That night, the wind blew softly from the unopened window.
Bima woke up. Cold sweat soaked his temples. His breath was short.
In his dream, a woman glowing stood in the middle of the fog. Her face was blurry—but the look in her eyes... seemed to know him.
He sat slowly on the edge of the bed, staring at the ceiling of the house that was cracked at the corners.
It had been three days since the incident behind the school.
Three days since Jaguar hit him and Mrs. Rani came to save him.
The wound on his face had healed, but the wound in his heart... was still gaping.
In class, the atmosphere had not changed.
Mrs. Siska only glanced at him briefly—as if Bima was just a blank sheet that was not worth reading.
Nina kept her distance. The other friends also only glanced silently.
He felt alone, like a leaf that had fallen from a branch in the off-season.
But today...
Something had changed.
*****
The first hour opened with a surprise:
A new teacher was introduced to the class.
"Students, let me introduce myself. This is Mr. Arman," said Mrs. Siska in a bland tone.
A man entered, with a sturdy build. Slick black hair, a calm smile, but his eyes… held something.
Something sharp. Deep.
He stood in front of the class, then spoke in a soft but firm Javanese accent:
> "Hello kids… I'm Mr. Arman. I'm helping teach special lessons. Take it easy, just think of me as the supervisor. But… don't do anything weird."
Several children chuckled.
But Bima didn't laugh. He just stared at the man in silence.
His heart beat faster for no reason.
There was something about this man. Something that shook his heart. But what?
*****
During recess, Mr. Arman stood in front of the class, as if he was observing the sky from a gap in the trees.
He looked at each student one by one, slowly.
Then his gaze stopped on Bima.
A small smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
> "Are you... your sister Bima? I have heard about you."
Bima nodded. Not sure whether to be happy or scared.
> "The quiet one... sometimes the strongest. But you have to understand, not all battles have to be seen.
Sometimes... the quiet one keeps the light."
The sentence echoed in Bima's head until the afternoon.
*****
When he returned home, his steps were slow. The sky was cloudy.
At home, Uncle Bando sat on the porch, stirring meatballs with slow movements.
His gaze was calm, but when Bima was about to enter the house, he called out.
> "Le... mrene sek. Uncle arep ngandhani soko atiku."
Bima sat on the bamboo chair beside him. There was silence for a moment.
Uncle Bando opened his shirt pocket. He took something out.
A black necklace, with a round pendant, engraved with light and shadow that circled, as if chasing each other.
> "This is... an inheritance. A golden chair. A luxury chair.
But it will help you when the time comes."
Bima stared at the necklace deeply.
His heart beat faster again. There was an energy… whatever, that slipped into his chest.
He accepted it slowly—his hands were shaking slightly.
*****
Night.
The dream came again.
Bima stood in an empty field. Fog surrounded him.
In front of him, a boy his age. His face was hard, his eyes full of anger.
> "Why are you still alive?" he asked sharply.
> "You... are the one who will wake them up.
You are the one who will break the seal."
Bima wanted to speak, but his voice was gone.
And he woke up. Again. With a gasp.
*****
The next day, Mrs. Rani called him to the teacher's room.
She handed him a notebook.
> "Bima... you drew this symbol, right?" she asked, opening the last page.
Bima lowered his head, afraid. His throat tightened.
> "Calm down. I believe you are not an ordinary child. But I also know you are not ready.
So, I only ask one thing… be careful of anyone who is too curious."
*****
Under a large tree near the schoolyard, Jaguar stood with Azil and Dimas.
Their gazes changed. No longer hatred… but hidden fear.
> "He is that one, Gil. I saw him draw a strange symbol yesterday."
> "He is not an ordinary child. But… it is not time for us to attack."
****
Bima walked home while holding a necklace under his shirt.
In the middle of the road, a small cat emerged from the bushes, staring at him.
Then… smiled.
But when Bima blinked, the cat had disappeared.
He stood there for a long time, trying to understand what he had just seen.
*****
The fourth night since Mr. Arman's arrival.
The sky turned dark. The wind swirled in the yard.
Bima went outside, feeling someone calling him.
And there…
A small blue light floated in the air, flickering softly.
He bent down, touching the ground.
A strange symbol glowed faintly in the wet grass.
> "This… is not of this world…" he whispered.
Then a voice came. Soft. Female. But not a dream.
> "Thank you… for holding on."
Silence.
And then—
"Your time… will soon come."
*****
Chapter end quote:
"Darkness does not come suddenly. It knocks softly—on the silent soul."