Devan and Tama resumed their search for the vengeful ghost that night. According to the Grim Reaper's warnings, the ghost preferred darkness. That meant one thing—they had to head into the deepest, dimmest areas to lure it out. There was no telling when the ghost would appear, so they had to remain on high alert.
"I don't think he'll be coming back to the river," Devan said while scanning the area. "After what happened yesterday, he probably knows it's too risky."
"Yeah, you're right, bro," Tama replied. "But then where would he go now?"
Devan thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. "Let's see… if he likes darkness, then I know just the place—Garuda Village!"
"Oh yeah! I can't believe I didn't think of that. Let's go!"
They started their walk toward Garuda Village, a remote settlement in the province of Banten. Because it was located far from any major cities, it rarely received visitors—except for those with family still living there. Rumors said that the village remained steeped in ancient tribal customs, and outsiders often found it difficult to adjust.
The houses in Garuda Village were mostly traditional bamboo huts with thatched roofs. At precisely 7 PM every night, electricity was turned off to conserve the village's limited power supply. From that hour onward, people used oil lanterns or candles to light their homes.
"Man, it's way too quiet here," Tama whispered. "Are you sure there aren't robbers lurking around?"
Devan rolled his eyes. "Seriously? You're a spirit now, remember? What are you afraid of?"
"Oh yeah... right," Tama chuckled. "If anyone tries to mess with us, I'll just zap them with my power."
"The robber won't even see you unless he's an indigo," Devan added with a smirk.
As usual, the two bickered over trivial things. But their banter came to a sudden halt when they smelled a waft of floral perfume in the air.
"Bro, that smells expensive," Devan noted.
"No way. That's the scent of someone who used to be rich but is now broke," Tama countered.
Suddenly, a hand yanked Tama by the ear.
"You impudent servant! How dare you insult me!" Kirana scolded, having appeared from thin air.
"Ow! Ow! Sorry!" Tama squealed.
Kirana had secretly followed them. Despite having trained Tama on how to use his spiritual powers, she couldn't help but worry. She had a strong feeling the ghost was nearby.
"Listen," she said, glancing around. "The ghost's energy is strong here. I believe he needs to be provoked. Devan, you walk alone through the village."
"What? Why me?" Devan cried. "What if he kills me?"
"He won't. Vengeful ghosts only go after people with grudges like theirs. At most, you'll get a few scratches."
With a heavy sigh, Devan agreed. He started walking down the center of the village while Tama and Kirana observed him from a distance. Although visibly nervous, Devan tried to hold back his fear, knowing his friends were watching.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. He froze.
Should he look back?
His heart pounded, but he turned slowly. To his surprise, there was no ghost—just an old woman, likely in her 50s.
"What are you doing out here, kid?" she asked.
"I was with some friends, but I lost them," he replied hesitantly.
From afar, Kirana narrowed her eyes. "She's not normal. I think she's possessed."
Tama nodded. "You can sense it too?"
They approached cautiously.
The woman smiled slyly as they neared. "So... one of you is a curious spirit, and the other is a snake demon?"
"You—you're the vengeful ghost!" Devan cried out.
Before they could act, the ghost fled with the woman's body. Tama and Kirana chased after her while Devan was left standing in shock.
As he tried to recall the woman's face, memories started surfacing. He saw a vision of himself as a toddler—two years old—sitting on the floor while the same woman looked down at him, smiling.
"Smart boy," she had said.
Devan stopped in his tracks.
"MOTHER!" he screamed.
He ran, chasing after the woman possessed by the vengeful ghost. It all made sense now. This woman was his birth mother—the one who left when he was a toddler. He had always believed she died, especially after his father remarried and told him she was gone.
But now, here she was.
Meanwhile, Tama and Kirana had cornered the ghost at the edge of a cliff.
"Stop following me, or I'll jump with her body!" the ghost yelled.
"Go ahead!" Kirana shouted. "I know this woman is already dead! You're the one preventing her soul from moving on!"
The ghost hesitated. Then with a maniacal laugh, he leapt.
But Tama dove and grabbed the woman's right hand. Kirana seized her left. They worked together, using their combined energy to pull her back—and in the process, they absorbed the ghost's memories.
---
Flashback: Jakarta, May 1998
Riots engulfed the city. The streets were flooded with angry protestors demanding the president step down. Amidst the chaos, criminals looted and torched local businesses.
One such victim was Liem Soetjipto, a 25-year-old man who owned a prestigious gold and diamond store. In one day, everything he owned was stolen or burned. He went from wealthy to destitute.
And when things couldn't get worse, his fiancée—Linda Lau—left him for a rich Singaporean businessman.
Heartbroken and bankrupt, Liem took his own life by hanging.
At his funeral, he waited to see if Linda would come... but she never did.
Instead of moving on to the afterlife, Liem turned away from the spirit path and returned to the human world—transformed into a vengeful ghost, full of rage and grief.
---
Back in the present, Tama and Kirana succeeded in purging Liem's hatred. His ghostly form separated from Devan's mother.
A beam of light appeared. The Grim Reaper stepped out, yawning.
"Man, you guys are faster than Inspector Vijay. Always late to the scene," Kirana teased.
"Heh, sorry, sis. Want some coffee while I'm here?" he joked.
But the reaper hadn't come for Liem alone.
He was also there for Devan's mother.
Devan appeared just as the reaper stepped forward.
"Wait—what are you doing?" Devan cried.
"I'm here to guide your mother's spirit," the reaper said solemnly. "Her body died yesterday. The ghost took over before she could pass on."
Tears welled up in Devan's eyes.
"But I just got her back… can't she stay a little longer?"
The reaper shook his head gently. "It's her time."
Kirana approached and placed a hand on Devan's shoulder. "At least you got to say goodbye. That's more than most people ever get."
As the reaper escorted the two souls away, Devan watched until they disappeared into the light. Though his heart ached, there was peace in knowing the truth.
He had found her.
And he had let her go.