The midnight sky hung gloomily over the village. Grey clouds drifted slowly, as if reluctant to witness what was about to unfold.
After tethering his horse in a safe spot, he resumed walking.
Solor stepped slowly among the shadows of charming, ancient joglo houses—now tilted and partially collapsed, cast in shadows by the flickering torchlight.
His short stature made it difficult to see what lay ahead. So he pushed through the crowd, sneaking and searching for openings, until he finally stood at the edge of a dense throng that was impossible to penetrate any further due to the sheer number of villagers.
"Am I supposed to just stare at their butts?"
He immediately looked up toward the sky, observing the roofs and tiles of the surrounding buildings.
Swiftly and stealthily, he climbed a tree beside a nearby joglo house until the soles of his handcrafted sandals landed upon the roof tiles. Now, Solor sought a position from which to scout.
Solor slunk quietly across the roof tiles until he reached a shadowed area cast by the upper ridge (brunjung) of the joglo roof. He quickly settled into a comfortable position on the damp, mossy tiles, which afforded him a farther yet clear view. Now, from atop the roof, he observed the sea of villagers glistening under the torchlight.
He lifted his gaze. His eyes clearly witnessed the light of Sakadian towering like a giant spotlight, illuminating the Kawi village hall. The ancient joglo building was surrounded by armed guards from the Alliance. Their uniforms at first glance resembled those of the pathfinding squad, but their equipment focused more on protection. They stood tall in neat formation, holding large shields bearing the Alliance emblem in an attitude of utmost vigilance.
Solor lowered his gaze to get a clearer view. His eyes turned toward the three wide-open carved doors, though his line of sight was partially blocked by the rows of soldiers. Through the gaps between them, the dimly lit interior of the building was visible, illuminated only by the flames of oil lamps and torches that cast swaying shadows across the carved gebyok walls.
From a distance ahead, he saw a group of tall, well-built men wearing Alliance uniforms—white beskap with a golden gradient at the bottom and silver accents that shimmered in the firelight. They appeared busy carrying tools and documents, while some sat around a large table in the center room alongside a youth wearing a white vest and an udeng tied around his head.
Almost all of the Alliance men were handsome, their gazes sharp beneath the shiny sumping ornaments fitted to their ears. Every movement and posture displayed the discipline of trained soldiers, exuding an air of elegance and authority.
However, Solor's attention was drawn back to the youth in the white vest, whose back was the only part visible as he was surrounded by the Alliance men at the negotiation table.
"So he's the one named Randu?"
His chest throbbed heavily. There was something in the air tonight—something far thicker than mere tension.
DARRZZZTT!
DARRZZT!
DARZZT!
Suddenly, explosions shattered the silence!
A blinding white light flashed outward from inside the tightly guarded joglo building.
The people jolted back, their faces reflecting a shared anxiety. Solor narrowed his eyes, staring at the flashes.
Solor knew, he was deeply aware...
that was not merely light.
That was a relic being destroyed.
Each succeeding explosion made the sky glow gloomily, as if the cosmos itself were in mourning.
The towering pillar of light slowly dimmed... then disappeared as the flashes from inside the joglo house came to a halt.