EXT. WANARA VILLAGE - DAY

Sari, Jaka, and the Manawa army arrive at the Wanara village, their journey through the Usangha Forest finally nearing its destination.

The Manawa colony, who nested among the banyan branches, and the Wanara, human mutants with monkey-like features, live side by side in the village. Unlike the Manawa, the Wanara construct their huts with sturdy teak wood, a practical choice due to its waterproof nature.

Sari observes the village, noting the similarities between the Wanara and human society. Their family and village systems mirror those of the Rainusa Kingdom, showcasing their shared social structure.

The villagers gather as they spot the unfamiliar figures entering their domain. Curiosity shines in the eyes of the Wanara children who stand at the forefront, witnessing beings they have never encountered before.

Sari waves at one of the ape-like children, who gazes at her with a tilted head. The child grins, revealing a set of yellow teeth, resembling that of a chimpanzee. Another child steps forward, offering Sari three freshly picked flowers. Sari accepts the gift with a smile, attempting to caress the child, who retreats into the crowd.

Giri chimes in, addressing Sari and Jaka.

GIRI

They're still wary of you. Ungun informed the village chief of our arrival. Follow me; let's go see Ki Rukah.

Giri points to a modest hut among the others, where a slightly stooped Wanara elder awaits the guests.

Sari notices the elder's grim expression as their eyes meet. She frowns, quickly masking her concern with a polite smile.

The elder Wanara greets them, her voice tinged with somberness.

KI RUKAH

Welcome to Wanara Village, humans. Welcome, Giri, leader of the Manawa. I am Ki Rukah, leader, elder, and head of this village. Please forgive my inability to smile at this moment. However, I am genuinely delighted to see chosen warriors visit our village once more.

Sari, intrigued by Rukah's demeanor, inquires.

SARI

What troubles the elders, Ki Rukah?

KI RUKAH

It is because every warrior who meets me is destined for their final encounter. I fear...

Jaka interrupts, reassurance in his voice.

JAKA

Worry not, Elder. With the support of Holy Srisari and Holy Mahesa, we will overcome Taksaka and free your people from his grip.

Rukah's expression grows graver.

KI RUKAH

This is what I feared. Every warrior who came before you spoke similar words. Yet, even after the divine weapon rejected them, they continued to face Taksaka. As a result, the dragon serpent has only grown stronger over time.

Sari realizes the unsettling truth that Taksaka may have allowed the Manawa and Wanara to bring challengers, granting him a steady supply of victims without the need for hunting.

Determined, Sari takes a deep breath, carefully choosing her words.

SARI

Ki Rukah, our true intention is to traverse this forest, cross Tarub Lake, and reach the Valley of the Skull Tree to find my mother. After hearing Giri's story, we are compelled to aid you. However, if the divine weapon rejects us and our strength proves insufficient to defeat Taksaka, we should at least attempt to slip past the serpent's guard and continue to the next area.

KI RUKAH

And what if you fail and lose your life?

SARI

If that is our fate, then we will have fought with all our hearts.

Giri interjects, emphasizing the sincerity of their intentions.

GIRI

When we spoke, I intentionally omitted any mention of rewards, and they never inquired about it. Sari only seeks to find her mother. That's all.

Rukah falls silent for a moment before making a decision.

KI RUKAH

Very well. We shall allow both of you to witness and hold the divine weapon. Let the divine weapon choose its new master. Follow me.

Ki Rukah leads Sari and Jaka further into the village, ultimately reaching the back wall of her humble abode. The trio stands at the center of the room.

KI RUKAH

Now, whatever happens, do not move. This will undoubtedly astonish you.

Ki Rukah mutters an incantation in an ancient language, conjuring green energy in her palm. With a forceful strike to the ground, dust fills the air, and the ground slopes steeply, resembling a road incline. At the end of the slope, an opening akin to a cave entrance awaits.

The walls surrounding the entrance resemble enormous banyan roots. Ki Rukah's house is situated near one of the largest banyan trees in the Usangha Forest.

Sari, feeling a surge of alarm, follows Jaka into the cave. However, her breath grows labored, choked by the damp air. Ki Rukah casually remarks on the humidity, unperturbed by it due to Wanara's adaptation.

Within the chamber, Sari spots a statue of Hanoman, a revered figure from the Age of the Gods, sitting cross-legged. The statue's body is covered in pure white fur, adorned with golden armor on the head, chest, and groin. Resting on Hanoman's lap is a beautifully carved, round-headed mace made of brass, divine metal, and mingled with blood.

Jaka stammers, seeking clarification.

JAKA

W-who is he?

Ki Rukah provides the answer, revealing the statue's origin and significance.

KI RUKAH

This is Hanoman, one of the greatest heroes of the Wanara and a sacred figure from the Age of the Gods. When his soul ascended to Nirvana, his body remained in this world, like an immortal statue.

Sari recalls her history lessons, connecting the dots.

SARI

Wait, Hanoman came from the Arcapada Peninsula.

KI RUKAH

Indeed. During the First Apocalypse, the Wanara and Manawa faced extinction. After their rebirth, Holy Srisari dispatched his envoy, Isyana, to guide our two peoples to a new land beyond Arcapada. During our arduous voyage, our ancestors discovered Hanoman's preserved body and brought it to Antapada, right here.

Jaka seeks confirmation.

JAKA

So, the mace on Hanoman's lap is a divine weapon?

Ki Rukah nods with conviction.

KI RUKAH

The Kaumodaki mace was bestowed upon Hanoman by Vishnu, one of the ancient Mahadevas of Arcapada and Antapada. Hanoman wielded it during his assistance to Rama in his battle against Ravana, the Yaksha King. After Ravana's defeat, Vishnu renamed the mace Hanomanji.

Sari and Jaka stand in awe. If the mace is indeed a divine weapon, only an individual with demigod strength or equivalent might possess the ability to wield it.

KI RUKAH

You must remember, when Hanoman received Kaumodaki, he, too, lacked confidence and power. Yet, Vishnu entrusted him with the mace, and that trust proved worthwhile.

The realization dawns upon Sari and Jaka that their potential fate lies in the hands of Hanomanji.

KI RUKAH

There is no harm in trying. There is nothing to lose.

Sari and Jaka exchange glances, and in unison, they nod.

JAKA

Let Sari be the first to attempt to take the divine weapon from Hanoman's lap.

KI RUKAH

Very well.

Sari cautiously extends her hands, gently touching the brass mace atop Hanoman's shoulder. A sudden surge of watery energy courses through her body, causing her to scream in pain and retreat.

KI RUKAH

Hanomanji has rejected Sari.

Now, it is Jaka's turn to step forward. Adopting a half-kneeling position, he clasps his hands together and closes his eyes, seeking permission from the current wielder of the mace. With one palm on the ground and the other gripping the hilt, Jaka braces himself.

Once again, a surge of violent energy crashes into Jaka's body like a relentless wave. The young man winces, his every fiber feeling as though it is being stripped away. Determinedly, he channels the water energy into the ground through his palm, teetering on the brink of life and death. With a mighty roar, Jaka's muscles bulge, his blood vessels pulsating, ready to burst at any moment.

Ultimately, Jaka must acknowledge the undeniable truth—the divine mace has rejected him.

FADE OUT.