ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
TALE/Worldly Secret I: Those Tired of Fighting

I don't know why the war is always visible every time Ran closes his eyes. However, even though it was only a dream, but the pain he felt was really real. When his legs run over the battlefield that gradually begins to disintegrate, or when he is hit by a sword and stray bullet, or also when he took the life of someone. Everything feels real.

In fact, even though he was clearly sitting in the back seat in a taxi, Ran strangely felt that he was standing among the corpses of enemy troops scattered everywhere.

With blood dyeing his uniform, and his hands, the boy stood under the breaking dawn, while on the battlefield, there were only a few people still standing, alive and breathing, who were still alive and breathing, including Ran.

That's the past.

“Sial... “ Cold sweat soaks Ran's face. The twenty-one-year-old with a thick hair shook his head violently to chase away those unpleasant memories. His fire-colored orange eyes shimmered a few times with a glow due to the restless feeling that filled him.

Every now and then Ran forced his gaze to glance towards the car window. But it was still nine in the evening, and it was already pitch black outside. However, for some reason when Ran saw the darkness, he felt even worse.

“Hmm? You just arrived today huh?” The taxi driver suddenly asked.

“A-ah.. yes, sir.” Ran tried to calm himself down, and looked at the driver in surprise. “Sorry, sir, to be honest, I was not aware, you know, if you are also from the world there.”

“Yes, reasonable, kok” replied the Driver with a thick Javanese accent. “You're a War Warrior, right? I understand, really, what you're feeling now.” Relaxedly stated. “There, we always fight on the battlefield almost every hour. But, after arriving here, everything changed in an instant. I also remember very well, how it felt to be able to sit like that without having to worry about those horrible things. Right now, you just need to relax and sit still. Easy, kok.”

“Ah... so, yes?” Ran followed the driver's words, and leaned back in the chair. A very calming feeling. For the first time in his life, he was actually able to sit down without worrying about anything.

“So, when were you sent here?”

“Ah...the process started three days ago Pak.” Ran explained. His empty and exhausted eyes were fixed on the car window. “After the letter from the Council of Two Worlds came, the royal party directly sent me to the Great Crystal. And after arriving there, they immediately explained everything to me. About World Law, the duty of protecting people, and all. Then, when everything was ready, the last thing I remember was when the Rainbow Bridge came down to pick us up, and I arrived in this world.”

“Hoh, nothing has changed apparently.” Said the Driver.

“If father?”

“Yes, I am also a War Fighter, and I was sent here when I was seven years old.” Reveal the driver with a smile. “I was just a war slave back then. I'm just a collector on the battlefield. But exactly as you thought.I also took the lives of too many people until finally sent here.”.

“Wah.. it turns out our fate is not much different yes sir.”.

“Yes, such is the past of all the people of our world who were sent here.” the Driver added resignedly.

“Hah... I hope this world is better than ours.”

“Ah, you'd better not get your hopes up.” The driver suddenly said.

“Loh? How so?” Ran surprised.

“Where yes... You may not know yet, but the human is a very bad creature.” the Driver explained. “I mean, really bad. Unlike us, who always appreciate the slightest kindness, while they are the opposite. They.. they are creatures with too narrow a view, and therefore, they become terrible destructive figures.”

Ran was barely able to speak. He wanted to protest, but he had only just arrived in this world anyway, so he had no right at this moment. From the voice of the Driver, it was clear that he was looking bad at humanity. He was afraid of them, and hated them. Are humans that bad?

“O-oh, sorry deck, just ignore everything I said just now.” The driver hurriedly said. “That's just based on my thinking, really, so don't think about it.”

“A-ah... All right then.” Said Ran hesitatingly.

Ran's eyes looked at the scene behind the window. Buildings are seen along the street, whether it's a house, or a shop, and I don't know what else. Also the trees are growing big and healthy, as well as mosques, churches, and normal people.

What a strange sight. There is no battle anywhere. There are no monsters either. There were no magic flames or people emitting great existences, nor any other sights Ran was used to seeing in the world there. Everything is really ordinary.

At that time, Ran suddenly felt like crying, but he also realized that his eyes were still too tired, considering that he had not rested for five days.

“It really...comfortable.” Ran muttered involuntarily. His eyes slowly began to close tightly, and he drowned in his sleep, and at that moment, the dream came again. He returned to the battlefield, and fought against the invaders.

However, Ran strangely realized that it was just a dream, so he forced himself to let things go the way they should. Letting the dream spin means giving the body a chance to rest.

However, when Ran was getting used to it, the taxi he was riding suddenly stopped suddenly, and made him wake up.

“Eh? What's up, Sir?” Tanya Ran with contorted eyes.

“Oh? Sorry, yeah, if I wake you up. You see, there are sins out there, so I have to take care of them first. It's okay, right?” Ask the driver who wants to remove his seat belt. But unfortunately Ran has already opened the car door, and stepped out.

“Ah, please let me take care of this.” Ran said in a cold tone.

“Hoh? Are you sure? Means this will be your civil duty in this world.”

“Yes, I'm very sure. Father take it easy.” An Ran replied while closing the door. “I am... very strong, loh.”.

Ran's orange eyes again shimmered brightly, and at the same time, a flame suddenly appeared in the air, and the flame became bigger and bigger, and slowly, slowly, it began to change shape into the form of a very beautiful bird.

“Prepare, Finix.” Ran's orders.

The fire-winged bird flapped its wings vigorously.

Ran carefully turned his gaze briefly towards the young children who were hanging out in front of him. But, they were completely unaware of Ran's existence.

“Wah, you have Auxiliaryium apparently. That could be a big plus, loh.” The driver was watching from the window. “Oh, and you take it easy, if you have used your strength, even if it is just a drop, I assure you those humans will no longer be able to see you. That's their nature. They can't see the magic form.”

After hearing Mr. Driver's explanation, Ran then looked around.

The place where they stopped at this time was the border area between Kendari City and South Konawe, and the large gate there was a sign, so you could say it was very crowded here. The road is wide and filled with vehicles that go back and forth. There were two supermarkets not far from there, as well as young people hanging out in various places, and in front of the current Ran, there was a martabak seller, he said, also a stand or a kind of cart that sells a variety of modern drinks in this world.

However, there was another creature that was perched on the tavern cart in front of Ran.

Creatures that shouldn't exist.

His form was born from a pitch-black, burning fire, and his figure resembled a giant scorpion the size of a truck. The two fiery red eyeballs perched on the creature's head exuded an overwhelming desire to kill.

Now the sin is absorbing the sins of some of the people who are there. Simply put, sin is eating their sins.

Yes, that creature is the reason Ran is standing here at the moment.

“Good.” Ran gestured to Finix, then the bird melted back into a flame and gathered on Ran's left arm. Moments later, the flame finally extinguished, replaced by a beautiful bow that was now in Ran's hands.

Ran steadily took an archery position. He put his legs together, and his right hand began to move as if he were pulling an arrow, and indeed, at that moment there was an arrow formed from fire and ready to be released.

The distance between Ran and Sin was only two meters more, so it was impossible if he missed.

The sin that began to feel threatened immediately hissed furiously and jumped quickly towards Ran. Yeah, it's appropriate, isn't it? the creature wanted to chop Ran into small pieces.

“Wah, sensi amat.” Ran put a smile on his lips, then in the blink of an eye, he released his arrow.

The air around Ran shook violently as the attack was released, and made people become astonished at the sudden gust of strong wind.

The arrow shot through the scorpion, and at once, the sin was instantly melted into a dust of colorful light, and from the dust was created a green gemstone.

“Eh? what is it?” Surprisingly, the young man did not look in pain, instead he just scratched his head in wonder as if it was itchy.

However, Ran's arrows still continued to shoot up into the sky. Farther and higher, like lightning rising up into the invisible.

“Truly terrible.” Said Mr. The driver who gaped at the power of Ran.

“Hehe, ordinary course sir.” Ran said as he walked towards the middle of the young men. “So this is it? Stone Hell?” Ran picked up the dark green gemstone, then put it in his jacket pocket.

After which, he closed his eyes tightly, relaxed his body, and restored all his magic power. His bow turned into fire and vanished, and so did his eyes that had been emitting a bright orange glow, now returning to their usual state.

“Loh!?” The young men immediately screamed in shock. They were obviously surprised to find Ran who had suddenly stood there without them noticing.

“Ah.. sorry, sorry.” Ran said with a big smile. I don't know why this even feels funny. The shocked faces of these young men actually looked extremely ridiculous.

Ran leisurely turned away from them, then walked towards the taxi.

“Kok can that bule guy suddenly be here?”

“Hmm? He's not like a bule deh.”

“But his eyes! The color is like fire.”

“Crazy! I didn't realize!”

“Iya, same. The boy suddenly appeared here so aja loh.”

However, something unexpected happened.

Ran's eyes found a very unnatural sight when he accidentally looked back, precisely at the wagon. There, in the wagon, stood a young man in white and somewhat fat stature, who might still be twenty-seven or eight. His face looked friendly and kind, and at first glance, he looked like an Arab. And most importantly above all, he really looks very similar to Ran's long-dead best friend.

“Cannot.” Those words just slid out of Ran's mouth.

A wrenching pain spread throughout Ran's body.

Ran doesn't know this is real or not, but that guy, it really doesn't make any difference to his best friend, Lion. They really look like the same people.

Ran's body instantly became limp instead of playing. His strength seemed to be drained in an instant for no apparent reason. His eyes that were open so wide were still fixed on the seller in the cart.

Ran tried to move his legs, and stepped closer to the wagon. His powerless hand reached the table, and with a trembling voice, and a very strong desire from his heart, he immediately called out the name of his best friend, and now, he could only hope.

“Hey... Lion? You're... Lion, right?” Tanya Ran without hesitation. His throat hurts.

“Eh? Me?” The young man looked very astonished. He was preparing a drink for a buyer. But he stops because of a surprising question that Ran throws. “Ah... I think it's the wrong person, huh. I'm Rizky, Mas.” He said with a dazed face.

Ran could only bite his lips when he heard that answer. He lowered his head, and tried to hold back his nearly exploding emotions. He felt very angry, sad, irritated, and very bad, but it would be very foolish to vent him here.

However, Ran's eyes caught something at the table; it was a price list.

“A-ah! Sorry, sorry, because you look a lot like my best friend.” Ran tried very hard to melt the atmosphere. Although his heart was racing, but he was a soldier here, he was a Two World Agent, an Arch, he should not act rashly no matter what. “Then I order one hundred of these thai tea drinks, and one hundred special beef burgers. Can, right?”

“Hah!? Hundred!?” The young man named Rizky screamed in disbelief, to the point of making the people around him turn towards Ran. “Ta-but, I don't think it's enough Mas.” The young man became misbehaved because he was so surprised.

“Ah... “ Ran back see price list. “Then I want to order twenty drinks, the taste is given a variety. Keep the burger, also twenty, which is everywhere. Want a cow or chicken, special or not.”

“Wah... Okay, twenty drinks, twenty burgers. I'll prepare first if so. Just sit down.” Said the salesman who was still half-dead astonished.

Ran immediately sat down, but his eyes still did not turn away from the young man's face.

“Hmm?” The taxi driver suddenly appears next to Ran. “What are you doing again, anyway?”

Ran who was sweating coldly gestured for Mr. Driver to sit down, then he explained the situation hurriedly.

“Hoh? Didn't she? so he looks like your friend who died in the war.”

“Iya, sir...”

“Ya, then I follow you just aja deh.”

“Wah? Really?”

“Yes, of course, it is. In this human world, we should have helped each other.” Obviously the driver. “But, this is really good news, loh. You have managed to find a beautiful piece that exists in this world.”

“Ya... it looks like so.” Bisik Ran while looking at Rizky.

“But you must remember that this world is not our world. Indeed, there our friends and our friends, is everything. They are the most precious treasure, and irreplaceable family, but that is not the case in this world.”

“Good... I'll remember it.” Said Ran who still did not take his eyes off the young man's face. “Only, I did not expect, if it turns out I will miss those times... “

“Yes, thank goodness then. At least, you have a reason to protect humans, and the world. I mean, it's not easy to find a reason for living right now.”

“Yah's... I don't know why I've lost interest in cutting through my past. Thank you, Lord..” Ran finally managed to take his eyes off the young man. He looked at his palm. “I'm really grateful for still being able to live until now. Again, thank you, Lord.”.

“By the way, I heard you had a lot of messages. That all you want apain?” the driver whispered, making Ran aware.

“Eh? Ah... Want to?”

“Ora,” Reply Mr. Brief driver with flat face.

“Yes, if so, share it, deh, to the beggar on the road.” Said Ran while smiling wryly. “Oh, yes, if you may know, the reason you live so far what is it?”

“Hmm... I actually have a family, so that reason is enough.” But the driver suddenly remembered something. “Ah! You happen to ask!” Screaming Mr. Driver who managed to surprise the merchant, as well as Ran.

I don't know why he looks so tense now. He was very excited, but also panicked at the same time. “There's been news heard lately... A World Heritage will appear on this island in the near future.”

“World Heritage? But... I already have Auxiliaryium, you know, sir, and I said that too, right? I'm very strong, you know. I don't need power anymore. I just want to live normally in this world from now on.”

However, the attitude of the driver remained unchanged. He broke out in a cold sweat, and insisted on sharing the news with Ran.

“Begin, son... Pu-This World Heritage.. can take you back to the past.”.

Ran's eyes instantly widened, and his breathing came to a halt.

“Hah..?”