FIRE PRINZEE

CHAPTER 3:IKULI VILLAGE

As Zee rode his horse across the cold, barren landscape, his thoughts lingered on Azun’s cryptic words. The biting wind nipped at his face, and he pulled his cloak tighter, his mind weighed down with uncertainty. Suddenly, a distant voice broke through the silence.
“Mermaid man, stop! I’ve brought the clothes!”

Zee turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the source of the voice. It was Lisa, running toward him with a bundle in her arms, accompanied by an unfamiliar man.

He beckoned her closer, and Lisa, along with the man, hurried toward him through the frostbitten terrain.
“You finally came. I thought you weren’t coming, so I decided to look for you,” Zee said, his tone calm but edged with relief.

Lisa giggled, holding out the clothes. “I’m not a thief, Zee. See? I brought them, just like I promised.” She handed him the bundle, then gestured toward the man beside her. “By the way, this is my father, Jin.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jin said, extending a hand toward Zee.

Zee dismounted and clasped Jin’s hand firmly, noting his weathered features and the faint resemblance to someone familiar. He guessed Jin to be around Andrew’s age.

After a moment, Zee unwrapped the bundle and began dressing in the thicker garments. The icy wind eased slightly as he adjusted the layers. He looked up. “How do I look?”

“You look great,” Lisa said with a bright smile.

“Well, I should get going,” Zee replied as he mounted his horse. “Thank you, Lisa. Jin. I need to find a place to stay for the night.”

“Wait!” Jin interjected, stepping forward. “Please, let us repay your kindness. Stay the night at my house.” He grasped Lisa’s hand firmly, as though reinforcing his offer.

Zee tilted his head, puzzled. “Kindness? What kindness? It was just a trade. You don’t owe me anything, Jin.”

Jin hesitated, his lips parting in silence. Lisa tugged at Zee’s arm, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of pleading and excitement.

“Please, Zee. Stay with us. My mom’s cooking is the best—you’ll love it!”
Zee studied her face for a moment, then sighed. “Alright,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Lisa clapped her hands in delight. “Great! Let’s go home!” She climbed onto Zee’s horse with his help, her joy infectious. Together, they rode toward Ikuli village.

As they entered Ikuli, Zee’s expression darkened. The village was a picture of despair. Crumbling huts leaned against one another like weary old men. Makeshift shelters of tattered fabric offered little protection from the relentless cold. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and desperation.

Zee guided his horse through the narrow streets, noting how the snow piled up, suffocating the already bleak pathways. Gaunt villagers shuffled past, their hollow eyes avoiding his gaze. Deep lines of worry marred their faces, and their shoulders sagged under invisible weights.

Children clung to their mothers, their small, frightened faces peeking out from behind skirts. Whispers floated through the icy air, tales of a darkness lurking beyond the village’s borders.

The oppressive atmosphere gnawed at Zee as the sounds of weak coughs and growling stomachs rose like a mournful song. This was not just a village; it was a fragment of humanity teetering on the edge of survival.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the desolate village, Zee, Lisa, and Jin arrived at the house. Its thatched roof and mud walls blended seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, giving it a rustic charm. Lisa slid off the horse with a bounce in her step and hurried toward the entrance, her excitement infectious.

Hearing the sound of horse, Lisa's mother opened the door. A warm smile spread across her face as she greeted them warmly. The evening meal was lively, filled with cheerful conversation as Lisa’s family and Zee shared a simple but satisfying feast.

As the night deepened, the distant toll of a bell broke the calm. Zee glanced up, his curiosity piqued.
“What’s that sound?” he asked.

“It’s a sign that the village elder has an announcement to make,” Lika replied. She turned to her daughter. “Lisa, put on something warm.”

The group—Zee, Lisa, Jin, and Lika—joined the villagers heading toward the gathering center. The structure, with its thatched roof supported by four sturdy tree trunks, stood at the heart of the village. Beneath it, the village elder, a wise and aged man with a long white beard, waited. His eyes, bright with wisdom, scanned the crowd as he stepped forward to speak.

“Friends, family, and neighbors, gather close and listen well,” the elder began, his voice steady yet commanding. “We live in difficult times. Dark forces have plagued our lands, making it hard for us to fish and cultivate our fields. Our children can no longer enjoy their days in peace. But let us not lose faith, my people. Just as our ancestors never lost theirs when evil spirits threatened them, we must remember that the sun God is still with us."

“He helped our ancestors drive out the darkness, and he will help us again. He promised that if we call upon him, he will answer.”

The elder lifted a small idol of the sun God high into the air. The villagers immediately bowed in reverence. Zee, unsure of what to do, remained seated, his gaze fixed on the idol. To his surprise, he noticed a striking resemblance between the idol and Atisen.

The elder’s sharp eyes fell on Zee, and for a moment, they locked. Feeling the weight of the gaze, Zee quickly bowed his head, hoping to avoid scrutiny. The elder smiled faintly before continuing.
“And now, my friends,” he said, “I bring you news of hope. Tomorrow, the Alascope group—brave warriors of great renown—will arrive in our village. They have vowed to help us face the darkness beyond our borders. Let us place our faith in them, and in the sun God’s guidance, to protect and lead us through these uncertain times.”

The villagers murmured in agreement, their faces lighting up with renewed hope.

Zee, however, felt a storm of questions brewing in his mind. "Could Atisen truly be the sun God these people worship? If so, why would he help them? He frowned slightly. Come to think of it, how much do I really know about him?"