Atlas: Lightning From The Wild West
09: THE TRUTH

VERACITY 

"Hey, Indra. Did all this snow come from that guy?" Miller asked in a whisper.

"You're right. However, it seemed like he could not eliminate it. Weird, right?" answer Indra.

"I can hear that" Avalance interrupted them.

"Haha, I'm just kidding" Indra replied.

The four of them made their way north with some supplies bought from the city and accompanied by snow from the curse of Avalance. 

"But I admire you, Indra. As the son of my brother Ignis. I admit you're smarter than your father" Avalance said.

"Oh yeah? Why that?" Indra asked confusedly.

"Even if we had a fight earlier, you already knew that there would be reinforcements" Avalance replied.

The atmosphere became silent for a moment. 

"Who is Ignis, Indra?" Misha's question broke the mood.

"Ignis is the name of my late father" Indra replied

"Mendor? Since when did your father die?" Avalance asked.

"Seven years ago" replied Indra.

"No, your father never died. The last time I met him was last year and he was in good health" Avalance said.

"No-no. If he is still alive, my village must be intact until now" Indra replied, then stopped his steps.

"That's the problem, Indra. The mastermind of the incident was Ignis himself" Avalance said.

Indra was silent hearing that. He was silent in the midst of the falling snowstorm. Misha and Miller looked at each other and were surprised to hear it.

"I understand how you feel, Indra. You may be confused by my statement. But that's the truth. I also did not expect you to survive the incident" Avalance continued.

"But didn't you meet him last year? That means he has a reason, right?" Indra asked again, this time with an anxious look on her face.

"No. I did meet your father. But not as an ally" Avalance replied.

Indra was confused.

"Indra, I know you have a hard time believing. However, I also do not know the true events" said Avalance again.

"No way, impossible if my father was the mastermind of my mother's death!" Indra retorted with a look of her confused face mixed with fear.

"I don't know much about that. However, both of your sisters know about it" Avalance said.

"Whatchu mean? I don't have a sister" replied Indra who is now more confused.

"The step-brother is more precise" said Avalance

"Ignael and Iglea, they must know" Avalance said.

Miller and Misha were initially worried. But it was Indra. They know Indra just needs a little time to think more clearly.

They finally continued their journey. Some time later, they were almost halfway through.

"Wouldn't the enemy easily track you down with all this snow?" Miller asked.

"True, even when heading to Lunar I had time to be followed. However, it was no big deal to me" Avalance replied.

The area around them started to get colder, it was a sign that they had started to approach their destination.

A short while later the residence of the residents of the Northern Region began to be seen and snow covered the settlement. 

They seemed to have reached the northern region that was filled with snow and ice. While Indra still seems to think Avalance said earlier.

The houses did not look very different from the houses in the east. However, the difference is that the chimney in each house in the North seems to always be used.

"Recently our territory has been invaded by the southern regions, we have absolutely no difficulty in confronting them. But they are very sneaky. They will take the opportunity when we are busy confronting them and they end up holding the townspeople hostage to corner us" Avalance continued.

"So in short, you need us to protect that town?" Tanya Indra cut.

"You are right .. There are three cities in this region and each of you will protect one. But of course you are not alone. My subordinates will help you" Avalance replied.

"Who is leading them?" Ask Indra again.

"I can't tell you now. Soon you will know, Indra" replied Avalance.

"We'll be getting to the first city soon, Nacht City" Avalance continued.

Amidst that cold region filled with snow, the City of Nacht was finally seen.

The city was located under a high cliff, it was difficult for light to illuminate the place. At that time, the sun was just above the city. The city was a little brighter. The city is also quite big. However, it was not as big as the Lunar and nor was it as small as Houustin. 

The buildings in the city were not much different from the buildings in the settlement that Indra and the others had passed through earlier. Of course with the chimney always on.

"It's pretty hard to do it on a bright day, especially with my magic" Miller said.

"I'll help you, Miller" Indra replied.

Miller did not answer yet. However, the bright sky of the city was already filled with black clouds covering that sky.

Avalance gave Miller a strange look. However, only for a moment. That gaze earlier was as if Avalance was remembering a bad thing with the owner of the dark magic.

"Ohh .. You must be a dark magic user. I haven't seen him in a long time, just relax I'll make sure there's no light in the city. I hope it can help you" Avalance said.

"Thank you, that would be a big help" Miller replied.

After delivering a message to the guards that would help Miller, Avalance finally brought Indra and Misha to Licht City, the second city.

After a while later, they finally reached Licht City. 

The city was not as big as the city before, its size was not much different from Houustin. The buildings in the city were also the same as Nacht City and surely their chimneys were still lit up.

However, the opposite of the city of Nacht. This town is located on a cliff. Therefore it is easy for light to illuminate it.

"If that kid was a dark magic user, then I assume that you're a light magic user" Avalance said.

"Why is that?" Ask Indra.

"Their magic aura is both highly inversely proportional, because it's not hard to see" Avalance replied.

"I thought after you saw Miller's black shirt and black cloak, you assumed Misha was a light magic user because she was wearing a white dress plus a white witch's hat" indra Reply.

"My mind is not that narrow, Indra" Avalance said.

Indra just kept quiet to hold back the embarrassment, fortunately Miller wasn't there to make fun of him. However, Misha also laughed at the question.

"Then I'll make sure this place is full of light" Avalance said.

"Thank you" Misha replied.

Avalance then sent his men there to light all the light sources in the city.

Indra and Avalance then continue the journey to the 3rd city, Kals. The city that originally looked like a city in general except for almost the entire city had careless smoke that was still burning.

In the middle of their journey to get to the city, Indra still thinks about his father. Indra still does not believe in Avalance's statement.

"I'm still wondering, if you realize that I'm Ignis' son, why don't you hate me like you hate my father?" Indra asked.

"I never said I hated your father. However, that does not mean I love him like a brother in general. I cannot hate a person with his identity. Ironically it was your father who taught me that" Avalance replied.

"Ignis, father. What kind of person is he really?" Indra asked again about her father.

"I know you still don't believe the truth, Indra. But, well, I'll tell you" said Avalance.