THE WEDDING

One week after the incident...

The wedding of Zares and Kandita was held at the village temple, now reduced to ruins. Amidst the crumbling walls, their marriage symbolized a new hope following the devastation that had enveloped them. The procession of the remaining villagers walked slowly, following their meaningful steps. Among the crowd were Kandita's mother, brother, and sister, who had just returned after hearing the news.

Their faces, once filled with worry, had now transformed into hope, though still bearing deep wounds.

The Fatalis who had arrived, along with a priest from the city of Serabi, were ready to lead the ceremony.

In the silence and beauty emanating from the ruined temple, the priest began chanting sacred mantras, accompanying the wedding that, though simple, was full of meaning. Zares and Kandita exchanged glances. Amid the bustle and unspoken sadness, they knew this was a new beginning, though the world around them had yet to heal.

They then circled the sacred fire, chanting mantras as the priest did, their steps synchronized as a single piece of cloth tied them together. Nazzares held his wife's hand tightly.

Nazzares stared sharply at the statue of the god, thinking to himself, "God, is this truly the plan you’ve prepared?"

Meanwhile, Druvh, observing the ceremony, remarked, "Is it really necessary to have a wedding ceremony like this?" he said to Ahtreya.

"Yes, for people from such a remote village, this kind of ceremony is still believed in," Ahtreya replied.

"I’m surprised they’re only 15 years old," Druvh said.

"What! It’s completely normal for humans to marry at such a young age? Don’t compare them to other races," Ahtreya responded sharply.

Five days after the wedding...

Druvh and Ahtreya wandered around the village that had been destroyed. "Looking at the aftermath of the battle here, it must have been a fierce fight," Druvh said, walking slowly with Ahtreya, inspecting every corner that still bore traces of violence.

"Yes... I thought the same," Ahtreya replied, his eyes scanning the ruins and the bloodstains still visible. "But is it really true that the Captain’s disciple could be this strong?" he added.

"Perhaps," Druvh answered calmly, though his face still showed signs of surprise. "The Captain trained him for almost two years. That’s no short period of time."

Ahtreya nodded, pausing to reflect for a moment. Everything they saw indicated just how intense the battle had been, and the Captain’s disciple, despite being young, seemed strong enough to fight Raksha at a high threat level.

Meanwhile, Kandita’s mother, brother, and sister were preparing to leave the village. Her brother, Jumanto, planned to take their mother back to Trowulan and settle there, away from the devastation now consuming the village they once called home.

"Little sister, I’m leaving now... Please catch up with us soon, with your husband. We’ll wait for you in Trowulan," Jumanto said in a heavy voice, yet filled with hope.

"Yes, brother. I want to see my nephew too. I’m sure he’s very handsome, just like his father," Kandita replied with a smile, though there was unspoken sadness in her eyes.

With hearts full of emotion, her brother and mother embraced, saying their goodbyes. In that embrace, there was love, longing, and a sincere prayer for a better future. Even though they had to part, they knew that family bonds could never be severed, even as the world around them had become so fragile.

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On the other side...

"Are you sure about your decision, Zares?" asked Guru Vitjendra with a serious gaze, looking at his student who now stood in front of him with a firm resolve.

"Yes, Guru. I will stay here for a full year before entering the academy to gain knowledge there," Zares answered with confidence, which was evident in his voice.

"Alright, I will wait for you. During this week, we've helped repair your house, though it's still far from being livable. The military base has also been cleared by the kingdom's forces, though only its ruins remain. Now, this village may be wiped off the map of the Majapahit Kingdom, as there are no longer any inhabitants left," replied Guru Vitjendra, his voice filled with concern.

Zares nodded slowly. "Alright, Guru. What I can do here is plant trees across the village. I want this village to be filled with trees. That is what I can do to honor those who became victims. I will also plant trees with their ashes. At least the good people who sacrificed their lives will continue to live in the village through the trees."

Guru Vitjendra smiled gently upon hearing his student's answer. "Well, your wish is noble. But hurry, Zares. Stay strong and become the Fatalis of the kingdom, so you can find your true self."

"Yes, Guru," replied Zares, his voice full of determination, feeling more ready to face the challenges ahead.

In the afternoon, as the Fatalis of the kingdom prepared to return to the kingdom to report everything to King Hayam Wuruk.

"Be careful, Guru, wait for me for a year," said Zares as he watched the Fatalis ride their mystical beasts and fly home.

A few days later...

Zares was repairing his house, which had been damaged after the destruction caused by the Raksha attack. Armed with the tools given to him by his teacher, purchased from the Serabi city, he began fixing his house and replacing all the wooden structures that were no longer usable.

Meanwhile, in an area that was once filled with life, Kandita began planting new trees. With the seeds bought by Guru Vitjendra from Serabi city, she carefully planted them one by one. Each hole she dug became a testament to her desire to honor those who had gone.

In each hole in the earth, Kandita gently scattered the ashes of the departed, a mixture of those who had fallen in the village's destruction. Each grain of ash that fell into the ground became a prayer, a deep tribute to the souls who sacrificed their lives. These trees would not only be silent witnesses, but also a place to remember those who had passed, who would now live again in the form of new life, growing strong and lush.

Kandita wiped the sweat from her brow but did not stop. Every tree she planted was a promise to keep their memory alive, even though the world had changed, and the once lively village was now only a memory. In solitude and silence, these trees would grow, bringing peace and new hope for a better future.

Zares' house, located on the slope of a hill near a waterfall, was beginning to be threatened by eroding soil. Using his physical strength, Zares started collecting large rocks and planting them on the slope to stabilize the soil around his house. Each rock he placed acted as a barrier, preventing the soil from eroding further and protecting his house from natural threats. Despite the fatigue, Zares continued working with resolve, ensuring his house would stand firm.

One month later...

A month had passed, and Zares' house was now fully repaired, fit to live in again. The village area, which was once destroyed, had now begun to be filled with small, thriving trees, offering a new hope. Even the entrance gate of the village, which once marked the way, had now been completely destroyed by Zares. In its place, he planted stone grass and trees, with the aim that the path would eventually become concealed, blending into the reborn nature. All these changes were Zares' efforts to heal the village's wounds and honor those who had passed.

"It's been a month, dear. We're here. I'm so happy to spend this time with you," said Kandita with a bright smile.

"Emmm... Yes, we're married now. Wherever I go, I want you to stay by my side," Zares said to Kandita.

One day, Kandita was tending to a tree that was beginning to wilt, far from Zares' house. As she immersed herself in her work, the surrounding atmosphere suddenly grew still. The wind ceased, and the air turned colder. Suddenly, thick fog began to slowly emerge from the forest, enveloping the ground around Kandita.

With a gentle motion, the fog parted, revealing the figure of a beautiful woman with long, flowing hair. The woman walked slowly toward Kandita, her face calm and serene. Kandita stood still for a moment, feeling an aura that was unlike any she had felt before.

The woman stopped a few steps away from her, gazing at her with eyes full of wisdom.

"I am the guardian spirit of the Eastern Blora Forest," she said in a soft yet clear voice, as if the voice merged with the wind around them.

"I came to see who planted these trees, which will become markers of life in the village that has been destroyed."

Kandita lowered her head, feeling both honored and curious.

"My husband and I only wish to honor those who have passed and preserve what remains. I planted these trees to remember them," Kandita replied.

The guardian spirit smiled, her eyes showing pride.

"You have a good heart. These trees will grow strong, and with them, the memories you cherish will be eternal."

To be continued...