Pandora: Antologi Cerpen

F (1) : The Legend of Nusa Barong

Once upon a time, at the far east of the ancient world before the great flood Noah came, precisely at south of the Archipelago. There was a prosperous kingdom. The name was Kingdom of Baksa. The kingdom was led by a wise king, Nadhim Piraksa. He had royal blood of the Kingdom of Lemuria. It was said that the Kingdom of Lemuria was at most eastern of the Nusantara. Even the kingdom was the strongest rival of the Atlantis Republic.

In the third year of Nadhim Piraksa's administration, there was conflict between the kingdom and Atlantis. It was caused by the royal scientists who took dozens of rare cats from the Atlantis without permission. So, the president of Atlantis was angry and asked the prime minister to warn the Kingdom of Baksa.

"Remember. If you take our natural resources again, our soldiers will not hesitate to destroy your kingdom," the prime minister said through a wireless communication.

However, all scientists in Baksa kingdom ignored the warning because they were busy researching genes from those cats. The cats were studied to be able to talk, walk, think like humans.

As a result, the mass media of the Baksa Kingdom spread the news of the creation of smart cats to all around of the world proudly.

"Haha, that's right. Even though our country is small, it is not complicated to change the view that our country has been innovated to the future and preceded the superpower, "said King Nadhim Piraksa happily.

Because of his words, then the president of Atlantis was furious. He felt humiliated by a small country from the far east.

"OK. They have ignored my warning. Tomorrow, I will destroy the whole kingdom in the early morning. Minister, please prepare our best battalion," the president said seriously.

"Yes, President! Our troops will leave at midnight via the portal. The small kingdom was very proud. They do not know that we are the most powerful country," the minister answered with confidence.

"Yes, that is true. The secret portal is our best discovery," the president said and relaxed his hands.

*****

Also on the breaking dawn, the attack from the formidable warriors of Atlantis was launched. All residents and even the king were still fast asleep in their bed. Various high-sturdy buildings and everything within it were burned, especially in the capital city of Baksa Kingdom. Less than half an hour, everything in the kingdom had been destroyed. Atlantis soldiers burned the kingdom with fire bombs. The whole kingdom was dazzled by the white of fire.

There were only 2 creatures who survived from the attack, the two experimental cats that had been experimented and modified by scientists. They threw themselves into the sea and got dragged down to the island.

"How could we still alive? What should we do? Are we just staying here until someone finds us? "Asked Tanika, a female cat.

"Yes, Tanika. We will continue to wait while surviving on this island," answered Filo, a male cat.

They waited a long time. Seconds change to minutes, minutes change to hours, hours change to days. Days later, middle-aged men came without knowing the jungle. They saw him with great fear.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. I am a prophet. I will save you here because big floods will come soon. "He explained kindly.

The two cats confirmed the invitation of the prophet. The prophet said to them, it was God's bless that he moved to the island they were on. Then, they moved to a very large ark through a wormhole.

"So, are we going to be here to survive the big flood?" Tanika asked.

Then the prophet nodded in agreement. Soon, the sky in all corners of the world turned black. It indicates that every civilizations scattered on the surface of the Earth would be destroyed, no exception for Atlantis - the superpower country at that time.

Atlantis, where used to be known as a high-tech civilization, and also other civilizations with smaller powers were finally destroyed by massive flooding.

"That is the punishment from God because you are not grateful for His blessings," Said the prophet while he was looking outside the window of the ark.

****

After the great flood, humans built civilizations from the beginning, at the simplest level, of course. Gradually, human civilization was also growing. One of the earliest was Mesopotamia. Then, How was the two cats? They lived happily because they were worshiped as gods by most of the population in ancient Egypt.

And the former Kingdom of Baksa also merged with the island where they once came. The unification finally formed an island that we could see in the south of Jember, Nusa Barong Island.