However, Rangda seizes this golden opportunity, engulfing herself in a shroud of black aura. She dives down like a bolt of lightning, attempting to possess her weakened adversary. But just as she reaches the precipice, a powerful explosion propels her away.

BARONG

Your old tricks won't work on me anymore!

Grim determination fills Barong's voice. He had unleashed his energy to deflect Rangda's deadly attack and purge the poison from his body.

Barong now stands rowed, two or three islands crossed.

To channel the excess energy from his explosion, Barong opens his mouth wide, emitting a colossal beam of blinding white light. The concentrated power within this attack could obliterate any target in its path.

But Rangda isn't without tricks. She dissipates the black aura enveloping her form. The shroud splits, instantly transforming into her twin. The doppelgänger stretches out both hands, blocking Barong's beam of light.

Propelled by the force of Barong's attack, Rangda is forced back two steps. The energy beam actually pierces her palms. She absorbs the energy from her opponent's shot, dimming Barong's brilliant light attack until it dissipates entirely.

BARONG

Unbelievable!

RANGDA

Hahaha! I wonder if my black energy can devour your white energy? That's only half of it.

Rangda waves her hand, causing the single shadow body in front of her to split like an amoeba. Now, seven black shadows assail Barong from all directions.

Though Barong possesses greater energy, the absorption Rangda had performed weakens the Lion of Gods. He is overwhelmed, his energy waning.

The weapon hurts its master.

Barong's roar fills the air, more agonizing than ever. Blood spills from his mouth and external wounds that mark his body.

BARONG

Damn you, Rangda! You've forced me to unleash Idharma's wrath with my ultimate energy!

White light erupts from Barong's body, resembling countless porcupine quills. The light streaks are so numerous that they dissolve the seven black shadows. But Barong doesn't stop there—he manipulates the rays, twisting and scattering them toward a single target.

To Rangda's surprise, she laughs mischievously.

RANGDA

Hahaha! Your moves are predictable, Barong!

In a blur of lightning-fast movement, Rangda dances, spinning and waving her hands.

The black energy emanating from her palms forms long scarves that seem to wrap around her. These energy scarves serve both as a shield and as projectiles, flashing toward Barong. The Lion of Gods, ever nimble, continues to shoot and deflect attacks with his array of beams.

Unbeknownst to them, the distance between the combatants grows smaller, their beams and energy scarves converging. The clash of opposing forces shakes the earth, creating a rumble felt throughout Mount Idharma. Barong and Rangda's footholds atop the mountain teeter on the brink.

BARONG

Rangda, we must end this! The holy mountain will erupt otherwise!

RANGDA

No! You, my greatest obstacle, must be erased!

BARONG

Don't you care about the people of Rainusa?

RANGDA

That's just empty rhetoric! How about sacrificing yourself for them?

Rangda's words stun Barong, and determination gleams in his eyes.

BARONG

Then, Holy Mahesa, accept my life and quell your anger!

Summoning every ounce of remaining energy, Barong unleashes a torrent of white light energy from his mouth.

Caught off guard by Barong's unwavering determination, Rangda quickly gathers all her remaining black energy scarves to deflect his assault. The collision of the ultimate energies culminates in an explosion more powerful than any volcanic eruption. The force of the blast hurls the two magical beings into the distance.

Barong hovers above where Rangda had fallen, his body floating directly toward Mount Idharma's gaping crater. Smoke billows, thick and ominous, as the mountain begins to erupt.

Rangda watches, her eyes fixated on Barong's body transforming into a radiant ball of light as brilliant as the sun. The luminous sphere descends into the crater's maw. The mountain's peak erupts twice more before settling, leaving colossal plumes of mushroom-shaped smoke in its wake.

Barong has managed to suppress the eruption of Mount Idharma with every ounce of his strength until the divine being can no longer endure it. Idharma, the sacred mountain, once birthplace to Barong, now becomes the tomb of the Sacred Lion of the Gods—a cruel irony.

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EXT. IDHARMA MOUNTAIN - ERUPTION SITE - DAY

The once triumphant Rangda now stands amidst the chaos, her laughter dripping with sarcasm.

RANGDA

Hahaha! I have rid Rainusa of Barong, the mighty guardian! Without him and the Kecaks to aid them, Rainusa's feeble mortal army would be no match for my Leyak forces! The kingdom is mine!

A sudden deafening BANG shakes the air, and Rangda's eyes widen in shock. She gazes at the erupting Idharma volcano, stunned by the raw power unleashed before her. Hot dust and rocks swirl in the air, threatening her very existence. Rangda instinctively tries to tap into her magical energy to escape, but her form reverts to its ordinary female shape.

Rangda's heart races as she turns and races down the mountainside, the scorching lava hot on her heels. Animals caught in the path of the molten destruction are unfortunate victims of this spontaneous disaster.

Running with every ounce of strength left, Rangda stumbles over a tree branch, tumbling down the slope until she collides with a massive rock. In pain, she struggles to rise, but her body refuses to obey. Time is slipping away, and there is no time to dodge. The witch Queen is about to meet her fiery demise.

Just as the lava inches closer, several black figures materialize before her. Leyaks, slender and long-haired witches dressed like Rangda herself, form a defensive line, conjuring dark magical energy to shield her from the lethal lava. Rangda rubs her eyes, disbelief etched on her face. There are five Leyaks remaining, among the less than a hundred who fled the battlefield.

LEYAK

Hurry, Your Majesty! Run!

RANGDA

No! I won't leave you behind! Let's flee together, no need to hold back the lava! That's an order!

LEYAK

No! Your Majesty's life is more important than ours! You are the last hope, the unifier of our sisterhood! Do not waste our sacrifice!

Tragically, the lava breaks through the Leyaks' magical defense, engulfing and incinerating their bodies. Rangda stands, frozen in horror, tears welling in her eyes. She musters every ounce of strength and dashes forward, exclaiming her promise to honor their sacrifice.

She runs, never looking back, as the unstoppable wave of lava, a giant lion-shaped embodiment of Barong's spirit, devours everything in its path. The dam of magical energy crumbles before its might, and the brave defenders are consumed in the molten embrace.

Rangda keeps running, her bloodied legs threatening to give out as she pushes through the forest, nearing the base of the mountain. Finally, exhausted, she collapses in a heap.

Rangda glances back, relieved that the lava is no longer chasing her. But as she prepares to summon the energy to recover, she coughs up blood. A bad sign. Her expended energy and true pranic essence have vanished, leaving her drained.

Rangda realizes the extent of her defeat. She slumps, contemplating her next move.

RANGDA

Damn it! What am I to do? It will take years to gather the energy and restore my true power core. I am no longer a witch. The power of Rangda has been stripped from me. Many Leyaks and Kecak warriors have fallen. I can no longer face my surviving sisters. What lies ahead for me?

Saddened by her defeat at Idharma, Rangda staggers aimlessly, vulnerable in her weakened state. She arrives at the bank of a shallow river, her gaze drawn to her reflection in the clear water. A sudden impulse surges within her, and her eyes widen with realization.

RANGDA

It seems the Great Angkara has favored me. I still possess the means to rise again and claim the throne! Barong has been eliminated. Now, I shall regain my strength and focus on my ultimate goal—the throne of Rainusa!

With renewed determination, Rangda reemerges as her true self—a stunningly beautiful woman. Adopting the name Ni Lastika, she becomes a dancer in the royal palace of Danurah, Rainusa's capital.

Lastika's beauty captivates Crown Prince Marakata, who seeks Queen Ajnadewi's blessing to propose to her. Although Lastika lacks noble blood, the Queen agrees to the marriage with one condition—Lastika cannot become Queen Consort indefinitely.

Marakata and Lastika marry, and their union brings forth a daughter, Ni Ayuning Sari. Queen Ajnadewi abdicates the throne, disappearing into the unknown, while Marakata ascends to power. Ratna, Marakata's second wife, becomes Queen Consort, fulfilling his mother's wishes.

Envy and resentment burn within Lastika as Ratna gives birth to a son, Ardani, who is promptly named Crown Prince. The Rainusa throne slips further from Lastika's grasp. But as Rangda's host and heiress, she harbors a cunning plan, patiently waiting for the opportune moment when everything aligns.

The defeated yet resolute Rangda moves forward, her destiny entwined with the fate of Rainusa. A new chapter unfolds, where power and deception dance in a deadly game.

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