ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: In The Dark More

The beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning.

Everything in this world is about life. Some are struggling desperately to continue breathing, and some are just sitting still, but can still live in happiness.

The boy also craved life. All his life, he just wanted to live the way he wanted. He was willing to shake hands with the curse in order to achieve his dream.

However, in the end, this world was too harsh on him.

On top of the mountain, among the thousands of corpses scattered, and adorned by the blood-red color that terrorized the soul, the boy stood alone there, standing alone, allowing himself to be drenched in the rain falling from the gray sky with the sound of thunder blaring.

After a long, grueling and battle-filled journey, he had now reached Golgotha Hill, and decided to take what had been his due. However, he unfortunately realized that his heart was too hesitant to choose.

“God, I believe... I have always believed that everything in this world is Your will. So... please... let me live.”

After those words came out of his mouth, his tears flowed down his cheeks. He raised his right hand up as if to reach for space, and received the blessing of the darkness with his arms and heart wide open, for he had to.

But suddenly there was a loud screaming sound from a distance. The boy looked over and saw some people standing there.

Just like him, their situation also looks very bad. Their bodies were covered in wounds, and they also looked very, very exhausted. In fact, there were two people among them who had just fallen to their knees because they might not have been able to stand any longer. One of them is also in a fainting state.

With little strength left, they scream loudly to warn Jojo not to make the wrong choice.

“I'm sorry.. everyone. Thank you for being willing to accompany me in all this suffering.”

Although the sound that came out of Jojo's mouth was just a whisper, yet they could all hear it very clearly, as if Jojo was speaking right beside them.

“Then this may be the wrong choice, but I will make it as the right decision... For your sake.” Jojo. Again, he put a sweet smile on his lips. His eyes, which had been emerald green, were now starting to turn black.

They all started crying when they saw the change that happened to Jojo. Disappointment was clearly on their faces, and despair filled their bodies.

“One more time, I say thank you... So, please let me repay all your kindness.” Jojo clenched his right hand while strengthening his resolve, and at that very moment, a black light descended from the sky hollowed out the clouds and swallowed Jojo. The wind was blowing hard, the world was shaking, and there was also a very creepy scream.

The cries of his friends grew so much that he watched the scene. Some screamed with fear, and some were only able to remain petrified.

Then, when the pillar of light that came down from space was extinguished, Jojo was finally reborn with a very different identity. Very dark. Blacker. But, true.

The King of Despair.