The air hung heavy with the sweet, mild fragrance of flowers on the shrubby trees. As Purnama and Suria crossed the sturdy wooden bridge, they could feel the calm, serene atmosphere of the mountain region wash over them. The slow-moving river meandered below, its surface mirroring the sun's golden light like hammered gold.
Locals were visible in the distance, going about their daily routines. In the nearby paddy fields, villagers were bent over to harvest rice. Others pushed wheelbarrows laden with charcoal and finely cut wood. The sound of livestock—chickens, ducks, sheep, and cows—blended with the natural hum of the village.
The heart of the village pulsed along the main road, which served as a critical artery for merchants making their way through to Renok.
Rows of wooden stalls lined the road, and as the twins approached, the air grew thick with a rich, sensory blend: the warm, earthy scent of charcoal mingled with the tang of ripe fruits.
As Purnama and Suria approached, the lively shouts of street traders filled the air, each calling out to passersby, eager to showcase their wares.
"Fresh vegetables! Fresh vegetables! Three cabbages for just five Sagga!"
"POTATO PUFF! CHICKEN PUFF! SARDINE PUFF! Ten Sagga for ten puffs!"
"Treat your joint pain and bone aches with our special remedy! No Sagga? We accept pewter in exchange!"
"Step into the world of the Bunian! Our magical mushrooms are ready to take you there—special offer for those buying in bulk!"
Purnama and Suria navigated the lively market until they reached the village entrance—a worn, triangular wooden gate. The old arch, draped in colorful but tattered cloth, displayed the name: 'JYALA'. Flanking the arch, a grim line of wooden poles stood, their lower halves stained dark brown and black.
"Suria, let's head inside to rest and plan our next move. Too many people out here,"
Purnama said, his gaze fixed on the discoloration of the wooden poles. He quickly suppressed a chill.
"I'm with you. Hopefully, there's a food stall inside—I'm starving," Suria rubbed her stomach.
As the twins entered, the contrast was immediate and unsettling. The bustling noise of the main road vanished, replaced by a strained, heavy quiet.
The village square was filled with horse, donkey, and buffalo carriages, but the houses and stalls looked gutted—their paint peeling and wood splintered—as if the locals were pouring all their resources into the outside trade. Most elderly shopkeepers tended to their stalls in the village, leaving those young with more energy to handle trade on the main road.
"Do you notice something is not right in here, Suria?"
Purnama asked, his voice low. He kept a deliberate space between himself and the nearest carriage.
"The silence is too loud," Suria observed, her eyes scanning the weary faces, their clothes worn and patched, features etched with lines of hardship. "It's like they're hiding a loss."
Wandering through the large square, Purnama saw two elderly shopkeepers huddled behind a makeshift stall, nervously counting a meager pile of pewter. The general din of the square, though quieter than the road, was enough to make them think their conversation was private.
"We have two days left, Bappa," the first shopkeeper murmured, his voice cracking. "If we don't gather the rest, the Rakshasha will make an example of my young Kyiah."
"Be quiet!" The other hissed, glancing fearfully toward the arch. "We agreed no talk here. Someone always listens, and Erabis's spies are everywhere."
"Rakshasha? Erabis? That's Puaka," Suria lowered her voice.
"More than that," Purnama whispered back, his mind racing as he thought toward the line of poles they just passed. "It sounds like they're paying a ransom—and the cost of failure is high." He looked around the quiet, worn square, and the villagers' desperate, weary faces now solidified into a horrific story.
The vibrant trade outside was clearly not for their profit, but for their survival under the monstrous Rakshasha Puaka.
Wandering through the area, their gaze fell upon a row of food shophouses, tucked snugly against a curving rock wall. This natural overhang provided welcome shade from the sun at the far end of the village. One shop, in particular, stood out with its timeworn exterior, colorfully adorned with depictions of famous local satay dishes.
"Purnama, it's the end of the road, and my favorite foods are just around the corner; ah, finally, we can eat in peace for a while," Suria said, her voice tinged with excitement.
"But we need to gather intel about this matter, Suria." Purnama continued.
"Shush, Purnama, can we do that thinking after we eat?"
"Yeah, sure..." Purnama agreed, though his mind was already grappling with the unsettling atmosphere and the darker reality beneath Jyala's seemingly simple trading scene.
The twins entered the shop and slipped into a quiet corner, sitting at a worn wooden table. The vibrant energy that once pulsed through this bustling village had vanished, replaced by an unsettling stillness.
A wizened old man, his white hair peeking from beneath a worn cap, stood by the grill. Clad in tattered clothing, his weathered face, smudged with soot, was focused on tending the sizzling satay.
"Hello, old man, give us fifty sticks of chicken satay and forty sticks of beef satay!"
Suria eagerly placed her order.
"Ah, I didn't notice you two came in! You can call me Hrakas. Just a moment, I'll get your order started." He smiled, returning to the grill to add more satay skewers.
"Suria, don't overeat. We don't have much Sagga left." Purnama warned, discreetly checking the silver coins in his embroidered pouch.
"Don't worry, Purnama. We can always ask Ria for more later. We need our strength for the investigation mission." Suria replied, focusing on satisfying her hunger.
Purnama sighed, placing a small, untied sack of Dykin seeds on the table.
"Suria, take these three seeds. Keep them safe. Use them if you need to."
"What's gotten into you? First, you say I'm careless; now you give me these? If you'd given them earlier, we wouldn't have lost a seed back on the hill," She remarked, tightening the gold-embroidered pouch adorned with a mystical bird as she placed the seeds inside.
"It was a reflex when you rushed in like that. I've got a bad feeling that something is going to happen. Just remember, if it does, use the seeds to save yourself." Purnama warned, his tone more serious, adding to the growing sense of unease.
"Come now, Purnama," Suria said, gently nudging his arm. "Don't worry so much. Just enjoy the food. You deserve a break."
Hrakas moved the freshly grilled satay from the grill to a clay plate. He tossed a rag over his shoulder, carefully balancing the plate in one hand while holding a clay bowl of steaming peanut gravy topped with finely chopped onions in the other. The rich aroma of spices and the sight of the sizzling satay, glistening with juices, made it impossible to resist. The hot steam from the perfectly grilled meat made anyone's mouth water.
"Enjoy your meal—the best satay dish from Jyala!" Hrakas said with a warm smile as he served the satay.
As soon as he placed the dishes down, the earlier customers, having finished their meal, left a handful of coins on the table before exiting the shop. Hrakas pocketed the coins and began clearing the dishes. While wiping the table clean, he glanced at the twins, who were lowering their scarves to uncover their faces.
"... um, forgive me for asking, but where are you two from? You don't look like the usual merchants who pass through here." Hrakas inquired curiously.
"Uh... old man, we come from the far west. We have some important matters to discuss in Renok." Purnama stammered, noticing that Suria was already busy devouring the satay.
"As I mentioned earlier, you can call me Hrakas. What should I call you two?" He asked again, smiling.
"This is my twin brother, Purnama, and I'm Suria... Whoa, this satay is DELICIOUS!"
She replied between bites.
"Nice to meet you both, Purnama and Suria. So, you're heading to Renok? Never thought I'd have guests with a noble pass dining in my little shop," Hrakas chuckled.
"Huh? A noble pass? What exactly is that?" Suria pressed, clearly bewildered by Hrakas's remark.
"And about Renok—could you tell us what the situation's like? We're new merchants here, completely unfamiliar with this area." Purnama chimed in.
Hearing their response, Hrakas abruptly walked to the door, glanced outside, and locked it, satisfied that no one was nearby.
Purnama and Suria exchanged puzzled looks. The old man returned to the counter, set aside the dirty dishes, and rummaged through a cabinet. He pulled out an old, rolled-up map and returned to their table.
"Now, where were we? Ah, yes, Renok." Hrakas pointed to the eastern part of the map. "This is the town you're heading to. It's the main merchant hub of the empire. But before you can enter Renok, you must pass through Yurok, the inspection fortress." He traced a circle between Jyala and Renok with his finger. "You did know Renok's under Erabis's control, right?" Hrakas asked, his voice low.
Suria, unsure of the details, just nodded.
"The villagers are preparing carriages... It's for Erabis's tribute, isn't it?" Purnama interjected.
Hrakas met Purnama's gaze, then closed his eyes before slowly reopening them. He took a deep, steadying breath.
"For six years, we've been paying this so-called compensation. That's the only way to enter Renok if you're local. My only grandson is being held there, and they've promised he'll be released soon... We can't ask for help from the outside empire. If they find out..."
His voice cracked as tears filled his eyes. He gripped the rag and slowly wiped them away.
"I'm... I'm sorry..." Hrakas muttered, composing himself before continuing. "Foreign merchants usually have a noble pass... it's strange when you asked me about it..." He paused, leaning closer to the table. "C-could you two be associated with the Avalon knights?"Hrakas whispered.
"Avalon knights? We've never heard of that. Sorry, Hrakas, but you must be mistaken. We're just a regular merchant." Suria replied, wiping her mouth.
Hrakas looked disappointed. "I see... my mistake. As I mentioned, I shouldn't involve outsiders in these matters. It's just... I've been praying for a miracle. But what's an old man like me thinking?" His voice softened.
"Please, keep what I've told you a secret. If Erabis finds out... my grandson..." Hrakas trailed off, his face etched with worry as the twins watched his despair.
"Don't worry, Hrakas. Not a word will leave us. You've helped us more than you know. We'll find a way to enter Renok." Purnama assured him, trying to lift his spirits.
"Anyway, it would be troublesome for you to turn around and apply for a noble pass. The villagers of Jyala will send their tribute to Renok the day after tomorrow. I can help you enter if you disguise yourselves as my assistants. In the meantime, you can rest here." Hrakas offered, genuinely eager to assist the twins.
"Good that you offer; otherwise, we might knock and crash into any house around here."
"Purnama..." Suria sighed and continued, "I guess I'll help you with the dishes, Hrakas."
"Oh my, you don't have to do that. You're my guests..." Hrakas protested.
"I insist!" Suria exclaimed, standing up after finishing her meal. She lifted the greasy plate and bowl and joined Hrakas at the wooden barrel near the kitchen counter to scrub them clean with the cool water. Meanwhile, Purnama handed Hrakas some coins to pay for their meal.
As dusk settled over Jyala, the street traders along the main road began packing their goods, preparing to close their businesses for the day. The atmosphere grew cooler; withered leaves fluttered in the wind, and the lively noise of the day faded into silence. As the first stars twinkled in the darkening sky, the town of Jyala slipped into a quiet slumber.