The train screeched to a halt at Kediri station, carrying the three of them toward a new chapter in a journey they didn't fully understand.Rika floated out of the carriage with boundless excitement, her eyes sparkling like a child seeing the world for the first time. She turned to Arya with a wide grin, pointing in every direction.
"Arya! Let's stop by some fun places first, okay? I heard there's Selomangleng Cave, and maybe we can go to Kilisuci Park? I want to see—"
"Not now," Arya cut her off, his eyes glued to his phone. His face looked weary, burdened by either exhaustion or thoughts weighing on him.
Rika puffed her cheeks. "You're always so serious. Come on, let's have a little fun."
Dio, standing a few steps behind them, shook his head. "We're not here for sightseeing," he said firmly. His sharp gaze shot straight at Rika, making the ghost girl pout in frustration.
They took an old, rattling minibus from the station toward Arya's village. Throughout the ride, Rika kept begging to stop at interesting places, while Dio stayed silent and Arya only muttered short replies like, "Later."
Fresh countryside air greeted them as the bus dropped them off at the roadside. A carved wooden arch welcomed them with the words "Sugeng Rawuh." The scent of rice fields and rustic life blended seamlessly with the evening glow.
Several villagers greeted Arya warmly. "Sugeng rawuh, Arya! You rarely come home," an elderly man called out with a broad smile. Arya replied with a small nod, clearly awkward with all the cheerfulness aimed at him.
Rika, walking ahead, skipped with curiosity. She marveled at the traditional houses neatly lined up, most made of teak wood with intricate carvings, radiating a faint nostalgia. A bright smile lit up her face—until it suddenly vanished.
When they stopped in front of a sturdy old joglo house, Arya pointed. "That's my house."
Rika froze on the spot. An unseen force pressed down on her, as if the air itself was judging her presence. She instinctively took a step back.
"What's wrong?" Arya asked, puzzled.
"I… I feel something strange," Rika whispered, her voice trembling. "Like I'm being rejected."
"That's just the warding energy," Dio said casually, arms crossed. "If you're not here with bad intentions, it shouldn't be a problem."
But Rika shook her head weakly. Her body felt heavy, as if an invisible wall blocked her path. She quickly ducked behind Arya's back for cover.
As they stepped onto the porch, a little boy appeared from inside the house. Wearing a worn-out shirt and shorts, his face beamed with innocence. "Uncle Arya's home!" he shouted happily.
Soon after, a middle-aged woman followed him out. Her hair was neatly tied in a bun, her kebaya simple yet graceful. She radiated warmth—it was Arya's aunt."Come in, come in. It's been so long since you came home," she said with a welcoming smile to Arya and Dio.
But Rika stumbled at the doorway. A force threw her backward, making her fall onto the ground.
"Eh? Why can't she come in?" Arya turned to Dio, eyebrows raised.
Dio smirked, clearly enjoying the sight. "Well, crazy ghosts aren't supposed to enter houses, are they?"
"Whaaat?!" Rika shrieked, her pale face flushed with anger. "I'm not just some random ghost! I want to come in toooo!"
Her loud protest startled a few birds perched nearby, sending them fluttering into the sky. Dio, already armed with another sarcastic remark, finally raised his hand instead.
"Alright, alright. Quit whining," he muttered lazily. He began chanting in old Javanese, his hand sweeping the air before the door. The invisible barrier shimmered faintly, then dissolved.
"Try now, Princess Ghost," Dio teased with a sly grin.
"Hmph, show-off!" Rika huffed. Hesitantly, she stepped forward—this time crossing the threshold without resistance. "Ha! Finally," she said smugly, shooting Dio a look.
He only shrugged. "Don't forget, I don't work for free. You owe me again."
Rika grumbled under her breath, while Arya let out a long sigh. This was just the beginning of their time in Kediri—and he knew that with Rika around, chaos was never far away.
The clink of teacups filled the joglo's living room. The fragrance of jasmine tea wafted through the air as Arya's aunt smiled warmly, handing steaming cups to the guests."Welcome. Have some tea first—you must be tired from the trip," she said gently, her gaze moving from Arya to Dio, though unaware of Rika's presence.
Rika, who had been cheerful just moments earlier, suddenly froze. Her pale cheeks flushed pink as she covered her face with both hands.
"A… Arya, is that your mother?" she whispered nervously.
Arya frowned. "Yeah. Why?"
"Aaa… what do I do? I'm not ready yet!" Rika squeaked, hopping in place like a child caught stealing candy.
Arya sighed. "What's with you now?"
Rika shook her head furiously, still hiding her face. Dio stared at her blankly, trying to make sense of her antics. In the corner, Nagini had quietly emerged from the dagger, her elegant figure in a crimson gown watching from the shadows. She covered her mouth with her hand, struggling not to laugh.
But the calm was short-lived. Heavy footsteps echoed outside, followed by the harsh scraping of sandals against the floor. Then came a booming voice filled with anger:
"Who dares, huh?!"
A large man appeared at the doorway, his sharp eyes radiating authority. He wore a lurik cloth, his presence dominating the room. His gaze swept across until it landed on Rika sitting near Arya.
"So you're the one who broke through the barrier?" he roared, his voice shaking the rafters. "Bastard!"
Rika jolted, eyes wide with fear. She darted behind Arya, clutching his shoulders tightly. "Arya! He's so scary!" she whimpered, trembling like a leaf in a storm.
Arya tried to steady her, though the man's glare unsettled him too. The man raised his hand, forming intricate seals with his fingers as he chanted in ancient Javanese. A suffocating energy filled the room, sharp as needles pricking every inch of skin.
"I'll destroy you now!" he thundered. Cold wind swirled inside, rattling the hanging lamp.
Rika squealed and buried herself deeper behind Arya. But before the incantation was complete, another figure appeared between them. With graceful ease, Nagini seized the man's hand, her slender fingers locking around his before he could finish the seal.
"W… who are you?" the man stammered. His eyes widened at the sight of the crimson-dressed woman, her fiery hair flowing like living flames. Her aura was elegance carved into menace.
Nagini's lips curved in a faint smile, her gaze sharp as a blade. "Me? Just a guardian. And it seems you're far too hasty," she said coldly.
The man stumbled back a step, rattled by the sheer force radiating from her. Fear crept across his features, though he tried to maintain his authority.
"I don't care who you are," he barked, though his voice faltered. "Rules have been broken, and I can't allow that!"
Nagini tilted her head slightly, as if amused. "Rules, is it? But do you know what happens when you strike without knowing the truth?" Her voice was low, laced with unspoken threat.
The room fell eerily still, the swirling wind vanishing into silence. The man swallowed hard, torn between retreating or pressing forward.
Finally, Dio stepped up, his voice calm but commanding. "Enough." His piercing stare cut into the man. "She's under my watch. If there's an issue, let's settle it properly."
The man glanced from Dio to Nagini, then back again. After a tense pause, Nagini released his hand. He lowered his own with a growl.
"Be careful," he muttered before retreating deeper into the house.
Rika let out a long breath, collapsing onto the floor. "I almost turned to ash!" she whined.
Nagini gave her a faint smile. "If you'd stayed behind Arya, nothing would've happened," she remarked lightly before fading back into the dagger.
Dio glanced at Rika, then at Arya. "Who was that?"
"My uncle," Arya explained calmly. "The spiritual practitioner I told you about."
Rika pouted. "Why is it always my fault? I swear I've been nothing but nice!"
"If you'd really been that nice, I wouldn't be here babysitting you," Dio retorted with a sly grin before settling down to sip his now-lukewarm tea.
Rika sneaked a look at Arya, who drank his tea with calm composure. Dio sat in the corner, eyes closed as if shutting out the world.
The house slowly regained its quiet. The fading scent of jasmine tea and the chirping of crickets wrapped the night, though the tension lingered like a shadow in everyone's chest.