ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: The Promise of Four Colored Dragons

Today is a very important day for Abel, because at noon he will go to visit the residence of his teacher who is on the top of the Himalayas. This is very pleasant news, considering that he can only meet with his teacher every mid-January only. But, today, in this very cold month of November, his teacher suddenly called Abel and his three brothers, to talk about something.

However, there was one sleeping flower that came in his sleep last night. Abel dreams of bad memories he should have forgotten. After decades, the nightmare came back to Abel and managed to make him feel very anxious to the crown.

In his dream, Abel saw a flame.

The fire burned the entire city, and turned its inhabitants into ashes in the blink of an eye. Screams are heard everywhere. The cries of men, women, and children filled his hearing. And standing in the middle of the sea of fire was a red scaly giant beast, with flaming wings spread wide on its back.

“So why?” Asked a little blue-haired girl—Fira— who was sitting at the cashier table while watching television hanging from the ceiling.

“It matters?” Asked another girl—Nita—who was dressed in tight all black who was arranging strange glass balls on the shelf.

“It was just a dream, right? It doesn't matter, ah.” Reveal the other girl—Bella—who sits next to the little girl with blue hair. The glasses girl was staring lazily at the glass ball in her hand.

“Hey... You guys are not cool, ah.” Abel looked disappointed. The long-haired red-haired and golden-yellow-eyed boy sighed deeply, and could only resign himself to the attitude of his companions that was not as expected.

“Lagian, we all know, really, that the red scaly dragon that was in your dream, was you. So, don't worry anymore, deh.” Bella.

“But... I'm serious, you know.” Said Abel. His face looks tense. “I haven't dreamed of that for a long time. So, I think it's some kind of sign.”

His other friends immediately glanced at Abel with curious gazes. It was probably because Abel rarely looked serious like this. Remembering him the person is always smiling and happy to joke.

“Hey, hey, seriously, it's just a dream, you know.” Nita tries to calm Abel down.

“Kan, four years ago you also had a dream about the incident, but, look, nothing happened, right, that time.” Said Fira while leaning her face on both palms.

“Nita and Fira correct.” Said Bella who now does not look lazy anymore. He breathed deeply. “Again, now you can also have a little fun, right? You don't have to move every year. Maybe, it's good if you consider the past events as a dream only from now on.” The girl explained. “Not that we ask you to forget the incident, but, your situation will be better if you do not bring up the incident again.”

“But, still my feelings are not good.“ whispered Abel.

“Yes, all of us who are here know, really, what it's like to live not as an ordinary human being.” Said Bella who looked back at the goal on her glass ball. “I mean.. not everyone can get a chance to live everything from scratch again.”.

“Toh, you've been living in this store for five years, and there's no problem, right?” said Nita. “Again, the three of us also come with you every winter.”

“Ya... you guys are right too, anyway.. just...”.

Even so, the uneasy feeling still clumped inside Abel.

“Ya already, ah. Meningan I find fresh air outside.” Abel eventually tried to calm himself down by taking a walk outside the store.

Arriving outside, Abel was immediately presented with a view of the rain of countless snow-white pieces scattered from space. The air also feels cold, cool, at the same time piercing. However, although Abel could not feel hot or cold, but strangely, he always felt more comfortable with the cold weather like this.

“Hah... It seems true that this year will be colder than last year.” Abel complained with a wry smile. “I'm kangen with Indonesia.”

Abel then spread his eyes all over. As far as the eyes only snow could see. There were no pedestrians in sight. The highway in front of him was even empty as a grave. But, when he looked back and looked at his shop, Abel felt homesick about his past.

“Astaroth Magic Store. Offer goods and services.“ Abel read the twinkling inscription adornment attached to the glass wall at the front. “Thank God, it has been five years since I opened this store, and until now there are no complaints whatsoever.” His breath was billowing in the air.

I think the world feels very calm. In fact, since the events of thousands of years ago, Abel did not expect that he could feel this calm again. A man like himself, who once wiped out millions of people in one night, was instead given a second chance by the Creator.

Until now, Abel still did not know the reason why God gave this kind of magnificent gift to Abel.

“Yes... God does act in a way that is too strange, even for a Crystalian like me... “ Murmured Abel while putting on a small smile. “They're right. I will not let that dream make my five-year effort go to waste.”

“Excuse me, Nak.” Sapa a man who suddenly appeared in front of Abel without him noticing.

“Eh? What's up, Om?” Abel asked a little surprised.

“If Om may know, what exactly are the items sold in the store?” Asked the man while pointing towards Abel's shop.

“Oh, this store sells tools related to the magical world, Om. Such as fortune-teller balls, tarot cards, amulets, and other strange objects.” Abel answered while looking at the man's astonishment. “And happened to me the owner of this store, Om.”

“You are the owner of this store?” Ask the man, looking surprised. “Wah. You are still very young.”

“Eh... If you can tell, where did this Om come from, huh? How, Indonesian om fluent?”

“Ya, because I am indeed an Indonesian citizen, Nak.” The mysterious man replied with a small smile. Then, the man looked back at Abel's shop with a look of admiration. “How about the authenticity of the items you sell in this store?”

“A hundred percent original, anyway, Om. But, we always provide special terms to the customers who want to buy our goods or hire our services, to be more secure.”

It's a lie that Abel doesn't suspect this guy. Abel could not feel anything from the man. There really is nothing. No aura, charisma or anything like that. But, Abel knew that this person was just an ordinary human being. Only, there was indeed something strange about this person. And that made Abel look out for.

“Om can't rent your services?”

“Ah, yes, of course, Om.” Abel replied spontaneously with a big smile. The sense of the curse was gone, because now this is a business affair. “But, what kind of services do you want to use?”

“Begini.” Said the man while taking off his gloves. “Please read Om's hand line, and tell Om about Om's true identity. Honestly, sometimes Om himself does not even know who Om really is.”

“Ya, Om just relax. Humans do so often, kok.” Abel then slowly reached for the man's right hand, then fumbled at the palm. Suddenly, Abel's eyes began to glow with a bright red glow, as he looked closely at the man's palm.

“Wah, your eyes are on. Is that some kind of trick?” Ask the man.

“Ngak Om.” Said Abel who was still focused on looking at the palm of the man's hand. “My eyes can indeed be like this if I use my power.” Abel almost whispered.

Finally, after Abel finished reading the nature and character of the man through the medium of the palm, Abel closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened his petals again, the light in his eyes was extinguished just like that.

Abel found out a pretty scary reality from the man. But, it shouldn't be a threat to someone like Abel.

“Eh... Maybe this is a bit surprising, but the nature of om himself.. arguably quite bad.” Obviously Abel hesitated.

“Heh... You are indeed right.” He said, “Come, just go ahead, you don't have to fear.”

“Om the guy's grumpy, kind of anti-social too. Happy to hit.It can always start a conflict, or magnify the problem exactly. And not fit to be the head of the family because of the nature of Om who wants to always be on top and rule. Also, om doesn't like anyone against Om's decision. Furthermore, Om also does not like to drink coffee, and likes picky food. Then... “ Abel tried to remember what he had read. “And Om... grieve.”

“Great, great. You are so talented, son. For a long time I've never seen anyone who could read a hand line so easily like you.” Said the man who sounded amazed. “Everything you say is true, son. Yes, although there are some less, but everything you said earlier is one hundred percent true.”

Although his identity is arguably bad already known by Abel, but the man looks very calm. Or maybe, that's what adults look like.

“Hehehe... thanks, Om.” Said Abel who was still smiling widely. “The price is five dollars, Om, for the reading earlier. Please go to the cashier table to pay for services that have been Om using.”

The man laughed in a rather loud voice. “Alright, alright.”

After the two of them entered the store, Fira immediately greeted the man cheerfully. While Bella who was next to Fira was still looking at her glass ball, and Nita was still arranging the sales items on the shelf.

“Welcome to Astaroth Magic Store!” Seru Fira's. “We sell—”

“Om has hired the service of reading the palm of time outside earlier, now stay at pay only.” Cut Abel.

“Oh, okay. Means it's all five dollars, Om.”

“Wah, convenient place.” Said the man while looking around. “And.. I've guessed that all of you here are Otherworldly People. The Crystalian... “

“Eh... “ The little voice came not only out of Abel's mouth, but also from the mouths of Fira, Nita and Bella.

The atmosphere inside the shop became tense instantly.

“Who are you.. ?” Abel asked in a cold tone.

They were all now looking at the mysterious man with sharp gazes.

The man began to walk around looking at the things that were there. “Have you ever heard of NOX?”

“NOX...it is not an organization that hunts down Crystalians?” Ask Nita.

The man then stopped stepping, and looked at Abel with a faint smile. “Ya, and I happen to be the founder of NOX.”

The man's words immediately made Nita, Fira, and Bella gasp in shock. But not with Abel. The child's lips even formed a knotty smile.

“You know? I built that organization after my son died twelve years ago.” The man explained. “I remember very well, that night, there was a giant, pitch-black creature visible in the sky. My wife and I thought it was just our imagination, but it turns out that everyone in our house could see the horrible creature. However, after a few minutes, suddenly the creature fell to the mainland and then. exploded like a bomb.”.

“Wait.. I've heard that story. If not wrong, the tragedy happened in Medan.” Said Nita.

“True once.” Reveal the man. “Hundreds of people in our housing died that very night, including my son. While my wife and I were the only survivors.”

“But... The black creature Om saw in the sky was Sin... “ Clearly Fira who looked scared while looking at Bella with an anxious look. “And.. there is no way Sin could cause such a thing. They don't even have a physical.”

“Hmm... I've guessed that you think so too. But.. unfortunately, we ourselves experienced it.” Said relaxed. “Oh, and unfortunately again. This place has been surrounded by my troops.”.

“Ya, she doesn't lie.” Bella's Whisper.

“Well, then, it's good if you turn yourself in now, because we have a tool capable of neutralizing your strange powers.”

“If you may know, what, the hell, does Om know about us? Otherworldly People—Crystalian?” Abel asked who also looked relaxed.

“Yes, the point is all of you is garbage that should not exist in this world.” Obviously the man. “But, I also actually know how to distinguish which one is weak and which one is strong. And you, son,” he pointed at Abel. “You seem strong. I saw the first time like you. That's why I'm taking safe steps to catch you.”

“Yes, Om is right. I'm very strong, you know. But, when it comes to experience, maybe Nita is the greatest here. He has fought twice.” Abel pointed towards Nita who was still in front of the shelf. “However, there is one important thing Om should know about us. Among all the Crystalians, there is one race that is arguably too strong because it does not have any restrictions. And, therefore, the people are considered to be the same entity as the Creator. They are called Celestials, or star children. And.. unfortunately, I am a Celestial, Om.”

“Hoh, so, huh? Without limits you say?” The man suddenly looked at his watch. “I have dinner today, so quickly decide what your choice is.”

“Oh, yes, thank you for giving us time to escape.” Said Nita while grinning wide.

“Wait, What!?” The man was shocked to death when he heard it.

“Lubuntur Defuid's... “ After Nita whispered that sentence, suddenly there was a thunderous sound and green lightning coming down from the ceiling, and immediately grabbed Bella, Fira, and Nita, too, and made the three girls disappear somewhere, leaving Abel alone there.

“NO! NAY! NO!” The man went berserk having lost three precious prey. And Abel believes that this man considers Nita as the most valuable target because of his experience. He looks very angry now. “Fucking boy...!”

Suddenly, a red glow emanated from behind the man's coat, and then, shortly thereafter, his clothes slowly began to turn into a suit of armor or perhaps a robot kit or something, like that, he covered the man's entire body and wrapped it.

In his armor, now the man looked twice as big and stocky as before. Red lights were also emanating from all over his body. Maybe it was some sort of vein or stream of energy that exerted energy on his armor. However, on the whole, the form of the armor exactly resembled a demon. There were two horns sticking out above his head, and on his face were also four little ducks that gave off a light as red as blood, thus making his appearance monstrous.

“You'll pay everything damn boy!” Said the man. His voice had also turned deeper, louder, and echoing.

“Hmm? No, I'm not gonna pay for it. But Om.” Abel stepped forward slowly, yet strangely, his feet did not touch the ground at all, he walked through the air. His hand in the blink of an eye reached for the man's neck and gripped him hard until it pierced through the surface of his armor. “Om is the one who has to pay everything. Because Om has threatened me and my friends, and Om also has not paid for the services that Om used earlier.”

“Ugh! What the fuck! Quickly Release!”

With a light gesture, Abel throws the man up like throwing a marble through the ceiling. The man continued to eject far— very-very far—high into space until not seen again.

Abel then jumped through a hole in the ceiling of his store. However, once Abel was seen in the open, at that time, the soldiers who had surrounded the store immediately attacked Abel by firing machine guns. But unfortunately their bullets could not hit Abel at all because he was flying at high speed.

A blazing flame appeared enveloping Abel's body. The fire was getting bigger and bigger, making Abel look like the sun was speeding upwards. However, after a few seconds, the giant fireball finally began to extinguish, then a red-scaled and winged giant dragon of fire appeared from behind it in place of Abel's whereabouts. That was the true form of Abel, the Red Dragon, one of the Four Colored Dragons.

“IMPOSSIBLE!” The man screamed in fear. “A TAIL DRAGON!?”

“With this, I assume everything is paid off!” Abel cried out in a loud and thunderous voice. Abel, who was in his dragon form, opened his jaw wide, and prepared to swallow the man roundly.

“NO! WAIT UP! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!”

However, when the distance between Abel's teeth and the man's body was only a few snores, suddenly there was one voice whispering in Abel's mind. The voice managed to make Abel's jaw close tightly, and made his heart feel very calm.

Abel is in space. He completely ignored the man who was now far below him. He was emotional because of the man's behavior.

“Abel?” Ask the no-man's voice. A sad and soothing voice. A woman's voice, of course.

“Teacher... “

“Abel, where are you? Everything is here, you know.”

“Good... I'll be there now, Guru.” Abel flicked his wings so powerfully that it made the surrounding wind run amok, then he flew at high speed towards the west, piercing through the snowfall.

He continued to fly very fast, and after some time had passed, Abel finally managed to get out of the snowy sky, and flew under the sky emitting a warm golden sunshine.

However, Abel's journey is not over. He kept flapping his wings and continued to accelerate at lightning speed, until he arrived again in a different snowy sky.

Although he could barely see anything from up there, Abel still knew where his teacher was. He can smell it, and feel it too. He doesn't need eyes to find someone valuable to him.

Before descending from the sky, Abel decided to transform back into his child form. His skin and scales that were harder than steel started to turn into fire, and little by little, the dragon figure disappeared and was replaced by the silhouette of a red-haired child with a cold-looking face.

Abel landed somewhere that was the highest peak in the Himalayas. There Abel was greeted by three other children whose faces were so similar to Abel's.

There was a short-sighted green-haired boy, as well as a well-combed dark-blue-haired boy, and a girl who looked the strangest among the four of them. The girl's hair has two different colors; black on the right, and white on the left. The two colors were completely split right in the middle of her hair. In fact, she also has two different eyeballs, matching her hair color.

Abel, however, ignored his three brothers, and walked past them and came to a flower growing in the middle of the peak.

For Abel, it is the most beautiful flower in the world. The petals themselves are gems that glow with a bright blue color, and the crown is also a jewel that emits a bright and bright blue color. When viewed closer, Abel seemed to be able to dance balls of light in his crown.

That's Teacher Abel.

Abel fell on both knees as he came before the flower. His head was bowed very deeply.

“Sorry I'm late... Gurus... “ Byisik Abel.

“I saw what you did, Abel.” The voice of the woman. “But thank goodness I was on time too, so you haven't broken our promise at all. Just almost, kok.”

“Ya... thank you for preventing me, Guru.” Abel said as he raised his head back and smiled slightly.

“However, today I want to ask you all.”

The other three Abel brothers also immediately paid their full attention to the flower.

“Do you guys feel that unpleasant feeling?”

Abel was surprised to hear the question.

“Yes, we feel it, Guru.” Said the cute girl in half.

“I thought I was the only one who felt it... “ Whisper the Blue-haired Child.

“What really happened, Guru?” Ask the green-haired boy.

Abel flabbergasted. In fact, he himself had agreed to regard the unpleasant feeling as a passing wind. But, it turns out that feeling is not something to be ignored. Moreover, now his own teacher had also mentioned about that.

“That dream even came again last night... “ Whisper Abel scared.

Everyone's gaze was now on Abel. It was obvious from the look on their faces that they had the same nightmare.

“Man has changed. The world has changed.” Teacher explained. “Something big is coming soon. Disasters, catastrophes, wars, and. promises to be reneged on.”.

The four children immediately gasped in shock upon hearing the latter part.

“Thousands of years ago, you went berserk and nearly drowned the entire Continent of Europe after seeing me burned alive by villagers who actually knew nothing.”

Abel and his three brothers bowed their heads as the teacher began to talk about their horrible past.

“But fortunately the new World Owner came from the future, and with his strength, he brought me back to what I am today.” Teacher continued. “I am indeed happy. But unfortunately the embers of my anger arose when I knew that you had exterminated millions of people, children, women, and even innocent men. And from then on, the four of you promised never to hurt a human being again. But from today... You probably will, and definitely renege on that promise.”

The four children were intending to interrupt the Master. “But, Teacher! We are unlikely to renege on the promise—”

“For sure, you will renege on that promise.” Clearly the Master, there was a final tone in his voice. “Just wait time.”

“Cannot be! We can't do it!” Shouted the blue boy.

“That promise is the life-connecting rope of Master!” Abel's sister began to cry.

“If we do.. then Master will go... For eternity... “ Mumbled Abel. “I can't... I'm not ready.”

The other three brothers of Abel now knelt beside Abel. They try to get as close to the flower as possible. Their faces were full of nestapa. Disappointment begins to devour conscience. A great fear had devoured them.

“You're ready.” Clearly the Teacher. “But, make sure this time you won't make any more mistakes.”

“Tapi—”

“You must promise not to break any rules. Although I will die later, I hope you will never break that promise.”

“No! Teacher cannot die!” They screamed at the same time.

“This is destiny... “

Although the snowstorm was raging, the four children remained motionless from the side of the flower, as if they were trying to keep the flower from flying in the wind. In fact, their suffering is more painful than any pain in the world. But they stay there. In the end, fate is forced to drag them into a calamity darker than the darkness itself.