Chapter 4
83.
It's been a shocking series of events right from the moment they opened their eyes. None of them even realized that half of the day was already over. The afternoon rolls in, and they all cherish the reunion that the group had. Seeing Lulu safe and sound makes Kita and Hana a little more hopeful about what tomorrow may bring. Truly, progress resonates with optimism, making them see a clearer view of what seems to be blurry.
As the overflowing emotions settle down, Kita and Hana eventually get used to seeing the King of the Land be this tamed. Meanwhile, FeLinE quickly adjusted, her complexity is what makes her think differently. While they are eating some fruits, Lulu begins to tell her experience, starting from how she ended up on this island.
"I was about to take a nap but then someone knocked on the door. It was Vali, she said that there was a Runecrystal near the river. I remember Raven wants one so I decided to come with her. I brought my backpack and Pily with me so I can go straight to the ship afterward." Lulu started to explain.
"That deceiving Kemi… So she's been eavesdropping this whole time!" Kita reacted madly.
"For sure, we talked a lot about the Runecrystal during the Digital art show. She was there remember?" Hana added.
"Right… I wouldn't be surprised if she's working for Hideo. I mean, that was the time Hideo suddenly showed up. It all makes sense now." Kita responded.
"What happens next?" Hana asked Lulu.
"We walked outside and then when we were about to turn into the alley… I… passed out? I'm not sure but the next thing that I know, I'm here with Pily. Everything happened too quickly." Lulu answered.
"So she can make other Kemi fall asleep?" Kita questioned.
"I think so, but that still does not explain how she suddenly ended up here. The cameras caught nothing." Hana argued.
"She could have been one of my besties if she was not a bad Kemi!" Lulu madly reacted since she loves sleeping.
"Chuu~ Luckily, us, Tameable Mimis, are resistant to mind-related tricks!" Pily bragged.
"That's awesome! What did nyu see?" Kita replied.
"When Lulu fell asleep, we met another Kemi wearing a mask, a pandora hat, and full black formal clothing. He touched Vali's shoulder and then we all warped and somehow teleported here." Pily answered.
"So there's another Kemi that can teleport. Their talents are frightening…" Kita commented.
"Other than the clothing, is there any other clue that nyu can tell us?" Hana questioned.
"Oh, he is also wielding a long black scythe. He is scary, like a demon in the old stories." Pily said.
"Good thing I was sleeping that time. That guy would be part of my nightmares if I saw him." Lulu added.
"He also said; Farewell, the game starts now," Pily added.
"Aaaaa! A lot of Kemis are getting involved in this!" Kita frustratedly complained.
"FeLinE thinks that these Kemis, including your group, are the reason why FeLinE is here." FeLinE:1000X suddenly commented.
"What did nyu mean by that?" Hana curiously questioned.
FeLinE did not answer as she continued finalizing the settings on her Relic. "It's complete," she said as the Relic powered up.
"Woah! That's cool!" Lulu reacted.
"Chuu~ It's glowing! I want one!" Pily commented as well.
"FeLinE's Relic can analyze every living creature within its range. We can use them to scan the island and see if there are other Kemis here as well." FeLinE:1000X explained.
"We can ride on Badi's hands!" Lulu suggested.
"That is indeed efficient and effective." FeLinE:1000X agreed to Lulu.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Kita said.
"Hai!" They all responded.
Since the Relic is fully optimized now, the group resumed their search. They comfortably sit on top of Badi's hand, letting FeLinE use her Relic. No one understands how it actually works, and FeLinE is the only one who can use it. There's no point in intervening with FeLinE's progress. They just let FeLinE stand there, holding her Relic, looking like they are truly connected to each other.
"Is she really a Kemi?" Lulu whispered.
"She said she is a Sentient Catgirl," Kita whispered back.
"Well, at least she is a Catgirl," Lulu added.
"That's what I said when we met her. Quite a weird Catgirl, right?" Kita replied.
Hana started to explain how they discovered FeLinE. It is still hard to believe since it all happened last night. There are a lot of things to process right from the get-go. It feels like this day is perfectly designed to blow their minds.
At first, they thought Lulu is adapting well to the conversation, but Lulu automatically stopped comprehending everything after they said FeLinE is not from this world. That phrase alone opens a lot of scenarios like; there are different realms, Kemis, and species themselves. It was too complex and Lulu's instant response is to not listen voluntarily as her mind lingers elsewhere.
"Wow, that's… A lot," Lulu responded after concluding that Hana and Kita were done explaining.
"It is indeed a lot," Hana commented.
"We don't even know everything yet!" Kita loudly said.
"I hope Yuna is here. I'm sure she can understand everything." Lulu mentioned.
A sudden melancholy feeling enters the scenery as the silent cold breeze of the wind accompanies it. Lulu did not intend to ruin the mood, she is just used to always leaning on Yuna when things are getting way too complicated for her.
"Yeah… I miss Yuna too." Kita responded.
"I'm sure we'll meet her soon," Hana replied.
"Anyway, let's just ask for an update! Maybe FeLinE got something." Kita said as she changed the topic. "Oy FeLinE, nyu good?" She added while approaching FeLinE.
"Hai, FeLinE is not a weird Catgirl, nyu are," FeLinE:1000X responded. She's been listening to the conversation the whole time. There was a sudden urge for her to say that as soon as Kita approached her. It may sound just like a normal tone, but the group felt that FeLinE was annoyed at that time.
"Gomen, gomen." Kita apologized as she scratched her head. Lulu and Hana laugh while Kita feels guilty about her words.
84.
A couple of minutes passed, and the chaotic daylight slowly turned into a peaceful late afternoon. Looking from above makes the group realize how big the island is. It slightly reminds them of Riverania, a nostalgic feeling about where they came from because of the resemblance. They have been in distant lands for months now, Kita, Hana, and Lulu could not help but think about how their hometown is doing at the moment.
After a long series of silence, FeLinE:1000X suddenly says, "Kemis located."
"Good good…" Kita responded. The phrase hasn't sunk into her yet. "Wait, what?" She added as she finally realized what FeLinE meant.
"How many are they?" Hana excitedly asked.
"They are 5," FeLinE:1000X answered.
"IT MUST BE THEM!" Kita shouted.
"NYATTA!" Lulu reacted in the same manner.
"There's a bit of a problem," FeLinE:1000X added.
"What is it?" Hana questioned.
"They are running away from us. It looks like they saw us miles away and thought we are a big threat, like a giant one." FeLinE:1000X responded.
"Well… I would do the same if I were them…" Kita replied with blank emotion.
"Should we do something?" Lulu worriedly asked.
"Nah, I kinda want to let them run for at least a minute or two. I just feel like it's unfair that only Hana and I got separated as we experience all of these things." Kita honestly said.
"It may sound evil, but I slightly feel the same. They'll eventually stop running as we reach them." Hana added.
"That's cruel… But fun! Let's do it!" Lulu responded.
"We don't really have that much of a choice," FeLinE:1000X said.
On the other hand, Raven, Celeste, Rubi, and Eve are sprinting like there's no tomorrow. Yuna is still unconscious, so Raven is having to carry her on her back as the runaway.
"Why is it chasing us!" Rubi complained.
"I DEFINITELY DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS," Celeste said while crying.
"I hated this place since Day 1!" Raven shouted as she added to the complaints.
"Just run, it might eventually stop chasing us," Eve instructed.
"MIGHT!?" The rest reacted.
Two minutes of the continuous chase and the gap between them is getting smaller. It looks like Raven's group is getting exhausted.
"They sure are running for their lives…" Kita commented as they watched from above.
"I commend their stamina," Hana added.
"If I were them, I would have just given up," Lulu said.
"This might take another minute. Remind the King to be careful and not step on them." FeLinE:1000X said.
"Haiii, Badi! Don't step on them okay?" Lulu told the King of the Land.
Badi roared, responding to Lulu's command. Though on the flip side, Raven's group misinterpreted Badi's response.
"WHY IS IT MAD AT US!" Rubi shouted.
"I JUST WANTED TO BE A SEAFARER. WHYYY?" Celeste said while still crying.
"I'm starting to think that running is pointless since it keeps following us…" Raven mentioned. All of them are having a hard time breathing right now.
"Nyu might be right. There's something odd about this, I mean look how it is chasing us. It looks like the Giant Beast is holding something or perhaps someone on top of its hand." Eve said as she observed the whole situation.
"It does look like it…" Rubi replied as she looked at the Giant as well.
"I know it sounds crazy… but what if we stop running?" Raven suggested.
"It's worth a shot, I agree with Raven," Eve responded.
"I GUESS THIS IS IT, AT LEAST I SAILED SOMEWHERE," Celeste said as she kept on crying.
"So, are we doing it?" Rubi asked.
As they finally realized that running endlessly will get them nowhere, Raven initiated the halt while the rest followed. The ground trembles as the King of the Land gets closer to them. The Catgirls could not stop from shaking, afraid of what was about to happen. Badi stops walking as it slowly lowers its hands. Raven's group stands firmly on their grounds as the Beast King gets closer. When its hands reach the ground and put Kita with others down, Raven's group loses their minds.
"IT'S THEM!" They all shouted as Raven's group ran and hugged Kita, Hana, and Lulu.
"It's nice to see nyu all again!" Kita said.
"What happened to Yuna?" Lulu immediately asked. She noticed that Raven is carrying Yuna.
"When our boat crashed, I was the one next to Yuna. I saw her hit a rock after all of us were blown away. I did my best to carry her to the shore and let her rest. The next morning, we eventually met Eve and Rubi. They examined Yuna, and they said that her vitals are fine but she is still unconscious." Raven answered.
"Let's head somewhere she can lie down on, I will heal her," Hana suggested.
"Anoooo… As much as I am happy with this reunion, are we just gonna ignore that Giant Beast like it's a normal thing?" Celeste interrupted as she wiped her tears.
"Oh right, That's Badi, Lulu's new companion," Kita replied.
"COMPANION?" Eve, Rubi, Raven, and Celeste reacted.
"It's a long story, we can all now ride to Badi and go back to the hut where nyu all abandoned," Kita said.
"Wait for a second, nyu were watching us run for our lives this whole time?" Raven questioned as she finally realized what truly happened.
"Hai," FeLinE:1000X responded. Her interaction made everything way more confusing for everyone else. They slowly turn their attention to FeLinE:1000X. Looking like a different species while wielding a Relic that they are not familiar with.
"I am so confused right now…" Eve commented. Even the smartest among them all is currently lost, what more for the others.
Kita and Hana could not explain everything in one sitting, but they are enjoying everyone's reaction. It is like a sweet little revenge for everything. That's the perk of knowing everything first, they can savor everyone's genuine confusion.
"It's getting late, we should start moving. Let's all ride the King of the Land, and we will explain everything later." Hana said.
"KING OF THE LAND!?" Eve, Rubi, Raven, and Celeste shouted.
Kita and Hana can no longer stop themselves, they laughed as the rest got bombarded by the current situation.
85.
The supposedly heartwarming reunion turned into a bewildering train of surprises. Just like what FeLinE said, they don't have a better choice, approaching others in that manner is the most efficient way. It may be a horrible experience for Raven's group, but it was indeed a lot of fun for the ones who are watching from above.
The group did what Kita and Hana suggested. Along the way, they couldn't contain themselves from curiosity. Raven and others started to ask questions about Lulu and the Beast King. They don't have water with them right now so healing Yuna is not currently an option. Addressing the queries of everyone is the theme of their travel back to the hut as the night sky watches them.
It's been a long conversation and they are not even close to finishing. Though they have to cut the topic for now since they reached their destination. Upon entering the hut, they prepare everything as Hana uses her talent to heal Yuna.
Damage to the back of Yuna's head, plus the outburst of her talent, caused her to be drained and unconscious for days. As Hana heals some broken tissues, it relaxes the nerves. Allowing Yuna to do a little bit of movement as a reaction to the process. After a couple of minutes, Yuna slowly opened her eyes. Lulu immediately hugged her as the two of them were finally reunited.
"I'm happy to see nyu again!" Lulu said.
"Lu… Lulu?" Yuna responded as she was trying to grasp the situation. She touches Lulu's face as she says "Is… Is this real?". Yuna looked around and added, "Whe-where are we?"
"Take it easy, just relax. Everything is fine now." Hana said. They don't want Yuna to freak out from what's happening.
"Wait, are nyu crying?" Raven asked Kita as she noticed tears in Kita's eyes.
"How can I possibly not? I mean, I saw both sides, how Yuna and Lulu reacted when they were worried for each other. This is just too much for me." Kita emotionally said as she sniffed. She is trying her best to act cool but failed to do so.
"Aawww… That was so sweet!" Celeste commented.
"I never knew nyu were a soft kitty!" Raven teased.
"No, I'm not!" Kita madly reacted, changing her emotions quickly.
"I don't know what's happening but I'm just glad that we are all here," Yuna mentioned.
"Nyu don't have to hurry, we have all the time to catch up!" Lulu responded.
"Lulu is right, let's just spend this night peacefully. All of the questions can be answered tomorrow." Hana suggested.
"That's a good idea! Besides, help is on the way, we just have to wait here." Kita added.
"Help?" Eve curiously reacted.
"Hai, we met Tridae earlier. He is on the way to Kemitopia to call for rescue." Kita answered.
"Oh, the Eagleman Kemi? I see… It's good news then!" Raven commented.
"Nyatta! We are going back soon!" Rubi happily said.
"When we safely return, I promise to just live a peaceful life!" Celeste stated.
"Impossible. As long as they are around, your statement is impossible." FeLinE:1000X suddenly responded as she pointed to Kita.
"I guess I spoke too soon…" Celeste sadly said as everyone laughed.
Exactly as the group agreed, there will be no questions to raise during this whole night. Raven, Kita, and Rubi went outside to catch some fish, of course with the supervision of Lulu with Badi and Pily. Celeste and Eve started to prepare the campfire where they will cook their dinner. Lastly, Hana monitors Yuna's condition. Her injuries were healed but Yuna still needs to recover.
These moments help them appreciate everyone even more. Truly, working with others will make things easier. It lessens one's load, changing what seems to be impossible to do, into a distributed portion of lighter parts. Solitude forms the individual's capability, but comradery builds a strong foundation for bigger progress.
For the first time, the Catgirls are enjoying their stay on the island. From a serious dire rescue mission to a nature-bonding experience. Camping the night out as they take a break from everything. It serves as a breather, all of them were stressed for at least a month or two, starting all the way from Zenshin.
Later on, the group gathers around the campfire, enjoying the warmth while waiting for their food. Asking any more questions is prohibited but telling about their hilarious moments is acceptable. Despite the difficult times, they still experience some memorably comedic ones.
"Nyu should have seen how Celeste cried while running. I thought her tears were her boosters!" Raven kiddingly said.
"She was indeed crying a lot earlier," Eve added.
"I really thought that was the end for us!" Celeste defended herself.
"I told Hana that I would probably do the same thing. The difference is I'll probably run endlessly than cry." Kita said.
"To nyu, running is like creating problems, nyu always do it," Lulu responded.
"Oy!" Kita reacted madly.
"Good one Lulu, nyu are learning now." Hana praised Lulu's burn.
"I learned from the best!" Lulu returned the praise.
"These stories sound chaotic, I guess being unconscious was a blessing in disguise." Yuna humorously said.
"I was carrying nyu the whole time!" Raven complained.
"I thought nyu would carry Celeste too!" Rubi responded.
"I honestly wanted to be carried, so I can focus on crying," Celeste added.
Everyone laughs as they make fun of what happened. The chaotic event turns out to be a fun one as they all see things from different perspectives. At the end of the day, it all went well. The group just laughs it all out, enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On the other hand, FeLinE is observing each individual. For her, meeting this group means something. FeLinE's memory is still fuzzy, she cannot fully remember how she ended up in the main realm in the first place. Sentient Kemis are supposedly in the Lost Civilization, protecting the Sacred Runes. Suddenly waking up from a different place means something is going on. Not only in the UniPaws but in every other realm as well.
Even though FeLinE is puzzled, she remains vigilant as she finds more pieces. For now, regaining her memory is her top priority while she tries to uncover the reason why she meets Kita's group.
End of Chapter 4