The Guardian Spirit

Chapter 3

Thomas, Barnard, and Edward go to the grave behind the house. Thomas sits down and prays beside his mother's grave.

Edward feels strange. There are three graves in that place.

"Why are there three graves here?" Edward asks.

"That is my wife's grave." Barnard replies.

"I understand why Thomas is hard to leave you. He is worried that you live alone."

"Thomas is a kind person. He cares about his family and people around him."

After praying at his mother's and adoptive mother's graves, Thomas approaches his father's grave.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I just found out about the actual incident. I will find this truth further. I will fulfill your desire to restore The Garuda Clan. I hope you are still alive, Dad. I hope to meet you."

Thomas packs his belongings before leaving with Edward. Not too many items he brings.

Thomas is ready to go with Edward. He had loaded his belongings on the andong.

(Andong is traditional transportation. This transportation is in the form of a horse-drawn carriage.)

"Dad, I will go. Please pray for me to be able to complete my duty. I promise I'll be back here when it's all over." Thomas says.

"Of course, I always will pray for you. You can come back here any time you want. This village is your home too."

"Thank you, Dad. You have nurtured me well. I will tell your kindness to my biological father. This will be the moral duty for me."

"No need for that, Thomas. You are my son too. Come back here whenever you want."

Thomas and Barnard hug before parting ways.

"Bring this. Now, this is your identity. Find the truth from this and fight for your family. If you find difficulties that make you angry to the point of losing your life goals, then stop for a moment to think logically. Don't let lust control you in all your actions." Barnard gives the Garuda emblem to Thomas. Not to forget, he also advises him.

"Yas, Dad. I will remember your advice."

Edward and Thomas get on the andong. They begin leaving the village.

Edward controls two horses to pull the andong.

Some much later.

Thomas looks around on the way. He scans the surroundings.

"Is this your first time out of the village?" Edward Asks.

"Yes. I never think of going outside the village." Thomas replies.

"Then, what do you usually do every day? Do you practice martial arts?".

"Hmm, No. I usually help the farmers in the fields. Besides, I sometimes go to the mountain forest to fight beasts."

"Realy? It's better than just practicing martial arts without going into direct combat."

"I did that to protect the residents from attacks of beasts. I did not want the death of my parents that my dad told me to happen to the villagers. But I'm grateful that story is not true. That means the safety of citizens is guaranteed. So far, beasts have had indeed never been attacking the village."

"Did you kill every beast you fought?" Edward asks.

"No. I let the beasts escape. Beasts have strong instincts. They will leave if they feel on the verge of death. Nor would they be fighting the same enemy that had defeated them." Thomas replies.

"Good. You already know the nature of beasts. They also have a spirit, just like humans. Humans have a basic and guardian spirit, while animals have only one spirit. Beasts have aggressiveness that is sometimes beyond human expectations. Self-defense systems such as claws, fangs, wings, tails, and strong legs make beasts able to kill humans and even fighters. However, many warriors imitate the way beasts fight. That is because almost everyone's guardian spirits are beasts."

"I have seen a strange thing in the depths of the mountain forest. At that time, there was an extremely large wolf beast. Approximately three times higher than humans. The wolf was white with two black dots between the eyes. It was not the form of a normal beast. The energy pressure was also terrible. Do beasts in the wilderness have such a terrifying form?" Thomas asks about what he sees in the mountain forest.

"Ohh, it Turns out you've met a beast like that. Such a beast is called Perewangan. Perewangan is the spirit of a beast that has died and then is blessed with spiritual energy by nature. Spirits of beasts that become perewangan are beasts that have faithfully followed humans or inhabited a certain place to look after them. Perewangan that doesn’t follow humans usually will not show itself unless the guard area is disturbed." Parmen explains.

"No wonder the beast used spiritual energy while rampaging. Perewangan was very strong."

“Did you distub on it teritoty?” Edward Asks.

"No. At that time, I accidentally saw five black cloth fighters trying to fight that perewangan. The five fighters couldn't even defeat it." Thomas replies.

"You should never try to fight perewangan. Perewangans can only be fought by experienced fighters or Jawaras. However, if you can defeat the perewangan, it will follow you. You will be acknowledged as its new master. Perawangan will live in a body. Perewangan will act like a guardian spirit. But the user can't use its powers. Users can only summon it out to help in battle." Edward explains.

"Now, I understand. So that was the goal of the peoples in black cloth."

"Thomas. I want to see your father's Garuda emblem?" Edward requests.

"Of course." Thomas takes the garuda emblem in the box.

"This's"

While controlling the horse, Edward watches the garuda emblem. He is amazed.

"In the past, this was the symbol of supreme power. Everyone who saw this will choose to retreat. No one dared to oppose the Jawara of Garuda Clan openly."

"Was The Garuda Clan that strong?" Thomas Asks.

"Yes. Garuda Clan was the strongest."

"So, why the strongest clan can be destroyed?"

"That's what's a mystery. You have to find out. I'm certain there is a big conspiracy behind it." Edward says.

Thomas nods.

"By the way. What's your father's name?"

"His name is Howard Adams." Thomas replies.

"What? Really?" Edward is surprised.