Climbing down from the tree, Sancaka and his friends began walking home. They headed back toward the gazebo. Even before reaching it, Sancaka could smell something strange, and his friends soon caught the same unpleasant scent. Sancaka quickened his pace toward the gazebo.
Suddenly, Sancaka was shocked to discover that the source of the foul smell was a human corpse. Pieces of human flesh were scattered everywhere. The green grass had turned red with blood. From the uniforms they wore, it was clear the bodies belonged to knights. Three knights from the village had fallen before him, and not far away stood a strange creature taller than Sancaka.
The creature looked like a wolf standing on two legs like a human, chewing pieces of flesh in both of its hands. There was no doubt that the creature before him was a Kurawa. Outside school hours, Gatot had once invited Sancaka to read a book about Kurawa, and from that book Sancaka had memorized several types of them. If he remembered correctly, the wolf-type Kurawa was called Kurawa Aul. The creature before him had a wolf-like form, sharp teeth, and brown fur.
Abas, Tara, and Gatot were horrified to see pieces of corpses scattered everywhere. Seeing his friends panic, Sancaka tried to calm them down and told them not to scream. Fortunately, the monster was facing another direction. Sancaka and his group had a chance to escape, so they slowly stepped backward.
After taking five steps back, Gatot suddenly told them to stop. Without asking why, Sancaka turned around and found another Kurawa standing behind them. It was the same type as the monster in front. The creature stood still while staring at the four frightened children. Its gaze showed pure hunger.
Sancaka regretted bringing his friends into danger. He had thought today's trip would bring them good fortune.
The Kurawa in front of them slowly approached, baring its fangs. Abas, Tara, and Gatot were terrified and panicking, unsure of what to do. Only Sancaka carried a sword, and he was also the best fighter among them. At that moment, Sancaka could only think of how to save his friends from danger.
There were stones beneath their feet, and small rocks were scattered everywhere around them. An idea suddenly appeared in Sancaka's mind. He quickly grabbed several stones within reach.
"Friends, I'm going to throw these stones. As soon as I throw them at the monster's face, you run away from here," said Sancaka.
Sancaka began throwing stones at the Kurawa's face and then ran in the opposite direction. The attack successfully angered the monster, and it immediately chased him. Sancaka had drawn its attention. The creature ran on four legs like a dog, and the other monster that had been feasting on the human corpse now joined the chase.
Looking back, Sancaka saw the two Kurawa chasing him while his friends were nowhere to be seen. That meant they had escaped. Now Sancaka needed to think about how to save himself.
Sancaka suddenly stopped and turned around. With a swift motion, he pulled the sword from his belt and took a fighting stance.
Sancaka was shorter than the two Kurawa in front of him. The one in front approached and attacked with its sharp claws, swinging its left hand. Fortunately, because of his shorter height, Sancaka only needed to lower his head to avoid the attack.
Sancaka spun his body toward the Kurawa and slashed at its knee. He cut the left knee and quickly moved to the creature's right side, striking its right knee as well. Both of the Kurawa's legs were injured, causing the beast to collapse. Its body lay helpless on the ground, while its mouth and hands desperately tried to reach the prey it had failed to kill.
Not forgetting the other Kurawa, Sancaka turned his attention toward the last one. He created some distance from the injured creature so he could fight properly.
The Kurawa ran toward him. Unlike the previous one that attacked with its claws, this one attacked with its fangs.
Using the same tactic, Sancaka lowered his head again, causing the Kurawa's bite to miss his head. While the monster was still close, Sancaka quickly slashed its body. The strike made the Kurawa howl in pain. With a swift movement, it immediately counterattacked with a claw from its left hand. Fortunately, Sancaka managed to block it with his sword.
Another attack came from the right hand, and Sancaka blocked again. But on the third attack, he failed to defend himself. The blow from the Kurawa's right hand knocked Sancaka's sword away.
The sword fell to the ground, and Sancaka couldn't reach it. The monster attacked again, kicking him with its right leg. Sancaka fell onto the grass.
Before he could stand up, the Kurawa stepped on his body with its right foot, preventing him from rising. Slowly, its mouth moved closer to Sancaka's face. As it got closer, Sancaka could smell the foul stench of its breath. Saliva dripped onto his face. The sunlight was blocked by the creature's large body, covering him in shadow.
Sancaka closed his eyes, afraid of the fate that awaited him. In his heart, he prayed for a miracle to save him.
With his eyes closed, the miracle came.
He heard the loud howl of a wolf. The weight pressing on his body suddenly disappeared.
Sancaka opened his eyes again and saw the Kurawa that had tried to kill him roaring in pain. Several arrows were stuck in its back, and the monster struggled to pull them out.
Sancaka pushed himself into a sitting position and looked around. In the distance, a cavalry unit was approaching. Each rider wore armor and carried weapons such as swords and shields, while some carried bows and arrows.
From their armor, they were not knights from Wanasura Village. Sancaka was very familiar with the silver armor and black uniforms worn by the knights of his village. He had never seen these soldiers before, but he had seen their uniforms in a school book.
They were the Bhayangkara Knights, loyal warriors devoted to Dharma, sworn to help eradicate evil.
There were six riders, plus one leading the formation. The leader wore armor different from the others—golden armor and a white uniform. According to the book at school, there was no mistake.
That man was Dharma.
For the first time in his life, Sancaka saw the legendary Dharma Knight.
Dharma approached the monster near Sancaka, drew his sword, and struck the Kurawa, forcing it to step back away from the boy. One by one the horses rode past Sancaka, leaving clouds of dust behind. Sancaka even sneezed as dust entered his nose.
One mounted knight stopped beside him.
A Bhayangkara knight dismounted and approached the boy who had just been attacked. He knelt down to match Sancaka's height.
"Hey kid, can you stand?" the knight asked."Do you need help getting up?"
Sancaka nodded. The knight pulled him up until he stood on his feet.
As soon as he stood up, Sancaka began jumping excitedly. The knight looked confused by the boy's sudden enthusiasm.
"Wow, you're all amazing! I finally get to meet Dharma and the Bhayangkara Knights!" Sancaka said excitedly.
"Stop jumping. Now get on the horse."
The knight lifted Sancaka and placed him on the horse.
"Hey, where are we going?" Sancaka asked.
"To take you somewhere safe," the knight replied as he mounted the horse behind him.
"Wait, don't go, Sir Knight!" Sancaka protested. "I want to stay here and watch the hero Dharma fight the monster!"
Sancaka thought this was an exciting spectacle—watching a heroic knight battle a Kurawa near Wanasura Village.
The knight ignored Sancaka's ridiculous request and spurred the horse away from the battlefield.
Sancaka looked back.
The Kurawa was now being attacked by several knights. The one that had been lying on the ground with injured legs was already dead—its head had been cut off by the hero Dharma. Now the knights focused on the remaining monster.
The creature struggled to fight back because the arrows were still stuck in its back. Several knights rode past it, slashing with their swords each time they passed. Their attacks wounded the monster repeatedly, but it still had not fallen.
About ten steps away, one knight stood still helping his comrades finish the monster.
It was Dharma.
He raised his sword toward the sky.
Suddenly, a yellow light appeared around him and his horse. The glow seemed to be the manifestation of a spell he was about to use against the monster.
Sancaka finally believed that magic truly existed.
He had heard about magical incantations many times before, but he had never seen anyone use magic in Wanasura Village.
This was the first time he had seen a spellcaster in the middle of the forest.
As the distance between them grew, the battlefield slowly disappeared from his sight. For a brief moment, Sancaka saw a streak of yellow lightning strike downward.
From afar, the howl of the Kurawa echoed through the forest.