Night has fallen, and night is short. Although you think that 8 pm is still way too young to sleep, it is probably the best time for you to rest and reset for the upcoming morning. One thing I could never understand is why some people have to enjoy nightlife, especially the white people around. Getting drunk, womanizing, and other disgusting stuff. As a son of a somewhat important person in the kingdom, Father was strict to the bone about manners and the concept of sins. Something that a child should protect as they grow up and develop their conscious thoughts. As I grow older, I think selfishness and selflessness are my own common enemy. I was so selfless that sometimes I could be too selfish and not know when I should stop being furious. I think praying helps with developing my inner peace and calming down my inner demons.

  The wind gently sweeps my bareback as I blankly stare into my wardrobe. It is a very pleasant night, all sides of the pillows are cold and the thought of it makes me want to succumb to death rehearsal once more. With all means of experiencing the nightmare all over again. The pain, the feeling, ohh... and that sensation when the plague starts to eat away my sanity.

  Thud!

  I closed my wardrobe to clear my mind for a second. Is this how it feels to be crazy? Should I stop the medications? I put on a white shirt, and white trousers, the basic mandatory wearable. They hug my legs in a perfect manner. All has to be white, to show the 'enemy' that a true soldier is the one that has the purest intentions inside. Red wide sash and black belt, but before the sash there's another garment with the same color. Surely makes me look like I was wearing shorts outside of my trousers. After everything, I slid a Kris underneath the sash. The jasmine wrath sometimes gets tucked into the sash, which is something that the demon inside the still would not love to do. I put on a holster and I began to load my gun.

  Ah..

  Why does the thought of it never leave...

  I will only put one bullet and shuffle the round. Anytime it triggers me, I can still have a 5/6 chance of making it out alive. This is tough, but I guess I will have to carry the rest of the bullets in a separate pouch. I took a deep breath and holstered my handgun. How many times do I have to overthink about everything in my life?

  Tonight is the meeting with the Prince. He requested me to wear something green, be it an accessory or the whole attire itself. It's just really complicated for me to understand the whole document in one sitting, too much and surely my brain will go kaput if no one else is able to explain anything. Is she really alive, out there.. under the wretched creatures that the Company brought? What is the purpose of those krakens? I do not know. So many questions, and too few sources. All I know is that I have to find her, set her free, and bring justice for her.

  I struggled to put the tall boots on, and finally the last thing, the black outer coat.

  "Langga," Sasmita approached me from her tree.

  "Yes?" I packed up my sling bag as she sat on the windowsill gracefully.

  "You look so much distressed. Something to do on tonight's duty"

  "There's no duty... I'm meeting the Prince"

  "I have a bad feeling"

  "It's just a feeling, Sasmita," I said while grabbing my hat and walking away from my room.

  I do not want to make her undead soul become more restless. I had to hurry before she could read my mind through my face. The night is young, I can sense that my sister is asleep, as well as my parents. Tiptoeing, I went to the back entrance where my bicycle was parked. I make sure that I do not wake my sound-sensitive stepmother up. I locked the door so that no burglar could come in, even if they dared Sasmita would scare them up. In the speed of light, I cycled my way through the dark, to the royal palace.

  The dim light from the dynamo is just not bright enough. But I can see that some people are still keeping their torches lit, I think the Prince himself ordered some people to do so for some particular reason. I looked to the left and right. There's more than these two eyes could see. Spirits, monsters, and demons alike. Sometimes I see through lies. Blessings or a curse, I just think it's quite of a curse. Their appearance can be quite the gore for one with a weak stomach. I'm not scared of them, or more like I get used to living with seeing them on a daily basis.

  The night is young, yet the night is short at the same moment. A calm stance is obvious but the thoughts are getting louder each time the pedal rotates and the chain screeches a little. Some colleagues of mine, who work as the Company's guards, were guarding Dutch-owned facilities. It is quite a match to call them in a friendly connotation, yet we share the same motherland. I do want to believe they have mouths to feed and responsibilities to burden, what differs is the path we choose. From the streets of Dutch-acquired Malioboro Avenue down to Fort Rustenburg, it's a small downhill until the first gate of the Southern Royal Square. The square itself is an enormous roundabout with the main court entrance facing the main gate. In the Square, people would assist the King in making decisions, pleading for something, and even execution. Soldiers are not allowed to enter from the main gate, we have our own entrance. I turned right and left after I passed the Royal Kitchen. A small certainly-not-suspicious wooden door, through that door my duty begins. I park my bicycle next to the horse stable, smells like shit but it's the closest to my post.

  Now come to think of it, I suppose to meet the Prince tonight. Should've parked next to the courtyard. Human muscle is such a delicate creation.

  ——

  But to be fairly honest, some higher guards will throw my bicycle away again after the last time I arrived late for the vow assembly. Embarrassing but thank God it was still in one piece when I found it in the trash pile near Ngasem Market. It is not a long walk, fortunately. After 10 minutes, I arrived at the living quarters for the Princes and the Crowned Son. I showed my badge to the guards with the letter my father gave me just today. It is awfully quiet, there should be more guards. Is anyone else visiting? I slowly walked inside the house without making any noise. I heard some shouting coming from the office when I stepped inside the living room. I put my hand on the handle of my close-range sharp steel.

  "Diponegoro, I cannot risk giving you more arms for a war that you cannot fight! This is not the time to play heroes. Plague is in front of our door and you are busy with your hide and seek with the Dutch!??"

  "Respectfully Uncle Pujokusumo, you have seen what those corrupted Adipati (councilmen) can do!! The Dutch poisoned him because he finally sided with his subjects! Ibnu Jarot died honouring his motherland!"

  "I do not wish you to make a foolish decision!! We do NOT need any other talented royal like you just to be assassinated in his youth!"

  "They're tumbling down our ancestor's resting place, Kangmas!!! We do not have time to argue... Does Sultan Sepuh (2nd King) know about this?? We.. have to stop them.."

  Are they talking about Kotagede? Is that why there have been so many Dutchies mobilizing around the area? I thought they were aiming at the artisans to stop producing silver armaments. Turns out I was wrong, but still if they find out about the Secret Service, this whole ghost squadron is somewhat finished.

  "What would the King's advisor say.."

  "House of Pakualaman does not have any rejection. My intels are trusted"

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  This is a conversation that a mere soldier like me should never hear. A royal dispute between princes about what to focus on first. The late 4th King was a dearest to Prince Diponegoro. The relationship was a bit of a mess when the Dutch through an Adipati (advisor) began to corrupt the 4th King. But in the end, as the oldest of the 3rd King's offspring, he regretted not fighting to convince his young King back to the correct path and somewhat prevented his assassination. Prince Pujokusumo is an unrecognized son of Sultan Sepuh (2nd King). The 2nd is still alive even after the death of his son and grandson, the fact that he's on the Dutch side might be the reason that he's still well and breathing.

  I know it's rude but it was probably the best idea before they started to kill each other. I hesitantly knocked on the door to the office room.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  "Thousands of apologies, Gusti (My Lord). Son of Soedirohoesodo has arrived to fulfil your call"

  "Come in!"

  I bowed a little before opening the door, showing the guilt of intrusion. The room is filled with cigarette smoke, yet neither Prince nor the younger Prince shows a mutual agreement to open the window. As my steps got me closer to the conversation, the door closed on its own without me doing anything to it.

  "Airlangga, correct?" Pujokusumo killed his cigarette while he changed his main topic of discussion

  "Yes, Sinuhun (Your Majesty)"

  "I appreciate that you would finally visit my humble abode. As the Lord of Pujokusuman Royal Flag, I welcome you, and this is... of course, as you might know, my nephew Diponegoro. The oldest son of the 3rd King." The Prince sat back into his chair, while the other stood next to his Uncle.

  "The honour is mine,"

  "You are the son of Doctor Wahidin, correct? Quite a protective father he is. You should be grateful... you know that all sorts of misfortune can happen nowadays, especially when the Company knocking at our door. But here you are... sacrificing your heaven for your country. You have my respect. Please, take a seat next to Diponegoro, I insist,"

  How deep this thing could be...

  "With all respect dear Princes, how would you rate the confidentiality of this matter regarding my birth mother?" I shot my question to both of them

  "I would say that it is a top priority for the Kingdom. As I and my uncle believe, your mother was the prophesized 'Ratu Adil' (Wise Queen) of Java's last regime. Essentially, we do not know if the world is going to end this soon. But my vision says no, yet again the Prophet says that it is closer than you think," Diponegoro spoke up. He's very calm, even after a heated debate with his uncle. Either that debate was a setup or he's too professional for his class. I mean, he's not showing all of those troubles in front of anyone. I get that Dutch spies might be everywhere, I guess it's only logical for him to act that way.

  "Now, kid... you know about the plague from your father, correct? The good news is, you are not wrong. We are hiding something, and this something is connected to your mother. Before we begin to tell you the lore..." The older prince stood up and walked towards my direction.

  He leaned in and pierced both of my eyes with his. The smell of tobacco, accompanied by a note of smoke and ash. The look of an old man that you despise because it makes your instinct to run away win over any logical sense that runs in your thoughts. A man of war, a man not to mess with. The older prince reached over his side armament, pointing it at my heart.

  "This is a matter of life and death, although if you truly indeed saved the world... we will not have it published. The information we're about to tell you is the highest of classification. In any case, if I find you leaking this information for any price to the enemy, I swear to the God Almighty that I will kill you with my own hands and I do not give a hell if the world ends tomorrow. Do you understand?" Prince Pujokusumo made it clear that a traitor has no place in this situation.

  "Understood, your grace."

  Prince Diponegoro took a very deep breath before he brought some files up to the table, while the other Prince began to look for some particular file regarding something. The document's border indicates that only the royal military can have access to it, and not even the King has permission. The younger Prince unsheathed his sabre,

  "One more thing, we welcome you to the main squadron of Hantu Maut, or shall we say the real deal of the Prawiratama. Diponegoro, will you do the honour?"

  "I, Bendara Raden Mas Antawirya Diponegoro, by the name of the Almighty Lord hereby declare Raden Mas Airlangga Soedirohoesodo as the Hantu Maut (ghost of the dead) from Prawiratama Platoon. May the Almighty God forgive his sins for the forbidden path he is taking. For his Mother Land, For his Kingdom, and for his own good"

  "Amen," the older prince said after the small ceremonial had been conducted.

  "With due all respect, my Princes... was it necessary?"

  "Not really, it's just an appreciation. We waited months until your dad finally agreed to include you regarding this catastrophe. But essentially, welcome to the main squad of the Ghost.. yippie yay yippie yo. You've worked so hard and the only promotion you get is Monsieur Death knocking down your door," Prince Pujokusumo handed me a photograph of someone with a serious case of the mysterious disease. A normal person could tell that this person was alive by the time the picture was taken. Somehow just like me in the dream, crumbling away while your life is still attached to your skull.

  "Would you like to know how this plague all started?" Pujokusumo continues.

  "I... I heard about some reports regarding dead civilians after visiting their field"

  "It is because the Dutch planted krakens in some part of rented land by the previous advisor. These so-called krakens are... 'guarding' something, we do not know what exactly. It is too dangerous to step inside without a high-ranking sage from Kauman," the younger prince showed me a gore portrayal of what happened to someone entering the cursed land.

  From what I heard some people also have some immunity. But maybe you have to commit something to trigger the plague. Yes, there has to be something. My experiences told me that local spirits have stronger power compared to those coming from afar. In general, they would not act if it isn't necessary to preserve their astral energy. Still, I already know about the basics. I was hoping they would be more direct about it.

  "What does it have to do with my birth mother?"

  "Well your mother... she inherits the power of the 'Queen' herself"

  Which Queen? Why did Diponegoro put a lot of stress on that word?

  "Prince Diponegoro, are you implying that there is another Queen?" I asked him to confirm my doubts

  Pujokusumo let out a loud laugh that could be heard from outside. "Did you sleep on one of your training? Well of course it's the Queen of the Southern Seas"

  "The Queen appeared, through dreams, and informed the higher sage that there was a disturbance in the spiritual realm. Something is trying to breach in, but your mother is preventing it from happening"

  "Is? She's alive?"

  Death is once, and so is resurrection. I do not believe in such things as a 'second chance' unless a book of the old foretold some prophet to guide us in the future. But like it or not it is a troubled situation I have. Honestly, do I really have a choice here? If the palace does not know anything about her, then I am as clueless as them. The 4th King took her from me when I was a baby, and the plague existed recently. Did the Young King have foreseen this just before he passed away from the attack?

  "Not quite, kid. The thing is parts of her soul were detected 'underneath' the kraken. This means that she's long gone, yet her soul remains. Unfulfilled duty, it seems like. But we do not know exactly what her duty is," the elder prince lit another cigar.

  "The sages speculate that it is to deliver a 'message'. We do not know the recipient. One more thing to consider, if her spirit is truly free, wouldn't it be more convenient to tell you directly? You can clearly see the dead, everyone in the Ghost Platoon can," Diponegoro packed his belongings, seems his business was done here.

  Hidden message? In the spiritual world, even the wind listens. It's hard to conceal any message because once a word is spoken by a spirit, it attracts others. Surely dutch brought their own wizard or witch around. Although I heard in the past they were busy hunting them down, but now they sleep on the same bed. Royals or not, humans would do anything to save their skin.

  Disgusting...

  But what is her role in the bigger scene surely is a mystery. The wind listens, so I can't really ask Dad about it. Is this why Mother writes down everything? So that they can't listen into stolen intel scattered in between the wind. The Prince mentioned the Queen has something to do with this thing. I can't really have an audience with The Queen unless my soul gets separated from its vessel.

  "Kid?" A hand tapped my left shoulder gently. The pungent smell of tobacco filled my lungs. The Old Prince was standing next to me.

  "So my mother is the keeper of the Golden Apple?" I finally came to my conclusion.

  A laughter can be heard from Pujokusumo while the younger one sighs. Is my hypothesis wrong?

  "Brilliant... a scholar is really not someone you can make fun of. Now that the main agenda has been taken care of, you are dismissed," Pujokusumo said while he walked back to his seat. He killed the ember that was burning the cigarettes

  "These documents are yours. Study them, you will meet your new Lieutenant and The Oracle in two days, same hour. Have a good rest, soldier. May God protect you in your dreams"

  "My gratitude, dear Princes"

  It sickens me to death, knowing that I am ill yet nobody knows the cure for it. If anything they would have told me by now right? All these dreams might have meaning in reality, but I'm only getting closer to the end of my time rather than the freedom of peaceful night slumber. But since the younger one mentioned The Oracle, she must have prepared something for me, an answer I hope. I consider tonight as a promotion, at least my salary has risen by some percentage.