The slash carved through the cavern wall.
Stone split apart effortlessly, leaving behind a massive, perfectly clean cut that stretched far into the darkness.
Dust drifted through the air.
Silence followed.
Then—
A figure emerged from the settling debris.
Long white-and-pink fluffy tails swayed behind her. Matching cat-like ears twitched atop her head. Soft pink hair flowed down her back, the bangs veiling her left eye. Her visible eye, a pale pink, reflected the dim light of the cavern. Her outfit seemed caught between two worlds. Partly medieval.
Partly modern. A short black skirt. Dark fitted stockings that hugged her legs like polished rubber. Black heels clicking softly against the stone.
She landed in front of Haru in a feline stance. One hand pressed against the ground. Her tails swayed lazily behind her.
Her hair drifted with the lingering wind.
For a brief moment—
Haru caught a glimpse of her silhouette.
The color of her hair. The movement of her tails. Then darkness claimed him completely. His consciousness slipped away.
---
The woman slowly rose to her feet.
The monsters around them had already fallen silent. Nothing moved. Nothing breathed.
Only Haru remained.
Her gaze drifted toward him.
The confidence and composure she had shown moments earlier quietly faded.
Her eye softened. Then narrowed slightly.
Sadness settled there. A deep sadness.
The kind carried for far too long.
She stepped closer. Then lowered herself beside him. Both knees touched the ground.
Her ears drooped. Her tails lowered behind her.
Even without words, her emotions were impossible to miss.
Carefully, she reached toward him.
Her trembling fingers hovered for a moment before finally resting against his back.
As if reassuring herself that he was truly there. That he was alive.
Her lips parted.
Yet no words came immediately.
Only silence. And relief.
The corners of her eyes glistened faintly.
Then she lowered her head. Just enough for a few strands of pink hair to fall across her face.
"...Sorry."
Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
The hand against his back tightened slightly.
As though she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.
"I'm late—"
A pause. Long. Painful. Her ears folded back.
And when she finally spoke again, her voice trembled.
"...Master."
-----
The Rift Gate continued to spark violently.
Crimson lightning crackled across its surface. The distorted space twisted and groaned as though reality itself was struggling to hold together.
"...What was that monstrous presence?"
Venill's voice broke the silence. For once, there wasn't a trace of amusement on his face.
He stood closest to the Rift among the three Commanders, his eyes fixed on the unstable gate.
"A sudden appearance..." Aezeth narrowed her eyes. "...and then it vanished."
Her gaze never left the Rift.
"Just what in the world is happening inside?"
A brief pause. "...Was it that man? Haru?"
The question lingered in the air.
"...Haru..." Yumi's fingers slowly intertwined behind her back. Her nails pressed into her own skin. "...Please be safe." The whisper barely escaped her lips.
Nearby, the two officers remained frozen beside their vehicle. Neither dared speak.
The lingering aura alone made breathing feel difficult. One swallowed hard. The other wiped the sweat gathering beneath his chin.
Then—
Crack.
Everyone's attention snapped toward the gate. Another crack appeared. Then another. The seal covering the Rift fractured rapidly. The crimson sparks became increasingly violent.
Venill immediately stepped back. Not out of fear. Out of caution. His muscles tensed.
Ready. Waiting.
Crack—
Crack—
Shatter.
The seal exploded into countless fragments of light. A shockwave rolled outward.
Dust and loose debris scattered across the ground.
Venill remained standing. His eyes locked onto the Rift's entrance. Watching. Waiting.
Aezeth fell silent. The teasing expression she usually wore was gone.
Even Yumi's attempts to hide her anxiety were beginning to fail.
Her gaze never left the opening.
Hum—
A figure emerged.
The Feline Woman stepped out from the Rift. Haru rested in her arms. Unconscious.
Bloodstained. Motionless.
The sight stunned all three Commanders.
The woman remained silent. Her pink eyes swept across them. Studying. Measuring.
Calculating.
Aezeth recovered first. She took a step forward. "Who are y—"
"Who are you!?" Yumi's voice cut through hers. Far louder than intended.
She had already stepped forward.
Her eyes fixed entirely on Haru.
The woman's tails swayed gently behind her.
Yet she gave no answer.
Swing—
An arm suddenly extended between them.
Venill. His gaze never left the mysterious woman. "...Wait." His voice was low.
Steady. Yumi stopped. Barely.
Venill slowly shifted his footing. Ready to move the instant something happened.
His instincts screamed at him. Danger.
Not immediate hostility. But danger nonetheless.
His eyes narrowed. "...What are you?"
The question carried no aggression.
Only caution.
The Feline Woman remained silent.
She simply met his gaze. Neither blinked.
For a brief moment, the air felt heavy.
Like an invisible clash was taking place.
Aezeth clicked her tongue. Her patience was already running thin. "Answer the que—"
She stopped. The words never finished.
Because the Feline Woman moved.
Boom—
The ground beneath her shattered.
Her figure vanished. A burst of wind exploded outward. The officers stumbled backward. Yumi's eyes widened. Venill reacted instantly. Yet even he only caught a blur.
High above them. A streak crossing the sky.
Gone. The woman. And Haru. Vanished completely.
Silence followed.
The only thing left behind was a shallow crater where she had been standing.
Yumi stared at the empty sky. Her heart sank. "...Haru..." The name escaped her lips once more. This time, nobody answered.
-----
A soft digital hum echoed through the quiet room. Wind drifted through the open window, stirring the curtains as moonlight spilled across the floor.
Beep—
The steady sound came from the monitor beside the bed.
Haru lay motionless beneath the white sheets. Not in danger. Just asleep.
Near the window, the Feline Woman rested on a couch, curled up like a cat. Her head rested on one arm. Her ears drooped slightly, and her tail curled around her legs.
Her gaze never left him.
"...Master."
The whisper barely disturbed the silence.
A faint smile touched her lips before fading.
"You may not be the one I once knew... but I know it's you." Her fingers tightened slightly against the couch. "I believe it's you."
The moonlight reflected in her pink eyes as she looked at him. "From now on, let me guide you... and help you protect this lone world."
Her eyelids slowly grew heavy. A tired breath escaped her. "Being of help to you... is all I've ever lived for."
Sleep finally claimed her.
"...Master."
---
Warm sunlight brushed against Haru's face.
His eyelids twitched. Slowly, he opened his eyes. For a moment, he simply stared at the ceiling.
Then he turned his head toward the window.
There she was. The Feline Woman sat quietly by the sunlight, carefully slicing fruit.
Her pink hair swayed gently with the breeze.
One ear twitched. Her tail moved lazily behind her.
The memory of the cavern flashed through Haru's mind.
The monsters. The overwhelming attacks.
The woman who had cut through all of it as if it were nothing.
A dull ache pulsed through his head.
"...You."
The groan immediately caught her attention.
Her ears shot upright. Her tail stiffened.
Her eyes widened.
"...Master!?" The knife clattered softly onto the plate as she hurried to his bedside.
"...You're that woman." Haru rubbed his forehead.
The woman opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"...How..." He winced. "Why did you save me?" He tried to sit up. Pain shot through his body. Before he could struggle further, she slipped beside him and carefully supported his back.
Her movements were gentle. Careful.
As though he might break.
"That's my purpose." Her voice softened.
One ear flicked nervously. She reached for the sliced fruit.
"...Your purpose?" Haru repeated quietly.
She suddenly brightened. "Here, Master!"
Her tail immediately began swaying.
"Try it! Try it!"
The excitement in her eyes was impossible to miss. She held the plate toward him with both hands. Almost vibrating with anticipation.
Crunch.
Haru took a bite. His expression eased.
The tension in his shoulders relaxed slightly.
"...It's good." A small smile appeared.
"Thank you."
The woman's eyes lit up. Her ears perked higher. Her tail swished happily behind her.
She watched him eat with complete focus.
Like a cat proudly presenting a gift and waiting for approval.
After a few moments, Haru placed the empty plate on the bedside table.
Something had been bothering him.
"Say..."
The moment he spoke, her ears immediately straightened. Her attention locked onto him.
She tilted her head.
"...You keep calling me Master."
Haru glanced at her. "Why?" A brief pause. "And..." His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who are you?"
Her ears flicked once. Then a gentle smile appeared. For a brief moment, sadness passed through her eyes. Gone almost as quickly as it came.
"Pardon my manners, Master." Her voice softened. Then her entire face brightened.
"My name is Luna!" She sat upright on her knees atop the bed, hands resting proudly on her lap. Her tail swayed behind her.
"I'm the last survivor of the Felianie Tribe."
Despite the weight of those words, her smile never faltered. "And I've devoted my entire life to serving you!"
She declared it with such certainty that it left no room for doubt. The warmth in her eyes remained. The sadness hidden deep beneath it did not. Her tail continued to sway.
A quiet promise settled in her heart.
"From now on... I'll always be with you, Master."
Luna offered him a gentle smile. One filled with loyalty. And something much older than either of them could explain.