ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
TALE/Fear of Death: Burning With Snow

The golden-eyed child seemed to lose everything when he saw a corpse lying on the snow bed right in front of him. There was smoke billowing from the body, a sign that it was burning. At that time, for the boy, the world seemed to have been destroyed, and life, as if it meant nothing to him.

Is this his fault? because he himself decided to leave him alone and face tens of thousands of enemies. But, he had absolutely no idea, that it would eventually become like this. She really doesn't.

Under the gray sky decorated by the falling snow, the child was only able to stand up while looking at the corpse covered by the black cloth with a meaningless blank look. His entire body trembled violently, his eyes and face were hot. He doesn't understand at all. Everything just happens.

What's he supposed to do now? Why did he feel so confused, angry, sad, and failed? Why does he feel so, so, so bad? Wh why? Why is the world so evil?

He knew the jeans attached to the corpse, he also knew the shoes attached to his feet. He knew her very well, and for the first time in his life he felt wrath at knowing something.

The boy's knee suddenly fell because he was so weak. He wrapped his left hand around the back of the body's neck, while his right hand began to fumble around his face.

“Please, don't take him from me..“ The boy's tears began to flow profusely soaking his face. His breathing was tight, and his chest felt excruciating pain. “Kakk... My sister's. No...“ The boy immediately hugged the corpse tightly.

He felt very strange, because in the last few minutes, the child's entire body seemed to move on its own without his will. However, he was also grateful, because in fact, the boy actually did not want to move anymore when he saw the corpse. He doesn't even want to live anymore.

“No... No. gabe... No. gabe... “ The sound of whispers kept coming out of his mouth and as if it would never stop. “What the fuck!? Why is this happening!? Why brother! Why did you snatch it!?” He screamed with a stifled voice. “What's our fault!? We just want to be free! What's wrong!? We just want to be happy! What exactly is wrong! Goddamnit! Don't take Mas Lion!”

Then, he began to shout loudly like a madman who went berserk, to the point of making the world around him even shake violently.

Mas Lion was the first to accept the child for who he was. The first person in this world, who was truly willing to accept his true self. No less and no more.

To him, Mas Lion was an excellent older brother, although the golden-eyed child had never admitted it with words, but that was the truth. He was the best brother he ever had.

The young man had a friendly face and a sweet smile, in fact it could be said that was his trademark. It was strange, because only now the child realized that the face of Mas Lion was always striking compared to anyone he knew.

But now, he has lost it.

From now on, who would wake her up every morning? Who will cook breakfast? Who will teach him about the world? About life? Who will show you the right path? That right? And, who else would caress his head, just like Mas Lion always did when he was happy.

“Why Mas Lion!? Why should she!? Why do you keep taking everything away from me!? I-I don't have anything else!” The child's face began to redden due to the coldness of the atmosphere around. But her tears kept flowing nonstop. “Damn it! ********! What exactly is my fault!?” He kept roaring.

Why is this world so evil? And the boy and his friends just want to find their own happiness in this cruel world. What exactly is wrong? After all, they were struggling with the strength they had.

Whether this world is too evil, or indeed God's will is different, the child does not know. He doesn't know anything at all. The only thing he knew right now, was the fact that he had lost the light that had shone on his life all along.

The beautiful memories of Mas Lion began to be reflected in the child's mind, and really, it felt very painful.

“Sella... Om Zaraah's... Mas Alam's... Brother Anna... Arima... Ronzos... Amalia... Abi... And now... Mas Lion's... L'm... I don't have anyone else.“ The boy bit his lip as he mentioned the names of his friends who have died so far. Died for sacrifice. “I've lost too much, Lord! Don't you realize, huh!?”

Then a question arose in the little heart of the boy; were all his sacrifices worth his will?

“Kakkou... Hu..“ The world around him finally stopped shaking, but the grief that was seeping in the boy had still not dissipated. Or maybe, never. “God... I believe you have prepared the best plan for me... I believe in my desire... Our desire, it is not wrong... But, why does it feel this sick..?”.