Unspoken Time

(There are 2 version of narrative in this chapter. The new script format and the traditional one. It is recommended to read the script format.)

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Script format (including extra content)

The next morning arrived, and after a restless night spent yearning for his family, Hffyl and his companions set out for the palace, where their meeting with the Sultan of Kedah awaited. As they approached, they passed several interesting landmarks.

[EXT. TOWN - KEDAH - DAY]

Hffyl couldn't help but stare at these skilled folks. He was used to machines back in his time, but this old-school metal crafting gained his interest.

Pak Rahim: Ah, I see you've spotted our local artisans. Their work is indeed remarkable.

Hffyl gets closer, curious to know more. One of the artisans notices his and gives him a friendly nod.

Artisan: Hey there, young one. Interested in learning how to shape metal? It takes some practice, but it's totally worth it.

Hffyl: I'd love to, but I'm not sure if I've got the knack for it.

Pak Rahim: Maybe another time. Right now, we've got an important meeting with the Sultan.

Hffyl pulls his eyes away from the metalworking and rejoins his crew. They continue trekking, and the town vibes switch to chill nature views – coconut groves and the ocean far away.

Syafiq: (Curious tone) If you're truly from the future, can't you tell us a bit about what's to come? Maybe tell us about the next big harvest or... if there are flying horses?

Hffyl: Well, I could try to explain some things, but you might find them... hard to believe.

Pak Rahim: Go on, lad. We've seen you fall from the sky. I'm sure we can handle a tale or two about the future.

Hffyl: (Inhales) In my time, we have vehicles that can fly, and devices that let us talk to someone from miles away. We have tall buildings, touching the clouds, and--

But as he speaks, a peculiar thing happens. The words seem to slide off his companions' ears. Their eyes glaze over, and it's as if his voice becomes a distant hum to them.

Confused, Hffyl tries again.

Hffyl: Like I was saying, there's this thing called a computer and--

Syafiq blinks, looking around dazedly.

Syafiq: Did you say something, Hffyl?

Hffyl: You... you didn't hear any of what I just said?

Pak Rahim: (puzzled) You were about to tell us of the future, but then it's like... your words just slipped away.

Hffyl: (mind went blank) ...you know what? I'm not even sure if I know what's in store in the future.

Syafiq: What do you mean, you forgot?

Attempting to find a workaround, Hffyl considers writing it down, his hand instinctively reaching for a piece of parchment in his bag. But he pauses, a nagging thought echoing in his mind.

Hffyl: ...I think it's best left unknown.

Syafiq: Ah, of course... maybe next time...

Pak Rahim: Maybe something is preventing us from knowing what to come. Some secrets are meant to remain just that — secrets.

[EXT. TOWN'S STREETS - KEDAH - DAY]

Exiting the mosque, the trio felt the midday sun casting its golden warmth upon them. Their stomachs rumbled, a reminder that lunch was overdue.

Pak Rahim: Let's find a place to eat. I know a place nearby.

Walking down a cobbled path, they soon approached a traditional eatery or 'warung.' The establishment was simple, constructed from wooden beams with a thatched roof, providing shade from the sun. The wooden pillars were decorated with intricate carvings of local flora and fauna. Long, wooden benches and tables were arranged neatly, with woven pandan mats placed atop for diners to sit. At the front, a variety of dishes were displayed in large clay pots, releasing aromas that beckoned patrons.

As they approached, they overhear hushed whispers and excited murmurs from the locals.

Elderly man: That's him. Budak Langit. (whispers to his companion.)

Curious glances were thrown Hffyl's way, accompanied by respectful nods.

Syafiq: (leaned forward) Budak Langit seems to be the talk of the town.

Hffyl: I suppose falling from the sky does make for a good story.

Pak Rahim: Indeed! Now, let's order. The rendang here is particularly delightful.

Hffyl glances at the menu, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar names.

Hffyl: I'll have some noodles, please.

As they enjoy their meal, Hffyl takes mental notes — the flavors, the way food is served, the style of eating. While he has begun to feel more at ease in this unfamiliar setting, his observations continue, storing away bits that he would never find in textbooks.

After a satisfying meal, it's time to settle the bill. Pak Rahim reaches into a small woven pouch, drawing out several tin coins. Hffyl watches curiously as he catches sight of the currency used in this era. The coins are round and made of tin, bearing intricate engravings, likely depicting some form of emblem or symbol.

Hffyl subtly leans in for a closer look, captivated by the unfamiliarity of the coinage. The artwork, the weight, the metallic feel – it's all so different from the modern currency he's accustomed to.

Syafiq: The food here is reasonable, isn't it?

Hffyl: Yes, it's very affordable.

As they leave the eatery, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by a sudden commotion nearby. Angry shouts fill the air, drawing their attention to a scene that's rapidly unfolding. A sizable group of individuals, dressed in attire unfamiliar to the locals of Kedah, has gathered.

Hffyl takes in the sight before him. These are not ordinary townfolk caught in a disagreement; this is a clash between two factions.

Pak Rahim: Keep some distance away.

Hffyl: What's happening? (whispers, his voice tinged with unease)

Syafiq: They're not from around here, that's for sure. And by the looks of it, they're harboring ill intentions.

Pak Rahim: It seems these outsiders have come seeking something, or perhaps asserting their presence. This does not bode well for the peace of our land.

One of the men, presumably their leader, steps forward, his voice booming with authority as he speaks in Malay.

Leader: We've come to settle our scores. Kedah owes us, and we're here to collect.

Local man: This is Kedah's land. We've always dealt fairly in trade. If you've come for peaceful trade, you are welcome to. But if you seek conflict, you're better off returning from whence you came.

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Original version (a bit outdated. recommended to not read)

The next morning arrived, and after a restless night spent yearning for his family, Hffyl and his companions set out for the palace, where their much-anticipated meeting with the Sultan of Kedah awaited.

Hffyl couldn't help but stare at these skilled folks. He was used to machines back in his time, but this old-school metal crafting was blowing his mind. Pak Rahim noticed Hffyl's reaction. "Ah, I see you've spotted our local artisans. Their work is indeed remarkable."

Hffyl couldn't help but get closer, curious to know more. One of the artisans, an older guy with rough hands, noticed Hffyl and gave him a friendly nod.

"Hey there, young one," the artisan greeted him. "Interested in learning how to shape metal? It takes some practice, but it's totally worth it."

Hffyl grinned back, though he was kind of unsure. "I'd love to, but I'm not sure if I've got the knack for it."

Pak Rahim joined in, his smile warm. "Maybe another time. Right now, we've got an important meeting with the Sultan."

Hffyl had to pull his eyes away from the cool metal action and got back with his crew. They kept on trekking, and the town vibes switched to chill nature views – coconut groves and the ocean far away.

Hffyl was digging the natural beauty, and he realized that even though he was way back in time, there was something cool and real about everything. The sights, sounds, and even the chats in old-school Malay made him feel like he was living history.

As they walked along the pathway, framed by tall trees, Syafiq shot Hffyl a curious look. "If you're truly from the future," he began, a playful tone to his voice, "can't you tell us a bit about what's to come? Maybe tell us about the next big harvest or... if there are flying horses?" He chuckled at the last bit, clearly amused by his own joke.

Hffyl paused, weighing the consequences of revealing too much. "Well, I could try to explain some things, but you might find them... hard to believe."

Eager to know, Pak Rahim encouraged him, "Go on, lad. We've seen you fall from the sky. I'm sure we can handle a tale or two about the future."

Taking a deep breath, Hffyl began, "In my time, we have vehicles that can fly, and devices that let us talk to someone from miles away. We have tall buildings, touching the clouds, and--"

But as he spoke, a peculiar thing happened. The words seemed to slide off his companions' ears. Their eyes glazed over, and it was as if his voice became a distant hum to them.

Confused, Hffyl tried again, "Like I was saying, there's this thing called a computer and--"

Syafiq blinked, looking around dazedly, "Did you say something, Hffyl?"

Hffyl frowned, a sense of unease settling in. "You... you didn't hear any of what I just said?"

Pak Rahim looked genuinely puzzled. "You were about to tell us of the future, but then it's like... your words just slipped away."

A realization dawned on Hffyl. "There must be something preventing me from sharing knowledge of the future," he mused aloud, anxiety evident in his voice.

Attempting to find a workaround, Hffyl considered writing it down, his hand instinctively reaching for a piece of parchment in his bag. But he paused, a nagging thought echoing in his mind. "What if writing it down causes a ripple, a change in the events to come? Or worse, what if they can't read it either?"

Syafiq shrugged, his demeanor casual. "Perhaps it's the universe's way of saying some things are better left unknown."

Pak Rahim nodded in agreement, "Time holds its mysteries for a reason. Maybe it's protecting us, or perhaps preserving the balance."

Hffyl took a moment to absorb their words, realizing the gravity of meddling with the fabric of time. "You're right," he sighed, "Some secrets are meant to remain just that — secrets."

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Exiting the mosque, the trio felt the midday sun casting its golden warmth upon them. Their stomachs rumbled in unison, a timely reminder that lunch was overdue.

"Let's find a place to eat," Pak Rahim suggested, eyes scanning the surroundings. "I know a spot nearby."

Walking down a cobbled path, they soon approached a traditional eatery or 'warung.' The establishment was simple, constructed from wooden beams with a thatched roof, providing shade from the sun. The wooden pillars were decorated with intricate carvings of local flora and fauna. Long, wooden benches and tables were arranged neatly, with woven pandan mats placed atop for diners to sit. At the front, a variety of dishes were displayed in large clay pots, releasing tantalizing aromas that beckoned patrons.

As they approached, they couldn't help but overhear hushed whispers and excited murmurs from the locals. "That's him! Budak Langit," one elderly man whispered to his companion, pointing subtly at Hffyl. There were curious glances thrown his way, but they were accompanied by respectful nods.

Syafiq leaned in, "Budak Langit seems to be the talk of the town," he said, referring to Hffyl's new nickname which meant 'Sky Kid.'

Hffyl taking it in stride. "I suppose falling from the sky does make for a good story."

Pak Rahim laughed, "Indeed! Now, let's order. The rendang here is particularly delightful."

Hffyl glanced at the menu, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar names. "I'll have some mee goreng, please."

As they enjoyed their meal, Hffyl took mental notes — the flavors, the way food was served, the style of eating. Everything was a learning experience. While he had begun to feel more at ease in this unfamiliar setting, his keen observations continued, storing away bits of history that he would never find in textbooks.

After a satisfying meal, it was time to settle the bill. Pak Rahim reached into a small woven pouch, drawing out several tin coins. Hffyl watched curiously as he caught sight of the currency used in this era. The coins were round and made of tin, bearing intricate engravings, likely depicting some form of emblem or symbol significant to Kedah.

Hffyl subtly leaned in for a closer look, captivated by the unfamiliarity of the coinage. The artwork, the weight, the metallic feel – it was all so different from the modern currency he was accustomed to.

Syafiq, noticing Hffyl's interest but mistaking it for a query about the cost, casually remarked, "The food here is reasonable, isn't it?"

Hffyl nodded, not wanting to draw attention to his actual interest. "Yes, it's very affordable."

As they left the eatery, the peaceful atmosphere was abruptly shattered by a sudden commotion nearby. Angry shouts filled the air, drawing their attention to a scene that was rapidly unfolding. A sizable group of individuals, dressed in attire unfamiliar to the locals of Kedah, had gathered, their tense expressions and clenched fists indicative of the impending trouble. The confrontation was set to escalate into a conflict.

The group was made up of rough-looking men, their attire and manner suggesting they hailed from a distant land. Their clothing bore markings that hinted at their origin – they were outsiders, and from the hostility in the air, it was evident that they were not on friendly terms with the people of Kedah.

Hffyl's heart raced as he took in the sight before him. These were not ordinary townfolk caught in a disagreement; this was a clash between two factions, and tension hung heavily in the air. Syafiq, Pak Rahim, and Hffyl exchanged concerned glances, instinctively understanding that they needed to keep their distance.

"What's happening?" Hffyl whispered, his voice tinged with unease.

Syafiq's expression was grim. "They're not from around here, that's for sure. And by the looks of it, they're harboring ill intentions."

Pak Rahim nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene. "It seems these outsiders have come seeking something, or perhaps asserting their presence. This does not bode well for the peace of our land."

One of the men, presumably their leader, stepped forward, his voice booming with authority as he spoke in Malay "We've come to settle our scores. Kedah owes us, and we're here to collect."

A local man responded firmly, "This is Kedah's land. We've always dealt fairly in trade. If you've come for peaceful trade, you're welcome. But if you seek conflict, you're better off returning from whence you came."