Budi Anarko

He knew that struggle was a shadow woven into every step and movement of human civilization. He also knew that names were chains that bound humanity to their shadows. Therefore, those born without a name, but accepting a name attached to them, were like binding themselves with chains. The name "Anarko" was not his own, but rather one that was attached to him decades ago. The attachment of that name was then accompanied by a fight that he was obliged to fulfill.

The rules are clear: anyone who successfully kills a state administrative official, at least at the level of district head, is entitled to assume the position of their victim. This position will be held until the next Battle Day takes place, and the same regulations apply. If a district head is slain by more than one person, the killers will fight each other until only one remains, and that individual will be entitled to serve as the next district head.

However, this is not the case for Budi Anarko. Through an insider, it is known that the container detection system can only detect biological signs, such as heartbeats or body temperature. However, Budi Anarko is no longer a biological entity. Most of his body organs have been cybernetically modified; his heart is a mini reactor, his motor muscles are made of titanium fibers, and his body is as cold as metal. Smuggling into a container that he understands will head to the Capital District is no different from visiting an old friend's house for him. Thus, Budi Anarko walks to fulfill the destiny that has been assigned to him.

Budi Anarko became who he is now after that voice. Now, he traverses the ruins of the country he inhabited. A country that consists of five islands. Initially, there were tens of thousands of islands, but by the 2030s, almost all the small islands there were sold by the highest powers of the state to pay off the country's debts to foreign powers. A decade later, global warming and climate change had reached a saturation point; the Earth was fed up with the increasingly ferocious behavior of the flakes known as humans, and disaster struck.

Tsunamis and earthquakes; a series of natural disasters that have resulted in rising sea levels; submerging many areas, including most of the country's territory, leaving only five islands separated from each other by hundreds of kilometers. Climate instability has made sea weather unpredictable; storms and lightning alternate, and news of shipwrecks has become as routine as breakfast. The economy is in free fall, the country is in chaos, and the rulers continue to appear laughing. The people are wailing, and rebellions are spreading everywhere like an epidemic.

Falling Star Project. The government's program to form a super soldier unit through genetic engineering in collaboration with a superpower at the western edge of the world. The result is the Falling Star Brigade; a team consisting of ten members led by the legendary veteran Satria Anarko. This special unit travels across the country to quell rebellions. It is said that one member of this team can eliminate a battalion of elite soldiers in one hour. And on that bloody night, this team succeeded in toppling the state.

"The President, he does not know that a secret code for mind control is implanted in every member of the team. The scientist assigned as the head of the Falling Star Project is apparently an intelligence agent of that superpower, and has a secret mission to weaken this country so that it can be easily dominated," recounted the elderly Satria Anarko to a ragged child who was eagerly consuming the remnants of his meal.

However, instead of saving his squad, he still killed the President.

"It seems that we are still under the influence of that hypnosis. However, one among us, who is also a close friend of mine...," he recalled.

His name is Balaraja. He is the strongest member of the team after Satria Anarko himself, who also holds the position of vice chairman. However, unbeknownst to anyone, he modified his body cybernetically, thereby multiplying his strength. On that bloody night, his body modifications allowed him to break free from the control code of his mind. However, instead of saving his team, he went on to kill the President. Without anyone's authorization, he then hacked into the national broadcasting system, seized control over his team, and declared himself the new President.

"On that night, he did not represent anyone except for his own hatred and ferocity. For him, true power is born from the law of the jungle: if you want to be in power, you must eliminate those in power. You must kill them and end their madness!" Satria Anarko exclaimed. The shabby boy beside him sat shrinking.

A year after that bloody night, what remained of the Falling Star Brigade attempted to overthrow Balaraja. That day marked the First Battle Day, and it was the only effort to topple the high-ranking power holder of the state. The grand fight was broadcasted to districts across five islands. Unfortunately, the President had become too powerful with his cybernetic body. Satria Anarko, the sole survivor—albeit severely injured—fled to a remote district. Since then, no one has been able or dared to overthrow the President during the Battle Days held for nearly two decades. However, the fighting did not cease.

You... will be... the next President...! So, what... do you want... to change...!?

"So you are 'Anarko', who will destroy me? It's futile! Your mission is merely a mandate; you lack the resolve to change anything! Your fate is to die at my hands!" The President proclaimed his challenge.

What followed was silence. A silence that penetrated and vibrated within the heads of the entire animal civilization.

Tangerang, April 2025

Kurnia Gusti Sawiji, a teacher and writer born in Tangerang, Banten. As one of 10 emerging writers in the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) 2024, Kurnia contributed to the online exhibition project of the Emerging Writers Festival (EWF) Australia 2024 with a monologue entitled A Dust’s Soliloquy (The Silent Song of a Piece of Dust). His published solo works include the novel Tanah Seberang (Mojok Book, 2018) and the short story collection Dongeng Pengantar Apocalypse (Unsa Press, 2022). In addition, his short stories and essays have been published in several media, such as Mojok, Suara Merdeka, and Kompas. Can be followed on social media Instagram: @kurnigs.

Mayek Prayitno, studied at the Modern School of Design, Department of Painting (2000), FSR ISI Yogyakarta class of 2003 and body studies at the Department of Anthropology UGM 2008, living in Yogyakarta-Jakarta. Now working while working in Jakarta. As an artist, independent curator and writer in many art exhibitions. Actively exhibiting at home and abroad. One of the initiators of the Indonesian Drawing Forum (Indonesia Mengenal). Wrote a book on artist Ipe Ma'aroef and a compilation of articles by artist Nazar. Involved in various communities. Received awards in art competitions in Indonesia, China, and Vietnam.