ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: The Power to Be Grateful for

For the first time in his life, Galang could not sleep all night just because of a storybook. Well, the story in the book is indeed interesting, so isn't that natural? Plus, the book is pretty thin.

The book tells the story of two people referred to as the Chosen One and the Invisible One, who travel through a world full of magic and wonder, in order to find a way to the human world.

In the book it is told that the two people are actually very longing for a normal and mediocre life, but because the reality of their world is very different, eventually, the two of them embark on a journey that requires them to fight against fate in order to achieve the dream.

It is a very interesting story, and Galang is also almost at the end of the story. His heart was pounding as he imagined the end of the story.

“Hah... “ The slightly fat, fair-skinned and well-groomed boy turned his gaze away from the sheet of paper, towards the wall clock hanging above the bedroom door. Although the time has shown at five in the morning, strangely Galang did not feel tired at all, even though he had not rested since arriving here.

Galang rubbed his eyes while circulating his gaze through his room which was still quite dark.

The spacious room was equipped with a full range of furniture and looked brand new. Even the bed should fit four or more people. Well, simply put, it can be said that this room is very luxurious, or precisely this house.

“Eh... Liel?”

Galang called out the name and hoped that someone would respond to it, but he realized that the owner of the name was clearly still not awake at this time.

He got out of the bed, and with a light and silent step, he walked over to the long sofa beside the door. On the sofa lay a fat teenager wrapped in a dark gray jacket.

I don't know why Galang felt so strange when he looked at that person's face.

In fact, Galang actually did not know this teenager at all. Even Galang barely remembers anything. His memory became chaotic, and every time he tried to trace his memory, his head even immediately felt very painful and felt like it would explode at any time.

Yesterday, at exactly six o'clock in the afternoon, Galang woke up from his sleep and found himself in an unfamiliar place with a throbbing head. But the only one who was here at that time was this fat teenager. The one who has real magic power.

Maybe Galang should have been raging, panicking, or crying, because of the occult incident he is experiencing now. However, for now Galang prefers to stay here for a reason.

“You inherited his talent and blessing, Galang.” Liel said yesterday afternoon when Galang's condition had improved somewhat. “You inherited his Soul Talent to become the ruler of darkness, and also thanks to his, namely, Art of the World: Snow Black. That's why I brought you here, because I want to help you master that power. I'll teach you here for seven days. And, when it's all done, I'll take you back to where you came from, okay?”

Strength, that was the reason that made Galang decide to stay here. Liel's words clearly state that Galang has power in him. Although Galang still has not regained his past memories—memories of who he really is—but he still has memories of his home world, which is the human world. A world that has no magic.

Well, maybe that's what's happening to Galang now.

Just like the Chosen One in the storybook that Galang read. The Chosen One is actually just an ordinary man, so God took him to another world so that he could enjoy the miracle of God's hand and live out his destiny as the Chosen One.

“Yah..at least I still remember my own name... “ Brisik Galang while smiling wryly, to the extent that his cheeks look more stye than before.

After all, Liel had also explained the important things that Galang had to know yesterday afternoon, including the fact that the two of them had actually known each other before, also the fact that he was the one who made Galang's memory go awry.

“Magic.... yes?” Ask Galang to himself. All this weirdness, obviously because of magic.

However, there are other things that you should do at the moment. It had been a whole day he had been holding her back and now was the perfect time to get her out. What he needs now is a toilet.

“But... This house seems very big, deh...” A few minutes had passed since Galang left his room to look for a toilet. He had passed through many rooms such as the living room, a room filled with bookshelves, also a room decorated with weapons hanging on the walls, and various other rooms. However, in the end he still did not find the toilet and instead ended up in the kitchen.

The lights immediately lit up as soon as Galang stepped into the kitchen. But, how surprised Galang when he found the existence of others there.

“Oh? Galang, huh?” Ask the orange hijab girl. He might have been here since. The girl was enjoying a warm cup of coffee while observing the view through the window between the cabinets. From the looks of it, this girl must be a student who is still sitting in college.

“Eh... “ Galang who did not know the girl helped set his gaze towards the window. It was still dark out there, and the gloomy sky was emitting a gray color and making the scene seem cold piercing.

“My name is Afizah, but I prefer to be called Afi,” he said as he put his cup on the table.

“Ugh!” The unpleasant feeling finally appeared again in Galang. He was already at the tip of the horn and was unable to hold it any longer. “K-sister.. If you may know, where is the to-toilet, huh? You know I-I want to pee.” Ask Galang. His face was pale.

“Your face is really funny, you know, Dik.” Afizah who was aware of Galang's current situation, immediately smiled as she pointed towards the yellow door that was opposite the room, right in front of Galang. “Tuh.”

“Ah! Thank you, Brother!” Said Galang ketus while darting into the bathroom.

After Galang finished his business with the toilet until it was complete, he came out of the bathroom and intended to return to the room to finish the storybook. However, when Galang stepped foot through the bathroom doorway, suddenly, Afizah immediately offered a question to Galang.

“Why did you read the book?”

“Ah... Because the cover is interesting, I guess.” The roar looks confused.

“Yeah, because the cover is interesting.” Afizah seemed to be trying to hold back her laughter while repeating Galang's words. “It's actually Liel's job to explain everything to you. But, I'm sure he's tired from all that preparation, so I'll take a little bit of his share.”

“Means Brother?”

“Actually, the book you are reading in the room is called, The Book of Tragedy.”

“Hah? The Book of Tragedy?” Ask Galang not to believe. His cheeks looked a bit flushed due to the cold temperature at that time.

“Well, actually the book can awaken the hidden power that is within you by force. So you don't need to practice or do anything. Right after you read the first letter in the first sheet of the book, then the power that is in your soul can be sure to be awake.”

“So... That means I really have real power, right?”

Anyone could see how happy Galang was now just from the look in his eyes. That truth, that fact, is what we have been waiting for since we were kids. He had always thought how great it would be if he had the power that no one else had, and now he knew that he had that power.

“Ja-so! How do I use that power, Brother!?” Asked Galang with a fiery spirit.

“Liel says that you have two kinds of powers, and those two powers are related to the element of darkness, so try to imagine something, like making a sword out of darkness?”

The boy unceremoniously followed Afizah's instructions. He was trying to focus and trying to make something out of the element of darkness. Galang screamed in his heart at how amazing his fate was right now.

Sweat began to flow from Galang temple and his body trembled slightly. The boy stiffened his body. He continued to imagine making something in his hand.

“I can!”

Galang's eyes opened very wide when he realized the existence of something like a black-colored smoldering fire that appeared above his palm. Fiery feel. He felt like he was holding something in his hand. But at the same time, he somehow also felt as if he was lifting a very large and very heavy stone.

“See! Look at this, brother! I can use magic!” Pekik Galang who actually really wanted to jump up and down because he was so happy.

“I see, kok.” Afizah said with a small smile.

However, just as Galang celebrated his success, at that very moment the black fire vanished from his hands, and the heavy burden was gone.

“Loh! How is that, anyway?” Great disappointment emanated from Galang's face at that time. But, he didn't give up. He again tried to bring out the black flame in the same way as the previous one. Even so, a few minutes had passed, and there was no sign that the black flames would appear again. Then, he decided to try other ways, such as adjusting his breathing or making his body harder. In the end, however, the black flames did not come out.

“What really happened, Brother?”

When Galang looked around him, it turned out that without him realizing this world had become brighter than a moment ago. The sun is almost showing itself in the eastern horizon, and the atmosphere is not as cold as before. I do not know how long Galang used in the experiment earlier, so he did not realize that the morning was in sight.

Afizah was cooking something back then.

“Drink first the tea.” Afizah told Galang to drink the tea he had prepared on the table. “Now you relax first. Mending wait until Liel wakes up, then he will teach you how to use that power.”

“Hah... “ Breath of Galang billows in the air, separating itself from the cold all around. “Oh, yes, if you may know what kind of power does Big Brother have?” Ask Galang who seems very interested.

“If I don't have the power anyway I don't need that kind of magic either.” Afizah replied casually.

“Loh! How is that, anyway?”

“Well, when I was a kid, I also actually wanted to have magic power like that. But. because I never got it, so I was forced to live my past, with myself. And look, I finally got through it. Now I have arrived in the future, along with my former self.” Afizah.

“Eh... I don't understand, Brother.” Reply Galang who did not understand the meaning of the words of Afizah.

“Yeah, I was expecting it. You're still SMP.“ anyway Afizah said with a wry smile. “But, the point is don't stop trying. Keep living and keep going, believe me, you will definitely survive to the end even though you do not have magic power.”

Galang was silent a thousand languages heard the advice of Afizah. He doesn't know what to answer.

Afizah turned off the stove, and then she began arranging various types of food on the table. The fragrant aroma burst through Galang's nose. The entire room was filled with the fragrance of Afizah cuisine.

“Hmm... Why did Liel bring me here, Brother?” Ask suddenly.

Afizah stopped immediately when he heard Galang's question. However, after he finished serving all the food, the girl also sat beside Galang.

“Liel... is the one who is cursed to suffer, Galang.” Afizah.

Although Galang did not really understand the meaning of his words, but Galang knew that the meaning was something very bad.

“Simply, Liel will continue to feel pain as long as she is alive and breathing. He will continue to suffer every day, from morning until morning again.”

“Hah...? How does that sound like he's living in hell, huh?”

“Yeah, that's what Liel.” is like Afizah held her coffee cup tightly. “This world.. no.. This life, for him is an endless hell.”.

The grizzled heard it.

“There are only a handful of people in the world who are allowed by God to live such a miserable destiny. People who are condemned to suffer. But strangely enough, they chose to live. Do you know why? Yes, because they all know how expensive the price of the breath of life is.”

“Eh... But, I still don't understand the reason he brought me here.”

“Yeah, because you actually look a lot like his late sister who died years ago. In fact, you inherited his power. That's why he brought you here. He sees you as his sister. He considers you a part of his life.”

“Hah? But—”

“She won't care even though you don't want to think of her as a Big Brother.” Afizah explained as she stood up. “My request is only one; follow all requests. I've wanted to see him happy for a long time. Even if it was only for a second, it wouldn't be a problem. As long as he knows what happiness feels like. Please.be the trail... Please... be his family..”.

“Jejak..?”

“Ya, imprint... You are proof that Liel once lived.” His word. “Yes already, I want to get ready first to make it to campus. Wait until Liel wakes up, you guys just eat, okay?” The girl then left Galang alone at the dinner table.

Galang placed his right hand on the table, then opened his palm wide while imagining black flames appearing there. “Or exactly... Snow Black.”

Galang did not understand the current situation at all. It feels horrible and sad. He still doesn't understand. Although there were now pitch-black balls floating above his palm, the boy still felt nothing more. All that is in him right now is uncertainty.

“Lho, Afi where?” Liel asked who had suddenly appeared behind Galang. The fat young man turned his gaze towards the table that was already decorated by food.

Galang immediately flinched in shock. “A-ah! Liel, Afizah said he wants to get ready to make it to campus now.” Galang told agitatedly.

“Oh? I see, huh?” Said Liel while walking towards the chair that was on the other side of the table, which was facing Galang. “How did you sleep last night?” Liel flicked her finger, and at that moment the cupboard behind Liel suddenly opened, and some cutlery floated out by itself. Two plates, two spoons and two forks landed quietly in front of Liel and Galang respectively.

“Ah... Just plain, kok.” Galang replied that looked a little amazed at what had just happened.

“Yeah, good then. But, Galang, please don't use your power if I no longer exist, because on this island the energy level of Animanya is too high. So, there is a possibility that your power can get out of control.” Liel reminded with a small smile.

“Wait... are we on the island?”

“Yah, my artificial island. Avalon Island II.”

Galang could only duck after hearing that explanation. That fact sounds pretty awesome. How could he create an island? Doesn't that make too much sense? But unfortunately that's not what makes him still confused.

Right now, Galang has to make a decision.

The child took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly while solidifying his belief. After all he already knew which option would cost him and which option would benefit him. And, the only thing he needed now, was the courage to speak.

“Eh... actually your strength... No, I mean, Big Brother's strength is what exactly?” Galang asked with a slightly panicked expression.

A smile formed on Liel's lips.

“So you already know, yes?” Ask Liel.

“Iya... T-sister... “

“Difficult, right?”

“Meanour Brother..?”

“After hearing the sad story about me, you feel sorry for me and even force yourself to call me that.”

“H-hah?” Galang surprised. “A-I didn't mean it that way, kok!” He lowered his head deeply in his panic.

“Yes, I know kok.” Liel stood up and took Galang's plate, and filled it with rice and various side dishes until it was almost full. “You're too good, Galang, and whatever's excessive it's not something good. But, I understand him anyway, because you are also young.” Liel finally returned Galang's plate.

“Ah... thank you, Brother... “ Reply Error hesitating. I don't know why he feels he made a mistake. In fact, he was just trying.

“No, I should be thanking you.” Liel.

Galang who could feel the kindness from Liel's words immediately raised his head and looked at the young man's face in astonishment.

“A-what...?”

“Pity is not a bad thing, Galang. I am even happy because you have tried to think of me as a big brother,. In fact, I'm just a stranger, you know. Even so, you managed to use that pity of yours to make a possibility, and the possibility you're making now is something good, and I'm very grateful for that kindness.”

Galang did not understand the meaning of Liel's words. He doesn't understand at all.

“You are really a good person, Galang. Thank you, for being my trail.” Liel put a smile back on her lips. But, her smile this time was a very warm and sincere smile. “Ya already, eat first yuk.”

“I-iya, Sister.” Replied Galang who also returned smiling happily.