12 Chapter 12: The Monster Guarding the Cave

Once resting was done, we headed up toward the cave again. "Ok guys. These should be the last monsters before we get to the big one guarding the cave." Said Smoker. "What do you mean big monster smoker?" I said. "You will see. That is where your powers come in Lucia. Lets go." So we walked up farther and defeated the monsters then we were not that far now from he old man and the big monster. "OK guys. Be prepared ok?" said Smoker. Then we headed up to the cave.

Finally we got to the cave and the monster decided to show itself. I realized that monster looked familiar. "Is that Gila?" I mumbled under my breath not expecting anyone to hear me." "Hey Kid. What did you say?" "Oh nothing just that he looks familiar. Hey hang on you guys. I have an idea." "I hope you know what you are doing kid." said Smoker ."Me too. Hey Mr. Lizard! I know someone named Jack. People call him Mr. Gila. I know I can't understand you, but he probably could. He is doing fine along with the others who were outcasts." "I see. you know Jack." Said the Lizard. "Wait. I was told Jack was the only one who could talk." "Well he might as well be. There are very few of us who can now. We are almost extinct. Pretty soon none of us will be able to talk like this and they will fight not understanding. He was my brother. My name is Zeno. I am his younger brother." "Can us younger brothers come to a compromise? Can we have a little chat?" "Ha you think I'm going to chat with a mere human, just because you know my brother? You really must be crazy. I will tell you this much. You will need to figure out the writing on the sword and hit me before you go in to see the old man."

"I figured it wouldn't be this simple. I'm letting you know my friends may not let me fight alone. They never listen." "Well whatever its the same no getting in until then."

I went over to everyone and said, "Hey guys. There is a perfectly good reason why he has to fight me. Its about the sword. He has to fight me to figure out if I could read the writing or not. Even if I say I can, I have to prove it by fighting. He is Gila's brother. I need to fight him myself. If I need a diversion then I will give you a signal which is me doing this." I made my hands in an L shape pointing up. "Alright kid. Just be careful ok?" said Smoker. "Yeah thanks." "OK Zeno! I'm ready!" 'Maybe this will help me figure out what it says and means. I hope I don't have to kill him.' I thought. So I took the sword out and started fighting with Zeno.

As I was fighting him, I noticed something. That's when I decided to look at the sword. I signaled the others for a diversion, then they saw it and helped me out. I hid behind the cave and looked at the sword again. The blue letters on the sword glowed and I can see what is says now and I know what to to. 'I hope I don't kill him.' I thought. 'OK I am ready now' "OK guys thanks. Go back and let me fight now. I know what to do." "Ok Zeno. I finally figured it out. I hope I don't kill you when I do." I Held the sword with both hands, and when I hit him with my last blow, my ice powers surrounded the blade and hit Zeno's arm. Zeno's arm froze. I shouted. "No! Zeno!" I ran to his side to see if he was going to be ok. "I'm fine kid. I will just loose my arm. I'm surprised you aimed for my arm and not my heart." "I'm a friend of yours and your brother now. I wouldn't kill you. Can we go in now?" "Yeah let me get up and I will escort you in." I helped him up, and he said, "Thanks kid." I sighed because he called me kid. I nodded in acknowledgement. So we walked to the cave where the old man was.

"Hey old man! You here?! Its me Zeno! The fox prince has finally come and knows about the sword!" The old man came out and I saw that he looked familiar. "Hey old man." I said. The old man looked at me. Then I said, You look like my father a little bit. You aren't by any chance dads father's ghost would you?" "No I am not. I would be your great grandpa. I want people to believe I am dead. So please do not tell anyone." "I guess so. Just to let you know dad and mom are alive and well." "That is good to hear. So you have brought the sword I see." "Yeah I was able to come in because I figured out what it said." "If you figured out what it said, do you understand it?" "Say I understand it. Could you explain to me what it is I am supposed to do?" My great grandfather sighed. "If I must. This black bladed sword was made by my mother. It was one of its kind. In fact she has made many swords and daggers before she made this sword. This sword was the last one she every created. She stopped making swords and daggers after this one." "Hang on grandpa. I have something to show you." I took the dagger out of my bag to show him. His eyes went wide. "I gave that to smoker when he was just a lad like yourself. Well younger. He carried it around himself wherever he went. I see he passed it down to you." "Yeah. I wanted to ask. Did your mom make this one?" "Yes. In fact that one is special. My mother was really sick and didn't have much time to live. Even though she didn't want to make any swords or daggers anymore, she wanted to make one last dagger before she passed. This was it." "Oh grandpa I'm sorry." Grandpa smiled. "Its ok. Just seeing that dagger again made me think of happy memories with her. OK back to the sword. That sword is yours now." "Wait. I thought I had to come up and return it to you?" "Yes. To make sure you understood. Lucia. That sword you carry can be very dangerous if your not careful with it. The sword has a special power. Just like the dagger you have there. When you figure it out learn to control it. Then you can defend yourself with it." "Oh grandpa. I just wish. I just wish you can see how everyone is doing back home. I need to get back home soon. I am going to be a father apparently." "So young." Said Grandpa. "Yeah. My dad's father, died. He never got to meet my dad. He was off on a mission and got carried away apparently. His wife is still alive though. She got remarried to an awesome guy. Has a half brother Keelo." I'm glad they are doing well." "Well you guys better get home safely. Just remember what I said kid."

"Wait. Before I go Grandpa. There is something I need to tell you. Can we talk alone?" "Yes lets go in the back here." So we went back and I told him what was on my mind. "When me and Zonan were on our way to the village, I got sick. Zonan carried me to the village and took me to a healer. I may have still been out, but I heard what Zonan said. He said he only had 1 year and a half to live. Is there anything you can do for him grandpa?" "I will have to look at him and found out what exactly is wrong first. I may or may not be able to. Let's get him and find out."

"Zonan could you come here please? Just him please all of you stay out here except for Lucia." So we followed grandpa to the back to discuss what we will do. "We brought you back here because Lucia heard that you had only 1 year and a half to live is that correct?" "So you were awake Lucia?" "No which is weird. Even when I was unconscious I heard things going on outside. It was weird." "Alright. yes its true." "Ok. May I take a look at you to see what I can find out?" said Grandpa. "Yeah I will be willing to. let you." "Thank you Zonan." So Grandpa checked Zonan to see if there was anything he can do.

"Hmm. Well it looks like I might be able too. I have only done this once. It is crude but it might help. I will tell you it will be very painful. If it works you won't feel or look sick but if it doesn't, you will still have the same amount of time to live. Lets just hope this helps." "Ok Lucia. You might want to join the others. You don't want to see this." "Ok grandpa. Thank you." So I went out to join the others.

"Hey guys. Grandpa is helping Zonan out. Smoker I think you know what he is helping Zonan out with. I know he must have told you." "Yeah he did." "Now we just wait."

After awhile after a bit of screaming, it was quiet again. "He will have to stay here for at least a day. To make sure it worked. You are welcome to stay here for the night." "Thanks Grandpa." "Of course Lucia."