Once upon a time, in the village on the mountain, the sun rose, shining on every side and waking up everyone who lived there, including Ander, a sixteen-year-old girl.
She likes flowers and natural scenery, not because she lives in the mountains, but because she was born with a nature heart inside her. So, she not only likes everything that contains nature, but she also loves and cherishes it, like she loves her parents.
Her mother was an animal doctor, and her father was a farmer. She always helps her parents while she has time and there’s no job or any task for her. She also kike music, especially calming song and nature sounds.
“Ander, are you still sleeping? What time is it?” My mom shouted from the kitchen. She always shouted at me if I didn’t get out of my room.
“I’ve woken up, Mom. I’m still writing,” I replied.
“Oh, I think you’re still sleeping on your bed. If you have done writing, take a shower and prepare breakfast.” My mom shouted again.
“Come on, Mom. Today is a holiday, why can’t I enjoy my time?” I asked with an unacceptable sound.
“Even today is a holiday, you must eat your breakfast first.”
Okay, my mom was right. I’m hungry if I have woken up from my night journey, even if today is a holiday or not. So, willy nilly, I must eat my breakfast first and continue my beautiful life.
About my holiday, I have many agendas for doing with my friends. We’re not taking a vacation or visiting some places, just a little different from any to-do which my friends made.
My friends made these agendas. And we are okay with that. Cause our like nature, we choose some agendas which contain loving nature and keeping our forest, like planting some trees, cleaning some areas that are so dirty and highly toxic, which dangerous for our life and anyone who lives around it, and doing some nature research to find some ways of saving our earth.
15 minutes later, I have taken a shower and changed my clothing. I walked to the kitchen and sat in my chair.
“There’s my girl, your smell is good, are you using perfume?” greets my father to me
“Thanks, Dad, but I don’t use perfume. Maybe the soap which using by me was using had a good smell. I don’t know what the mark of that soap is, but I sure mom was buying for me.” Told me
“Is that right, Mom? Dad never found a soap that had a good smell, and if dad found that, the price of the soap was very expensive for me.” My dad said his argument to my mom.
“Oh, about soap, I learned about making a traditional soap with flowers around the village. Mrs. Chelly, our neighbor, taught me the recipe. I’m so glad with her, she can make her soap with some ingredients from nature!” said Mom
“Wow, that’s interesting. I suggest you learn more recipes from her. Maybe she has a traditional mask recipe for brightening the face or something else. So that you can use your time with something beneficial.” Suggest my father to my mom.
“That sounds good. I can try it later.” Said my mom, “And Ander, what will you do on your holiday? If you want to help mom, some animals are waiting for curing with you to cure.” Ask her
“Or you want to help Dad, you can learn how to plant some seeds with me. Uncle Jason will be happy if you come to his garden.” Ask my father to
“I’m very happy if I come with you, Mom and Dad. But, I’m so sorry I can’t do that. I’m with my friends have some agenda in the forest. And we have planned these agendas before the holiday goes. Maybe I can help mom and dad if I’ve done our agendas.” I’m apologizing to my parents.
Yep, his name is Mr. Jason. He is one of my people whom I love. Even him not included in my family, he always helps me with any job that feels difficult for me. He is like my own uncle.
” Okay, Ander, you have your own time now. Make sure you don’t make any mistakes with factory people. As you know, they are very complicated if you make a tiny mistake about their property”. Warned my father,” and one thing always comes back before the sun starts to set, it’s very dangerous out there without adults.” He continued.
“Okay, dad, mom. Thanks a lot for keeping me on the right track,” I said
“No problem, my love,” my mom said as she poked my nose gently.
“Oh. And there is one again. There is some food that you can eat together with your friends after your agenda, and the pin. If you were lost,” my mom said with a warm smile.
“Thanks, Mom, see you later.”
“See you, my girl. Remember, come back before sunset. Ander!” My father warned me once again
After having a conversation with my parents, I went to the location that we had chosen before. In there, we will plant some pine trees and clean the area of any trash and material that can be toxic to tree growth. That some of our agenda is what we will do.
But for this time, I want to take a walk around the area, searching for a place and marking it, hoping that our restoration can be useful and expand to another village.
While I came to the location, I saw much of trash spread in here, and the smell is stinky. Never find a place that is worse than the others. Maybe I’m with my friends will be hard work for only cleaning until it’s safe to be camping site.
My friends come one by one, gathering to discuss how to clean this trash mountain and rectorate this place. Cause we planned before going to this location, we just planted some trees and fruit seeds and swept the area. So that anyone who wants to camp around here can relax without any disgusting scenery.
And we started restoration. I’m with two friends who will be collecting some trash that can be recycled into valuable things, and the other will be saving the trash that can’t be recycled and is dangerous for the environment. Furthermore, the area is clean of any trash, only smells, and is not safe due to the humidity.
“Finally, we can clean this area!” shouted someone.
“Yeah, and this place is safe and can be used for camping or any else,” I told. “If you all want, we can add some wooden chairs and a table for a picnic site.” Suggest me
“That’s good, Ander, we can put for make it more interesting and eye-catching to see.” Said my friend
I let my body lean against the pine tree and feel the cool breeze. Letting the wind blow away my black hair. Enjoying the scenery can relax the mind after cleaning the area earlier.
“Ander, help me…” called someone with a soft voice cause of the distance.
“Who’s there?” I answered,
“With whom are you talking, Ander?” My friend asked,
“Um, are you hearing a sound called my name? I think there is someone who needs help in the depths of the forest.” I asked
“ I didn’t hear that, Ander. Are you daydreaming? Or you were asleep and dreaming someone called you name?” my friend asked back “it looks like you need a short rest after cleaning up the area, how about we lay out a mat for us to take a rest?” my friend suggests
“that’s good idea, we can try how successful was our work earlier. Does anyone want to eat cookies?” My friend asked
After laying mats and eating together, my friends fell asleep one by one, except me, who was still thinking about the strange voice.
There are several rules that we must obey when we are in the forest. And all of us know it. Don’t break it, or you will be lost forever in this forest.
The first, never daydreaming without your partner. You can sleep, you can play some games with your partners, but don’t lose your mind just a second if there are no people around you.
Number two, never interrupt the workers in the factory, they’re very unfriendly with someone, and they’re very protective of their factory. One little mistake, and your life is done.
And the last, always pay attention in every condition. You don’t know what will be waiting in the depths of the forest, this forest is older than your ancestors. So, something mystical might be in the depths of this forest. But, don’t think that, it’s just some legendary stories from the ancestors of my village.
So, the strange voice I’ve heard before might be only my imagination. Maybe because I was sweeping the area, cleaning and collecting the trash, I became a little dizzy and hallucinated.
A few minutes later, the strange voice called my name again.
“Ander, help me…”
Who’s there? Does anyone need help?
I’ve never felt this before, a strange sound called me? Twice times? Is it a real voice or only imagination?
“Ander, please. Help me…”
Okay, maybe this voice is real. If I don’t go to him, I’d be afraid his life will be in danger. I searched for the source of the sound and passed through obstacles in the depths of the forest. I don’t want his life in danger, or I will be in danger too.
Through the bushes and passing the valley. This forest has much of species I’ve never seen before, and also the scenery is mesmerizing. If my friends can see these spectacular views, they will not come back until tomorrow.
And enjoying the views stopped until I found a field which is covered by two trees that shape like a gate.
“Hello, anyone there? I’m Ander, come to help you,” I said
No answer, just the wind blowing some leaves past me.
This place is strange, a field and two gate-shaped trees in the depths of the forest? Is this one of the legendary stories from my ancestors?
Okay, how about trying to pass the trees? Maybe something will happen.
I walked slowly towards the tree, watching for dangers around me that would target me.
Suddenly, the tree caught fire, turning into stone, creating a portal with a glowing light, leading to a world I didn’t know. And some wooden walls gathered around the field, making me can’t come back or pass it.
“Okay, forest. What do you want from me?” I shouted. “I must be back before sunset, or I will get a trouble with my parents.”
The portal is shining more than before, making me feel interested in entering the portal.
Okay, faster, better. I started entering the portal, and it felt like there was a big invisible hand pulling me into the portal. And I’m unconscious.
*****
“Ander, wake up. Are you fine?” called someone.
I started opening my eyes, and some people were talking around me.
“What happened to me, and where am I exactly? Is it in my village or another village? And how do you know my name?” I asked the people around me
“I think you’re not from here, child. Were you entered the portal in the forest?” someone asked.
“Yes, and why? Where am I? I want to go home now; my parents will be angry with me.” I said in a worried tone.
“Calm down, girl. Some of us feel the same as you. But they resigned themselves to waiting for someone who could save them back to their world.” Another said. “So, be patient and hope you and all of them can return to their world.”
“What did you say? Their world? Where exactly is it?” I asked again
“You are in a world where everything is controlled by an evil queen, and the only way to escape from this world is to rebel against the queen. She is shorter than you, but his power is greater than her.” Said someone.
“Okay, that makes me feel more scared,” I answered.
I got up from my place and went out of the house (it was like a house, but it was shaped like a mushroom), seeing the state of the world I was starting to live in.
This world is not as bad as I think. This world is like heaven that came down from the sky. The plants, the animals, the scenery, and the people who live here. They are all like a fantasy world. Forgetting my problem before, this world is very fun to explore.
I am walking around the village, and the people are very friendly; they can live side by side with the animals. Exactly, they live with the animals like their family.
This is the world that I need now. No factory, no environmental pollution, and I can live and play with any animals!
“Sorry, are you a traveler from another world?” greeted someone.
“Oh, I’m sorry if I don’t notice you. Yes, I’m from another world. Am I making a mistake here?” I asked
“Of course not! I am here to help you find a place for you to live temporarily. My name is Ray. And the people who called your name are me.” Her said.
“How do you know my name?” I asked.
“Um… you’re using a pin in your clothes.” She answered.
“Oh… I don’t know that. And where are we exactly?”
“We are in The Village, all of civilization that was saved, staying here.” She mentioned. “And now, let me show you the path to your home. Temporality only.” She invited.
“Okay, you’re so benevolent!” I said.
“Oh, thanks a lot, Ander. I have some tasks to serve the newcomers as best as possible.” She explained.
She took me to a nearby village in the valley. She also greeted some people here.
“This world is so beautiful. How long will you maintain the ecosystem here?” I asked.
“Nah, I don’t know that. And your question is very strange. We don’t take care of nature; we just use what we can use. And also, nature is never damaged except when a big disaster occurs.” She explained.
“Okay… never found people like you all, Ray.”
“Thanks for your honesty.” She spoke. “And here we are, this is your new home. I hope you can enjoy it!”
“Can I ask some questions about this world?” I asked her.
“You can ask anything about this world, what will you ask me? About the village? Some interesting place or mesmerizing views? Or any else?” she asked me.
“Where is the queen’s throne? I want to fight with her so that I can return home as quickly as possible,” I asked in an excited tone.
“Um… are you sure you can against her by yourself? That’s so dangerous for a girl like you. No one has ever been able to approach his palace. And his palace is guarded by creatures who support him. Moreover, approaching his throne,” She asked in a worried tone. “And you just came here for a couple of hours.”
“I know that, and I will do anything to send me back to my world. But, do you know her? I want to know her more deeply, which helps me find her.” I said in a convincing tone
“Um… for that, I can’t give you the characteristics of the Queen. Because I never saw her.” She answered. “But, forget that, let’s journey around this world!” she said.
She took me to the harbor, but not a harbor in the sea. This world no longer uses machines or industrial things, but uses wind energy to support its lives. Like a wind boat and a kite, these things help a lot to travel to another place.
“And here we are, a ship that has sailed the ocean of air, helps us in any situation. This ship has been travelling around the world for about 50 years until now.” She said in a convincing tone.
“Wow, that’s huge. How many people can fill this ship?” I asked.
“Bring me 10 villages with their inhabitants, and this ship still has much space.” She said, “A few years ago, we had some dangerous situations which must move out of our previous village. Our leader, Thana the ancestor, commanded all of civilization within a radius of 10 kilometers to gather in this ship.”
“We travelled around this world for 4 months until we found this place. Until now, this ship is always been painted, and we have also improved its capabilities. So, this ship has a long lifespan and is durable in any condition.” She told a story.
“When did the tragedy happen?” I asked.
“If I’m not mistaken, about six years ago.” She answered. “At that time, a queen came and started destroying anything, and invited someone to be her guard. We hid from her,
Six years ago? Is it when I changed to be a good person?
Ah, forget that. Maybe it is only a lucky accident.
“Ander, here!” She shouted. “This ship will be travelling around the world, do you want to join us?” she asked.
“How can I get up there, Ray? That’s so high, and no bridge connects me and that ship.” I asked with a worried tone.
“Just jump and let the wind bring you to the ship!” she said.
I calculated how high the cliff was, checked the wind speed, and calculated how long I could survive while I was jumping.
“If you’re scared of heights, feel the wind like you feel yourself. And guide yourself onto this ship.”
“Okay, thanks for your guidance. But I never tried this before. This is so high. I’m so scared.” I said in a worried tone.
“Just try it, and you can immediately control the wind completely.”
Okay, I walked to the edge of the harbor and took a deep breath. If she can do it, I’m so.
I jumped off the cliff and closed my eyes tightly. Afraid to look down.
One, two, three… I’m not feeling like I was jumping from the cliff, but I feel like stuck.
I started to open my eyes and look down. Hey, I’m floating.
“Yeah! You can do it, bro!” she shouted with a happy tone.
I began to control the wind according to her command and guidance. And it’s so fun. I can fly around the ship and make some wind balls to blow leaves in the harbor and land on the ship.
“I feel like a wind controller! That’s so amazing!”
“Yeah, bro! But, how can you make some wind balls? Until now, I can’t make just one little wind ball, but you can do that.” She asked with a confused tone
“Are you sure that? I just imagined that I could make some balls and throw them away the balls. I think you can do like I did before.” I asked back
“Is it the first time you’ve tried to make the balls?” she asked
“Of course, yes. In my world, I can’t control any elements around me. We only use some tools for controlling the elements.” I answered.
“So, you are the person whom I searched.” She said in a serious tone.
“Huh?”
“We’ll discuss that later, I want to take you around the world so you know more about this world,” said Ray as he flew the ship away from the dock.
Seriously, I couldn’t stop staring at the spectacular scenery around the ship. It felt like I was in a dream world. From its mountains, waterfalls, forests, to the Flora and Fauna in this World. Almost all the natural appearances in this World make my eyes sparkle
“Welcome to our fantasy world. You have been here for a few hours, but I have not yet officially welcomed you.” Ray greeted.
“Here, we divide the territory into three parts. There are rural areas, forest areas and mountain areas.”Where we were previously, that was the rural area, where humans and animals who still interact with humans live in that area.”
.”Well, in front of us, there is a water source that is our vital source for life. Starting from irrigating rice fields, household needs, to just being a natural appearance.” Ray explained.
“Okay, next to us there is a border between the forest and the village. Don’t ever enter the forest or you will be lost forever there. It is said that the palace guards often come here to guard its territory. Because this forest is connected to the mountain area, where the Queen lives.”
*****
After taking a trip around the world, she brings me into her house. She said that I must know why she said that before.
“So, my ancestors were told a story which lived a girl who saved our world from the darkness. She will fight against the queen in a skillful battle. She has black hair, her old was sixteen years, and she higher than the queen.” She told her story.
“And the characteristics mentioned by my ancestors are almost the same as yours, Ander. You have black hair, you were sixteen in my opinion, and lastly, you are higher than the queen, Ander. You are the girl whom my ancestors said to me.” She mentioned.
“Okay… Ray. So, can I come back to my world after being against the queen?”
“Yes, and some people who are in the same condition as you also return to their worlds.” She spoke. “But you need some weapon to fight within her. Which weapon do you like, stuff or sword, or any else?” she asked.
“Um… I like to do some magic, like make energy balls and spread them. And I never touch the sword, is it heavy?” I asked
“Okay… you like magic, and you never practice fighting some people with the sword. Adding the tragedy and some magic…” She spoke to herself. “Nah, you will use a magic wand. Here, take it.” She said while handing over the stick.
“How to use this?” I asked in an innocent tone.
“Just like making a wind ball, try some magic outside. I don’t want to clean my house again.” She suggests.
I walked out of his house and towards his yard, thinking about creating wind soldiers. I started to wave my hand, letting my staff read my mind and form some wind soldiers.
After creating some soldiers, I command them to transform into a big wind ball. And it works!
Ray looked at me from her house, amazed at my skill in controlling the wind.
I finished it and went back into the house.
“Wow, you are skillful! You can win against The Queen, Ander! Tomorrow, I will bring you into her castle; you can find her on the top floor. Now, all you need is armor and rest. So, you can fight it.” She spoke.
*****
“Tomorrow, I’ll invite you to go to the blacksmith, because the blacksmith is still mining some ore for his ingredients. And you have time for training your magic.” She spoke.
“Okay… should we practice in the valley? I want to see the scenery.” I spoke.
“Okay, if you want it. Wait a moment, I want to take a kite.” She said as she opened his cupboard.
“A kite? For what? Are you still playing with a kite with your friends? How old are you? “I asked with a confused tone.
“No, I don’t play with this. This kite is useful as a means of transportation anywhere. You just fly it and it will take you to your destination, as long as there is wind.” She explained. “And because you are a wind controller, I just follow where you are going, Ander. Maybe you still play with this in your world.” She said while laughing.
“Okay… let’s go to the valley!”
*****
During my training, I only learned how magic works. Can he read my mind while making something I think of, or just make wind balls and soldiers?
But, behind all that, I can enjoy a truly amazing view. It was as if I were in a dream, but in a conscious state. And the most special thing is that I can control the wind like a wizard. This is really hard for ordinary people to understand.
I sit on the edge of a cliff, watching the wildlife roam around, admiring the beauty of this world. I wish my parents could see this view.
How are my parents there? Are they okay without me? How is Dad’s garden now? Is Uncle Jason still taking care of his garden?
“Ander, are you okay? Maybe you take so long to practice and you just learn this element”
“No, I’m just a bit tired.”
“Okay then, do you want to go back to your house?” Ray asked.
“Hmm… Okay.”
Night fell, And I left Secretly to the Queen’s palace without telling Ray. I don’t want to involve her in a war that will have a bad impact on her as a woman.
Create a wind ball, climb on it and fly towards the palace that was shown to me when I was traveling around the world.
I don’t know what the Queen’s physical form is like And I really don’t know what and how strong the Queen is. Hopefully I can defeat her, even if I die on this battlefield at a young age.
Upon arrival at the Palace, I was blocked from all directions, and the guards didn’t seem like they were going to attack me. In fact, they all look like they are welcoming you as if I were the princess replacing the Queen.
I started to open the palace door. A cold wind blew from inside, blowing my hair. I started climbing the stairs, looking for the room where the Queen resided and ruled.
A few minutes later, I found her. She was waiting for me, And some of the guards around her started to stare at me. Confused by this incident.
“Who are you, O girl?” Asked the Queen. “It seems like you are the prophecy that was once written in the Stone of History. Your face, body, hair and way of speaking are almost the same as mine. Isn’t that you, Ander?” She said with a faint smile.
“How do you know my name?” Asked Ander.
“Oh that thing, I was your scary childhood. You always did bad things when you were little, Ander. Always wanted to dominate everything and didn’t want to feel defeated.”
“You want to be noticed by others with your behavior, but it turns out that fate has begun to lock you up. Change your nature to be better than before. Try to be friendlier with others”
“You seem to want to fight, right?” The Queen said mockingly. “Let me take you to your mind world!” She continued while raising both her hands, making me instantly enter the dark world
I felt like I was falling into an endless abyss And some things also fell with me. Starting to bother me And trying to possess me.
“Ander, let all that go. Let yourself join him, accept your mistake and start forgiving him.” Someone said.
I started to close my eyes. Focusing myself and starting to remember the events that happened a few years ago, starting from me often teasing my friends, destroying village facilities and littering.
I know I was wrong, but I can’t forgive myself.
“Let it be Ander. Let it happen, only you can change yourself to be better.” Someone said again.
How? I’ve ruined everything And no one can forgive me. I’m too bad for the village I live in.
“Let it pass, keep changing for the better” said the person again, but the intonation of the voice faded. “Don’t be afraid, you’ve paid for it all with your hard work.”
I started to focus on myself again, accepting everything I had experienced. Letting it all go And promising I would always be better.
Suddenly, I woke up From my thoughts And found the palace starting to collapse. The Queen is missing and all her guards are frozen.
From a distance, I saw a portal. My way home. I quickly got up And ran avoiding the rubble while heading towards the portal.
Right at the last second after I Entered the portal, the palace pillar fell on the portal
I returned to my original world. The place where I entered the portal of that world.
The sun was about to set and I started running to find a way to my village directly. No matter what had happened before, I wanted to meet my parents.
However, during the journey home, I felt that all of this was for the best. Factories, environmental pollution, and others, were just reminders and warnings from God directly. What if you were in that condition and what would you do.
And here, I realized that I can’t control everything as I please. Man disposes, God proposes.
So, let it happen. It’s enough for me to change the path I previously passed for the better.
Penulis: Muhammad Ivander Zulkarnaen
Editor: Mohammad Luky Fendi Yulianto
