The Zetta Sonic
Blue Liquid

The place was still the same as Mark remembered it. They entered through a cave on the edge of a cliff. This time they went there during the day. Mark can observe his journey. Another thing that feels different is the way. The cave is now really on the side of a steep cliff. It is impossible for pedestrians to get there without the help of climbing tools.

Fortunately, they did not have to walk there. The Kloster tribe, aided by the ICPA, has developed a board that can hover in the air. Using such boards, they could arrive at the springs much faster.

The atmosphere inside the cave was also slightly different. The spring still flowed from the stone wall. His clarity has not changed. The most different thing was the surrounding of the cave walls. Almost all of it is now covered by Kloster language carvings. On the right and left sides the springs changed. Tesiana placed a pair of human statues. Both are covered by a similar woven cloth given to Alex earlier. They also wear round-roofed necklaces.

Without discussing how conditions were further, they laid Alex on the edge of the water stream while the professor went straight to work. Jayden is willing beside Dominic to help. Gavin was still flabbergasted by the cave walls. The other tribesmen stood guard at the door of the cave.

“The landslide, if you are curious.” Tesiana told as Mark walked nearby.

“I'll even believe that you blew it up,” Mark replied.

Tesiana did not reply anymore. He just put his finger on his lips.

Mark approached Alex who was lying down. His son looks more like a corpse now. Layered, unmoved. His face was pale and his lips were so dry. When Mark checked his body temperature, he knew that his fever was above the average that can be borne by humans.

“You better be quick,” he told the professor.

“I did as fast as I could. Perca—“

“I believe you, Dominic.”

“Thank you.”

Alex opened his eyes slowly. The situation was foreign to him. The place was lying completely uneven and actually pierced his back even though his head was already propped up. He felt cold and started to numb in some parts. Alex tried to move his finger. He used them to touch his father who was observing the professor's work.

“Hei.” Mark turned around before Alex's fingers could touch him.

“What will happen?” ask Alex slowly.

“You'll be fine. Wait a minute, okay?”

“What will happen after this?” Alex repeated the question. His eyes felt so heavy, so he let his eyes close again. “We return to our respective headquarters. Act as if this never happened. Sounds like a plan?” Alex wasn't sure what came out of his mouth was out of his mind. He felt like he was slurping.

“No.” Mark doesn't have to shake. It was not an idea that had crossed his mind. “What has appeared on the surface will not be covered forever, Alex.”

Alex opened his eyes again. “Then, what?”

“I'll take you back.”

Alex doesn't understand his father. He kept silent as he looked at his father's face, trying to find a message there. However, his mind was too tired. In the end, Alex closed his eyes again. This time, he did not open his eyes again to speak.

Spontaneously, Mark put his hand on Alex's forehead. Either because of his anxiety or indeed his temperature increased. The body is hot as if it is burning. Mark glanced at Dominic who was still busy preparing the liquid. He himself had chosen to believe in the professor and was eventually silent.

Tesiana joins Mark. “You did your job well.”

“You've known about Alex's identity for a long time but didn't say anything. Wh why? You want him to grow whatever the risk. It's a decision worth taking. Believe me, you did your job well. I know what it's like.”

“It's about how you became the chief, isn't it?” Mark finally looked. “You dare.”

Tesiana did not smile at all, “The elders to this day still consider that my father's decision to make me a successor is a mistake. It's not about gender, it's about keeping Kloster's tribe a secret. If we choose to remain closed off from the outside world, Kloster will remain safe. In fact, I believe that we can't keep quiet. The world needs us and we need the world. I'm just doing what I can to help you. Even if it ends at the entrance of corrupt teachings into the tribe.”

“Naray?” guess Mark.

“You know, he's not the first person. We have found that some members of the tribe have begun to have different ideas. They forgot the honor of the tribe and chose to become mercenaries outside. Because of those greedy people, your views on us have changed. Many people think we are a tribe of killers. It was very painful.”

“You promised to bring justice to the Kloster tribe. Punish those who are guilty and do not let the outside world judge them.” Mark patted Tesiana on the shoulder. The woman was still the same as he remembered. The smart girl, firm, firm-minded, also hides a lot of things including her weaknesses. “Don't be too hard on yourself. You may lose a member of your tribe, but most importantly you do not lose yourself.”

“True. And, I owe you an apology. I'm sorry.”

“What's the problem?” Mark pulled his hand from Tesiana's shoulder. Instead, he checked Alex's pulse, which was becoming harder to detect.

“Actually, at first I had no intention of telling you that Alex was here. There's Gavin here, so you should know. If I had told you straight away, maybe the condition wouldn't be like this.”

Mark glanced at Gavin who was far behind them. The man had only been silent near the guards ever since they arrived. “Gavin never said anything to me. But, I know he's hiding something.”

“You sent him to catch Naray who ran away to Sinde.”

“Because I'm sure Nadira would be angry if he found out about Regis' agent there. While if it was Gavin I sent, there's still a chance he might ask for Special Force help. To be honest, I myself did not think the condition would be like this.” Then Mark remembered something else. “That bobble, the pendant you always give to the newcomer, what is stored in it?”

“You wonder why the stone stings a dirty soul? Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to that.”

“You're not ready to reveal the secret to us?”

“No. You yourself know that we don't even know how many secrets this island holds. Who would have thought that this spring could create a monster?”

“Otto is dead.”

“He deserves it.”

“What about the perpetrator who leaked that information? I know someone leaked Kloster's uniqueness to the outside world.”

“We're looking for him. Than that, what about you? Have you found him, as well as the container? Almost all information sold ends up in one person. I'm sure it's no coincidence.”

Mark nodded. “In our world, it happens to be something too beautiful. We haven't found him either, but we've got his name. Robes. It's just a matter of time.”

Dominic finally turned around with a syringe filled with bluish liquid. Mark notices how the fluid moves into Alex's body. They wait. Awaiting. And wait without success.