Chapter 26: A gift (part 1)
It's 7 PM, Kipo was asleep, Leo and Sarah were preparing a meal with some of the fruits they gathered today, Zet was out walking.
Kipo just woke up, she was sleeping late because she needs to start her training at night....at her strongest time of the day.
Sarah : oh...she woke up....hey Kipo....why did you sleep now ?
Kipo : *yawn* Zet will teach me in the night instead of the day.
Leo : but it's not healthy for you to sleep like this.
Kipo : it's fine....I sleep at like 2 AM and wake up at 8 AM...that's what I 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 Kipo, 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 drink, she poured it into each bowl.
Sarah : and here we go.
Zet looked at it, it was a dark orange drink with 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 drink.....orange...apples and some mango.
Zet : this explains the slimness.
Sarah : just shut up and try it....it's good.
Kipo then drank a bit of it, she didn't like it at all.
Kipo : 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.....Kipo...you have to drink it....you won't eat meat.
Leo : wait....you don't like it because you want meat ?
Kipo : I'm a wolf dad....of course I didn't like it.
Zet : you'll need its benefits today.....just close your eyes and chug all it at once.
Sarah : is it really that bad ?
Leo tasted it, he didn't like it either, he spitted it, Sarah looked at him, he looked back at her.
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 your first time.....you'll get better at it...I think.
Sarah : wow...how encouraging of you.
Zet : hey....I'm trying.
Kipo finished her bowl.
Kipo : done.....oh my god.....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 Kipo.
Kipo and Zet left.
Sarah looked at her bowl again, she decided to take another sip of it, she then spitted it.
Sarah : god that's bad.
Leo laughed.
Leo : told you.
Zet and Kipo were walking to the place where they usually train, near the lake.
Kipo : so what are we going to do today ?
Zet : we will do more than one thing.....I have special training for you today....and we need to find a gift for Sarah.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : 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....it will help her.
Kipo : aren't you a good archer too ?
Zet : well she....wait....how do you know that ?....I never told you about it.
Kipo's eyes widened, she didn't say anything.
Zet : Kipo ?
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : wait....you're not mad ?
Zet : no....I actually was going to tell you about it.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : 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 : look at that....a student becomes the teacher.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : wait....do you have a bow ?
Zet : thanks to you....I can make any weapon out of lightning.
Kipo : you can make a bow and an arrow out of energy ?
Zet : yeah.....It's pretty cool...I know....I love it too.
Kipo : is this your main weapon ?
Zet : no...it's my two knives.....I love using them a lot more than my other weapons.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : you can literally sleep in an energy tent.
Zet chuckled.
Zet : 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.
Kipo : what about an umbrella if it was a rainy day ?
Zet : yeah I can do this one.....but I won't.
Kipo : 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....not for me.
They have arrived at their destination.
Zet : we're here.....are you ready ?
Kipo nodded.
Zet : in this training session...you'll fight me.
Kipo : I'm what ?!
Zet : yeah....told you it's going to be hard.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : without my powers ?
Zet : there might be a situation where you'll have to fight without your powers....you need to be prepared for anything.
Kipo sighed.
Kipo : 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, they took their positions.
Zet : are you ready ?
Kipo : I'm ready.
Zet : let's start small.....punch me....and I will try to block it....hit me once.
Kipo started trying to punch Zet, every time she reached her hand, he blocked it, he was faster.
Zet : faster Kipo.
Kipo 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.
Kipo got even angrier, she started to punch Zet faster and harder, he was blocking them, but he was feeling every hit, Kipo felt her powers moving through her veins as she got angrier.
Zet was feeling her punches getting harder by the second, After multiple punches, Kipo 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, Kipo saw him, she immediately got worried and forgot all her anger.
Kipo : oh no....are you ok ?.....I didn't mean to...
Zet 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 opponent to beat him....again...this time I can stop you...but I won't hurt you.
They started again, she started to punch slow and weak again.
Zet : come on Kipo....punch like you just did before....this is nothing.
Kipo 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.
Kipo : not again...I'm so sorry.
She got closer to Zet, she wanted to help him to get up, when she got closer to him, Zet tackled her, she fell on the ground, he then got up and aimed his arm ready to punch her.
Kipo : hey....what was that for.....not fair.
He helped her get up.
Zet : a fight is never fair Kipo.....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.
Kipo sighed, she then took her position.
Zet : again.
Kipo was less hesitant than when she started, she is ready to fight, she started punching Zet hard and fast from the beginning, Zet liked it.
Zet : there we go...that's better.
Kipo started growling.
She was hitting him and he was blocking, she managed to land many punches on him, she didn't stop, she was hitting at a rapid speed, Zet started to get tired of blocking, after moments, Zet grabbed her arms, she passed her first training for tonight, when he stopped her, she tried to break out, but he didn't let her.
Zet : that's enough Kipo.....you can stop now.
Kipo 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.
After moments, Kipo looked at she has done, she punched Zet in the face, she then restored her conscious again.
Kipo : Zet.....are you ok ?
Zet : what the hell happened to you ?.....I told you to stop.
Kipo : I'm sorry...I don't know what came over me.
Zet sighed.
Zet : I think you got angry.....too angry that you zoned out.
Kipo looked at Zet's face, she saw her hand marks on his face.
Kipo : 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, Kipo saw it.
Kipo : wow....a pretty knife.
Zet : this is an emerald knife...my emerald knife.
He then gave it to Kipo.
Zet : here.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : rare knife ?
Zet : it's an emerald knife Kipo....of course it's very rare.
Kipo : and you chose me out of all people to have it ?....I'll probably lose it while jumping somewhere.
Zet : relax.....I will teach you how to use it properly...plus...Sarah got a silver and a ruby knife....she doesn't want it.
Kipo : wait.....this is Sarah's knife ?!
Zet : she used to collect rare knives.....this is one of her rarest.
Kipo sighed.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo looked at her knife.
Kipo : 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, Kipo saw that, she was surprised.
Kipo : oh....that's pretty sharp.
Zet : heavy.....sharp....and hard hitting.....perfectly balanced.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo looked at the knife, she held tight to it.
Zet : are you ready ?
Kipo : I'm ready.
Zet : alright.....first you need to hold it properly.....make its head aimed at the backside of your hand.....take your position....knife up to your chest..... your 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.
Kipo was determined to use this knife the best she can, she did all the instructions Zet told her.
Zet : great job Kipo.....but you need to be faster....start again....harder and faster.
Kipo 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.
Kipo : whoa.
Zet : meet bob.....bob will be ready to be sliced by you.
Kipo : 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.
Kipo sighed.
Zet : go.
Kipo 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, Kipo looked at Zet.
Kipo : so....how did I do ?
Zet : that was great.....you did very well.....you also didn't touch it.....well done.....I guess we can move to the next one.
Zet then summoned his lightning knives.
Kipo : we're not going to fight each other....right ?
Zet : no.....I said I'll fight with you....not against you.
Kipo : so....what are doing.
Zet : we'll dance.
Kipo immediately got confused.
Kipo : I'm sorry what ?
Zet : we'll dance together...I will teach you the art of fighting with a knife ally.
Zet then summoned multiple dummies that were surrounding them from every direction, standing a bit far from them, Kipo 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.
Zet then gave Kipo 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 in each and every move...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.
Kipo : 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 Kipo and Zet at the same time, Kipo 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, Kipo moved 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 him.....you fight till your last breath.
None of the dummies touched them yet, Zet then to made his move and took Kipo's place, Kipo had to act fast and change to his place.
Zet : faster Kipo...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 Kipo, she was killing one by another, she started to get tired.
Zet : 1 more minute left.
Kipo then changed his position, Zet acted as fast moved to hers, there were no mistakes in their positioning anymore, they were in sync.
Kipo is now tired, but there was one more thing to do.
Zet : alright Kipo last one.....now I will go up....you go down....quick.....3....2....1.
Zet then jumped to the other side, while Kipo slid under him, they were fighting side by side, none of the dummies was able to touch them, the timer is done, the training was completed.
Zet : nice job Kipo.....you completed it.
Kipo was breathing heavily, she wasn't able to talk properly.
Kipo : th..than...thank you.
she restored her stamina.
Kipo : thanks.....that was a hard one.
Zet : it was...but it wasn't realistic.
Kipo : 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....but overall....we were in sync.....we just danced together the knives dance.
Kipo : 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.....started running in a circle and threw rocks at me.....I had to block them with my knives without looking....only by sensing.
Kipo : isn't this something I should learn myself ?
Zet : this training is too easy for you.....you're a predator....this is nothing to you.....which is why I have a better one for you.
Kipo : I'm listening.
Zet : take time to rest for a bit.....we'll play a game soon.
Kipo : ooh...I can play a game.
Zet chuckled, Kipo noticed.
Kipo : 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 its lines I lose.....I get caught I lose.....I survive your hunt for 15 minutes...I win.
Kipo : wait.....can you use your powers ?
Zet : no...I'm too fast for you.....but you can.....you'll have to hunt with your wolf form.....all you need to do is catch me.
Kipo felt confident that she'll win.
Kipo : how about a small bet.
Zet : sure.....say what you want.
Kipo : I win.....you'll hug Sarah and thank her.
Zet : are you sure you want to do this ?
Kipo : so sure.
Zet : alright then...If I win...you'll give me the emerald knife back.
Kipo liked her knife a lot, she didn't want to give it up, but she wasn't going to back down.
Kipo : fine.
Zet laughed.
Zet : you just made a big mistake Kipo...you won't know where I am.
Kipo : we'll see about that.
Zet : I'll be ready whenever you are.
Kipo then lied down on the ground, she was tired, she took a little while to rest.
Zet sat next to her.
Zet : so.....weirdly enough.....I didn't ask you this question before...when is your birthday ?
Kipo : it's march 26th.....what about you ?
Zet : I don't have one.
Kipo : you don't have a birthday ?
Zet : I don't know it....it could be any day.
Kipo : I won't keep you like this...I will make you a birthdate.
Zet : let's not jump that far ahead...I don't really care about it.....no need for such a time waste.
Kipo : 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.....so please give it a shot.....for me.
Zet looked at Kipo, she was hopefully waiting him to accept, he sighed.
Zet : alright....fine....I will try having a birthday.
Kipo : great !.....so what is the date today ?
Zet : it's June 20th.
Kipo : and when is Sarah's birthday ?
Zet : next week.....28th.
Kipo : so it's settled....we'll make a birthday next week.....your birthday is June 28th.
Zet : wait....can you make a double birthday ?
Kipo : yeah.....of course you can.
Zet : so what do people do on a birthday ?
Kipo : you never did or been to any birthday ?
Zet : um....a shadow temple ?....a shadow kid ?...a lone survivor ?...all I know about is gifts and stuff.
Kipo : 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 who survived another year ?
Kipo : keep your dark ideas out of this.....and yes....a song....it is simple.
Zet : is it just you ?.....or everyone knows it ?
Kipo : everybody knows this song...I don't think no one doesn't know it other than you.
Zet : ok? ...how does it go ?
Kipo : 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.
Kipo : my dad is a good singer.....guess I got that from him.
Zet : what about your mother ?
Kipo : 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.
Kipo chuckled.
Kipo : thanks.....I hope your parents were good people too.
Zet : I don't think so....at all.
Kipo : why is that....you never knew them.
Zet : they were ready to give their own child to whole other people and disappear forever from his life.....I don't think they're any good.....I'm glad I never met them.
Kipo 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 ?
Kipo : ok....I'm ready.....this might go so bad....or so good.....for the both of us.
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.
Kipo : oh you're on.
Zet then started to run away.
Kipo in her mind : 10...9...8....7....6...5...4..3...2....1.
Kipo started walking, she transformed to the wolf form, she howled, Zet heard it.
Zet in his mind : this is going to be fun.
And the hunt has begun, Zet was walking near the trees, while Kipo 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 little noise as possible, not even Kipo hear it.
Zet walked around, he was looking at every corner, no sound was heard, and no one was seen, Kipo was running fast on all 4, she was looking for him everywhere, she couldn't hear or see anyone, minutes passed, Kipo picked up a smell, it was Zet's scent, she found 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 Kipo's steps coming his way, he now has to run, she knows where he is, he started running, Kipo heard his footsteps, she started to chase now.
10 minutes have passed, all what Zet has to do is stay away from Kipo for 5 more minutes, Kipo was running right behind Zet, 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, Kipo is chasing him on top of the trees.
Zet : 3 MINUTES.
Kipo 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, Kipo followed him, Zet had nowhere to go anymore, he's in the air, Kipo reached him with her jump, she caught him, and the gravity did the rest, she changed to her human form while being in the air.
Kipo : GOT YA !
They fell on the ground at a high speed, Zet used his powers before touching the ground to stop the momentum and land safely, they fell on the ground, Kipo ended up on top of Zet, they landed right in front of 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 Kipo and Zet laughing loudly, they didn't see them.
Sarah chuckled.
Sarah : this is going to be interesting now.
Leo : ehm...
Kipo then looked to her right, she saw them.
Kipo : oh hi dad.
Zet then looked, he got up.
Leo : hi Zet.....care to explain ?
Zet : hey Leo...I know what you're seeing....it's not what it looks like.
Kipo : 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 Kipo.
Kipo : and now the bet.
Leo : the bet ?
Zet : yeah.....we made a bet...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...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 very surprised.
Zet : thank you.....you are the reason why I'm here today...I can't be more thankful.
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.