章節 2: Cerberus
Chapter 2: Cerberus
Nas and Kim didn't move an inch since the moment they saw Cerberus. Although whatever in front of them is as real as it could be, their heart couldn't believe what they are seeing now. A Cerberus. A mythical three-headed dog. The gatekeeper of the underworld which dedicated its life to make sure no damned souls could escape hell. And that demonic beast which can only be found in books or video games was standing in front of 12-year old kids.
Who could imagine this kind of scene? Who could have thought it could happen? Who could even believe the mythical beast was real? Even the two kids who were there keep closing and opening their eyes hoping it was only their imaginations. Unfortunately, it was not. They were in the middle of an instant disaster that could happen at any time.
Both were trying to stand as still as possible to make sure the beast would not notice their presence. There was only death waiting if the beast started to charge at them anytime. Nas's mind was blank and he couldn't even breath properly. Adding up with the scorching heat, he felt like he was standing in front of an active lava. However, when he looked at Kim to his amazed, Kim was standing there with a calm demeanour Not just that, Kim's eyes were full of excitement.
And he was right.
Kim always had hopes for an unexpected event which could stimulate his brain to occur. Finally, as if his prayer was answered something that was incomprehensible even to a genius like him suddenly appear out of nowhere.
Even with all the excitement, he was still thinking rationally. He continued to look around trying to find a way to get out of the chaos. He then grabbed Nas's arm and nod to signal Nas to follow him. He put one finger in front of his lips to tell Nas not to make any noises. Slowly yet carefully, they took small steps one after another to ensure their safe retreat.
"haaa..haaa... haa.. choo!!!!." Nas suddenly felt tickled at his nose. Kim was already cursing in his heart. He pulled Nas to a nearby boulder which was once a part of the school building to hide and hold Nas's mouth. He then whispered angrily at Nas "Aiyaa Nas, what the heck are you doing?!"
"Chill man, it's not like I can control it. And the dog is not chasing us anyway" He answered while chuckled. Kim slaps his forehead because of his friend response.
"You stay here Kim, I'll go check a bit"
Kim nodded and Nas carefully try to peek at the beast to make sure it didn't notice them. He looked past the boulder and rushed back to Kim. Nas drag Kim away and started running as fast as he could. "No question ask. Run! Don't look back!"
Kim looked back. After some distant, finally, the beast was in his view again. Fear struck his heart with the feeling of hopelessness engulfed him. All three head of Cerberus opened its mouth and started to accumulate fire, charging up what seems to be a fireball. After 5 sec the fireball has become as huge as a football field. There was only death in front of Kim. But he was not going to give up. He stopped running and stand there thinking.
"What are you doing Kim? We gotta run!"
"No, wait, even if we run we would get hit and burn to death because of that huge size."
"Then what do you expect us to do? Stand here and die? "
"Shut up! I'm thinking!"
Kim observed everything and started to measure his surroundings. He never thinks as fast as he's doing right now. The sense of extreme danger has brought up a latent talent within him to work his brain out to the limit. Finally….
He grabbed Nas arm and started to run towards Cerberus.
"What are you doing? Are you mad? Kim? Are you listening to me? At least tell me what you gonna do!" Nas tried to get an answer but give up and decided to just follow Kim.
Kim was too focus on what he's doing, and his body just acts on its own. Even while running he's calculating for whatever possible means to increase their chance of survival. Within his eyes right now felt like an augmented reality. He could project what would happen to him according to which path he took. There were also numbers and percentage of survivability coming into his brain. Currently, the best course of action was to move forward. Not towards the Cerberus, towards the boulder where they hide just now.
"Run faster Nas, it's going to shoot anytime soon!"
10 sec past and the fireball become bright as if it was sun itself. One could not possibly imagine the heat they would feel just by standing in front of it. They could melt instantly if they get close. Somehow, these two kids dared to run forward as if they wanted to jump to their death instead of getting killed. Finally, the demonic Cerberus shoot the giant fireball towards them.
"Nas, jump and lay down! Quick!" Kim and Nas stay as low as possible behind the giant boulder.
"Kim, are you sure this boulder could withstand the fireball? It just obliterated half of our school building"
Nas asks Kim in doubt. He could only think of how grateful he was to be alive. He hoped that he could play with others again just once before he died. After several minutes, the pressure from the fireball stop. The flame was not bursting through them anymore. And most of the boulder has gone to ashes except the spot where they were hiding.
"How.. what did you do Kim?" Nas looks at Kim with disbelieves in his face.
"It wasn't me. It was the boulder. It deflected the fireball to change the angle of its trajectory. Although the boulder could not withstand the force behind it, it could at least cause a slight change of its angle. Comparing the height of Cerberus head and how low we could get down with our small body we slightly evaded the fireball"
"So it was a miss? Haha, man that reminds me of adventure RPG games!"
"Yes, but a game from a crazy developer! Instead of starting with tutorials, he starts off with a boss fight at level 1!"
"Hard doesn't mean it is unbeatable! Look what you did just now. That was cool!"
"Sure, but we don't have any boulder to protect ourselves now. And he could attack us again anytime soon. Although, it probably couldn't shoot fireballs at us again after that attack. At least we are safe for now.. at least against the fireball just now."
"Well, what do you want to do now run?"
"Of course"
They smiled at each other and start running without thinking back. They don't know how they would be able to survive the situation but at least they need to go back to take Rin and Tata with them. They couldn't stop thinking about how they would react when they told them about Cerberus and Kim quick action. However, when they reach the place they leave their friends just now…
"Kim, this is our school building right?"
"Yes.. it was.."
The school was no more. There was no sign of anything even existed here. Except for the black ashes on the ground. Even the corpses they saw just now are gone, including Tata and Rin.
"Don't speculate things too fast Nas, they probably run away instead of waiting for us. They might already escape while we were searching for help."
"Yes.. that could be possible too, isn't it? That's right they are still alive... Tata and Rin are still alive!"
Kim had no choice but to lie to his friend. It was the only way he could think of to make sure his friend could keep his sanity. Tata was trembling in fear, Rin body couldn't even stand up anymore. Knowing both their personality, even if they can move they still would wait for both Kim and Nas to come back. And even if they did try to run away, there's no way they could survive an attack with that speed and power. Not even if they were 10 km radius away. The destruction force behind that fireball was so huge that Kim wasn't even able to estimate how terrible it was. To him, Tata and Rin are dead.
He could only hope that one of his friends survive. Even though he's acting calm now, even he could not predict how it would turn out for him mentally if his last friend dies as well. At this level, he already expected that it was not only their school was facing the crisis. The surrounding area should have unbelievable damage as well. He already prepared to receive notices of the inevitable.
Suddenly, Nas stands up and look toward the direction of Cerberus.
"Go"
Kim was confused and question him "What do you mean 'Go'?"
"Go away from here Kim. I won't let you die as well."
"Die as well? What do you mean? Tata and Rin are-"
"It's okay Kim I know. I may not be as good as you but I'm quite smart myself you know. I always look behind you as I watch all the magnificent feat you had done. Although others don't believe you, I trust you going to be a great man someday. One that could change the future of the world. Even in this situation, you were able to comprehend everything so calmly."
"You are wrong Nas, I'm also.. scared. All we have to do is survive and then,... I'll... no, we will think of a way out of this. There's no evidence showing Rin and Tata are dead."
"Enough Kim, I know what you are doing. I'm fine. My head all clear up on what I need to do. Now maybe only here... but if we leave the beast let loose it will be instant Armageddon. Go. I know you can find a way."
Kim was stunt after hearing all those words from Nas. As if he is looking at another person whom he doesn't recognize. His head was down trying to connect all the dots. Thinking how could this happen to them? Why this small village in particular? What sin did they do? What wrong have they done? Without knowing tears started to roll down his cheek. He tightens his grip and stands up firmly while looking at Nas.
"I don't care, this is not some novel or manga where you can sacrifice yourself for the better good. How would you know what I'm capable of in the future? You expect some kind of armour would protect me? No way. I may just be dead the moment you go fight Cerberus. I rather fight with you. And you not going to stop me"
"Kim.. you.. don't be stupid and stay back. Run as far as you can, I will distract it for you even if it kills me"
"Just stop, we are just 12-years old. We do stupid things! Who cares. Everyone dead anyway I rather have my revenge, die and join them."
Nas can't believe his ear when he heard him. Not like he against Kim's decision. And he's right everyone is dead, and the culprit is the dog! Someone needs to kick its ass. Nas and Kim finally resolved themselves. 12-years old, who doesn't get scared of dying. No one would expect a kid can change drastically because of a sudden turn of event. Still, no one ever experienced what both Kim and Nas to judge them. Anyone can change when they suddenly turned to despair.
"So what are we going to do now. You are the brain here start thinking"
"I thought you told me you are smart as well?"
They both laugh while teasing at each other then started to seriously come up with a plan. They each try to find weapons they could carry easily with their small bodies. Sadly, there were too many things that are too heavy for them. They need to move as quickly as possible to avoid getting a single hit. One hit from Cerberus is an instant kill for them.
In the end, they both carry a sharpen knife in both their pockets. It may seem pointless in front of the beast but what else could they do? After deciding on the plan, Kim and Nas are now standing in front of Cerberus.
Well, hundreds of meters away but still in front of Cerberus!
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