ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: An Unvalue Simple Gift

The man in black, tall and somewhat fat body stood in the sky, among the clouds that rolled up like waves, while observing a young man who had just parked his motorcycle in the market parking lot far below.

Although Jon was floating above the sky, with lightning enveloping his entire body, but unfortunately no one was able to see him. This is how the world works. The world has always hidden its wonders from human eyes, and Jon thinks it's a gift.

For humans, the miracle is like a very bright and beautiful light, but they are completely unaware that it can actually burn their eyes.

Jon is a little piece of the magic that surrounds this world. He lives with miracles. But that doesn't mean it's a good thing. Because of the miracle that was in his hands—the power that was in him—forced Jon through various kinds of terrible realities, such as war, and even catastrophe.

If you remember again, Jon himself has gone through six wars in his life.

There have been so many deaths Jon has seen with his eyes as long as he has lived. His loved ones, his friends, his friends, even his family. All of that happened because of the power that was within his grasp. And in fact, all the same people as Jon—The People of the Otherworld— also experienced such horrors during their lives.

While humans? Yes, they knew absolutely nothing about the other reality that enveloped this world. Only Jon, and the people who have miracles, know how cruel reality is.

“Yah... it might be better if they don't know anything.” Jon murmured with a heavy voice and seemed soft. A smile formed on his lips. “That ignorance is indeed a very amazing gift, isn't it?”

After making sure the young man arrived at the market without any shortcomings, Jon finally decided to go down to the mainland. Like lightning striking the earth, he fell down and landed smoothly beside the young man. All the lightning radiance emanating from his body had been extinguished, and Jon also now looked like an ordinary human being in general.

“Loh! why is Om coming too!?” Asked the fat-bodied young man with a surprised and irritated face.

“Well, I go wherever you go. That was my job as a supervisor.”

“But, Om will know that I do not like being accompanied at times like this.”

“Already, you know there is no point in arguing with me.” Replied Jon indifferently while looking around.

In the market there were so many people walking back and forth and filled almost the entire place in distress as far as the eye could see. There were also foreign voices of traders who were offering their merchandise with enthusiasm, and not to forget also with buyers who were trying to bargain the goods of the merchants in a sadistic way. All of this is of course reasonable, considering that the most appropriate time to go to the market is in the morning, as it is today.

What a magnificent gift. Jon, who is clearly not human, was still given the opportunity to enjoy this normalcy.

“Hah... Yaudah deh.”

“Eh, wait a minute.”

Jon gripped the young man's left wrist tightly, then said, “Ferrum, Lucendi, Omnia.” Suddenly, a kind of glowing chain was created that bound Jon and the young man's hands. “Absolute Fastener Chain.”

“What the heck..” The young man stared in disbelief at his left hand which was now tied to Jon's right hand. “Om serious?”

“A hundred percent.” Jon replied with a grin. “By the way, stop talking and look at me. Could be, you are considered crazy as people.”

“Yes God.. this is embarrassing. “ The young man sighed resignedly.

Without delaying any longer, Jon began to walk down the crowded streets, while the young man inevitably had to step beside him. Jon was sure, the people he was holding would be surprised, because they could not see him who was in the form of Astral.

“I want to buy chicken feet really. I again want to eat spicy plug because.” Obviously the young man.

However, when Jon glanced at the young man, Jon realized that the young man had been staring at each other's hands. However, strangely the boy looked sad, and happy at the same time.

“You don't have any abnormalities, do you.. ?” Jon asked as he looked at the young man's horror.

“Hah!? Don't think weird. So crazy. I just feel weird. You see, this was the first time I walked with someone older than me, hand in hand. So, yeah, it's weird. Moreover... for people who do not have parents like me.” Obviously the young man. His face was a little blushing.

“Hmm... Come to think of it, your words have a point too.”

“Hah? What is right?” Ask the young man who does not believe.

“I mean, this is weird indeed, even for people like us.” Obviously Jon with a face that looked a little sad. “We who every night have to plunge into the battlefield, it turns out we can still get an experience like this. Take a walk like a normal human being, go to the market, and shop. Don't you think this is a great gift?”

“Eh... “ the young man scratched the nape of his neck doubtfully. “Maybe..?”

“What kind of answer is that? I think you should be more aware of reality than anyone. Considering you yourself have gone through fourteen wars in your life. An experience that cannot be felt by anyone else living in any world. Your experience it... really terrible loh.”

“Yah.. instead of how.” The young man lowered his head. “But... If if Om can feel my past, maybe Om will also be confused to answer what.” Reveal the Youth. “I know... I always knew. But, sometimes I think, it would be more fun if I didn't know all that.”

Jon suddenly stopped stepping, but his eyes looked towards a merchant who sold a wide variety of accessories such as rings, necklaces, and socks. Then, after thinking for a moment, Jon decided to approach the merchant without the knowledge of the young man.

“What I know, is not a gift. This... is a curse.”

“Whatever is in this world, is a gift. Even curses though.” Said Jon.

“Buset..what kind of answer is it... Loh, kok? Why are you here?” The young man asked in astonishment when he realized that they were now in an accessories store. “Om want to buy what?”

“I bought this cap yes, Bu Ningsih.” Jon grabbed a gray hat hanging from a corner, then slipped the hat on his armpit, then with his left hand, he gave a piece of silver coin to the seller's mother, who was, who also happened to be able to see Jon's figure, considering that he was also an Otherworldly Citizen, just like the two of them.

“Thank you, Mr. Jon.” The mother said kindly.

“Eh... whose hat is Om?” for Ask the Youth. “For kids Om yes?”

“Not. And please don't mention anything about my human life. You know the rules.” Jon said as he put the hat on the young man's head. “This is for you. By the way, happy birthday.”

The young man was unable to speak. He looks very confused. But he pulled the hat out of his head and glanced at it with sparkling eyes, and soon after, he put the hat back on.

“Real Om remember yes? Great, great.” Said the young man who was trying to look indifferent. But, the red color on both of his cheeks thwarted his efforts without him noticing. “Te-thank you deh.”

“As far as you are.” Reply Jon with a small smile. “Ya. So, now there's only chicken claw, right? Come.”