Chapter 57 - The Minority (2) (1/2)

Soon, Karna led Nik to the beautifully carved ice palace that glittered akin to a rare jewel embedded within the centre of the tribe.

Meanwhile, a group of tribal members were already standing in front of the entrance. The young one felt a bit nervous while the older ones simply showed a complicated expression.

”I'll wait for you... it wouldn't take long. Remember...”

Karna slowly patted Nik's shoulder before smiling, ”... you have to remain confident. Even though you had your ass handed down by a few fire soldiers, you'll get your chance.”

Nik's lips couldn't help but twitch as she shook his head.

”I was caught by surprise, that is all. If given a chance, I could've definitely outrun them.”

Snickering at his words, she smacked his back playfully before hinting him to move forward.

***

”YOU WOULD BETRAY THE AVATAR!!!”

A loud, bestial roar shook the inner halls constructed out of the ice that wouldn't melt even when the sun reached it's peak hour while the surviving group of the sister tribe aka the Southern Tribe members displayed a stunned expression, save for their leader, a young one.

”Lower your voice, Southern Chieftain.”

Bhiman uttered as a deep cold spread from his body, his eyes narrowed down coldly while he snorted at the naivety shown by the youth, fully displaying his incompetence and ability to read the situation.

Even the four beast masters shook their head in dismay as they remained silent.

”But... BUT!”

”I said, lower.your.voice.”

Bhiman sighed and stood up, his hulking body and the already alleviated position created a domineering pressure over the people standing in front of him.

”You lost your tribe in the presence of an Avatar.”

Bhiman stated while taking a step down one of the many stairs.

”You were taken captive and used as a means to contact us.”

He took another step, the cold slowly condensed into natural snowflakes that slowly started to descend over the group.

”You were unfed for days... even your tribe was. Your young ones, that you should have protected with your life faced the crisis of malnourishment.

As a Chieftain, not only do you disappoint me, but you also disgust me.”

Bhiman spat as he glanced at the youth with slowly diminishing aura with a cold face.

”Even now, in front of another chieftain, you cower. Standing in front of your tribe is the moment when your back should be straight and mighty.

But you... you have no spine.”

Gazing at others, he smiled grimly.

”Betraying the Avatar? The selfish elemental master who does things in accordance with 'destiny'?

Laughable!

Avatars are only stronger being. They are no savior. They do not save out of the good of their heart. They do not protect to accomplish their destiny.

History has been a witness as many Avatars were born only to destroy and cause mayhem.

Even now, the previous Avatar committed suicide and the most recent Avatar... he still troubles humanity by spreading false hope.”

Taking a deep breath, Bhiman's eyes snapped wider and his roar shook the heart of everyone present, excluding Nik.

”OPEN YOUR GODDAMN EYES!

We can only depend on ourselves! Only trust our own tribe!

Not a goddamn kid riding a flying bison!”

The youthful chieftain stammered back, his face pale as he felt his belief, his ideals swaying under the mighty roar of the Northern Chieftain.

Even though he wasn't short by any sense, when compared to Bhiman, he couldn't point out any redeeming quality present within himself.

Was he strong? Right now, he understood, he wasn't strong.

Did his heart remain courageous? No, he despaired when caught, wallowed in his own disappointment while spectacularly failing to ease the tension of his own brethren.

His calves felt weak and he soon found himself kneeling in front of Bhiman, tears drowning his face while a desolate expression took cover of his face.

Amusingly, Nik actually saw a pained expression flashing in Bhiman's face, which was suppressed as quickly as it emerged.

Taking a deep breath, Bhiman looked at the group and spoke seriously.

”I have come to understand that two of our young ones travel together with the Avatar.