In Wanasura Village, there was a place called the Haunted Cave, a place that no one was allowed to enter—at least, that's what the elders always said. The story went that anyone who entered the cave would suffer misfortune later in life. This tale frightened the children of Wanasura. Whether it was true or not, Sancaka had never seen any villager actually suffer such bad luck.
That afternoon, Sancaka and his friends met the Dharma—Karna, Arjuna, and Bima. The one who had saved Sancaka long ago was Bima. Karna had also saved him once, but back then he had still been a Bhayangkara knight. The moment they met again, Sancaka immediately hugged Bima and declared that one day he would become a Dharma.
After that, the Dharma explained about Bloodstone. They said it was a type of stone containing glowing red particles. It could be used as jewelry, fuel, or for household needs. But for the Dharma, Bloodstone was far more valuable as a weapon—used in something called a reactor.
"So all Dharma fight using reactors, Uncle?" Sancaka asked as they walked.
"Not with magic?" he added, looking at Bima.
"Using magic is an outdated method," Arjuna replied. "Dharma who stubbornly rely on magic and refuse to evolve their fighting style are weak."
"Isn't that right, Karna?" Arjuna continued, glancing at him.
Karna only gave a flat expression, as if he disagreed.
That afternoon, the children were asked to guide the Dharma to the forbidden Haunted Cave—the one rumored to bring misfortune to anyone who entered. The Dharma became interested after Abas admitted he had seen farmers hiding Bloodstone inside the cave.
"Are you sure you want to go into the Haunted Cave?" Sancaka asked when they arrived at its entrance.
"My father said it brings bad luck to anyone who enters."
"Your father said that? May I know who your father is?" Bima asked.
"My father's name is Tono. He's a knight of Wanasura Village," Sancaka replied.
"Tono?" Bima frowned, scratching his head as if trying to remember.
"Do you know my father, Uncle Bima?" Sancaka asked.
"I think I…" Bima hesitated, still searching his memory.
"Forget it, Bima. That's not important," Arjuna interrupted. "We didn't come here to play with children."
Without waiting, Arjuna walked past them and entered the cave. Bima followed behind him, both of them disappearing into the darkness.
From inside the cave, their voices echoed.
"Karna, aren't you coming?" Bima called out. "Hurry up and help us."
Now Sancaka and his friends saw Karna standing outside, staring into the cave with his arms crossed. His eyes looked sharp—almost angry.
"Uncle Karna, aren't you going in?" Sancaka asked.
Karna didn't respond.
"Are you okay, Uncle Karna?" Sancaka asked again.
This time, Karna snapped out of his thoughts and looked at him.
"My task in Wanasura Village today is not to search for Bloodstone," Karna said.
"You all want to become Dharma, right?" he asked.
"Yes, Uncle. I want to become Dharma so I can help many people," Sancaka answered enthusiastically. His friends behind him only nodded quietly, but Karna could see that Sancaka was the most passionate among them.
"Let me tell you something," Karna said. "If you want to become Dharma, the thing you can do right now is—"
"To help people and study hard, right?" Sancaka interrupted eagerly.
Karna gave a small nod. "Yes, that's part of it. But the most important thing is to become an honest person."
"An honest person?"
"Yes. Honesty may not be an official requirement to become a Dharma, but it is crucial in this era of Dharma," Karna explained. "I hope my successors value honesty more than just intelligence or strength."
"Why is that important?" Sancaka asked.
"Because…" Karna paused, thinking. "Smart and strong people can still become liars. And liars are dangerous. They can use their abilities to serve their own ambitions, and that can harm others."
"Are there really people like that?" Sancaka asked.
"Hey, kid!"
A loud voice came from the cave entrance. Arjuna and Bima emerged, walking toward them. Arjuna looked irritated, his expression tense.
He approached Abas and grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer.
"You said you saw farmers putting Bloodstone in that cave," Arjuna said angrily. "The cave is empty. There isn't a single Bloodstone inside."
His grip tightened.
"Were you trying to trick me, kid?" Arjuna snapped.
"I'm not lying, Uncle! I really saw farmers carrying red stones in carts!" Abas said, trembling with fear.
Sancaka was shocked to see a Dharma acting so harshly. Beside Arjuna, Bima stood silently, watching Abas with a displeased expression.
Then Bima turned to Sancaka and approached him, his expression suddenly calmer.
"Sancaka, you said your father's name is Tono, right?" Bima asked.
Sancaka nodded.
Bima reached into his robe and took out a small cloth pouch.
"I know your father well. Since I'm here, I want to give him something," Bima said, placing the pouch into Sancaka's hands.
"Tell him this is a gift—coffee beans from Jayakarsa," Bima added.
"But don't say it's from a Dharma. Just say it's from a traveler passing through the village."
Suddenly, Karna stepped in between them. He snatched the pouch from Sancaka's hands.
Then, without hesitation, Karna separated Abas from Arjuna—his hand striking Arjuna's face and knocking him back.
"Karna, what are you doing?" Arjuna shouted, holding his cheek in pain.
"You two are being too harsh on children," Karna said coldly. Then he turned to Bima.
"Your ambition with Bloodstone has gone too far," he added, holding up the pouch he had taken.
Sancaka was stunned. The atmosphere had turned tense in an instant. Arjuna's anger toward Abas shocked him the most. Weren't Dharma supposed to set a good example? Why were they acting so cruel?
Without another word, Karna moved Sancaka and his friends away from Bima and Arjuna.
Then he began escorting them back home.