ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: Fire & Rivers That Lift the Burden of the World

That child is the one who lifts the weight of this whole world all by himself. Indeed he initially looked capable, but in the end, everyone knew, that he would definitely give up. However, this does not mean that he will lose his faith.

Under the night sky, the scrappy-clothed little girl stepped doubtfully down the grassland. Around it, there were many trees that looked very beautiful and special. Because all the trees that grow there, have brightly lit leaves, which emit a pink color that is very compatible with the darkness of the night. Humanity calls this place the Land of Memories.

“It feels... this world has no hope anymore..”.

Various unpleasant thoughts began to seep into the girl. His blank gaze looked straight ahead, as if he did not care about the fate of this world at all.

But besides the girl, the grass, the darkness, and the shining trees, there were also thousands of other people, dressed in filthy clothes and unkempt like the girl, the one who had been waiting for his arrival.

Everyone gave way for the little girl to pass by.

The girl continued walking, while the people around her instead looked at her with sad, astonished, and scared gazes.

After a while, the girl stopped walking. In front of him was now a fairly wide lake, which was only a inch away from his bare feet that were full of wounds.

“God... why is the world so quiet?”

The little girl took a deep breath, then slowly and surely, she began to step her feet into the cold water, and walked towards the middle of the lake. It went deeper and deeper, to the point that half of his body had already sunk, and only the upper abdomen was visible from him.

“God... could this be the payment for my past sins?”

The water in the lake was very calm and not rippling at all, as if, the lake looked like it was frozen, just like the girl who was now just standing still in the middle of the lake.

Now the atmosphere is becoming more silent— very quiet.

There were many people looking towards the girl with gazes that implied a deep sense of despair. To the extent that you feel as if you can see a bottomless abyss in their view. Some people there also started crying sobbing, and some were shaking violently and sweating coldly.

“God... Please hear my voice..”.

However, suddenly there was one voice that broke the silence of the night.

Far to the left of the girl, there was a woman who had just descended into the water and was walking towards her. She also carried her baby with her. Even so, the woman is one of the many people who do not look afraid, sad, or desperate. She just smiled a little while making sure the baby stayed asleep in her arms. While far behind the woman, there was also a man who bent his knees and cried like a toddler. It was as if he was going to lose that woman.

On her way, the woman whispered to her baby; “Everything will be fine. Trust in Mother.” His slow voice was very soothing.

Dozens of steps had been taken, and the woman finally arrived before the girl in the middle of the lake. The woman extended her weak hand to the girl, but, the little girl bit her own lips very hard, and her body trembled as well.

“Do not be afraid, Nak Riveria.” Said the woman while smiling wryly.

He knew that the woman standing in front of him was actually very prepared. But, in reality, the only person who is not ready here, is likely to be himself.

“You know, right? The sooner man goes, then this world will also be better.” The woman stared at Riveria's past-goals. “Man is the source of destruction, Son, and I are one of them.”

“Tapi—”

“I'm counting on you, son Riveria.”

Finally, Riveria reluctantly had to accept the woman's helping hand.

“Then, goodbye.” The woman whispered slowly, then the woman slowly bent her body until she completely sunk into the water.

Riveria's fingers trembled violently, to the point that she had trouble letting go of the woman's hand. But, really, Riveria's little heart kept shouting and telling her not to let go of her hand.

Instantly, Riveria's body became limp instead of playing for what reason.

However, when their hands have divorced, something supernatural happens again.

There were many bright green dots of light that started to emerge from where the woman had drowned. The light actually looks very magical, but unfortunately, what emanates from the eyes of Riveria which at that time vibrated violently is not a sense of awe, but a fear that is peerless.

Gradually, the light was slowly lifted from the water and rose into the air, until it simply vanished from view—from this world. Everyone who was there could only fall silent at the sight. And the world has now become quieter than ever.

Although only a glance, Riveria could see almost all of those memories very clearly. However, based on all those memories, Riveria was only able to capture two memories that gave happiness to the woman, which was when the woman married the man who was crying there, the second was when she gave birth to her child. The rest are bitter and horrible memories.

“Show thousands of stars in the sky, but only two stars shine.

Seconds passed, and the silence suddenly disappeared with the footsteps of hundreds of people who decided to descend into the water and reach Riveria in the middle of the lake.

They are the ones who are ready to leave life, just like the woman. But that does not mean they go to heaven or hell, because at this time, all humans know, that the gates in both places have been sealed.  

Today, all humans have become immortal beings, and will not be able to die. However, that does not mean that God has completely abandoned man.

Four hundred years ago, the voice of God in the sky declared that He would bring down the Last Ten Wonders for mankind. And one of those wonders, is Riveria, she was given the ability to send humans into a void death—she was granted the right to deliver humans into the final resting place of the last.

That doesn't make sense, does it? But unfortunately, it is clear that four hundred years ago, God Himself told man the truth, so everyone can only accept this reality freely.

However, if there were still people who tried to deny that fact, they could ask Riveria directly, instead, considering he is one of the few creatures that have lived since four hundred years ago—since this world is still controlled by humans.

The sounds of water splashing, crying, shouting, and despair were heard increasingly blaringly filled the place, as if there was a mass funeral ceremony being held in this Memorandum Mainland.

Then, when morning came, Riveria went home to rest.

Riveria stood alone on a pile of rocks towering like a hill. His short hair that decomposed to the neck emitted a shiny red color like a smoldering fire. The gaze of his eyes that were as blue as the sky was staring blankly at the horizon that lay before him. In fact, in this dying world, only that little girl could save people.

Only him.

A fragile little girl who is considered cursed by other humans.

“It must be how loudly I shout so that You can hear my voice... God.”

Riveria asked her little heart. Somehow at that time Riveria seemed to want to cry. He felt that this world had already acted too excessively. But, her tears had long since dried up, narrating her meaningless gaze.

“Why don't I have feelings anymore?” Riveria's left hand moved around her left chest. “Please... Lord, hear my voice this time.” Riveria's voice sounded withered and lazy.

The sun will soon appear, indicating that the world is still surviving and choosing to keep going, and also deciding to continue torturing humanity.

Riveria remained standing at the top of the rock hill, waiting for the sunlight to come.

The sound of the wind blowing through the windows and doors of buildings that had long since been shattered and covered by the thick dust, as if carrying the sound of screams into the ears of Riveria. Vehicles, highways, traffic lights, as well as everything that humans have built in this city—all of them have been long dead.

This world managed to survive through a catastrophe—kiamat.

Today, only nature has power over the earth. And humans? Humans live by following the rules that have been made by nature. There are no more human laws.

“Where exactly are you, Lord?”

Finally Riveria's eyes could catch the golden radiance shining from the eastern horizon. The light was so bright and warm, it pierced through the dirty clothes of Riveria, and it was as if the light was hugging her. Riveria's body, which was very stiff because of the night wind, now feels much better.

That time, even if it was just a moment, Riveria could feel something called peace. For a moment—just a moment,—Riveria can see something called... “Hope.”

What a magnificent sight, as well as an incredible feeling. However, the rising sun was a time marker for Riveria to sleep.

However, because of the sunlight as well, Riveria became reminded of the incident last night. All the memories he had received from those who had left, had now vanished from his head. He no longer feels dizzy. But, that does not mean he can forget the horror he felt while standing in the lake.

“I'm so tired... Hoam..” Riveria's mouth opened wide, she yawned because she was so sleepy. Then after relaxing her body a little, Riveria began to lie down, and she fell asleep.

Only at the top of the rock hill alone, Riveria can fall asleep to unwind after a night of fulfilling her obligations. Although there was no cushion, or soft pedestal, for Riveria, this pile of towering rocks, was a place she could call home.

Riveria Agnisia, that's her name. A name that has two different meanings.

He was a petite flame—fire that could even be extinguished at any time just due to a pint of wind. However, at the same time, he is a river—a very swift river that will continue to flow without hesitation and fear.