ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: Between Answer & Blood

Siska still remembered the charred scent that filled her nose back then. Exactly three years ago. In the midst of the excitement of his uncle's birthday, suddenly a blinding light appeared accompanied by a blaring bang, and in the blink of an eye, everything was instantly smashed into ashes. Her mother, her brother, her father, her entire family, and even her home, all vanished without a remnant, except her.

Truly, the night that should have been filled with laughter and joy, had truly turned into a doom that brought about eternal suffering.

Siska could not remember how she survived the explosion, but she was with her parents at the time. However, when Siska regained consciousness, she was already in an ambulance and was still in good health. He wasn't even scratched one bit.

Her tears welled up as Siska looked out the window and found her house still shrouded by the burning flames. The emerald green-eyed little girl could only resign herself and let her face be flooded with tears.

“At that time, I really did not know why I was the only one who survived the incident, while my father, mother, and others died... they could not be buried because there was nothing left of them. But... now I really know the reason.”

Siska's voice echoed in the vast room. In this abandoned building, Siska must accept a very bitter reality to find the answer to everything.

In that place, the only source of light came from the huge hole that was in the ceiling. The light of the sun came in from there, and illuminated the figure of the young man standing below, right in front of Siska.

“After traveling around almost all corners of Indonesia to look for clues about the incident, I finally got here, and my last clue took me right to this place... So, since I'm tired, now I'm going to ask.” Siska opened her eyes and stared intently at the short-haired black jabrik youth wearing black armor all over her body. “How can sister survive that time?”

However, the young man did not answer, and it irritated the teenage girl half to death.

“Hey, brother! Explain what really happened at that time! And how could big brother be here!? Quickly answer!” Shouting Siska.

But just like before, the young man just stood still there, with his eyes also glued towards Siska.

“Kak Ujang! Answer me fucking! What have you done hah!?”

After Siska asked the question for the umpteenth time, finally the young man's mouth began to move slightly. At first Siska thought that the young man would answer her question, but she was wrong.

The young man suddenly vanished from his place as if carried away by the wind, and in the blink of an eye, he was already right in front of Siska's eyes, and prepare to launch his fist right towards the girl's face.

Siska deftly clapped her palms together, and brought up something; an arc formed from blue light. And with the same speed as the young man, Siska instantly fended off the fist of the young man using his bow.

“But, sis!”

“And I... no longer your brother.” Something happened again, and as it turned out, the young man's fist suddenly emitted a very dazzling light, and then a very powerful explosion was created.

But, it was fortunate that Siska had already noticed it, and from the beginning she immediately jumped back as far as possible so as not to be hit by the explosion.

Even so, the young man did not stop there, he shot back like lightning and lunged towards Siska like thunder. While Siska who did not want to lose, also avoided every fist blast launched by the young man and as much as possible returned his attack by shooting arrows of light.

They move so fast that they are almost invisible to the eye. They attacked each other wildly within the building, leaving devastating explosions and arrows planted everywhere.

When Siska was already at some distance away, she immediately took the horses to shoot, and released many arrows at once in one move, however, unfortunately Siska's attack still could not penetrate the armor worn by the young man.

The young man quickly cut the distance between them, and again appeared before Siska just like that. Siska hurriedly jumped high into the air and shot back an arrow, but the young man in the blink of an eye appeared again in front of her and attacked with his fist.

“Cih! It's not just the brother who got the boon from Zeus! I got it too! The same night our family died! Damnit!”

After fiercely colliding forces, Siska finally managed to find a gap, she darted to the end of the room, while the young man was about fifty meters ahead and had just punched a wall there.

“May big brother sell our family for strength! Stupid fool!” Siska instantly gathered her strength to create one arrow stronger than before, then released it.

The young man who could not dodge, finally shot it and created a very powerful explosion. Yes, the attack had indeed managed to peel off the top of the young man's armor, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to pierce through his thick skin.

“I also have a reason for all the sins I committed in the past. There's always a reason, and I'm sure you know that too.” Obviously the young man. “But know.. This power has helped more people than you know.”.

“Help what! It means nothing to you that you sacrificed our family! Sister... it's been really outrageous.” Siska sighed deeply, then put her legs together, and stood upright in an archery-ready position. “If you do not want to tell me the answer, then I will use the rough way!”

“Ya, whatever.”