Chapter 5
86.
After the eventful day of the reunion, taking things easy is their primary plan as of now. Approximately, they still have a week or two to spare. Depending on how long it will take for Tridae to deliver the message, and then send troops to aid their situation. The group plans to stay at Kemitopia since it's a lot safer than Zenshin. Princess Grace can back them up in Kemitopia, while Hideo is with his allies in Zenshin. It's the obvious choice for them to take.
Day by day, they are answering questions that they missed out on. The group limits the questions to at least 5-7 per day, or one topic to discuss during the session. There are tons to unfold, especially in FeLinE's story. The mystery of Lulu's disappearance was discussed for a single day, and then they spent the latter of the week about FeLinE. As scientists, Eve, Rubi, and Celeste could not stop themselves from asking more questions. Good thing the group puts the effort to break things into smaller portions, so everyone can absorb them effectively.
After two weeks of their stay, the group is anticipating that the rescue team should arrive any moment. But another week went by and there was no sign of any ship nearby. The group started to get skeptical during the third week, it looks like something is off.
"What's taking them so long…" Yuna said as they all waited by the seashore.
"I also wonder… They should be here by now." Hana added.
"Haven't nyu scanned anyone yet?" Kita asked FeLinE.
"No Kemis nearby, only fish," FeLinE:1000X answered.
"My gut is telling me something. Maybe we should try to sail on our own." Kita suggested.
"First of all, we don't have enough materials to create a boat that can withstand the current for a long time," Eve argued.
"Not to mention, wooden boats can be smashed in one hit. Remember the Krakquad last time?" Rubi added.
"Well yeah of course, but we have Lulu now," Kita replied.
The area was suddenly silenced as they all looked at Lulu. In that instant, everyone is thinking the same thing, but no one dares to firmly suggest it. The group knows Lulu can talk to Giant Beasts. Forcing their way to the sea might lead to three different scenarios; (1) the Krakquad will obey them and carry their wooden boat back to Kemitopia. (2) If the Krakquad tries to harm them, then there's a possibility that the King of the Sea will save them, just like before. (3) The Krakquad tries to harm them and the King of the Sea does not interfere, despite Lulu having the talent of communicating with Giant Beasts.
"Can we wait for at least 2 more days? Maybe they are just late, right?" Celeste said as she tried to change the others' minds.
"Hmmm… Nah, I feel like we should leave tomorrow." Kita responded, everyone else was shocked by Kita's answer.
"Do nyu guys normally decide like this?" Raven questioned.
"At first it was my gut, and then we switch to Runecystal's guide. Now that all of us fused with our Runecrystals, I guess it's back to square one." Kita replied.
"I tend to argue with Kit but we always somehow end up how Kit wants," Yuna said.
"That's true, going against what Kita wants is actually pointless. Nyu either just go with it or complain while doing so." Hana added.
"And also run!" Lulu commented.
"Chuu~ Our lives were always in danger," Pily said like it was a normal thing.
"Your group definitely scares me…" Celeste responded.
"That's very free-spirited, no scientific basis at all…" Rubi also reacted.
"Welp, I don't have any argument for that. I experienced it firsthand anyway. Shall we start working then?" Raven said.
"Since we're doing this…" Eve deeply sighed after her words. "Let me take the lead in building our boat," she added.
"Hai!" They all reacted but in different manners individually. Some are scared, some are excited, and others have different mixed feelings.
The plan seems to be tricky, mainly because of the lack of tools. Even though there are plenty of natural resources for materials, the Catgirls don't have the proper equipment to harvest those effectively.
Having that said, the group still finds an alternative that will closely suffice what they need. Kita and Hana use their talents to create sharp knife-like ice. Hana controls the shape while Kita freezes it, creating an improvised tool to cut the materials according to the desired structure. Lulu can control the Giant Beasts, so Badi basically pulls the trees off the ground. Yuna lifts the heavy objects using her newly discovered talent, though she still needs more practice.
Kemis with talents are not the only ones that play a vital role. In fact, everyone participates in achieving their goal. Since Celeste is a seafarer, she knows a lot about different types of boats. Because of that, she is the one that designs their blueprint. The next one is Eve, as a natural leader, keeping things organized and checked is what she does best. Rubi, on the other hand, is the secretary, it's been their dynamic since then. Meanwhile Raven works as the helper of everyone, she immediately appears where she is needed.
While all of this progress is happening, FeLinE is missing from the field. The other Kemis noticed this but they chose to not intervene. Mainly because FeLinE is on to something. Kita's group is aware that even FeLinE doesn't know why she is here in the first place. Clues around the island might give her a path toward the answer. And besides, it is not like FeLinE also needs to go back to Kemitopia like them. Others won't mind if she comes, but the same thing can be said if she does not. Despite that, there's a small lingering question in their heads. Is leaving FeLinE the right thing to do?
"Anooo… What do nyu plan to do about FeLinE?" Hana whispered to Kita.
"Me? Why me?" Kita whispered back.
"Well, nyu are the one that communicates with her," Hana answered.
"But nyu are the one who healed her," Kita argued.
"It was your idea to help her," Hana replied.
"Let's just agree that it's the responsibility of the two of us," Kita said, trying to share the fault.
"Deal, so what are we going to do with her?" Hana responded.
"I honestly don't know. Maybe let's just wait for her to approach us again?" Kita suggested.
87.
Half of the day was over and everything went well. A simple wooden boat, with a mask made by weaving big leaves in the middle, enough to accommodate 6-10 Kemis. The job is done but it's better for them to travel in the morning. They should take some rest for tonight, in preparation for the deciding matter as their Rescue Mission turns into an Escape Mission.
Later that day, Kita randomly asked the other Kemis, "Have nyu seen FeLinE?"
"I haven't seen her since we started building the boat," Eve answered.
"Is there a problem?" Yuna asked.
Kita looks around and carefully assesses if FeLinE is around. "Well… Hana and I have been thinking about what to do with FeLinE," she admitted to everyone.
"What do nyu mean?" Raven replied.
"Nyu know… If we should ask her to come with us back to Kemitopia." Kita answered.
"I think it's her choice if she wants to," Rubi said.
"But we can understand her more if she comes with us. Who knows, maybe she is related to the Evil Mimis or something else." Eve argued.
"Right… I never thought of that. Having her DNA will definitely give us a lot of answers." Rubi responded.
"Anoo… I also think we should invite her back. Living on this island is a horrible experience, especially when Lulu is not around." Celeste mentioned.
"Oh, nyu got a point!" Lulu commented.
"Chuu~ Beast Mimis here are too many," Pily added.
"I feel like she will tell us what she wants soon. She is a straightforward Kemi after all." Hana said.
As the star in the UniPaws settles, distant stars from different galaxies complete the night sky. It is indeed a magnificent scenery to look at, calming anyone who gazes upon it. While the group prepares for their dinner, FeLinE is still nowhere to be found. None of them has the slightest clue as to FeLinE's location. They did not even know if she was still on this island. Lulu tried to use the Giant Beasts to gather information but even the Beasts know nothing.
"It looks like we don't have to worry about her now?" Raven said while they were eating.
"Maybe she managed to go back where she came from." Kita guessed.
"Possibly, though I wish I got even a strand of her hair. That will be a good update for my DNA records." Rubi mentioned.
"I just hope for her safe journey. She did help us a lot." Yuna said.
"Indeed, plus she is too much for us to handle. We should probably keep this between us." Hana suggested.
"I agree, the public will not believe our story if there's no proof to it. We don't want to spread rumors." Eve added.
"Rumors run wild in Zenshin, it will only make things worse," Raven commented. She frequently reads different discussions in multiple forums, most of which are rumors that are being proven.
"Oh, I remember a crazy one! When I read a headline about a Kemi beating Raven in a race by making her motorcycle fly. Can nyu believe that?" Celeste said as she laughed by herself. Everyone else blankly stared at her because that was not a rumor, it was Kita who did it.
"Ah ano… That wasn't a rumor." Eve said.
"Eh?" Celeste reacted.
"I also could not believe it, when I first heard about it. Though Raven told us everything, and it was legit." Rubi added while Raven nodded.
"It was real? That Kemi is surely frightening then… I wonder who it was." Celeste commented.
Everyone looks at Kita after Celeste's response. Directly answering her statement. Hana and Lulu saw it live, Raven experienced it herself, while the rest checked the news. It was only Celeste who thought that it was an exaggerated story.
"Don't… Don't tell me…" Celeste stuttered as she finally realized the answer.
The other Kemis just nodded without even saying a word.
"Hai, it was me," Kita said as she scratched her head.
"EH!?" Celeste loudly reacted. Everyone laughs at Celeste, her genuine reactions are something that the group truly enjoys.
After a dinner filled with laughter, the group takes their much-awaited rest. The next day comes and it's time for them to leave. The Catgirls intentionally moved slower just to see if FeLinE would suddenly appear. But still, there's no sign of her.
For one last time, Lulu bid her farewell to Badi. The King of the Land must stay on its territory, therefore visiting the island is the only way that they can meet again.
"Goodbye Badi, I will miss nyu!" Lulu emotionally said. Badi sadly roars, letting its first friend go back to her home.
"I guess that's finally it, I just hope we had a chance to say goodbye to FeLinE," Kita said while they all rode the boat.
The Kemis' started to sail on their wooden boat as they waved goodbye to the Giant Beasts that helped them. While they are on their journey, Celeste looks bothered over something.
"Is there something wrong?" Hana asked.
"As a Seafarer, we always count everyone before leaving. It is to make sure that no one was left behind. At least that's what I saw them do." Celeste answered.
"Oh, so that's why nyu look busy," Lulu commented.
"Yeah… I kept on counting but somehow we are more than 8… Maybe it's just my mistake, it's my first time doing so." Celeste added as she doubted herself.
"What do nyu mean?" Yuna questioned.
"We are 8 right? Kita's group is 4, then 2 from the Central region, 1 from the Southern, and me. But when I start counting from left to right; Kita, Hana, Yuna, Lulu, that Kemi looking at the sea with her long shield beside her, Eve, Rubi, Raven, and Me… We are 9…" Celeste explained.
"Wait what?" Kita responded.
"Did I hear that correctly?" Raven added.
"Why, Is there something wrong?" Celeste returned the question.
At first, it was only Celeste who was confused, but now everyone is. Starting from Celeste, the group traced the pattern from left to right. Kita, Hana, Yuna, Lulu, and then the Kemi looking at the sea.
"FELINE!?" They all reacted as they finally noticed that FeLinE was on board the whole time.
FeLinE turns her attention to them as she says, "Hai?"
88.
Another game of charades unfolds as the Kemis try to figure out what's going on. There are tons of questions like; how come no one noticed her, since when did she board, and what will happen from this point onward?
"DO NYU HAVE INVISIBILITY TALENT?" Kita loudly questioned.
"FeLinE cannot turn invisible," FeLinE:1000X answered.
"Chuu~ Even I did not notice her," Pily added.
"How can she answer like everything is completely normal?" Lulu asked.
"I TOLD NYU IT GETS WORSE!" Kita replied as she remembered her previous warning.
"Calm down Kita, nyu were the one looking for her since last night," Yuna told Kita.
"AND NOW SHE IS SUDDENLY HERE," Kita responded.
"I don't know if I should be happy or shocked, but I'm definitely confused…" Rubi commented.
"Well, at least nyu can have her DNA now," Eve responded.
"This hurts my brain…" Celeste complained.
"Hold on a second, we are all over the place now." Raven intervened.
"FeLinE enjoys watching this chaos," FeLinE:1000X said.
"Let's all calm down and let FeLinE explain herself okay?" Hana said.
"Haiii…" Everyone else answered.
"FeLinE doesn't understand why FeLinE needs to explain," FeLinE:1000X responded.
"I don't know, maybe because nyu suddenly appeared out of nowhere?" Kita said.
"FeLinE did not appear out of nowhere. FeLinE walked towards this boat, hopped aboard while nyu guys said goodbye to Badi, and watched everyone look for someone." FeLinE:1000X replied.
"IT WAS NYU THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR!" Kita madly responded.
"Why? FeLinE is not missing." FeLinE:1000X said.
"AAAARGH! THIS IS FRUSTRATING." Kita complained as she once again experienced the same sentiments in dealing with FeLinE.
"I guess we were just too occupied with everything. It is just funny how we all fail to notice her. Especially with that giant shield-like thingy." Raven commented.
"So it's our fault?" Lulu asked.
"Hai, it's your group's fault." FeLinE:1000X immediately answered.
The group looked at each other as an awkward silence came in. Eventually, they all just laugh at their mistake. It's unbelievable that FeLinE was with them the whole time but her silent nature covers for it. Not to mention, FeLinE does not lie, she always tells everything straight.
Accepting the fact that FeLinE will join their adventure, the Kemis continue their voyage. Using the coordinates that FeLinE provided before, onto the Kemitopia they go. FeLinE also can offer great assistance with the help of her Relic. She can warn everyone if they are about to face the Krakquad that wreak havoc last time.
An hour passed and the group hadn't reached that far of a distance. It's obvious that they will experience a slower result today because of the downgrade of their transportation. The small wooden boat can hardly voyage in the vast ocean that the UniPaws has to offer. It took them days, traveling on a ship from Zenshin, though they don't have to travel that far since the Krakquad is closer to the Island of the Beast Mimis. They only need to reach the so-called entrance where the Giant Beast guards, and then pray to the stars that everything will turn in their favor.
"This is taking forever…" Kita said as she paddled the boat.
"At least we take turns paddling," Raven replied. The first 4 that paddled earlier were Raven, Rubi, Eve, and Celeste. Now it's Kita, Hana, Yuna, and FeLinE's turn. Lulu wanted to help but she could barely do so. When the first batch paddle, Yuna is the one that guides the direction. And then Celeste takes her role when it is the turn of Kita's group.
"It will be unfair to Raven's group if we meet the Krakquad now," Lulu commented since they just changed positions recently.
"Sometimes, everything doesn't have to be fair," Kita responded kiddingly.
"But nyu said that we should chase them back then, just to make things fair," FeLinE:1000X argued, reminding Kita's own words when they first met Raven's group.
"That was a joke too!" Kita said as she chuckled.
A few moments later, FeLinE:1000X says "The Relic detected the target." The group halted as they let the momentum slowly die. They should be careful in approaching the Krakquad.
On the left side of the boat, a portion of the water starts to bubble. Indicating that something is coming up. As the bubbles get bigger, the tension in the place kicks in. It did not take that long for the Krakquad to once again appear before them. The group is trying their best to be calm while the Giant Beast roars. It's time for Lulu to use her talent in taming Giant Beasts.
When the Krakquad saw the Kemis, it suddenly stopped raging as it put down its tentacles. The Giant Beast appears to be curious about them, particularly about Lulu and Pily.
"Chuu~ it's asking me what on UniPaws are we," Pily said.
"What on UniPaws are we? Wow, it must be nice to not remember the faces of the Kemis nyu attacked." Kita sarcastically responded.
"Anooo… Mr. Krakquad, can nyu help us go back to Kemitopia?" Lulu politely asked.
The Giant Beast squeaks, it keeps on making high pitch noise as it tries to communicate with them. "It says that he can't because guarding the entrance is his job. He is also asking himself why he is not attacking us." Pily explained.
"I can't believe it, the Giant Beast is confused? Maybe Lulu's talent is way more than what we think it is…" Eve mentioned.
"Oh… But we really have to get there." Lulu insisted.
The Krakquad once again responded as Pily translated it for the rest of the Kemis. "He said, I can call another Giant Beast-WHY AM I LISTENING TO THIS SMALL FRY?" Pily translated exactly how Krakquad delivered the message.
"This is entertaining," Hana commented.
The Krakquad roared as it called its competitor, telling that there was a Kemi that ordered him to do so. A couple of minutes passed and eventually, a familiar creature joined their discussion. The King of the Sea appears.
"WAAAAAAHHH!" Celeste screamed as she meets the Blue Sea Serpent for the first time.
"FeLinE is shocked as well," FeLinE:1000X said in a monotone voice.
End of Chapter 5