《Heart of Borneo》


 Chapter 1

    Heart of Borneo


    M.Amanullah


    The wafting wind by the beach was refreshing, the gleaming sunlight splintered through the window as Onays Mukarram, pondered outside the Vellfire car. This was Onays frist visit to a nation that he had never heard of will be unveiled by both eyes and ears. This very moment, he shall discover its resplendent surprise just across the border.


    The Vellfire car made a curve and entered into the immigration checkpoint. His Uncle, the driver as well who was Tariq Ziyad had willingly decided to bring him on the vacation to Brunei The Abode of Peace.


    ¡°Yow, Naiz¡­ give me your passport.¡± Said Tariq, clicking his fingers at Onays.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I have all the passports with me.¡± Aunt Khairina, wife of Tariq had cleared.


    Braking by the stall, the immigration officer popped his head out, glaring into the driver and passengers. He received the passports, verified them scrupulously and stamped them. Handing over the passports, he gave a gleeful smile and nodded them goodbye.


    For the first time, Onays saw the transition between Malaysia and Brunei. He scrutinized the immigration complex that had posters which restricts foreigners to bring in shrimps into their land. Onays wondered. Turning around, the Vellfire skimmed up the endless highway. Onays pressed his face against the window, a large sign wrote Selamat Datang ke Brunei Darussalam. Only then, Onays fathomed that he had traversed into a new realm, filled with the unexpected and hidden secrets that awaits him.


    For hours, Onays was killed off by the boring sight of thick rainforests along the highway and how isolated the highway was with him and both his relatives in the Vellifre car. He was impatient to see buildings for once in the journey. After the long venture, the muezzin call of the Azan reverberated in the air and Tariq had decided to stop by the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.


    The mosque was intricately structured to have golden domes with its white-blemished walls. Combined with Mughal-Malay architecture, its magnificence dominated the skyline. Complementing it, there was a serene artificial lagoon with a bridge connected to the royal mahligai barge which is garnished with sharp traditional detailsa to commemorate the day of the Nuzul Quran.


    Hoisted aloft in the sky, guarding the entrance was the Bruneian flag in royal yellow, stripes of white and black that ran diagonally and the red coloured coat of arms in the center. Descending the car, Onays made it toward the stairs and removed his slippers. The overall mosque was bland, it looked like a surau that he could find elsewhere back in Peninsular Malaysia.


    Before performing his ablution, Onays treaded to the toilet to urinate of course after such a prolonged journey from Miri. He shifted his motion around the row of sink, and reached the closest toilet stall.


    ¡°Hey¡­ what was that?¡± questioned Onays to himself. He heard a faint giggle in the toilet. One of the door had suddenly creaked, Onays began to feel his heart pounding tenuously. He entered the toilet stall, locked it and dropped his pants. The recent voice haunted him.


    ¡°There can¡¯t possibly be ghosts here in a mosque.¡± Onays concluded. ¡°Oh shoot!¡± the giggling grew audible. Onays immediately released the last volume of urine, his instincts telling him to be quick.


    Zipping his pants and flushing the toilet, Onays rubbed his stomach as a sign of relief. As he oscillated his body backwards, a teenage-girl about the his age was peeking above the door with her lips stretched from both ends of her ears.


    ¡°Woi!¡± Onays blurted. ¡°What the heck are you doing here in the male¡¯s toilets?¡±


    The girl gave a balmy giggle and answered. ¡°Nothing, I got bored I guess.¡±


    ¡°Scram get away you stupid girl!¡± Onays¡¯ face blushed, he hoped that she has not seen his micro-sized bird. Onays was a scraggy, unkempt kid. He is too lazy to comb his hair and left it looking like bowl haircut. He has bristles under his chin and you could discern his thin sideburns that bends along his jaw. He wore a cheap sweater from the pasar malam, and a fake G-Shock watch. The only expensive item on him was his shirt that his cousin had bought for him from Sydney, Australia.


    ¡°Scram off, you shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± Onays continued to bleat in enmity, his emotions taunting her.


    ¡°I need you to help me please. I¡¯ll leave you with one condition.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not helping some random girl who had stalked me doing my private¡­ business.¡±


    ¡°Fine I¡¯ll leave.¡± The girl rebounded off the door and vanished.


    Onays blinked his eyes rapidly, the annoying presence of the girl made him placated. When he imagined the awkward situation he had experienced, he was able to catch a glimpse of the girl¡¯s face momentarily.


    Even though the girl was harassing him, but she was voluptuous. She had round, perfect eyes, her skin looked silky-smooth and fair. Worn around her face was a traditional scarf in dazzling yellow. Her lips matched the stunning shade of the roses, how her warm smile made Onays kept his mind lingering. Her scent tickled his nose, the lucrative smell of perfume was addictive.


    Dashing out the toilet, Onays performed his ablution, went for the prayer hall and prostrated to Allah. Uncle Tariq was already gaping at him with an unsatisfied look, crossing his arms as he sat by the wall.


    ¡°Hurry up Naiz, you¡¯re so slow!¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m praying now.¡±


    Completed with the prayer, Onays rubbed his body for how frosty it was in the mosque. Trailing Tariq and Khairina into the Vellfire, he peeked around the mosque if the girl was still around. He regretted for scolding her. Well, he had to scold her but he was too rough. The Journey around Bandar Seri Begawan was awfully boring for him. The car passed by Kampong Ayer which is the Venice of the East where house made from stilts were built on the a large bay. Bored, he pulled out his smartphone and texted his friends.


    ¡°Naiz, you should be enjoying the scenery while you are in Brunei!¡± Khairina had interjected.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to see but the rainforests and some old houses!¡± Onays replied.


    ¡°Learn to appreciate nature Naiz, you might not come here again you know. Your father paid 500 ringgit for your flight.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, fine¡­¡± Onays admitted, replacing the smartphone into his pocket.


    ¡°If rainforest and buildings aren¡¯t that interesting for you, then we are arriving at the Malay Technology Museum¡±


    They parked the car and pelted to the front entrance. The building was in white, it had orange traditional roofs supported by thin columns on the walls. Embellishing the surroundings were vegetation of bushes, and small trees. Upon entering, he saw a woman in a tudung with a skinny man unloading cater meals from the van.


    There were myriad numbers of fried chicken in steel platters, rice and other dishes with simmered fish with gravy that he had never seen before. The fee to the museum was free and Onays savoured the 100 percent discount off. In the first section, he saw the painting of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. He had seen him on the Bruneian Dollar before he had visited the country. One of the wealthiest individuals on earth.


    ¡°Snap a photo of me!¡± called Onays out as he gave his smartphone to Tariq.


    The trio of visitors who had examined other paintings by local Bruneians went to the staircase for more exhibition. Tariq and Khairina was already inches away from Onays as he was busily still looking at the paintings. Onays jogged to reach them, but then he had halted. A soft hand had grappled his. The skin of the person who had delicately held his hand felt so smooth and soft.


    As he checked to see what had been tugging him from moving, he was aghast by who it was.


    ¡°You again?¡± Onays muttered.


    ¡°You have kept me a promise.¡± Said the pretty girl that Onays had met back at the toilet.


    ¡°I never kept you a promise, you weird¡­ girl!¡±


    ¡°Yes you have, and you must help me fulfill it, one way or around.¡±


    ¡°Let go off my hand!¡± Wept Onays, pretending to signal her that her hands were dirty and rough.


    ¡°Onays, why are you talking to yourself!¡± Tariq hollered from the staircase.


    ¡°This girl, she¡¯s so annoying!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any girl Naiz. I bet not a single girl will get close to a kid who has pimples, skinny and always fail his Add Math. Stop wasting time and get up here!¡± Tariq complained candidly.


    Onays nodded as he returned to the girl. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°I am Puteri Anissa, daughter to the throne. You must be Naiz.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, Anissa. Being part of the Royal Brunei family doesn¡¯t mean you can force anyone to do your dirty work. Even a foreigner like me.¡±


    ¡°What is this Royal Brunei family?¡± Anissa smiled cutely at Onays.


    Onays was defeated by her smile in which he thought was flirty. He shook his head and answered. ¡°I¡¯m not an idiot okay. Please, I don¡¯t want to get involved with your family matter or anything related to politics.¡± He abruptly left her and trudged up the stairs leaving Anissa speechless.


    On the next few gallery, Onays read every pinned information that exhibits statues and crafted structures. Onays learnt many authentic and genuine information about Brunei, ranging from their culture, to arts and traditions. He saw one glassed exhibition that showcased the bubu, which is a fishing instrument used. It resembled a cylindrical basket made out of rattan.


    He even examined a few statues wearing unkempt clothing that an angler would wear from a calescent day at sea in their white-damp shirt and ripped trousers. They seemed to be sprawling a net over, while another was jousting his spear. Rimming the gallery were stilt houses built above the sea. Onays overheard one of the tourist guide explaining toward the Vietnamese guests that these houses could be found at Kampong Ayer.


    Later, Onays and his relatives proceeded to the next floor where they discovered another part of Brunei. The people here in the past did not only live on water but on land. There was a balance between the two elements. There were several wooden houses with straw roofs. They were elevated above ground to avoid wild creatures from intruding their accommodation.


    Statues of those nenek and atuk were seen slaying chickens, rearing goats and smelting iron in the furnace. There were some of the statues that were sewing clothing and mending tools out of rattan. The last floor that they passed was a gallery of copious, unique armaments, muskets, coins, keris daggers and floral vases. Onays scrutinized each of the ornamental objects, displayed for his quirky vision.


    ¡°I would be so happy if you could retrieve that golden crocodile for me.¡± Anissa interrupted.


    ¡°For the sake of peace!¡± Onays whined. ¡°Please, can I have solitude once for a while?¡±


    ¡°I cannot leave you unless you fulfill my wishes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never promised you anything!¡±


    Anissa¡¯s adorable gesture soothed Onays, her beautiful eyes were piercing his fragile heart. ¡°It¡¯s still a no.¡± she added.


    Khairina began slapping Onays shoulder, it startled him. ¡°Keep down your voice. We¡¯re in public area!¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t stop bothering me, ever since we were at the mosque!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make silly excuses Naiz, I don¡¯t see anyone here but yourself.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right.¡± Tariq intervened into the embroiled conversation. ¡°You need to do some explaining now.¡±


    Onays sighed. ¡°She¡¯s right here, with that evil smile beside me!¡± Onays tried with all his labour to convince his uncle and aunt.


    ¡°You¡¯re having homesick aren¡¯t you Naiz. Probably the long journey gives a lot of stress. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll get you some panadol pills at the pharmacy later.¡± Aufa assured.


    ¡°You have to believe me, she¡¯s right here!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough Naiz, no more shouting in the museum.¡± Tariq gave his final word.


    ¡°This is all your fault.¡± Said Onays, blaming Anissa. ¡°Why can¡¯t they see you? Are you plotting with them?¡±


    ¡°Of course not Mawang.¡±


    ¡°Did you just call me Mawang?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mawang was my favourite pet ocelot that I found as a baby in the rainforest. Your voice reminds me of him.¡±


    ¡°You can call me Bawang, Ikan Bilis or Roti Canai or anything but for the last time¡­ Leave me alone¡­ I beg you.¡±


    ¡°Complete my task first.¡±


    ¡°What if I won¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°I will follow you until you will give up.¡±


    ¡°Hah, It¡¯s a good thing I¡¯ll be staying here in Brunei for only a week!¡±


    ¡°Look what I have.¡±


    Onays¡¯ eyes widened, clouded by the barrage of terror as he witnessed his smartphone in Anissa¡¯s hand. He pointed his index finger at her, demanding her to return it. She ignored it, as she sprinted off, stealing his smartphone. Onays raced off from his spot, rallied through the gallery, his stomps shook the surrounding.


    Stampeding just by the staircase, he throttled down trying to grasp for Anissa. He clung his hands out, but Anissa had escaped the attempted. Landing on the ground floor, Anissa swerved out of the museum. Onays who was unable to control his speed crashed into a large trolley packed with food, and all the servings splashed onto the paintings, the floor and the walls. He crawled over the gravy, licking some of it on the tip of his nose.


    The marching Tariq and Khairina were unpleasant as their faces raged in steaming red. Onays smacked his forehead for his demise and absolute downfall.

 Chapter 2

    At the Radisson Hotel, Bandar Seri Begawan Onays was sitting on his bed as Tariq and Khairina was giving him a searing lecture.


    ¡°Goodness gracious Onays, what have you done today? Look at what we have to deal with!¡± Tariq roared.


    ¡°You know, those paintings altogether, they are worth 20,000 Brunei dollars. Do you know, how much that cost in Malaysian Ringgit?¡± Khairina spouted out.


    ¡°How much?¡± asked Onays.


    Khairina shot at him with a fierce look. ¡°That¡¯s like 50,000 Ringgit!¡±


    Onays rubbed his face, unable to digest the affliction that was so unnerving. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry. What do we do now?¡±


    ¡°Luckily Onays, they are letting us pay a quarter of the price. After this, we are never going to take you on any trips with us. All you do is play your smartphone and you never appreciate the surroundings. You will stay here in this hotel room for three days as punishment. Deserves you right!¡± Tariq babbled.


    ¡°What am I going to do in three days?¡± Onays shot out.


    ¡°There¡¯s a TV. Your smartphone. You like them more than the scenery don¡¯t you?¡± Khairina added. ¡°No more questions. We hope that you won¡¯t do the same mistake ever again.¡±


    As Tariq and Khairinia left Onays¡¯ room, he toppled on his bed and watched TV. Pressing the remote, the first channel that popped up was RTB 1, one of Brunei¡¯s national television broadcast. All he saw was boring news, he saw the Sultan bestowing his grace on the ministers with an unusual salutation. Onays gasped as there was a list of culprits, those apprehended for doing the immoral or sins. Including fornication, illegal cigarette syndicate and stealing.


    The names mentioned will receive hudud by the sharia court in Brunei. Onays had knew that those people who did fornication will receive the death penalty where people would bombard them with stones which are indeed virulent. Others whom resort to stealing will have one of their hands chopped off. Onays hoped that his name would not be on the TV.


    Onays removed his sweater, shirt and pants with only his tank top and boxers on. A nightly shower was all that he needed. Suddenly, an audible thump alerted Onays as he spunned to the windows.


    ¡°Shmucks¡­¡± Onays murmured. The curtains waved against the breeze and the sounds of traffic paved into his hotel room. Onays¡­ a scary whisper quivered his whole body, his torso sweating despite the freezin air-conditioning. As he reached his fingers for the frame of the window. Lifting it up gently, he sensed a shadow casted over the ceiling. Stepping toward his bed, he saw that all the pillows were gone.


    ¡°Whoah!¡± Onays whined as two pillows had struck at him right in the face.


    ¡°Got ya!¡± Anissa rejoiced in victory as she jumped out from behind a couch.


    ¡°Go out, I¡¯m only wearing my boxers!¡± Onsays squealed with a high pitched voice. His face was blushing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. Come on, I¡¯m trying to save you.¡±


    ¡°Save me? Look I had enough and that¡¯s the end of it. No more problem, just please.¡± Onays begged.


    ¡°A promise is a promise Mawang.¡±


    ¡°Grrr, it¡¯s Naiz. Is it really hard to say. Let me spell it. N A I Z. Naiz!¡±


    ¡°I thought that I could call you anything?¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°Forget about it, I¡¯m going to sleep. Help yourself with the TV. Maybe there¡¯s a punishment for you who stalk on other people.¡±


    Anissa hatched the window open again, and Onays watched with droused eyes. With a strong grip, Anissa dragged Onays hand and pushed him onto the railings. With such skinny hands, Onays couldn¡¯t grab too strong onto the railings and he fell down onto the roof which was just two meters below him. Luckily, there was a pile of dried leaves which served as a cushion for landing. Onays could figure out the silhouette of Anissa as she did parkour, climbing and jumping from each roof to the other.


    ¡°What are you?¡± asked Onays stunned as Anissa jumped right beside him.


    ¡°Here, take this vine and abseil downwards.¡±


    Onays abided orders and soon he was on the tar road of the lobby. Anissa swiftly ushered Onays across Jalan Tasek to spacious area not far from the hotel as she handed him a cockerel feather.


    ¡°Where are you taking me. I¡¯m only in my boxers!¡± complained Onays.


    As they stopped by a parking lot, Anissa pocketed out her own feather and taught Onays some ritual.


    ¡°Okay Mawang, with this feather we are going to teleport back to that building.¡±


    ¡°You mean, the Malay Technology Museum?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. You must help me attain the golden crocodile.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you get it yourself. Most importantly, why me?¡±


    ¡°You talk too much. Here, with this feather wave it around and do some chicken dance with it. But before that, you must know your destination.¡±


    ¡°Hah, what if I thought about teleporting back to the hotel?¡±


    ¡°Nope, if did you do then you might teleport into the wall and eventually die. The hotel is quite cramped. You need to teleport to somewhere wide.¡±


    ¡°In the wall?¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re weak considering that you have little knowledge about the feather. That¡¯s why you have me. To guide you.¡±


    ¡°Then if I do the ritual and teleport to the museum, will I get stuck in a wall?¡±


    ¡°Like I¡¯ve said, I¡¯m here for guidance.¡±


    ¡°After this, you won¡¯t disturb me anymore right?¡±


    ¡°Forever.¡± Anissa winked affectionately, Onays lips began to tremble, his eyes circular. ¡°Remember, I want you to focus on the museum and try to imagine yourself in somewhere spacious.


    ¡°Here goes nothing.¡± Said Onays as he danced like a chicken and cackled. Strands of vibrant light streaked around his envisage, his body whirled in an everlasting vacuum, his mind vexed by the whizzing sensation as he travelled at the speed of light. Slipping onto the floor of grass, Onays squinted his eyes above and found himself lying beneath a tree. Landing behind his back was Anissa which almost broke his spine.


    ¡°Get off me fat girl!¡± wailed Onays.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Anissa apologized innocently.


    Onays retracted his body upright and brushed his tank top. ¡°That¡¯s the museum, how do we enter?¡±


    ¡°Break the glass and jump in.¡± Anissa explained.


    ¡°Won¡¯t that set the alarm?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s an alarm?¡± Anissa pouted her lips, clueless.


    ¡°Nevermind, let¡¯s go!¡±


    Onays picked up a sizeable rock from anywhere he could stash. With a strong momentum, the glass broke and the alarm triggered. A few guards who were busy playing dam haji began to scud of their tables and click their flashlights on. One of them bawled out in a very thick Indonesian accent. ¡°Oi, hold it right there!¡±


    Onays sighed when Anissa was able strut through the wall when he had to pass through the front entrance. He could remember the paintings inside where he had accidentally smeared them with gravy and his uncle and aunt had to pay quarter the price for replacement. Shifting around a corner, Onays rallied up the stairs reaching a particular floor with the golden crocodile.


    ¡°Darn it, the door¡¯s jammed!¡± Onays struggled to turn the knob, the guards¡¯ voice was echoing from within.


    ¡°Take that red thing!¡± Anissa exclaimed.


    ¡°It¡¯s a fire extinguisher. Seriously, you don¡¯t even know what that is?¡± Onays tugged the fire extinguisher out and raised it up high and exerted much momentum onto the door¡¯s handle, surging it one time and another.


    ¡°Great!¡± Onays leapt into the exhibition floor and scampered around for the glass case that evinced the golden crocodile.


    ¡°Hurry up, the guy¡¯s on this floor!¡± the guards were closing in, the bouncing flashes of light lit the room partially. Throwing an extra stone, the glass shattered and Onays clawed his hands to extract the golden crocodile. A relieved smile creased from cheek to cheek.


    ¡°Argh!¡± Onays tripped as two guards pounced over him.


    ¡°Mawang!¡± Anissa had cried afar. ¡°Use the feather!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t, let go!¡± Onays resist the assail of the guards. He clamored one of the guards eyes with his elbow and stretched his hand into his boxers. He delivered a nice kick into the other guards stomach, but it did not defeat him. Onays was hopeless as more guards captured him. Anissa only stood there, unable to free him. ¡°Onays, focus on the feather. Teleport as far as you can!¡±


    Clinging on tight of the feather, he concentrated on the hotel room and wiped out all distractions. Respiring out a long breath, the exhibition room began to shimmer in bright, luminous lights and he travelled through space and time again, his eyes fascinated by the sheer patches of colours. There he was, his whole body sprawled on his bed. Onays congratulated himself and did the dab. As he was satisfied, he soon realized that he had celebrated too early.


    ¡°The golden crocodile, I left it!¡±

 Chapter 3

    ¡°This is so bad. I¡¯m so dead!¡± Onays was unable to sleep the whole night and by morning, the RTB news had briefed out that there was a theft at the Malay Technology Museum as the guards had depicted the theft to be a skinny, pimpled face, bowl haircut and that he only wore a pair of boxers and tank top. The Sharia Court section in an ethical article states that the person accused will face trials. Onays gulped, he wished he would not get his hand chopped off. Nevertheless, he had faith that he did not steal it but would face other demeaning consequences. This is all because of Anissa! Onays fathomed.


    Knocking on the door, Uncle Tariq and Khairina were going to provide him breakfast. Onays switched his clothes to casual, his normal sweater and track pants. Checking the mirror, he saw that there was a slight bruise on his cheeks. He applied powder on his face to cover it up and then, he proceeded to the door.


    ¡°Onays, here¡¯s some Nasi Katok for you. Pack up all your clothings, we are leaving by this afternoon.¡± Khairina said.


    ¡°Really?¡± Onays smiled jovially. This is it, I can escape this country without being caught.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too happy Onays, you¡¯ve caused so much trouble for us. We¡¯re never going to take you on trips anymore, understood?¡± Tariq declared, his eyes somber, fuelled with disappointment.


    ¡°You know what, I think you¡¯re right. I¡¯m very sorry for everything.¡± Onays apologized.


    ¡°Sorry is not enough.¡± Hooted Tariq. ¡°Be careful, there is a theft out there. He¡¯d attempted to rob the museum we went yesterday. Today¡¯s Borneo Times newspaper, The Royal Brunei Police are currently hunting him them down. With that I mean with MP5 sub-machine gun! I saw a truck, full of them around the roads just now.


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Onays snapped.


    Uncle Tariq glanced at him, astounded. ¡°Woah, you¡¯re talking like as if you¡¯re the theft. By the way, that¡¯s too much face powder you¡¯re wearing.¡±


    Onays nodded, he took the package of Nasi Katok and the pair of spouse left locking the door. Onays savored his Nasi Katok, perhaps the last. The meal consisted of rice with fried chicken and a very luscious-sweet texture of sambal. There were no vegetables which Onays found pleasing. Minutes later, gorging the last spoon, a screeching siren from outside was causing speculation.


    As Onays peered toward the window, a convoy of police had arrived at the front lobby, fully equipped with sophisticated weaponry and gadgets. Onays was about to meet catastrophe. He scrambled his bed, trying to find the feather. No sign of it. His heart was pulsating intensely, his head blotched with coldness. He pulled out the drawer, but there were only hangers and bathroom robe. He crawled under the coffee table, but there was no sign of it.


    His last option, the window. He yet again peeked outside, and saw a heap of dried leaves and one long vine that went to the surface. Something that Anissa had prepared. Jutting his leg out, the door was banging loudly, it shook the whole room. ¡°Freeze, you are under arrest!¡± a SWAT troop stammered, aiming his MP5 at Onays. Uncle Tariq and Aunt Khairina were being strangled by the other personnel.


    The troop then sprinted at top speed, with intention to seize his target. Onays was completely haunted. Nervous, Onays fidgeted too much and he fell down on the dried leaves. He immediately abseiled down the vine as he heard the SWAT team bickering at each other, ordering to rebound back to the lobby.


    ¡°Hurry, we don¡¯t have much time.¡± Said Anissa rapidly, as she pulled Onays. A car had almost collided with the pair as they were hastening across the road. A bullet pierced through Onays¡¯ leg and he was unable to bear the vehement pain. He limped as Anissa carried him with his arm over her neck. As she brought him over to the parking lot they went last night, she placed a new feather on Onays¡¯ palm. The police were marching in, not that far away from them accompanied with barks. This time, they brought K9 dogs.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Mawang, do as what I do. I want you to imagine yourself being in that building.¡± Anissa set things out.


    ¡°The one with the dome, we¡¯re going there?¡± Onays muttered.


    Anissa nodded. ¡°Imagine yourself being in a large hall with spears. Do that. Concentrate. You don¡¯t have to dance?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Just do it okay.¡±


    ¡°Blaargh!¡± Onays squealed aloud, the razor edges of a K9 dog¡¯s teeth was tearing through his meat.


    ¡°Now Mawang, now!¡± demanded Anissa.


    At an instant, Onays teleported himself into a new domain. There, he was lying on marble floor with high ceilings with rows of spears and shields adorning the entirety of the hall. Anissa warped beside him, but Onays was unable to get back on his knees. Anissa gently carried him to a nearby bench, applied traditional medicine from a fat but petite sized bottle onto his wounds and wrapped it around with cloth. The process felt vehement for Onays, but he was astounded that the bullet popped out from his leg and the dog bite disappeared like magic!


    ¡°Wicked!¡± said Onays impressed.


    ¡°Wicked, but hard to make. It is made out of frog blood, mixed with a cow¡¯s mucus and the pee of a monkey.¡±


    Onays almost vomited. ¡°So, why are we even here?¡± Onays observed the surrounding and at the entrance bore the heading. The Royal Regalia Museum. A golden chariot could be seen at the centre, with red plush carpets leading toward it.


    ¡°They moved the golden crocodile here. I reckon it to be inside a heavily-guarded seal within this museum.¡±


    ¡°No can do missy. I¡¯m not going to be doing your dirty work anymore. Because of you, I¡¯m in a heap of trouble!¡±


    ¡°Keep your voice down, the woman at the counter is staring at you.¡±


    Onays rubbed his face and sighed. ¡°What if you make a promise for me. Tell your father to give me amnesty and I¡¯ll be on my way back to Shah Alam, release my uncle and aunt and we¡¯ll forget that this had ever happened.¡±


    ¡°What are you blabbing about silly boy?¡± replied Anissa with a flirty voice.


    ¡°Stop fooling me around. Please, I don¡¯t want my hands chopped off. I just want to get back home. Please, please¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, right after you get my golden crocodile. Then, I¡¯ll make everything back to normal for you.¡±


    Onays obeyed, adhering to every order given by Anissa. The both of them went off to a gallery. Walking off, the woman at the counter removed the phone from the ring and dialed the police. ¡°Yes, he is here¡­¡±


    Touring the gallery, there innumerable exhibitions ranging from miniature mosques, to army uniforms and documents that Onays had learnt so much from as they were in pursuit of the golden crocodile. Reading through the walls, Onays discovered that Sabah and Sarawak was once part of the Bruneian Sultanate. The Sultanate went into decline when the Brooke family had entered and purchased the land piece by piece in Sarawak whereas the North British Trade Company took the rights for Sabah.


    It was because Tuan Muda Hashim who had failed to obsolete a rebellion between the races had soon acquiesced support from James Brooke who the latter became the White Rajah. The Brooke family ruled for three generations until they seceded it to the British Empire. Brunei favored of joining Malaysia before the year 1963, but turned down when there existed the TNKU uprising to oppose the merger and to form the North Kalimantan nation as proposed by the leftist, A.M Azahari.


    Finally, with the constitution drafted and completed, Brunei achieved their independence by 1<sup>st</sup> January 1984 and is a vast, expanding oil producing country with roughly around 400,000 citizens. There was too much to read, so Onays snapped a picture of the illustrated info on the walls.


    ¡°Have you found the golden crocodile yet?¡± Onays questioned.


    Anissa gave a frown. ¡°Nope, better keep on looking.¡±


    ¡°I want to ask you one good question. I¡¯ve been thinking about it ever since.¡± Said Onays curious.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Anissa replied.


    ¡°How can I see you when everyone can¡¯t. How can you walk through walls. How were you able to put leaves on the roof and leave behind a vine?¡±


    ¡°That question, I will answer later.¡±


    Onays grunted, trying to control his patience. ¡°Ehm, next question. Where do you live?¡±


    ¡°None of your business.¡±


    ¡°Grrrr, how old are you?¡±


    ¡°Still¡­ you will know one day.¡± Anissa giggled.


    ¡°Why do you want the golden crocodile so much!¡±


    ¡°Shhh, quiet please. Remember, we¡¯re in a museum.¡±


    Onays was totally annoyed.

 Chapter 4

    ¡°Excuse me ma¡¯am.¡± A man in casual clothing had confronted the counter woman of the museum.


    ¡°Yes, how may I help you?¡±


    The man stood motionless for awhile and pulled out his identification card and presented it to her.


    The woman gave an astounded look, her eyes were bulging. ¡°Um, Sir, the theft is at the Coronation Gallery. It¡¯s very strange that he¡¯s alone.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your support. I suppose that you should evacuate this building at once. It is going to get messy.¡±


    Without anything else to say, the woman exited with her belongings together with the strange man. As they left, the windows cracked as groups of SWAT troops swarmed into the hall and began storming each section of the museum. Onays heard the sounds of stomping boots and realized that it was time to abscond.


    ¡°The feather, we have to teleport somewhere!¡± Onays whined.


    ¡°You there, don¡¯t move a muscle!¡± a SWAT troop had shouted, aiming the MP5.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Onays ignored as he sprinted away as bullets began to rain around him. Anissa trailed him from behind as he meandered through the halls as the walls were holed with more bullets and dust blurred his eye sight. The whistling sounds of the bullets deafened his ears, he produced a mild headache as he ran further to avoid the SWAT troops.


    ¡°Roof top. I repeat. Roof top. Set up a blockade perimeter.¡±


    ¡°Roger sir!¡±


    Arriving at the end of a corridor, Onays opened up a door and he saw a stair leading upwards. He abruptly closed it back and locked it and proceeded toward the stairs. The door behind him began to knock vehemently followed by extreme yells.


    Onays listened carefully to their conversation from the other side of the door.


    ¡°Plant the C4!¡±


    ¡°Anissa we better make hay!¡± said Onays terrified, this time he pulled her hand. The door flung away with an explosion, smoke soon shrouded the expanse. Onays coughed all the way to the roof top. To his demise, a dozen of SWAT troops had alighted a helicopter and all their guns were pointed at him. There was nowhere to run anymore.


    ¡°You are surrounded. Do not attempt to retaliate!¡± a speaker from the helicopter had warned Onays. ¡°Drop your weapons if you have them armed!¡±


    In tense situations like this, Onays had to give up. He bent his knees on the floor and curled his arms behind his neck. Two SWAT troops steadily approached him with their guns prepared. When they drew closer, both of them began to jump on their legs as Onays had suddenly vanished from their sight. Their mission was a failure.

 Chapter 5

    Anissa was surely a savior. She together with Onays had teleported by the dock of Kampong Ayer where water taxis were awaiting their customers. Anissa had something special up her sleeves. She had her own sampan ship ready just a few distance away from the main dock. She led Onays there proudly, craving for his compliment.


    ¡°This is a very ugly sampan.¡± Onays ridiculed. ¡°There¡¯s no engine on it.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Anissa interjected. ¡°This is the fastest sampan that my father used as a boy to catch fish!¡±


    ¡°Whatever, where are we going on this sampan?¡±


    ¡°To be honest with you Mawang, I think the golden crocodile wasn¡¯t in that museum after all.¡±


    ¡°So we went there for suicide?¡±


    ¡°Only you, they can¡¯t see me so I¡¯m safe.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the point going there then?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to educate you. Duhh. Now, I will answer your questions.¡±


    ¡°Finally¡­¡± said Onays relieved.


    ¡°Right after we ride this sampan.¡±


    Onays played around with Anissa¡¯s attitude, all he could do was to manage his anger and impatience. He rode on the sampan and Anissa began to row it. The sampan went all the way to the middle of the Brunei Bay among the stilt houses in Kampong Ayer. Onays gaped at the Sungai Brunei Bridge, with a spectacular gold dome that surmounts the whole structure. Occupied with its beauty, Anissa tapped his shoulder.


    ¡°I want you to hold onto the sampan when I say ready.¡± Anissa instructed.


    ¡°Sure, your wish is my command crazy girl.¡± Replied Onays sleepy.


    ¡°Ready? Here we go!¡± exclaimed Anissa as she striked the paddle onto the hull of the sampan. Instantly, the sampan began to spin in one rapid circle. Onays clinged onto the handle, his face green about to vomit. The sampan was so fast, that it looks like that the sampan will be sinking below the water. In the end, the sampan did and they all drowned underwater. Onays took a deep breath, he saw a few crocodiles squeezing in the water but it did not attack him.


    As Onays was about to suffocate, the sampan had floated back on the water surface. He rubbed his eye and panted for air, his whole clothing was drenched in water.


    ¡°Are you alright Mawang?¡± Anissa asked.


    ¡°Do I look okay?¡± Onays complained.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°This is my home Mawang.¡±


    Onays adjusted his vision and when he tilted his head above, he saw older version of the stilt houses on Kampong Ayer with more wild vegetation just enmeshing the scenery with an abundance of junks, sampan and trading ships sailing the waters. Observing the mainland, there were no sight of modern buildings nor cars honking. All he saw were Arab, Chinese, Indian and Orang Laut merchants roaming the streets in their own traditional clothing.


    ¡°Anissa, am I in the Paleolithic era?¡± asked Onays.


    ¡°No Mawang, you¡¯re in the Sultanate of Barunah. This is where I live.¡±


    ¡°Insane¡­¡± said Onays impressed.


    Anissa maneuvered the sampan to a natural dock with mangrove trees. They both then trudged through the mud and marked their foot onto the hustling streets where international trade occurred between the west and east. Fishes, spices, pearls, gambier, shark fins, cengal wood, weapons and silk were all sold here as they both discover the streets.  A number of the merchants stared at Onays for wearing an uncanny clothing which for them they thought was repulsive.


    Situated away from the streets, Anissa pointed at a wooden palace with horned roofs that needed no nails to be built from. On a royal cow cart fitted with golden curtains, they both rode it whilst enjoying the fresh air. Onays grabbed a piece of cloth and dried himself. Anissa removed a lid from a plate and offered Onays a meal of Nasi Katok. This Nasi Katok tasted far more delectable than the one he gorged back at the hotel, with its tangy sweetness.


    Upon arriving at the front garden of the palace, Anissa and Onays strutted into the balairung where sitting upon a throne embellished with gold, diamonds and gems was the Sultan of Barunah. He was not too rotund, not too slender as well. He did have a round belly though. Anissa slapped Onays¡¯ arm, signaling him to bestow their salutation towards him.


    ¡°Father, forgive me for being away for too long.¡± Anissa pleaded.


    The sultan stroked his beard. ¡°You are pardoned. What extrinsic person have you brought to my,¡­ court?¡±


    ¡°His name is real name is Unis.¡± Replied Anissa.


    Onays cringed when Anissa mispronounced his real name.


    ¡°Assalamualaikum, I am Sultan Saiful Rihal.¡± The sultan introduced. ¡°Unis, from what lands have you come from?¡± The sultan questioned.


    ¡°Um, I am¡­. I am from the lands of anime!¡± Onays faked.


    ¡°Anime? Tell me of this kingdom.¡± Mentioned Sultan Saiful bollixed.


    ¡°It is a land of warriors, fighting to claim victory over one another. Losing will be such a huge shame and would tarnish a family¡¯s reputation.¡±


    ¡°Grandeur at its peak my Unis. No wonder my daughter has chosen the right man for the task.¡±


    ¡°Task?¡± Unis raised his eyebrow.


    ¡°Yes, the white men on their ships with their red crossed flags are intruding our rich, wealthy, teeming lands. This fertile soil is to be protected at full power and authority as it has been since preserved since our genesis. Our people¡¯s honor, reputation and dignity must not fall into the hands of those astray, savages and gluttons. Our sovereignty is envied by the world, a civilization that is both equally robust and capable by sea and land. I will not afford to lose to the white men like what has happened to the Malaccan Sultanate.¡±


    White men? Can this guy be any more racist? Onays thought to himself.


    ¡°I admire your confidence and supreme leadership.¡± Onays complimented.


    ¡°Not at all. Soon this molestation of the white men and those traitors will be vanquished.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ traitors.¡± Onays whispered to himself. ¡°You majesty, I will serve you faithfully.¡± Said Onays proudly, trying to impress the young princesses and maidens.


    ¡°Brilliant.¡± Sultan Saiful replied with a smile. ¡°But first, you must change your clothing. You look like a prostitute. Anissa, go help him out.¡±


    Onays was flustered.

 Chapter 6

    The palace of the Sultan was well-furnished with skulls of bulls, fur of tigers, spears, keris daggers and jawi calligraphy written on the walls. Anissa directed Onays to his room for him to change. Inside, Anissa placed freshly knitted Baju Melayu clothing with a tengkolok and samping. Onays began to stare at Anissa with an irritated look.


    ¡°Um, I want to change my clothes now.¡± Said Onays.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok, change now.¡± Anissa assured him.


    ¡°Yeah and you have to leave.¡± Replied Onays in a shy voice.


    ¡°No worries, I can accompany you here.¡± Anissa continued.


    Onays pretended to cough. ¡°I need some privacy¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Said Anissa as she briefly left his room.


    Onays mumbled to himself as there were no doors to close for privacy. There were only these fabrics hung on the doors arch and anyway could enter without even knocking. Onays was flabbergasted that he is now in the past with no modern technology. He unlocked his smartphone and checked the Wifi bar. No connection at all.


    He then unbuttoned his t-shirt and threw it aimlessly on the floor, followed by the tank top. When he reached his fingers for his pants¡¯ zip, he sensed that someone was peeking at him. At the closet, there was a small opening that Onays thought was very suspicious. He strutted forward to investigate. As he pulled the handle, Anissa propelled into the air and accidentally fell onto Onays¡¯ body.


    She took the opportunity to rub his chest.


    ¡°Hey, get off me!¡± Onays whined, when he actually liked it.


    ¡°Oi, who are you!¡± a tall, muscular and charming man had barged into the room. ¡°Anissa, who is this person?¡±


    ¡°Ratna, he is just a friend!¡± Anissa bawled back.


    Riled, Ratna swiftly stomped toward Onays and smacked his face. The skinny boy then swiveled in the air before crashing onto the floor. Ratna crawled over him and delivered several concrete punches onto his face. Onays¡¯ nose was already bleeding, his eye swollen.


    ¡°Stop it Ratna!¡± Anissa begged as she pulled tried to pull Ratna¡¯s non-stop propelling punches.


    Satisfied, Ratna ceased his action and rubbed his sweaty forehead. He then confronted Anissa with his face crimson red. ¡°How could you cheat on me!¡± Ratna hissed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not what seems like.¡± Anissa explained. ¡°He is just  a friend. Believe me!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to you anymore.¡± With that, Ratna exited with a mark of bitterness.


    ¡°Is he your boyfriend?¡± Onays asked jealous.


    ¡°No, I am going to marry him in a month.¡± Answered Anissa.


    Onays could not believe his ears. ¡°You will be marrying him?Ehm,¡­ yeah like I care.¡±


    ¡°I hope I won¡¯t anytime soon. I hate him so much. It¡¯s all because of royal ties.¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand me do you?¡± Anissa complained. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why you have no friends, you always get trouble and a complete loser. It¡¯s because you don¡¯t understand other people¡¯s feelings!¡±


    ¡°I have a lot of friends. They are,¡­ um Najib and Zahid and Mazelan.¡± Onays lied.


    ¡°Go get changed. We are going to Kampong Ayer for your practice.¡± Said Anissa as she left.


    This time around, Onays had to agree with her. Uncle Tariq and Aunt Khairina was right. He was too occupied with his smartphone and he never really cared about the surroundings and the waves of emotions that people face in their daily lives. That was a matter that Onays pondered by himself, making self-reflections on his mistakes and flaws. He sat on the bed and eyed how lively the port is. The sun was setting, and orange rays painted the sky.


    With spare time left, he tapped on the icon gallery of his smartphone and read the illustrated info images that he had captured back at the Royal Regalia Museum. He zoomed in and read it meticulously. Barunah or Berunai was the old archaic name for the modern country of Negara Brunei Darussalam. Onays finally confirmed himself that he was in the past.


    By the year, 1578 a Spanish expedition commanded by captain-general, Fransisco De Sande from Manila had arrived in the capital city of Kota Batu to attack the Barunah Empire and to install Pengiran Seri Lela as the new sultan with Pengiran Seri Ratna as the Bendahara.


    ¡°Pengiran Seri RATNA as bendahara?¡± Onays whined to himself. ¡°This is insane!¡± Onays kept on swiping the smartphone screen to read more.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    From the invasion, the Sultan was forced to flee the city with his followers to amass a stronger army. When they returned to liberate Kota Batu¡­.


    Onays strangled his head when he only took a picture of the illustrated information. That was all that he knew and he had come to a conclusion that Ratna is not of good news. For him, Onays imagined that it would be impossible to defeat Ratna as he was muscular, stronger and robust compared to his skinny physique. If he were to defeat him, then Onays must devise a tactic to overcome this foe.


    Alarmed by the practice that he required, Onays quickly changed into his provided clothing and paced back to the balairung. There, a few guards showed the royal chariot for departure. Inside the cart, a sulking Anissa was seen as she refused to look back at Onays.


    ¡°Anissa, I¡¯m so sorry that I¡¯ve hurt your feelings.¡± Apologized Onays.


    Anissa remained silent.


    ¡°I know that I¡¯m such an idiot, I big fat stupid idiot. Is there anything that I can do to make it up to you?¡±


    Anissa turned to Onays with a tear dripping down her smooth, rosy cheek.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine Mawang. I just, you know think that I can stop all this madness from growing.¡±


    ¡°Madness?¡± said Onays curious. ¡°Why so?¡±


    ¡°Because, I¡¯m going to get married with a traitor.¡±


    Onays¡¯ heart pulsated rapidly. ¡°Yes, Ratna. How did you know?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve known it a long time ago Mawang. With this feather, a wise old man who was an expert with the Ilmu Kebal and magic had gifted me this as he saw potential in me. I¡¯ve travelled through the future and learnt about our peoples¡¯ destiny that this very day, we are about to see bloodshed. The old wise man said that we have managed to protect our sultanate with the magic we were thought ever since our previous forerunners. Then, if there is a traitor then he would expose our weakness and foreign powers could easily conquer us.¡±


    ¡°Does this mean that Ratna has those magical powers?¡± said Onays worried.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid so, because the other day I counted my feathers in my drawer and I saw that two of them were missing.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps you¡¯ve given two of them to me?¡±


    ¡°No, that was before I met you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I could contribute to fight. Look at me, I¡¯m nothing.¡±


    ¡°Mawang, do you want to know why nobody in the future could see or feel my presence except for you?¡±


    At last, she is going to answer me! Thought Onays to himself. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°The old man had forecasted that the people of the past are unable to see the future but are able to create it. But the people of the future could see the past, but never create the past. Do you understand what he is trying to perceive here?¡±


    Onays shrugged.


    ¡°It means that you have the power to learn from the past and avoid it from occurring again. Take note Mawang, you can learn from the past but not change it.¡±


    ¡°Owh, I get it now.¡± Onays pretended to interpret her. ¡°I¡¯m not sure that I can learn from the past. I failed my history, physics, biology, mathematics and chemistry at school. I even got zero for my add maths.¡±


    ¡°Whatever that is, that should not be your reason to stand back. You must believe and trust yourself Mawang. I have strong faith in you.¡± Cheered Anissa.


    Onays felt more motivated and that was probably the first time a girl had ever cajoled him with elegant, beautiful, inspiring words. He was starting to madly fall in love with Anissa despite him scolding and bickering at her. Although, he cover it up because he is scared to see her reaction. As a primary student aged about 7 to 12, Onays was infatuated to this intelligent, profound girl who was actively involved in competitions and scored high marks in the exams.


    On an anguish account, by the night where the UPSR students received certificates for their last day at school, Onays had approached her and confessed his love. She refused him and it turned out that a few naughty kids were recording them on the balcony. The video went viral and ever since, Onays secluded himself from others in the world of anime and vanguard. Never dare to speak to a girl again, not until he met Anissa, who had shifted his life forever.


    ¡°No hard feelings Mawang.¡± Said Anissa.


    ¡°Of what?¡± Onays listened attentively.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to dance and make those chicken noises to teleport.¡±


    ¡°Then what was the purpose?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s really funny to see a person do that!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky that I¡¯m in a good mood!¡±


    Stalking from behind a tree, Ratna was tempered by that fact that an unknown person is meddling with his fianc¨¦. His grip was strong on his keris dagger, he dreamed of thrusting the poisonous keris into Onays¡¯ abdomen. Ratna is a pendeckar of the Barunah people. He had successfully countered numerous attacks by pirates entering into Kota Batu. At the same time, he is also a nakhoda who commands his fleet and guards the territorial waters of the Barunah Bay. The people awe and appreciate his contribution and audaciousness in combat and how he serve the sultan humbly and guided with nobility. That was the reason why the sultan had arranged his wed with Puteri Anissa. Under the pressure, Ratna had gone berserk deep within his heart.


    Sultan Saiful had favored Onays¡¯ to carry the task of fending off the White men when he is supposed to carry that role. Hatred and animosity brewed within him. He was planning a way to oust that skinny boy out and live in true tranquility. Strutting behind him, a larger, bold man in relatively striking royal clothing gave a salam and saluted.


    ¡°Your majesty, Pengiran Seri Lela brother of Sultan Saiful.¡± Obliged Ratna as he bowed.


    ¡°Pengiran Seri Ratna, I would like to express my concerns about the royal ties.¡± Seri Lela had shared.


    Ratna nodded. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I would be happier to accept you to be my brother-in-law rather to let my real maternal brother be the incumbent sultan.¡±


    ¡°You majesty, what you are saying is traitorous. We should not betray the ruling sultan. It is against the mandate. We could be punished.¡± Ratna briefed with a serious look.


    ¡°My brother, Saiful is not fit for rule. He has not managed to fend off the white men. Yesterday, they have rocked one of our ports and Arab, Siamese, Indian, Japanese and Chinese traders alike had and our tax income is aggravating. If no strict actions are taken, we might witness the fall of our sovereignty.¡±


    ¡°What do you propose your majesty?¡± asked Ratna.


    ¡°We must gather enough manpower to overpower him. At the same time, the white men must also be repelled. I may only attain this with your influence and support, Pengiran Seri Ratna.¡±


    ¡°An offer I must reconsider¡­¡± Ratna admitted.


    Seri Lela grew larger as he towered over Ratna with an expression of pure wrath. ¡°Take the time you require. Yet again, think about your loved, Anissa and your grand title. That Onays may steal all your valuable possessions and replace you. Your name will go down in history as a spoiled brat.¡±


    ¡°I see the consequences. When shall we begin?¡±


    ¡°I will give you time to marry Anissa. Then, we are able to instigate the rebellion and I shall position you as the Bendahara, while I as the new sultan.¡±


    ¡°Very well your majesty. These feathers would become a great deal for us.¡±

 Chapter 7

    Anissa tied the rope of the sampan to a wooden plank and both Onays and her ascended the stairs onto Kampong Ayer which is a water village. There were surau, madrasah, houses and kids playing their gasing tops on the slender pavement. Anissa showed the house of the old wise man that looked gravely in shambles. Anissa told Onays¡¯ along the way that the old wise man had taught her how to read, write and speak properly.


    The old man had also shaped her fighting skills and parkour which encompasses the pencak silat martial art. Onays was truly astounded by Anissa that even a girl could defend and fight for herself. Upon reaching the front door, Onays and Anissa removed their shoes and gave their salam. A small, hunched man with a long grey beard came to the entrance and guided them inside his house. He invited them to perform the maghrib prayer and they all attended dinner that night.


    ¡°Please, help yourself with the ambuyat.¡± The wife of the old man had offered. ¡°You may call me Mak Husnita. This scraggy old man is Uwan Utam.¡±


    ¡°Pak Utam, to be precise.¡± The old man greeted.


    ¡°Nice to meet you. Thanks for the ambuyat. I¡¯m Naiz.¡± Said Onays smiling.


    ¡°Say¡­ you don¡¯t look like you¡¯re from around here.¡± Said Pak Utam.


    ¡°Oh, I am from the lands of anime!¡± Onays mumbled back. ¡°Ouch, that hurts!¡±


    Pak Utam slapped him the second time. ¡°A bad liar!¡±


    Anissa could only giggle.


    ¡°You are not from anime, I believe that you are from Shulam!¡± Pak Utam raised his voice.


    Onays felt a quick zap of electricity shocking him momentarily. He was amazed at how Pak Utam knew that he was from Shah Alam, even though he mispronounced it. Onays learnt that Pak Utam is a very wise man. Pak Utam was even able to know what boxer he was wearing and his secret that he failed his exams. Onays shivered inside when Pak Utam knew too much.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Eat the ambuyat!¡± Pak Utam growled.


    The old man could be very cunning thought Onays. As they all sat in a circle at the front porch of the house, Onays took a plate and scooped out this white slime from the bowl of ambuyat. He then slathered it on his plate and added some fish gravy. As he let a portion of ambuyat in his mouth, Onays sensed his tongue being twirled and been sliced. The taste was horrendous. Onays covered his mouth, controlling himself so that he would not vomit. Pak Utam delivered a slap on his face, and Onays spat out green liquid onto the floor.


    That night, Onays had to do the house chores while Mak Hasnita sat by the window and watched the waves of the bay, singing old folklore songs. Onays was seen scrubbing the floor rigorously so that the smell and stain of his vomit would disappear. Anissa and Pak Utam watched him as they giggled at how his skinny arms twiddle across the floor. Randomly, Pak Utam went close and slapped Onays¡¯ face.


    ¡°Ouch, what is the matter with you?¡± Onays complained.


    Pak Utam slapped him stared at him with vile eyes. ¡°Do not disrespect me, you long stick!¡±


    Stupid, midget, dwarf-sized dumb ass old man! Slapping my face and calling me a stick! Whispered Onays to himself. Why would he call me a stick?


    ¡°Ouch!¡± Pak Utam slapped him again. ¡°I¡¯m telling you the second time. After this, go wash the plates and sweep the floor.¡±


    ¡°This is torture!¡±


    ¡°No, this is discipline.¡± Said Pak Utam as turned to talk with Anissa outside.


    ¡°Who is that poor looking boy really is your majesty?¡± asked Pak Utam concerned. ¡°He has a lot of pimples. Disgusting.¡±


    ¡°He is the holder of the golden crocodile.¡± Answered Anissa.


    ¡°Him? My conscious tells me he is not.¡±


    ¡°But Pak Utam, he is the only person who could see us. See the past!¡±


    ¡°The white men will make us a laughing stock if they see him. I¡¯m worried that he¡¯ll be the cause of the fall of our Barunah Sultanate.¡± Pak Utam hissed.


    ¡°In our legends, a man of the future will come as our savior!¡±


    ¡°I am starting to lose faith in legends. I am an old man, and I cannot help to defend our sultanate. Maybe I am senile.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that Pak Utam, that is why I¡¯ve brought him here. We can teach him the silat and knowledge!¡± Anissa exclaimed.


    Pak Utam shook his head. ¡°Fine, I will accept. I really like slapping that boy. I want to use my cane someday on him too.¡± Admitted Pak Utam. ¡°Judging from his looks, he is quite weak. A weakling, but strong in his hands.¡±


    ¡°As long as he learns the silat fast enough. In the mean time, we have to find a way to retrieve the golden crocodile but from a different time in history.¡± Anissa explained.


    ¡°I agree.¡± Said Pak Utam. ¡°To fully understand a person, we have to let their tigers free.¡±

 Chapter 8

    Onays woke the next morning being slapped by Pak Utam. Fatigued from cleansing the whole house, Onays throat was dried and his eyes were lazy. He glanced around ending up blinded by the casting warmth of the sun. He scuttled off the mattress to the living room where he found Pak Utam and Mak Hasnita eating ambuyat again with durian. The alluring smell of durian grumbled his empty stomache. The sighting of ambuyat almost made him gather vomit in his mouth.


    ¡°Naiz, come here and finish the last bowl of ambuyat.¡± Mak Hasnita had saved an extra plate. Her voice was calming to heart.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine Mak Hasnita. I¡¯ll eat the durian.¡± Onays cleared, he was happy to have her calling him by Naiz.


    ¡°In our tradition, it is rude to refuse a meal.¡± Pak Utam revealed.


    Onays began to stutter. ¡°You can¡¯t force a guest to eat!¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, when you are invited to eat by the host, you must eat!¡± Pak Utam grumbled back as he prepared his hand to slap Onays.


    Onays deliberately sat down as he was not going to risk getting slapped again. Pak Utam¡¯s slapping are annoying, but they are not painful. Instead the slaps were light and it left no dreadful mark on your skin. Sadly, as Onays swallowed a whole spoon of ambuyat, his face turned red and Pak Utam had slapped him. Onays had to do more chores that morning and by noon, Anissa had come to train Onays together with Pak Utam the silat.


    On a sand field, fenced by coconut and jungle trees Onays had changed his Baju Melayu into a tousled clothing of only a pair loose pants and a long sleeve shirt with rips, holes and black markings. The shirt was big, that it revealed Onays¡¯ flat chest with one single chest hair curling outwards. Anissa giggled gleefully and stared at him seductively which in a way made Onays awkward. Over his head, he wore an ugly tengkolok made from fabric that Mak Hasnita would use to wipe stains on the floor.


    ¡°To begin with, punch me in the face!¡± commanded Anissa.


    Onays was stunned. ¡°Punch you? I¡¯m just afraid that you might knock out!¡±


    ¡°Give it a try.¡± Anissa challenged.


    As Onays jabbed a fist, Anissa pulled his arm and swung him in the air and strike his whole skinny body onto the floor.


    ¡°Well done Anissa. Now make him suffer!¡± cheered Pak Utam.


    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re here to train me. Not to torture.¡± Onays complained.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Anissa intervened as she repeated her moves, flipping Onays onto the floor.


    ¡°That is enough Anissa. You boy, if you were to fight the white men, you¡¯ll surely be dead.¡± Pak Utam hissed.


    ¡°Why do you refer them as the white men?¡± mentioned Onays, his body outstretched on the floor.


    ¡°You have never seen the white men?¡± Pak Utam continued.


    ¡°I have never seen such people.¡± Onays lied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother to ask. There is no point to know your enemy if you do not know how to fight!¡± scolded Pak Utam as he pulled Onays back on his feet. ¡°We will start from the beginning. You must change your focus. You should not be thinking of returning home early.¡±


    Onays obeyed Pak Utam, his only ticket home and have a normal life is to train the silat and cope with these weird people who wants to get the golden crocodile and fight off their enemy. In his brain, Onays keeps on telling himself that all of this was a dream. On the contrary, the situation around him felt so close to reality and he was baffled to discover that he had not woken up for so long. Yet, Onays kept on training the silat for days. He swiped his arm, swung his feet into the air, somersaulted, dodged the rapid punches from both Anissa and Pak Utam, but at a step by step process.


    It was Onays routine throughout the two weeks of his stay at Kota Batu. After every practice, albeit in the morning, noon and night, Onays would have bruises everywhere and Mak Hasnita who made potions and medicine that Anissa would regularly buy from her were used on him. Onays felt more shy when Mak Hasnita applied the medicine on him than Anissa herself. On one of the practice, Pak Utam had accidentally kicked his tiny balls and he refused to have Mak Hasnita to carry out the medication. He whelped like a baby in his room for two days before returning back to track.


    Also, Onays was burdened by house chores. Pak Utam said that it would make him equally balanced. Not just house chores, but Onays must attend religious classes at night before proceeding with the next silat practice. It was such a shame, because children who attended Pak Utam¡¯s Quran classes had already mastered all the 30 Juzu¡¯ and recited it wholly for at least five times. Most of them were aged between nine to twelve and Onays was sixteen and the only teenager. When Pak Utam pointed his cane at Onays to answer the Tajwid Hukum or law, he only stood still like a rock. The children laughed at him and teased his inability. The learning process he endured through the two weeks had thought him a valuable lesson.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    It was time for him to change, adapt and evolve into a better person. In the silat practices, he cleared his mind and stayed focus from now on. He depleted all the negative feelings that could potentially drag him down. He persevered, fought his inner fears with adroitness and let patience drive his path. During his free time, he would recite the Quran and perfected his Tajwid. Although, the children still mocked him even though he tried.


    So life for Onays went on, ambuyat was the normal treat and he got used to it. The more he practiced, the more he improved. In such a short period of time, both Anissa and Pak Utam were incredibly impressed at how fast Onays had learnt. On one of the practices, Pak Utam who favored a special move that no one had ever successfully dodged it was broken by Onays. A new record!


    Pak Utam had never been that ecstatic in his life, proud to have a student who could learn quickly and could immensely suffer tribulations. Anissa eyed Onays every move, she praised herself for picking the right person to avenge the Sultanate.


    On the last of the second week, Onays swirled his now slightly muscular arms at a bag of rice, stomping and curled his sturdy  legs. With a single blow by his feet, the bag of rice exploded with grains raining over the sand field. Pak Utam and Anissa were astonished.


    ¡°Wow, not bad Mawang. Not bad at all.¡± Anissa complimented.


    ¡°I kind of like staying here. I feel more brave and confident compared back at home, always getting scolded and bullied at school.¡± Onays admitted.


    ¡°No Onays, you are still weak!¡± Pak Utam declared. ¡°You will surely die.¡±


    ¡°What else do you expect from me?¡± Onays demanded.


    ¡°That is right, you are still weak!¡± suddenly, the almighty Ratna bolted in. His pendekar warrior clothing were tight that it shaped his superbly-muscular body that it carved up eight packs on his stomach, his arms and chest bulging. His face more charming that Onays that was pimple-free. Hair nicely combed. Guarding him were another twenty or so pendekar, followed by a fraction of the Kota Batu villagers and foreign merchants who wanted to see a battle between them.


    ¡°Stay out of this Ratna.¡± Pleaded Anissa.


    ¡°Darling, this a matter between me and him. We are going to get married in two weeks and you are meddling with him. Are you cheating on me?¡±


    The whole crowd gasped, if Anissa were to cheat then her royal family reputation would tarnish.


    ¡°Do you love me Anissa?¡± Ratna had asked.


    Anissa fell silent for awhile as she looked at Onays with glassy eyes.


    ¡°Say you love me Anissa.¡± Ratna waited for a response.


    ¡°I¡­I¡­ love you.¡± Said Anissa forcefully.


    ¡°Really Anissa? If you do, then¡­ kiss me.¡±


    The crowd were still glued to their spot, expecting to see clearly whether that Anissa was loyal to her future husband. Unwillingly, she slowly walked toward Ratna and kissed him. The crowd bowed down as respect, except for Onays who was jealous and embroiled with pure angst. Ratna held Anissa tight, he would not let her go as he ravished the excitement. Anissa who had enough attempted to let go off his hard grip, but that ended as Ratna pushed her roughly to the floor. The crowd gasped, flabbergasted.


    ¡°This boy, must be taught his lesson. He has slept with my wife and he must receive the hudud. That is a hundred lashings!¡± Ratna barked.


    The entire crowd went rambunctious, they were skeptic whether what Ratna had uttered was true or false. Onays made his firm stand, although he had been framed by Ratna. He swayed his fist and prepared in his combat position. Ratna circulated around Onays with his fist just at the angle of his eyes. Pak Utam tugged Anissa away to the crowd to watch the fight between Onays and Ratna.


    Hitting his knuckles hard, Onays tumbled down to the sands as Ratna¡¯s punch was rapid. Ratna allowed Onays to recover until he smacked one knuckle onto his face. Onays spun and rolled onto the floor again as he began to take in more breaths. Ratna chuckled, his fist desiring more. Onays stepped backwards, thinking of a way to defeat his most feared enemy. Ratna propelled into the sky and he flicked his foot at Onays. The poor teenager went drowsy, his vision clouded and the world soon evaporated around him. Onays who was kneeling on the floor with both palms on the surface was suddenly attacked. Ratna pulled his hair up and punched his stomach. Blood spat out his mouth, Onays was kicked away and he rolled and rolled. The crowd laughed with excitement at how easy the match was.


    ¡°Onays, fight back!¡± said Anissa sobbing.


    ¡°Shut up, he¡¯s a nobody!¡± Ratna barked back. ¡°You were wrong Anissa, this boy cannot help us. Look at how weak he is. Our sultanate will fall because of him.¡±


    Onays laid motionless, gaping at the sky with these screeching voices in his ears. Ratna¡¯s words punctured him deeply, somehow the words made him fiery. Words of insult but a dose of motivation. ¡®I am Naiz, I am not a nobody.¡¯ Onays whispered to himself. ¡®I am strong, powerful, brave. I must fight.¡¯


    Ratna who was distracted scolding Anissa had a painful blow onto his face. When he shook his head and turned to see who it was, Onays was perfectly in shape.


    ¡°You imbecile!¡± Ratna roared, as he chased after Onays.


    Onays kept sprinting around the sand field, as the crowds questioned each other at what he was doing. Ratna tried to grab him, but Onays was too fast to take down. They kept running until Ratna eventually stopped and accidentally tripped into the crowd.


    ¡°Stop running around like a fool!¡± said Ratna exasperated.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter big baby, can¡¯t get a grip?¡± Onays mocked Ratna.


    Ratna got back into the fight and it was a game of chase all over again. The crowd became bored and a part of them left. After some time chasing Onays, Ratna became fatigued and he stopped to inhale more air. Whilst doing so, Onays charged at him and clouted his robust knuckled onto his head and Ratna staggered backwards. The punch left a sweet mark under his eye that Onays was proud of.


    The now crazed Ratna chased after Onays again and they scurried through the trade market. Onays pushed a cart of fruits and flooded the way as Ratna was tripped by scatters of lime. Ratna brushed dirt off his clothing but he was being shot at with durian by Onays. The razor edges of the durian scrapped his skin, the pain drove him to his insane level. Ratna who was unable to control his emotions went berserk as he stampeded through the stalls, crashing them, pushing aside the merchants and  left carpets sold my Gujerati merchants soiled.


    Making an end by the docks, it is now or never. Onays had nowhere to run and Ratna was full of tricks. Ratna drew closer, his anger to extinguish Onays has no boundaries. As Ratna charged, Onays dodged him and he picked up a bamboo cane from a nearby sampan and swung it onto Ratna¡¯s head. Ratna wiggled before he disastrously fell into the Barunah Bay, almost drowned. Anissa and Pak Utam hurried to the scene when they were astounded by Onays¡¯ victory. Merchants and villagers alike also congregated to view the incident. All eyes were on Onays.

 Chapter 9

    ¡°Hahaha, that Ratna deserved it!¡± boasted Pak Utam as he slapped Onays¡¯ face with both his hands.


    ¡°That¡¯s great and all, but I¡¯m starving.¡± Said Onays¡¯ rubbing his burning face.


    ¡°What¡¯s on the menu Mak Husnita?¡± Anissa asked.


    ¡°My princess, a royalty like you shouldn¡¯t be at a sad home like this for too long.¡± Said Mak Husnita surprised. ¡°Ever since Naiz came along, I noticed that you have been smiling and looking at him endlessly and make frequent visit here. We are just a family of fishermen.¡±


    Onays covered up his shyness by gaping out the window.


    ¡°Oi, watch your mouth Husnita. This house was from my ancestor. Fishing is part of our family¡¯s legacy you know?¡± Pak Utam stared at Mak Husnita. ¡°Anyways, what would our hero would like to eat?¡±


    Onays smiled, it was the moment to not eat ambuyat once in awhile. ¡°Have you ever heard about chicken chop?¡±


    Mak Husnita was curious. ¡°Never heard of that Naiz. How about we eat ambuyat with some minces of prawns?¡±


    Onays was petrified. ¡°No, no¡­. it¡¯s really easy to make. All you have to do is get a piece of chicken breast, coat it in flour and fry it¡­ I guess and pour some pepper sauce all over. It tastes amazing!¡±


    Mak Husnita shook her head. ¡°Ambuyat it is.¡± Announced Mak Husnita. She went to the kitchen and returned with a large bowl full of those transparent-slime gooey ambuyat with a treat of a smaller bowl of minced prawns and cabbages. Onays held his tears of sorrow. Pak Utam scoffed on his food while Anissa ate appropriately. The devious eyes of Pak Utam made Onays leaning on the wall, knowing that he had to clean up the stains and plates after dinner. In the end, he was finally used to it anyways after two weeks in Kota Batu.


    Settled with the dishes, Onays decided to stay up late near the docks playing sepak takraw, as he balanced the rattan ball on his feet and let it levitate in the air before it bounces again. Pak Utam was mending his fishing net and storing his bubu back into a bamboo compartment saw him doing so. Pak Utam approached him with a torch in his hand.


    ¡°Pass the ball.¡± Said Pak Utam. They went into a conversation as they both played bola takraw. ¡°So, you like to play huh?¡±


    Onays gave a sheepish smile. ¡°Yeah, not much of a pro really. I only play just for fun.¡±


    ¡°You are quite good, even for a sad looking boy like yourself.¡±


    ¡°Knock it off Pak Utam.¡± Said Onays chuckling as he kicked the ball high in the air. Pak Utam stretched his leg but he failed to rebound it back.


    ¡°You did it on purpose did you?¡± said Pak Utam agitated.


    ¡°Are you saying that because I¡¯m foolish or you¡¯re just making a lame excuse that every whiney people out there says?¡±This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Pak Utam chuckled back as he showed Onays at the bright city of Kota Batu at night with merchant ships flocking in from west and east. The calming splashes of water under the docks and the wistful breeze that soothed their skins.


    ¡°Beautiful, isn¡¯t it?¡± said Pak Utam.


    ¡°Wow, wish that I could see it more often.¡± Applied Onays.


    ¡°Of course, take as much time as you need before the White Men come.¡±


    ¡°Pak Utam, you haven¡¯t finished talking about the White Men to me yet.¡±


    Pak Utam let out a long breath of regret. ¡°Are you sure you really want to know?¡±


    Onays nodded.


    ¡°A few months ago, there were double the merchant ships arriving here in Kota Batu as the waters were at peace and the air were untouched by shrills. Then, they came in large vast numbers. Their wooden ships almost the size of our palaces, taller than our mosque¡¯s towers and bolder than our walls.¡± Said Uncle Utam challenged.


    ¡°On their sails, they had a red zig-zag cross over their white banner, and their wore these hats that reflected light. From their ships, they shot their cannons at our ports, they landed, pillaged, raped and plundered our riches. I fought them and that was my last hours of battle. It was such a shame. They shot me with their long barrels and I couldn¡¯t much as much then and now.¡±


    Onays unplugged his ears wider and listened. ¡°What happens next?¡±


    ¡°Each of our coastal cities they have captured brings our Sultanate closer to our end. That is why Anissa had brought you in. Our savior. Only a person from the future could see the past and that person is you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m nothing Pak Utam. I did not even beat Ratna fair and square. I only ran around until he got so angry, he was defeated by his own steps. Then, I had to figure out a cheap story to the sultan that I beaten him.¡±


    ¡°I know, you¡¯re a very bad liar. Sometimes my boy, fighting does not always require you to engage it face to face. Sometimes, you have to run away from it. In the end, you¡¯ll find your path and in the end, the destination will represent itself.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s easy when you say that.¡± Onays chimed.


    ¡°Hear me my boy. The White Men are closing in. This very city is our last bastion before they come and wipe us all. I¡¯m afraid that they already have the golden crocodile and will use it against us. I was careless and they have stolen it from us, and the sultan had almost punished us with death sentences. As a result of that, my reputation and dignity was tarnished. So I resorted to being a normal fisherman for the rest of my life. We swore to the sultan that we would find the original crafter of the golden crocodile. This secret was kept between me, Anissa and my loyal troops. Somehow, we managed to find¡­ you.¡±


    ¡°They have it? What could it possibly do?¡± asked Onays worried.


    ¡°With it, they are able to control the waves, the current and the flow of all seas, lakes, streams and ponds. In other words, they will possess the power of a million crocodiles in one singular person and it would be impossible to defeat him. I should have destroyed it, but the royal house rejected it even though pious missionaries, muftis and kadis had forewarned them about it being khurafat and astray from the our religion doctrine.¡±


    ¡°Can they be stopped?¡± asked Onays.


    ¡°Only through sheer hardship and struggle, blood and bravery. If they do possess the golden crocodile, they can only be defeated with they have an even match.¡±


    ¡°An even match?¡± said Onays skeptical.


    ¡°His foe must also have the power of the golden crocodile in order to fight back. That is because, there will be an existing force of equilibrium and both these forces could be destroyed if one force is stronger than the other.¡±


    ¡°How will that be determined Pak Utam?¡±


    ¡°That, is up to the golden crocodile to decide. The golden crocodile will flourish unprecedented strength to those whom it believes fit and able. For now, I have not seen a tense battle between two massive giants. My boy, if you still have the time to spare, please do find another golden crocodile, albeit in your era. In the future. I have stronger faith in you. You are a fast learner.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Pak Utam, I will try my best.¡± Said Onays delphic.


    Pak Utam gave him a pat on his shoulder and headed back home as Onays pondered at the beautiful Kota Batu, balancing the bola takraw.

 Chapter 10

    Souls of the sinful were trapped in a large stoned building with the rotten odour of urine and rats scuttling over the floor.  Ratna was grasping on his prison bars as he eyed each rat eating another rats cadaver. A man at his ninety¡¯s had been talking to himself, waiting for himself to die in prison as he was sentenced for a lifetime. Ratna yelled, shaking the bars to set himself free. It was futile. He had nothing to eat but moldy oats and a bowl of polluted water. Tired, he sat on his worn out bed and stared out the small window which only illuminated the nightly sun.


    He mulled and mulled, imagining his five years life in prison before receiving eighty lashes. As he was about to sleep, a terrifying explosion shook the floor. A few hulubalang guards were straying through the hall with their armaments in on their waists. Ratna peeked out the bar and saw flashes of orange lights blind his eyes, followed by a shout of death. He crept to the edge to have a better look.


    By the end of the hall, he saw a hulubalang tremble onto the floor with smoke and blood propping out his chest. Then came tall men in iron armor with bushed beards, muscular and had muskets in their arms. Accompanying them was Pengiran Seri Lela which made Ratna feel glory.


    ¡°Your majesty, I don¡¯t know how to express my gratitude.¡± Said Ratna.


    ¡°There is no need. Soon, I shall become the sultan and you as the bendahara.¡± Replied Seri Lela. ¡°This prison should not be reserved for a honorable pendeckar like yourself.¡±


    ¡°Believe me your majesty, that prick had stolen my title.¡±


    ¡°Our men with the feathers had never returned from the different time intervals. I would sum up that they have died. Our plan with the feathers had failed. We shall proceed to the caravel. Tomorrow night, we shall storm Kota Baru and capture the palace and behead my brother.¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    ¡°With the help of the White Men?¡± said Ratna bewildered as he observed the foreign troops.


    ¡°They are not White Men, they are the conquistadors from the Empire of Spain. They make a good ally in time of crisis. They should not be viewed as enemies. Hurry, we are going to let this miserable building tow down in ashes. Let us free the other captives as well.¡±


    Leaving the prison, fourty six Spanish caravels battered their cannons at the walls. All the hulubalang who were not alerted met their instant death, their bodies flung in the air. Boulders of rocks rocketed into the air before crashing back onto the grassy surface below. Seri Lela was proud. He then led Ratna into the captain¡¯s cabin. Upon entering, the captain was enjoying his pork with its mouth stuffed with an apple. The captain chugged down his whine and rubbed his hands with a napkin.


    ¡°Ahhh, welcome aboard the Reconquista.¡± Applauded Capit¨¢n-General</a> Francisco De Sande.


    ¡°Here, I have brought a warrior of our sultanate. He is Pengiran Seri Ratna.¡± Said Seri Lela.


    ¡°He would make our time fruitful. I do appreciate your cooperation.¡±


    Ratna was speechless and in his heart, it felt terribly wrong.


    ¡°Francisco, in this chest I have your desired reward.¡± Said Seri Lela. He pushed the chest gently and Francisco contemplated it with obscurity. He unlatched the locket and inside was the prize. He slowly took it out and placed in on his table.


    ¡°The golden crocodile¡­¡± Francisco whispered to himself. ¡°There is nothing to fret your majesty, we shall install the throne for you in no time.¡±


    ¡°I am glad that we have reached a certain point of agreement.¡± Replied Pengiran Seri Lela. Then, he left the deck with Ratna onto the deck. Ratna was absurd to see a portion of a city in flames with the prison he was in steamed in thick black smoke.


    ¡°Your majesty, we should not involve the White Men in the royal feud.¡± Admitted Ratna.


    ¡°I trust the conquistadors. They have the weapons and manpower we need to take the throne.¡± Replied Seri Lela.


    ¡°What if they were double-crossers. They will take the opportunity and make us as puppets!¡± Ratna bellowed. ¡°They are not from the same blood and teachings as us!¡±


    ¡°Obey me Ratna, I shall be sultan and this is my way of attaining it. If you are not interested, then I should have let you burn in that prison.¡±


    ¡°I understand¡­¡± said Ratna in a heavy voice.

 Chapter 11

    ¡°My lord, you are intelligent and most wise.¡± Alvarez had complimented Francisco in Spanish.


    ¡°Si, I am shocked that these uncivilized monkeys had gave up their golden crocodile for us. Once we conquer the whole of Barunah, I shall built a statue of Christ and convert their palace into a grand cathedral! These mohammedans have no where to run, but to dwell in the slums and beg for money. Soon, they will learn the real preaching of the trinity.¡±


    ¡°Such dreams that I appraise you for. King Phillip II will honor you with best of titles and fame once we reach Madrid.¡±


    ¡°There are people who dream of success Fernandez, but there are people who wake up and work hard for it.¡±


    ¡°Indeed my lord.¡± Vocalized Alvarez with deepest respect.


    ¡°Now, report to the other men to pick up their arms because at night tomorrow shall be the moment of history where we have spread the gospel!¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Anchoring by a conquered port, Francisco insisted on visiting Lopez, an expert blacksmith. Handing the golden crocodile, Lopez contemplated it and asked for his preference. Francisco claimed that he would like the golden crocodile to be smelted and be shaped into a cross. Lopez agreed and he began heating the coal and smelted the golden crocodile. The gold liquid was ebullient, it flowed down a funnel and into a cross-shaped container. When it was cooled, it became solid and Lopez clipped small chains for Francisco to wear around his neck.


    Outside the blacksmith shack, Francisco appointed Seri Lela.


    ¡°You told me that this item could control water¡­¡± said Francisco.


    ¡°Yes,¡± replied Seri Lela anxiously as he pointed at the bay.


    With much effort, Francisco held his arms out and the water began to morph tall and with one sway, the water darted at one of the caravels and sunk it. From the extreme pleasure, Francisco felt sharp nail in his brain.


    ¡°The golden crocodile cannot be used excessively. It may drain all your energy and you might eventually die.¡± Ratna suddenly intervened.                                                                   ¡°Impossible!¡± Francisco hollered back. ¡°With this, even those brave would lose their will!¡±


    ¡°Careful. Remember our treaty Francisco, I shall be sultan and I will grant you all the gold and treasury for you. Do not break the agreement.¡± Warned Seri Lela.


    ¡°I won¡¯t for sure your majesty.¡± Said Francisco deviously.

 Chapter 12

    Performing his pencak silat by a stream, Onays depleted all the negativity from his body and remained calmed. He swayed his hands and focused entirely on his keen motions. The musical gurgle of the water relaxed his thoughts, the cool air refreshed him too. As he opened his eyes, he saw a family of proboscis monkeys hanging by the branches as the mother fed its infant. A flock of hornbill birds flew across the sky.


    Onays wandered around the stream until he saw an elegant girl bathing by the waterfall. She only wore a kain batik where she was having her berkemban. She rinsed her long-black hair and let water flow through her smooth-silk like skin. As the girl turned to Onays, he soon realized who she was. Onays blushed, his lips were shivering and his eyes were bursting wide.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know you where here.¡± Apologized Onays in a timid voice.


    ¡°Please stay.¡± Said Anissa seductively.


    ¡°No, I have to practice, the White Men could come any second.¡±


    Anissa tied her hair and serenely walked towards Onays. Onays was developing a sense of¡­ allurement in his heart. He had never felt it much stronger than his crush back at school.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a walk around the stream.¡± Anissa invited.


    ¡°Um, so I¡¯ve learnt a lot of tricks and silat skills. I can jump and swing my foot and I could somersault and chop!¡± boasted Onays.


    ¡°Wow, but can you dodge this!¡± said Anissa rapidly, as Onays successfully grabbed her attacking hand. ¡°Not bad at all. The first time I met you, you liked to whine and cry like a baby a lot.¡± Anissa continued with a giggle.


    ¡°Hey, that was a long time ago okay. Now I can protect myself and¡­ beat Ratna!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just bragging. You just ran away and luckily for you he tripped!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah.¡± Onays finally gave up. ¡°You come to this stream often?¡±


    ¡°I enjoy it, I used to play around here with Ratna. I never knew he would grow up being such a bossy, nosy person¡­ don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°True, I never understand why he¡¯s that grumpy all the time. I also want to¡­ apologize for getting him arrested.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°He should be arrested though. I never liked him and I¡¯m glad that I won¡¯t be wedded with him.¡± Said Anissa mirthfully.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. I¡¯m glad for you too Anissa.¡±


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s the first time you ever said my name Mawang. You called me with such names like crazy, idiot and such.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯re not the person I used to know.¡± Affirmed Onays. He goggled up and saw a tall tree¡°Have you ever wondered why those tropical trees are tall, have canopies and have these big roots?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± said Anissa.


    ¡°Well, I like to learn about plants in my Biology class. I may suck at Add Maths and I do suck at Biology, but this topic is what I find interesting. The rest I can¡¯t really relate though.¡± Said Onays frankly. ¡°The taller the trees, the more sunlight they can get, so it¡¯s a competition. The larger the branches, the better the photosynthesis and the large roots are for them to clasp into the ground. I think it¡¯s because of the chlorophyll in the chloroplast where it releases ATP. I¡¯m terrible at memorizing.¡±


    ¡°What is ATP?¡± asked Anissa. ¡°What is biyologee and kelorfeel?¡±


    ¡°For that, I don¡¯t know. But that¡¯s the reason.¡± Replied Onays almost letting out a laugh.


    Anissa gave a playful slap on Onays¡¯ back. ¡°You mean, that tallest tree is the winner of the competition?¡±


    ¡°I guess so¡­¡± said Onays dubiously. Oh crud, what am I saying? It sounds like the tallest tree is the sperm and the sunlight is the ovum because of competition. I hope she won¡¯t realize it¡­ thought Onays.


    ¡°Hey, when you say that, it sounds fishy¡­¡± said Anissa, estranged.


    There goes my cover. She¡¯s going to think that I¡¯m a weirdo. Thought Onays again.


    ¡°In a proverb, the tallest tree is the most greedy you know?¡± said Anissa with a broad smile.


    ¡°Oh really, but well. If I was among the tree, I want to reach for the sun. That warm, shining sun! Those smaller trees are my bullies at school, who makes fun of me!¡± extolled Onays to himself.


    The both of them stopped and glanced at the tallest tree that stood 116 meters tall, a combined length of four blue whales. The surrounding turned into the hushing sounds of the stream and the peaceful chirps of birds again.


    ¡°Now that Ratna is gone, I feel lonely inside. Isolated and dim. I feel free but without a person by my side.¡± Whispered Anissa as she let her beautiful eyes upon Onays¡¯. ¡°But now, I have someone new in my life.¡± Onays stood firm, his heart pounded fast as his eyes were locked on her. His lips shivered again.


    ¡°I want to ask you something Mawang.¡± Anissa¡¯s smile was breathtaking.


    ¡°Yes¡­yes.¡± Replied Onays stuttering.


    ¡°Now that you are good in silat, then what is your purpose of having it?¡±


    ¡°Um, with the silat now I can defeat the White Men and get your golden crocodile as promised. After that, I can return home and have a normal life.¡±


    ¡°That is all that you can think of possessing the silat?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Anissa was disappointed, she was expecting a different answer from Onays. She turned away and took her clothings from the waterfall. Onays was awfully pinned. The numbness made his brain empty and so he sped away into the forest, regretting of what he had said to Anissa.

 Chapter 13

    Late at night, Pak Utam was heaping the fishes he caught onto the corner of his floating kampong house. He lit a lamp and hung it by the entrance, as he was resting his elbows on the railings, he saw sails on the horizon of the Barunah Bay. He smoked his tembakau cigarette and laid on his rocking chair as the sails grew larger. It¡¯s just some merchant ships. But why are they here late at night? Pak Utam told himself. When he finished the last tembakau, he squinted his eyes at the shadows and he jumped back on his feet.


    The White Men! Pak Utam raced to his house and called Mak Husnita to evacuate. He then drummed the gong which woke up the villagers and they all grabbed their torches to watch the ships crease through the waters. The villagers then panicked and began to scramble out the villages, leaving all their valuable possessions.


    ¡°You go, I¡¯ll stay here.¡± Reminded Pak Utam.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re too old to fight them.¡± Said Mak Husnita worried.


    ¡°I may be too old to fight them, but I will not die old.¡± Replied Pak Utam bravely.


    ¡°No, I am not leaving you!¡± sobbed Mak Husnita.


    ¡°Hafiz,¡­ Izhar please bring Mak Husnita to safety!¡± demanded Pak Utam. He trailed around the village as he gathered young men to take up their weapons to prepare for battle. There were ones who picked their archers, keris daggers and spears. Fortifying the village, the brave people of Barunah will not surrender. The bows are raised high and as they let the string off, arrows of flames and poison hailed over the Spanish fleet.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The caravels caught on fire, the enemies wailed off into the bay of crocodiles. The men cheered wildly for their victory. Though, the celebration for victory was only short-lived. The caravels rotated their rears toward the village. With their cannons packed with cannonballs and gunpowder, the shots ruffled out and razed each kampong houses into mere pile of shrapnels. Casualties grew and Pak Utam had a long sharp wood struck into his ribs.


    As the fleet drew closer, Francisco De Sande in his full conquistador armor embarked and landed on the docks. Both Seri Lela and Ratna were devastated to see the kampong village they used to grow up in was destroyed. Helpless on the floor was Pak Utam as he swallowed much air before dying. Francisco towered upon him with a devilish smile.


    Pak Utam strived up and jostled Francisco with his keris. Francisco was able to deflect the attack and he hammered Pak Utam to the floor with his elbow. He kicked him in the stomache where he rolled and rolled terribly. Then, he choked Pak Utam and held him against a ruined wall.


    ¡°Ah, aren¡¯t you the old man who tried to stop me the other day?¡± mocked Francisco. ¡°Pity you. An old senile man about to face his most shameful death without proper honor and respect.¡±


    ¡°You dirty White Men!¡± Pak Utam hissed back.


    ¡°This kampong village will vanish forever and nobody in the future will know that this place ever existed!¡± Francisco challenged as he pulled out his pistol. He aimed it right between Pak Utam¡¯s forehead and with a trigger, Pak Utam paralyzed. Ratna was horrified by the incident. The man who had taught him silat and religious classes died in a shameful way.


    ¡°Vamanos! The palace is our prime target. Our journey has not ended yet!¡± hollered Francisco at his troops of 1300 Tagalogs, 400 Spaniards and 300 Barunah traitors. They meandered back to their caravels and sailed for the main city of Kota Batu.

 Chapter 14

    ¡°Everyone, the White Men are coming!¡± a villager had spoken.


    Soon, the situation turned hectic. All the children, seniors and women hid in the forests while all the men fortified behind the walls. They loaded their Rentaka Cannons that was a long barrel with a dragons head as its nozzle, their rifles from the Ottoman Empire and they also sharpened their keris daggers. Sultan Saiful who was reading the Quran was interrupted when a stressed hulubalang guard entered upon his balairung.


    ¡°Astaghfirullahala¡¯dzim. What in words of grace are you doing here in such condition?¡± questioned Sultan Saiful.


    ¡°The White Men your majesty, they have come!¡±


    ¡°Pardon me?¡± the Sultan¡¯s voice intensified.


    ¡°And our noblemen, Pengiran Seri Lela and Ratna are here supporting them!¡±


    ¡°This is mutiny!¡± Sultan Saiful gnarled. ¡°I should¡¯ve executed the both of them sooner. That¡¯s it then, gather all able men to sacrifice till the last drip of blood. This Sultanate of Barunah must be defended. This is our ancestral lands. I must not allow it!¡±


    ¡°Very well your majesty!¡±


    Hidden somewhere in the middle of the forest, Onays kept on throwing stones and kicking them as he regretted for saying such blind words towards Anissa.


    ¡°Oh man, why am I such a freaking looser!¡± Onays insulted himself. ¡°What the heck was I doing. This sucks!¡±


    An explosion startled Onays while he was blaming himself. Onays peered through the narrow gaps of the trees and he could figure out puffs of smoke and fire polluting the air. Onays knew it was up to no good. Onays sprinted out the forest and finally dashed into the city. It was chaos. From above, cannon balls rocked the port and the mainland kampong houses. There were decapitated bodies lingering around with their limbs apart. Wounded men crawled around, begging for treatment.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Onays dashed closer to the forts and they were already dismantled and empty. The hulubalang guards are retreating. At the last line of defence, the troops fired the fiery arrows at the caravel, sinking three of them down the bay. Onays was shocked when crocodiles began to emerge and gnawed its teeth at the defenders. Waves as tall as tsunamis flooded the mainland and Onays swam to the nearest building before it eroded.


    He escaped the strong tides and made it to the floating village. There he checked from house to house to find the victimized. Among the rubbles, he saw a deceased Pak Utam. He sobbed, the death of his mentor was a searing cut in his heart. He carried Pak Utam to the cemetery and buried him. He did not require any religious bathing. He had died as a martyr, a syahid. Onays collected the last amount of courage within him after a an afflicting loss. He ran back to Kota Batu, determined.


    Gaping upwards, conquistadors swarmed into the city complex and fired their muskets through the bombarded walls. Among those invaders came three giants of endearing prowess. Onays noticed that one of them was Ratna. Onays hurriedly attacked him, but was countered when Ratna broke his left arm and clouted his jaws. Onays could not speak properly as his jaws were displaced. Ratna stomped on his stomache and punched his face fastidiously. Francisco ordered him to stop.


    ¡°Hahaha, is this the pendeckar that you¡¯ve mentioned Ratna!¡± asked Francisco humorously.


    ¡°Not a pendeckar but a stupid weakling!¡± said Ratna as he gave his last punch.


    Seri Lela suggested an idea. ¡°Why don¡¯t we let him drown in the bay. It¡¯s a good suffering!¡±


    Ratna could not agree more. Ratna tied a rope around Onays neck and towed him to a sampan. Onays vision was blurry, but he could hear the cries of Anissa. Her voice was close, but in his predicament he was unable to do much. There she was, Onays pictured a blurry vision of Anissa being captured by conquistadors as she was molested and caged away.


    On the sampan, Ratna tied Onays¡¯ whole body. At the edge of the sampan, at full state, Ratna pushed Onays off and he went down the bay drowning. It was the end of it. An end with no proper honor and respect.

 Chapter 15

    ¡°Doctor, he is awake.¡± A nurse signaled her doctor.


    ¡°How is his heart pressure?¡± the doctor specified.


    ¡°Normal rate. Should we use tranquilizers or penicillin?  He is badly injured. We don¡¯t want to wake him in shock.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± Replied the doctor as he shone a flashlight on both Onays¡¯ eyes. ¡°He requires some stitches and mandible operation. His jaws are displaced. I don¡¯t know what trouble he got into.¡±


    ¡°Doctor, his guardians are outside. Should we call them in?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll consult with them afterwards. Just provide Puan Rohani with her daily dose.¡±


    Slipping his clipboard under his arm that had reports of Onays¡¯ medical condition, he routed around the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital before bumping in with the police.


    ¡°Doctor, you have a criminal suspect detained under your authority. We order you stipend your treatment for interrogations.¡± A sergeant blocked his way.


    ¡°Yes¡­ yes of course. I would just like to meet his guardians momentarily.¡±


    The sergeant gave a grim look, intending that he the doctor has to be precise and quick.


    ¡°You must be Encik Tariq and Puan Khairina?¡± greeted the doctor.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Is he alright doctor?¡± Puan Khairina asked.


    ¡°The boy¡¯s fine. We will have to undergo a few more diagnosis and we will hand you in the prescriptions. I¡¯m unable to keep the boy here, because you know¡­ the police.¡±


    ¡°Can we visit him?¡± Tariq had included.


    ¡°Allow me to inform the counter.¡± Replied the doctor as he validated their visitation to the ward. Both guardians of Onays tailed the doctor behind as they entered into a special ward that only had Onays on his bed at the corner. Puan Khairinia placed a bouquet of flowers beside his bed and gasped. Onays slowly opened his eyes, his vision was still blurry. He tried to talk, but it was painful to do so. His broken jaw would not allow him. The doctor retracted his stethoscope and checked Onays heartbeat.


    ¡°Please, have a seat.¡± The doctor insisted. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to offend the both of you, but why did he attempted to steal the country¡¯s most valuable artifact; the golden crocodile?¡±


    Puan Khairinia wiped her tears. ¡°We don¡¯t know. He was perfectly normal before we came to Brunei until he acted strangely.¡±


    ¡°Strangely?¡± the doctor jotted down on his clipboard. ¡°How would you describe¡­ strangely?¡±


    ¡°At one of the museums, he began talking to himself and he even ran around like he¡¯s chasing a shadow.¡± Tariq explained.


    ¡°Oh, does he have autism or any other mental disorder?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s nothing like this before. It all happened when we came to the museum.¡± Khairina continued.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s schizophrenia, but I could finalize that it could be psychosis.¡±


    ¡°Psychosis?¡± Tariq snapped.


    ¡°It is when a patient is exposed to a disorder where they talk to themselves and see images that no one else can see. It¡¯s just that they are affected by depression, stress or anxiety.¡±


    ¡°Is there a cure for it doctor?¡± asked Khairina.


    ¡°Unfortunately, we have antidepressants which are prescribed for him to take to only reduce the effects not to cure it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your time doctor.¡± Said Khairina.


    The doctor nodded and both guardians left the ward. The doctor then ordered the nurse to push Onays to the operation room. The whole night was an arduous task.

 Chapter 16

    The intensity of the hospital light woke Onays up at midnight. Quietly sneaking in, the doctor brought his luggage and folded his coat around his arms and craned over Onays. The doctor sprawled a piece of cloth over Onays and slipped it under the mattress. ¡°Are you pushing a corpse doctor.¡± The previous sergeant had called out harshly.


    ¡°Midnight duty.¡± The doctor said rapidly.


    ¡°Really?¡± the sergeant propelled forward. He was not happy with surprises. The sergeant gaped at the bed mysteriously and sneered at the doctor. He clung his hand onto the cloth and he pulled it!


    ¡°Ah, the corpse¡¯s legs doesn¡¯t look pale at all. Did he passed away recently?¡±


    ¡°Everything that lives will taste death.¡± The doctor implied.


    The sergeant was stumped. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a hadith right? Hehe, don¡¯t make me feel too deep doctor. I attend Friday prayers even though I¡¯m ten minutes late. I still get to hear the khutbah.¡±


    ¡°Good for you.¡± Replied the doctor sarcastically as he continued to push the bed.


    He pushed him on his bed over to the parking lot, making sure that the police were not aware. Then, he carried Onays into the back seat of his car and drove him back to his apartment.


    At the living room, the doctor rested Onays on the coach as he prepared a punch of red roses and a few treats inside a tin.


    ¡°Are you hungry Onays?¡± the doctor offered a glass of punch.


    ¡°Better¡­¡± replied Onays in a hoarse voice.


    ¡°Gone through a bad day huh?¡±


    Onays nodded.


    ¡°Let me tell you what, I would have done the same If I were younger just like you.¡±


    ¡°What?....¡±


    ¡°The golden crocodile, talking to nothing and being thought crazy about just everybody, I what you¡¯re going through.¡± The doctor sipped a glass and resumed. ¡°I¡¯m Doctor Azlan Azimuth. My name sounds a little bit fancy but just call me doctor Azim or just doctor. I fell into the trap where I had to steal the golden crocodile too you know.¡±


    ¡°You did?¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, and it wasn¡¯t because of this one single girl.¡±


    ¡°Anissa...¡±


    ¡°Yep, because of her. I¡¯ve always wanted to see her gorgeous face again. The last time I saw her, was when I only saw her tears. I was sad. I was broken. That conquistador and those two traitors. I visit the museum just to see her name on the information board.¡±


    ¡°You know her too. But how?¡­.¡±


    ¡°When I was your age, I¡¯ve always wanted to become a fisherman like my father at Kampong Ayer. As I was netting, she warped behind me and clicked my ear. Most beautiful person out there. I instantly fell for her and did stupid things just to see her smile wider and how her eyes captured my attention. She was my life.¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°You¡¯ve gone through the same situation as I did.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, but this time I screwed up. You see, there are two golden crocodiles. One is during the Barunah Sultanate and the other one is in our era. The real creator of the golden crocodile did so, because he did not want a single person to take an advantage of it. So made a portal to this era and buried it here. The Brunei government had sent an expedition to find artifacts. Among chinaware plates, pots and jars they¡¯ve found the golden crocodile too.¡±


    ¡°What happens next?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t save her. She was forced to marry Ratna and the whole of Barunah fell under the Spaniards. That was recorded at the museums. A person like me failed, then the next five decades, Anissa will return back to this era until the right person could fix the past. Ever since, I tried to return but the portal had sealed. It actually depends based on your choice.¡±


    ¡°Choice?¡±


    ¡°Yes. There are two choices. You can only go through the portal four times and that¡¯s it. On the third time, I was despaired to see the whole kampong was in complete destruction. All flat! When I went through the portal the fourth time back to our modern world, there was no turning back. I jumped into the bay many times, and the neighbors thought that I was crazy or nuts. They keep on telling me and my father that I had a mental disorder. From there on, I tried to prove myself that I was not mentally afflicted by learning very hard to become a doctor. In fifty years, I searched through young patients to see whether they have met Anissa or attempted to steal the golden crocodile. But you Onays, I¡¯ve never felt glad like this before.¡±


    ¡°Is it true doctor.¡± Said Onays coughing. ¡°That the people of the future could see the past?¡±


    ¡°She used to say that to me. There are many ways for us to do so. There are the past which are bright, like sweet memories and glorious ones. But¡­ the dark past is hard to overcome. Wealth, power, death¡­ For me personally, I see the past as an excuse. Nowadays, we are beseeched to fabricate the future, not to fix the past. It would sound impossible though. But in the larger scope Onays,¡­. I believe¡­. We both have to admit that we as the people of the future, should create a future for the past.¡±


    Onays nodded, the doctor¡¯s words brought a new chapter of understanding.


    ¡°Now that it¡¯s your turn Onays, I beg you that this one single day, can you bring the cheerful smile on Anissa¡¯s face. Can you please save that sultanate, protect it¡¯s people. Can you please do it, so that you could avenge me? Can you do that Onays.¡± Pleaded the doctor as tears poured down his chin. ¡°Can you please, do it one last time?¡±


    ¡°I will doctor, but I don¡¯t know how to beat Ratna and the conquistador. I only know a particle bit about silat really. I was too overconfident.¡± Replied Onays as he had rejuvenated his energy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Onays, you¡¯re not alone. I know where the Brunei government hid the golden crocodile.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m honest here. I intercepted the police files and they have relocated them at the Brunei Museum at Kota Batu.¡±


    ¡°Kota Batu¡­.¡± Murmured Onays. ¡°Sounds familiar.¡±


    ¡°If we can trespass through the system, then we can get you back to the bay on time.¡±


    ¡°Do you know any tricks?¡± asked Onays.


    ¡°Hah, I have kept the feathers close with me. But we can¡¯t teleport there from this distance. We have to drive by car.¡±


    Banging on the door, the yelling was demeaning.


    ¡°Police, open up the door!¡±


    ¡°The feather, hurry teleport outside. Take it!¡±


    ¡°Oi, there¡¯s no escape!¡± a SWAT troop rammed in and aimed his MP5 at Doctor Azim. Onays kicked the MP5 away and slashed his hands at the enemy. He crashed into the group of SWAT outside and Onays teleported together with Doctor Azim.


    ¡°That¡¯s my car. Come on!¡± shouted the doctor.


    ¡°Running for the car, bullets whistled around. One of the bullets punctured the tire, but the doctor revved up the engine reluctantly. As they sped off, the rims scratched against the tar road. The screeching pierced their ears. Behind them, four police cars thundered through the traffic in pursuit. They drifted into Jalan Kianggeh, turned down Jalan McArthur and straight into Jalan Residency. The police were still on the loose. Doctor Azim held the feather grabbed onto Onays¡¯ shoulder. With a blink of an eye, they both disappeared and the empty car went out of control.


    The car then crashed into a van and the accident blockaded the road. The police were trapped.

 Chapter 17

    ¡°Wow, you¡¯re 60 year old something and you can still handle the pressure?¡± complimented Onays.


    ¡°Whatever. Here¡¯s the museum.¡± Told Doctor Azim. ¡°Do you see that empty bay.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like I¡¯ve seen it before.¡± Said Onays.


    ¡°That is where the kampong village used to be. Come, let me show you something.¡±


    The doctor meandered through some dense shrubs until they stumbled upon a 116 meter tall tree. Below it on the trunk, there was an initial with a large heart encompassing it.


    ¡°Anissa and Azim. Year 1578.¡± Read Onays.


    ¡°That was the day before they attacked us. There¡¯s one last thing that might intrigue you.¡±


    ¡°Hehehe, girls can be dangerous you know. That initial is one of the symptoms. They are creatures that¡¯s really hard for us to understand their feelings. Right?¡±


    The doctor sneered. ¡°That¡¯s the most clich¨¦ and cheesy line that I hear every time in movies.¡± The doctor pointed at a protruding wooden plank planted in the ground. ¡°That¡¯s where the palace used to stand. Now it¡¯s shrouded by vegetation and vines.¡±


    ¡°This place is nothing but a museum dedicated to those who fought bravely?¡± said Onays perplexed.


    ¡°Not entirely. Unless you¡¯re able to change that Onays.¡± The doctor assured. ¡°Do you have the feather with you?¡±


    ¡°In my pocket.¡±


    ¡°Do you use it often?¡±Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Never, I¡¯m not brave enough to use it. I¡¯m scared that I might get teleported into a wall or anything.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to use it kid. It might come in handy. Did Pak Utam ever told you what the feather could also do?¡±


    ¡°Um, no¡­ you know him too?¡±


    ¡°Yes. In fact, I devoured all the ambuyat that Mak Husnita cooked for us.¡±


    Onays almost vomited. ¡°Well, you¡¯re Bruneian. You¡¯re used to it.¡±


    ¡°Oh, the good old days. Pak Utam said that the feather could be used to transport an object into your hands too, if you know where it is and that you¡¯re very close to it. I can sense it in that museum.¡± Explained the doctor.


    ¡°Cool, go and teleport it!¡±


    ¡°That, I will leave to you.¡±


    ¡°What if I teleport into a wall and¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop thinking about that and focus!¡± the doctor blared. ¡°You have to change your attitude Onays. Don¡¯t be selfish. Your greatest enemy is not Francisco, Ratna or his compatriots. The enemy is your own fear. If teleporting the golden crocodile in your hand isn¡¯t good enough, then how can you save the past?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ my head won¡¯t tell me what¡¯s correct or wrong.¡±


    Doctor Azim crossed his arms. ¡°It¡¯s now or never Onays. Please, can you please do it Onays.¡±


    Onays cleared his mind. He held the feather up and concentrated his mind on the golden crocodile. He realized that he had succeeded. In his hand, is the award.


    ¡°Brilliant, come on the docks aren¡¯t far away from here. You have to get a sampan.¡±


    ¡°Right!¡±


    ¡°Wait, there¡¯s no time for that. Look, a sea taxi is passing by!¡±


    Both of them shouted out for the water taxi and it swerved to their direction and parked. On board, Doctor Azim instructed the driver to head for the Brunei Bay. Onays witnessed the Sungai Brunei Bridge again and the umpteen numbers of stilt houses on water as they sped to the centre of Kampong Ayer. Once they reached there, dozens of marine speedboats raced their way to catch them. Doctor Azim gave his last words.


    ¡°Whatever happens Onays, do your very best. Remember Onays, your actions will change the past. Take the feather and keris.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Replied Onays as he dived into the water.


    ¡°Did he just jump into the water?¡± the driver cooed.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. He thinks he¡¯s a fish¡­¡± replied Doctor Azim awkwardly.


    Slamming him down, two marine police troops detained the doctor and escorted him onto the speedboat. The innocent driver was also suspected and both their hands were cuffed. The driver was shouting and fidgeting. Observing Onays dive spot, he had faith that Onays would succeed.

 Chapter 18

    Sneaking from walls to bushes, Onays made sure that he was not detected. Walking back and forth on the walls were the Spaniards armed with muskets. Onays crawled stealthily towards the wall and he was relieved that they did not notice him. He sprinted without a sound across the war-torn trading post and bazaar. He pinched his nose from the rotting corpses and expired livestock meat scattered all over the floor.


    Turning over by a house, Onays crept to a well and saw the palace not far from his location. With the are mostly deserted, Onays charged from cover and looped directly for the palace. Whilst doing so, Onays tripped over a log. It can¡¯t be. Was it because he ran too fast. Or did he forgot to tie his shoes. None of those match in. The factor was Ratna. Ratna had pushed him down and he stomped Onays on the stomach. That was his famous signature move to defeat his opponent.


    ¡°Ratna, you don¡¯t have to do this!¡± told Onays. ¡°We can settle this out peacefully.¡±


    ¡°No, you have taken my life you scum!¡± Ratna propelled a rigid fist onto his face. Onays got back up and skipped a few distances for self-defence. More enemy troops flooded in, but they formed a crowd in a large circle around them. It was a brawl. ¡°There¡¯s nowhere to run anymore. It is whether you die, or lose.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± said Onays sarcastically.


    ¡°Shut up you scum. Welcome to hell. Population; you!¡± Ratna bent his knees and curled his arms at Onays. Onays dodged it well and he retaliated by with an uppercut on his neck. Ratna began to choke. Onays dribbled down onto his leg and Ratna swirled in the air before crashing down. Ratna was enraged. He flexed his arms behind and thrusted it forward. Onays received a vehement punch on his sternum and he waddled to the floor.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    He leapt back on track and walked around in circles facing Ratna. They stampeded at each other, Onays somersaulted in the air and striked him with his foot. The ever so gallant Ratna was running low on stamina and the crowd of troops lost their hopes on him. Onays ran around in circles this time. Ratna tried to chase him, but he was too rapid. Ratna stopped, Onays punched his face fastidiously and flipped Ratna despite his larger body. Ratna laid silent on the floor.


    From the loss, the troops raised their muskets to execute Onays.


    ¡°Oh, crud!¡±


    ¡°For the Barunah Sultanate! Allahuakbar!¡± Sultan Saiful came into rescue as he had devised a potent resistance army to vamoose the White Men out of their ancestral land. The hulubalang troops in great pride stacked the enemy down and sliced their rapid hands at the necks, eliminating them. Poisoned arrows darted through their lungs which suffocated them. More reinforcements came as elephant troops threw their spears from atop.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to kill you Ratna. I¡¯m here to fix the past. You have not mistaken Ratna. It¡¯s that your emotions and feelings had betrayed you.¡± Explained Onays. He knifed the keris through his clothing and Ratna was nailed to the ground before the hulubalang troops can recover him.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Anissa?¡± asked Onays to one of the hulubalang troops.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know. Our orders is to secure Kota Batu. We will find the princess later!¡±


    Onays fell dumbstruck. The battle was favouring the resistance. Without much hesitation, Onays ran for the palace. He broke the door open but to his dismay, the balairung was ransacked and all the royal possessions and decorations had been filched. There was one place that Onays could think of at the moment. He abruptly left at top speed.