The ground underneath our feet sprung to life as we walked. At first it was a sprout here or there but then the whole area underneath the skies bright light had began to grow. There were small buds that pushed through the dark earth pushing their way out to meet the bright light.
The plain that was once barren still looked like a sorry sight. It was still in a lot of ways not and beautiful as what I had seen once I first arrived into the soulscape. This plain however had truly started to heal.
Kibbles looked around. The smile on his face seemed unable to leave as he held his belly happily. Puff merely tried his best not to stand on the newly growing sprouts.
We continued walking for a few hours taking in the sites and sounds as we walked. The pulse had been getting steadily stronger in my ears.
Bu Dum!
Thrum!
Bu Dum!
Thrum!
The pulse was steady like a heartbeat, I followed it almost in a trance like state until Kibbles had pulled me backwards.
" Woah! Yuki! How did you almost miss a mountain!?" Kibble cried as I snapped out of my daze.
I looked in front of me to see that I had almost bumped into a wall made of rock and earth. Looking up I noticed it was not actually a wall like I had first thought but the start of a steep climb into the heavens.
I looked over at Puff and Kibbles.
" Uh.. sorry, I didn't realise where we were for a minute" I said before scratching the back of my head in embarrassment.
" Hmm is your avatar on the mountain or behind it Yuki, close your eyes and focus!" Puff said like a teacher giving their pupil some advice.
I closed my eyes and focused just as Puff had mentioned. It took me a while but it sort of felt like I could almost see a bright green light way up on the mountain. It blinked like a star in the darkness behind my eyes.
" It's there" I said with my eyes still closed as I pointed upwards.
" We have to climb this thing?!" Kibbles complained.
" Looks like it" I responded flatly as I opened my eyes again.
" hmmm" Puff had hummed.
" Wait a moment" Puff said after a little bit of time had passed.
He closed his eyes and his massive form began to visibly shrink, until he was the size that I had first met him. I looked back almost with nostalgia remembering how he had latched onto my face during our first encounter.
[ The great and mighty elder ent about to hitch a ride huh?]
I looked at Puff's form and giggled.
Puff had then checked its features before jumping on Kibbles head and making a nest.
" Why me?! Climb on Yuki!" Kibbles complained again.
" Quite sapling, In my true form you would be begging just to hold a scale!" Puff said indignantly.
Kibbles obviously unable to hear him tried to swat Puff away. Puff merely used its tail to hit the back of Kibbles head.
" Alright, Alright I get it!" Kibbles said in defeat as he held his head. Puff stood on Kibbles triumphantly.
I used some cloth from my tattered clothing to make some makeshift gloves for myself. Kibbles watching from the side followed suit.
I had never been one for heights but knowing that this was the only way out I took a deep breath before clinging onto the mountain
[ Don't look down, don't look down!]
I could feel the floor vanishing into the distance as we climbed. My arms started to feel heavy and my body cold the further we reached for the mountain top.
Clouds formed and snow began to fall.
" Yu...ki...ki ..kii" Kibbles said as his teeth chattered from a lower position.
" Whhy.. could...nt.. We be ..some..where ..warm and dry!?" Kibbles moaned.
" If you have strength to complain you have strength to climb. Look we are almost near the top!" I said looking above us.
After another incense stick of time we were lying on a snow covered cliff edge panting.
" You don't think we have to climb back down do you?" Said Kibbles heaving for air on his back.
The place around us was very cold, but it was covered in white flowers that stretched for miles covered in snow. I couldn't believe how big this mountain really was till we reached the top.
I noticed not far away there was a cabin that was covered in white vines. I pointed in the direction of it and meekly said " Look there a place to rest!"
Puff and Kibbles looked at where I was pointing to before nodding.
I stood up after taking a few more breaths and Puff jumped up on my shoulder.
" This place is too cold for me" Puff said.
I walked over to Kibbles to help him up.
" See a place to rest!" I said as I reached out my hand.
Kibbles latched onto me shivering.
[ Am I a heater? Why is everyone grabbing me? I am cold too you know! ]
We trekked through the snow leaving footprints in our wake until we made it to the cottage.
There was smoke coming from the chimney. So we had all become weary.
I closed my eyes to check inside the cottage for my magic avatar but there was no light coming from behind my eyes.
" You think someone is in there?" Kibbles whispered.
" I hope not" I responded.
I knocked on the door politely.
Knock!
Knock!
" Come in! " a familiar voice responded.
" It couldn't be?!" I said in surprise.
Kibbles rushed through the door as if the cottage was the only safe place in the world.
A warm feeling assaulted my face and the door swung wide.
A bright light streamed out blinding me.
I walked forward with Puff still on my head and entered. As the light cleared the site of a beautifully homely cottage came into view.
There were paintings all around, a nice big comfy couch as well as some tables and chairs. The decor screamed Earth family holiday in the woods.
I looked over at Kibbles who was holding a certain annoying being who held cookies over their head.
They were wearing warm winter gear and an apron.
" You miss me? " he smirked.
" We meet again stupid Cupid!" I said out loud without thinking.
" Who is this powerful being? I feel like an ant staring at the sun" Puff said.
" Fear not ******, I am here to see my pet cat and favorite human" Cupid responded ignoring what I called him.
" My branch name?! How do you speak in the tongue of the trees?!" Puff responded wide eyed.
" Best to ignore him" I said to Puff as I patted his head.
[ Figures that even a Rank 9 walking calamity would be a like a child in front of its creator. I wonder why all I feel for this guy is annoyance!?]
" Here have some cookies and milk, sorry I am late. I was fixing some things and didn't notice what had happened." Cupid said absentmindedly.
Kibbles was still hanging on to him. Looking at them side by side, I was reminded of a set of older and younger brothers.
I calmly sat at the table and my aching arms felt a little refreshed.
Kibbles rushed to the table and sat down next to me his tail wagging happily.
" Meowster, you would never guess what happened!!!" Kibbles said.
" Oh?" Cupid replied before sitting down.
Puff had walked on the table and faced Cupid. They looked at each other for a moment before Cupid began to pat Puffs head.
Puff walked over to Cupids lap and sat down contently.
" Like a warm day, in a peaceful ravine. " Puff said as he began to fall asleep.
Kibbles spent the next incense stick of time either shoving a biscuit in his mouth or spread crumbs as he spoke about our adventure. I held my head in embarrassment when he got up to the part where we encountered my past.
Cupid had hummed and nodded along happily as if he were reading a book. I took a few bites of the cookies that Cupid had made to wash away how insecure I was feeling.
The cookies themselves were the tastiest sweet biscuits that I had ever tried. They crumbled on my palate as I took a sip of the sweetened milk.
Finally after the catch up session was finished. Cupid took a bite of a biscuit and looked at me. I felt his gaze on the top of my head.
My cheeks flushed.
[ Stupid Cupid! ]
" I am here to talk to you about Rinura. Unfortunately she has decided to play a few tricks. I am here today to warn you" Cupid sighed.
I looked over to him and merely nodded.