That morning, a light mist still blanketed the ancestral land when the soft sound of approaching footsteps echoed near Baskara's meditation chamber. Behind the half-open stone door appeared the figure of an old servant of the Baskara family—Pak Japa, the trusted aide of Elder Pradipa.
"Young Master Baskara, the Elder is calling you. The preparations are complete. Today, you'll depart for Mount Loka Geni."
Still seated in a lotus position, Baskara opened his eyes immediately. His weary expression—resulting from a long night of reading—quickly turned into enthusiasm. He swiftly closed his book and tucked it into a small pouch embroidered with golden thread, which he often used to carry important items.
"Understood, Pak Japa. I'll go right away."
Moments later, Baskara stood before Elder Pradipa in the inner courtyard of the ancestral home, a place where the elders usually held their councils. There, a figure unfamiliar to him was already present—a middle-aged man with silvery hair, clad in a dark gray robe adorned with an emblem of intertwined leaves and flame on his chest.
"This is Elder Loka Mardana," introduced Elder Pradipa. "A master alchemist and guardian of the spiritual fire path since the time of my father."
Elder Mardana nodded and gazed at Baskara with sharp yet kind eyes. "So this is the child they say became a First-Level Purifier at the age of ten?" he said with a smile. "The journey to Loka Geni is no simple excursion. But I believe you'll learn a great deal there."
Baskara bowed respectfully. "I ask for your guidance, Elder."
Elder Pradipa then handed over a leather pouch containing tools and protective stones. "Mount Loka Geni is home not only to fire-born plants and beasts, but also to ancient guardian spirits that dislike intrusions. Be cautious, and make sure you return with one chosen spiritual flame."
Baskara clutched the pouch tightly. He looked at Elder Pradipa and nodded with determination.
"Very well," said Elder Mardana. "We leave now. The aerial route will take half a day. Prepare yourself."
With a blazing spirit, Baskara followed the elder. The morning breeze welcomed them, and the sky began to part for the steps that would open a new chapter in Baskara's journey.
Mount Loka Geni awaited.
Above a cloudless sky, sharp winds sliced past Baskara's robe and hair as he flew alongside Elder Loka Mardana. Below, a vast lush forest stretched like a rolling green sea. Amidst the greenery rose a towering mountain, dark red and dry brown—like charcoal not fully extinguished. Wisps of smoke rose from cracks in its stony surface.
"Elder," said Baskara, eyes gleaming with excitement, "is that... Mount Loka Geni?"
Elder Mardana turned and nodded slowly. "Indeed. That is our destination."
Baskara gazed at the mountain, filled with awe and burning curiosity. The heat radiating from it could be felt even at a distance. The surrounding air grew warmer and heavier, like holding the fury of eternal fire.
"Mount Loka Geni is no ordinary place," Elder Mardana continued. "Once you set foot there, it feels like entering another realm. Every inch of its soil is dominated by the fire element. The air, spiritual energy—even the breath of its plants and beasts—carries embers."
Baskara nodded, listening intently.
"The beasts there possess not only great physical strength but inherit fire energy through generations. The plants, too—many appear ordinary, but when touched, they may explode or burn anyone careless enough," warned the elder.
"And... the spirits?" Baskara asked softly.
Mardana nodded slowly. "The spirits left behind there are no mere ghosts. Many are remnants of sages, monsters, or mystical beings burned by the mountain's fire—their souls not destroyed but fused with the flame. They can be allies... or enemies."
Baskara swallowed hard, but showed no fear. On the contrary, his eyes burned with resolve.
"I'll be careful, Elder," he replied firmly.
They began descending slowly, preparing to land at the base of Mount Loka Geni. The scent of sulfur became strong, and the heat welcomed them like dancing tongues of flame.
Upon landing lightly on the red sandy ground, Elder Mardana patted Baskara gently on the shoulder.
"Let's proceed on foot. Don't use any flashy power... we don't know what's watching from behind this heat mist," he said firmly.
"Yes, Elder," Baskara responded with a nod.
They began walking slowly along dry rocky paths, which felt warm even through their footwear. A light fog wrapped the mountain trail, occasionally revealing flickers of red or swift shadows darting past. Every step was accompanied by hot gusts and faint whispers from unseen directions—like silent murmurs of hidden spirits.
Baskara kept his eyes sharp. He saw stunted trees with reddish leaves, their trunks emitting faint steam. Some plants throbbed gently, as if breathing.
"What's that plant, Elder?" asked Baskara, pointing to a small, bud-shaped growth that seemed made of smoldering embers.
Elder Mardana approached and examined it. "That's called Api Laras. A low-level spiritual plant, but perfect for your early training. If properly extracted, its core can be used to purify the fire within you."
Baskara crouched to observe it with fascination. He could feel its heat even before touching it.
"You may take it, but use your spirit power. Do not touch it directly. Remember, here, anything that burns can harm you... or bless you," Elder Mardana reminded.
Baskara closed his eyes, calming his breath, and channeled his spirit energy through his palm. A soft, warm aura formed an invisible hand that gently wrapped the plant. He tried to lift it from the ground without damaging the roots, then placed it into a spiritual stone container he brought.
"Well done. You've grasped the basics," praised Elder Mardana.
They continued deeper into hotter, more dangerous terrain, still searching for plants, stones, or traces of spiritual beasts that might help Baskara obtain a true flame.
But unexpectedly, just after Baskara obtained his first spiritual plant—
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion shook the air. The ground trembled violently, and from the peak of Mount Loka Geni came a blast like the world being torn apart.
"Damn it!" exclaimed Elder Mardana, eyes wide. "Quick! We must get away from here!" He grabbed Baskara and flew away from the chaos.
Sure enough—the towering, barren summit of Mount Loka Geni erupted! Its top shattered, spewing rocks and earth miles in every direction. Reddish-black smoke billowed into the sky, followed by waves of searing heat spreading across hundreds of kilometers. Trees nearby were instantly incinerated—those farther away caught fire one by one.
The lush forest turned into a sea of flames.
From the heart of the chaos, bright red lava flowed from the mountain's core, splitting the land, consuming everything in its path.
Elder Mardana and Baskara immediately activated the Defense Technique: Hall Gate, a high-level spiritual shielding art that formed a dome-like energy barrier. A golden aura enveloped them, dampening the heat and shockwaves raging in the air.
They hovered high above, watching from afar.
And amid the ash mist and flames, two figures hovered in the sky—battered, bleeding, gasping for breath. Behind each one, hundreds of followers hovered in battle-ready formations.
"This… is a clash of two great powers," muttered Elder Mardana grimly. "Looks like they're fighting over something… perhaps a spiritual treasure or an ancient relic."
Seeing this, he turned to Baskara. "Boy, we must not linger. Their battle is beyond us... and could swallow anyone without mercy."
Baskara nodded seriously. He could fe—