Chapter 34: A shining color

It's 7 in the morning, Kipo just woke up, Zet was already awake.

Zet : good morning.

Kipo : *yawn* good morning.

Zet gave Kipo an apple.

Zet : here.....we have a long day today.

Kipo : honestly...I would love to have a long day here.

Zet : you're saying this now....but you still didn't see the bad side of this place.

Kipo : what do you mean ?

Zet : we're in spring here.....so the weather is sunny for the most part.....but in winter and autumn....this place can turn into an ice hell.

Kipo : and how long will we be here ?

Zet : until our mission is done....it can take up to a week....a month....a year.

Kipo : there is no way we're staying here for a whole year.....right ?

Zet : probably....but it's still a chance.

Kipo looked at Aya.

Kipo : she doesn't look well.....she needs to eat.

Zet : I can get her some fish.....but we need to find an ice lake.

Kipo : how are you going to hunt in an ice lake.

Zet : well it would be much easier if we have a fishing rod.....but we don't....so I have to dive in.

Kipo : wait....you can't swim.

Zet : no....I can swim....I said I don't swim.

Kipo : but it's too cold....even for you.

Zet : relax....I only need like 5 minutes under the water...I'll find as much as I can.

Kipo : alright....I don't know as much as you do....so I guess I have to listen to you.

Zet then got up.

Zet : I'll go see if there is a lake near us....keep an eye on her.

Zet then started flying, he flew straight up and started looking around him, he saw a frozen lake near him, he then landed.

Zet : good news.....there is a lake not too far from here.

Kipo : let me guess....we're going to have to walk to it.

Zet : got any better ideas ?

Kipo : can we at least go through the forest ?

Zet : yeah sure.

They started packing their stuff, it's time to continue their journey, Kipo went to Aya.

Kipo : hey....we're going to get you some fish now.....it's not too far from here.

She then put her hand on her head and started listening to her.

Kipo : she says that she will try to move.....but we have to find her food.....she won't fly without eating.

Zet started to get worried, finding live food is not easy, now he knows that he has to do it, they started moving towards the lake, Aya was barely able to walk, she was starving, Kipo had to help her move.

After a while of walking, they arrived at the lake.

Zet : we're here.....now I need you to start smelling the fish under the lake and open a small hatch with your claws.

Kipo then turned into her wolf form and walked towards the frozen lake.

Zet : wait....don't step on the Ice !

Kipo then stopped.

Zet : the ice won't hold up against your wolf form.....you have to walk on it as a human.

She then turned back into her human form, but she didn't change her arms and nose, they were still in the wolf form, she then started walking carefully on Ice, she used her senses to find fish under the water, after moments, she found a spot where she smelled multiple fishes, she then used her claws to open a small hatch in the ice and went back to snow.

Zet : alright....now I need you to turn around and look away.....and don't look until you hear the water splash.

Kipo : why ?

Zet : a survival tip....when you need to dive in ice water....you have to be naked.

Kipo started blushing.

Kipo : oh.

Zet : yeah....it's because your clothes don't dry in weather like this....they freeze instead.

Kipo then looked away from him, she started blushing even more.

Zet started taking off his clothes, Kipo wanted to take a peak, but she knows that he'll be upset if she does, she tried her best to not look, he then went to the hatch Kipo made, Kipo was still waiting, her face turned fully red, after moments she turned around her, Zet was already in the water, she waited for him for almost 5 minutes, she started to get worried, after more minutes, she saw a hand hanging out of the water, Zet then showed his head above the water.

Zet : turn around.

Kipo then turned around and waited for him to get out of the water, her face started turning red again.

Zet came out of the water carrying a couple of fish in his hand, he reached the snow.

Zet : here.

He threw the fish next to Kipo and started wearing his clothes, Kipo looked to her right, she saw the fish next to her, she started feeding Aya.

Kipo : here.....hope this will be enough for you.

Aya started eating aggressively, she didn't eat in a long while, she was so hungry.

Kipo : you said that you'll take 5 minutes.

Zet : I had to gather as much as I could.....relax...I'm fine....though my temperature is slowly dropping.

Kipo : you'll be fine right ?

Zet : yeah....I just probably will get sick.

Zet finished wearing his clothes.

Zet : alright I'm done.

Kipo then sighed in relief, she was trying so hard to not look.

Zet : you didn't look....did you ?

Kipo : no....I didn't.

Aya finished her food, she then started talking to Kipo.

Kipo : she says they were delicious.....thanks.

Zet looked at Aya and nodded with a smile.

Kipo : can you fly now ?

Aya made an excitement noise.

Zet : I think I understand this one.....let's go.

Zet and Kipo then got on her back and they started flying again, they continued going north.

Zet : alright.....now we need to look around us.....we need to find a village here.....it's somewhere around us.

Kipo and Zet started looking on the ground below them, at first they didn't see anything, but after more minutes of flying, they saw a village.

Zet : I see one.....right there.

Kipo : and there is another one over there.

Aya then made a sound, Kipo heard it.

Kipo : Aya says that there is another one far straight too.

Zet sighed.

Zet : of course there's more than one village...alright....let's start with the closest one....the one to our right.

Aya then lowered herself down while moving to her right, she landed in front of the first village.

Zet and Kipo then got off of Aya.

Zet : alright.....let's go.....did you get your cape ?

Kipo then got her cape out of her backpack.

Zet : we ask where she is....and we get out immediately....don't engage with anyone....only fight if any of them does.

Kipo : got it.

They wore their capes and started heading towards the village, they saw no one outside at all, the village looked like it's haunted, no sound was heard, Zet was looking everywhere around him, Kipo was getting creepead more and more by the second.

After minutes, they walked through the whole village, but they still saw no one outside.

Zet : go check the houses.....there must be someone in them.

They split up, Kipo and Aya went to check some of the houses, while Zet looked in others, Kipo started knocking on doors, while Zet tried to listen to any sound inside the houses.

Kipo : hello.....is anyone home ?

No response, no sound heard, this started to get creepy, even for Zet.

Kipo knocked on multiple doors, but no door opened.

Zet : alright....that's it.....Kipo...come here.

Kipo then came to Zet.

Kipo : did you find anyone ?

Zet : no.

Zet then used his energy to make an axe.

Zet : step back.

He then started breaking the door open, he then looked around him with awareness, no one was inside, they started searching the place, they haven't found anything.

Zet : this place is too cold.....no one was here for while.

Then all of a sudden.

Kipo : hey do you smell something ?

Kipo started picking a faint smell.

Zet : no....what are you smelling ?

Kipo : it's a strong....bad smell.

Kipo then started heading towards the smell, Zet and Aya followed her, the smell got stronger and stronger, Kipo then stopped in front of one of the houses.

Kipo : it's this one.....the smell is so bad.

Zet then used his axe to break the door.

Zet started smelling the bad smell, it was very strong.

Zet : ew.....it's so strong now.

The first thing they saw once they got in, there were multiple human dead bodies thrown on top of each other.

Kipo got scared.

Zet : what the hell.

The bodies were frozen, but no blood drop or stain was on the ground.

Zet then got out his lightning knives as he moved into the house, Kipo got outside, she couldn't stay in, he was walking slowly and carefully, he was looking at every corner, all what he was seeing is dead bodies everywhere.

After moments, Zet got out of the house, Kipo was waiting outside.

Zet : no one is alive and their body temperature is almost negative.....they must've been dead for more than a month at least.

Kipo : what the hell is this....this is the whole village....who can do such a thing ?

Zet : I'm as clueless as you are.....we need to move....let's go to another village.

Kipo and Zet then got on Aya and flew away.

Kipo was staring in front of her, she was thinking, Zet noticed.

Zet : are you thinking about those people ?

Kipo : how did they all die.....gathered in one place and not even one blood drop to be seen....how did this happen ?!

Zet : well....I mean it's probably more than one person.....this is like 40 people back there....there is no way this is one person's work.

Aya then landed near another village, but this time, they could see people from their spot.

Kipo : look....this one has people in this one.

Zet : alright....we will go ask someone in it.

They got off Aya and started walking through the village, all the villagers were silently staring at them, moments after, 4 men came and stood in their way, they were armed.

Man : stop.....where do you come from ?

Zet : we're not from around here.....we just need to ask some questions to your leader.....and we'll be on our way.

The men came closer to Zet, they noticed that Zet is shorter than him, they started thinking that he's weak, they smiled.

Man : and what if we say no ?

Zet : look.....we don't want any trouble.....let's just be done with this.

The man got even closer to Zet's head.

Man : no.....now.....get out of my village....before we show you the way our ourselves.

Kipo : sir....you don't want to do this.....just listen to what he says.

Another man came closer to Kipo.

Man 2 : and what are you going to do about it little girl ?

Zet saw him.

Zet : lay one touch on her....and you'll all have broken bones in less than 5 seconds.

The man heard Zet and laughed, he decided to take his chance, he grabbed Kipo by her arm.

Zet smiled, the man saw him.

He then started fighting them, he grabbed the first guy's arm in front of him and bent it to the other side, his elbow and shoulder broke, the guy that grabbed Kipo was holding on tight to her, Zet went for the guy in front of him, he grabbed his head and through him very hard on the ground, his neck broke from the impact, Kipo then grabbed the guy's arm and pulled his face towards her, she then punched him, his nose broke and started bleeding, the last guy saw all his friends on the ground feeling the pain, his eyes were widened, he was scared, Zet slowly approached him.

Zet : now.....would you be kind enough to take us to your leader ?

The man was so scared, he decided to run away, the whole village saw what happened to the men, they all started to get scared too.

Zet : great....we scared him away.

Kipo : I mean.....he has a point to be scared of us.

Zet then looked around him, everyone was staring at them, he can see the fear in their eyes.

Zet : looks like we established fear in them.

Kipo : so what do we do now ?

After moments, A man that was bigger than the others approached them.

Man : what is going on here ?.....what happened here ?

The guy that ran away is the one who called the big man, he was standing next to him, the big man saw his men on the ground.

Man : did you do this ?

Zet : I warned them.....but apparently no one listens....you must be the leader here.

Man : yes....I'm the leader of this village.....I'm Reko.

Zet : we need to ask you a question and we'll be on our way.

Reko : and why would I do that ?...you just broke one of my best warrior's bones.

Zet : then you must know that this is the exact same thing that can happen to you right now.....and I don't think you want to be humiliated by a stranger....do you ?

Reko realized that they are powerful, he doesn't want to fight them, he looked at Zet and smiled.

Reko : let's go for a walk....shall we ?

Zet : of course.

They started heading towards his house.

Reko : so....who are you ?

Zet : I'm Zet....and this is my friend Kipo and her bird Aya.

Kipo : hi.....nice to meet you.

Reko : nice to meet you all.....now...what do you want from us ?

Zet : we were just wondering if you know someone called Niora.

Reko started to get suspicious.

Reko : I might....what do you want with her ?

Zet : it's nothing you should be concerned about...we just want to talk to her.

Reko : yes...it is of my concern.....If you want me to tell you about her.....you'll have to state your purpose with her.

Zet : alright.....but If anyone knows about this....I will kill you and everyone who ever heard it from you....do you understand ?

Reko : go ahead.

Zet : pretty sure you know that Niora has powers.....we do too....we need to talk to her about some stuff.

Reko : yes...I do.....and what are your powers.....and what does that have to do with her ?

Zet : I can control lightning....and Kipo is a half super wolf.....we have to end a war....and we need Niora's powers.

Reko : let me guess.....you mean the mutants war ?

Kipo : wait.....you have mutants here ?

Reko : no....but we know that there is a mutant world that dominated humans in most places on earth.

Zet : so now....what do you know about her ?

Reko : Niora is a 17 year old girl.....her hair and eyes are white....and she's our queen.

Kipo : queen ?

Reko : yes.....all these villages are connected together and under her protection.....and each village has a leader....and we are all loyal to her.

Zet : and where is she ?

Reko : she lives in a big village almost 3 miles north from here.

Zet : that's all we need to know....we appreciate the help.

Kipo : oh yeah....sorry about your men....they were being jerks.

Reko : it's ok....I'm just glad you didn't kill them....we don't have much defense here.

Zet : come on....let's go.

Zet and Kipo then got on Aya back again, she started flying, they now know where to go.

Zet : alright....now we will see Niora.

Kipo : she's 17....I'm starting to feel that I'm the youngest one of us.

Zet : and what's wrong with that ?

Kipo : I just don't want them to look down on me like I'm just a participant of the adventure.

Zet chuckled.

Zet : relax.....no one will think like this.....you'll do better than you think you will.....I mean come on....you just broke someone's nose in like 2 seconds.....does this look normal to you ?

Kipo : he's a normal guy....of course I'm stronger than him.

Zet : he's a guy in his 30's.....the point of what I'm trying to say here.....when it comes to our powers comparisons.....we are all as powerful as each other.....the difference is in the human side of us.

Kipo : do we all have one ?

Zet : no...a lot of us get overwhelmed by the powers....we forget that we are humans too.....this is what makes you a shadow kid.....it's when you lose your humanity.

After an hour of flying, they were able to see the village.

Kipo : woah....that's a huge village.

Zet : and I'm guessing this is in the center of Alaska....it's coldest.

Aya then landed in front of its gates.

2 guards, moved toward them.

guard : identify yourself.....and the purpose.

Zet : I'm Zet.....and this Kipo.....we're just travelers....we're just here for a visit.

guard : we will have to search you....do you carry any weapons ?

Zet : just a knife....for survival matters.

Kipo then gave the guard her backpack and her emerald knife, and Zet gave him his backpack too, the guard started searching in the bags, he found multiple stuff in them, but nothing was dangerous.

The guard then looked at Aya.

guard : she's not allowed in....she has to go with other animals.

Zet : and where is that ?

guard : it's in the animal house.....don't worry....we'll take care of her.

They got of Aya's back, the guard gave them their bags back, but he didn't give the emerald knife back.

Zet : what about the knife ?

guard : you'll have it when you leave this village.....weapons are strictly prohibited in this place.

Zet : I understand.

Kipo then walked Aya to guard.

Kipo : she eats fish....only....fish.

guard : we'll make sure of it.....thank you for your cooperation.

The guard then waved his hands to the other guards on the top of the gate, they opened the gates.

guard : welcome to Huslia.

Zet and Kipo then walked inside the village, the first thing they saw is the life of this village, kids running around having fun, people working in shops, and others walking by, the village was so alive.

Kipo : look at this village....it's amazing !

Zet : it is....but we need to not lose focus.