On a clear night, not a single cloud obstructed the vast, crystal-clear expanse of the star-dusted Suro night sky. Cold and calming.
The turn of the year was fast approaching. Under the beautiful sky, the disciples of Padepokan Agungdhijoyo Winoto gathered casually in the middle of the field, with small oil lamps scattered about, flickering atop the grass.
In a corner of the field, the strains of gamelan music resounded. There were also disciples still busy studying according to their respective dharma. They were all enjoying the countdown moments leading up to the new year.
"What are you bringing, Ag?" asked Handoko, who was wrapped in a dark brown batik sarong. He lay down on the grass, then sat up to move closer to Agniran and Joko, who were munching on peanuts from a jar.
Agniran turned his head. "I... am only bringing my sword..." he answered, then tossed a peanut into his mouth.
"Oh... really? I'm going to bring a bag filled with equipment later, just in case..."
"What are you bringing, Jok?" Handoko continued, asking Joko, who sat relaxed with his sarong tied around his neck. Joko's face, currently chewing while twitching his thin mustache, was tinged orange by the light of the oil lamp beside him.
"The same... as Agniran..." replied Joko without turning around, remaining relaxed as he enjoyed the view of the night sky.
"So, where are we heading tomorrow? The Mossy Mountains? Lemah Angker? Or to Lawas?" asked Handoko. Bending his body forward, he nudged past Agniran's position to reach for the peanuts in the jar in front of them.
"Why go all the way to Lawas?" added Joko, grabbing Handoko's head as it came near him while reaching for the peanuts.
"Aagghh... You!" Handoko brushed Joko's hand away, feeling annoyed. "Of course, to meet that beautiful woman... What's her name again, the one who won the previous Contest?"
"Samiranah..." answered Agniran.
"Ah... that's the one..." Handoko paused for a moment. "So soon her time as the Crescent Wanderer will come to an end, right?" he continued.
"That's right, she will be replaced next year..." Agniran answered again.
Now Handoko settled into a more relaxed sitting position. He took a breath for a moment and tried to concentrate. "Ag... why does the Alliance want the Pure Ring of Darkness back? Aren't we more peaceful now compared to years past?" Handoko confided, hoping Agniran could answer.
"I've been thinking about this too..." Agniran looked up, gazing at the clear night sky, while Handoko beside him stared at him while continuing to chew. "... If the Ring of Darkness becomes pure again, and then they create sacred relics again..."
Agniran stared at Handoko, who instantly stopped chewing. "You know it yourself... true human nature..."
Handoko and Joko fell silent, trying to understand Agniran's words.
"... The ancient wars..." Agniran seemed to daydream.
"Ugh... horrifying... Just hearing the word 'relic' makes me want to forge one..." Handoko let slip.
"He... heee... Mind yourself, kid!" Suddenly Joko poked Handoko from behind Agniran's body.
"Well... with that, I could turn my spear into a superpower..." Handoko replied boldly. "Right, Ag...?"
Without waiting for Agniran's response, Joko interjected with a warning tone. "Then what for...?" He added, "To hunt Garuda? Or fight Gerandol...? They're already in their respective realms..."
Handoko smirked as he answered, "To pierce stone and turn it into gold... hehe..."
"... Is that even possible?" chimed Joko incredulously.
"It is..." joined Agniran, who had been listening to their chatter all along.
Both of them gaped. "Jok..." Handoko stared at Joko seriously. His gaze locked deep into Joko's dark pupils. They stared at each other. Suddenly, an image of Joko wearing hermit robes, holding a walking stick, with his hair covered in a turban popped into mind, saying, "Mind yourself, kid..." Handoko snapped back to reality when he saw Joko repeat those very words in real life.
"... Don't, Hand... Don't do that if you still want to have me around..." Agniran spoke candidly.
"Alright, forget about it!" Handoko continued while taking another peanut from the jar.
"So, where are we heading tomorrow?" Handoko looked back at Agniran, who had looked calm all along, but whose heart and mind seemed disturbed.
"What do you think, Ag?" Handoko continued looking at him, trying to snap Agniran out of his reverie while chewing peanuts.
"We'll decide tomorrow... We need permission first, too..." Agniran answered.
"Alright..." Handoko replied casually.
That night felt increasingly cold, but the atmosphere of the Suro night event grew livelier. As midnight approached, fireworks were set off at several spots. Colorful lights illuminated the padepokan. Some of the disciples cheered to welcome the new year and the arrival of the Year of Panandha—a year full of blessings leading up to the Seven-Year Contest next year to give birth to the new Crescent Wanderer, who might bring hope as the purifier of the Oathkeeper's Soul.