THE SIX STATES

Dumble knew he had a lot of explaining to do, so he took some deep breaths before talking.

"The hibernation state is where the hiona wolf is most vulnerable. It was in that state that it's serum was taken from it. This particular state could last for about six years. The aura state is where the tables turn, this time, anything within the proximity of the hiona wolf becomes vulnerable --"

"Woah, interesting," Expresso said smiling, he seemed to love being fed by things he never knew.

Dumble continued. "In the aura state, the hiona wolf is surrounded by some intense radiations that extend about a hundred meters in diameter, any living creature within that range could get vaporized."

"But why does it go into that state?" Fern asked.

"Funny. This is like asking why we breath," Herrik said.

"The states are just an integral part of the hiona wolf, they make up it's being and it's essence of living," Dumble said.

"Now I get," Fern said. "How long does this state last?"

"It doesn't have a particular duration, the hiona wolf goes out of that state whenever it's due," Dumble said.

"And the next state?" Six said.

"Oh yes, the fire state. This is the state where the hiona wolf it's in it's most ferocious mode. It's fur becomes tinted with red shades, and it breathes fire when threatened."

"What the hell is this wolf? Haven't heard anything like this," Fern said.

"Thought all we had to do was take out some descendants to get to the hiona wolf, never knew it was a demon on its own," Kahil said.

"Not really a demon, that is just how it was made to be," Launa said.

"Even her descendants stay away from her in this state, she becomes a bad mother here. She kills at least a dozen of her descendents in the fire state, as well as in the aura state."

"Then who are we to go seeking her," Fern said.

"This is both hilarious and terrifying," Trevor said.

"The next is the icy state," Dumble continued. "In this state, the hiona wolf lies still on its belly, it's head upright, it's blue eyes open, like it's observing everything around her. Yes she observes, but she doesn't move an inch. You can come snatch a baby from her in this state and she does nothing."

"I'd love to ask about her current state after all this, and I pray it's the icy state," Fern said.

"The next is the drooling state," Herrik entered. "I love to talk about this one because it appeals fine to me, a lover of nice aroma."

"Drooling in the sense that she makes anyone around her drool?" Expresso said.

"Exactly," Herrik said.

"It sounds a bit misleading though, thought she fills the area around her with slobber," Launa said with a look of disgust.

"Not at all, infact that's her most pleasant state. She fills the area around her with a strong spicy aroma that makes one drool hard," Herrik said.

"And this one is not entirely a state because she deliberately does it. It's her own mechanism of attracting food to herself," Dumble said.

"Oh really? Such an aromatic way to die," Expresso said.

"And the last is the con state. Hmm," Dumble hummed and shook his head. "This one could be the worst of them all."

"Con, sounds like deceit," Fern said.

"Exactly. In this state, she outsmarts both humans. She not only talks, but also sings or make enticing sounds to lure a victim to herself, whom would end up being a meal to she and her descendants," Dumble said.

"Guess you people haven't heard of the Laurent family that was killed in the antelope canyon some years back," Herrik said.

"I've read of it once, but the book didn't liken it to one of the states," Fern said.

"The family came touring in the antelope canyon. They heard the cry of a baby somewhere in the dark corner, and when they got close enough the cry deepened to growls, and from the corner emerged some fierce wolves that ate them all up," Herrik said.

"Now this is beyond terrifying, I've got cold running through my veins now," Launa said.

"I'd like to ask, what is the current state of the hiona wolf?" Itsuki said.

"That I don't know," Dumble shook his head.

"Means there's a problem," Trevor said.

"It might be in it's fire state or it's aura state," Six said.

"Or it's con state, worst still," Launa added.

"We should also remember that there are favourable states in the list too," Marie said.

"The probability of getting the hibernation state or the icy state is just two over six. Let's assume the bad ones and we'd approach cautiously," Expresso said.

"But no matter what, nothing stops our quest to save humanity," Kahil said boldly.

"I love your courage, but as well you need to bear in mind that you're going on a dangerous journey," Dumble said.

"So thread with caution," Herrik said.

"Now we go back to our request of getting to know where the hiona wolf is based and reaching her," Launa said.

"As for that, I could help you," Dumble said and got up.

He walked to the table where a cauldron was placed, took it up and rocked it a little, and little puffs were released from it. He went to one of the compartments in the racks and took out two bottles containing a red liquid and a green powder respectively. Everyone watched him while he did all that.

He opened the two bottles and emptied them inside the cauldron, then he took a wooden spatula and began to stir it, while he stirred glittering pink smokes began to leave the cauldron.

"And as for the most dramatic." He reached for a match box at the end of the table.

"Everyone close your eyes," Herrick said.

They all turned away with their eyes closed. Dumble shut his eyes tightly and struck the match. He walked a few steps back and threw the match inside the cauldron and a very bright light that filled the entire room was released. It glowed like the core of the sun, but quelled gradually to smokes, which assembled to form figures.

"You all come see, I think there's a problem now," Dumble said to them, looking in the smoke.