Chapter 7

With a bloodcurdling howl, the creature retreated. Four blood covered slash marks were seen on its snout, reopening the wound Zeno inflicted on it earlier. This made Tia, Zatch, and Zeno stiffen as they all had their eyes locked on a figure almost twice as tall as they were. Zatch and Tia seemed to be the most mortified. Zeno was also stunned, but only for a moment as he seemed to be more interested in the new figure.

The first obvious distinction was the hair; purple with thick strands and pointed edges going in different directions. Its silver claws looked just as sharp as they glistened in the sunlight with a touch of blood dripping from the ends. Its feet and ankles were covered in purple fur, toe nails pointed like a wild animal's. Its shoulders were heaving, its head was bowed, but a distinct feature remained.

The same lavender and magenta outfit that Kolulu was wearing just moments ago was clothed on the figure. The clothes did not tear, but merely stretched to accommodate to the size of its new owner.

Seeing those familiar clothes, Tia was the first to speak. "Kolulu?"

The figure lowered its arms, but did not lift its head.

Tia leaned in to Zatch, her voice barely a whisper, "That's…Kolulu?"

Zatch nodded. "Yeah. That's what she transformed into when I fought her."

The figure's heaving seized as it stood hunched over, limp and silent.

Zeno's lips slightly curled upwards to one side. "About time."

A crack was heard as the new Kolulu snapped her head at Zeno to give him a searing glare. Although this frightened Zatch and Tia, Zeno was not the least bit stunned.

She pointed one long silver claw at Zeno. "YOU!"

She zipped towards Zeno, knocking over Zatch and Tia from the force of her speed. She was fast and powerful. Her face was now centimeters from Zeno's, their noses practically touching. She repeated. "YOU!"

Her shoulders resumed heaving, her hot breath on his face, but he still did not move. When her shoulders stopped, they stared at each other in silence for a time, her hot pink, pupilless eyes into his violet ones. She took one of her claws and placed the tip close to the underside of his chin and smiled, her teeth just as jagged as the rest of her features.

She chuckled lowly, and everyone instantly realized that her voice matured. "I've been meaning to play with you all day, sweetie."

Zeno grinned. "I can hardly wait."

The beast stamped both of its front paws in the mud near Zeno and Kolulu and roared at them to get their attention. Both Zeno and Kolulu turned their heads at it and simultaneously shouted, "YOU STAY OUT OF THIS, YOU NUISANCE!"

The beast whined and scampered under the tree with its tail between its legs.

Zatch and Tia carefully moved their gazes from Zeno and Kolulu, to the beast, then back at Zeno and Kolulu, eventually looking at each other. Neither of them looked as though they wanted to get involved.

Zeno and Kolulu went back to their staring contest, but it was short-lived as they both took one long slide away from each other until they were several feet apart. Zeno was closer to Zatch and Tia while Kolulu had the clearing behind her.

"Zeno, don't hurt Kolulu!" Zatch shouted.

"I know that."

"Oh?" Kolulu raised her arms at him, claws ready to strike. "You're afraid to hurt me?"

"Please," Zeno spat. "I'm not afraid of that. Besides, you wouldn't be able to touch me anyway."

"What! Why you…!" Kolulu growled and launched herself at Zeno, claws out-front. She slashed at him, but he kept dodging her claws. When Zeno noticed an opening, he swiftly moved sideways, leaving Kolulu with her claws buried deep in the dirt. Before she was able to pull them out, Zeno stood in front of her and held her wrists in place. He locked eyes with her.

Kolulu struggled, evidently failing to free herself. She headbutted his face and their foreheads collided, but Zeno didn't react. She bared her teeth at him and aimed for his shoulder. He noticed this and used his mantle to hold her face in place.

Zeno's teeth flashed in the sunlight. "Trying to bite me?"

She tried to use her legs, but he jumped every time she threw a kick. He eventually used his mantle to grab her legs and pull on them, making her fall backwards. Before she could get up, he planted his feet on her knees and held her wrists down with his hands. He used his mantle to hold her feet and neck. She was completely immobile underneath him.

She was relegated to only throwing growls and glares at him, but none of that fazed him. They stared at each other until Kolulu started to chuckle. Zeno raised a brow.

"So, this is what it's like, huh?" She continued to struggle while talking, but Zeno didn't ease his grip. "You were always looking down on me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Today!" She growled. "I've tried to be nice to you today, but all you've ever done was be mean to me. I hate you!"

"How have I mistreated you?"

"You had a rude tone with me several times today, you pushed me off the stupid swing after I told you I didn't want to do it, you laughed at me when I used your Yo-yo wrong, you forced me to jump off a fucking waterfall!"

Zeno just stared as Kolulu started to tear up. She continued. "You even knew about me from my mom without even telling me. I don't know anything about you!"

"You know enough to remember who I am even in your current state."

"What?"

"Tell me. Did you transform just to tussle with me, or did you have a much bigger job to do?"

Kolulu twitched.

"You remembered what happened in the last few hours, so it's not like your new personality replaced who you really are."

She twitched again and sniffed back tears.

Zeno nodded towards Zatch and Tia. "Those two. Who are they?"

Zeno relieved some of the pressure that was around her neck to allow her to slowly turn. "Z-Zatch…and…T-Tia."

Zatch was not surprised, but Tia gasped when she heard her name spout from the mature Kolulu's mouth. "Kolulu, is that really you?"

She started to cry, tears falling into the dirt she laid on. "Yes, Tia. It's me."

Tia fell on her hands and knees as she gazed at her friend, dirt spewing from between her fingers as she made fists. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to hate me if you saw me like this."

Zeno noticed that Kolulu relaxed as she continued to cry and decided to release her from his hold. She stood, back facing all of them. "Zatch knew, but that was during the battles. I had hoped we wouldn't have to talk about it again. Then, Zeno knew." She looked down at her dirt covered claws that still shone a bit of silver. "That told me that it was only a matter of time before you knew too, but I could never bring myself to just…"

She fell on her knees and started slashing at the dirt in front of her while screaming. "I'm a terrible friend! Go ahead! Hate me! I don't care anymore!" She quickly turned to Zeno. "Kill me!"

Zeno leaned in and smiled at her. "No."

She screamed again and resumed slashing at the ground. She was battling herself, struggling with her new ability and being unable to unleash it in a healthy way. She was also struggling with the events of the day. She was angry at some of them, but enjoyed most of it with her friends. The mental and emotional pain of losing her friend because she kept a secret was also eating at her. She and Tia knew each other for the past 4 years or so, and she was not the type to burn bridges over something so trivial. If only she did not have this other half.

She covered her face with her claws as she wept loudly. Her own cries echoed around her, and hearing her own groans made her mind conjure Zeno's words, you're so pathetic, which only made her cry harder. She really did feel pathetic and suddenly wanted to crawl in a dark hole and die.

Her mind stopped swirling when a hand touched her shoulder. She looked behind her and saw Tia with a soft look in her eyes, tears staining her face. "Kolulu."

Kolulu's tears wouldn't stop. "Don't…"

"Kolulu, I don't care what you look like or what kind of spells you have. You're still my best friend and I love you no matter what."

"T-Tia…?"

Tia stepped back with her arms outstretched towards Kolulu.

At the gesture, Kolulu bawled and fell on Tia. Her claws lightly cut through the back of Tia's dress, but Tia didn't seem to mind, she just held her friend in a tight embrace. The two girls cried together for a while until Kolulu fell silent. Her body started to get smaller, her hair was getting pinker and curlier, and her claws were receding into her fingers. Once she turned back to normal, she fell unconscious in Tia's arms.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Tia gently laid her on the grass and tried to softly shake her awake, but to no avail.

Zeno waved his hand over Kolulu's face. "Looks like she passes out after every use of her Zeruk spell."

"Is that normal?" Tia asked.

"It shouldn't be, but it looks like it's too strong for her to handle right now. She can't contain the rush of power she's getting and gets mad and confused, and if she doesn't constantly cast Zeruk, she'll pass out from shock and exhaustion once she turns back into this form."

"Well, that's not going to help us now, is it?"

"At least she's okay," Zatch said as he walked over to the group. "What should we do now, Zeno?"

"We have to wait for her to wake up. Unless she learns to control herself in a short amount of time, we can't-"

"Uh…"

Everyone stared down at Kolulu.

Kolulu stirred and groaned, eventually opening her eyes and seeing her three friends looking down at her. She slowly sat up. "What happened?"

"You transformed," Zatch said as he put a hand on her back to help support her.

"Oh, right. Did I do it?"

Zatch shook his head and pointed at the giant creature by a tree.

She looked at the cowering creature and groaned. She brought her knees to her chin and rocked herself. "I'm not very good at this."

"Calm down," Zeno said. "You didn't do too bad."

She looked up at him. "Really?"

"Could have been worse. Just try it again, but keep your focus this time."

She put her head back on her knees. "I don't know."

Tia put a hand on her shoulder. "You can do it, Kolulu."

Zatch patted her back. "Yes. We believe in you."

She smiled at her two friends on either side of her and wrapped her arms around the both of them. "Thanks, guys."

The three of them laughed and hugged each other, but stopped when Zeno cleared his throat. He had his back to them.

Kolulu spoke. "Hey, Zeno, you get in here too."

She said Zeno. Not Prince Zeno. Just Zeno. He didn't recall her calling him by just his first name before, and was starting to not mind it, but while the invitation was tempting, it was something undeserving. He half-turned to face them. "No, thank you."

"Fine." Kolulu stood. "Then, we'll come to you."

"Wha-" Before he finished, Zatch gave him a friendly tackle to the ground. Zeno was on his back and holding himself up with his elbows while Zatch hugged him. Kolulu walked over and joined in. Tia was hesitant, but eventually came over until all four of them were in a group hug.

"Get off me!" Zeno yelled. "I hate you! All of you!"

Kolulu, Tia, and Zatch just laughed and didn't let go. Zeno observed their joyful faces, all of them blushing with bliss. He sighed, leaned his head back, and smiled at the sky.

"By the way," Zeno said as they all broke their hug. "Kolulu, I have something to tell you."

"Yes?"

"That other form of yours, I think it looks pretty cool."

She had a look of surprise. "Really? You think so?"

"Yeah, and with practice, you'll be able to master it."

She beamed as brightly as the sunlight bouncing off her hair, pale rosy cheeks returning to her face. She cupped her hands behind her back and blushed. "Thank you, Prince Zeno."

"Just Zeno is fine."

She nodded. "Okay."

He felt a small warm spark inside him and started to chuckle, which confused Kolulu. He knew what the feeling was, and no longer wanted to suppress it. It felt kind of good to give in to it, to grab and take hold of it, so he wouldn't lose it, and maybe even offer it to someone one day who needed it as much as he did. He shook his head and smiled at her. "What are you all doing to me?"

Before anyone replied, a stomping sound was heard. The beast was done cowering and resumed growling at the children, presumably because of their laughter, the threat was over.

All of them stood their ground except for Kolulu who stepped back slightly. Zeno noticed this. "Kolulu, you know what to do, right?"

She turned to him before looking back at their opponent. "Yes."

"Then don't falter."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, hoping that the scene from earlier wouldn't repeat itself. "Zeruk!"

Her body grew, her hair got wild, and her hands turned into claws. She let out a roar when her transformation was complete, fangs bared at the enemy. The creature saw this and roared back at her.

She started to twitch when she stopped her roar. Her body went limp, and her hands were over her face. "Kolulu!" She heard Zatch and Tia cry out to her, but she didn't react to it. She slowly looked up at the creature. "Y-You've ruined my day!"

She ran to the nearest tree and jumped on one of its branches. She jumped from the branch onto the back of the beast and started to run down its spine towards its tail. It tried to hide its tail underneath itself, but the creature couldn't keep up with her speed. She dashed forward and jumped off its back, both claws out in front of her.

She managed to cut half of its tail off in one slash. The creature let out a roar that reverberated throughout the greenhouse. Blood spewed from its tail, painting the grass and leaves around it red.

"So much for a clean cut," said Tia.

"No matter. Now's our chance." Zeno aimed his palm at the beast. "Zaker!"

Bright lightning shot from Zeno's hand. The bolt whipped around the creature's body and landed on the metal helmet it was wearing. When the lightning disappeared, the creature grinned, drool hanging from its mouth.

"What? Its helmet is a lightning rod too?" Zatch asked, wide-eyed.

Zeno growled at the inconvenience. "Kolulu! Crack its helmet with your claws!"

Kolulu was by a tree and slashed at the trunk, roots, and ground while screaming, her muscles twitching all the while. She would occasionally stop to hold her head in her claws, but resumed slashing at the nature around her. Sometimes, she would slash at the air.

She can't hear me. She's going berserk.

While the creature was writhing in pain, Zeno turned to Zatch and Tia. "Zatch, I'll give a signal, and you launch a spell at that thing. Got it?"

"But it won't work."

"Just do it!"

Zatch paused for a bit before nodding at Zeno. "Okay. I got it."

Zeno sped towards Kolulu and stopped a few feet behind her. "Hey!"

Kolulu was on her knees. Her whole body quivered, and her face was in her claws. Zeno called out to her again, and she looked at him. "What do you want? Leave me alone!"

"Did you not hear me earlier?" He pointed at the creature. "I said to get up there and crack its helmet!"

She growled at him. "Don't tell me what to do! You wanna go?"

"If it'll make you do your job!"

She stood, claws outspread. "That's it! I'm sick and tired of you!"

Excellent.

"Come and get me," he taunted. "That is, if you can."

She gritted her teeth and launched herself forward. She was fast, but Zeno was faster. He stepped back and avoided all her blows. He kept stepping back until he was close to the beast.

Just a little more.

She stopped slashing at the air. "I've had enough of you!" Her claws retracted until she had two gloved fists. She aimed her fists at him. "Zerusen!"

The top half of her arms, from her fists to her elbows, ejected from the rest of her body and rocketed towards Zeno like two missiles. This surprised him as he jumped out of the way. The attack hit the creature, pushing it a bit further into the forest.

Zeno landed in his previous spot. Damn. I didn't think she would launch a different attack.

Some of the trees were already misshapen, but Kolulu's Zerusen spell made some of them topple over. Leaves and tree branches were falling on Zatch and Tia, and an entire tree was about to fall on them both.

"Tia!" Zatch tried to move her out of the way, but she was rooted. Her eyes were on the falling tree and her hands were out front, palms open.

"Seoshi!"

A semi-circle bubble surrounded Zatch and Tia, blocking all the debris that was falling.

Zatch looked around before looking at Tia with a smile. "Thanks, Tia! You have the strongest shields!"

She nodded at him. "You bet."

Kolulu's missile arms retreated, and they locked back into place on her body. Zeno had to think. He didn't think she would use projectile spells. He glanced back at the creature, which was now lying on its side and bleeding. He gasped and smiled at her. "Is that the best you can do? Are you afraid to have close combat with me?"

She growled and shouted. "Zeruk!"

Her fists became claws again, and her muscles grew a bit, a new rush of power coursing through her at the reciting of her spell. She launched herself at him. "I'll show you, you arrogant twat!"

Zeno moved backwards while dodging her. He made his way onto the creature's back and continued to move backwards until his back hit its helmet.

Kolulu grinned. "Heh, got you!" She pointed her claws at him. "I'm gonna have so much fun ramming my claws into your skull!"

Zeno smiled. "Try it," he whispered.

She shouted a battle cry and lowered her claws. At the last second, Zeno dodged, making Kolulu dig her claws into the creature's helmet. Before she pulled them out, Zeno called to Zatch. "Zatch! Do it now!"

Zatch noticed through the transparent shield what was happening and saw Kolulu's claws trapped in the creature's helmet. "But, I'll hurt Kolulu."

Zeno saw that Kolulu managed to pull out one of her claws. "Do it now!"

Tia also noticed and released her spell. There was no time left. No time to talk or have small conversation to try and convince him to launch a spell. Zatch locked his eyes on Kolulu and recited his first spell.

"Zaker!"

Zatch spat out a bolt of golden lightning. Zeno quickly grabbed Kolulu's buried claw and used his fist to break her silver claw in half. She howled as her claw shattered. Zeno managed to yank her away from the blast right before it hit the creature's helmet. Because the helmet was slightly cracked, it exploded when Zatch's spell hit. The lightning finally covered the creature's body as it screamed and howled while shaking from the electricity flowing through it. When the attack ended, the beast fell over, its body charred and blackened.

Blood was dripping from Kolulu's broken claw. She screamed until she passed out from the pain. As her body was turning back to normal, Zeno was holding her bridal style. He walked over to Zatch and Tia and laid her on the grass next to them.

"Kolulu!" Zatch and Tia were hovering over her and trying to shake her awake.

"Give her some air," said Zeno.

There was a loud stirring, and the creature was seen standing while staring at them. Now that its helmet was gone, the children saw that its eyes were red with black vertical pupils.

"Are you kidding me?" Tia threw her hands in the air. "Why won't this thing die?"

The creature slightly lowered its snout. "Your lightning…tastes familiar."

"What?" Everyone except for Kolulu spoke in shock. "You can talk?"

"What is your business here? Leave at once!"

Zatch spoke up. "We got lost. We're trying to find our way out. Can you help us?"

"I only obey King Dauwan Bell. None of you are him."

"Dauwan? That's my father's name!"

Zeno spoke this time. "Dauwan is no longer on the throne. His son Zatch Bell is the new king. I am Zatch's brother."

"That explains why the lightning tastes familiar. Regardless, I only answer to Dauwan. I was never informed of a new king, and I don't care if you are his offspring, or if you took his place. I was told by him to eliminate anyone who comes in here without permission."

"This isn't working," Zeno mumbled and scooped Kolulu into his arms. He handed her to Zatch. "Zatch, I'll take care of this once and for all. You and Tia take Kolulu and run far away."

"What about you?" Zatch asked.

"Don't worry. I'll catch up with you. Just run far enough, so that Kolulu doesn't see what I'm about to do."

Zatch held Kolulu close to him and wrapped part of his mantle around her. "Okay. I will." He turned to Tia. "Let's go, Tia."

Zatch started to run in the opposite direction. Tia began to follow him, but stopped and half-turned to Zeno. "Hey, be careful, okay?"

"Since when did you care?"

She blushed a bit in rage. "It's for Kolulu! She'd be really upset if something were to happen to you!"

He turned away from her. "I figured, but thanks anyway."

Tia was about to turn back, but stopped when Zeno started to talk again. "By the way, when Kolulu wakes up. Tell her I apologize for burning her jump rope earlier with my spell."

"Oh. That wasn't Kolulu's. It was mine."

Zeno fully turned around, slightly shocked.

"My daddy bought it for me for my birthday."

Zeno rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. "Oh, wow. I uh…"

"It's okay. You're probably glad it was mine anyway."

"No. I just…I was angry and…" He shut his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Really. Don't worry about it."

There were a few seconds of silence between them before he spoke again. "Hey, uh…I'll buy you a new one, okay?"

She smiled. "I guess you're not so bad after all."

She ran off after Zatch, leaving him alone with his opponent who was surprisingly patient with him. He turned and looked up at the beast. "Now, then. There's no convincing you, is there?"

"I told you, small one." The beast opened its jaws at Zeno. "I only answer to Dauwan!"

The large creature towered over Zeno and lowered its mouth on him. Zeno only closed his eyes as he was embraced in damp darkness.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''

When Tia caught up, Zatch stopped. She lightly bumped into him. "Hey, what's the big deal, Zatch? Why'd you stop?"

Zatch gently laid Kolulu down against a tree. "Tia, please stay here with Kolulu."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"This isn't right. Zeno's by himself."

"You're kidding, right? It's Zeno. He'll be fine."

"I should still go and help him. Stay here with Kolulu. I'll be right back."

"Z-Zatch! Wait!"

Zatch already ran off. He pushed past bushes and large leaves until he could see the clearing up ahead. He noticed Zeno looking up at the creature as it shouted, "I told you, small one, I only answer to Dauwan!"

The beast's jaws came down over Zeno and clamped shut. The creature brought its snout up from the dirt, nose pointed towards the sky. A lump was seen going down its throat as it swallowed its prey. Zatch finally made it to the clearing and screamed, tears flowing down his face.

"Zeno!"