“Our Lord…” Sengkolo said, with his hands raised to chest level. “Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire.”

The crystal suspended near Sengkolo’s mouth carried his voice throughout the chamber.

“Glory to thy Lord, the Lord of Honor and Power, free from what they ascribe to Them. Peace on the messengers, and Praise to the Three…the Holy…the Almighty…the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds.”

Sengkolo made the gesture, and the men behind him followed. He stood up, the elevated dais gave him a view of all the generals and lieutenants who had joined him. They were roused instantly, standing at attention. The prayer rows quickly became a standard rank-and-file formation.

The man at the right corner furthest from Sengkolo shouted. The assembled line about-faced. The generals and lieutenants marched out of the chamber like regular soldiers.

Sengkolo was the last person in the departing line. He glanced over his shoulder, watching the next batch of garrison enter with matching discipline.

Once they were in the main hall, each officer returned to their duties. Kustari quickly joined Sengkolo. She was folding her prayer robe as she kept up with his pace, which she seemed to be struggling with.

Outside the citadel, Sengkolo’s adjutants were waiting. Once he and Kustari mounted their respective nyambek, they set off toward the giant steel wagon that had been sitting on the horizon.

The legions had already assembled around the giants. Sengkolo inspected each man with a brief gaze, making sure their faces were clean and their armor shone. The giant with the pale brown hair was sitting with her legs crossed, her head stooped, and her eyes closed. When Sengkolo approached her, the giant’s eyes immediately opened, as if she had been watching all along. Sengkolo dismounted and raised his right arm.

“Hail,” he said.

The giant kept her frowning gaze on him as she rose. Sengkolo half-smiled; it was naive to think appearing taller would give her an edge in dealing with a Danker.

“The Makmu Sultanate,” Sengkolo said again. “Blessed by the Almighty Three, welcomes you with open arms. I’m General Sengkolo Sengkal Sing Olo Olo, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Sultanate. Here I stand before you, representing the interest of every single person in Mananggal–”

“I appreciate that, Mr. General,” the giant said, interrupting.

Her audacity sent a wave of astonishment across the soldiers, but Sengkolo kept a straight face.

“You may call me Mey, and I’m more interested if you listen to me first and foremost.”

“Since you are here, in our homeland,” Sengkolo said gently. “You are also subject to the established regulations of the Sultanate. We have the right to dictate things to you, and you have to comply. Now–”

“I have saved one of your legions from total destruction, you left me waiting for more than a week, and during that time,” Mey said, leaning closer. “You also bound my people. If you insist on acting courteously on me, then surely you would provide me the opportunity to speak first.”

The soldiers of the Eightieth Legion shared a glance. Sengkolo watched with resentment as murmurs filled his ears. Defeated by a flock of kun skimmers was already disgraceful. Now they decided to conspire against him in favor of the giants? Sengkolo inhaled deeply.

“Very well…” he said, gesturing. “Speak.”

“My people and I would like you to transport us home.”

Sengkolo studied the giant. “Please elaborate.”

“Don’t play me for a fool,” Mey said. “You are the ones who brought us here because you can’t solve your problems. I demand you to return us. I know your people are capable of such magic.”

Sengkolo put his hands on his waist. “You mean building a huge boat that could sail you to Praskovia? Sure, we can do that–”

Mey stomped her foot, spooking the soldiers. Sengkolo rubbed his thumb against his index finger. Sweat trickled down his forehead, but his face remained indifferent.

“I’m not playing around, general.” As soon as Mey said that, the wagon’s cannon turned to face him.

The two other giants looked at each other indifferently.

Sengkolo was tempted to escalate. However, he needed them, as much as they needed him.

“Your request is a daring one. Its scale demands wearisome contemplation and preparation. The compensation should then also be…” Sengkolo paused and rubbed his chin. “Comparable.”

Mey crossed her arms. “What compensation do you require?”

Sengkolo raised his head and held his hands behind him. “We’d like first to confirm that we don't know how you got here, though we're certain that we are not responsible.”

An officer approached Sengkolo with a bundle of scrolls. He used a Mantra of Tuning to lift a scroll. It floated higher until it reached Mey's hand. The giant began reading it.

“However, since your arrival has caused some discomfort among the people, it would be best if you tend to them, and alleviate their suffering. Even if we take you home now, there would be discontent due to the excessive allocation of resources to please newcomers. That would be inconvenient for us.” Sengkolo gazed at the other two giants. “You have to make yourself worthy of your request.”

Mey squinted. “So you do want us to solve your problems…”

Sengkolo raised his right index finger. “But unlike what your previous disapproval suggested, we are actually offering something in return.” Sengkolo gestured at the giants. “Fortunately for you, I know exactly how you can earn praise from every corner of Mananggal. You don't have to solve all our problems, just a particular one. Believe me.”

A cold wind brushed against their faces. He was putting a leash on the giants and would use them against the Wankers. Surely, Mey was bright enough to see that. Sengkolo knew that she was shaking inside, but her acting was flawless. It took someone who had been in her position to see that — someone like him, who had done them himself.

“You better stay true to your words,” Mey said.

“As a devout follower of Vahsani, the Exalted in Power, the Great Protector, Blessed be His Name, no Dankers dare to break their promise,” Sengkolo said, aware that he was lying. He just had to stall them as long as possible until he found a way to send them home — or ‘home’, if that could mean a resting place.

“I think we could use a liaison officer.”

“You read my mind,” Sengkolo said, nodding. “We do indeed need an intermediary between us. I have prepared the candidates.”

Sengkolo gestured at the officer to hand over another scroll to Mey. Inside was a list of four titled individuals who Sengkolo believed could make things easier for the giants.

“Is it possible to have them all on board?” Mey said.

Sengkolo rubbed his chin. “Your decision is quite sound, considering there are four of you.”

“Wait!” The giant with the golden hair said, approaching them with the same pace as a kun skimmer diving from above. “Genesis, Maid Sergeant, I would like to choose.”

Sengkolo turned his attention to her, followed by Mey and the other giant. “Excuse me. Haven’t we all agreed that your friend, Mey, would represent you?”

Genesis briefly looked at Mey bitterly. “We have,” Genesis said. “But since we have to choose something, we will choose together. That involves her,” Genesis said, pointing at Mey, and then the others. “Caitlyn, Gray Katie, and I.”

Caitlyn waved her right hand while silently observing the commotion.

“Maid Sergeant,” Mey said to Genesis. “Let me handle this. I promise it will end well for us.”

“No,” Genesis said, pointing at Mey again. “If you insist on representing the people, then you better listen to the people.”

“Genesis, I’m no Edward. I don’t sugarcoat my words. You’re preventing us from achieving our interest and I will not tolerate it.”

“Our interest? Or just yours?”

“I am the General Secretary of the State,” Mey said with her tone raised. “My interest is your interest.”

“How could you say that when you’re not even interested in listening to your people?”

“Perhaps…” Sengkolo said, interrupting the giants. “Your friend, Genesis, could name better candidates than the ones I have presented. Please, let her speak.”

“Thank you, general,” Genesis said to Sengkolo.

She then told him of her choice.

“A-are you serious?” Sengkolo said, his mouth gaping.

“That is ridiculous, Genesis,” Mey said, scoffing at Genesis.

Genesis glared at Mey. “How about we hear from Caitlyn and Gray Katie?” Genesis gestured at them.

“I’m with Genesis,” Caitlyn said, her voice heard through Genesis.

“I’m with Caitlyn — my commander,” Another voice, which Sengkolo assumed to belong to Gray Katie, was also heard through Genesis.

Mey slammed her hand to her face.

Sengkolo turned around. “Whoever brings her here,” he said, shouting to his soldiers. “Their pay will be multiplied fivefold from this month onwards!”

Sengkolo’s words turned the legion’s orderly formation into a riotous horde.

***

“Praise the Three…the Holy…the Almighty…the Lord and…and…”

Wati reopened her eyes slightly while keeping her shaking hands at chest level.

“And the…C-Creator? Cherisher! And the Cherisher of the Worlds.”

She wiped her face, which stung as soon as her palms made contact. Wati made the gesture before folding her prayer robe. Immense pain gripped every part of her body as she tried to stand. Wati limped to the nearby shelves, returning the robe.

Wati recited the healing Mantra she had learned. Her hands began to glow pale golden. Her sore arm muscles felt even more awful as heat emanated from within. Nevertheless, the Mantra was cast, and its hiss was heard across the prayer chamber. Wati took a deep breath, savoring the brief comfort of the golden glow that enveloped her.

Wati left the temple. Her body still hurt, but at least moving or breathing was no longer painful. She put five pia through the slit on top of a wooden box sitting beside the gate.

As Wati cleared the aisle, her helmet clanked. Wati gazed at the rock that had recently landed by her feet. When she looked up, she found a soldier standing to her left. His armor had ample glittering golden stripes and protrusions. His helmet’s diadem had three crescents — a colonel.

The officer looked back at her, his lips pressed into a tight line. “F-forgive me,” he said. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

Wati turned toward him and saluted. “Sir.”

The officer returned her salute.

Wati locked her hands in front and bowed before turning around. She continued walking down the road, seeking the local market. She then discovered that the colonel was following her.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Why are you following me?” Wati said, studying him. He seemed to be as young as her, maybe four years older.

“I’m sorry, it just happens that you are also heading that way,” the colonel said.

Wati stepped aside, gesturing at him to walk ahead of her.

“If you insist.” He nodded at her. “My name is Tangguh by the way,” he said once he walked past her. “Nice to meet you.”

“Are you Colonel Tangguh Pakem Unggah Ungguh? Commander of the Search and Discover Corps?”

He shrugged. “It seems like my name isn’t as common as I thought.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’d rather not tell, though it doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

Wati saluted him again. “My name is Wati,” she said. “Nice to meet you too, sir.”

Tangguh returned the salute.

Their eyes met for some time. Wati flattened her lips and began fidgeting with her fingers. Tangguh turned around indifferently and continued walking down the road.

Wati tried to maintain a considerable distance to avoid prejudices. Tangguh, on the other hand, slowed down.

“You'd think that expeditions were finished once they discovered something valuable,” Tangguh suddenly said, gesturing at her once she was close. “The paperwork didn't end there, though. Once, a new mining site was discovered, and a fight broke out between Great House Pawon and Dalem.”

Wati raised an eyebrow. “W-why would they fight over it though? Aren't those two Great Houses on good terms?” Wati played along, trying to ignore the fact that they ended up walking side by side.

“Great Houses are never on good terms. They might agree on an issue, and squabble for years on a different one. They think their way of life is the best for the people.”

“My…father,” Wati said, taking a deep breath. “He was a Councilor of Great House Pendhopo. He was assassinated when I was young.”

Tangguh suddenly stopped and turned to Wati. Wati was astonished as their eyes met again for a prolonged time. She furled her fingers, maintaining composure in front of the colonel.

“I'm sorry to hear that,” Tangguh said. His face showed regret as if it was his fault that he couldn't prevent that.

Wati half-smiled. “T-thank you.”

“Has the culprit been apprehended?”

Wati sighed, looking down. “No one talks about it anymore.”

Tangguh approached and leaned closer to her ear. “Someone in Great House Pawon is on to you,” He said, whispering. “Great House Pawon disagrees with Great House Pendhopo on everything. They hate each other.”

Wati gasped. “W-what?”

Tangguh moved away. “Just keep that in mind. I hope the Almighty Three bring justice to whoever committed the crime.”

They then parted ways. As Wati read the grocery list, her thoughts kept wandering to the leads that Tangguh gave her. It was unlikely that the murder of Councilors, her parents, and the razing of a private plantation would leave no traces. Someone was on to her indeed, someone powerful enough to bury the incident.

Wati walked through the crowded market. Her armor nudged people away, creating a path. Wati moved from vendor to vendor, quickly ticking off every item on her list. Fortunately, she was able to acquire everything at a price lower than expected.

As she was returning, she looked down at her plump grocery bag. Every morning on the weekend, she'd leave for groceries with Aryo. She would walk so close to him as if they were newlyweds. At home, she would cook him something, a new recipe that she had just learned, and talk about their life choices all day. Wati smiled, wishing she could return to that time.

Upon arriving at the intersection where she parted with Tangguh, she saw two of her squadmates. Their faces looked agitated.

“There!” Agus pointed at her.

The other, Sucipto, immediately rushed after her.

“Hey guys,” Wati said, waving at them. She was astounded beyond measure when Sucipto yanked her right hand.

“No time for questions!” He said. “Follow me, period!”

Before he could run back, Agus shoved him aside. “I saw her first! She’s mine!”

Sucipto looked at Agus bitterly, before pushing him with all of his strength. He grabbed Wati’s hand again and began to run. Agus quickly rose up and grabbed Wati’s left arm.

“Get away from her!”

“You get away from her!”

A fistfight broke out between the two.

“G-guys…” Wati tried to arbitrate them to no avail.

Some locals gathered and attempted to distance the two.

Wati saw Halim and Winarno on the road to her left. Winarno tripped Halim, but the latter was able to grab Winarno’s leg. He fell and began brawling against Halim. To her right were Panji, Jarwo, and Winarto. Panji ran around an unsuspecting teenage girl, whom he pushed against Jarwo and Winarto. He was then halted by the locals for his action. Meanwhile, Jarwo and Winarto fought among themselves.

Wati ran from the intersection, her heart racing. Taking refuge in the shadowy corner of an alley, she waited until the chaos passed while catching her breath.

Someone grabbed her left arm, startling her. She tried yanking her arm back, but the grip was too strong.

“General Sengkolo Sengkal Sing Olo Olo is looking for you.”

“C-Colonel Tangguh…sir…”

Wati gasped, seeing Tangguh's hand that glowed crimson — a Mantra of Peril. She began sweating profusely. Her legs became sore, as much as the time after she ran around Fort Ndelosor. Unable to bear the weight of her armor, Wati eventually collapsed.

“What did you do?” Tangguh said, his resentful tone contrasting with when she met him near the temple.

“I didn't do anything…I swear!” Wati said, her eyes welling up. “P-please…mercy…”

“Ask Visha for mercy, not me.”

Wati cried as Tangguh cuffed her hands. Once her strength and stamina returned, Tangguh pulled her up. As if she wasn't humiliated already, now she had to walk in chains, deprived of freedom.

On the way, Wati came across her squadmates. They all gazed at her, their faces lacking hope. Wati asked Tangguh to take her to them so she could hand over the groceries. She then beseeched Visha as Tangguh led her to a place she neither knew nor cared to know.

A colonel stood in the way, his staff surrounded them. Tangguh kept walking until he was five steps away from the colonel.

“Move aside, please sir,” Tangguh said. “She’s mine.”

“She’s in my cohort,” Colonel Sukijan Suket Ijen Dinggo Prasmanan said. “Hand her over.”

“I’m sorry, sir. Finders keepers.”

Sukijan chuckled briefly, before unsheathing his sword. Wati’s sweat ran cold as Tangguh also did the same.

“L-let me go,” Wati said.

Tangguh turned his firm gaze at her. “You’ll run away if I do. Even if you stay still, someone else would snatch you away from me,” he said. “Trust me.”

Wati flattened her lips and nervously nodded.

Sukijan spun his sword around, demonstrating his apparent proficiency. Passersby who noticed the commotion gathered. Tangguh maintained his indifference, only brandishing his sword to the right once.

“Let her go first,” Sukijan said.

“She stays with me,” Tangguh said.

“That wouldn’t be fair.”

Tangguh pointed his sword at Sukijan. “You can move freely, while I can’t. That’s fair enough.”

Sukijan shifted left and right, but Tangguh’s sword followed wherever he went. Tangguh then raised his sword as if taunting him. Sukijan dashed and swung his sword, but Tangguh managed to poke his shoulder first, pushing him back.

Wati raised her hands and twisted her shoulder slightly, shielding her head as the first blow was struck. A front seat for a display of sword prowess was appreciable indeed, but her seat was on the stage.

Tangguh poked at Sukijan’s direction repeatedly, bluffing him. He then flipped his hand, his sword pointing downward. Tangguh’s head and shoulders were open. Sukijan thrusted his sword at Tangguh’s right shoulder. Tangguh twisted his open shoulder closer to Wati. As Sukijan’s sword grazed his shoulder guard, Tangguh locked Sukijan’s sword arm with his. He let go of Wati, grabbing Sukijan’s upper arm with his left hand. Tangguh swung and hit Sukijan’s face with the butt of his sword.

As Sukijan staggered, Tangguh charged and swept his legs, toppling him down. Sukijan slowly rose up, his hand was pressed against his face. He looked at Tangguh bitterly as he grabbed his sword. Tangguh held on to Wati and readied his stance again. At that moment, Sukijan unsheathed his sword and stepped aside. Tangguh unsheathed his sword. He saluted him before moving on.

Wati’s heart was still pounding, but she was relieved. Her eyes opened wide as they turned at Tangguh. She had expected the duel to last longer, and bloodier. She looked down at Tangguh’s hand on her arm. Part of her wished that it was Aryo’s hand, like when he brought her home from the daily gathering of middle-aged men.

When Tangguh looked back at her, she lowered her gaze.

Seeing the giants brightened Wati’s mood by a little. The Palace Companions and Temple Guards in the vicinity of Gray Katie looked at her with indifference. Wati gave her all to avoid eye contact with any of them.

“Break the cuffs, colonel,” Sengkolo said as soon as Tangguh and Wati reached him. His armor was as glittering as the one worn by Tangguh. The diadem of his helmet had five crescents, which indicated the rank of a general.

The great general who led the people in a time of struggle — it was a great honor to see him in person. Shame that she came before him in a disgraceful appearance. Wati saluted him as soon as Tangguh released the cuffs.

“Identify, soldier,” the general said.

“Sir. Wati Kusumasari, Senior Private. Eightieth Armored Legion, Cohort Eight.”

“Is this the person you’re looking for?” Sengkolo said to Genesis.

“Yes,” Genesis said. “She is.”

Sengkolo shook his head slightly. “I don’t understand why you choose…her.” He gestured at Wati. “I have chosen for you the best to accompany you.”

“If you are sending us to handle your hassle,” Genesis said. “Then you should also meet our dema–”

Genesis suddenly gazed at Wati and frowned. As the giant leaned closer, Wati lowered her gaze.

“Wati…release your helmet.”

Wati shriveled, understanding what Genesis was trying to do.

“Wati,” Genesis said again. “Release…your…helmet.”

Wati took a deep breath. She grabbed her helmet and gently released it. And as she expected, wrath overtook Genesis.

“What did you do to her!?” Genesis said, stomping her feet in front of Sengkolo.

“What do you mean what did I do to her?” Sengkolo said calmly.

“Genesis!” Mey said, shouting from behind the golden-haired giant.

“Last night she was fine,” Genesis said, pointing at Wati. “But now she is all bruised up like this!”

Sengkolo turned around. “Can anyone tell me what has happened to this girl?”

Mey grabbed Genesis’ shoulder. Genesis shoved Mey away. The two spoke in their language. Seeing them shouting at each other wrecked Wati’s nerves, especially when they started fighting. Caitlyn intervened, but even that failed to dissipate the bitter look between the two.

Meanwhile, one of the officers was presenting a parchment to Sengkolo. The general briefly looked at Wati and shook his head.

Wati glanced down at the hand that had gripped her along the way. She flattened her lips and locked her hands in front, her fingers fidgeting. Without her order, her body inched closer to Tangguh’s idling hand. Wati saw the colonel glance back from the corner of her eyes. His expression was stiff, but somehow, Wati felt content.

“Listen up!” Sengkolo said to the giants. “I’ll tell you what happened to her. She failed to finish her meal once, an insult to the Sultanate and Visha. We — the army — take this seriously, and a penalty for those who wasted a plate of kun skimmer must be distinctive. We gave her a flogging of seventy lashes and five years worth of servitude.” Sengkolo gestured at them. “It had to be, you see yourself how many of us perished just to take down one of those accursed birds.”

All eyes were on Wati. Though Sengkolo was correct, the way he said it crushed her heart the way that kun skimmer crushed Aryo. Wati glanced at Tangguh's hand again.

“Last night, she had to take out the trash but failed to return on time. It was up to her squadmates to decide the punishment. They decided on Decimation.” Sengkolo briefly glanced at Wati. “I think she is lucky to survive that. There you go, it was her own fault that she ended up like this.”

Caitlyn shook her head. “You Dankers are insane.”

“Are we?” Sengkolo said. “We live on an island continent which is constantly trying to kill us, and we’ve been doing it for four thousand years. How do you think we managed that?”

The giants looked at each other. Everyone else looked at each other. The silence was broken by a distant roar. They all gazed at the source. The thunderous noise occurred thrice in succession.

Wati gazed at Tangguh. He too was gazing at where Mount Wardhana was. There was a melancholy in his confident gaze as if all these arguments wouldn’t matter when the Crown of Mananggal decreed a catastrophe. Wati looked down again when Tangguh glanced at her.

“Wati…” Genesis said, pity evident in her tone.

Once, and only once we're satisfied with everything…let's get married.

Wati clasped her hands. Moved by Genesis’ welcoming attitude last night, she met the giant’s eyes.

“It was my fault,” Wati said out loud, her heart pounding. “I’m fully responsible for what I did. Like what the general has said, I deserve the punishment.”

“Are you still convinced to make this,” Sengkolo said, gesturing at Wati. “Wretch…your companion?”

Genesis’ gaze was contemplative. Caitlyn and Mey stared at the giant.

“Put her on board,” Genesis said. “I will let her redeem herself.”

Sengkolo inhaled deeply and turned his attention to Caitlyn.

“I will return my friend’s benevolence,” Caitlyn said.

“I will heed my commander’s order,” Gray Katie said.

Sengkolo turned to Mey.

“I will…” Mey sighed. “Meet my people’s demands,” she said.

Sengkolo lowered his head and raised his hands to chest level. After briefly shutting his eyes, the general made the gesture.

“Senior Private Wati Kusumasari,” Sengkolo said, turning his attention to the crowd. “Eightieth Armored Legion, Cohort Eight, will become the liaison officer of the new servants of the Sultanate.” Sengkolo gazed at Wati bitterly. “Effective immediately.”