's okay, I understand your tired condition. Alright now please you disperse, clean your bodies, then rest in your cottage."

Apparently the remnants of the sun had begun to dim, the orange color was fading. It was getting dark, the students had started to rest in their respective cottage. The Master Sutaredja walked leisurely in front of the main building carrying a torch which was used to light several other torches in the corners of the fence of the college grounds.

At that time there was a torch that did not light up when the fire was attached to the torch he was carrying.

"Runce...! Runce...!" shouted the Master called one of his adult disciples.

"Runce...! please get Gondorukem Oil here!" The Master repeated the call.

No answer was heard, the Master repeated the call, "Runce...!" Suddenly, "Aaaarrgghhh...!" screams came from inside the cottage. The teacher rushed into the cottage. Students from other cottage buildings also ran towards the source of the screams.

What a surprise when they saw many of his students, including children, lying covered in blood. "Master, look at Runce ..." shouted one of the students from another hut, pointing at the dying Runce. "Runce," the Master rushed over and then cradled his bloodied head, "Tell me, Who did this?" asked the Master annoyed showing his reddened face and his eyes were starting to tear up.

"I don't know him, Master. But they escaped through the roof over there," stammering in pain, Runce pointed at the hole in the roof.

"You guys hurry and take them to the Medicine Hall. I'll go after that bastard," the Master ordered to the other disciples.

"Can I with you, Master?" one of the oldest disciples asked.

"Just take care of the hermitage!" The Master ordered sternly before finally leaping onto the roof and sprinting with body armor to chase down the terrorists.

The Master quickly dashed towards the pine forest. His light body makes it very easy to jump from tree to tree like a squirrel. Not far from there, from the top of the tree he saw four people in red clothes running. With anger, the Master immediately reached out to the red uniformed troops who were suspected of being the terrorists and then grabbed the collar of one of the gang members from behind.

Anger made the Master attack them blindly. With no other choice, those who still wear the veil to cover their faces are forced to fight the Master, even though they know his power will not be enough to fight someone who is already famous in the martial world.

They drew their swords from their scabbards to fight the Master. Easily all of their attacks can be countered. It didn't take long for the Master to paralyze them. The sword was snatched from their hands and aimed at one of them who was lying down.

"Who do you serve?" asked the Master threateningly, pointing a sword at the terrorizer's neck.

"Who do you serve...!?"

"We work alone," replied the Terrorist.

"Your life and death depend on my hands, still dodge. If I slit your throat you will perish, while your master can still live in peace. Quickly answer!" snapped the Master threateningly.

"We are the orders of Saga Winata," replied the terrorist.

"Winata Saga?" asked the Master in astonishment as he then dropped his sword.

"Please forgive us, Mr. Sutaredja," the terrorist pleaded.

"No, I will take you to capital. To the state court."

***