21-1: The Curse of Queen Cempaka
Queen Cempaka could sense ripples of disturbance coming from the direction of Mount Slamet, breaking the calm harmony of her realm.
Queen: “You insolent fools!
You dare disrupt the tranquility of the Sekar Kedaton Palace?”
She began chanting powerful ancient incantations, weaving energy to strengthen the magical barriers surrounding her domain.
Queen: “Come forth, all who dare intrude!
I shall bind you to my will and make you serve me forever!”
Queen Cempaka recited sacred mantras, flowing in the old tongue of Java and the sacred sounds of Sanskrit…
Her lips moved swiftly, while thick, fragrant smoke of burning frankincense rose high from a bronze brazier beside her.
In a wide stone basin, water glimmered, upon which floated seven kinds of rare and holy flowers, each radiating its own soft light.
Suddenly…
From the heart of the smoke emerged a dense, pitch‑black mist.
It swirled and billowed like endless, towering waves, rolling across the palace grounds.
As if guided by a single thought, the mist shot forward with the speed of a striking serpent, surging straight toward Mount Slamet.
Queen: “Let this be but a warning… remember well who rules these lands.”
Having unleashed her wrath, the Queen turned her attention back to Barno, who lay upon the soft floor cushions, his body tense and his manhood standing firm and ready beneath the candlelight.
Queen: “Hmm… you people of Mount Slamet are nothing but a nuisance, always arriving to interrupt my pleasure…”
She undid the silken ties of her gown, letting it slip from her shoulders to pool at her waist.
Slowly, she lowered herself upon him, taking his full length deep within her most intimate warmth.
SPLSHH!!
She settled fully upon him, their bodies joining as one.
Queen: “Ohhh… by the old gods… why does it always feel this wonderful… so deep, so perfect…”
The heavy, sacred scent of incense swirled around them, wrapping their union in an aura of mystery, reverence, and burning passion.
***
21-2: The Plague at Mount Slamet
Meanwhile, Mount Slamet was swallowed by a heavy fog — yet this was no ordinary white mist.
It was thick, rolling clouds of inky black smoke, coiling and spreading endlessly across the slopes and valleys.
Ki Ronggo: “This is most dire!”
Agung: “What is it, Elder?
What dark power draws near?”
Ki Ronggo: “Black fog… the mark of a great curse!
Waves of it, washing down upon us!”
Agung: “It comes from Queen Cempaka… she has answered our intrusion with wrath.”
Ki Ronggo: “Indeed — she has cast a plague upon this entire mountain and all who dwell here!”
Agung: “The folk are falling ill, struck down by some strange, unnameable ailment…” Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Ki Ronggo: “They speak of heads heavy as stone, vision spinning, and throbbing pain that burns through their very bones…”
Agung: “And yet… I have seen it.
Once they join in intimate union, the affliction vanishes as if it never was.”
Ki Ronggo: “A most bizarre and cruel magic, truly.”
Agung nodded slowly, his expression grave.
Ki Ronggo: “For husbands and wives, it is but a simple remedy.
But for those who walk alone… it becomes a torment without end.”
Agung: “And not only humans suffer — even the spirits and demons of these woods writhe under its weight.”
Ki Ronggo nodded in solemn agreement.
Ki Ronggo: “The Queen is enraged that we disturbed her peace… and so she strikes back in the way that twists our own desires into a burden.”
Agung: “It seems we have no choice but to find a way to break this spell…”
Elsewhere within the palace chambers, Ki Ronggo’s attendants — Bariyah, Cariyah, Dariyah, Pariyah, Gariyah, Hariyah, Jariyah, Kariyah, and Mariyah — all lay listless and pale, their strength draining away once more.
Even though they had found relief through their union with Agung and Ki Ronggo throughout the night, the pain returned swiftly as the curse’s hold tightened.
Only Agung and Ki Ronggo remained untouched, shielded by the immense spiritual power that flowed within their veins.
Agung: “Elder, what means do we have to counter this?
How can we free them all?”
Ki Ronggo closed his eyes, stilling his breath and sinking deep into meditation.
Ki Ronggo: “Wait, Agung… let me seek guidance from the spirits above and below…”
He fell into profound silence, his mind reaching out across the realms to call for an answer.
When his vision cleared, a voice like rolling thunder echoed within his soul:
“Hear me, Ronggo.
To lift the curse laid by Queen Cempaka… there is but one path.
It must be sealed through a sacred union — between a pure human soul and the eldest matriarch of the White Tiger spirits.”
As suddenly as it had come, the voice faded into silence.
Ki Ronggo opened his eyes once more.
Agung: “What did you see, Elder?
What word did the spirits give?”
Ki Ronggo stroked his long white beard, his expression a mix of wonder and gravity.
Ki Ronggo: “There is only one way to break this plague.”
Agung: “Speak plainly, Elder — what is required?”
Ki Ronggo: “The cure must come from a ritual of sacred mating: one unblemished human, joined in body and spirit with the most ancient and powerful of our kind.”
Agung: “Does this mean every soul here must lie with a spirit to be healed?”
Ki Ronggo: “No.
It needs only one to act as the vessel and symbol for all.
One human… and the oldest spirit of the White Tiger line.”
Agung: “The eldest spirit?”
Agung: “That can only be Ki Jembar Angin and Nyai Ambar Angin — the very ones we sought not long ago.”
Ki Ronggo: “You speak true.”
Agung: “Then which of them is chosen to stand with the human representative?”
Ki Ronggo: “It must be Nyai Ambar herself.
She holds the deeper magic, the power to weave such bonds and undo such curses.”
Agung: “Hmm… but will Ki Jembar permit his own wife to be taken in such a way?”
Ki Ronggo: “To save all his people and his realm… he will have no choice but to agree.”
Agung: “I have seen Nyai Ambar with my own eyes… she is breathtaking beyond words.”
Ki Ronggo: “And?”
Agung: “Her face shines like the full moon on a clear night.
Her breasts are round and firm, as ripe and tempting as golden mangoes hanging heavy on the bough.
And her hips and rear are full and bounteous, like two plump, cool watermelons, perfectly formed and inviting.”
Ki Ronggo let out a low, knowing chuckle.
Ki Ronggo: “A fair description indeed.
I too have beheld her beauty in times past… yet who would dare to reach for her?
Ki Jembar’s strength is beyond measure, his wrath a storm no one survives.
I have no wish to bring ruin upon myself.”
Agung laughed softly, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Agung: “Are you afraid, Elder Ronggo?”
Ki Ronggo: “Hahaha — afraid?
Certainly not!
Why should I risk it when I already have Bariyah, Cariyah, Dariyah, and all the rest, each lovely and eager to please?”
His loud laughter masked well the flicker of true fear hidden deep in his heart — the terror of crossing the mighty Ki Jembar.
Agung: “You are afraid, I can tell!”
Ki Ronggo: “Bah!
Who dares say I fear anything?
I could summon ten maidens as fair as she with but a single breath!”
Agung laughed aloud, fully aware the old man spoke only to save face.
Agung: “No need to quarrel over such matters, Elder — so long as hearts are willing, all is well.”
Ki Ronggo: “Exactly so!
If they give themselves freely, there is no wrong in it.”
Agung burst into hearty laughter once more.
Agung: “And let us not forget — you have the Jaran Goyang love spell at your command, to turn any woman’s heart toward you!”
Ki Ronggo: “Hahaha — a secret best kept close, my boy!”
TO BE CONTINUED…