A FEW YEARS AGO
*A knight from the country of KISAR was training using a great jutsu*
"KAITEN, SHARP RAY!!!"
He shot his wind jutsu and destroyed the tree in front of him, breaking through up to three trees. Meanwhile, there was Kharim who was still wearing his wanderer's clothes. Kharim, who happened to pass by, was surprised by that sound. He immediately went toward the source of the sound, and unintentionally saw the knight training.
At the moment when the knight used the same jutsu again, Kharim watched in awe at that power. However, while the knight was training, he became aware of Kharim's presence. Because his hiding place had been discovered by the knight, Kharim immediately became cautious in his hiding spot among the bushes. At the same time, the knight turned toward Kharim's hiding place while drawing his sword.
Knight:"(drawing his sword) Who's there?! Come out!"
Kharim, panicking and feeling afraid, came out of the bushes and walked toward the knight. The knight seemed surprised to see Kharim in his ragged clothes. After watching him closely, the knight put his sword away again by making it vanish. Then the knight asked Kharim a question.
Knight:"What were you doing in the bushes?"
Kharim:"A-ahh… I-I just happened to pass by this road… And I was startled by the loud sound from here. I was curious about where it came from, so I came. Forgive me if I disturbed you, I will leave now."
Knight:"(in his heart) Why is there a boy who can enter the palace? Where did he come from?"
*Kharim immediately left the knight with his feelings still in fear. The knight was surprised to see Kharim, and he called him again*
Knight:"Hey, wait a moment. Come here."
Kharim stopped walking and slowly turned back. Then after Kharim walked toward the knight, Kharim said:
Kharim:"W-what is it?"
Knight:"Where is your house? Do you have a place to stay? I can make a report for you so that you can return to your home."
*Kharim then suddenly fell silent and reflected on himself. With comical panic the knight looked confused about what to say to Kharim because he saw Kharim looking sad*
Knight:"H-hey, don't be so sad, I was just asking."
Kharim:"(showing a happy smile) It's true… I really don't have a home and I don't have anything. But I still feel happy!"
*The knight looked shocked to hear Kharim's statement, and while confused the knight asked again with a puzzled expression*
Knight:"Why do you feel happy?"
Kharim:"Because everyone gets everything at the right time. So I think it is not yet the time for me to get everything as I want."
*Once again, the words of Kharim touched the heart of the knight, and the knight smiled at Kharim*
Knight:"Oh yes?, what if you never get what you want?"
Kharim:"For me that is impossible."
Knight:"Why is it impossible."
Kharim:"We are here because we want to get a great gift. Kharim believes every great gift will be given to everyone without exception. If indeed there is someone who does not get the gift, then there is something wrong about why he exists in this world."
*The knight fell silent hearing it, then the knight laughed calmly until he slowly stopped*
Knight:"Hahaha... You are very clever with words."
*The knight then fell silent again looking at Kharim. Then the knight thought for a moment. After thinking, the knight spoke again to Kharim*
Knight:"What is your name, boy?"
Kharim:"Kharim."
Knight:"Alright, Kharim. I have a place for you to live, but it's not too good either."
Kharim was suddenly surprised to hear that. Long story short, the two of them were in a house that was not too big, but simple. In that house there was a smaller house, but comfortable. When the two of them entered, they saw the house in good condition. Kharim seemed to feel happy with that house.
Knight:"How is it?"
Kharim:"(while looking at the knight) Good. Thank you, Uncle!"
Knight:"(grinning) Well… hahaha… I'm still young to be called Uncle. (smiling widely at Kharim) Just call me Brother. Understand?"
Kharim:"Understood. Brother!"
*Kharim was very happy with the knight, and so was the knight. Then the knight spoke again to Kharim*
Knight:"Do you want me to teach you that jutsu? But, at such a young age it might take a little longer than usual."
Kharim:"(getting happier) Really, Brother? Brother wants to teach Kharim? If that's the case, Kharim wants to…!"
Knight:"(smiling while laughing) (stroking Kharim's head) Alright then, if you say so."
BACK TO THE PRESENT
*Continuing Kharim's conversation with Shion's father and with Shion*
Kharim:"(while smiling) That knight brother also gave me a place to live and taught me jutsu and how to control it. Every time he came home and when he had a holiday, I was truly very happy at that time, because those times were filled with him teaching me many things. It felt like living again."
Shion, who heard Kharim's story, asked:
Shion:"Then what is his name, and where is that knight now, is he still here? If he is, I want to meet him."
Kharim: "(smiling more) I don't know his name. He didn't say his real name. He told me to call him Abang, so I always call him Abang. If I want to meet him, it's impossible to meet him, he died during the war."
*Shion was shocked to hear this. And Shion spoke in a calm tone while also feeling concerned*
Shion: "O-oh…, I see. So you became like this because that knight has died?"
Kharim:"You could say yes. A week after Brother Knight died, all of his possessions were confiscated by the people of the kingdom, including the house he gave me. I then returned to being a wanderer until now."
Shion's father was silent after hearing Kharim's story. He watched Kharim and seemed to be thinking. After that he said:
Shion's Father:"Do you even know what war that was?"
Kharim:"Uhm… I don't really know. But what I remember, Brother said…"
*The scene shifts for a moment to Kharim's house, where the knight was standing in front of Kharim. He carried his bag, then placed his hand on Kharim's head while smiling. Kharim looked confused*
Kharim:"Brother, you're only leaving for a short while, right?"
Knight:"Maybe yes. (removing his hand from Kharim's head) But this journey of mine is a little different, so I'm not sure I can return quickly."
Kharim:"Oh, I see. Yeah. (smiling) As long as Brother can come back, that makes me happy. But, where exactly are you going?"
Knight:"(silent for a moment and glancing to the right) Far away."
Kharim:"Eh?"
Knight:"I will go outside the place where we all live. Actually, there are many dangerous people out there, but because of the king's order, I have to go there. (looking back at Kharim with a big smile) Don't worry, I'm not going alone, I'll go with my deputy. While I'm gone, make sure you train often, Kharim! Don't forget to eat healthy!"
Kharim:"(nodding while smiling) I understand!"
For days, Kharim waited for the knight. He spent his time training his magic element, and also trained with a small knife for fighting. But after waiting for days, Kharim did not see the knight return. The next day he sneaked deeper into the palace grounds. Hiding behind a tree, he saw crowds of people gathering. None of them wore even the slightest smile. Then Kharim was shocked to see a coffin being carried by other knights. Meanwhile, a man walking behind them looked severely wounded, with heavy bandages on his head and hands.
Kharim: "Who is the one who died?"
After more days passed, Kharim kept waiting. This time he hid inside his small house, with only the leftover food that was there. He sat behind his bed, pulling his knees close and hugging them. Kharim showed a worried face.
5 DAYS LATER
Kharim was visited by another knight. The knights came in numbers, carrying stored belongings—whether with large cloths, big bags, or wooden crates. Meanwhile, Kharim looked shocked, his body trembling, eyes wide open. Then Kharim said:
Kharim: "Wa..wait… This is impossible… Brother, dead? So what I saw earlier… (remembering that moment)"
Knight:"You already know what it means, right? No one here will take you in besides him. I don't want to dirty my hands just to drive you out. You'd better take the initiative yourself."
*Kharim then froze in silence, still in shock. Then the knights entered Kharim's house and took everything that was inside*
Knight:"There are no belongings of yours here. Everything you had came from him, so don't be angry. (walking inside)"
After more than a week, Kharim, who once was cared for so well, now returned to living as a wanderer. Living through nights with rain soaking him. The remnants of his tears were washed away by the rain.
***
*Shion's father upon hearing this, this time felt quite concerned, and his expression remained silent in sorrow*
Shion's Father:"I feel concerned about your life. You can survive while carrying all those wounds with you, you truly are a strong child. (silent for a moment) Uuhmm… if you want. How about you live here?"
Shion and Kharim were both shocked to hear it. With Shion's father's surprising offer, Kharim was confused about what to say at first, and he still could not believe what he heard. Then Kharim asked:
Kharim:"E-eehh…?! A-are you serious?!"
Shion's Father:"I am serious."
Kharim:"N-no-no, I don't need that. I only wanted to know how it is inside the palace and that already satisfies me, so I will just leave. (turning back) You don't need to do anything excessive for me, I will leave now."
Without thinking twice, Kharim ran outside. But Shion's father called out to Kharim several times, yet Kharim did not respond. Shion's father then moved with a sudden shift, where suddenly he appeared in front of Kharim and blocked his way. Kharim was shocked to see him.
Shion's Father:"Wait, Kharim. You don't need to be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable like that. I am the one offering you."
Shion:"(watching both of them) Are you serious, Dad? After all, he's not someone we know. I just met him this afternoon."
Shion's Father:"(glancing back at Shion) I know more about you, Shion. Kharim's presence here is certainly not a coincidence, but also meant for you."
*For a moment, Shion was slightly surprised to hear that. Then Shion's father continued speaking to Kharim*
Shion's Father:"So how about it? Do you want to live with us?"
*This time Kharim was truly confused about how to answer, while Shion walked closer to him. Then after a while, Kharim asked Shion's father*
Kharim:"Why do you want me to live here? Is it out of pity, or concern?"
Shion's Father:"There are two reasons. The first is yes, I pity seeing you sleep in someone else's shop and having to leave before the shop owner opens it. The second is that you have great potential. You should know, the Invisible Jutsu is not easy to master at a young age like yours. Not every child your age can use such a jutsu at that age, so you have great potential in your youth. So if you are here, your strength can be honed even more. What do you say, Kharim?"
Shion: "(smiling widely) I think my father is right, Kharim. You have great potential, so if you are here, you can become even better at using that jutsu of yours. So just accept my father's offer to you."
Kharim was shocked to hear that Shion also offered to him. Although there was still doubt in Kharim's heart, he actually wanted to accept Shion's father's offer. Then, with a lingering sense of hesitation, Kharim said:
"I-is this real?"
Father's Shion:"(smiling wider) Of course!"
Kharim fell silent for a moment, then he looked back again. Shion smiled widely, accepting Kharim's presence. Until finally, Kharim nodded. He accepted that great offer. Kharim actually also felt happy because he wanted to accept it.
Kharim:"Alright. If you truly want it that way, I will accept it."
Shion's father and Shion became very happy with Kharim's answer, to the point that the two of them gave each other a high five. Then, in their joy, Shion looked at Kharim and said:
"I'm so glad you accepted my father's offer!"
Father: "Alright then, that means…"
*Shion's father then stretched out both his arms over the shoulders of Kharim and Shion. With a joyful heart, Shion's father spoke to them*
Father's Shion:"Welcome to the SIBALIH family. Before that, my name is SIBALIH ORION. You can call me Daddy Orion, or better yet, just Daddy."
Kharim:"F-father…"
*King Orion was very happy to hear Kharim call him 'Father'*
King Orion:"that's no problem!"
King Orion:"(smiling happily) Then it is official, Kharim is now part of our family. You can also use Sibalih at the end of your name, Kharim, so your name is Sibalih Kharim. Since it is settled now, the rest I leave to you, Shion."
Kharim: "(bowing before King Orion) T-thank you very much."
Shion:"Welcome, Kharim."
Kharim:"Yes... thank you very much."
They finally shook hands. King Orion, watching them, only stayed silent and smiled, then King Orion said:
"Shion, why don't you take Kharim to walk around this palace for a bit?"
Shion:"That's a good idea, Father! (looking at Kharim) Do you want to, Kharim?"
Kharim: "A-alright…"
With great joy, Shion took Kharim around the palace. Meanwhile, King Orion smiled as he watched them leave. Then King Orion also left while saying:
"Alright, the matter is finished. I believe he is a special child."
Now Shion brought Kharim around the palace. Room after room, Shion took Kharim to tour inside for a long time. Until finally the two of them arrived at the edge of a corridor where at the end stood pillar columns, and from there they could see directly the beautiful gardens. As they walked, they also chatted.
Shion:"Now, who do you want to sleep with?"
Kharim:"Ah, no need to trouble yourself. I can sleep on the chair in the living room or family room."
Shion:"What? Hedehh... not like that, you fool. I'm not asking where you want to sleep, I'm asking who you want to sleep with."
*Kharim was a bit puzzled by Shion's question*
Kharim:"What do you mean?"
Shion:"(smiling while looking at the night sky) You know. I have a big room and my bed has two places, lower and upper. So if you want, you can sleep in my room."
Kharim:"(a bit shocked) A-are you sure?"
Shion:"(looking at Kharim) Of course, you are now already like a brother to me."
Kharim:"(staring at Shion for a moment) S-so that's how it is."
*For a moment, the two of them were silent*
Shion:"By the way, how old are you?"
Kharim:"09 years old."
Shion:"(shocked but also very happy, smiling widely) Is that so? Then you are older than me. Because I am 08 years old, so it's fine if I call you brother, right?"
Kharim:"I-it's up to you."
Shion:"(feeling even happier) Great, Brother... In that case, let's go to sleep!"
Shion pulled Kharim's hand, then Kharim was surprised and said:
"W-wait… wait a second, I haven't bathed yet…"
Shion: "(turning back) Don't worry, you can bathe in my bathroom, Brother. I'll also lend you some clothes."
Kharim: "Yes, but please listen to me first, Shion..."
Shion: "No need for more explanations. Go bathe quickly, you stink…!"
Kharim: "S-Shion…!"
They both finally went to the room. And now the bond between Shion and Kharim becomes closer, with Shion and King Orion warmly welcoming Kharim as the new member of the Sibalih family. And also, Kharim's life from now on became better—from once a wanderer with nothing, now he had a new family, and once again he felt alive after before.
NOTE: SIBALIH IS THE ROYAL FAMILY NAME OF ORION AND HIS SON SHION. IT FUNCTIONS THE SAME WAY AS A SURNAME.