I sat down on the dirty laundry floor, placing a map that I've ripped off on the back of a magazine I found. I kept the magazine.
I was near the end of my journey through "France." I did find some pictures of the capital Paris from abandoned homes or on people's phones…I wish I had collected them, but sadly, I do not have anything to hold instead of two pockets full of weapons. Nah, I'm lying. I did at least grab one picture. It's a picture something called the "Eiffel Tower," which I personally thought was a myth when I first heard about it.
I pulled out the photo once again, taking a good look down at the crumbled picture, I couldn't help but to gaze at the woman's smile. I wonder who took this photo? Was it her husband? I wouldn't be surprised if it was. She's pretty for a human.
The back of the picture says "2/12/1995."
"That would've been at least 200 decades ago in Tartarus. I think."
I do know that times are confusing down there. I would've understand it better if math in Greek wasn't so complicated.
I placed the picture back inside of my pocket. I rolled the map and placed it inside my other empty pocket. I wish pockets were a thing back home. It would've been a lot easier since I carry so much jewelry around. I had to throw away my jewelry—It was causing too much of a distraction for creatures to find me, and it was weighing me down. I'm doing this for you people.
But I did manage to keep one. It was a ring.
A ring that was given by my older brother. The ring was named after a planet called the "Jupiter's red spot." The ring was a golden piece with a big, ruby-red jewel as its ornament. It doesn't really have any power-speciality, but the thing that is special about it is that it was from a family member. And that's powerful enough for me.
I smiled down at the ring.
*thump!*
"Huh?"
My attention shifted to the noise inside of the beaten-up laundry machine. I stopped paying attention to my ring, shifting my position on my knees as I crawled to the source of the sound cautiously. Will this unlock my third mission? If so, let it at least have an easy start. I don't have the energy to maul a giant fur-ball with just one steel sword.
"Meow.."
What's those things called again? Ailouros? Do humans call them those?
"Meow.."
That meek sound its making is weak. If I can guess correctly, it's either a baby Ailouros or something completely similar to that but I don't know what.
I carefully opened the door. I didn't wanna harm whatever's inside of it. The handles of the washing machine were weak enough to pull off. I gently pulled the door off the handles, placing it next beside me. What I saw in the washing machine was a tiny, thin ginger Ailouros.
"You're quite beaten up."
I said softly, watching the Ailouros barely move. It was a relief that small beasts like this thing survived despite the world's conditions.
"Well, I assume you will be my companion for this mission."
"Meow.."
I spread my fingers out. The body was tiny and frail so I couldn't just snatch it out. My fingers went underneath its body—I can feel that the fur was wet and knotted. Not a comfortable feeling. I held the baby Ailouros sideways in my palms, then sitting up slowly while keeping a strong eye down on the weak Ailouros.
"You know, you could've been eaten if you weren't in the washing machine."
I said to it, smiling softly as it continued to meow weakly.
"You are smart. You just need strength."
I said. I know that back in Egypt, "Ailouros" were considered powerful because they were associated with their goddess named "Bastet." Bastet represented fertility, home and protection. I wish I learned more about Egypt's history…I only know so little.
Anyways, back to the Ailouros.
"What's your name, little guy?"
I asked. I assumed it would talk. That's what they are meant to do, aren't they?
It didn't. It just replied weakly with a meow.
"Huh. Perhaps you cannot speak yet?"
I asked it. No reply this time.
"You are little, after all. Water is definitely a need, but there's no clean water for you to drink."
I had an idea but I didn't wanna end up killing it myself. Ailouros are special, and I don't wanna disrespect Bastet. Besides, why would I wanna kill something alive I haven't seen in months?
*Ding!*
-A NEW MISSION HAS BEEN UNLOCKED!-
My eyes glistened as I heard the message ding in front of me.
-MISSION CATEGORY: 3.1.-
"3.1? What do you mean 3.1?!"
It should've been 3.0. Was this an early mission awakening? Did Bastet did this?
-A SIDE QUEST WAS REQUESTED UPON AN UNKNOWN DEITY. DO YOU ACCEPT THIS SIDE-QUEST?-
An unknown deity. So maybe I was correct about it being Bastet.
"Yes. I do."
-SIDE QUEST ACCEPTED!-
-SIDE QUEST:
-The unknown deity has requested you to help the Ailouros by providing it care.
Reward: C-TIER weapon.-
I forgot these missions were directly assigned to be sent to me. If there were anyone else in this room, they would've only saw me looking at the ruined ceiling. Unless I ask permission to share it. The Ailouros probably wouldn't understand it anyway if I did share it.
"I will meet with your request, unknown deity."
I said. The messages no longer appeared.
"I really wish they would give more information instead of just adding a few words."
I thought. Please tell me I don't have to complete more missions to gain more information!
"Meow.."
Oh, right!—the Ailouros!
-The author decides to fast-forward to the next scene. Mahina has found a bag full of items. Assuming that it was a gift from the Egyptian goddess, Bastet, the bag contained some bread and an unopened bottle of water that had a cloudy appearance. But in order to save the Ailouros, ("also known as a cat)„, she had no choice but to flow the water in the cat's mouth. Mahina has pushed her desires to eat the bread and take the rest of the water, knowing that the cat needed it more than she did.-
-Remaining back in the scene.-
"The bread won't be enough."
I said, wrapping the Ailouros in the pink blanket I found in the bag.
"But it'll give you something to munch on later. You rest up, okay?"
I said. The Ailouros's eyes were slowly closing. I had to make sure it was still breathing by placing my ear against the nose area.
The place was an open area so I need to strive quietly in my movements. If I cause too much distraction, some powerful creature will pop out any moment. But right now, I believe that I'm in a comfortable place.
"What should I name you? I bet you want it to be interesting."
I said, talking to the Ailouros while I put it in the bag.
"Hmm, discord? Dawn? Starboy?.."
I thought real hard. What would fit a tiny, frail ginger?….
!
"Oh, I know!—"
"Phoenix."
Yes! That's perfect! Phoenix is associated with the sun. It resembles rebirth, immortality, and renewal. That's why they're my favorite species—though this is a Ailorous—but who said that a Ailorous cannot be a Phoenix?
I mostly just named it Phoenix because it was a ginger.
I zipped the bag but not too much. I wanted to leave space for Phoenix's head. I made sure to make enough room for the bread and water. The items inside were not very useful, but I did find a camera. I kept that obviously. If I found a bag sooner then I wouldn't have dropped my precious jewelry.
Phoenix was fast asleep. The trip would be easier since this little beast likes to meow quite a lot. I will call it "mewl" as a nickname. It was annoying, but we managed. I wonder if Bastet is watching me. She's a pretty nice goddess. I wish I could've met her. I only heard a couple of stories about her. Like I mentioned before, I only know so little that I'm itching to just know more.
Maybe I will in the future.
"Alright, Phoenix. You're my new companion now."
And I hope you will stay by my side during this.