ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
TALE/Csect: A Second Chance For The Lost

After a long journey from Medan to Kendari City in Southeast Sulawesi, Finally Asta has arrived at his destination without any shortcomings. But strangely, the young man could feel something very strange when he set foot into the orphanage. With just one first step alone, Asta instantly felt like he was thrown into a different world.

“Hmm... That's so weird.” The young man involuntarily felt his left chest which was actually okay. He was a little confused by the atmosphere around him. It feels a little odd.

His purple eyes seemed to light up as he set his gaze forward.

In front of him today lies a very spacious and arguably quite beautiful courtyard, which is decorated by several lush trees, as well as neatly arranged flowers. While far ahead there, at the end of the path, stood firmly a large house in white and somewhat dull, but looked a little creepy, of course.

Asta looked back a little, looking at a small mailbox standing by the gate, and there was a name written beautifully in golden ink.

“This is true Lawang Sewu orphanage, right, yes?” Asta asked himself as he turned his gaze forward, and tried to find something. “But, really, really quiet, huh? Where are the kids going to try?” He muttered softly before he stepped his foot for the second time.

The young man dressed in all black finally began to walk towards the mansion without a doubt, but brought with him an odd sense of emptiness. The roar of the breeze and the gurgling of leaves accompanied him on his way. Really, this place is very quiet, considering the location of the orphanage was far inland.

“Hmm... This place isn't too big for thirteen people?” Asta mutters. Based on the email he received a while ago, it was explained that there were only twelve people living here. Ten children, and two managers. Plus Asta, so there are thirteen inhabitants.

It didn't take long, The young man finally arrived at the front door of the main parlour. But strangely he still heard no sound other than the sounds of the surrounding nature.

However, that still did not stop his intentions. He had come this far, so it was definitely no longer possible for him to return. After all, no matter what the situation was, he should be able to enter into this parlour, so that he could gather a trial for that monstrous sect.

“Ehm, good morning?” Asta knocked on the door once, and instantly it opened wide, leaving Asta shocked to death. “Eh, buset..”.

A somewhat fat-bodied young man who might be about the same age as Asta appeared from behind the door. However, Asta was silent when he exchanged glances with that person. The color of his eyes was exactly the same as that of a shiny molten gold melt. Although Asta does not know the color of his eyes original or not, but it is really beautiful.

“Eh? Mas who?” Ask the young man suddenly.

“A-ah, sorry, I'm Asta Wijaksono. I'm the one who applied to work here last week.” Answer Asta politely.

“Ah, so that's you, huh?” The young man looked at Asta from the tip of his foot until he returned to his face. “Yes already, let me take you to your room.” He said while gesturing for Asta to follow him. “Kids are in the back garden, If it's this hour, they are still busy taking care of their plants.”

“Oh, worth it.” Finally one question was answered.

A moment after he entered the building, Asta immediately realized how magnificent this place was. Indeed from the outside this orphanage looks seedy and mediocre, but inside, is a very different world. In fact, the view inside this house makes Asta remembered with luxury hotels in Medan.

“By the way, the place is fun too, huh?” Asta spoke up.

“Ya, there you go.” The young man explained. “I want children to enjoy their life and childhood without any shortcomings, so I make sure to provide the best for them. Whether it's toys, or their hobby facilities. Including billiard table there, sure.” He added with a small smile after realizing that Asta had been staring at the billiard table.

Either Asta misheard, or indeed this young man had said that he was the one who provided all these items to the children of the orphanage.

“Oh, yes, what time did Mas arrive in Kendari?” Ask the young man again.

“Eh? If not wrong around seven.” Asta answered who was still a little surprised by the young man. “Oh, yes, who are you, yes, if you know?”

“Eh, I haven't told you yet, huh? My name is Gamaliel Emmanuel Christian. Commonly called Liel, and I'm arguably the advisor here. You see, the head of the parlour is my old best friend.” Evidently.

“Friends...?” I don't know why the way the young man said it sounded so strange.

“So, please tell me, why did you apply here?” Ask Liel for the umpteenth time. “Is it because of the money? Or because of something else?”

Asta realized, if this question could be a test for him.

“Ah, if you want to be honest, the answer is actually very simple.” Asta's been training for this. “What drives me to work here is, a sense of humanity. I understand what it's like to be abandoned, ostracized, and considered as if I don't exist in this world. But, that's obviously still a feeling. Unlike the children here who have experienced it themselves. They are abandoned, abandoned, and those who should have loved them wish they had never been born. Isn't that too cruel?”

“Hmm, you seem to have trained hard, right?” Liel's statement immediately pierced Asta's heart like a very sharp sword. But, he was completely speechless from panic. Did he just guess?

“I've read your data, really. I know that you've been rejected from thirty-six jobs, and if it weren't for the fake files you sent me last week, I would have rejected you, too. And that means you've been rejected thirty-seven times. Your relationship with your family and friends is also very bad. You could say too bad even.” Reveal Liel with ease.

But Asta still could not respond. His eyes were wide open, his jaws tightly clenched as he tried to restrain his emotions.

“Begini. The home is a place for those who are wasted. Whether it is thrown away by the family, discarded by the environment, or even discarded by the world itself. This place, is a place for those who want to start a second life without having to die first.” The friendly impression of Liel's voice turned cold and piercing. “So, try to tell me, who dumped you here?”

“Ah... Anu's... “ Asta still don't know what else to answer.

“You're always rejected, aren't you? But, you don't even really know who abandoned you. This world is very cruel, but I admit you are great for having survived so far.” Said slowly.

Although Asta looks calm, but cold sweat poured all over his body.

“Not many people in the world are given a second chance. So choose wisely.”The golden-eyed young man's footsteps suddenly stopped. He then opened the door on the left and said, “This is your room. At eleven o'clock come to the lounge, and I'll introduce you to the kids. Rostia also just came home at nine o'clock tonight.” Without further ado, Liel left Asta alone in the doorway of her room.

“Oh, I will also confiscate this Heirloom. Black magic is not allowed here.” Liel said from a distance while lifting a black necklace with a decoration shaped like a snake.

Asta's eyes opened even wider when he saw what had just happened. That really doesn't make any sense. No, ever since he entered this building, nothing has made sense. The necklace was always hanging on Asta's neck. So, how could it now end up in Liel's hands?

Asta was silent in the doorway for quite a while. He is very confused about his current situation. But, finally, he decided to go into his room, close the door, then lay down on the soft bed that had been provided.

“What really happened... “ She whispers softly. “Times, anyway, people like him have power too? And again, what kind of power is that?”

“Whatever your choice, I will follow you.” Said one female voice that suddenly appeared from beside him. The sound came out from the lips of a deep dark purple glowing creature that was shaped exactly like a large snake.

But Asta did not heed the serpent's words, he still buried his face in the bed because he felt tired for no apparent reason.

“Whether it is following a sect, or starting a new life as the young man said earlier, I will stay with you.” The serpent again. “Toh, you also really want to work, right? Isn't this a good opportunity? You can work like a normal person in general, without having to get stuck with things that are not clear like that.”

“Hah... “ Asta sighed deeply, then got up and took a sitting position. He looked at the snake with a weak look. “Times, anyway, I have to leave the sect? I mean, without them, you might never have been, you know, Niff.” Asta's voice softened. “You I've considered my brother, you know.”.

“However, we are now here, right?” The snake moved slowly and climbed onto Asta's back. “There's nothing to be afraid of anymore. You just have to choose what life is like. Easy, really. I'm not going anywhere either.” Reveal the snake.

Asta did not understand at all, why Liel's words were still reflected in his mind. In fact, the explanation can be said to be simple, but, why can Asta feel shaky like this?

“Second chance..” The young man muttered again.

Although Asta is aware that he is unworthy, he must choose.