DYSTOPIA: STRICTLAND | ATEEZ (DISCONTINUED)
3

Yunho raised that thing. Look carefully at the shape and carvings. The golden color that became the hourglass bandage reflected the sunlight that shone on it. One by one the grains of sand fall, indicating the middle time runs.

The carving on the hourglass handle was very beautiful. It looks like it was polished with caution using hand craftsmanship. It really looks like a very precious antique. If sold, Yunho believes the price will reach millions of rupiah.

The hourglass was then placed in the middle of the table. They looked carefully at how the hourglass formed. When Yeosang raised the object, they saw a neatly arranged carving of a row of letters. Form one word 'CROMER'.

"This is called cromer?" san's voice went airborne as her net captured the writing. The others just nodded their heads. Justifying the question San. Inwardly, Seonghwa wondered. Why is this thing here?

"It has. Save that cromer first. Let's eat, the worms in my stomach have been partying since", Jongho took a seat next to Wooyoung who was still standing. Without speaking again, the youngest among them had instantly taken a lot of food. They also ate the food quietly. No sound, just the clinking of spoons and dishes that air.

After eating, they were gathered in a more relaxed atmosphere. Talk to each other, exchange stories and joke with each other. Laughter is always heard when Jongho makes jokes. Moreover, Wooyoung's laughter is always thunderous. At least the situation now was better than the first time they opened their eyes.

"Are we not supposed to be discussing something now?" Mingi asked as she read the book she found.

Hearing Mingi's question, they re-established a serious atmosphere. The atmosphere around them changed by one hundred and eighty degrees. No jokes, no laughter. It's time to discuss the plan so they don't go wrong.

Silence surrounded them. It's always like that if there's serious talk. Basically the eight young men were indeed difficult to speak seriously. Talking about difficult things is not their type. Usually they will only chat without any topic that should make them depressed.

The burden of being a pirate is very pronounced. In staging the drama alone, they fought desperately to build the character of the ocean villain. Authoritative, charismatic, assertive, and other characters. Building an atmosphere filled with tension is very difficult to do. Now they have to build that character to survive.

The thought that pirates should have a strong impression is not suitable for those who are jolly. However, they strive strongly to be able to build that trait. This is simply so that they are not underestimated. If pirates have mental tempe, weak, soft impressed, then they will be easy to be trampled. The captain who leads must have a firm, disciplined, strong and full of authority. Things they didn't have all this time.

"Captain. We must appoint someone to be the captain", said Wooyoung after a long silence. Indeed, from the moment he woke up, Wooyoung

always think of the leader. He wanted someone to direct them.

"alright. First, we have to choose the captain. What do you think? Does anyone have any recommendations?" ask Yunho. He watched his friends closely. His gaze was fixed on the young man older than him. Someone he thought was perfect to be a captain. There was something that the young man had and it was not owned by his other friend.

"I recommend Hongjoong", Hongjoong was surprised. He had not expected Seonghwa to choose him without a second thought. His eyes were against Seonghwa's. Look straight at those beautiful eyes.

"Why me? If you guys ask me, I recommend Mingi and San. The two of you are perfectly suited to be captains", Hongjoong argued as he embraced the two people he called.

"So it's round. Hongjoong who will be our captain", final Seonghwa with a smile towards Hongjoong. Unable to do anything, Hongjoong nodded resignedly. Accept the position given by his friends.

"alright. I accept the captaincy position you gave me. Thank you for believing in me. But I can't work alone. I ask for your cooperation", that brief remark made them cheer. Now their journey will be more focused.

"Captain Joong! Give us the first assignment!" exclaim Wooyoung spirit. Others are no less enthusiastic. They also asked Hongjoong to give his first order.

Hongjoong chuckled at the enthusiasm of his friends. His feelings warmed when he saw the wide smile of his second family. "GOOD! AS CAPTAIN I WANT YOU TO STUDY THE MAP! FIND THE NEAREST LAND!"

Upon hearing the order, they instantly snatched the pile of maps that Yunho and Mingi had already found. They even tried to get a map.

While engrossed in looking at the map to be studied, Yeosang's eyes accidentally saw one scroll that was already dull. The scroll had a gold-colored ribbon decoration. Very similar to the paint found on cromer. He hesitantly took the scroll.

"Friends, look at this", Yeosang thrust out the scroll. Took the attention of his friends who were reading the map. Jongho approached Yeosang. Take over the scroll. His hand shrewdly opened the scroll, seeing what writing was in it.

"STRICTLAND. WORLD WITHOUT ART", only those two sentences are there. With red ink. The writing is quite messy. Like being in a hurry when the author chalked it up. Those two words seem ambiguous. It was strange to sound in their ears.

"The world without art. What's that supposed?" ask Yunho.

"I think I've heard this. A world without art. The dimensions in the world are not really just one. There are many dimensions in this life. It's just that we don't know. A world without art exists in one of those dimensions. A place where art is forbidden. People are not allowed to draw, sing, paint, perform plays and anything else related to art. Those who transgress will be labelled as traitors and met with terrible punishment. But, I don't know, whether it's real and really there or just a mere essay. I found out from this book", explained Mingi Long while showing the book she read.

They were silent at Mingi's words. Art flows through their bodies. His eighth life has never been separated from the beauty of art. Drama is only a small part of what they like. Outside of staging, they also hone their singing, dancing and other skills. I can't imagine what it would be like to live without art.

"They're crazy. How can a human being live without art?" Wooyoung started nagging. Criticizing that what Mingi said was nothing but nonsense. The narrators don't like them anti-artists. People who hate art.

"We don't know about that. But, it's not a problem. We better get out now and head the ship North. We will stop there for a while" Hongjoong said. He would rather put that aside. Even in her little heart, she began to feel a bad feeling. A new feeling came after all this time.

"AY! AY! THE CAPTAIN!!! HEADING MAINLAND!!"

***