In a place that would make many grown men second guess each step, with sights that could cause a warrior to grow cautious, that little black cat strutted forward with her fuzzy chin pointed to the sky. She was obviously a sight for sore eyes. One which no one ever expects to see in that kind of setting…
Although that was a bit of a lie since black cats are often seen as being symbols of the occult; just about wherever they appear in the world.
Sometimes as protectors while others times an omen of ill tidings.
None of that mattered to that particular pussy as she saw the beliefs of others as being something irrelevant - unless she wanted something from them. As it stood she believed there was nothing anyone in this world could offer to her. Well, except watching the beauty of childhood with her own aged eyes.
Eyes that looked rather bored as they wandered around in the unusually vivid darkness.
Prowling throughout the corridors revealed that things didn't get any better when one headed further inside. But instead worse. Countless kanji covered scrolls that once decorated the walls as a form of cheap but effective decor… Were either not on the wall or not fully on the wall.
Few things hadn't found themselves within the clutches of whatever beast was hiding within the walls of the torn apart manor. What once was prestigious was now decrepit. Any cabinets that lay in the corridors were shattered to bits which showcased a level of physical power she didn't expect.
There were some sliding doors that were technically where they belonged (actually blocking one from entering the room) but others were destroyed. Their destruction didn't even seem to be intended from the marks left behind in the monster's wake. More likely just caught up in its destructive charge down the hall.
Made all the more obvious when she peaked her little head through the broken doors; revealing a room that was a little shaken up but otherwise fine.
| Oh I am so curious about what has created all this mess~! |
| We "assume" it is but even if that's the case… Why type of mutation? My dear other self, this is a new world where we know little, everything we know could be completely turned on its head. There is so much to learn and this is the first step! |
<...>
She obviously didn't share the same enthusiasm as that mad scientist self but she also had far more in the way of responsibility.
While that mad cat focused on fulfilling her own selfish desires - the one in control of the body knew that having such a creature around could potentially be dangerous. Far too dangerous to have around when she was raising two little girls. So, even if with different intentions, she at least agreed to find it.
Fortunately that brute didn't seem to particularly care about remaining as a concealed danger; it was more than easy to follow his trek of ravaged hallways.
More specifically it appeared to be roaming those passageways which, following what she knew about the prior lord, was likely to find any "thiefs". Something she was more convinced of when she came across the records room she had previously entered through. It certainly didn't look as she remembered.
Those countless shelves were now knocked over if lucky and straight up torn apart if not. Specifically those immediately in front of the doorway and in the way of the escape tunnel (the one she had previously utilised) were completely obliterated. Likely having sent the others to be pushed over by accident.
Eithway it left the documents to be scattered all across the floor.
The entrance to the tunnel was completely caved in as a result of what can only be called the result of a superpowered temper tantrum.
So she thought as she continued on with her search without bothering to look inside the room as she could clearly tell it wasn't there. Instead she decided to head towards where that fifty "spiritual energy" was the most concentrated. It only made sense that the creature would be there.
Although that task was a little hard due to the spiritual energy due to being a generally a messy affair. The beast roaming around allowed its energy to diffuse throughout the building. With the energy rising & ebbing so much that she could only wander a bit.
| His goal was to protect this place, at the end of the day. |
Once more she found herself standing in front of the bedroom that in turn led to the vault.
Within was supposed to be the core of the wealth that kept the feudal city afloat - a wealth that hadn't seen the light of day in quite some time. A problematic reality for the residents & new lord. Though not something she personally cared about since it didn't affect her.
What left her more interested was the strength held past the doorway she peered into. She didn't immediately see the vault due to the layout of the room however she could practically feel the heated breaths from whatever lay inside. Of course it didn't actually breathe yet she could feel it.
She curiously pondered as she quite enjoyed the feeling of gaining strength even if she tried not to bother with it in her new life.
Still it was hard to escape from old habits, especially when those habits were what allowed her to stave off death for so long, so she couldn't help feeling a little excited. Stepping into the doorway without any apparent caution in her steps. Soon laying her crimson eyes on an even darker space.
The darkness within the building already seemed unnatural however that was cranked up to eleven when it came to the lords bedroom & thus vault. Even her feline enhanced vision found itself struggling to pierce through the shadowy veil. It was then that she fully understood why the monster's aura covered the place.
Her words were reinforced by the croaking roar that filled the room which soon became a prelude for the creaking of the floor boards. Whatever was hiding was clearly larger than your average mutt. Howbeit she also wasn't your average cat (even if she was smaller than one).
Throughout the horror house she hadn't so much as changed expressions on that fuzzy face. Calmly closing her eyes as she prepared for whatever that beast would throw - knowing her eyes were useless just meant she wouldn't waste her time with them. Focusing on the fact that sound was not affected.
Easily jumping out the way as a gigantic black paw swiped at her with terrifying claws that just seemed more like extensions of its hand.
As if it's body was just one big "blob" of shadow with her only just managing to make out a flash of something white as a second paw came.
A situation most would consider hopeless…
She just tucked in her limbs to rotate midair only to launch all for of her own palms to meet that gigantic palm as it attempted to swat her. Sending her sailing through the air. Even then she didn't seem out of her element as she utilised her tails to adjust once more - managing to land on the wall with no injury.
With a better angle as the confused beast turned to look toward her; she saw that a massive white face adorned what she assumed to it's face.
Hard to make out with its body melding so well with the shadows.
At the very least she was sure that it wasn't actually merging into the shadows but, rather, the shadows just perfectly matched with its body. Since both contained the same aura there was virtually nothing that made differentiating one from the other a plausible strategy. Causing her to click her tongue softly.
So she astutely exclaimed in her head.
| Ah but look at it, it's like nothing we've seen before, the closest thing would be the oni with them manifesting their strong intent into creating an improved self. Don't waste time pondering how easy something is and let's figure out what can be. There is science to be had chehehehahaha~! |
Deciding it was about time to cut things short before she suffered from a cat induced uprising; that cat began to steady her breathing while reaching into the spiritual energy within her. Death was not the end so she still had plenty of access to her reserves that hadn't been wiped. Although quickly finding a problem.
Trying to push her energy into her body didn't do anything for the simple reason… She wasn't in a spiritual body but a very physical one. It was an oversight that caused the cat to widen her eyes in shock at her own stupidity as she just fell to the floor.
Shock that the monster mistook for fear upon looking at it's visage.
"LiTlE ThIeF~!"
Its voice was as malformed as its body as it came to slap the kitten who was still agile enough with just the passive enhancement she was given. Still she found it difficult to reach her spiritual energy with the limitations of her physical form. Like trying to fit a stream of water through a tap.
| Perha~ps this one could deal out the cards needed to purify th~at punk - if you'd be a pa~l 'n' call out this poor gamblers na~m- |
Simply hopping to the same side the limb was on which then resulted in that beast obviously moving that very same limb in hopes of batting her aside. Avoiding that was as easy as just jumping up again. While missing its target caused the monster to stumble due to losing its balance.
| Oh~ it does make one wonder about what secrets that corrupted spirit hides - perhaps we could come to an agreement where you call out my name and I-~! |
It was clear from the curiosity contained in that voice, she didn't know why, that cat only requested her name to be announced to find out what would happen when it was.
She chose to ignore her otherside in favour of leaping forth while brandishing her claws; said claws sharply gleaming despite the darkness as they reached that white mask. Against a sane person's expectations she actually managed to leave a deep gash. That mask falling from its face.
What surprised her was the sight of the man that hid under that mask - the exact face of the lord whose expression contorted in anger & fear.
An odd sight considering its deformed body.
"GET AWAY!"
Its force less distorted but still it had no intentions of losing its life again so quickly turned tail at just the fact that it could be wounded. Roaring out as it bulldozed through a wall as it continued. The cat only able to watch as she was well aware that she couldn't catch up.
| You didn't expect it to be su~ch an easy game, did yo~u? |
| Do you tru~ly think things are so~ easy, the dice ha~s been cast, trouble i~s gonna come. |
She just snorted her nose as soon panicked voices began to echo throughout the manner - deciding it was time for her to end her brief jaunt.