Cold

Chapter Fourteen

Pablo and Reed led us all the way to a field that was connected to the house by an underground tunnel. When we got to the field, there was no mountain in sight. Almost like magic, or somehow we exited the Cold and now we are in a different place.

"Where are we?" asked Justin.

"Noten. Used to be a huge city. But ever since the nuclear rage war 500 years ago, the city is no longer here. The war got so bad that not even the remains of the city are visible now. The locals from nearby villages kept the name for the field in respect of all those who gave their lives to defend against the Apocos: a group of death fanatics who started the war and took almost a million lives" explained Pablo.

"Wow. So is this part of the Cold's history?" I asked.

"Cold? Are you kidding me? Whoever told you the Cold still exists probably just wanted you here to control the population. The Cold got destroyed over 6 thousand years ago when the Queen of Sayanar turned into the mountain" explained Pablo. I looked at Justin. This means the mountain along with everyone I know lied to me. Including her.

"Look, this is a lovely story and everything but, Summer and I were sent here by our city in attempt to bring back the tradition of finding someone suitable enough to survive on their own. And it's been hundreds of years, not thousands" said Justin.

"What city do you come from?" asked Pablo.

"Malno" said Justin.

"Ha ha. Lots of cities in that area will do anything to avoid the risk of over-population. Even make you believe the Cold still exists" said Pablo.

"Then how do you explain so many people believing the Cold still exists, and they are part of it?" I asked.

"The mountain will do anything to become human again. Even if it means brainwashing a ton of people to follow her plan" said Reed. That's the first time I've heard Reed speak all day, and he tells me that this whole time we've been lied to and played with?!? Unbelievable.

"What about the four elements?" asked Justin. Pablo just giggled to himself and started walking off. Reed followed behind him. Justin put my arm around his neck and we caught up to Pablo and Reed.

"So tell us more about the war 500 years ago" I said.

"Well, Noten used to be a bustling city with many traders and travelers coming in and out all the time. It was huge. Had all these bars and inns and everything. Quite remarkable" said Pablo. "One day people started telling stories of how the end of the world was coming, and the Cold would once again rise to be greater than anything in the world. Those people gave everyone a choice: join the new army, or die and be burried with their ancestors.

"Naturally  that caused an uproar between numerous cities and people. Nations began to fight each other for control of the food, or just control of the city. The group of rebels eventually secluded themselves to avoid being captured by the law, and called themselves the Apocos. They vowed to one day return with weapons unseen by the human eye. And they did.

"The Apocos came back, larger and stronger than ever. They had cannons, rhinos, elephants, guns that shot lasers. No one knew how they achieved everything, but everyone knew they were in trouble. Especially Noten, since it was a city focused on trades and people, not wars and weapons.

"So the Apocos brought their weapons and destroyed everything, leaving no trace of Noten. Fortunately, though, the cities in the surrounding area were able to rebuild themselves." explained Pablo.

"And what happened to the Apocos?" I asked.

"No one knows. Some say that their children are all alive still, and living in a secluded area off the coast. Others say they split after the war, and if they did have kids or grandchildren, they live in plain sight or secluded" said Pablo.