Chapter 5: The Pact
The morning air was thick with mist and a strange tension, like the breath of something unseen watching from the edge of the trees. Ardian stepped out of the house, his sharp eyes sweeping the yard like a hawk scanning a battlefield. There was a faint trace—a whisper of negative energy lingering in the air, subtle but undeniable.
Someone, or something, had tried to breach the invisible barrier protecting this house.
But it had failed.
The spiritual ward, strong and pulsing with warmth, had repelled the dark presence. The source of that positive energy was familiar to Ardian: Kinanti. But it wasn't only her.
"Kinanti was right," Ardian said, turning to the elderly couple behind him. "Someone tried to get in last night. But they didn't make it far."
"Because of Kinanti, right?" asked Mr. Santosa, his voice a mix of worry and awe.
Ardian shook his head slowly. "Not just Kinanti. This house is soaked in positive energy—like morning mist wrapping the earth. That's what keeps it safe."
Mrs. Santosa looked confused. "What do you mean, dear? We don't have anything special here."
Ardian smiled gently, his tone softening. "The energy comes from both of you. Your prayers. Your charity. Your kindness to others. Those things attract light. Real, tangible light. It builds up and stays. That's what protected this house."
Kinanti, floating just behind them, chimed in with a grin. "He's right. I only added a little touch. The true guardians of this house are the two of you."
Ardian turned to her, brow arched. "Then why are you so eager to stay here, huh? Seems pretty safe already."
Caught, Kinanti laughed awkwardly and scratched her head. "Ah... so you noticed."
"Of course I did," Ardian said, arms crossed. "Just be honest. Don't pretend to be a selfless hero when you're clearly hiding something."
Kinanti's laughter faded. Her expression turned serious, her eyes suddenly haunted. "I... I'm afraid."
There was a pause. Even the wind held its breath.
"Not of spirits or demons. I'm afraid of humans."
Ardian's gaze sharpened. "Go on."
"A week ago, someone left a buhul at the gate," she whispered, glancing at the old couple. "A cursed object. I destroyed it before it could do any harm."
Mrs. Santosa gasped, clutching her husband's arm. "Why would anyone do that to us? What have we ever done wrong?"
Ardian looked at her gently. "Sometimes... being good is reason enough for bad people to hate you."
"And it gets worse," Kinanti added, voice barely above a whisper. "Three nights ago, there were intruders. Human ones. They tried to break in. I scared them off by showing myself. They screamed 'Ghost!' and ran."
"Wait!" Mr. Santosa suddenly exclaimed. "Was that the noise I heard outside? Around midnight?"
Kinanti grinned proudly. "Yep! That was me. They even brought knives. I had to teach them a lesson."
Her mischievous pride filled the air like a playful breeze.
Mrs. Santosa chuckled nervously. "Ghost or not, I'm glad you were here."
Heard the compliment, Kinanti couldn't help but to laughs happy, but her laugh was enough to scare Mr. Santosa and his wife sinve it's inhumanly sound.
Suddenly, Ardian straightened. With a theatrical flair, he raised his hand high above his head like a martial artist preparing a final blow.
"Mercy, brother!" Kinanti squealed, bracing herself—
Smack!
"Boom! Headshot!" Ardian declared, striking her forehead with the flat of his palm. She spun backward and collapsed onto the ground, limbs twitching like a cartoon character.
"This palm's got flavor isn't it?" he added with a smug flex of his arm.
"I swear, my ghost life is so hard if you're around to much," Kinanti muttered from the floor, rubbing her bright red cheek.
The old couple burst into laughter. Even in a home touched by fear, joy still found a place.
But Ardian's smile faded.
He crouched next to Kinanti, speaking in a lower tone. "Tell me the truth. There's more to this, isn't there?"
Kinanti looked down. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
"There's a group..." she murmured. "We call them the Begal. Not regular thieves. They're spiritual slavers. Shamans who hunt us down. Enslave spirits. Bind us to cursed objects. Force us to hurt people. I escaped one of them. He's looking for me. I know he is."
Ardian fell silent. He looked around the house again, this time with new understanding.
This wasn't just a place protected by prayer. It was a sanctuary.
"This house," he said slowly, "could hide you. The energy here masks your presence. The Begal wouldn't sense you inside."
Kinanti's voice broke. "Please... let me stay. I promise I won't bother you. I won't haunt or scare anyone. I just want a safe place. If anyone tries to harm this family... I'll fight for them. I swear it."
Her eyes shimmered with desperate hope as she looked at Mr. and Mrs. Santosa.
Mr. Santosa glanced at his wife. Her lips pressed together, uncertain. But he placed a hand gently over hers.
The silence stretched.
And then he nodded.
"You may stay."
"Dear!?" his wife exclaimed, shocked.
He looked at her with deep, calm eyes. "Dear... we cannot let a spirit like her fall into evil hands. She asked for kindness. Let's not turn her away."
His wife hesitated. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Alright... But you explain this to the children later. Not me."
"Deal," he smiled.
Kinanti's lips trembled. Her ghostly form shimmered slightly, a ripple of tears trailing down her cheeks.
"Thank you... I swear I'll protect this place like it's my own."
This time, Ardian didn't tease her. He let the moment settle like dust after a storm.
Then he stood up.
"Alright. That settles it. Kinanti, return to your space. Mr. and Mrs. Santosa, I'm going to close your spiritual senses now. You won't see or hear her anymore, unless she allows it."
"Thank you, Ardian," said Mr. Santosa. "For everything."
Kinanti gave one last bow, whispering, "Thank you... brother from different dimension."
With a wisp of white mist, she vanished.
Sunlight pierced through the window as Ardian pulled open the curtain. The golden beams warmed the room, like the house itself exhaled relief.
"Mrs. Santosa," Ardian said, "could you bring two glasses of warm water with salt? It helps to purify and reset the senses."
She nodded and left. A few moments later, they all drank the salted water, then performed ablution.
Once it was done, Ardian exhaled deeply.
"It's done. Kinanti is safe. And so are you."
"Alhamdulillah," whispered the couple together.
They all stood quietly for a while, savoring the stillness.
Then, Mr. Santosa turned to his wife and spoke in a low voice. She nodded, retreating to the back of the house.
Mr. Santosa approached Ardian, his expression somber.
"Ardian... would you sit with me for a while? There's something I need to say."