Three Cross - Time Youths
Inspiring Search
The sky of the city shimmered with the neon light of towering tall buildings. Thin clouds were marching above, seen dancing reflected by city lights. The night breeze hit the smooth, carrying the distinctive aroma of a dense city with a slight hint of the aroma of plants from a small garden located on the side of the road.
In a small cafe located on the corner of the street, Mado sat on one of the terrace tables. He looked around, looking at the people who were busy with their devices. In Mado's hands, a black laptop shone brightly with strange icons flickering.
Jayak, who was sitting opposite him, sipped his drink and asked with a puzzled expression, “Mado, why are you looking at those ‘magic stones’ with a blank look?”
Mado scrunched her forehead, “I just want to pour my thoughts and feelings, Jayak. But, I don't understand how to operate this thing.” His face looked frustrated, his eyes reddened, and his jaw stiffened.
Kunta, who was sitting next to Mado, chuckled. “It's not a magic stone, Mado. It's the stationery of the age. Try, let me show you.” He moved his finger on the touchpad, but Mado quickly pulled the laptop, lashed it slowly, and said in an annoyed tone, “Why does this thing not respond to the touch of my hand like other people do?”
Jayak held back a laugh, while showing his white teeth, "Maybe that thing requires a special spell, Mado."
Mado rolled her eyeballs, "It's not the time to joke, Jayak." His lips narrowed, and he looked a little pouted.
A cafe waitress, a young blonde girl, approached with a friendly smile, “Sorry to interrupt, do you need help?”
Mado looked at the girl with a look of hope, “Can you teach me how to use.... ‘laptop’ this?”
The girl showed her sweet smile and sat down beside Mado. “Sure! Let me show you.” With an agile finger movement, he showed how to use the laptop, while Mado watched it closely, her eyes widening in admiration.
Kunta laughs softly, pats Mado on the shoulder, “Quiet, best friend. We all need to learn. I'm sure you'll master it quickly.”
Mado nodded, “Thank you, Kunta. I just feel like I miss our past. The way we write, the way we communicate. Everything feels so foreign here.”
Jayak gazed deep into the sparkling sky of the city, “We all feel so, Mado. But we have to adapt. Dan, who knows? Maybe with this ‘ magic stones’, you can convey our story to the world.”
Mado smiled faintly, let out a long sigh, and started typing on the laptop carefully, “Alright, let's start from the beginning.”
With city lights shining in the distance, the sound of the night wind, and the clinking of glasses from the cafe, Mado began to write down their stories. Awe and curiosity fill every tap on the keyboard, beginning a new chapter of their adventures in this alien world.
A vast garden with lush old trees lined up along the path. The chirping of birds sounded melodious, fused with the gurgling of water from an artificial pond in the middle of the garden. The afternoon sky turns a golden orange, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere.
Mado sat under a shady tree with a piece of paper and a pen in her hand. He was immersed in his thoughts and feelings, his writing flowing quickly on the paper. Kunta and Jayak sat a few feet away from him, watching the children play ball in the open field.
“You think Mado will be okay?” jayak asked, taking a grass stick and playing it between his fingers.
Kunta shrugged, “Mado always has its own way of coping with things. Maybe writing is one of them.”
Jayak laughs softly, “It looks like ‘magic stone’ it's not for him. Pen and paper more fitting.”
Not long after, a woman walked up to Mado at a rapid pace. He was wearing a blazer suit, with long black hair that was beautifully severed. In his hand, he carried a magazine with a logo known as one of the popular magazines.
“Excuse me, I'm Lina from ‘World Sastra’ magazine. Can I see what you wrote?” lina asked with a friendly yet curious smile.
Mado was surprised, her brown eyes grew. Plainly, he gave his sheet of paper to Lina. “Sure, please.”
Lina looked at Mado's writing with an amazed expression. However, just as he was about to turn the page, he realized that some parts of the ink were still wet and stuck to his hand. He fell silent, looking at the blue ink stains on his hands with a mixed expression.
Mado, realizing her mistake, felt awkward. “Sorry, I forgot that the ink has not dried.”
Jayak and Kunta immediately ran over, trying to help the situation. Jayak plainly said, “Ink in our time instantly dried, so we never worry about this.”
Lina laughs softly, “No problem. I always have a tissue in my bag.” With a quick movement, he cleaned his hands. “I'm very impressed with your writing. Are you interested in publishing it in our magazine?”
Kunta tried to explain, “I mean, your story will be printed and read by many people, Mado.”
The look on Mado's face changed, from confused to happy. “Oh, sure! I'll be very happy.”
Lina smiled widely, “Alright, I will arrange everything. Thank you for giving this opportunity to us.” With a quick step, he passed away leaving the garden.
The three sat back down, exchanging glances. Jayak laughs, “It looks like Mado will become a famous writer!”
Kunta added, “Who would have thought, ink that has not dried can bring luck like this?”
Mado smiles shyly, “Thank you, friends. Without you, maybe I would never have written our story.”
Under a shady tree, with the twilight sky as the backdrop, the three celebrate the beginning of their new adventure in the modern world of literacy.
On the side of the busy city road, a large billboard stood grandly displaying posters of martial competition. Picture of a fighter with a sharp gaze and modern clothes, contrasting against the background of the overcast city sky. At the bottom of the poster, the big writing is challenging: “Who is the Best Fighter? Register and Prove!”
Jayak, with sparkling eyes, stared at the billboard. “Cunta, look! It's a good opportunity for me to show my skills in martial arts.”
Kunta stared at the billboard with a doubtful expression, “You sure? Your martial style might be too old-fashioned for a competition like this.”
Jayak clenched his fists, “That's what will make me stand out. I'll combine ancient techniques with modern style.”
Mado smiled cynically, “Are you going to teach them how to dance before attacking?”
Jayak looked at Mado with a sharp gaze, “Laughter as much as now. You'll see.” later
With a burning spirit, Jayak decides to train in the city park. The place was a vast green land with shady trees, next to a small pond whose water was calm. Some people were jogging, while children were playing in the colorful decorated play area.
Jayak starts by warming up, moving his body in slow and graceful movements, similar to a dance. Then, he began executing attacks and defenses with vigorous and energetic movements. His style was indeed ancient, but his strength and skill were clearly visible.
As time goes by, many people stop and pay attention. A young mother with her little child commented, “See, Son! The man looked like a fighter from an ancient movie!”
The little boy, with sparkling eyes, began to imitate Jayak's movements. He lifted his legs, turned around, and tried to kick like Jayak did. Several other children joined in, trying to imitate in their own way. Some of them fell funny, while others laughed cheerfully. Before long, the park becomes crowded with children trying to imitate the ancient martial style of Jayak.
Kunta and Mado, who were originally sitting on the edge of the park, laughed at the mess created. “You're right, Jayak,” Kunta said with a laugh, “You did stand out!”
Mado added, “And you have a lot of small students now!”
Jayak stopped his training, smiling at the excited children. “Maybe this is how we share culture,” he said proudly, “Through martial.”
A middle-aged man approaches Jayak, “Sorry to interrupt. I'm a coach at a dojo in town. I'm impressed with your style. Are you interested in joining us?”
Jayak looked at the man with a serious gaze, “Sure, but I have to make sure that my style is accepted.”
The man smiled, “We always open up in a new style. We'll see in the competition later.”
Shining Eye of Jayak, “Alright, I'll sign up!”
That afternoon, the city park bears witness to how ancient cultures met the modern, and how martial arts became a bridge between two different worlds.
