Chapter 24: A repaired past

It's 7PM, Arya was asleep, Leo and Sarah were preparing a meal with some of the fruits they gathered today, Zet was out walking.

Arya just woke up.

Sarah: oh she woke up...why did you sleep now ?

Arya: *yawn* Zet will teach me at night instead of the day.

Leo: but it's not healthy for you to sleep like this.

Arya: it's fine...I sleep at like 2AM and wake up at 8...that's what me and Zet do.

Zet entered the tent.

Zet: you're awake...great let's go...we've got a big one today.

Leo: don't you want to eat first...we prepared dinner for us.

Zet looked at Arya, she looked back at him.

Zet: yeah sure...we can eat first.

Sarah then handed 3 wooden bowls to the others, she made a cocktail and poured it in each bowl.

Sarah: and here we go.

Zet looked at it, it was dark orange seeds swimming in it, he didn't like what he's looking at.

Zet: I'm going to have to ask what is this.

Sarah: it's a cocktail...orange apples and some mango.

Zet: this explains the slimness.

Sarah: just shut up and try it...it's good.

Arya then drank a bit of it, she didn't like it at all.

Arya: ew...it's not good.

Zet drank it all at once, Sarah saw him.

Sarah: see ?...told you it's good.

Zet: it's not...I just drank it because we will need it...Arya you have to drink it...you won't eat meat.

Leo: wait...you don't like it because you want meat ?

Arya: I'm a wolf dad...of course I didn't like it.

Zet: you'll need it's benefits today...just close your eyes and chug it at once.

Sarah: is it really that bad ?

Leo tasted it, he didn't like it either and spat it, Sarah glowered at him in slience.

Leo: what...it's really not good.

Sarah tasted it herself, it was really bad, she didn't like it either, Zet noticed.

Zet: relax...it's you're first time...you'll get better at it...I think.

Sarah: wow...how encouraging of you.

Zet: hey...I'm trying.

Arya finished her bowl.

Arya: done...oh my god *burp* I might throw up.

Sarah: ok you know what...if you want to eat again you'll eat the fruits as they are...raw.

Zet: not to be the one to hate here...but that's actually better.

Sarah: don't you have somewhere to be...now ?

Zet: alright...let's go Arya.

Arya and Zet left.

Sarah looked at her bowl again, she decided to take another sip of it, she then spat it.

Sarah: god that's bad.

Leo:*laugh* told you.

Zet and Arya were walking to the place where they usually train, near the lake.

Arya: so what are we going to do today ?

Zet: we will do more than one thing...I have a special training for you today...and we need to find a gift for Sarah.

Arya: a gift for Sarah ?...is it her birthday ?

Zet: it's next week...we won't be here next week we will be in Alaska.

Arya: oh yeah right.

Zet: so we need to find her a gift she will like...we might take so long before we go back here with Niora.

Arya: you're the one who knows Sarah here...what does she like ?

Zet: usually weapons...so I was thinking about making her a bow and arrows...she's pretty good with them.

Arya: aren't you a good a archer too ?

Zet: well she...wait...how do you know that ?...I never told you about it.

Arya's eyes widened, she didn't say anything.

Zet: Arya ?

Arya: alright fine...please don't get mad...she told me about your past with her.

Zet: oh she actually did...huh...took her long enough.

Arya: wait you're not mad ?

Zet: no...I actually was going to tell you about it.

Arya: I didn't know you were that weak when you were younger.

Zet: before she found me is when I was running away from the temple...she took care of me until I became stronger.

Arya: is this why you want to get her a gift ?

Zet: mainly because it's her birthday and we're leaving...but yeah this too.

Arya: why didn't you ever thank her...you're alive because of her.

Zet: I know...I just don't know how to say thanks and actually mean it.

Arya: I have the answer to this but I won't give it to you...you'll have to do it yourself...this is how you will learn it.

Zet:*chuckle* look at that...a student becomes the teacher.

Arya: well you still have a lot to teach me though...I don't have much to teach you.

Zet: you can teach me a lot about how to deal with other people...it's not about how much you teach it's about how much it means to the one who learned it.

Arya: wait...do you have a bow ?

Zet: thanks to you I can make any weapon out of lightning.

Arya: you can make a bow and an arrow out of energy ?

Zet: yeah...It's pretty cool I know...I love it too.

Arya: is this your main weapon ?

Zet: no it's my two knives...I love using them a lot more than my other weapons.

Arya: so if you can materialize weapons out of energy...this means you can make anything out of lightning too !

Zet: like what ?...the most I use my powers in is fighting.

Arya: you can literally sleep in an energy tent.

Zet: *laugh*no I can't...this is too much energy to use...it will drain me...plus I can't use my energy if I'm asleep.

Arya: what about an umbrella if it was a rainy day ?

Zet: yeah I can do this one...but I won't.

Arya: now you're being ridiculous...why wouldn't you ?

Zet: I love walking under the rain...If I have to use it It will be for someone with me.

They have arrived at their destination.

Zet: we're here...are you ready ?

Arya nodded.

Zet: in this training session...you'll fight me.

Arya: I'm what ?!

Zet: yeah...told you it's going to be hard.

Arya: what do you mean...you don't want to hurt me...and I don't want to hurt you either.

Zet: relax...I won't use my powers...and you'll fight me with and without your powers.

Arya: without my powers ?

Zet: there will be many situations where you'll have to fight without your powers...you need to be prepared for anything.

Arya:*sigh* fine...let's do this and be done with it.

Zet: alright...let's start.

They both stood in the middle of the area they were in and took their positions.

Zet: ready ?

Arya: no.

Zet: good...let's start small...punch me and I will try to block it...hit me once.

Arya started trying to punch Zet, every time she reached her hand, he blocked it, he was faster.

Zet: faster Arya.

Arya started to get angry, she started to punch harder, he was blocking all her moves.

Zet: is this all you got ?...you're not even trying.

Arya got even angrier, she started to punch Zet faster and harder, he was blocking them, but he was feeling every hit, Arya felt her powers moving through her veins as she got angrier.

Zet was feeling her punches getting harder by the second, After multiple punches, Arya had enough, she punched him so hard that he couldn't block it, it hit him on his chest, Zet then fell on the ground from how hard the impact of that punch was, Arya saw him, she immediately got worried and forgot all her anger.

Arya: oh no...are you ok ?...I didn't mean to...

He got up.

Zet: I'm fine...that was a powerful punch of you...good job...but you need to be faster than this...you need to be smarter than your opponents to beat them...again but this time I can stop you.

They started again, she started to punch slow and weak again.

Zet: come on Arya...punch like you just did before...this is nothing.

Arya started to punch harder, Zet was waiting for her to aim at his stomach, when she did, he fell on the ground on purpose and acted like she really hurt him.

Arya: I'm so sorry !

She got closer to Zet, she wanted to help him to get up, he tackled her, she fell on the ground, he then got up and aimed his arm ready to punch her.

Arya: hey what was that for...not fair.

He stopped and helped her get up.

Zet: a fight is never fair Arya...no matter who are you fighting never go soft on them...this will Kill you one day if you don't stop it...I want you to really hurt me...it's ok I will be fine.

Arya sighed, she then took her position.

Zet: again.

Arya was less hesitant than when she started, she is ready to fight, she started punching Zet hard and fast from the beginning.

Zet: there we go...that's better.

Arya started to growl as she stared at his eyes, he was smirking.

She was hitting him and he was blocking, she managed to land many punches, Zet started to get tired of blocking, after moments, he grabbed her arms but tried to break out, he didn't let her.

Zet: that's enough Arya...you can stop now.

Arya was looking at the ground with widened eyes, she was not listening to what Zet was saying, he noticed her, she was still trying to break out and punch him, she broke out after many tries, she then landed a very hard hit on Zet's face, he fell on the ground.

Arya looked at him, her eyes widened in fear.

Arya: *gasp* Zet...are you ok ?

He got up.

Zet: what the hell happened to you ?...I told you to stop.

Arya: I'm so sorry...I don't know what came over me.

Zet: I think you got angry...too angry that you zoned out.

Arya looked at Zet's face, she saw her hand marks on his cheeks.

Arya: I...

Zet: it's fine...but you need to control yourself...I think we're done punching here...now to the next one.

Zet then got a green knife in his hand.

Arya: wow...a pretty knife.

Zet: this is an emerald knife...my emerald knife.

He then gave it to Arya.

Zet: here.

Arya: you want me to use this knife ?

Zet: I know that your wolf form won't need it but your human form will...so congrats this is your first knife.

Arya: do have any other knives ?

Zet: no...I don't need them...I have my lightning knives...now show me that you deserve to hold such a rare knife.

Arya: rare knife ?

Zet: it's an emerald knife Arya...of course it's very rare.

Arya: and you chose me out of all people to have it ?...I'll probably lose it while jumping somewhere...i can't accept this.

Zet: relax...I will teach how to use it properly...plus...Sarah got a silver and a ruby knife...she doesn't want it.

Arya: wait...this is Sarah's knife ?!

Zet: she used to collect rare knives...this is one of her rarest.

Arya: *deep sigh* alright...what do you want me to do ?

Zet: your task is simple...first you need to know how to use it properly...then I'll fight with you.

Arya looked at her knife, she saw herself in its reflection.

Arya: how sharp is this knife ?

Zet: let me show you.

Zet then took the knife from her and attacked the tree that was near him, he sliced it once, the knife cut all the way to the middle of the tree, Arya raised her eyebrows.

Arya: oh...that's pretty sharp.

Zet: heavy sharp and hard hitting...perfectly balanced.

Arya: I don't understand...why do you want to give me such a good and rare knife...it's obviously better with someone else.

Zet: this knife is a gift from Sarah to me...she gave it to me 3 years ago...now I'm gifting it to you...but first you need to show me you deserve it.

Arya looked at the knife, she held tight to it.

Zet: are you ready ?

Arya: I'm ready.

Zet: alright...first you need to hold it properly...make it's head aimed at the back side of you hand...take your position...knife up to your chest...other hand behind it...now give it your whole power and slice left to right and switch sides...as fast as you can...and finish it with a stab in the back and one in the chest.

Arya was determined to use this knife the best she can, she did all the instruction Zet told her.

Zet: great job Arya...but you need to be faster...start again harder and faster.

Arya did it again, she was slicing air fast and passionately, Zet can see her determination.

Zet: well done...that was fast enough...but now...you will do it one more time.

Zet then used his powers to make a lightning human dummy.

Arya: whoa.

Zet: meet bob...bob will be ready to be sliced by you.

Arya: won't I be shocked if I touch it ?

Zet: but your knife won't...this is why you have to hit him without touching him with your skin.

Arya sighed and took her position.

Zet: go.

Arya started to fight the dummy, she was aiming to slice the neck, she sliced the arms first, she then moved fast to stabbing it, she stabbed the chest and the back, and she ended it with a head slice, the dummy's head fell off on the ground, Zet was impressed, Arya looked at Zet.

Arya: so...how did I do ?

Zet: that was great you did very well...you also didn't touch it...I guess we can move to the next one.

Zet then summoned his lightning knives and stood in front of her.

Arya: we're not going to fight each other...right ?

Zet: no...I said I'll fight with you...not against you.

Arya: so...what are we doing.

Zet: we'll dance.

Arya: I'm sorry what ?

Zet: we'll dance together...I will teach you the art of fighting with an ally.

Zet then summoned multiple dummies that were surrounding them from every direction, standing a bit far from them, Arya saw them, she got startled.

Zet: they will try to walk at us...and as we go on they will run at us...our job is to stop them from touching us once.

Zet then gave Arya another knife.

Zet: here...so we make it fair enough...we have 4 knives and 5 minutes to finish this...remember your ally is the back of your eyes...you need to trust their moves and where they will go...you have to trust that your ally will protect you as much as you will.

The dummies started moving.

Zet: take the fastest way...you have to do it in less than 3 seconds.

Arya: the neck ?

Zet: correct...aim for the neck...slice and get ready for the next one.

The dummies started reaching their target, they started to hit Arya and Zet at the same time, Arya was moving left, Zet moved to the right, their move together was fast, the dummies became faster, they were aiming for the neck, many of the dummies were dying over and over again, Arya moved herself again, Zet moved the opposite way, their backs were facing each other, the dummies became even faster, they started to run at them.

Zet: never look behind you...if your ally falls you fall with them...you fight till your last breath.

None of the dummies touched them yet, Zet then to made his move and took Arya's place, Arya had to act fast and change to his place.

Zet: faster Arya...you need to keep your ears with your ally and eyes on the enemy.

They were fighting 6 dummies at once, and others were right behind them, it's starting to get hard for Arya, she was killing one by another, she started to get tired.

Zet: 1 more minute left.

Arya then changed his position, Zet acted as fast moved to hers, there were no mistakes in their positioning anymore, they were in sync.

Arya is now tired, but there was one more thing to do.

Zet: alright Arya last one...now I will go up...you go down...quick...3...2...1.

Zet then jumped to the other side, while Arya slid under him, they were fighting side by side, none of the dummies was able to touch them.

Zet: nice job Arya...you completed it.

Arya was breathing heavily, she wasn't able to talk properly.

Arya: th..than...thank you.

she restored her stamina.

Arya: thanks...that was a hard one.

Zet: it was...but it wasn't realistic.

Arya: huh?

Zet: they were just trying to touch us unarmed...if we want to make it realistic...we will have to give them all weapons too and add archers...but overall we were in sync...we just danced together...the knife dance...good job.

Arya: have you ever done this with Sarah ?

Zet: yeah...this is similar to a training she made for me...but no we didn't dance together...we weren't able to make dummies like now...she blindfolded me and started running in a circle and threw rocks at me...I had to block them with my knives without looking only by sensing.

Arya: isn't this something I should learn myself ?

Zet: this training is too easy for you...you're a predator...which is why I have a better one for you.

Arya: I'm listening.

Zet: take time to rest for a bit...we'll play a game soon.

Arya: ooh...I can play a game.

Zet chuckled, Arya noticed.

Arya: oh no...you're laughing...this is bad.

Zet: right again...we'll play tag...you need to hunt me before the timer ends...you have 15 minutes to be able to catch me...the area is all the woods...I get out of it's lines I lose...I get caught I lose...I survive your hunt for 15 minutes I win.

Arya: wait...can you use your powers ?

Zet: no...I'd be too fast for you...but you can...you'll have to hunt me with your wolf form...all you need to do is catch me.

Arya felt confident that she'll win.

Arya: *smirk* how about a small bet.

Zet: sure...say what you want.

Arya: I win...you'll hug Sarah and thank her.

Zet: *chuckle* are you sure you want to do this ?

Arya: so sure.

Zet: alright then If I win...you'll give me the emerald knife back.

Arya liked her knife a lot, she didn't want to give it up, but she wasn't going to back down.

Arya: fine.

Zet laughed.

Zet: you just made a big mistake Arya...you won't know where I am.

Arya: we'll see about that.

Zet: I'll be ready whenever you are.

Arya then lied down on the ground, she was tired, she took a while to rest.

Zet sat next to her.

Zet: so...weirdly enough I didn't ask you this question before...when is your birthday ?

Arya: it's march 26th...what about you ?

Zet: I don't have one.

Arya: you don't have a birthday ?

Zet: I don't know it...it could be any day.

Arya: I won't keep you like this...I will make you a birth date.

Zet: let's not jump that far ahead...I don't really care about it...no need for such a time waste.

Arya: it's not a time waste at all...you deserve it...plus you'd never know how much you love it or hate until you try it.

Zet looked at Arya, she was hopefully waiting him to accept, he sighed.

Zet: alright...fine...I will try having a birthday.

Arya: great !...so what is the date today ?

Zet: it's may 20th.

Arya: and when is Sarah's birthday ?

Zet: next week...28th.

Arya: so it's settled...we'll make a birthday next week...your birthday is may 28th.

Zet: wait can you make a double birthday ?

Arya: yeah of course you can.

Zet: so what do people do in a birthday ?

Arya: you never did or been to any birthday ?

Zet: shadow temple ?...a shadow kid ?...a lone survivor ?...all I know about it is gifts and stuff.

Arya: alright I got your point here...in a birthday we share gifts with the birthday person...we eat a cake and we sing a specific song...and that's it...it's a celebration.

Zet: now I have two questions here...one...a song ?...and two...we celebrate that there is someone survived another year ?

Arya: keep your dark ideas out of this...and yes a song...it is simple.

Zet: is it just you ?...or everyone knows it ?

Arya: everybody knows this song...I don't think no one doesn't know it other than you.

Zet: ok? ...how does it go ?

Arya: ok...it goes like this...happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...happy birthday to...then you say their name here...happy birthday to you...and that's it.

Zet: wow...you actually know how to sing.

Arya: my dad is a good singer...guess I got that from him.

Zet: what about your mother ?

Arya: my mother died when I was born...I don't know who she is or what she looks like.

Zet: well...I'm pretty sure she was a good person...seeing her daughter like this I might be able to see the resemblance.

Arya chuckled.

Arya: thanks...I hope your parents were good people too.

Zet: I don't think so...at all.

Arya: why is that...you never knew them.

Zet: they were ready to give their own child to whole another people and disappear forever from his life...I don't think they're any good...I'm glad I never met them.

Arya was not going to say anything, she let him think to himself.

Zet: alright...I think we took our time here...ready for our game ?

Arya: ok I'm ready.

Zet: I'm ready to take my chances here...I will go now...I have 10 seconds to get away from you...start hunting after it.

Arya: oh you're on.

Zet ran away.

Arya(mind): 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1.

She started walking and transformed to the wolf form, she howled, Zet heard it.

Zet(mind): this is going to be fun.

And the hunt has begun, Zet was walking near the trees, while Arya was running around, she was trying to follow his scent, Zet then took off his shoes, he had this idea in order to make as less noise as possible, not even Arya can hear it.

Zet walked around, he was looking at every corner, no sound was heard, and no one was seen, Arya was running fast on all four, she was looking for him everywhere, but she couldn't hear or see anyone, minutes passed, Arya picked up a smell, she found out where he went, she started to run fast to him, Zet heard her running, he stared to use the trees as his cover, he moved from one tree to another, she's getting closer to him, he was still calm, he was trying to not make a sound at all, moments after, Zet heard Arya's steps coming his way, he now has to run, she knows where he is, he started running, Arya heard his footsteps, she started to chase now.

10 minutes have passed, Arya was running right behind him, she was faster than him, Zet then decided to jump on the trees to make her go further, 3 minutes left, it was about to end, Arya is chasing him on top of the trees.

Zet: 3 MINUTES.

Arya roared.

Zet laughed, he was having fun, he was jumping on top of the trees while being chased by a super wolf right behind him.

Zet then jumped high in the air, the timer was about to finish, Arya followed him, Zet had no where to go anymore, he's in the air, Arya reached him with her jump, she caught him, and the gravity did the rest, she changed to her human for while being in the air.

Arya: GOT YA !

They fell on the ground in a high speed, Zet used his powers before touching the ground to stop the momentum and land safely, they fell on the ground, Arya ended up on top of Zet, they landed near the tent.

Leo and Sarah heard them.

Leo: what was that ?

Sarah and Leo went out of the tent to check it out, they saw Arya and Zet laughing loudly, they didn't see them.

Sarah: *chuckle*this is going to be interesting now.

Leo: ehm...

Arya then looked to her right and saw them.

Arya: oh hi dad.

Zet then looked, his eyes widened as he got up instantly.

Leo: hi Zet...care to explain ?

Zet: hey Leo...I know what you're seeing...it's not what it looks like.

Arya: we were just doing a hunt...I actually won...I hunted Zet !

Zet: yeah she did...she caught me in 15 minutes.

Sarah: wait she really did ?

Zet: yeah...told you she's better than you think.

Sarah: well...guess you're right...well done Arya.

Arya: and now the bet.

Leo: the bet ?

Zet: yeah we made a bet...if I win I take back my gift I gave it to her...my emerald knife.

Sarah: you mean the knife I gave to you ?

Zet: yeah...I don't need it anymore I have lightning knives...so I gifted her this knife...but she had to show me that she deserves it.

Leo: sounds like she did...what happens if she won ?

Zet: this.

Zet then approached Sarah, he hugged her, her eyes widened, she was surprised.

Zet: thank you...you are the reason why I'm here today...I can't be more thankful.

He tightened his arms around her.

Sarah couldn't do anything, she was speechless.

Sarah: I...

She then took her time to gather her strength and hug him back.

Sarah: y...you...you're welcome.