Lembong, a robber, raises Ken Arok in a dark world after finding him in a cemetery as a baby. Due to his outrageous behaviour, Ken Arok is expelled and has to live with Bango Samparan. Even this does not last long, when the wife of Samparan takes a dislike to him. Then Ken Arok also becomes a fugitive of the Emperor since he often plunders royal tributes. One day, he meets a priest, Loh Gawe, who provides him with skills of leadership. Meanwhile, the Regent of Tumapel, Tunggul Ametung, kidnaps Ken Dedes to make her his wife. Then Ken Arok is recruited as a soldier of Tumapel. Inside the palace, he sees Ken Dedes and immediately falls in love. The bad intention to kill Tunggul Ametung comes to his mind. Since Loh Gawe does not agree with his intention, Ken Arok gets an approval from his adoptive father, Bango Samparan. Shortly after, he orders a keris (a wavy knife) from Empu Gandring, a famous blade smith.
