ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
TALE/Worldly Secret IV: A Meeting In The Cursed Forest

Alright, this is already outrageous, Rizky thought as he looked at the astonished white-haired and shiny red-eyed boy. He had read absurd stories on the internet, and based on his appearance, Rizky could tell in an instant that he was not human. This kid is, a vampire. Yes, having a broad insight is mandatory, including knowledge of even useless things.

Rizky grew up in a rather strict Muslim family, though not to that extent. It's just that, in his family, religion is the most important thing. From SD, Junior High School, High School, even in college, all the steps he took must be related to religion. That is what makes him a rational thinker.

Studying religion is learning about goodness, plus the way he thinks that is arguably a little unique, making him so open to many things, and it can be used as a plus in this world, he said, although only a few people know.

However, it was fortunate for a Rizky Bafadhal, because he knew the secret.

“You're a vampire, right?” Rizky said without hesitation.

“Yes is. Your question is very strange.” The boy replied in astonishment.

“Vampire?“ That whisper came out of Sarah's mouth. The white-hijab girl looked strangely at the boy. Somehow he didn't seem too surprised or scared, as if he had gotten used to this reality.

“You guys, really, can be here?” Ask the boy. His eyes are shiny in the dark. “This Cursed Forest, loh.”

“Well, what are you doing here yourself?” Rizky asked in a tone that sounded a bit irritating.

“Wait, he said what forest was?” Sarah asked even though no one heard her.

“Eh? I'm on duty here... Ah, bodo time, lah.” The boy suddenly raised his palm forward, parallel to the faces of Sarah and Rizky. Suddenly, the two people immediately jolted backwards.

“What do you want to do!?” Sarah's shriek looked irritated.

“Eh? I want to change your memory. You're human, so we shouldn't interact like this.” The boy replied lightly, but managed to make Rizky and Sarah goosebumps. “Again, you guys have really made a big mistake, by coming to this place at this hour.” The boy sighed. “Sial... Then I'll have to ask for help, deh.”

“Hah?”

Without Rizky and Sarah realizing, it turned out that something was standing behind them at the moment. The figure was born from a pitch-black flame, just that it almost resembled a giant human, with blood-red eyes perched on its face. And the bad news, the black fire giant, is currently intending to capture Rizky and Sarah.

“Jump forward!” Shouted the boy in a loud voice.

Rizky and Sarah reflexively follow the boy's orders, and instantly slam their bodies forward, and at that very moment, something shocking happens. The boy had apparently vanished, but a second later, he reappeared in the air behind Rizky and Sarah, while swinging his greatsword, and in the blink of an eye, he returned, he slashed the figure until it split in two.

The giant black figure that was now split in two was quickly melted into a dust of colorful light, and from that light was created a piece of green gemstone that then fell to the ground.

“A-What the fuck is that.?” To be honest, Rizky did not think that he could be frightened like that. His breath was puffing instead of playing, and his cold sweat was pouring out. Really, the figure he had seen at a glance earlier made him feel extremely frightened to the sky. As if, he was dead. “Ma-what creature is it!?” Rizky shouted furiously.

“Hmm? Oho! I don't know, yeah?” Asked the boy while putting on a successful smile made Rizky feel somewhat irritated. “That creature was, Sin. Your sins are exactly.” The boy then took the gemstone, then put it in his tiny waist bag. “That creature is Sin. But... Why did you see it? Humans should not be able to see them. In fact, you guys shouldn't be able to see me.”

“Ma-mean!?” Rizky could barely digest all that. His head felt dizzy, and he also started to feel nauseous. But something else was bothering him.

When looking to the side, Rizky again realized, if the girl who was still sitting next to him, it still looks ordinary. He did seem a little panicked and surprised, but only to the extent of it.

“It seems like something happened to you two, to the extent that you guys could break the World Law. It's not natural..." Clearly the boy squinted his eyes. “Yes, I don't know, it's none of my business. But, your safety is definitely my business. So, now I want you to run as fast as you can down this path. About two hundred meters ahead there is a protective field. Take shelter there, at least until sunrise. Okay?”

“Hah!? Until morning!? I can't! My wife is home alone!” Rizky's really riding the apoplexy.

“Loh? Brother is married?” Sarah asked in surprise.

“Hey! Quick run there! They started coming.” The boy said in a cold voice. “Your aroma really interests them.”

“Ta-but!” Rizky wanted to protest.

“Just Brother! Run away, really, really hard!” The boy patted his eel. “Hmm... Thankfully, my brother is not fat.” Whisper the boy. “Begini, look. If Brother does not run, Brother will be guaranteed to die, loh.”

Rizky gulped when she heard it. At least he wanted to do something meaningful other than escape. However, he also realized, if he died here, then everything would be over.

“Come, Brother!” Sarah pulls Rizky's hand, making her realize from her daydream.

Inevitably, Rizky also had to run now, as that choice was the most reasonable. The two of them began to run further into the forest.

Only two hundred meters. Yeah, Rizky would have survived if only that.

On their way, Rizky also saw that there were many red dots chasing them among the trees. But after all, he was sane enough not to point the flashlight towards those figures.

However, unexpectedly there suddenly appeared a single black figure that blocked in front, and in an instant, the figure instantly launched his huge fist towards the two of them. But, fortunately they managed to dodge the giant fist, and without wasting a second, they darted back forward through the gap between the giant's legs.

“Hah! Huh! Huh! Where exactly is that protector!?” Strangled Rizky with a loud breath. He saw nothing but trees as far as his eyes could see. Strangely, though, he remained convinced that the boy had not lied.

“This is it!” Shouting Sarah.

“Where—” A moment later, Rizky felt something strange, as if she had just passed through some kind of water curtain that felt cold and cool.

Sarah slowed her pace and without delaying any longer, she immediately fell to her knees with breathless breath instead of playing.

Atmosphere changed. Rizky's feelings are getting better now. Everything becomes calmer. All his fear had disappeared, and the only thing he felt was clearly his fatigue.

Rizky raised her head and looked around. “Where is the disappearance of those creatures?” Ask while wiping the sweat. The dark figures that were chasing him earlier were already completely invisible. But, he caught something else, some sort of blue, or green, light that faintly appeared in the air right in front of them. “What...this?”

“Aduh... My head is so dizzy.” Sarah seemed to have crossed the line.

Rizky massaged her own forehead. He also felt unusually dizzy.

“Kak! Li-see! There's home.” Sarah suddenly said.

Rizky turned around and looked up slightly to see a large brownish-painted house standing a few meters ahead of them, on a slightly higher plain. The warm golden yellow light that emanated from his windows and glass walls, added a luxurious impression to the house.

“I'm sure, you know, if there shouldn't be a house there.” Mumbled Sarah.

“Come in.” Rizky said while putting her phone in her little bag.

“Absolutely any other suggestions? I don't want to, deh, if I see those creatures again.”

“Ah, yaudah, deh.” Sarah tried to get up, and followed Rizky.

Arriving at the door of the house, Rizky found that the door was slightly open. Without asking for Sarah's opinion, he immediately opened the door and went inside while saying; “Assalamualaikum.” Yes, even in the interior of this house is really awesome. All the interiors look new and beautiful.

However, Rizky captures the presence of several shoes and sandals located behind the door, which indicates there is a person here.

“It looks like they are here, deh.” Sarah was afraid.

“Ya, nice, dong. Kan them our destination came here.” Rizky furrowed her brows.

After removing their footwear, they both decided to go deeper. They passed through the first door, and arrived at the living room filled with the fragrant scent of flowers. The expensive sofas were neatly arranged, and there were two bookshelves leaning against the wall. They walked back and passed the second door. There was another door and a ladder connecting to the second floor.

Rizky opened the door and arrived at a room filled with bookshelves and other strange items, such as weapons hanging on the walls, and strange papers. Maybe it's some kind of reading room or lounge. But, there was one more door on the left, and it was open.

“Eh? Excuse me?” Rizky showed her face in the doorway, and at once, she found some people enjoying dinner in the room. Mr. Driver, check. The orange-eyed young man named Ran, check. And that fat boy he always knew every day as Kevin, check.

“Loh!? Mas Rizky!?” The cry of Kevin and the orange-eyed Youth was in unison. But, at that very moment, Kevin and Ran exchanged glances with strange gazes. “How can!?”

“Dan... You who?” Kevin asked when he saw Sarah.

“Eh.. ah, my name is Sarah Vitrayandita. Greetings know all.” Sarah introduced herself with a whimper.

“Wait—What!? You're Amar—Amar Vitrayandita's son?” Kevin's face slowly turned a crimson color.

“Vitrayandita? Isn't that one of the great noble clans in the archipelago?” The driver spoke up. He also looked surprised.

“Eh? You know my father?” Sarah asked with a confused face.

“Wait first! Please explain what happened here!” Rizky's angry roar instantly made everything go silent. His eyes were on Kevin.

“Aduh..“ Kevin's having a panic attack. Maybe her stress level went up. He scratched the right side of his head restlessly, then turned to Ran and Mr. Driver while gesturing.

“Ah... Alright, then excuse me first, Mr. Liel.” The driver got up from his seat, then stepped out of the dining room, followed by Ran who strangely seemed to be trying to turn his eyes away from Rizky.

“Eh... You guys sit down, okay?” Pinta Kevin hesitated while smiling wryly.

Rizky exchanged glances with Sarah, and the two sat down on the dining table. There are still many foods available on the long table, such as lobster sauteed with balado seasoning, chicken soup, roasted chicken that is still intact, potato paste, also rice that seems to stay half.

Kevin was sitting on the end seat, like a host, while Rizky was sitting on the left right next to Kevin, and Sarah was sitting next to him.

Strangely enough, after they all sat down, Kevin was dumbstruck and looked at the two people in turn, and a few seconds later, he spoke up again with a strange face. He did not look panicked, or astonished.

“Yeah, this is bad. Looks like you guys have been tainted by purity.” Kevin suddenly looked empty. “Kok, can, yes..?”

“Purity?” Sarah asked.

“Yes... Purity. That's a very strange power. Even this world can change with just a drop.” Obviously Kevin.

“Heh! If you say anything weird again, Vin, I'll make you ****.* you know.” Threaten Rizky seriously while raising his fist. This situation had long since irritated him.

“Eh... So how is dong?” Kevin asked in surprise. “You guys are already polluted. That could be dangerous, you know. Because that purity makes destiny and the world can't see you anymore. Which means, you are now living beings who have no future, and the World Law is no longer applicable to you.”

“Hah!?” Rizky and Sarah screamed at the same time.

It's crazy, but the original plan was to follow Kevin, but now Rizky ended up in this absurd situation. What the fuck? How could he possibly lose his own future? And what kind of explanation is that?

“Wait a minute, Vin! Please explain slowly! I really don't understand.” The heat also began to swallow Rizky. “It doesn't make any sense, Vin.”

“Yes... I can get here it just doesn't make sense either, you know.” Kevin put on a wry smile. “But the point is, from here your life is no longer the same. Because you are no longer human, and this world, is no longer your home.”

“Hah..?” Rizky was at a loss for words. The cold sweat.

Why would something like this happen?

Who is to blame?

Suddenly, Rizky felt something shaking in her bag. He immediately opened the small bag, and pulled out his phone.

“Thirty-six missed calls... “ Rizky mutters while staring at the horror of her phone screen. Thirty-six times he did not answer the phone of the person who became his life partner in this world, and honestly, it made him afraid. “Dead me..“

“From Mas's wife, yes?” Kevin asked.

“Iya..“ Rizky replied.

“Hmm... Mas said aja first, if Mas want to stay here.”

“Eh? Whose home is this?” Sarah finally spoke up again.

“Yes my home, lah.” Said Kevin, breathing out.

“It's really weird.” Rizky said slowly. “Since then I don't know you, you know, Vin. Though it feels pretty fun when we tell stories at my shop every night. But, tonight...really weird..”.

“Ya, how to go again.” Kevin put a smile on his lips. An impressed smile was forced. “Which is important, now Mas say it first to Mas's wife, if Mas wants to stay at a friend's house or who is it. Let me explain everything tonight, and I will also help you until everything comes back to normal. And you too.”

“Sorry before, but I refused.” Sarah suddenly. “I want this power to find my father.”