Cat nodded again. "Yes, the knowledge you acquired in the past will empower you to overcome Jran's lingering influence, get rid of Dahra, and unlock your true potential."
"That's too perilous!" Miram chimed in, her guard dropping. "Isn't there an alternative approach?"
"I wish there was a safer option, but this is the only viable solution we have," Cat emphasized.
"What are the risks involved in performing this…Soul Drifting?" Mike asked.
"The journey will be treacherous, no doubt," Cat explained. "Your soul may become lost, or you might even become trapped in a different era."
"You can choose to opt-out if you think it's too dangerous for you," she added.
"If I think?" Mike repeated. "Are you kidding me? Of course, it's too dangerous! And... Opt-out? What's with this sarcasm!?"
"What's sarcasm?" Cat inquired.
"Making use of irony to get on people's nerves," he explained.
"And… What's irony?" Miram and Cat asked almost simultaneously.
"And what's 'nerves'?" Cat added.
"Nevermind! You slow-witted bunch of aliens!" Mike blurted, his frustration boiling over.
Cat chuckled under her breath. "I think I understand what you meant. But that's not it," she said. "We can't force you into a precarious situation, considering our stark difference in nature."
Mike gawked at her for a moment before speaking. "Do I have a choice?" he scoffed. "I'm not exactly in a position to afford to allow my body to be seized by that malevolent sucker."
Cat, noticing the shift in Miram's overprotectiveness, stepped closer to Mike. "I'll give you some time to think about it," she said. "I'll talk to the council tomorrow and you'll be sent for. Give me your reply then."
She turned to Miram, a wide, warm smile spreading across her face. "We still have a lot to discuss, little girl," she continued, visibly excited. "I'm thrilled to discover that a witch is alive. You're truly a miracle, a beacon of hope in these dark times."
"I'M NOT A LITTLE GIRL!" Miram retorted. "I'll be an adult soon!"
She turned to Mike and smiled charmingly. "I'll really be an adult soon," she reassured, emphasizing each word as if to convince him.
"What does being an adult soon have to do with me?" Mike quizzed in confusion, but Miram merely smiled in return.
Cat's eyes darted between the two, a wide smile spreading across her face. "I've never heard of the combination of a Jyuran and a witch before," she said. "The last witch, at that. This is indeed fascinating."
"We'll make a good combination," Miram said, her declaration filling the air. "And I'm not the last witch. My father's also a witch, and he'll be here soon."
"There's another witch apart from you?!" Cat exclaimed, and Mike could tell through those wrinkled faces of hers that she had just received the greatest news of her life.
Miram nodded fervently. "It's only a matter of time before he arrives," she said.
"Garo!" Cat called, her voice echoing off the walls as she summoned someone.
Meanwhile, Mike used the time to double-tap his Lav, reestablishing his connection with Christina. "Hey, I'm safe now. You guys can stop worrying," he said reassuringly.
"How could you disconnect from me like that?" Christina's nagging was immediate. "You got me seriously worried!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I just didn't want to scare you guys," Mike replied.
Christina thought for a moment before replying, her tone now softened. "Apology accepted, but never do that again. I was really scared," she said.
Mike nodded, even though Christina couldn't see him. "I won't," he promised.
Just then, the sound of fast-approaching footsteps echoed through the cavern, growing louder with each passing moment.
A young female Anthropter emerged from the same entrance Cat had used earlier. She was about the same age as Miram as far as Mike could tell. Her hair was brown as her eyes, her long legs carrying her swiftly across the cavern floor.
As she arrived, she bowed her head slightly, her eyes scanning the room before flinching at the sight of Mike and Miram.
"Where did these new faces come from?" she seemed to be asking herself.
Her eyes finally settled on Mike, and her mouth dropped open in admiration. "He's so cute!" she muttered, her voice barely audible, but her words carried on the cavern's still air.
"Garo!" Cat's voice rang out, interrupting the young Anthropter's admiration. "Find a good place for the Jyuran to rest. He must be tired. Give him something to eat as well."
The girl was momentarily dumbfounded. She struggled to process words but only "Jyuran!?" came out. She took a step back, probably holding back from flinging herself at the stranger.
Finally, she bowed slowly, her movements elegant. "It would be my pleasure," she said. "Follow me, my Jyuran."
"I'm going with him!" Miram announced, glowering contemptuously at the girl.
But Garo recoiled, returning her glare. "That's impossible!" she exclaimed. "You two can't hang in the same space," she emphasized, hinting at their gender difference.
Mike's eyes widened as he wondered what Garo meant by 'hang', but he remained quiet, observing the exchange between the girls. Miram's determination to protect him was reassuring.
"You think I'm going to trust the Jyuran with the Jyuran Slayers?" Miram stipulated. "I'm never leaving him alone for even a moment."
"We can't harm him, we'd be doomed if we do that," said Cat, reminding her of the delicate balance between the Jyuran and the Jyuran Slayers. "You are aware of this too, aren't you?"
"He's safe with me, you don't have to worry," Garo chimed in, trying to resolve the tension.
However, Miram stood guard in front of Mike, her eyes flashing with a red glow. "We go together, that's final," she declared, her tone leaving no room for more negotiation.
Cat shrugged, a hint of a smile on her face. "Do as you wish then, little witch," she said. "I guess we won't have the chance to talk tonight." She nodded at Garo, and the two Anthropters shared a knowing glance.
"Lead the way," Miram said, her eyes still fixed disdainfully on Garo. But the latter only rolled her eyes and let out a soft hiss, her ears twitching with annoyance.
Just as they were about to depart, muffled voices echoed from outside the cavern, growing louder with each passing moment. Everyone turned toward the cavern's mouth and their faces set in alarm as they beheld the scene beyond the gastral shield.