Chapter 2
77.
In the midst of the night, Kita and Hana decided to explore the cave. Hana hopes that it was just a shallow carve, nothing else to see, just a little bit more space inside. If proven so, it will shut Kita's curiosity, and at the same time give assurance that they are safe to stay there. There's nothing much to lose, Hana is used to this scenario after all.
Using a small log from the campfire as a torch, Kita and Hana head deeper inside. The cave is surprisingly bigger than they thought it would be.
"Maybe we should go back, I got a feeling that there's a Beast here. Let's not disturb them if there is…" Hana suggested.
"Don't be such a kitty, this is where things get fun!" Kita replied.
"You mean out of control?" Hana responded.
Kita chuckled and said, "Depends on who nyu are asking~"
A couple more steps later, it looked like they already reached a dead-end.
"Okay, there's nothing here. Let's go back now." Hana insisted.
Kita followed Hana but when she took a second glance backward, she noticed oddly pointed ears behind a boulder. "Wait, is that… a Kemi?" She asked.
"That's impossi-" Hana was about to argue but she stopped as she also saw the same thing.
"Hold this," Kita handed the torch to Hana as she slowly approached the unknown creature. As soon as they peek around the boulder, it was indeed a Kemi lying beside it. Pointed pink cat ears, long light blue hair, black metal-looking legs, and a white jacket.
Kita immediately checks her vitals which makes things even more confusing. Her neck is colored black and has a metal-like texture the same as her legs, though her face and other parts of her body are similar to Kemi's flesh. To top it all off, there are no vitals to check to begin with.
"How is she?" Hana asked.
"I don't know how to answer that…" Kita replied.
"What do nyu mean?" Hana confusedly responded.
"Her neck is hard like metal even though the other parts aren't. She is also ice cold, and I can't feel her vitals… I don't know if she's even a Kemi!" Kita answered as she lost her mind.
"That's nonsense." Hana doubted. She then also checks the unknown creature only to find out that Kita is telling the truth. "I… I think we should leave it as it is…" She added while stuttering.
"Hai, maybe we should." Kita agreed as they hastily walked outside.
When they both reach the campfire, neither of them can even process what they saw. The awkward buzzing silence bugs Kita and Hana continuously.
"Is it... Is it dead?" Kita asked.
"We don't even know what that is…" Hana answered.
"Sho-should we try to heal it? I mean nyu can heal, right?" Kita added.
"We don't even know if it needs healing or a repair!" Hana loudly said.
"Okay… Okay…" Kita responded as they once again went silent.
After a few more seconds, Kita starts another argument. "Well… If we try to heal it and it works, then maybe it means it's a creature, not a robot, right?"
"I… I don't know if we should." Hana replied but Kita's argument made her consider doing it.
Kita and Hana awkwardly look at each other, knowing that doing so is the only way to find out. They have to confirm if that is something or someone that needs their help. Without the Runecrystal to check whether they should interact with it, it all boils down to their courage.
To answer all of the questions inside of their head, Kita and Hana mustered their courage and entered the cave once more. Since their water resource is at the camp, Kita carried the unknown creature and brought it back to where they stayed. The unknown creature is indeed heavy, and taller than both of them.
Upon returning, Kita gently puts down the creature as Hana starts to use her talent. Hana deeply gulps as she says, "Here goes nothing…"
Using her talent, Hana manipulates the water from the leaf basket that they made. She controls the water and heals each part of the unknown creature. It took them some time since Hana made sure she healed it properly. When the process is done, Kita searches for the vitals again. But just like before, there are no signs of life.
"I guess it's… dead?" Kita claimed, but she is not sure of what she is talking about.
"More like not being alive in the first place. That's probably not a Kemi, it just incredibly looks like one." Hana argued.
"Well, I guess that solves everything. Night night." Kita said as she stood up and prepared to sleep.
"Heeeey, put that back inside the cave first!" Hana complained.
"I'll do it tomorrow, it's too heavy and I'm tired now," Kita replied.
Hana feels uneasy about it, but she decided to ignore it as well. They finally call it a day as the mystery of the unknown creature comes to an end. The answers are not specific, Kita and Hana concluded that it is just a well-made realistic mannequin.
Another night has ended, and the Catgirls are still clueless about where they are. Even though Kita and Hana are slowly learning more about the place, it looks like another surprise will shock them all through their 9 eternal lives.
As the morning started, Kita and Hana woke up early to continue where they left off yesterday. Without any form of delay, they prepare themselves for another search. While preparing, Hana randomly said, "So, nyu woke up earlier than me today."
"Me? Nah, I think nyu woke up first." Kita responded.
"Huh?" Hana confusedly reacted.
"What's wrong?" Kita asked.
"That can't be right, I mean I did not see nyu bring the mannequin back inside the cave. So nyu probably woke up earlier than me, just saying." Hana answered.
"Me? I thought nyu did it. I was sleeping the whole time." Kita replied.
"There's no way that I would lift that thing!" Hana loudly said.
"Well, I didn't do it!" Kita responded in the same way.
Both of them went silent as they realized that something suspicious was going on. The mannequin is missing and neither of them lifted it back to the cave.
78.
Mysteries keep on piling up as an unforeseen scenario greeted Kita and Hana. After concluding that it is not alive, the so-called mannequin is gone by the morning. At first, Hana thinks that Kita is pulling a prank on her. But on the flip side, Kita also thinks the same thing about Hana. Eventually, even though the thought was ridiculous, they realized that neither of them did it. Kita is bad at keeping secrets, while Hana does not want to be near the unknown creature in the first place.
"May… Maybe a Beast Mimi took it last night?" Hana said as she chuckled.
"Right… Right… Maybe that's what happened." Kita nervously responded.
"Ahmm… Shall we get moving then?" Hana asked.
"Are nyu sure?" Kita replied, implying that they should check the cave first.
Hana knows exactly what Kita is thinking, which is why she is trying her best to divert the topic and leave the place immediately. "Look, it's a beautiful day, we don't want to waste this opportunity, right?" She said.
"Hana, I think we should check the cave first. Nyu know, just to be sure." Kita suggested.
"That's only a waste of time, we should do something productive instead." Hana insisted.
"It wouldn't take that much time. And besides, at least it can clear things out. It will definitely bother me if it's in the cave, and that mannequin is moving by itself." Kita argued.
Even though Hana was completely against the idea, she eventually agreed with Kita. "Fine… I'll bring our bucket of water, just in case," she said, having water near is a way for Hana to defend herself.
Kita and Hana thoroughly check the cave to see if the mannequin is there. They also assess if there is any sign, perhaps a Mimi sneaking up last night that moved the lifeless body. Moments later, they manage to clear out of the cave, but the unknown creature is nowhere to be found.
"It's weird but I guess a Beast Mimi took that thing away," Kita said as they were on the way out.
"It's easier to believe in that than thinking it stood up and walked on its own." Hana kiddingly said.
"Right…" Kita responded as she pointed outside while trembling.
Hana slowly turns her attention toward the direction that Kita is pointing. In that instant, they saw the unknown creature, standing in front of them, and blankly staring without any emotions.
"STOP PLAYING PRANKS KITA!" Hana yelled.
"DO I LOOK LIKE I'M DOING THIS? MY LEGS ARE SHAKING JUST LIKE YOURS!" Kita responded.
"Sho…sho-should we run?" Hana asked.
"RUN WHERE?" Kita replied.
"Anoo…" The unknown creature said.
"IT SPOKE. IT DEFINITELY SPOKE RIGHT NOW!" Kita said as they lost their minds.
"Please don't hurt us, we didn't mean to harm nyu!" Hana begged.
"Is it the both of nyu that healed FeLinE, and brought FeLinE outside?" The unknown creature asked. Her voice is monotone and her facial reaction is completely blank.
"Hai…" Kita and Hana nervously answered.
"Well then. I, FeLinE:1000X, am grateful for your help. With that, FeLinE is now at your service." FeLinE:1000X said.
"Aaa… I think I need a moment to understand what's happening." Kita commented.
"What seems to create the confusion?" FeLinE:1000X asked.
"Ahm… Everything? What's going on? What are nyu?" Kita said.
"Don't bombard her with numerous questions, she looks harmless, I think..." Hana intervened.
"Where on UniPaws are we?" Kita continued asking.
"Oh, that's actually a good one," Hana commented.
"Very well, FeLinE will answer every question that nyu have," FeLinE:1000X said.
"Let's sit comfortably first. I suddenly feel exhausted because of this." Hana suggested.
The group settled in the camp, and it turns out the unknown creature is a living Kemi. Kita and Hana got a feeling that their encounter with FeLinE could be meaningful. The way that FeLinE talks made them feel that she is knowledgeable about the place. Thus their discussion starts.
"I am FeLinE:1000X, FeLinE is a Sentient Catgirl living in the Lost Civilization. It's the realm inside the Realm Sanctuary from which other Kemis are prohibited. Us, Sentient Kemis, are the guardians of the place. Keeping the Sacred Runes safe." FeLinE:1000X explained.
Kita and Hana dropped their jaws as they understood nothing about what FeLinE said. "I think my brain automatically stopped listening when she said she's a Sentient Catgirl…" Kita commented.
"Me too…" Hana added.
"Do nyu want FeLinE to explain it again?" FeLinE:1000X asked.
"No no no… we're good, at least we know that you're a Catgirl. Let us process all of this maybe for a week or so… Can nyu just tell us where we are instead?" Kita answered. The information is too much for them to absorb, and it will take time for them before they can finally digest everything.
"Hai, we are at 75 degrees Northeast, if the base is Zenshin. The island is labeled as the land of the Beast Mimis, an island part of the Deserted Isles." FeLinE:1000X answered.
"Wait a second, nyu seem to know a lot about the place despite claiming that nyu are not from here…" Hana said as she found FeLinE suspicious.
"FeLinE knows a lot about realms, Sentient Kemis monitor each realm's progress," FeLinE:1000X replied.
"Wait what? Are there other realms? Not just the one that nyu mention?" Hana questioned.
"Hai, this realm, UniPaws, is the center realm. Every other Realm is connected to this realm. On the other hand, the Realm Sanctuary keeps everything in order, which is why the Lost Civilization is located inside of it." FeLinE:1000X answered.
"How many realms are there?" Hana added another question.
As everything piles up, Kita could no longer listen to the conversation. "Can nyu stop asking more complicated questions that will make her answer complicated things? I'm having a hard time here!" Kita told Hana.
"I can't help it!" Hana responded.
"Okay okay… Let's both calm down and try to make things slower." Kita said.
"Hai, hai… Sorry, I got carried away…" Hana agreed with Kita as they both took a deep breath.
Despite having the answers to their numerous questions, Kita and Hana could just not believe it. They cannot even tell if FeLinE is lying due to the way that she speaks. The monotone voice, plus the expressionless reaction of FeLinE:1000X makes her claim convincing. Even if it sounds outlandish in every aspect.
79.
Just like the old saying "Ignorance is a bliss," knowing too much will only lead to a bothering truth. It's easy to say that we have to face everything straight on, though, in reality, it's even harder to digest when the answers are already right in front. Does the phrase "The truth will set you free," applicable to everything?
As the day continues, FeLinE joins Kita and Hana in their search. For them, FeLinE is like a ticking time bomb, they feel uneasy being with her. Instead of putting their focus on studying the place, and especially looking for others, Kita and Hana are keeping their guard up.
Later that moment, Kita noticed that they were losing focus. "Wait… Aren't we supposed to be the ones that lead the way?" Kita whispered to Hana while they were following FeLinE.
"Ha-hai…" Hana agrees as she also realized the same thing.
"Aa… Anoooo… Where are we going?" Kita asked FeLinE.
"FeLinE is looking for FeLinE's Relic. FeLinE doesn't know where the of nyu are going." FeLinE:1000X answered.
"Relic?" Hana reacted.
"What is a Relic?" Kita asked once more.
"It is an ancient technology made in the Lost Civilization. Each Sentient Kemi has one. FeLinE lost FeLinE's Relic when FeLinE came here." FeLinE:1000X answered.
"I thought we shouldn't ask her complicated questions?" Hana questioned Kita.
"Oh right, I forgot about that. Gomeeeen." Kita responded.
"Are nyu looking for something too?" FeLinE:1000X returns the question.
"Actually, we are looking for someone. We got separated from our friends, we haven't seen them since we arrived here." Kita said.
"If FeLinE finds the Relic, FeLinE can help nyu find your friends. FeLine's Relic has tons of functions." FeLinE:1000X replied.
"HONTO?" Kita and Hana excitedly responded.
"Hai." FeLinE:1000X answered shortly.
"Then I guess we'll just help nyu find your Relic first! We are cluelessly exploring the place anyway." Kita suggested.
"I also can't see a problem with that. Who knows, maybe we can find others along the way," Hana added.
"By the way, what does it look like? Knowing details about it will help us search for it." Kita asked.
"It looks like a giant rectangular shield with pink Rune as its core. But nyu don't have to look for it, FeLinE knows where it is. We are heading there." FeLinE:1000X replied.
"Heading where?" Hana responded.
"King of the Land's lair," FeLinE:1000X answered.
"KING OF THE WHAT NOW?" Kita loudly reacted.
"King of the Land, the Giant Beast that dominates this island." FeLinE:1000X further clarifies.
"G-G-G… GIANT BEAST? ON? LAND?" Hana replied while stuttering.
"Are nyu sure it is in that place?" Kita nervously questioned.
"Hai. FeLinE is connected to the Relic." FeLinE:1000X answered.
"Maybe FeLinE can battle the Giant Beast, she's a Sentient Kemi with unexplainable features," Kita said as she is trying to convince Hana. "Right FeLinE?" She then asked FeLinE to seek confirmation.
They all went silent that moment, Kita and Hana are waiting for FeLinE's response but she is not answering. There are no signs of denying the claim, but also agreeing to it.
"PLEASE ANSWER ME FELINE!" Kita said.
"Hai." FeLinE:1000X blankly replied.
"Yeap… We are doomed for sure…" Hana responded as she already accepted their fate.
The conversation comes to an end though their real struggle has not started yet. As the three of them cross the jungle, they are getting closer to the King of the Land's domain. Kita and Hana thought that the Giant Beasts only exist on the sea since they haven't met those elsewhere. Even the so-called Giant white spider that they encountered in Snowy Mountain is not part of the Giant Beast treeline. Kita and Hana also thought Byakko, the Beast Mimi of Maiko, was the biggest land Beast. But the truth is, Byakko is not even considered a Giant Beast.
If the creature was supposedly small but they are the same height as a Kemi, the locals call them a giant one even though they are merely Beast Mimis. Just like the so-called giant white spider in the snowy mountains. Beast Mimis are usually either the same height as a Kemi or slightly bigger. On the other hand, Giant Beasts are usually 10-20 times bigger than a Kemi. What more if it's the King of the Land? Something way more terrifying is waiting for them on this island. The UniPaws is truly a place that has not fully been explored.
Seeking the Relic inside the forest, Kita and Hana witness other Giant Beasts on the island. The worst part is knowing Giant Beasts that can fly also exist. FeLinE told them that there's a King of the Sky as well, though it doesn't reveal itself to the public, just like the King of the Land. That information made Kita and Hana think about why the King of the Sea interacted with them before.
Eventually, the three of them reached a huge cave, big enough to fit 5 ships. They finally reach the lair of the King.
"Before we proceed, can nyu tell us a bit more about the Beast Kings?" Kita requested.
"Hai. King of the Sea is the Blue Sea Serpent. It has the sharpest scales that can be launched to instantly kill its competitor. Its loud screech can wreck a ship if it is angry. King of the Sky is a Horned Fiery Dragon. Has scorching scales, but there's no point in telling more about it because it will never reveal itself. And lastly, the King of the Land is a Bedrock Armadillo. It has the toughest scales with sharp claws. Those Beast Kings act differently but can also think beyond a normal Beast Mimi." FeLinE:1000X explained.
"I think the King of the Sky is the most frightening one, luckily we will never encounter that," Hana commented.
"I just hope that the King of the Land is less aggressive," Kita added.
As they continued crossing the forest, the group finally reached the entrance of the lair. "This cave is huge!" Kita said.
"Technically, this is not a cave," FeLinE:1000X replied.
"Hold on a second, even a cave has a different meaning now?" Kita complained, tired of understanding nothing since this morning.
"That is not a cave because the Bedrock Armadillo dug that. Technically it's a hole made by the King of the Land, not a huge cave." FeLinE:1000X explained.
"So… Nyu are telling us… That a living creature made that? And we are going inside of that hole to claim your Relic?" Hana questioned.
"Hai," FeLinE:1000X answered.
End of Chapter 2