ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: The Reality of the World/Wings That Sleep

Sofia looked at herself in the mirror. The girl looked so beautiful now. The combination of her all-black clothes, and her white hijab, made her look very unusual for a sixteen-year-old woman.

Seen from any side, Sofia is clearly just an ordinary girl, with a mediocre life. Unfortunately, the truth is not that simple.

He has a close friend, his name is Fira, and basically, he is a creature that comes from another world. And thanks to her, Sofia has also turned into an unusual girl again.

Since Fira moved to Sofia's school a year and a half ago, the girl also managed to get something strange without her noticing. Something invisible, but clear, and that is power. And from that moment on, Sofia slowly began to be able to see other realities in this world.

Day after day, Sofia begins to know things that should not be known. He knew that there were otherworldly beings living in this world, he also knew about magic and magic, as well as magical things that were scattered everywhere, and look at places that never existed before.

However, gradually, the girl also finally realized, if everything she got was not free. There's a payoff from every new reality he knows. You could say, every time Sofia gets something good, then she will also get something bad, and inevitably, she still has to accept it.

For example, it was an event that he experienced a few months ago. At that time, he and his parents were shopping at the market, but Sofia noticed something strange in the place of one of the apple dealers there. Among the supposedly ordinary apples, she saw a golden apple, and somehow Sofia wanted it so badly.

The girl really wanted it for no apparent reason.

He bought it without the knowledge of his parents, and the merchant also seemed to be ordinary. Even so, after the first bite, Sofia was already aware, that something had changed within her. He's gaining more power.

“My name is, Raphael.”

Sofia heard that whisper continuously in her mind. Even to this day, he heard that voice occasionally.

Then, a few hours after the incident, a disaster came to Sofia and her parents on the way home. Their car was hit by a big truck. Both her parents died on the spot, while Sofia survived without being scratched in the least.

At that time, Sofia was completely at a loss for words. All he could do was cry, and bewilderment was half dead.

Who is to blame? Is that Fira? And what kind of feeling did he feel? Why are there no words that can be used to explain it? How will he face everything from now on? Who is really guilty?

Then, Sofia remembered something.

He has got, so he has to accept.

Yeah, that's how the world actually works.

He can't blame anyone. The only thing to do, is to continue living, and accept reality.

“Hmm... “ Sofia is still looking at her reflection. Eyebrows wrinkling. “Maybe... Now I just have to do it... Like yesterday-yesterday.” Mumbled slowly.

Finally, after making sure everything was ready, the girl smiled slightly, then stepped out of her room which was also neat and did not forget to snatch her bag hanging on a hanger near the door. He went straight downstairs, and came to the living room, where he had his older brother, Rama, sitting on the couch, enjoying a cup of tea and a plate of toast.

Sofia had hesitated when she saw the short-haired, neat and somewhat cold-faced young man, but she put those feelings aside and walked over to the older brother.

“Again, Brother. Tumben sister is up so early.” Sofia greeted me kindly.

“Should have asked it was me.” Said Rama in a flat voice that seemed threatening. “Where are you going this Sunday morning? Very neat again.”

“Eh... “ Sofia already knows which way this talks will go. After all, he also knew the temperament of the elder brother. “I... want to go to Fira.”

“Hmm... “ Her brother went silent for a moment, then continued. “Why are you still friends with him? He is so weird, you know.”

“Eh?”

“Since you became friends with him, you have slowly started to change as well. You're getting weird too. As if...you know everything..”.

“Loh, what's wrong anyway. Everyone will change. Anyway, I'm not weird. I'm still this way, tuh.”

Sofia knows how her sister looks at Fira. Since first meeting at the market, Rama did seem to really dislike Fira somehow. And since the tragedy experienced by Sofia and her parents, gradually, Sofia began to realize, if the sister really hated Fira more.

Even so, come to think of it, actually Rama is indeed such a person. Sometimes you can hate someone for no reason. Maybe that's what makes him look scary.

“Better you just end your relationship. I feel bad every time I imagine you together.”

“Eh, Brother, I'm about to enter university. I can take care of myself.” Sofia said firmly.

“Hmm... “ Rama was silent again. “Yeah, whatever. Bottom line, sister still doesn't like it when you hang out with her.”

“Yes already ah, I want to leave first. Assalamualaikum.”

“Wait. Let brother inter.” Said Rama suddenly. “Kakak also happened to want to go to the office, because there are still many files that I have not had time to finish yesterday.”

“You've really changed, Sof... Not kayak first... After everything that happened, it was strange that you kept stepping forward, and were able to accept all of that without being burdened... You did have time to feel, but it was only for a moment, and after that, you walked on again. Huh... I really don't understand..“ Whisperer Rama.

“So I whispered what?” Ask Sofia in surprise.

The black car that was still shiny and new-looking was traveling at high speed on the streets. Rama is driving smartly, while Sofia sits beside him while observing the world through the window.

So far, the girl felt that nothing strange would happen today. From waking up in the morning, until he was in this car, everything felt ordinary. There is no stranger.

Sometimes, he could indeed see strange things, but it only lasted in an instant. Like whales swimming behind clouds, or people flying to and fro, and other miraculous apparitions. But, that didn't happen until now. Everything is completely normal.

Yes, that was what Sofia felt at first. However, everything changes when they arrive at the residential area where Fira lives, located in the middle of Kendari city.

Sofia's eyes opened very wide, as did Rama. Both of them were silent in a thousand languages and seemed to not believe what they saw at that time.

“Where...all his home?” The question just came out of Rama's mouth. “What the heck... “

The housing area that should have been very large, and crowded with people on the move, has now disappeared without waste, leaving the rubble of buildings scattered everywhere. As if, there had just been a great war there.

As far as the eye could see, there was only a visible trace of destruction. No sign of life. In fact, what is clearly visible now are signs of death.

“Fi-Fira!” Not far away, Sofia could see a girl lying on the ground. The girl immediately ran up to him, but how shocked Sofia was when she saw the state of her good friend.

Sofia once saw Fira wearing that outfit. He called it a war gear that he would only use while on duty to protect humans from evil beings called sin. But, his battle clothes were now broken and filled with incisions.

Sofia's tears begin to pour when she finds a purple sword sticking out of Fira's stomach. As he fumbled the sword, his tears flowed even more profusely.

“Ti-no... no.. please... “ Sofia does not want to accept this reality. He'll never accept it. Not for the second time. “Pa-when I haven't gotten anything lately. But why!?”

There was no visible blood on Fira's body. He had wounds, but no blood came out of them, because of the green light dust that covered the wounds.

Sofia also knew about this. The otherworldly people could never see the color of their own blood, because those light dusts would instantly heal them when they were injured. However, something is different about this. The dust did not heal Fira's wounds, but rather it was lifted up, and it was getting more and more.

Sofia became an incredible panic.

The girl raised her head back, hoping to find something that would help her. But alas, what he found was the bodies of otherworldly people who were also lying everywhere. Their bodies all started to decompose into light dust.

“They are dead..” Said Rama who was examining one of the corpses.

“Sofia..?”

Sofia immediately turned her head when she heard that weak voice.

“Hah... Thank goodness, I can still see you... But, what are you doing here... “

“Ki-we're going for a walk this week. You forgot the time anyway?” Sofia tried to wipe away her tears, but still did not stop. He could not bear the sound of Fira trying to endure the pain.

“Hah... I don't think I can walk anymore. Sorry, Sof.” Fira smiled sweetly.

Sofia's panic is growing. “Kak Rama! Call the doctor! Fast!” Sofia's screams were devoured by despair.

But the brother was silent. And Sofia never saw Rama put on such a face. What kind of face is that?

“Your brother is right.. It's too late, Sof. You remember right? If you get, then you also have to accept... That's how the world works when you have the power.” Fira Obviously. “Sorry yes, if I will go this way... “ Fira's eyes slowly closed again, and her voice grew quieter. “Congratulations. stay... “

“NO! I DON'T WANT TO!” Sofia's shout echoed to all directions, and made a pillar of golden light descend from the sky, perforating the cloud in the sky, and shining on the girl. Then, without him noticing, there were suddenly two pairs of white-colored wings appearing on his back.

Rama stepped back when he saw the incident. The young man's eyes were once again made wide open.

“Please, help me, Raphael.”

Yes, this is what Sofia got after eating the golden apple. He got the name Raphael. And now, he also already knew what he could do with that name.

Sofia pulled out the sword that stuck in Fira's stomach, then placed both hands on her stomach, and at that moment, the wounds on Fira's body slowly began to heal.

“This time, I will not accept reality. I don't care if I have to go against the laws of the world. I'll help you, with everything I have. Anyway, I'll help you!”