ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY: The Reality of the World/Late Apples

Rama does not know for sure what caused it, but he knows very well that he feels very tired now. The black-haired and neatly-fitted young man waited anxiously in front of the elevator. He tapped his shiny shoes on the floor. A feeling of annoyance filled his mind, and his sweat continued to pour out.

The surrounding employees seemed to take their eyes away in fear. They all avoided Rama. Yes, of course so, he was also aware.

However, Rama did not want to care about that right now. The only thing that fills his mind is his sister, Sofia, who turns out to have angel wings, and Sofia's friends, who are a collection of non-human beings.

This morning, when Rama drove Sofia to his friend's house, Rama and Sofia were immediately shocked when they found his friend's house, as well as the entire residential area there, and surrounding areas, apparently it has been made flat with the ground, while Sofia's friend, and Sofia's friends, are all dying and near death.

Luckily, Sofia helped them. He healed those people, or rather, delayed their deaths with his white wings that came out of nowhere. Afterwards, Rama called the authorities to investigate the incident and took the dying men to the hospital.

“What really happened?” Rama asked himself. He did not know the truth, but he was convinced that the trail of destruction he saw was the result of war. “But how can there be war? What are they fighting? And how is it going? Damn it... “

Suddenly, the elevator door in front of him finally shifted open. Inside there were many people standing against each other. But, as soon as they saw the figure of Rama standing in front of them, they all immediately rushed out of the elevator with panicked faces.

Rama got into the elevator, and pressed the button to go up to the top floor. The twenty-five floor. Inside the elevator, the young man went back to fighting against his thoughts. However, he had not thought of anything, suddenly, the elevator door opened again.

“Loh? Kok can—” However, Rama's words were cut off instantly, once he realized something was plastered right before his eyes. “Padang... grass.. ?”.

Behind the elevator door, there was a vast expanse of grassland, as well as a vast and endless-looking bright blue sky. And not far away, there was also a large tree, with golden fruits hanging on its branches.

Rama's mouth opened wide. But he tried to keep thinking calmly. He had indeed seen a very strange and terrible thing a few hours ago, but this one, was really too much for his mind.

Rama hesitantly stepped out of the elevator, and treaded on the grass, and at that very moment, a voice greeted him. The voice that was cold, graceful, flat, and sounded so majestic, that it gave him goosebumps.

“Welcome, Rama Putrantiwa, the third leader of the NOX company, which is very much feared by all its employees. To you, I welcome you to Yehawa Hanging Park.” Said a little girl who was sitting on a bench under the only tree there, enjoying a cup of tea.

The girl dressed in plain black canal cloth sat there majestically. His eyes were black, as well as his short hair being lowered to the neck. However, Rama somehow felt that the black color attached to the girl, not just black. It felt, the black color, even darker than darkness. It is a feeling that cannot be explained by logic.

But one thing is certain, Rama was sure that the girl was not there before. Likewise with the stool, the table, and the tea cups and teapots. There are only trees, and grass. Rama was sure.

“Who are you?” Rama asked in a threatening tone. “And what happened here?”

“Wah... really Rama really ya.” The twelve-year-old-looking little girl put down her cup in a graceful and graceful motion. “For you, life is just a matter of life. You're doing everything too seriously, to make sure that everything's still okay. You don't care about the top, back, bottom, left, right. As long as everything is as it should be, then you think that there is no problem. Yeah, that's who you are, the one who only walks one path.”

“What the fuck... Don't explain something so useless. Without saying it, I know it too. Instead, just answer my question.”

“Well if that's what you want.” Said the girl. “My name is Sora De Vida. The second of twelve Kyne. I am the one who watches the world. And right now, I came here to give you something.”

“World overseer..?” Rama whispered with a small smile. It sounded stupid in his ears. “What do you want to give me?”

“Second chance.”

Rama who heard it immediately went wide.

“Second chance...? Wh-wh-what for? Do you think I need that?”

“You heard everything I said, right? So obviously I know. I told you, you're the one who only walks one street. The one who keeps a heavy burden alone, and doesn't want to let anyone see it. And of course it's all because of your family's demands. You are indeed a too serious person.” Obviously the girl. “Yes, your present self, is a mistake born of the past, and I came because I wanted to justify what was wrong.”

Rama has digested everything. Come to think of it, what the girl said was actually already too true, and Rama had no reason to dodge and waste time.

Without further ado, Rama answered. “Alright... I'll take that second chance.”.

Rama stepped closer to the apple tree and immediately picked one of the fruits hanging there. With his body height above average, it was clearly not difficult for him to do.

“So... I will have magic power and such?”

“Ya, you could say so.” Sora replied while sipping back the tea. “Oh yes, there is one more thing you should know. Actually, there's a price you have to pay for this power.”

“Oh? There's a fee anyway?”

“The people of our world are sure, if you get something good from the truth of the world, then you must also be ready to accept the bad given by that truth.” Sora explained. “For example, you get an old coin on the street. The coin has a very good design, and you also like it very much, but unfortunately the coin has no price anymore, and there is a dangerous disease attached to it, but you keep it.”

“Oh, is that it? If you may know, why is this apple golden? This is real?”

Sora could only put on a flat face when he realized that Rama had not noticed him at all. Finally, the girl was only able to sigh. “Each... “

Rama looked at the apple for a moment, but he finally shrugged, and immediately took the first bite. It did not taste any different from an ordinary apple, but he did realize something strange was happening.

Silence filled the entire place. A strong wind blew away the dry grasses and swayed the leaves on this tree.

What a strange feeling.

However, after a moment of silence, Rama spoke up again. “I'm thirsty.” Rama, who knew that the apple was going to disappear from his grasp, went to the empty seat near the girl and sat there. “I drank this yes.” Rama said while taking one of the teas on the table.

But, he soon realized something strange happened again. There was someone else sitting there. A seven-year-old boy was sitting next to Rama and was enjoying the same tea as Sora.

“Ngak. You've eaten the Early Apples, so there's no way you can drink Tragedy Tea.” Sora.

“Hah? What tea?”

“Teh Tragedy brother!” Said the mysterious boy suddenly, while raising his cup in front of Rama's face.

“By the way, can you not just call the name you just got?” Pinta Sora's.

“Hmm... “ Rama looked on in horror Sora. “It looks like you really know everything huh? But, alright.” Rama stood up and walked a little far away. He lifted his head while saying, “Come here, Thanatios.”

Then, something even stranger happened for the umpteenth time.

A moment later, the wind blew, and suddenly the sky above Rama split open and opened like an eye, and from there came something like a giant black armored warship that looked very terrible. The ship was floating in the sky and exuded a terrifying aura.

Rama smiled widely— very dense, when he saw the sight. He was eager to laugh in truth, but he was already made to be too amazed by what had just happened.

Then, suddenly three figures jumped from the ship, and landed unharmed in front of Rama. The three figures of the young man in black uniform, red-eyed, and jet-black hair then kneeled one foot before Rama.

“Thanatios' War Ship has a hundred trained crew members, and they will follow your orders. Congratulations, you just got something interesting. But, I can't deny the hell, it seems Thanatios does suit you. Congratulations yes.”

“Wah! Big sister ship is so cool!” Exclaim the boy.

“Ha... Hahahahahahahaha—” Rama laughed out loud. I don't know how long he hasn't laughed like this. In fact, he could hardly remember when he laughed. “Great! This will really change a lot!”