The Heart Thief

Chapter Eighteen

It seems that my chapters are getting shorter and shorter xD Anyway, my original plan for this fanfiction was just subtle fantasy with a bit of contemporary action but this part is yelling "Fantasy!" I hope it's alright. Besides, I think it shines some light on the mysticism of the Isolar.

"Stupid!" Zuma yelled. His voice echoed inside the small quarter where he resided. Numerous chew toys spread across the metallic floor of his room which, one by one, he bit and flung in the air out of contempt. He was annoyed of Chase...worried even more so.

There was only so much he could do. Helping Chase could have guaranteed his survival but the German shepherd was too stubborn...too full of pride. Or perhaps...

No, Zuma thought. It couldn't be. He made clear of that. If Ryder had a goal, Chase would follow him like sheep--blind of the truth. But in his case...he wasn't blind to the truth. His own version of Ryder had an evil objective. And he knew it. But how could he disobey someone who rescued him; someone who fed him and actually loved him?

The metallic door of Zuma's room dragged across the floor, making a deafening screech as it welcomed the light. Came in those heeled steps against the metal. Zuma didn't even bother looking to know who it was.

The man entered Zuma's room and switched on the lights, illuminating the mess Zuma created from his tantrum. He went beside Zuma and sat on the floor, not minding if his well tailored slacks would be coated with dirt.

"I sensed your hesitation back there..." the man said.

Zuma whimpered and covered his eyes.

The man placed a hand on Zuma's head and caressed him slowly.

"Won't you look at me?" he asked sincerely.

Zuma sighed and turned toward his master. Amber eyes stared back at Zuma--so sincere, so angelic that if he were to forget everything for a second, he wouldn't take this man for a terrorist.

"Lex, I..." Zuma sighed again, "I hesitated."

"Understandable..." Lex said. "You're fond of that pup."

"I don't want to see him hurt...or Ryder or any of his team."

Lex sighed as well. "I cannot undo what I have done...it's to keep them tamed, you know? You understand that, right? As a fellow Isolari?"

Zuma didn't answer.

"But for your sake, I won't kill them," Lex said and stroked Zuma harder yet gentler. Zuma found comfort in Lex's touch and even more so in his eyes. Zuma was reminded of his first family back in the desert.

Lex tried his best comforting Zuma but for some reason, his usual gestures deemed ineffective. He picked Zuma up and placed him on his lap.

"Let me tell you a story..." Lex began.

"Long ago, there lived a tribe in the Isolar desert but these folks didn't dwell on the scorching sands. They lived underneath it--inside the vastest oasis. The Isolari people were hermits to everyone except their kind and their nature had a purpose--to contain the mysticism of the oasis. The ordinary folks from above were oblivious of the Isolar's magic..."

Zuma had to interject, "Magic?" he asked.

Lex nodded and continued. "As an Isolari, Zuma, you need to be aware of these things and your heritage. The Isolar had a cave which contained a giant snake that enchants outsiders that are potential threats. The whole world beneath Isolar desert was a trap to those from outside its territory."

"I've seen the creatures there...wild, beautiful and terrifying but I never saw them magical."

"The creatures weren't magic, Zuma," Lex said in a whisper. "The oasis itself was magic. It's what gave you and other pups your consciousness..." Lex's eyes dimmed and his tone lowered as if he recalled something bitter. "How your kind was sent out to the world was what drove our people outside the oasis. The creatures turned on the Isolari, driving them out and sealing the entrance. Since then, our people roamed the desert for generations, trying to find the entrance to their very first home."

Zuma understood much after hearing the tale. His past seemed to have much more sense but in this state, the past was irrelevant. What mattered was now.

"Lex...I still don't understand why we're attacking Adventure Bay...you told me our purpose is noble but people died..."

"There is an ancient Isolari law you must know of, Zuma..." Lex's eyes turned cold. "The Isolari that leaves the desert must be killed. This is justice."

"These people aren't Isolari..."

"But their mayor is and with an Isolari ruler, it makes the ruled Isolari as well. Besides, Mayor Goodway has a secret..."

Zuma didn't want to ask further. All this time, he told himself that there was some good in their intentions no matter how evil but now he saw that this was mania.

Without Zuma having to ask, Lex answered anyway. "Mayor Goodway has an Isolari relic. And we need that to revive the desert."

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