Chapter 3
80.
Exploring the depths of the forest, the Island of the Beast Mimis is truly living up to its name. Little did they know, the Krakquad is the gatekeeper of the island. It blocks Kemis who dare to approach the island since Beasts are content to live independently. No wonder why the voyage from the Northern region toward this island was canceled.
Demographically, the Island of the Beast Mimis is as big as a region in Zenshin. An island this spacious and not yet explored holds limitless potential. It is now confirmed that the King of the Land resides in this place, but is that all that there is?
As the story continues, Kita and Hana could not see any other way of surviving this mission. Even FeLinE could not confidently claim that she can beat the King. This grave-like situation is the only chance for them in finding others quickly. With that said, they must find the Relic first.
The three of them created a torch and finally made their way to the lair's entrance. The more they observe the surroundings, the more they realize that FeLinE was telling the truth. Claws can be seen carving their way all through the ground. It is something that is evidently not a natural occurrence by nature.
Kita and Hana are trembling the whole time. Their fear never fades, being extremely cautious about whatever may happen from that point onward. Meanwhile, FeLinE is still consistent with her character. She's been like that even though an hour of exploring the place has passed.
"Anooo… This kinda feels wrong…" Hana said.
"Why?" FeLinE:1000X asked.
"Normally, unexpected events welcome us, especially when Kita is around. I just can't believe that nothing has happened yet." Hana mentioned.
"Yeah… Now that nyu mentioned it, it is indeed odd. Or maybe meeting FeLinE is already the unexpected event that we are waiting for. No offense." Kita said.
"If nyu are expecting the unexpected, then it no longer falls into that category," FeLinE:1000X replied.
"Ha?" Kita confusedly reacted.
"She means, it is no longer unexpected because we are expecting it," Hana explained.
"Oh… I guess that makes sense." Kita commented.
After a few minutes, Kita and Hana slowly put their guards down. "Nyu seem calm this whole time. Aren't nyu afraid of the Beast King?" Kita asked.
"Why would I?" FeLinE:1000X responded.
"I thought nyu could not beat the King of the Land?" Kita questioned.
"Hai, FeLinE might not defeat the said Beast," FeLinE:1000X answered.
"Then why aren't nyu afraid of it?" Kita added.
"Because it is currently outside, hunting for food," FeLine:1000X said.
Because of FeLinE's response, Kita and Hana suddenly stopped moving, they were stunned. All this time they are shaking because of fear. But it turns out the lair is currently empty.
"WHY DIDN'T NYU TELL US EARLIER?" Kita reacted madly.
"Nyu did not ask," FeLinE:1000X replied.
"ARGH… Nyu are frustrating to deal with…" Kita stated.
"FeLinE already analyzed the lair earlier right after FeLinE woke up. FeLinE would not enter this place if the King is inside." FeLinE:1000X said.
"I'm lost for words…" Hana commented as they realized FeLinE has a point.
Because of the clarification, the group is moving faster now. Realizing that they are safe for the next looming hours made their minds at ease. Eventually, the group reached the depths and saw an item fitting FeLine's description. A rectangular shield with a pink Rune as its core, they finally found the Relic. FeLinE picked it up and the core immediately glowed, recognizing its owner.
"Woooaaahhh. That's cool." Kita reacted.
"That is indeed cool…" Hana commented as well.
"FeLinE has acquired the Relic, we must return to the safe zone," FeLinE:1000X said.
"Hai!" Kita and Hana responded.
Everything seems to be going well for them, but it looks like it is not for long. When the group comes back from where they started, tons of Beast Mimis are waiting outside. Some of them are even mad and aggressive.
"This field was empty earlier, right? Wha-what's going on?" Kita questioned.
"Most probably, the Beast Mimis are here because they are avoiding the King. That's why other Beast Mimis are forced to move to safety." FeLinE:1000X answered.
"And some of them are probably pissed off, Beast Mimis are territorial after all…" Hana commented.
A few seconds after, the Beasts turn their attention to the Kemis.
"Anooo… Wha-what's going on?" Kita nervously reiterated her question.
"The Beast Mimis are probably looking for something they can transfer their anger to," FeLinE:1000X answered again.
"I have a bad feeling about this, should we go back inside?" Kita suggested.
"No. We will be in bigger trouble if the King returns." FeLinE:1000X replied.
"Then what should we do?" Hana responded.
"Calculating courses of action…" FeLinE:1000X said. "Run," she added as she started doing so. Kita and Hana immediately followed as some of the Beast Mimis chased them.
"WHY DO WE ALWAYS END UP RUNNING!" Hana complained while trying their best to survive.
"Nyu are free to casually walk if nyu want to!" Kita replied.
"Now I understand, nyu two are problem magnets." FeLinE:1000X calmly said while they were running.
"SAYS BY THE KEMI WHO LOST HER RELIC IN A FREAKING KING'S LAIR!" Kita madly argued.
"It wasn't FeLinE's fault. FeLinE was unconscious the whole time. Maybe the Beast took FeLinE's Relic." FeLinE:1000X responded.
"THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR ARGUING OKAY?" Hana intervened.
A series of endless running occurred, luckily Kita and Hana left marks on the forest during their previous search. Those marks served as a guide to where they can run toward safety. Eventually, they reached an open area and the Beast Mimis suddenly stopped chasing them.
"They… They finally stopped…" Hana said while catching her breath.
"I guess they are afraid of open areas…" Kita responded while panting as well. She slowly walks toward the mountain-like figure to lean and rest. Shortly, Kita realized something, "Say… I don't remember that there's a huge boulder here…" She said.
"Yeah… Not to mention, that boulder is quite weird. Its texture looks more like a pattern if nyu ask me…" Hana added.
"That is not a boulder," FeLinE:1000X responded. "Calculating courses of action…" She added after a short pause.
"Why do I feel like we are all going to die here?" Hana reacted after she heard FeLinE.
81.
Kita and Hana thought that they completely escaped and the heist was successful. They indeed survived the Beast Mimis but it does not mean they were truly safe now. What scares a beast? Of course, a bigger one, especially if it's the biggest among them all.
The mountain-like figure started to move, and the upper part twisted as the latter followed. The Catgirls are right, there was no boulder in that place before. What they thought was part of nature, is actually the one that rules it. Long white claws, solid dark brown scales, and big black eyes staring at them. The group finally meets the King of the Land.
Kita nervously gulped as she asked, "Aren't nyu done calculating?"
"There's no recommended course of action. Only an unexpected external factor can save us." FeLinE:1000X answered straightforwardly.
"Nyu mean, regardless of what we do… Only a miracle is our hope of surviving?" Kita clarified.
"Hai," FeLinE:1000X responded shortly.
"I know I've said this countless times, but I'm sure we are legitimately done for this time," Hana commented.
A couple of seconds passed and the King of the Land was still staring at them, doing nothing else. "Ahm… Is it supposed to roar or something?" Kita questioned.
"Maybe we are dead right now but our consciousness is still in shock, ignoring what already happened," Hana answered.
"Wait, is it possible for us to be in shock all at the same time?" Kita argued.
"We are still alive." FeLinE:1000X intervened.
"Why?" Kita asked.
FeLinE blankly looked at Kita and Hana, confused about why these two were insisting that they were dead.
A few more moments later, the Bedrock Armadillo began to move. Using its unbreakable claws, the Beast King carefully lifts the Kemis. Holding them on top of its palm as it heads somewhere.
The group is lost, they don't know what's going on, nor what's about to happen. "Should we jump?" Kita asked.
"The fall damage will severely injure us. Also, there's a possibility of this beast accidentally squashing us after we jump since it's moving." FeLinE:1000X answered.
"Wha-what should we do? Can't nyu use your Relic or something?" Hana questioned while panicking.
"FeLinE wants to see where this is going. There's no point in using my Relic." FeLinE:1000X said.
"HOW CAN NYU STILL STAY CALM AFTER ALL OF THIS? DON'T NYU HAVE EMOTIONS?" Kita complained as she exploded from the situation.
"FeLinE has emotions, FeLinE is also scared right now," FeLinE:1000X replied in a monotone voice.
"That is the most relaxed scared voice I've ever heard…" Hana commented.
In the midst of panic, confusion, and tremendous fear, the Catgirls are dealing with every negative emotion that they can feel. Optimism is nowhere to be found, they are all thinking of the worst possible outcome while waiting for the impending doom. Another baffling part is the fact that the King of the Land is not heading back to its lair. No one knows what's on the Beast King's mind, nor where exactly they are going.
Almost an hour later, the Bedrock Armadillo stopped moving as it reached the mountains. It started to lower its arms, reaching a small cave by the cliff.
"What's going on? Is it putting us there?" Kita asked.
"It looks like it, but why?" Hana responded.
While they are slowly being handed towards the cliffside, a familiar voice can be heard. "Welcome back! Did nyu find someone? I hope it's a Kemi this time, not some random Beast Mimis."
"Wait… I know that voice. COULD IT BE?" Kita said. Hana and Kita looked at each other, astonished by the resemblance of the voice.
The hand of the King reaches the mountain. It tilts his hands sideways to make the Kemis fall at the center of its palm. When the Giant Beast lifts its hands, it finally reveals the Kemi that spoke. Kita and Hana saw Lulu with Pily standing right in front of them.
Words failed to come out, none of them could believe what was happening at that moment. When everything sinks in, Kita and Hana run toward Lulu and hug her tightly. Their tears flood down as they are finally reunited. Lulu started to cry as well, she's been trying her best to be brave ever since the day she was separated. Lulu refused to shed tears all those times, but now she could no longer hold back her tears.
"Chuu~ They are finally here!" Pily mentioned.
"WHAT TOOK NYU SO LONG? I WAS DOING MY BEST TO BE BRAVE!" Lulu said as she cried her heart out.
"We're sorry! We truly are!" Kita responded while breaking down.
"Nyu did well, Lulu!" Hana added while heavily crying as well.
There are tons of questions that should be answered but none of those matter right now. Seeing Lulu safe and sound is the utmost priority. The Catgirls could not stop themselves from crying. In the midst of the reunion, Lulu is wondering why it is only Kita and Hana. After a short while, they slowly calmed down, and Lulu innocently asked, "Where's Yuna? Are they all waiting at the ship?"
"Anooo…" Hana reacted, they didn't know how to answer Lulu's question.
"A lot happened during our voyage…" Kita said.
"Like what? Oh, I wish I was there!" Lulu added as she wiped her tears, waiting for a positive response.
"Ahm… We had an unfateful encounter with the Krakquad. Our ship got wrecked and we got separated from each other…" Hana answered.
"Oh… That sounds unfortunate. Then let's go and find them!" Lulu optimistically said.
Kita and Hana don't want to break Lulu's heart, but they clearly know that Lulu needs to hear the truth. Lying or not telling Lulu what truly happened will only hurt her even more.
"Yuna had a hard time digesting the fact that nyu went missing. During that encounter, she finally unlocked her talent but she then passed out. We cannot fully promise that she's doing well right now…" Kita honestly told Lulu.
"Oh…" Lulu reacted as she paused for a second. "I… I'm sure she'll be alright! They promised me a new pink blanket after all!" She added. Her voice trembled, evidently worried about Yuna but she's being blindly optimistic. Lulu has been like this right from the moment she got to this island.
"I'm sure she is…" Kita replied as she patted Lulu's head.
82.
After a heartwarming reunion, It is still a bittersweet moment since their problems are not yet over. Knowing how it broke Yuna's heart when Lulu disappeared, Kita and Hana worry about how Lulu will react, now that Yuna is the one who is missing. Lulu being an innocent young Catgirl is the reason behind her optimistic view about things. It does help her not to overthink, but it is painful for Kita and Hana in watching her this way.
Eventually, Kita, Hana, and Lulu adjusted to the situation. It's time for them to clarify some details. There are still questions that should be addressed.
"By the way, this is FeLinE. We met her here and I don't know how exactly to explain things about her." Kita said as she introduced FeLinE.
"It's better not to ask further questions about her. It's just too complicated…" Hana added.
Lulu looks at FeLinE and immediately gets confused. Solely based on FeLinE's appearance, emotionless face, and metal-like legs, Lulu understands what Kita and Hana are trying to say. Not to mention, FeLinE is holding a big Relic that Lulu is not familiar with.
"Okay!" Lulu reacted to avoid long explanations. She hates complicated things, even since the beginning of their journey.
While they are in the middle of the conversation, all of a sudden, Tridae shows up carrying fruits. He's been with Lulu all those times.
"I knew it was the both of you. I flew faster when I spotted you miles away. I'm glad that you are finally here." Tridae said.
"Oh! Nyu are also here? How? Why?" Kita responded, surprised by Tridae's appearance.
"After I deliver the message to Maiko, Princess Grace ordered me to send you a warning about Hideo while she's searching the records. The Princess thinks that the name Hideo was familiar and that you should be careful with him. But I guess we were too late for that." Tridae said.
"It was also our fault for falling into his trap…" Hana responded.
"Wait, so nyu are saying that Hideo has been to the Kemitopia?" Kita questioned.
"Probably, but the Princess is not sure about it," Tridae answered. "A couple of days ago when I was on my way to deliver the Princess' message, I saw your group panicking, that's when I noticed that someone in your group was missing. I thought something was going on, so I instinctively tried to track the missing one. When I reached this place, I saw Lulu and Pily sleeping in this cave. I wanted to call for help but I'm the only one who could take care of them. That's why I decided to stay here while I'm trying to find a way to get us out of here." Tridae added as he fully explained the situation.
"Thank nyu for doing that. We owe nyu big time!" Kita replied.
"Hai. We are truly thankful of nyu for not leaving Lulu alone." Hana added.
"Tridae brings me food! And Badi too!" Lulu said.
"Who's Badi?" Kita asked.
"Him!" Lulu pointed to the King of the Land. Badi waves its hand in response.
"NYU GAVE HIM A NAME TOO?" Kita loudly reacted.
"I almost forgot that the King of the Land was behind us," Hana added.
"Unexpected external factors finally accomplished," FeLinE:1000X commented.
"Hai! I also fused with Runecrystal while I was alone. It happened when Badi lifted me. After that, I can now communicate with them. But only with the giant ones, I still cannot talk to Beast Mimis like Maiko." Lulu explained.
"Chuu~ I told nyu, Lulu is something else!" Pily responded.
"Your talent is talking to Giant Beasts! That's insane!" Kita said, completely mind-blown by what she heard.
"I guess that's the reason why the King of the Sea helped us back then…" Hana commented.
"The talent to control the Giants…" FeLinE:1000X muttered.
"What's Yuna's talent?" Lulu asked.
"She can fly, and we also fly with her. I think she can lift everything just by her mind." Kita answered.
"THAT IS COOL TOO!" Lulu said.
"Not as cool as yours! I mean nyu see how big that creature is!" Kita argued as she pointed to Badi.
"Well, yours is literally cool, coz Ice is cold?" Lulu responded.
They all paused for a short moment, and afterward, everyone laughed as they finally made things lighter despite being in a dire situation. It's been a long stressful day and they need this type of moment once in a while.
"Since there will be someone that will take care of Lulu now, I should go and report all of this to the Princess. She may provide a better rescue team once she gets the news," he added as Tridae handed over the fruits.
"Hai. Thank nyu so much again!" Kita said. The three of them waved their hands as Tridae flew and made his way.
"I guess that leaves us here. It's time to search for the others, right FeLinE?" Hana mentioned.
"Hai." FeLinE:1000X shortly answered as she immediately prepared her Relic.
"She sounds like a robot…" Lulu commented.
"It gets worse… Trust me…" Kita responded.
After the long conversation, the cloudy present is slowly turning into a bright tomorrow. Going back to when Kita and Hana met Lulu for the first time, the Runecrystal already chose Lulu. By the time she gave Pily its name, the Rune was ready to fuse to Lulu. It was Lulu who was not yet ready at that time. When she got separated from everyone, it served as the catalyst for her to finally embrace her talent. Lulu stepped up and firmly faced the King of the Land when it lifted her. Because of that, Lulu and her Runecrystal fused. Lulu thought that she could only communicate with Giant Beasts. What she does not know is she can control them at her will. It's her innocence that made her think that way.
Having the King of the Land on their side made things easier for them from this point onwards. The group does not need to worry about other Beast Mimis, since the strongest among them all backs them up. With the partially accomplished rescue mission, the group started to prepare as they hopefully aim for a successful return. It is all now up to FeLinE's Relic, and what it can do to make things happen.
The scenarios are not yet fully discussed, Lulu hasn't explained how she got to this island instantly. They still don't know why Vali teamed up with Hideo, though they are sure that Hideo is behind all of this. For now, saving everyone is the priority.
End of Chapter 3