Anissa was surely a savior. She together with Onays had teleported by the dock of Kampong Ayer where water taxis were awaiting their customers. Anissa had something special up her sleeves. She had her own sampan ship ready just a few distance away from the main dock. She led Onays there proudly, craving for his compliment.

“This is a very ugly sampan.” Onays ridiculed. “There’s no engine on it.”

“Are you serious?” Anissa interjected. “This is the fastest sampan that my father used as a boy to catch fish!”

“Whatever, where are we going on this sampan?”

“To be honest with you Mawang, I think the golden crocodile wasn’t in that museum after all.”

“So we went there for suicide?”

“Only you, they can’t see me so I’m safe.”

“What’s the point going there then?”

“I wanted to educate you. Duhh. Now, I will answer your questions.”

“Finally…” said Onays relieved.

“Right after we ride this sampan.”

Onays played around with Anissa’s attitude, all he could do was to manage his anger and impatience. He rode on the sampan and Anissa began to row it. The sampan went all the way to the middle of the Brunei Bay among the stilt houses in Kampong Ayer. Onays gaped at the Sungai Brunei Bridge, with a spectacular gold dome that surmounts the whole structure. Occupied with its beauty, Anissa tapped his shoulder.

“I want you to hold onto the sampan when I say ready.” Anissa instructed.

“Sure, your wish is my command crazy girl.” Replied Onays sleepy.

“Ready? Here we go!” exclaimed Anissa as she striked the paddle onto the hull of the sampan. Instantly, the sampan began to spin in one rapid circle. Onays clinged onto the handle, his face green about to vomit. The sampan was so fast, that it looks like that the sampan will be sinking below the water. In the end, the sampan did and they all drowned underwater. Onays took a deep breath, he saw a few crocodiles squeezing in the water but it did not attack him.

As Onays was about to suffocate, the sampan had floated back on the water surface. He rubbed his eye and panted for air, his whole clothing was drenched in water.

“Are you alright Mawang?” Anissa asked.

“Do I look okay?” Onays complained.

“This is my home Mawang.”

Onays adjusted his vision and when he tilted his head above, he saw older version of the stilt houses on Kampong Ayer with more wild vegetation just enmeshing the scenery with an abundance of junks, sampan and trading ships sailing the waters. Observing the mainland, there were no sight of modern buildings nor cars honking. All he saw were Arab, Chinese, Indian and Orang Laut merchants roaming the streets in their own traditional clothing.

“Anissa, am I in the Paleolithic era?” asked Onays.

“No Mawang, you’re in the Sultanate of Barunah. This is where I live.”

“Insane…” said Onays impressed.

Anissa maneuvered the sampan to a natural dock with mangrove trees. They both then trudged through the mud and marked their foot onto the hustling streets where international trade occurred between the west and east. Fishes, spices, pearls, gambier, shark fins, cengal wood, weapons and silk were all sold here as they both discover the streets. A number of the merchants stared at Onays for wearing an uncanny clothing which for them they thought was repulsive.

Situated away from the streets, Anissa pointed at a wooden palace with horned roofs that needed no nails to be built from. On a royal cow cart fitted with golden curtains, they both rode it whilst enjoying the fresh air. Onays grabbed a piece of cloth and dried himself. Anissa removed a lid from a plate and offered Onays a meal of Nasi Katok. This Nasi Katok tasted far more delectable than the one he gorged back at the hotel, with its tangy sweetness.

Upon arriving at the front garden of the palace, Anissa and Onays strutted into the balairung where sitting upon a throne embellished with gold, diamonds and gems was the Sultan of Barunah. He was not too rotund, not too slender as well. He did have a round belly though. Anissa slapped Onays’ arm, signaling him to bestow their salutation towards him.

“Father, forgive me for being away for too long.” Anissa pleaded.

The sultan stroked his beard. “You are pardoned. What extrinsic person have you brought to my,… court?”

“His name is real name is Unis.” Replied Anissa.

Onays cringed when Anissa mispronounced his real name.

“Assalamualaikum, I am Sultan Saiful Rihal.” The sultan introduced. “Unis, from what lands have you come from?” The sultan questioned.

“Um, I am…. I am from the lands of anime!” Onays faked.

“Anime? Tell me of this kingdom.” Mentioned Sultan Saiful bollixed.

“It is a land of warriors, fighting to claim victory over one another. Losing will be such a huge shame and would tarnish a family’s reputation.”

“Grandeur at its peak my Unis. No wonder my daughter has chosen the right man for the task.”

“Task?” Unis raised his eyebrow.

“Yes, the white men on their ships with their red crossed flags are intruding our rich, wealthy, teeming lands. This fertile soil is to be protected at full power and authority as it has been since preserved since our genesis. Our people’s honor, reputation and dignity must not fall into the hands of those astray, savages and gluttons. Our sovereignty is envied by the world, a civilization that is both equally robust and capable by sea and land. I will not afford to lose to the white men like what has happened to the Malaccan Sultanate.”

White men? Can this guy be any more racist? Onays thought to himself.

“I admire your confidence and supreme leadership.” Onays complimented.

“Not at all. Soon this molestation of the white men and those traitors will be vanquished.”

“Hmm… traitors.” Onays whispered to himself. “You majesty, I will serve you faithfully.” Said Onays proudly, trying to impress the young princesses and maidens.

“Brilliant.” Sultan Saiful replied with a smile. “But first, you must change your clothing. You look like a prostitute. Anissa, go help him out.”

Onays was flustered.