I was finished changing into the clothes the beautiful, puma-faced creature had left for me.
I had to admit, they felt far too revealing. The top barely covered my chest and the bottom showed a lot of leg. In fact, it felt like I was wearing nothing but underwear. I regretfully hadn't worn any underneath, fearing it would look strange under such a peculiar outfit.
I soon discovered why the outfit was designed that way once I stepped outside.
The air felt sticky and uncomfortably hot, despite the dense canopy of trees. The hut I was staying in appeared to be part of a colossal tree... a true wonder to behold.
What I saw was something the human mind can't fully comprehend.
Even though I had been here for a while and saw strange things daily, it still took time for my mind to fully grasp the sights.
The trees were unlike any on Earth. They were humongous and vibrant, not the usual green, with branches that spread like vines in every direction.
Some creatures used the branches as roads, while others used small streams of water that flowed from the ground up to branches large enough to accommodate several huts.
It looked magical.
As it turned out, the hut I was staying in was where Lion used to live.
Unlike the sweltering temperature outside, he had adjusted the climate inside to keep me comfortable.
While I was looking around, I heard high-pitched laughter. I saw several small creatures that I assumed were the healer's offspring, as they looked like miniature versions of her.
At that moment, I was alone.
Lion had left to gather food. Ghost and Sly were busy taking orders for mirrors while promoting the grilled BBQ place and the ice cream shop.
Don't ask me the names of the shops. I still couldn't understand the weird symbols they used or the sounds of their language.
There is a limit to how much the human mind can grasp outside of its normality, after all.
Suddenly, with a burst of laughter, the small creatures jumped from the branches and plummeted toward the ground.
LION, WHERE ARE YOU?!
Oh, sweet heaven. The healer is going to murder me.
My legs began to shake as I scrambled to think of a way to explain to the healer why her children had killed themselves while playing. My mouth went dry and I stood there, paralyzed by shock.
Suddenly, someone hugged me from behind.
My heart nearly leapt out of my chest.
It was Lion.
He nuzzled my neck, holding me tightly. He must have noticed my state of shock, because he stopped and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
I nearly sobbed, telling him everything that had happened.
Lion simply smiled and assured me that I hadn't killed anyone. Remembering something, he told me to hold his hand.
Why?
He put a finger to his lips, signaling me to stay silent. With a twinkle in his eyes, he asked if I trusted him.
I nodded slowly, though I felt apprehensive about whatever he was planning.
We walked to the edge of the branch and jumped.
AHHHHH!
I slammed my eyes shut and squeezed Lion's hand. I felt his tail curl around my waist as we fell rapidly.
He yelled something I didn't understand, urging me gently to open my eyes.
As I did, I realized our descent was slowing down.
I was once again speechless. We were still far from the ground, but I could make out the shapes of creatures and huts of all sizes scattered below. I looked back and realized just how far we had leaped.
It was like jumping from a building taller than the Burj Khalifa. Having visited it back on Earth, I could tell this tree was significantly taller.
I hadn't realized its true height before because the "ground" I had seen earlier was actually just another layer of branches.
A light-colored mist covered almost everything, creating a sort of artificial light since the sun's rays couldn't penetrate the thick upper canopy.
It truly felt like a different world.
I could see why this place was a haven for prey. Enormous flying predators couldn't pass through the thick leaves and navigating by land would be too difficult with the endless twists and turns of the branches.
We finally landed on the ground with a soft thud. At least gravity wasn't too harsh here.
Nearby, I saw the healer's offspring running around, perfectly fine.
Good. They nearly gave me a heart attack.
...
I asked Lion where Pinky is, while we were eating fruit in a clearing filled with tiny, strange-looking flowers.
He told me nonchalantly that Pinky is basking in the sunlight at one of the highest treetops.
After we finished eating, Lion signaled for me to sit on his lap. I sighed and complied while he eagerly nuzzled my neck again.
He wrapped his tail around my waist, his fingers playing with my hair. He asked what was troubling me, noting that I looked distracted.
I admitted that I don't know my purpose in this world and that if I were a novel, I'd be rejected because the story has no direction, no plot at all.
What am I even doing here?
I fell silent, engrossed in my thoughts.
Lion seemed to understand. He didn't speak, but simply embraced me, resting his chin on my head while humming a comforting tune.
I snuggled into him, needing the comfort.
His embrace tightened as I nuzzled his neck. I poured out my thoughts to him and he listened without judgment.
After several minutes of talking, I coughed, my throat feeling dry.
Lion magically conjured a vial of what looked like water. I drank it and it soothed my throat instantly.
Satisfied, I pulled his arms closer and he happily obliged, kissing my cheek.
He suggested in a comforting voice, that I open my own clinic as by doing that way, I don't have to travel to different areas and I can just do what I used to do in my old world.
I whispered to him that I am afraid as I don't want to be condemned for the changes I might bring to the territory.
Lion laughed, assuring me he would do everything to keep me safe, adding that his magic was strong enough to destroy the entire territory if necessary.
Okay... I definitely don't want to get him upset.
He reassured me that it's okay if my pace is slow and that not everything needs to be known right away. He told me that sometimes, life's purpose is the journey itself, the way we learn about ourselves, welcome change and keep discovering.
He appeared completely relaxed, untroubled by the world. He was right. I had been so focused on finding a destination that I had forgotten to enjoy the ride.
I held his face in my hands and smiled at him.
While nuzzling his cheek, I murmured that I hope he'll be beside me every step of the way.