The Zetta Sonic
Will to Live

Alex did not close his eyes. Not necessary. He was ready to die from the beginning. When he realized that it was not Naray's gun that erupted, Alex was wide-eyed.

Naray in front of him stopped for a moment. Then, his body moved, he looked back. Alex could see another figure behind Naray. Not someone but something. A two-meter-tall, gray robot darted rapidly through the air. Naray could only snort in annoyance. The robot knocked him down. Not stopping there, the human-shaped robot shackled him with handcuffs.

Killer robots? Inhere? Nope. It's an ICPA robot.

“Let go of me!” Naray. “You don't know who you are?”

“A tribal traitor!” Another voice sounded. The owner came over some sort of surfboard that floated in the air.

The board is sleek and made of shiny metal material. It is thick enough because it has thrusters on the bottom and back. There are parts of the edges that stand out and are colored white. The shape is quite boring and the speed is not impressive but it does not hinder its function at all.

Alex recognized the figure that spoke earlier. The young man he knew very well with more often disheveled curls and a haughty smile on the face. The last person he wouldn't have thought was there. “Jayden?”

“I told you ‘kan, my next shot will not miss.” Jayden jumped down as soon as he was close enough to the side of the valley. He passes Naray who swears at him and immediately runs at Alex.

Jayden is not alone. Behind him, there were a few more boards floating up. There was also Gavin there and some members of the tribe were wearing black clothes. As usual, Bounura was at the very back of the line-up.

“Hei!” Jayden approaching. “Over time?” Jayden laughed at his own jokes.

Alex forced a faint smile before collapsing.

“Alex! Alex!”

Alex gnashing. He did not realize that he had been laid completely on the ground. He must have lost consciousness even if it was only a split second. The person closest to him other than Jayden is Mark. His father shouted his name repeatedly.

“Alex! Steady, boy!”

“Dad? Dad all right?” ask Alex, Iirih.

“Movie anti vest. Always wear it wherever you are,” replied his father. “Don't worry about me.”

Dominic who was beside him immediately added, “Dan, always put your drink bottle on the top of the backpack. It could save people's lives. I've already done it. Twice. The same guy.” Dominic was busy cleaning the medicine box.

“Alex is getting weaker, Dom,” added Mark.

“Technically, your son is dying,” Dominic said. Seeing Mark glaring at him, Dominic added, “I mean, he needs the cure now. The condition could get worse in a matter of minutes. And, since he is already conscious, we can immediately bring him to the spring.”

Bounura approached when he heard their conversation. “Alex did not complete its task. He failed to reach the village before dawn.”

“What do you mean? You're kidding!?” Gavin spontaneously protests. He knew the test that Tesiana had given him was also a matter that had just occurred. “He was stopped by traitor your own tribe!”

“Sorry. But, this is the decision of the chief. Alex is declared to have failed to fulfill the task given.”

“Tapi—“

Gavin stopped when he saw more troops coming with Tesiana. They came using the same floating board. The troops helped the troops who had already arrived with Jayden. They shackled Naray with iron handcuffs on his legs and hands.

Tesiana herself walked in on her advisor. He was wearing long pants and a simple short-sleeved shirt top. Her hair was braided in the absence of accessories or feathers. This woman patted her adviser and then stepped on Mark who was already standing.

“It's true. Alex failed to reach the village before dawn,” Tesiana said as she walked closer. He's spreading his eyes. The sky is bright, the sun is shining. The only thing left behind when dawn comes is cold dew. “You see, it's morning.”

Tesiana stopped in front of Mark but turned to Alex who was behind him. “You look messy. But at least you are still yourself. I can see why the Seinu protect you.”

“Seinu?” repeat Alex lirih.

“Holy animals protect the forest. The wind carried the news and their voices reached me. They're trying so hard to protect you. Now I understand why.”

Alex's heart aches more than hearing it. “I... kill..they.” Alex couldn't look at anyone when he said it.

“Do you know why the Seinu stood guard in the forest? We believe the gods created them to guide the sacred soul out of the forest. Including protecting them. They never kill. They're enough to let a rotten soul in there. Those people will die by themselves from being attacked by animals, getting into a trap, or not finding a way out. You realize? The Seinu did not try to kill you.”

“They... attacked me.”.

“Really? Attacking or trying to direct you to the exit?” Tesiana asked.

Alex's heart melted hearing it. It was not something she had ever thought of.

“They only attack when you want to enter the red temple. A small building surrounded by pillars in the forest. You must have seen it.”

“What is stored in it?”

“Death.”

“What?” Alex frowned not understanding.

“The red temple is the creation of the elders to trap those who seek to find the fountain of the gods. Enough with one touch on the pillar then the trap will be active. People who are greedy will enter the temple and die there. But, you're not. The Seinu stop you.”

“They're trying to prevent me from getting in there?” guess Alex lirih. “But, they died in the end.”

“That's their job, remember? After all, in the end you didn't go in there either. I don't think their deaths were in vain.”

Alex fell silent. He let the rangers help him and instead killed them. He feels bad. Really bad. Alex pulls the woven cloth Bounura gave him. While forcing himself, Alex got up even though Dominic had prevented it. Alex walked slowly, handing the cloth over to Bounura.

“I broke the precious cloth ka—“ Alex did not finish his sentence. He collapsed first. Jayden and Dominic rushed up to him who was huddled on the floor.

Mark was stunned for a moment. “Do not do this, Tesiana!” Mark spoke while looking deeply into the woman's eyes.

Dominic added. “Where is your heart? You saw how Alex was. The only thing that kept him alive right now was Dragon Blood. Unfortunately, the liquid was also trying to poison him until now.”

Tesiana smiled. “No, doctor. You wrong. It was more than just Dragon Blood. What do you think, Mark?”

“That's his wish to live.”

Tesiana smiled wider at Mark Hill's reply. “You know your son very well. Unfortunately, however, a leader must be able to keep his own words. You know that yourself, Mark. But,” he added, “we can always help friends. You captured Naray and did not judge him in the outside world as you promised. While his men..” Tesiana let her sentence hang.

“ICPA will release them and send them here. Unanimous. You can hold my word.”

“See? A leader must be able to keep his word, right?” Tesiana turned to her advisor. “Bounura, it's time we lead them to the god's spring.”