XVI. Riddled

"So, was he doing? Was he still alive?" Leo asked

"Yeah! He said he was fine."

"Good." He said. And continued to talk with his brother

"Leo" i looked at him

He turned to me

"What's his name?"

"Who? You mean this guy? His name's Phileo"

I looked at him and he smiled

"Hi" he said

"Are you sure he's smart?" I asked

"Ofcourse i am!" Phileo replied

"Doesn't look like it, huh" Leo rubbed his chin, grinning

"Oh cmon!"

"Kyouri" Leo gazed at me

"Aren't you wierded out?"

I scratched my head, not able to get what he was saying

"You know, isn't it unusual to see a tall half-human half-animals using supernatural abilities?

To see a normal looking guy yesterday have unique powers?"

I thought of it for a second, and sure it seemed unusual and wierd, but i think it's normal too see it for the first time

We haven't really discovered the the entire function of the world, 'cause every discovery we make everyday just scratches the world's surface.

"Nope. I don't think so."

"He glances at Phileo"

"Okay." he closed his eyes and nodded

"Why'd you ask just now? You could have asked earlier"

"I keep forgetting."

He then continued to talk with his brother.

"I gotta go. I still got classes before lunch" i said, jumping out of bed

"Okay. Phileo will be taking you there, i'm busy today so i won't ve able to take you"

"Okay" i said.

I quickly ran downstairs to the bathroom to take a shower

I haven't bathed in days

"You also haven't eaten breakfast yet!" He said

"I'll eat, don't worry"

Minutes after i've done my errands, i called Leo's brother to take me to class.

"Where is it?"

"Near the city park"

"Okay. Grab on"

I wrappes my hand around his waist and we arrive infront of my school in a blink of an eye

"Just call Leo later to pick 'ya up. 'Kay?"

I nodded

"Thanks"

As i quickly ran towards my designated room, i could swear i saw Daniel past by me.

But i gotta go, i'm one more minute to being late

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A few hours after i've finished my classes, it was already three in the afternoon.

I haven't had breakfast, and i only ate a sheet of crackers and water for lunch.

Daniel was in the class, but i barely spoke to him.

Because he was ten seats away from me.

Nevertheless, i hope i could talk to him today, i could atleast ask if-

*My phone buzzes from my pocket*

Oh, here he is now. Picked up the phone

"Hello!" I said, my smile nearly reaching half of my face

"Hi, can we talk? Where can we meet?" He asked, and he sounded somewhat in a hurry.

"Yeah, meet me at the dome"

He immediately hanged up

i didn't know what was on his mind as he hanged up the call so quickly, maybe he was on errands and just wanted to drop by a bit.

but anyhow, i can already see him in the distance, sprinting towards me

"Kyo, kyouri, we've got to go. Now."

he immediately grabbed my hand and we ran out of the school grounds

"What the... Daniel!? Where are you taking me? What is up with you!"

"No time to explain, we've got to run quick!"

we ran a few meters away from the school and stopped at the park, panting like Tigers trying to catch their prey

i took a deep breath and looked glared at him

"What is going on!?" i shouted

"I'm so sorry Kyouri, but a close friend of mine called me just now and told me about a-"

Before Daniel could continue, a massive earthquake hit under us, tumbling us down to the ground as we watch a gigantic rock statue emerg from the ground

"What the hell is that!?" i pointed at the black figure. A hairless man sitting in an indian fixture with his hands carefully placed on his laps.

And it was a solid looking rock sculpture

"Exactly what i was going to tell you" he said

The giant rock raised its arms and slowly opened its stoned eyes

"I am all, but i am also one.

I am beneath you, but you are not beneath me. I am invaluable, but i am also immortal.

What am i?" his cracked lips spoke with a deep and an anxiety giving tone.

"Kyouri. I think it's a riddle master" he said, staring his eyes into mine

"You don't say." i frowned

"Sorry"

"Where did this thing come from anyway? What does it want?"

"I don't know either. My friend just said that a giant statue will appear right infront of us. That's the only thing she told me before i could hear her chuckle i think."

"That friend of yours is quite phenomenal to predict something like this" i said, still sitting on the ground

"Hey Mr. Statue, what do you want?" i shouted, but i got no response

"So. Are we gonna answer his riddle?" he smiled

i sighed and looked at him pittifuly

"Fine. Let's solve the riddle.

What happens if we get wrong though?"

"I dunno" he shook his shoulders

"Let's see. umm, all but one. Invaluable... hmm." i closed my eyes

"Food is invaluable, and it is immortal in our hearts as we can remember their tastes forever. Right?"

"Wrong!" he statue spoke in an robotic baritone

"The punishment is... death!"

Me and my big mouth.