INT. WANARA VILLAGE - RUKAH'S HOUSE - DAY
Jaka slowly regains consciousness, his eyes blinking open to Sari's relieved face.
SARI
Jaka, you're awake! Thank the Almighty.
Jaka's vision is blurry, and he struggles to focus as he sees multiple images of Sari. He blinks, attempting to clear his sight, until finally, a single, coherent image of Sari comes into view.
JAKA
Wh-what's going on?
Jaka's hand tightens around a weighty object—the Hanomanji Mace.
KI RUKAH
Congratulations, Jaka. You are now the new heir to the divine mace, Hanomanji.
JAKA
But how? The last thing I remember, I was exerting all my inner strength to contain the mace's power. Then my consciousness vanished. I thought I had journeyed to the afterlife.
Sari points to a spot in the middle of the room, urging Jaka to observe closely.
SARI
Look here.
Jaka follows her direction, his gaze landing on a mere puddle of water seeping into the ground. Above it, only the golden armor remains.
JAKA
Oh my... Was that... Hanoman?
Rukah explains, a mixture of awe and reverence in his voice.
KI RUKAH
The final blow rendered you unconscious, coinciding with the transformation of Hanoman's body. The Wanara hero's form dissolved, turning into pure water that was absorbed by the earth. The Usangha Forest is now not just a "holy" forest; it has truly become a sacred realm.
Jaka's astonishment merges with gratitude.
JAKA
Thank Holy Mahesa! With this transformation, we have a fortified sanctuary to repel Taksaka.
Sari and Ki Rukah exchange approving glances, their expressions reflecting a renewed hope for their mission.
FADE OUT.
EXT. CLIFF PASS - DAY
Jaka regains consciousness, his unease mounting after Sari's interruption. He clutches the Hanomanji Mace tightly, feeling its weight, albeit lighter than before. It empowers him to move faster and strike with more force.
JAKA
(whispering to himself)
Had I truly become one with this weapon?
As Jaka and Sari bid farewell to Ki Rukah, the village chief and Wanara leader, he warns them of potential pursuers.
KI RUKAH
Continue on the path you have chosen, and your true self and strength will emerge. Be cautious; I believe someone is following you here.
Jaka and Sari exchange startled glances, curiosity piqued.
SARI
Who are they?
JAKA
Shouldn't we confront them and uncover their intentions?
KI RUKAH
They may have fallen prey to Taksaka, or perhaps they have realized the danger and retreated. It's best not to draw attention and risk Taksaka discovering our presence.
Sari shudders at the thought.
Giri steps forward, offering his guidance once again. It becomes clear that he wishes to ensure the divine weapon doesn't fall into Taksaka's hands if Jaka fails.
GIRI
I will lead you both. We need to be cautious, as Taksaka's presence looms. Several Manawas will guard me from a distance.
The group moves with utmost care, striving to remain silent and undetected. Their mission is to catch Taksaka by surprise, not the other way around.
Jaka recalls Giri's earlier words about the path ahead.
JAKA
Giri said the only way to Lake Tarub is through a gap between cliffs. It's not narrow, but Taksaka's immense size could block the entire path.
The magnitude of their opponent's scale sends a shiver down Jaka's spine. He comprehends why only a small squad of Manawas volunteered for this mission. Overcoming Taksaka requires immense supernatural power and a divine weapon.
But retreat is no longer an option. Jaka knows that turning back would mean losing the person he cherishes most, the person who holds the utmost significance in his life after Hanoman.
With determination, Jaka, Sari, and the Manawa squad face a sudden attack by Shasus—snake-tailed wolves that had stalked their group. The fierce battle ensues, with Giri, Jaka, Sari, and the Manawas using their supernatural abilities to fight back. Eventually, they emerge victorious.
Jaka gazes sadly at the fallen monsters and injured Manawas. The thought of cowardice and abandoning their sacrifices weighs heavily on him. There is no room for retreat.
They stand before a mountain range that resembles an imposing wall. Climbing up one side and descending the other seems plausible. However, if Taksaka or his Snake-Man mutants block their way and unleash boulders from above, disaster will follow.
Their best options involve either stealthily sneaking past Taksaka's massive body within the cliff's gap or waiting until the serpent goes hunting and facing Taksaka's army of mutants alone. The latter is a perilous choice that could bring indiscriminate calamity upon the Manawa and Wanara people.
All these options have been meticulously discussed and considered with Ki Rukah. Thus, the only viable choice is to confront Taksaka head-on within the cliff pass. Jaka finds himself standing at its entrance.
Sari points ahead, her voice trembling.
SARI
What's blocking us? A giant magic wall?
GIRI
That's Taksaka.
Sari and Jaka freeze at the utterance of those two words. The reality surpasses their darkest imaginings.
The gap in the cliff is wider than expected, and Taksaka looms even larger than their wildest estimates.
JAKA
(astonished)
That's insane! Could a creature truly pass through that "wall"?
Giri snaps back, his voice filled with conviction.
GIRI
Have you forgotten? Only magical creatures that can conceal their presence are capable of that feat. The exception is the Leyak.
Sari, taken aback, voices her disbelief.
SARI
How is that possible?
GIRI
My instincts suggest that Taksaka and his mate, the water dragon Isyana, marginalize, antagonize, and mutate the Leyak in society's eyes.
SARI
(confused)
Their reasoning is beyond comprehension.
GIRI
You can ask them yourself when we reach our destination. I can only speculate.
Jaka shrugs, accepting the inevitable.
JAKA
So, we must face the giant snake?
GIRI
Not we, but you two. The Manawas can only accompany you, ensuring that nothing other than Taksaka interferes.
Jaka and Sari march forward, their fear palpable but not paralyzing.
They approach the "giant wall," but their progress halts at the sound of a thunderous hiss.
Jaka grips the Hanomanji Mace firmly with both hands, readying himself for the imminent confrontation.
JAKA
Weapons ready. Remember, mere persuasion and tongue twisters won't subdue this enemy.
Sari nods, clutching her fan tightly as she takes her stance.
Sure enough, Taksaka's head emerges from behind its coiled body atop the "wall." The closer it draws, the larger it appears—about one and a half times Jaka's height. Its eyes, the size of mangoes, fixate on the travelers, hunger gleaming in its gaze.
TAKSAKA
Welcome to the border between Usangha Forest and the Tarub Lake region. I am Rai Taksaka, the King of all land-slithering snakes.
JAKA
(interrupting)
Yes, we know. We also know that you wouldn't allow us to pass, even with good reason.
TAKSAKA
(furious)
Huh! That treacherous Wanara. No wonder you're on alert. I'll make them pay.