Meanwhile, at a local fruit stand, Rufo sat at the bar area, lost in thought. "I'll have one banana smoothie," he said to the monkey waiter.
"One banana smoothie, coming up," the waiter replied.
A moment later, Kellix sat down beside him. "Hey, let me get one banana sundae," he said, and the two glared at each other. Rufo took a long sip of his smoothie, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Kellix, sensing the uncomfortable vibe, grinned. "You still bummed about losing to a girl?"
"I ain't stressing that," Rufo scoffed. "Besides, I already said I didn't sleep the night before, so that's the only reason I lost."
"Yeah, yeah, sure you did," Kellix teased, but he registered the genuine sincerity in Rufo's voice. Rufo took a deep breath. "Listen, I know I'm always ragging on you, but I do admire your bravery. It's the only thing that keeps everyone motivated, even if the odds seem thin for us all. The truth is, I'm not sure what the outcome will be, but all I know is, I have to protect her and the baby inside her."
"Wait, you're going to be a father?" Kellix asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Yeah," Rufo said, his voice cracking slightly. "It's crazy to even say it out loud, but I fear I'll... I'll lose them."
"You won't," Kellix said, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. "Because we have the power of Art on our side. That's something no robot can emulate. Together, we'll defeat the Royal Family, and I will defeat the King. I'll do it for you, your wife, and your child."
Rufo saw the pure, unshakeable determination in Kellix's eyes.
He broke out into laughter."What's so funny?" Kellix demanded.
"You know, you really are something, Coso. I wish Deer point had a King like you," Rufo said, his laughter subsiding into a wide grin. "I almost believed you for a second. But make no mistake, you won't outdo me on the battlefield. I'll be the one slaying the King."
"May the best man win," Kellix said with a confident smile. The two fist-bumped, a silent agreement passing between them.
Later, Kellix sat alone in a tree, lost in thought. A gentle voice called up to him. "Hey, kid."
Kellix looked down to see Hileo standing below. "Hileo," he said.
"Can we talk?" she asked.
"Of course." Kellix jumped down from the tree, and the two began to walk through the bustling Monkey Tribe village. "You didn't see Releyanda or Hidikai off," Hileo noted.
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"Yeah, I was in my head," Kellix replied, his gaze on the ground. "I figured I'd see them after the war is over." Hileo glanced over at him, her face a mask of concern.
Kellix looked around at all the happy monkeys going about their day. "Everyone looks so peaceful," he said softly. "To think this will all change in just a week... it's scary, but I understand it's necessary."
"I remember your father once told me that freedom is never easy," Hileo said. "It's something you must fight for."
"Hmm," Kellix mused. "He was a brave Artist, just like me, and that's why I have to slay the King."
Hileo's face shifted to one of grave seriousness. "Kellix, I need to make you understand something. This war will not end well for the animal tribes."
"What? Come on, Hileo," Kellix scoffed. "We've got some of the strongest Artists, Cyborgs, and animals on our side. We can't lose."
"You don't understand," she said, her voice dropping to a somber tone. "Do you know why Mr. Green was chosen as king of Deer Point before he became a tyrant?"
"Actually, I don't know the answer to that."
"It's because he's the one who killed the Tyrant King Jiguzo," Hileo revealed.
Kellix's eyes widened in shock. Hileo continued, "That's right. And Jiguzo killed your father. Considering I fought alongside your father and I understood just how powerful he was, yet he was defeated by King Jiguzo... and even still, someone even stronger than Jiguzo exists. That means the current King's power is far superior to anyone's power on this island."
Kellix became angry, his hands clenching into fists. "Hielo, why are you telling me this? I don't give a damn how strong the King is! As long as you're brave, you can do anything."
"Don't be foolish, boy," Hileo said, her voice gentle but firm. "You constantly talk about your father's bravery, but you need to understand what your father went through to achieve the artistic feats he made."
"I don't need to understand. I'm part of the Coso bloodline, which means the Painter runs through me," Kellix said stubbornly.
"Tell me," Hileo challenged. "Can you sculpt a creature the size of a mountain with your clay?"
"No," Kellix admitted, "not yet, but I will someday."
"Can you use your clay as a protective armor from powerful Abi attacks?"
"No, but that's why I run every day to build up my stamina."
"You lose to me in matches all the time, yet the King may be faster than I am. No, actually he is. So what do you think will happen when he places his blade to your throat?"
"Darn it! What are you trying to do, discourage me? Destroy my will, my hope? Yeah, maybe I am weak, but I ain't about to just give up!"
"I don't expect you to," Hileo said, her expression softening. "My intentions were not to discourage you, but rather to protect you, because that's the promise I made to your father. When the time comes, and it will, if you see the King, run, Kellix. Run as fast as you can. For if you don't, you will die."
Kellix was unsure what to make of her words. Hileo continued walking, leaving him standing there, startled. "The hell if I ever kneel to the King!" he shouted after her. "I ain't a coward, Hielo, you hear me?! I am Kellix Coso, son of the legendary Painter Jerix Coso! I run from nobody! That ain't brave, and I'm brave!"
In a fit of frustration, he reached out his hand, and a clay monster appeared. It was massive, reaching the size of a four-story tree. "Darn it," he muttered, "it's nowhere close to the size of a mountain."
Kellix looks upto to his massive clay creaton "Fuck it, when it's all said an done we humans are the demigods of this world, the king is just one man."