The crossed paths

Searching for da Frozen Base 1/5

The Frozen Forest was really cold now. At Eren's base, as they were near the Fire Lands, it was hot. But the snow was nothing for them. The trees were so tall... they seemed to reach the clouds.

It was late in the night. The four teenagers began a little fire and slept before entering the forest the next day.

Before the Sun appeared again, they ate breakfast. It was all so calmed...

-Ju-chan, I heard that you like these kind of places. Cold mountains and that type of things.

-Hm? Oh yeah. I prefer cold than hot, that's all- she answered with a smile.

-So... we have to search for the lake at the center fo the forest. That should be easy, no?

-Endou! Think that this forest is bigger than the Fire Lands! Where do you think the center will be, huh?

-At the center...

-Aght! Shut up!

Tiger was annoyed and he just ate his bread with one bite. Then he got up and walked away.

-Hey, where do you think you're going?

-I'm looking for some Hollows to kill them. I need to relax.

The others looked at him for some moments but then they kept eating like nothing happened.

-Julia, Endou, what do you think about Tiger?

-Eh? Well... he's usually a nice guy...

-I don't know him really much so I can't say anything about him. :)

-Hmm... maybe it's because he couldn't stop Chikara at the stadium before.

Meanwhile

-Tsk, this sucks...

There was fire at the end of his tail again. A purple fire.

"What's the matter, Tiger? You're not looking for Hollows to kill, are you?"

-Shut the hell up. Who are you anyway? You always talk to me in my dreams and your voice is always in my mind, but I've never seen you...

"You haven't seen me, but your Master has."

-Atsuya-sensei?! You must be kidding! How could he see you?!

"Nyahan! You'll discover it someday but not today!"

-At least tell me your name...! Geez, he disappeared again...

GROAAAAR!!!

-A HOLLOW!

From the shadows of the forest, a small Hollow appeared.

-Oh, you're not even taller than me. That's boring... I won't kill you, brat...

-Garght?!

-I said that I won't kill you! Look at you! Such a small guy like you shouldn't be here, trying to fight with someone more powerful that you!

The other Hollow stood there and... began to cry.

-Oooh, come on!! Don't tell me that you're just a baby! Stop crying!

-Tiger? What are you doing with that Hollow!?

The others were running towards him.

-This thing wanted to fight me! But now I told it that I won't fight with it and it's crying because I don't wanna hurt it!

-Gwaaaa!! Gwaaaa!!

-STOP CRYING!!!

Everyone gasped with Tiger's scream. He usually shouts like that but this time it was... more agressive and louder. The Hollow got scared and ran away.

-Now we know that there are Hollows here. Let's go for our things and get in.

They did it, and they entered the forest. They saw some small Hollows, but those little things were afraid of the humans and just ran away.

Suddenly, a different type of roar surprised everybody. A titan of 7 meters appeared and tried to catch Endou but failed.

-Ha ha! What about this?

Endou used Fist of Justice and the Titan fell down. Julia ran towards its neck and killed it.

-This one was easy. Let's get back to work- she said with a smile.

The four guys kept walking for hours but they didn't find the lake.

-The lake should be at the center of the forest, but it's not there!

-Don't worry, Dra-chan, I'm sure we will find it. It must be somewhere. Don't lose faith yet.

-Guys, look.

Tiger jumped and landed on a tree, and then he started to look around.

-From here I can see everything! The lake is there!- he shouted to his teammates pointing to the east.

-Thank you, Tiger!

He came back to the ground and all of them walked to the east. And, finally, the lake appeared.

-Whoa! It's really much smaller than what I thought!

-Let's go there.

-Wait, did you hear that?

-What?

-My ears never lie. There's something here.

-Cat powers again, Tiger?

-Of course! Now shut up and be careful.

From the plants, a Hollow appeared. It was just a minor one, but then...

-What do you think you're doing in our lake?!

Five big Hollows appeared from nowhere.

-Guorght.

-Oh, forgot that you are not an Adjucha and you can't talk... GUYS, EAT HIM!

The other Adjuchas walked towards the minor Hollow and catched him easily. The little one was trying to call for help, but as it didn't has voice, it couldn't do much.

They ate him slowly. The Hollow was screaming in pain but the Adjuchas were enjoying the lunch.

Tiger couldn't stand it anymore. He jumped from their hidding place and cut one of the biggest Adjuchas. They left the Hollow and this tried to escape, but the Adjuchas ate its legs before. Julia ran towards it and saved the Hollow.

-Don't kill me after I heal you, understood?

-Gurht gurht!

-I'll take that as a yes. Now go! YOU CAN DO IT, TIGER!

Dragon went to help Tiger and to kill some Adjuchas too. They were fighting hard. But something was wrong. They suddenly felt a big amount of energy. Endou couldn't move because of this.

-That power... is a... VASTO LORDE!!!

Next chapter: Searching for da Frozen Base 2/5 "Fight against the Lord"