Creatures barreled from every side, trying to block him, but Muffin was getting exhausted and his heart was hammering so hard he could feel it in his throat. He, then, saw a flash of light coming from a square space and finally, turned out to be their wide glass door.
With a desperate vault, Muffin used his full force to get into the door, barely catching the edge with one paw. He clambered, claws scraping against the smooth surface and the shimmering door automatically closed behind him, sealing the creatures out.
[No other access granted]
Behind him, the monsters pounded against the door, shrieking and started beating furiously om the door. He collapsed, clutching his dummy fish, fur drenched in sweat and grime.
Like a striking bolt, the furious roars erupted through the cavern and inside the house shooking it. The creatures at the door got scarred and immediately sprinted towards the sound like something just happened.
"Alexia…" he breathed out, eyes wide with fear. Muffin's paws shook as his mind raced with Alexia still there injured and fighting for her life. He quickly asked system to aid her. ''System, help Alexia''he shouted with desperation in his voice. No response. ''What.. what's happening up there'' Panic surged through him eager to help. ''Something must have happened to her, you must protect her. She is your user'' .
[No option]
Feeling rage, he turned around and didn't wait any long to think. '' Hold on, I'm coming! Just hold more'' He sprang to his feet. Thud! Wounded body fell with a grunt from behind, shaking the ground and a bug spray rolls over him.
Ding!
[Task Complete]
Her whole body slathered in black blood, but she was alive barely breathing. Muffin immediately rush to her and padded closer, calling her name once, twice.
"Albina?!" Muffin's voice broke, his fur spiking in panic. She didn't respond. Her grey eyes half-closed, chest rising and falling unevenly. Panic clawed at Muffin's chest. A soft glow appeared from the system panel, words flashing urgently.
[West Wing – Medical Care]
[Priority: Immediate Treatment]
Muffin's heart raced. "Alright… hang on, hang on, Alexia! I got you," he muttered, dragging her carefully across the floor. "No, no, no—don't close your eyes! Stay with me, dummy!" But Alexia didn't respond. Her grey eyes fluttered shut, her breath faint as Muffin carried her limp form.
Muffin face got darkened, ears flattened, and whiskers quivered, still continued dragging her along, newly discovering streaks of red blood along the black one, smearing the ground behind them. His heavy gaze never left her, watching her every flickered closed eyelids and a shallow breath of hers.
Every step felt like her body was slipping further away, yet her heart clung to one last fragment of light—a memory.
She saw him again. There he was, standing under the glow of stage lights, his new haircut catching the brilliance of the spotlights, his idol school uniform: a white shirt with an open collar, a red-and-green checkered tie slightly loosened, and a dark blazer dazzling against the backdrop of roaring fans. His smile was directed at her, as if no one else existed in that moment.
Backstage afterward, he slipped away from the others to find her, his voice low and teasing."So… how do I look? Does this new haircut suit me?"
Alexia's lips curved faintly as she shook her head. " I already saw the photos after a hairdone. They truly excelled, just as I mentioned. Don't get carried away getting styled freely from my company." Her voice dropped, softer, almost warning. "If your members find out you're getting infamous looks done by my staff, you'll be in trouble for not telling them."
He chuckled under his breath, leaning closer, eyes glinting with mischief. "Free? If it's from you, I'll take it every time."
Her warning hung in the air, and for a heartbeat, Alexia braced for him to take it seriously. Instead, he leaned closer, eyes glinting with mischief, and said softly, "Then let them find out… as long as I get to see that smile of yours."
[West Wing : Medical Care]
[Theme : Bathhouse]
The doors of the West Wing opened, revealing a steaming large bathhouse like a pool. Mist curled around the massive tub, carrying the sharp scent of herbs with green appearance.
Without a word, he lifted Alexia's battered form and carefully placed her into the giant bathtub, with no hesitation letting the warm, herbal-scented water envelop her wounded site.
He dropped down beside the tub, tail curled and ears drooping. His amber eyes glowed with sorrow of light and the heavy weight of loneliness, the distress of her failing life while feeling so powerless.
Hours passed. The bath stewed in its healing warmth, the steam curling like whispers around them. Muffin didn't move from that same spot, vigilant and silent, waiting for her. Time marched on, but he never left.
The bathwater rippled as Alexia's battered body dissolved into a shimmering glow of particles under the herb water, vanishing silently in the water. In a parallel world, Alexia was working late at night, threading and fastening the new section of gown in her room.
Suddenly she gets transported to the black void, and a giant blue panel appeared infront of her.
[Proposal for an upgrade]
[Access to your parallel self is required to continue healing]
She scowled, crossing her arms. "Who… are you? And why am I here?" Her tone was sharp, clipped, and impatient. No response. The panel glowed continuously. ''What are you talking about?"
'' I don't have time for this. I have work to finish. Send me back'' she ordered with her usual cold tone.
[Sending back..]
Her eyes glinted, cold and calculating. "Wait, where are you taking me—". Before she could finish, she found herself heavily wounded state in a giant tube. Her consciousness started to lose—suddenly her body started to medicate. The wound and fatal blow on her head started to heal by the essence of magical herbal water and in a flash her body become unscathed, as if she had never been harmed. The system quietly transferred all memories, all experiences, into this new body, silently preserving her consciousness.
'' I see. It needs my other one to heal my critical state," she said, voice low but calm. Then, a soft, radiant glow filled the room and Muffin's ears perked up immediately, seeing the change in the room.
The light pulsed over Alexia, radiating warmth and power. Slowly, it faded, breaking through mist. And there she was alive. Her eyes flickered open, sharp and fierce, grey eyes and whole. ''What a trash, can't it heal without calling? Now, what do I do?''
"Alexia''
For an instance, silence hung between them as both reunited after the storm. Alexia's gaze was over her worn-out clothes, adjusting them carefully, while Muffin's eyes never left her.
Muffin yelped out loudly, tail whipping around him, leaping onto the edge of the tub. "You… you're alive!" he cried, his little body trembling with happiness and relief.
Alexia blinked, hearing the voice, and then slowly met Muffin's gaze. A faint smirk curved her lips. "Seems like you waited for me so long," she said softly.''Guess I'm back.
Muffin smiled, tail flicking with relief, at making it back. The sorrow that had gripped them both for days started to lessen, as herbal fragnance wafting through the air, wrapped around them like a protective shield.
[Reward : Silk]
[Achievement : Gain access to back on Earth]
Then, a golden door appeared beside her elf portrait and opened up to unveil her dual existence.