A man wearing a black udeng (traditional headpiece) stood there. His shoulder-length hair had barely begun to gray, framing a sharp jawline adorned with a well-groomed, thick beard. His face wore a fierce expression.
Through an elegant window frame resembling temple architecture—flanked by dark green velvet curtains tied with gold cords—he gazed far outside. Beside the window stood a large jar-shaped vase filled with a lush arrangement of white ceplok flowers. From inside the dimly lit room with granite stone walls, his eyes observed the pavilion area where the disciples had just dispersed after their meeting with Nyai Andarini. His forehead furrowed; his thick eyebrows further emphasized the fierce look on his face, which was now filled with a mixture of hope and hesitation.
The man turned his body, which was clad in an all-black uniform. His eyes fell upon a tapestry painting of a tree hanging on the wall, instantly reminding him of his beloved from the past.
He then walked toward a chest-high, polished wooden drawer. Right above the drawer, a golden deer head ornament was mounted on the wall. Its antlers branched out wide like tree branches, reaching high, nearly touching the ceiling of the room.
His fingers reached for a key lying on the dark green carpet fabric lining the top of the drawer. With a feeling of anxiety yet resolve, he unlocked the drawer.
Inside lay a small box wrapped in soft, dark green velvet, adorned with several emerald stones in the center. He picked it up, opened it, and lifted the object inside.
It was a circular object resembling a ring, crafted from luxuriously gleaming gold. The piece appeared heavy despite lacking any gem embellishments. His fingers gently traced the edge of the mysterious band.
His eyes gazed deeply into the mystery-laden object.
"Your time has come," he said in a deep, resolute voice.