Night crept over the sky of Mount Kunci. The wind rolled slowly, carrying whispers that human ears could not understand. In the camp that was starting to dim, the campfire slowly became embers. The children began to rest, some still awake in restless embraces after the previous incident. However, two small creatures could not sleep that night.
Catty, the orange cat with sharp eyes, suddenly turned her head to the northwest. So did Brody, a jet-black dog with a hanging tail and strong steps. Both looked up at the same time. As if there was a voice—not from outside, but from within their souls—calling.
> "You who are of ancient blood... rise."
They looked at each other. Not a single word was spoken, but their bodies moved in rhythm. Walking slowly, away from the crowd, into a path hidden behind bushes and roots.
The path was not recorded on the map. Only those who were destined would find it. And that path led them... to Mount Silence.
---
Mount Silence, the deepest and most remote part of the Mount Kunci area. Legend has it that this place can only be found by those who have guardian spirits from ancient times. Even humans, would not be able to see the way there.
Catty and Brody descended the slippery path, illuminated by moonlight that seeped through the gaps in the leaves. No map. No sound. Only soft whispers guided their steps.
"Brody... did you hear it?" Catty's voice was soft, in a form of spirit language that only the two of them understood.
"Yes... like... singing. But not human. Like... sad, but also hopeful."
Unknowingly, their steps led them to the bottom of a hidden mountain valley. There, pale blue flowers glowed dimly, and dew formed a thin mist that floated. Among the mist—lying a tiny figure.
A small winged creature. A fairy.
Her body was bleeding, her wings partially torn. Her breath was weak. Her eyes were dim, but they shone like star fragments that were about to go out.
Catty ran over, her voice panicked. "Quick! Brody, water! We need water!"
Brody sniffed the ground, finding a natural pool. With his mouth, he brought up large leaves that held water. Catty, with her claws, cut healing leaves from a semi-sacred tree that grew in the valley. They did not know the name of the plant, but the spirit in their blood did.
They worked without command. As if this had happened before—either in a dream, or in a past life.
Several minutes passed. The fairy's wounds began to close slowly. The light on her body grew stronger. Then her eyes opened.
"You... are not ordinary creatures. What are your names...?"
"Catty," the cat replied.
"Brody," the black dog said.
The fairy smiled. "Thank you. You do not realize what you have done. But this world will change because of your choice tonight."
She flapped her small wings, sparkling like rainbow flakes.
"In return... I can only unlock a portion of what is locked inside you. The lock will open... only when your souls are at the edge of their limits."
Then... light burst from Catty and Brody's bodies.
The sky above Lonely Mountain darkened. Mist rose like a giant's breath. Strange vibrations spread throughout the mountain range. Birds stopped chirping. Insects were silent. Nature... held its breath.
A giant shadow appeared for a moment from behind the bodies of the two small creatures. A white tiger with golden eyes. A black wolf with silver wings.
> "Ancient Heritage... is awakening."
---
Elsewhere, from the middle world—someone stopped in his tracks. His eyes narrowed.
"What is that...?"
The black silhouettes around him trembled.
"Power from a lower world... but it shakes my soul. This... is unusual. I will look for it."
He didn't know yet. What he felt was no ordinary power. Not magic, not a spell. But... something that was almost extinct.
A heritage.
That only rose... to protect the world.
---
End of Chapter Quotes
> "Sometimes, a calm soul is not because it is weak... but because it is waiting for its calling to protect the world."
— Warisan Purba
Closing Pantun
There is a little fairy behind the fog,
Cats and dogs are no longer afraid.
Warisan rises unexpectedly,
The world trembles, ready to receive them.
Copyright
This work belongs to the original author Universe BIMA.
Copying or selling part or all of the contents without official permission from the author is prohibited.
Every name, place, and system in this story is the result of creativity and is not tied to real events.