True Martial Arts
Practicing in Ireng Root Forest

“Patriark, I never expected this.” Kala smiled gently. “Your intention is not worth the profit you get later. And for sure, it's good for each other. I'm sorry Patriarch, but it looks like I'll trouble you guys by settling on the practice here.”

Patriarch Dewananda turned around happily then hugged Kala tightly before letting go. “Thank you, Garuda Knights! Golok Gold will be very honored to serve you!”

***

After finishing dinner, Kala immediately returned to the building where her room was. But he did not go to his room, but to Kaia's room. He ordered a lot and gave a lot of money and books.

“Tomorrow I'll start closed-door training. Maybe it will rarely meet you and Alang, but for sure I will meet you once a few weeks to provide supplies.” Kala also took out an abundant spirit stone. “You're in charge of feeding Alang.”

“What if I have urgent interests?” ask Kaia.

“For example?”

“Running out of money, hungry, or feeling uncomfortable in the environment.”

Kala laughed softly while shaking her head. “It is not necessary.”

“I'll keep seeing you!” Kaia snapped loudly in anger, but Kala instead laughed as she ruffled her hair.

“Practice vigorously. Don't miss me.” Kala and Alang left while giggling while Kaia closed the door tight.

***

In the morning, Kala said goodbye to Alang.

“Alang, look after Kaia. Don't let him get in trouble, or I'll punish you.” Kala said seriously.

Alang snored while rubbing his head at Kala before the young man jumped from the window.

Kaia was waiting at Kala's door restlessly, she had been waiting all night. Hoping that when Kala was about to leave, he could still see her once more. When he dared to knock on the door, said Alang who replied. Kaia opened the door, there was no Kala in the room. The window opened with curtains fluttering in the cold wind.

“She's gone.” Kaia felt sorry for not knocking on the door earlier, at least she had to see Kala's smile once.

It can land seamlessly at ground level. After plunging from a high level, while the science of lightening his body is still not good, as a result the ground cracked and Kala's legs in pain.

He walked a little limp into the patriarch's building. There, the Patriarch was already waiting right at the door with the four princes yesterday. It seems they've been waiting for Kala.

“Knight Garuda, they will take you to Ireng Root Forest as well as become your protector. There's a great place to train hard.”

Kala stopped his steps after hearing the word Ireng Root Forest. It was a legendary forest, known for its awesomeness and high level of danger there. The trees there were blackened and whispered. The roots of a large tree protrude from the ground, making anyone who runs scared will stumble and die eaten by strange plants.

No one was stupid enough to go there, not even the Spirit Formation Realm and Prana Spirit Realm level princes were willing to play around there.

“That's a bad idea, Patriarch,” said Kala nervously, “I guess I'll train here, inside the Golok Emas area.”

“Yes! It's true. People will only know that you are in closed training here, but actually you are training at Akar Ireng.”

Kala gulped his saliva, while convincing himself that it was the best.

Ireng Root Forest borders Telu and Red Grail Forest and faces directly to the sea in the north. The distance is quite far if from here, they have to cross the river that Kala used to pass through. After that they had to pass the road made by anyone, which must have been on the river bank without entering the forest.

So strange that there was a road there, Kala made a joke: That road is for fishing! It was crazy to fish there.

“You can leave now. I highly recommend you bring supplies, Knights Garuda,” said the Patriarch.

Kala smiled awkwardly when he realized he did not bring a bag at all, of course he still had an interspatial ring that could work. However, they do not know that and should never.

“I guess I'm just practicing here.” Kala scratched his back head that was not itchy.

“Let us bring supplies Garuda Knights, Patriarch. We can leave now, supplies are quite a lot and in the Root Forest of Ireng.”

“Well if so. I have a message before you leave. Four decisively ciphers must leave behind ALL FORMS OF IDENTITY Gold Gauge, including masks that must be removed! And one more ...” Patriarch lowered his voice, then continued, “you should get acquainted.”

“We understand, Patriarch.” They opened the mask. “We beg to withdraw.”

“Monggo.” They left after Patriarch Dewananda invited them.

They darted like the wind leaving the Gold Golok College, and just walked casually when they were far from the area.

“Knight Garuda, we have to introduce ourselves.” Someone Kala knew as Djimas opened the chat. “I Djimas Adisakti, but just call me Djimas because my friend named Adisakti.”

“I Adisakti Djimas. Call me Sakti,” said the person with long curly hair and mustache.

“I Saka.” A person with a long cut on the cheek briefly introduces himself.

“And the last one, Dharma.” This time Djimas introduced the last person, who looked the youngest of the others. “She's a little quiet.”

The quiet young man looked angry while staring at the sharp Djimas, Djimas laughed for a while while apologizing.

“I'm just kidding, he's mute.”

When he saw the silent wonder, he seemed satisfied with Djimas' explanation. The person who had always thought people were insane due to war and sarcasm to the point of being reluctant to speak, turned out to be a mute person. A pride can be felt, telling the truth bitter but Dharma pleased, a nature of money upholds the value of honesty.

“And you guys should stop calling me ‘Knight Garuda’.” Kala smiled. “You have left all the Gold Gauge badges, that means you are not on duty and your status is not part of the Gold Gauge, the Patriarch has expelled you from his college. Well, that way, call me Kala because we are friends.”

They do not know to be happy or sad, which for sure now they are indeed removed from the Gold Gauge. Unfortunately, they just found out.

“Quiet, just temporary,” added Kala after seeing the change of his fourth expression.

They pass through high and beautiful mountain hills. Down the valley and jump over the ravine. Sakti occasionally takes dry pine seeds or other tree seeds.

“You're back to your old habits, what's so great about those seeds?” ask Saka.

“And what's your problem? I was off duty,” he said, Kala could only shake his head and laugh softly at them.

They had only managed to leave the high hills shortly after the night. They decided to take a break, build a bonfire. There is no food this time, they are high-level pranors who can withstand hunger with Prana even though it tastes bad.

Take out Keris Garuda Puspa, flip through the keris to see the sharpness of the eyes of the keris as big as the sword.

“How? Do we need to continue our journey?”

“Yes, I think, of course we are not little children anymore who sleep a little, a little rest, a little bit tired.” Saka gave a proposal.

“The decision is in the hands of the Knights Garuda.” Djimas.

Kala put the keris back in the sheath. “We continue tonight, after all it is not a bad thing to walk on the stars.”

They simultaneously nodded, prepared torches and walked behind the darkness of the night and the shadows of stars and crescent moons.

Even in the darkness of the night, Sakti still had time-four take the seeds.

“I told you what, at night is better.” Sakti smiled widely while rubbing those shiny pine seeds.

“Someday, I will dispose of all your seeds!”

“And I will also throw away your seeds!”

“I have no ...”

“Stop your inappropriate jokes in front of the Garuda Knights!” snapped Djimas.

When he could only smile, his gaze continued to be fixed to the front, where darkness enveloped the trees. It was not the time for him to joke, but a little joke was not a problem.

Last night walking was not a problem for them, just a little tired. They went back to rest before the sun came. This time they got a little cute bunny that unfortunately had to be burned for a snack. When not eating, he chose to meditate to take as much Prana as possible.

“Prana taste here is different, herbal plant here.” He opened his eyes and pulled a keris.

They saw Kala, suspecting that danger was lurking.

“No danger, Friends. I'll be back again.” Go into the bushes.

The three princes wanted to follow Kala, their duty of protecting Kala, but Djimas held them back.

“What are you thinking? You don't remember our job?”

Djimas shook his head slowly while looking blankly at Kala's body away. “From his slow motion, he slipped and hid. Following him would even be dangerous, it could be that he was willing to shirk. Anyway we've been relieved.”

Kala continued to step between the thickets and the tall trees. The taste and aura that was just getting thicker. The herbs are getting closer. However, the aura was moving away quickly.

“Whatever this herb is, it is worth it!” Followed that aura.

Kala's feet stopped, he lowered his head and touched the ground before looking around. The aura he felt had already disappeared, or perhaps the plant had already drifted away. Kala could not continue the chase or he would get lost in the forest.

He took a deep breath and then turned around.

When Kala returned, the four princes of the Golden Gauge looked at him in wonder and worry.

“It signifies,” says Djimas, “Akar Ireng is near ...”

Kala sat leaning against the tree trunk while looking at the fire in front of him. Little chatted with them about the direction and danger in the Ireng Root Forest. He said, Akar Ireng is home to meat-eating plants and a place of terrible demons who are fluent in human language. Much more terrifying than the Telu Forest.

“Currently Red Grail is the safest forest in Pandataran-Geowedari.” area Djimas closes explanation.

They continued their journey even as the sun rose. The forest looks cheerful with all the birds that go from the house. Or the partridge who ran away scared when he saw five humans. Or a squirrel looking for attention to the female with her loud voice.

The day passed quickly, and now the birds that were originally looking for food had returned home, perhaps to tell their stories in the sky to their young.

The shadow of the tree collapsed and elongated in the yellow-red sunshine.

The bushes rose as they almost reached the destination forest. It took quite a bit of effort slashing as they pierced through the bushes, until they finally found a huge river. Across there, there was a dark forest that was very quiet.

“We get to.” Djimas heaved a sigh of relief, or rather a breath of fear. “During my life as an explorer, I have never touched a piece of the land of the Ireng Forest.”

“That means you don't deserve to be called an explorer.” He immediately threw himself into the river.

Although the river flow looks very calm from above, in fact, in the current is very strong. Kala's legs seem to be pulled down and to the side, his head can still be on the surface. With full effort, his body slowly moved across the river while the four princes behind just finished taking off the bags.

This wide river seemed to extend, Kala was very difficult to reach across and he felt spied from the bottom of the river. He accelerated his feet.

Kala managed to reach the black land by the river after his long struggle. He pulled away while shouting loudly before slashing down on the black ground of Ireng Root.

The four princes also arrived before long, Kala stood up and helped them up.

“Sunday we are at Akar Ireng, the legendary forest!” Sakti cheering. “Only a few people have ever been here!”

“Don't be happy first, Sakti.” Djimas refuted while tightening his bag. “There are often to this forest, even if only the river bank.” Djimas pointed at the path that was in front of them.

Kala could only smile looking at those who were confused. Who is crazy enough to be in Akar Ireng besides Mahanta? The ruler of the Telu Forest had been here for a long time.

“Better we enter before sunset, won't it be very creepy?” Kala gave a proposal.

“Good idea, Garuda Knights, but it looks like we need to spend the night on the edge of the forest like this. More dangerous if we are inside.” Djimas politely denied Kala. Kala nodded his head.

The four take out the bundle from the bag ties, then roll it out on the ground before falling on it. Kala did not bring a bed, and they only brought four bedding, as a result Kala only meditated even though Djimas had offered his bed.

The night picked up, the four princes of the Golden Gulok were so frightened that they chose to sleep fast. Kala was in a semi-conscious position during that silent night, before finally opening one eye to see across the river there where the Red Grail Forest was located.

Ten black bodies with horned heads stood right on the other side of the river. Kala let out an extremely powerful murderous lust, exceeding what he could, directed directly at the ten horned shadows.

No one dared to move, even Kala did not move at all except her chest that was rising and falling was calm. The ten shadows let out an extremely frightening scream, shaking the calm sleeping forest creature. After screaming, they entered back into the dark Red Grail Forest, right after the four princes of the Golden Gulok woke up.

“What's up?!” They grabbed the cleaver, stretching in all directions.

Kala remains in a cross-legged position. “They came, but now it's gone.”

They turned into a little frightened hearing that, not to mention Kala adding that there were ten in number. They were scared to death.

“No, no, this is not true.” Sakti fear. “If we are chased inside Akar Ireng later, then the result will be very bad!” He grabbed his bag and sheathed the machete with fear. “We have to go home!”

“Then what's the point we've walked all the way here?!” Saka protested even though he was actually scared.

“Do you want to die of fear here?! Do you want your corpse to be scavenger food?! We are the telik ciphers! We deserve a good graveyard if we die, not become pet food!”

As their emotions began to peak, Dharma intervened. Djimas let out a long sigh before looking at Kala.

“The decision is in the hands of the Garuda Knights,” he said then cast a look.

“Well, we're here to practice. And they can be a material for exercise.” Kala said calmly.

“It's been decided,” cetus Djimas. “Sign in to Ireng Root tomorrow morning.”

Djimas' position as leader made the remaining three princes only able to obey. They went back to sleep after Kala promised them safety and surveillance.

***

The sun was rising from the eastern horizon, they were packing with a little breakfast of dried meat soup today, they were eating only a few pieces of meat and a glass of water while standing before continuing on the road.

After coming out of the path area, the forest grew spooky. The black roots were sticking out of the black, foul-smelling ground; the silent forest even the sound of footsteps echoed; there were no other animals besides the large insects.

Kala also felt there were many eyes from the trees staring at him with hatred, or maybe the tree had eyes. To be sure, this forest is not happy about the existence of all of them.

The green bush bushes they usually encounter in the forest are also not visible here, making the land a little relieved. However, it remained tight and dark by the towering black trees.

Although the atmosphere of the forest is very creepy, Kala knows that this forest is a treasure garden. He could feel the aura that the precious herbs usually released and was also aged, but the direction could not be known. It was obvious that the herbs here had above average intelligence with outstanding abilities as well. It's terrible to know that plants can think intelligently, but that's the truth.

Kala did not find danger from animals until now, or those who are very shrewd hide themselves. Kala did not know that, for sure he had come here only a few moments and had not made any major damage.

“I'll be imprisoned, so we'll be in a quiet place. And chances are I'll only be imprisoned for months.” When making excuses, he actually wanted to read the scrolls of his teacher.

Hearing that, they frowned. He thought that he would challenge the danger here, in a fight with the creepy plants of Akar Ireng, they never thought they would end up sitting in asceticism.

“Alright if it is the will of the Garuda Knights, we will find a place of comfort and quiet.” Djimas had no choice.

“Don't call me by that designation, please!” Kala sighs.

***

After walking quite far from the river, they found a fairly large cave that led directly into a fairly high hill. Kala decided to train here, but before that, he would make some for the four pranors.

Kala was actually a bit hesitant about cutting down a little hard tree here, but he ended up doing it too. Kala is sure, after this the forest will be even more angry. He also hopes that his strength after training will be enough to withstand the attacks from the terrible plants in this forest.

Everything worked hard and quickly, hoping that all the huts would be built before the sun went down. Five of their huts were rafts with makeshift materials, but indeed this was a hut for a while.

“That's weird, usually anyone who goes into the forest will die in an instant.” Saka scratched his head. “But this, we've entered deep enough. And only four regular princes and one Garuda Knight! Even the Prana Spirit Realm will be frightened and perish here.”

In the end, the conversation material became a heated chat as the four of them built a hut. Kala prefers to listen rather than argue, but from here he can draw conclusions.

There are some histories that record the departure and exploration in this forest always fails with the loss of explorers. Even the disappearance of two legendary figures in Java, Akhza and Satrya, is associated with the Root Forest of Ireng. Of course, this forest has been assessed as a forest that is very dangerous even for the upper class.

But they can go all this way. Without problems. That's even worrying.

After all the huts were completed, they made an enormous fire, with the aim of driving away curious monstrous animals or plants.

Kala went into the cave and took the deepest part of the cave. He set up a torch on the cave wall and opened the scroll sheet from the interspatial ring. Cotton Technique was a scroll that he would learn tonight, not completely he managed to learn this cotton technique.

As usual, Kala only stared at one character for a long time. Occasionally Kala stood up and practiced the movement.

Time seems to stop here, Kala does not know night or day because the lighting is the same: pitch dark with a torch as a dim light.

***

Time passed quickly as Kala had already managed to grasp the entire Cotton Technique - the Tiger Descending Mountain. Now it switches on the next roll, the next, and the next.

Kala almost devoured all the scrolls given by his teacher. And during that reading, he did not sleep at all. Now his eyes have bruised eye bags with red eyes. Even torches made specifically to last long have started to porous and the rays are slowly disappearing.

Kala crumbled on the cold floor of the cave and then closed his eyes for a long time, when the torch was completely dead. He replaced it with a new, higher-quality torch and continued reading.

There are many sciences that he memorized out of his head after lingering languishing here. Starting from the Cotton Techniques of countless types, or the Garuda Sword Technique, Garuda Aura Technique, Silent Sound Movement, Death Site, and kick science.

Kala's head seems to be breaking! He still has not practiced some of the movements due to the small size of the cave. After finishing the last scroll, he had only stepped out in a state of chaos.

The sunlight seemed to be a distraction to his eyes. Kala's arms blocked the blazing sun, he turned his gaze on the five huts that were now starting to rickety. Kala frowned, he felt the hut was too old, and he felt only briefly in the cave.

The door of one of the huts opened with a rickety sound. A drowsy looking man came out while scratching his butt. His eyes widened when he saw the figure of Kala in front of the mouth of the cave.

“Knight Garuda! You'reback!”

When he scrunched his forehead, he felt that he did not recognize the person after a while. And it turns out that he just realized that it was Djimas, who has now fussed and looks like unemployment.

Djimas shouted loudly calling his friends. The four doors of the hut opened, and some even escaped their place. They looked so excited after being frustrated for quite a while, their pace was so fast as they approached Kala.

“What happened to you guys? There are whiskers under your mouth and beard all over your chin?”

Sakti replied with passion. “Knight Garuda, you're so long that these damn feathers grow and we don't want to cut them to show you how long you've been there for! Yeah, about three months you're in there!”

The three princes of the Golden Gauge stared intently at Sakti but their mouths showed a wide smile, Sakti broke out in cold sweat when he realized he had slipped.

“But you too are overgrown with mustaches and beards. Even longer than us.”

Kala frowned, then for the first time after a long while, he touched her mouth. Just realized that there was rough hair, Kala bought eyes.

“Ah, my youth looks like it will soon pass.” Kala tried to remember his age, and he also realized that he was still very young