The Zetta Sonic
Narrow Cracks

Why is everything suddenly connected to the gods? Alex understood it the next day when the dawn broke.

Bounura escorted Alex up the hills. They're just the two of them. Gavin is banned and does not seem to intend to participate. There was no bodyguard with them. However, Bounura carried a long rifle hanging from his back and a pair of daggers on his waist, while Alex carried nothing. He was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. The jacket protected him from the hostile temperatures.

As their journey continues to climb, Alex sees it. A goddess. More precisely, a goddess statue was carved on the cliff wall. It was the same size as a normal human. Slightly shorter than Bounura, it has long hair and wears a tiara on its forehead. The interesting thing for Alex is that the statue is wearing a wax patterned cloth. Real cloth is not stone. The cloth was arranged in such a way that it became the clothing of the goddess of sculpture. Under his feet, there was a small wreath.

“This is not a real goddess,” Bounura said as if she could read Alex's mind. “This is one of the daughters of the Kloster chieftain. He was the one who requested that this tribe open up to the outside world. We call her goddess because she brought great change for us.”

Alex frowning. He realized there was a resemblance. “Mother Tesiana?”

Bounura turned to Alex, observing the child still glued to the figure of the statue. “Grandma. He said we could help the outside world and the outside world might help us. He is not entirely wrong.”

“Then, you guys met ICPA.”

“We never intend to deal with the world of criminality out there. The world is dark and full of corruption. But, if it does not help overcome it, it is not impossible if we are affected.”

Alex fell silent. He was curious how the Kloster tribe ended up with the mercenary profession — if they did not want to use the term killer. Men like Bounura look so soft to be killers. So did Tesiana. The female chieftain only wanted to protect her tribe. But Naray feels different. Alex paused his intention to ask.

Bounura. Alex followed. From the top of the hill, they could see the Kloster tribal village better. The place was no less stunning in the morning. As Alex said before, the place was like an inn resort. The most prominent building there was of course the hall where Tesiana met them yesterday. The shape of the roof is conical and painted brownish red can be found easily among the trees.

“Like ICPA wants to protect the world, we also want to protect our world,” Bounura said again.

“I understand. What am I supposed to do?”

Bounura did not answer. He began to walk, surrounding the cliff where his statue was. Behind the cliff, there was a narrow gap. “Go back to the village before dawn tomorrow,” he said again as he waved at the crack.

Alex squeaking. He knew the gap was quite narrow. People have to tilt if they want to pass. The problem is of course not that. He could not see what was behind the gap. Everything looks black.

Alex did not answer. He was about to step into the crack when Bounura stopped.

“You won't go there without bringing anything.” Bounura opened the drawstring pouch he had brought. He takes a cape patterned with a stray, telling Alex to wear it in exchange for his club jacket. “The land behind this cliff is believed to be able to purify. You should bring something from Kloster as a tribute.”

Alex nodded once. He set his eyes in that gap. An uncomfortable feeling reached his back. He doesn't like that. But, if that's the only way to save her from the Zetta Sonic, it's worth a shot.

He also started to step inside. The first thing Alex noticed was an odd scent. The aroma was refreshing like dew, yet there was another scent that felt sharp. It's like peppermint but it's different. The aroma began to mix with the sweet aroma as he stepped inside.

Alex once threw a glance at the entrance. He could still see the white line of light out there. While on the other hand, he still found darkness. Alex is again. The gap is getting narrower. His shoulders shifted the edge of the cliff. Rough and wet like the floor he peed. At least, it helped him not to slip.

It feels so different to Kloster village. If the place is like a tropical dwelling, this place feels like being at the end of a certain mountain. There could be a lot of wild animals waiting for him at the end there. In fact, maybe some are with him at the moment. Call it snakes, scorpions, bees. His mind stopped there. He didn't want to meet the bees. That bad.

Brushing aside all his anxiety, Alex tried to think of pleasant things. He was trying to think of his schoolmates. Unfortunately, that thought made him angry. Willy's hurt because of Cody. Instead of successfully replying to Cody, Alex himself managed to be bullied.

Alex turns his mind to the ICPA. He wondered what Nadira would do. Right now, the Zetta Sonic just vanished. Then, Jayden? His relationship with Jayden was cut off. He should be worried about that. Reality doesn't. A little awkward but calming at the same time. Alex was pretty sure the operator was okay.

Next, Alex thought about his home. He thinks of Preston. Not too late in the thought, Alex's eyes caught another line. The exit door is starting to show. Alex accelerated even though it was a bit difficult to do because he had to walk sideways. Eventually, Alex made it out without any significant difficulty.

His eyes blinked quickly. The sunlight felt so dazzling. It took him a while to get used to it. Behind the gap, Alex thought he would find a cliff or at least a downhill road. So, he was a little surprised when he found the forest there. The forest had tall trees like pine. As far as his eyes could see, he could see a tall grass as tall as his chest. Some flowers poked behind the grass. That's the origin of the smell.

Alex gave a glance. If there are flowers, there can be insects. And, he's right. Alex sees a butterfly flying at the other end and a beehive on a tree on the other side. Alex swallowed his saliva. He was pretty sure that if he moved slowly, he wouldn't bother the bees.

Just taking the first step, Alex had stopped again. Alex knows he's not alone. There's a part of the grass that's moving. Initially quite far, but the longer the movement is getting closer. From the speed and magnitude of that movement, Alex thought he would meet a tiger or a wolf. There's a grey patch in there. Maybe the wolf is more appropriate. Alex flinch, confused.

He knew he had made a mistake after seeing the animal's tail. A blue tail with a sharp tip like an eagle's fingernail. And, since when can any wolf spout ice?