Chapter 31: A trip
It's 7 in the morning, Zet, Kipo and Sarah were awake, Zet was walking alone with his headphones, while Kipo and Sarah were walking together.
Sarah : so are you going to tell me what happened the day before yesterday with you and Zet ?
Kipo : I'm pretty sure he doesn't want me to tell anyone about it.
Sarah : did he say so ?
Kipo : no....but he doesn't need to.....it's none of your business ok ?
Sarah : huh....look at that.....you're closer to him than I ever was.
Kipo : let's be honest here.....you weren't much of a good friend to him before.
Sarah then started to get angry, she looked at Kipo, she noticed.
Kipo : don't get me wrong.....you did so much for him.....but I'm talking about that part after.....you know....
Sarah : the nuke ?
Kipo didn't say a word.
Zet was walking peacefully in the woods with his music, he was aware of his surroundings, he was thinking about his trip to Alaska.
After moments he saw a theme park filled with statues in the distance, nothing in it was working, it looked empty, he decided to check it out.
When he entered, he looked around him, nothing was moving, there was no sound, until he heard something, it wasn't that far from him, he started to get more aware of it, then he heard another sound, at this point, he knows that he's not the only one around, he wanted to use his knives, but he didn't want any mutant to know who he is.
After minutes of cautiously looking around, the sound has stopped, he still didn't see anything, he was not afraid of whoever is with him, he is ready to fight.
The wind stopped, he took off his headphones and started to listen, no sound was being made, it was complete silence, until he looked to his right, one of the statues fell on the ground, he was getting paranoid, he then looked closer at all the statues, after moments, the statues moved at him and tried to capture him.
Zet : alright.....that's it.
Zet then summoned his knives and was ready to fight, the statues surrounded him, but they stopped once they saw his knives.
statue : wait....wait.....hold on...are you Zet ?...the lightning guy?
Zet didn't answer, he didn't let his guard down
statue : everyone stop !
All of the statues stepped back.
Statue : this is Zet !...the lightning god !
Zet started to get confused, all the statues started talking, they were surprised.
Statue : no need to kill us.....we are humans.
Zet : huh ?
human : we just paint ourselves and act like statues.....so we can avoid the mutants.
The human got closer, Zet wasn't trusting him, he didn't let his guard down yet.
human : my name is Eric.....and we are survivors.....just like you....we are a small community of surface humans.....we've been living here for years now.....no mutant has ever found us yet.
Eric reached his hand to shake Zet's, Zet started to let his guard down, they seem to be helpless, he didn't shake his hand.
Zet : how many of you are there ?
Eric : we are about 30 people...our numbers go lower or higher every week or two.
Zet : you said no mutant ever found you ?
Eric : well....no mutant that was actually a danger for us.....we have a lot of mutant friends.
Zet : what about your food and shelter ?
Eric : we live under all these buildings.....and we go fishing and we have our own gardens...are you hungry ?
Zet was really hungry, he didn't want to miss this chance.
Zet nodded.
Eric : great....follow me.
They started walking together.
Eric : here.....we live like we are the only ones alive in this world.....we avoid any people.....mutants or humans.....our first and highest priority is to stay safe.
They have reached a big building in the center of the area, a middle-aged man was sitting on a chair writing on the wall.
Eric : this is Ramsey...he is our leader.....sir.....we have a visitor.
Ramsey turned around, he saw the yellow eyes and hair, he immediately knew who it is.
Eric : sir.....this is.....
Ramsey : Zet.....the lightning god...pleasure to meet you.....Eric.....make us a big meal.....for the both of us.
Eric : yes sir.
Eric left.
Ramsey : so.....what brings the lightning god to our humble survivor community ?
Zet : nice home you have here.....just decided to pass by.
Ramsey : well.....I guess we are lucky.
Zet : so what's up with everyone calling me the lightning god ?
Ramsey : everyone knows about what your group did with the mutant empire.....everyone was very impressed.....killing more than 5 royal guards and running away with a prisoner.....I mean....wow.
Zet chuckled.
Zet : I guess words do spread pretty quickly.
Ramsey : they do....the mutants don't know who you are....they just know that there is a lightning hazard of a human coming their way.
Eric : sir.....the meal is ready.
Ramsey : come in.
2 plates of different kinds of fruits and vegetables were put in front of them.
Ramsey : as Eric may have told you.....we make our own food.....we have it all...hope you enjoy.
Zet started eating.
Kipo and Sarah were still walking.
Sarah : alright....how about this.....let's make a deal...I teach you archery....and you tell me.
Kipo wanted Zet to teach her.....but he can't let her use his lightning bow, she took moments thinking about this offer.
Kipo : fine.
Sarah : great !....let's go.
They then headed to their training place, near the lake.
Kipo : so we were working on your arrows.....then I decided to rest.....and he wasn't with me.....I saw his music player on the ground next to me.....I got curious.....I wanted to know what he listens to every day.
Sarah : wait.....you touched his music player ?...and you're still alive ?!
Kipo : yeah.....I thought he was going to be mad too.....but he wasn't when he saw me.
Sarah : wow.....the only one time I ever tried to touch it.....he almost killed me for it.....he doesn't allow anyone to touch it...that's how you know that you are very special to him.
Kipo : then I listened to a song we were both familiar with.....it's called little talks...I heard it before....he usually only listens to non-lyrical music...so I asked him about this song.....turns out that this song isn't his....it's Kate's.....she gave it to him as a gift.....they used to sing it all the time.....so I offered him to sing it together...he accepted.....we started singing it and everything was going so well....but then he started remembering her so much.....he started crying.....he couldn't continue...then he started blaming himself for her death.....I had to talk to him about it.....then he just wiped off his tears and came back to work again....like nothing happened.
Sarah : is this why you didn't want to tell me about it ?
Kipo nodded.
Sarah : listen.....this stays between us.....don't tell him that you told me.....and I'll act like I didn't know.
Kipo : did he ever cry before ?
Sarah : no.....he's is by far the toughest human I know....he never teared up or cried.
They have reached their destination.
Sarah : we're here...hey.....can I ask for a small favor ?
Kipo : hm ?
Sarah : I have never seen him show any kind of feelings to anybody but you...happiness....sadness....even regret...he needs you...I want you to be always with him when he needs you.
Kipo sighed.
Kipo : I'll try my best.
Sarah : alright....are you ready ?
Kipo : yes.
Sarah : let's start with the basics.
Leo just woke up, he looked around him but he didn't see anyone, he went to check outside, but no one was around.
Leo in his mind : sounds like they all have something to do.
He decided to go out, he wanted to use the lake, when he arrived he saw Kipo and Sarah.
Sarah : faster Kipo.....you're way too slow.
Kipo was running around while shooting arrows, she was aiming at the trees, she then saw Leo.
Kipo : dad !
She had to stop her training immediately, she fell on the ground.
Leo : good morning.
Kipo : what are you doing here ?...I almost shot you.
Leo : um.....I want to use the lake.
Kipo : oh....yeah right.
Leo : so what are you doing ?
Kipo : we're training.....she's teaching me archery.
Leo : I thought Zet is you're only teacher.
Sarah : and I'm his teacher....he doesn't have a bow.....I do.
Kipo : well he does but it's made out of lightning.....I can't touch it.
Leo : speaking of which...where is Zet ?
Kipo : he is walking by himself...it's his morning routine.
Leo : do you mind If I join you ?.....I want to see my girl's progress.
Sarah : sure....just stay close to me so she doesn't hit you.
Zet has just finished eating.
Ramsey : so....how's the food.
Zet : pretty good.....I like what you do here....it's really interesting.
Ramsey : coming from the lightning god himself.....it's an honor.
Zet then started thinking, this place seems good enough for 4 more humans to live in it.
Zet : hey....I need to ask for a favor.
Ramsey : of course.
Zet : do you have a place for more people ?
Ramsey smiled.
Ramsey : well....I was hoping you would say so....in fact we do.....we will always have a place for anyone you can get...after all....we would be honored to serve the lightning and the animal gods.
Zet in his mind : right.....Kipo is the animal god.
Zet started chuckling.
Ramsey : is something funny.
Zet : don't worry about it.....anyway.....we would love to live with you here.
Ramsey : this makes me ask....where do you live right now ?
Zet : we live in a tent in the woods.
Ramsey : is the prisoner with you ?
Zet : yes.....and he's no longer a prisoner.....he is Ki....the animal god's father.....we saved him after he got captured.
Ramsey : ah....I see.....this explains a lot...we are honored to have you here with us.
Zet : thank you for the meal.....now if you will excuse me....I will call my group.
Ramsey : I'm looking forward to working with you all.....lightning god.
Ramsey then clapped his hands, Eric came in.
Eric : sir.
Ramsey : show Zet the way out.
Eric : yes sir.
Zet then followed Eric, they were walking to the door, multiple girls were looking and smiling at him on the side.
Zet : what's up with them ?
Eric : oh don't worry about it...they just think you're cute or something.
Zet in his mind : great...fangirls...
They have reached the exit.
Eric : nice meeting you lightning god.....hope you come back again.
Zet : go talk to Ramsey...he has good news for you.
Zet then headed to the tent.
Kipo was still training with Sarah, she was hitting her targets, but she was missing more, Leo was amazed from seeing who she is now and what she became, he is very proud of her.
Sarah : alright Kipo.....that's enough.
Kipo landed in front of her.
Sarah : for your first day....you did pretty good.....you are missing a lot.....but your speed was quick enough....not bad.
Leo : great job honey !
Kipo was heavily breathing.
Kipo : did I do better than Zet ?
Sarah : no.....it took him 2 days and now he doesn't miss...but hey....you still can be good enough to fight on your own.
Kipo : alright.....so who's hungry ?.....because I am.
Leo : yeah I can eat.
Sarah : alright.....let's gather the arrows and go back to the tent....I think we still have some fruits left.
They all then came back to the tent, they found Zet waiting for them.
Zet : you're back....hey.
Kipo : hey Zet.
Sarah : how long have you been here ?
Zet : I just got here.
Leo : sound like you have something important to say.
Zet : actually I do....I found us a new home.
They all got surprised.
Kipo : what ?!
Zet : yeah....I found us a new home.....it's a theme park.....and guess what....we're not the only ones in it.....there is whole human community living there.
They are now excited.
Sarah : humans ?...other than us ?.....on the surface ?!
Zet : they are a whole community that lives in there...they survive the mutants by making themselves look like statues.....and they're pretty good at it.
Leo : oh my god !...that's great news !
Zet : hold on.....I'm not done yet.....there is more.....these people have almost every kind of fruits and vegetables.....they have their own gardens so we don't have to find fruit anymore.....and.....they worship me and Kipo.
Kipo : what do you mean "worship us" ?
Zet : they call us the animal and the lightning gods.....and anything they do for us is in our honor.
Kipo and Leo were so happy about it.
Sarah : but how do we know they are not going to betray us ?
Zet : they won't...they are scared of all of us.
Leo : scared ?
Zet : the lightning god that can burn any of them in seconds.....the animal god than can tear anyone.....no matter where they run....and the fearless silent warrior...and the first mutant empire human prisoner to ever escape from them.
Sarah smiled, she noticed that everyone was waiting for her decision, she looked at Zet, he nodded to her with a smile.
Sarah : well.....I guess we're going to a new home.
Kipo : WOO HOO!!
Leo : YEAH !
Sarah had her suspicion, but she trust's Zet's judgement, she will try it.