EXISTALE 1: Theist's Thesis

Chapter 1: In The Name of God

"In the name of God, the most graceful, the most merciful."

He scanned the ground, searching for a pebble. His heartbeat went faster as his fingers couldn't reach for one, so his hand moved in a more chaotic, no-pattern trajectory. The heartbeat slowed down when his palm recognized a texture distinct from the ground he had scanned. In a beat, he grasped the stone firmly with his trembling hand.

"Thank God." Felix said while he moved his hand close to his forehead. He tried to calm down his uncontrollable breathing.

Under the unforgiving noon sun, the battlefield lay silent, a tense calm settling over the scorched land. The air hung heavy with anticipation, each breath drawn with caution, as if the very atmosphere held its breath in anticipation of what was to come.

Felix closed both of his eyes; his body remains at a quiet state. He gathered his hands in an effort to make a praying stance. With lowered gaze, his blood rushed towards his brain. Several deep breaths were slowly taken as his hands tremble in fear. He leaned his body on a wall made of grey bricks.

A cold breeze swept through the field, tousling Felix's messy silver hair, its icy touch tempting him to open his eyes. Despite the silence that enveloped the area, the soft rustle of leaves and the faint creak of distant branches filled the air. With each passing moment, Felix's hands steadied, their trembling gradually coming to a halt. Though his dark outfit bore the dust of the field, his mind remained as clear as the crisp morning air.

Felix calmly started his prayers.

"O' God who started the universe with a bang."

"O' God who established fundamental particles and all its rules that govern it."

"O' God who created the heavens and all dimensions." Felix squinted his eyes. He intensified his praying stance.

"Please save your believer from this stressful circumstance..."

"Felix!"

A concerned teenage boy shouted at Felix while rushed towards him. His unhinged expression zoomed closer and closer even at short distance. There's no sign of him stopping his run.

Putting all of his might on his legs, the boy jumped straight towards Felix and pushed him out of the place as a large, sharp projectile was headed at Felix's direction. Thanks to the boy, it hit the wall and it shattered to flying pieces scattered all over the place. Luckily, none had injured both of them.

A wave of dust emerged from the collateral damage.

"Arian?" Felix opened his eyes. He took a look around. Everything around him was dust and debris. Everything except a boy with dirt all over his face. His nostrils flared and his forehead wrinkled. He looked like he was about to explode.

"What were you thinking?" Arian shouted, "Come on!" He quickly pulled Felix's arm. They both ran with all their remaining strength in efforts to find a safer place.

"I was... praying for safety." Felix tried to explain himself while catching a breath.

"You won't be safe if you didn't dodge."

"Actually, I have a plan."

"Just run!"

As Arian's legs quickened their pace, he urged Felix to do the same. His dark purple hair whipped around wildly, a chaotic dance in the rushing wind. The urgency in his voice matched the determination in his eyes, pushing them both to run faster, to outpace the impending danger.

Despite the howling winds, Felix's ears caught the faint murmur of Arian's prayers, a reminder amidst the chaos. His gaze shifted to his pale hand, fingers wrapped tightly around the pebble, its rough surface a grounding anchor in the tumultuous moment.