The first group of six disembarked onto the eastern pier of Untung Jawa Island. The dock was wide and welcoming, a popular spot for recreational fishing. After untying the mooring ropes, the boat's engine roared back to life and headed off toward the next destination—Rambut Island.
From a distance, Rambut Island looked foreboding. There were no settlements, only a few observation posts scattered among the thick foliage. Fishermen rarely stopped here unless they had special access, usually granted to relatives or conservation staff.
As the boat drifted closer, the wooden dock grew clearer. Sebastian narrowed his eyes. It wasn't quite as intimidating as it had seemed from afar. Several groups of anglers were already there, casting their lines into the calm water. He counted five groups in total.
Bang Janip jogged ahead, a package tucked under one arm. He handed it off to one of the staff at the observation post before returning to the boat to unload the group's fishing gear.
"Sebastian, over there!" Pandu called, pointing toward a cage-like structure on the right side of the pier.
Without hesitation, they headed in that direction while Janip took their luggage to the post for safekeeping. The boat, as per the island's regulations, wasn't allowed to linger long, let alone remain overnight.
After a few hours of exploring the island with no results, they trudged back to the observation post, stomachs growling. Lunch was overdue.
Seated on the edge of the wooden pier, they watched the other anglers joke and laugh about their catches. Across the water, a few motorboats sped playfully around the tourist island of Untung Jawa. The opposite shore buzzed with local visitors, laughter echoing over the sea.
Pandu popped open a toolbox, rummaged inside, and handed one of the fishing rods to Sebastian. Then, with a practiced motion, he peeled off his shirt and dove into the water, speargun in hand.
"Looks like Pandu prefers hunting to fishing," Sebastian mused aloud, amused.
The sky was clear, and the trees were thick enough to keep the midday sun from scorching them. Sebastian moved from one spot to another, searching for a more promising fishing location.
Just as he reached the edge of the dock and swung his rod into position, the sky darkened abruptly. The still water rippled violently as if something massive stirred below the surface.
Then, without warning...
Two jet skis roared toward him. The men riding them held glowing blue trident spears. With expert precision, they twisted their vehicles and hurled the weapons at him.
Reacting instinctively, Sebastian activated his energy shield. The spears bounced off with a crackle of light and flew back toward the attackers. Unfazed, both men vaulted onto the pier, charging at him.
The clash was immediate and brutal. Outnumbered, Sebastian was forced back, step by step, until he stumbled onto the sandy beach. One blow knocked him down, and as one of the men raised his spear again—
Buugh!
The attacker was sent tumbling across the sand.
Pandu stood where the man had just been, fists clenched, eyes fierce.
"Bas! Are you okay?!" he shouted, dropping into a defensive stance.
"Thanks, Ndu. I'm alright," Sebastian panted, catching his breath.
But his relief was short-lived. Around them, the previously cheerful anglers stood unnaturally still, a dark aura swirling around their ears like black smoke.
The two jet ski attackers retrieved their weapons. Now, the blue glow had intensified, forming fiery halos with yellow cores.
"Watch out, Bas!" Pandu shouted, pivoting. He took on the possessed anglers, ordering Sebastian to ramp up his Bio-Evolution energy.
Sebastian nodded and spread his arms. A thick green light erupted around him, coalescing into the shape of a giant hand that reached out and seized one of the possessed fishermen.
Then—
A loud screech echoed across the pier.
An eagle swooped down and perched atop a wooden post. A moment later, a jet ski glided up to the shore. A girl leaped from it, landing lightly in the sand. She approached them briskly.
"Prepare your weapons!" she called.
Sebastian and Pandu exchanged stunned looks.
"Thalia!?" they said in unison.
Thalia clapped her palms together. A powerful gust of wind followed the eagle's cry, sweeping over the pier. The possessed anglers collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Without missing a beat, Pandu used his energy construct to gently deposit the fallen fishermen onto the sand.
"It's not over," Thalia warned.
As if on cue, three more figures emerged from the shadows.
Sebastian's eyes widened. This trio was different. Unlike the others, their energy had a distinct, radiant hue. The woman among them exuded an unsettling calm, flanked by two younger men—one burly, one lanky.
She smirked at Sebastian, then glanced at her companions. "A new member? What's your name, Bro? Sebagian?"
She seemed amused by her comment. Sebastian frowned.
Then, their Bio-Evolution forms emerged. The heavier man shifted, gray light enveloping him as his body formed an elephantine trunk. The thin one glowed blood-red, his shape twisting into something serpentine—a python. The woman radiated a blackish-purple light. Feathers shimmered along her limbs.
A peacock.
Two of them attacked again, trident spears aimed at Sebastian. But he was ready.
In a single, fluid motion, he leaped into the air, crossing his arms and spinning.
Twin weapons flashed: a golden yellow keris in his right hand and a silver cleaver in the left.
Duaaaarrrr!
The collision shook the pier. The two attackers were thrown backward, knocked out cold.
The remaining trio didn't flinch. They readied themselves to strike.
Pandu and Thalia stood firm, mirroring their posture. The tension was palpable, like the stillness before a storm.
Then, unexpectedly, an older fisherman with a pandanus hat strolled into the middle of the battlefield, completely unconcerned.
He glanced out to sea, then up at the sky—the sun had returned.
A loud motor broke the silence. A speedboat shot across the waves toward them. All heads turned.
Two large men jumped ashore, collected the unconscious attackers, and loaded them onto the boat. The trio in peacock, python, and elephant form followed without resistance.
Sebastian squinted at the boat's driver. His heart skipped a beat. There was something hauntingly familiar in the man's face, like seeing a reflection from another life.
"Who is he?" he whispered.
The boat sped off.
The fisherman in the pandanus hat suddenly collapsed into the sand with an exhausted groan.
"Hadeeeh...!" he muttered.
"Brother?!" Thalia called, rushing over.
Pandu, ever meticulous, worked to restore the anglers' energy and return them to their normal state. His movements were precise, disciplined—almost military.
In contrast, the man Thalia had addressed as "brother" was laid-back, practically carefree.
Sebastian approached them both, extending a hand.
"I didn't get a chance to introduce myself. I'm Sebastian."
Thalia flashed a playful smile, still toying with her hat. "I'm Thalia. But I guess you already knew that, huh?"
"And I'm David," the man said with a grin, dodging a teasing smack from Thalia.
"Save the chatter for the post!" Pandu called, hoisting a string of fresh fish onto his shoulder. The sun had begun to dip, casting a golden hue across the water.
The eagle flapped down from its perch and landed on Thalia's shoulder. Together, the group headed toward the observation post.
Pandu switched on the emergency lights, casting soft glows across the clearing. David fired up an electric stove—open flames weren't allowed on conservation islands.
Thalia had already begun preparing the fish. She handed small slices to the eagle.
"Dinner time," she said softly.
As the sun finally disappeared behind the horizon, casting the world in hues of twilight, the post glowed gently with emergency lights. The anglers began to gather, sipping tea or resting on tarps left behind by rangers out on patrol.
The danger had passed, for now. But the questions had only just begun.