The End of the World - Story I
The lazy buffalo

...~ ◊ ~...

The day after arriving at the Palace of King Malas which has become the center of defense of the Hayawan Nation Soldiers. I (Panthera Tigris), Lupus, and Arctos, accompanied by Mr. Dirus immediately set out on a journey to the south.

Our next goal is the Ayal Village Swamp to pick up Miss Bubalis the Buffalo to ask him (‘dragnya’ said Mr. Dirus) to return to the City of Lazy King to take over the leadership of all troops The Hayawan Nation Soldiers.

It took a week of travel until we reached Rawa Desa Ayal. The village was located on the edge of a large swamp that became the border between the territory of the Lazy King with the territory of the Lust King.

We sat on a boat that glided over a dark, muddy swamp. The houses on stilts stood on mud-filled water. Wooden poles are built as a buffer house that does not look sagging. A quiet village whose inhabitants seem to get along, while looking idle.

Yep. Because these villagers are lazy Hayawans who like to wallow in water and mud. They are the Crocodiles, the Nile Horse, the Pig, the Rhino and the Buffalo.

“Actually who is Miss Bubalis?” ask Mr. Dirus. “We only knew him when told Uncle Boss before we came out of the Groaning Forest of Buana.”

“We also heard young people who led the Hayawan Nation Soldiers to successfully control the territory of this Lazy King,” added Lupus.

“A long time ago many Hayawan People who lived outside the Buana Forest before all this calamity happened,” said Mr. Dirus.

“Bubalis was the one who was given the task by the Khan to lead the Hayawan Nation living outside the forest, most of which lived around this swamp.

Since the tragedy of the Slavery Magic 24 years ago, all the Hayawans outside the forest (including the 4,000 men I commanded and the search units the Khans sent) gathered around the swamp to concentrate their strength in order to survive the war.

About 4 years ago, with increasing strength, we defeated Prince I's forces in Lazy King City and made the city a base of defense. And for 4 years we have been trying to control the entire territory of the King of Lazy and blockading every border so that the war does not enter our territory.

But one day Bubalis disappeared and I was forced to take command of the leadership.

And here he goes. Lounging in this mud pit, leaving behind his duties and obligations,” explained Mr. Dirus with a look of annoyance.

Our boat continued to walk over this shallow swamp, until it reached a group of Buffaloes who were lazing themselves. They seemed to not care about our arrival and just continued to soak themselves.

“At a time when others struggle and sacrifice themselves, you even laze like this. Where is your loyalty to your people, O Bubalis the Dreamer?” snapped Mr. Dirus.

“There is no need to bark like that, my old friend,” said a fat female buffalo while still soaking herself in the mud-filled pond.

“Full your tasks and responsibilities! Come back and lead your army! War is not over!” continued Mr. Dirus accompanied by growls.

“Are you still upset that I was authorized by the Khan to lead our entire nation out of the forest instead of you? You can take my place if you want. Didn't you take command as long as I was gone? Then continue your work,” reply Buffalo.

“Don't mess with me, fat Ox! I will drag you back without listening to your foul words!”

Mr. Dirus then jumped from the boat and immediately ambushed the Buffalo. Opening the jaw, removing the claws, revealing ferocity.

He landed his front claws pressing against the Ox's shoulders and growled right in front of his face, making the Ox almost submerged in his mud pool. But the buffalo remained calm and then said

“Do you just want to show off your strength in front of Khan Canis' son? A title that fails to be yours just because you lost your one eye?” tease the female buffalo.

“Jaga talk!” growled the Wolf.

“Ma-I'm sorry if I interfered. But wouldn't it be better if we talked about this well. It would be bad if our people saw the two Commanders fighting each other like this,” said Arctos trying to melt the tension.

Hearing that, Mr. Dirus released his claw grip on Miss Bubalis and then returned to the boat.

“Clean your body of that dirty mud! We'll talk at the village hall,” said Mr. Dirus.

We rowed the boat back to a large building floating in the middle of the swamp. Wooden building with several poles supporting the thatched roof, without walls. Like a large floating saung. That is the village hall in question.

When we got there, we got off the boat and entered the hall. Shortly thereafter came Miss Bubalis with a body that had been clean without mud. It looked very different to the one we saw before, who was lazing around. Now he looks more charismatic with two large pointed horns that seem to describe his majesty.

Miss Bubalis and Mr. Dirus looked at each other with the terrifying atmosphere around them. Amid the increasingly awkward and gripping atmosphere, I also ventured to start a conversation-

“Y-Well, no need to get stale anymore. Let's talk about our business.”

“Alright if that's what you want! I'll finish my business with you.” said Mr. Dirus growling.

No no no no. That's not what I meant. Why don't you guys understand. This swamp will be destroyed if you two fight here.

“Sorry in advance for our sudden arrival here,” said Arctos as he stood broken between the two of them.

“Yes. You should apologize. What do you think King Angkara and his princes would do if they found out that both Commanders of the Hayawan Nation Soldiers were in this place at the same time?” said Miss Bubalis who sounded reasonable.

Also true. With the observation of the Slavery Magic, the King and the Princes would be able to know the movements of these two Hayawan Warrior Commanders. And if they realize this, they might deploy an army to this swamp to finish off Mr. Dirus and Miss Bubalis here.

If it loses two Commandments, it will have a bad effect on the Hayawan Nation troops who now do not have the main commando.

“Ma-Inspuse us. But we came here also because of orders from Khan Artiodac,” Arctos said.

“Hah... Turns out the old Bull,” snorted Miss Bubalis. “How busy are their jobs in the forest to let their people suffer out here? Can you even order three boys like you to do their jobs? Really Khan coward!”

“You should not demean the leader of your people, Ox! They are the successors of the guards of Emperor Akbar's will and his prophecy,” replied Lord Dirus annoyed.

“Omong is empty with the Emperor and his strange prophecy. Stop imagining! The emperor, the peace, or justice he brought were mere tales. There will be no peace or justice in the world if there is life. Death ends everything. Not the Emperor, the Khan, or the King. I'd better enjoy the rest of my life until the end of the world.”

Instantly we all fell silent. Don't know what to say, don't know what to do.

Is the world at the end of its life? Will everything we do be in vain?

“No. Nothing will change if we do nothing. At least we still have stories that you consider fairy tales as one hope for all of us.”

I unconsciously said that all of a sudden. I only felt annoyed and angry when I heard his condescending chatter of the Khan, Emperor Akbar, even the prophecy that we have always held dear.

“Hee... What do you understand, little cat?” the buffalo's circus with a snort. “You just came out of the Khan's hideout, didn't you? You have no idea how horrible the world is. Many of our people are suffering, dragged into chaos that is none of our business, fighting lives, shrouded in despair. And you think it'll all be done with just a fairytale?”

“But all will also not be finished if we just keep quiet!”

“Lantas what will you do to solve all these problems, cute cat?”

I can only be silent too. Don't know what to answer.

“If the Khan you consider a coward, then you are also a coward, Miss Bubalis the Ox,” said Lupus suddenly.

“Even if they are cowards, though you are all cowards, but we came out of the forest with the blood of soldiers rushing in our veins. We are out of here to challenge our destiny and fate,” added Arctos.

They're correct. No need to hesitate anymore. We are out to pick up our destiny. With all diligence accompanied each footstep, bringing the spirit of the warrior in each of our breaths.

“If indeed all the fairy tales and prophecies were nonsense. Then it is we who will make it a reality,” I said with confidence.

“Hah... It is really troublesome,” Miss Bubalis said with a sigh. “I don't think the boys from the woods will say it. I who have lived out here for a long time (even before this disaster happened) feel insulted by your spirit.”

“However times have changed, the soul of the warrior will never be separated from our body,” said Mr. Dirus.

“Lantas why did you leave your army, Dirus the Wolf?” ask Miss Bubalis.

“I will escort these three young warriors south, but we will part ways in the middle of the road.”

“Where will you go after parting with them?”

“From the East Coast Fortress, I will sail to the Seram Strait to take back what is mine,” replied Mr. Dirus with a frightening look.

“So apparently. No wonder if you are so adamant on this trip that you are willing to leave the troops,” said Miss Bubalis.

Seram Strait? Isn't that the sea to Angker Island? What will Mr Dirus do on the Island?