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Everyone's a Catgirl! Chapter 265: Justice is Mine
🕑 Added 2024-05-15 21:18:56 +0000 UTCYanni marched through the streets of Zhuli up to the front gate of the Emberlynn estate with the fate of her friend at the front of her mind. Tristan and his Party followed close behind, their vocal concerns rising alongside her silent worries. Zestra’s words repeated over and over in her head, and she wondered just how long this seemingly innocuous plant had resided within Zhuli’s borders.
Emberlynn’s usual guards weren’t stationed today. Instead, the duty fell to Sakura and Bokoro—catgirls whose responsibilities typically fell under the category of servitude. However, anyone who was employed by Mistress Emberlynn was expected to learn how to hone their Class and commit to guard duties as their job required. These two were still in training.
“Y-Yanni,” Sakura blinked. “What are you doing back so soon?”
“I come to you with a request.” Yanni rummaged through her [Cat Pack] for the list of names Zestra had supplied her with. There were four in total. While Tristan held a sizeable amount of power on the island, Zhuli’s citizens would feel more at ease if Mistress Emberlynn’s guards requested a search. She glanced at Karaka’s name, then looked up as she handed the sheet of paper to the closer guard, Bokoro. “There are citizens of Zhuli missing. We need to search their homes.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on. Where’s this coming from? Why?” Sakura asked, shouldering her spear. “Are you sure they’re missing? They could have traveled to another city or be out on errands.”
Yanni plucked a few bookmarks from her mind. She came prepared with answers to every question, including some of the stranger ones that Sakura or Bokoro might ask. They’d worked together every day for the last year, and Yanni had taken innumerable notes regarding their body language, tone, and favored conversation topics.
“We have already surmised that many of them are absent for less-than-likely reasons.” Yanni gestured with her head. “Please commit the names to memory and pass them to the guards. We will continue our search while you investigate their homes. Keep an eye out for a black plant with white flowers. It is extremely dangerous. If you see it, engage with caution.”
Sakura blinked. A typical response. The girl did not do well in circumstances that required expedited measures, especially in the realms of combat or security. “I, uh—”
“Do not think. Just contact the other guards and make it happen. Do you understand?”
Bokoro folded the sheet of paper and tucked it into her [Cat Pack]. Unlike Sakura, Bokoro could handle the pressure. In fact, she seemed to revel in it. She was on the reserved side, but she was by no means shy or timid. No, indeed she was the type to think things through carefully, meticulously, and learn from her mistakes. Yanni knew she could count on Bokoro to distribute the names to the other guards. Sakura, she was not so sure.
“I understand,” Bokoro said. “I’ll take care of it.”
“You have my thanks.” Yanni turned and motioned for the others to come along with her. They followed her in stride, and Ravyn whistled once they were out of earshot.
“You sure know how to handle yourself,” Ravyn remarked. “How could I forget someone like you?”
Yanni ignored the pang of insignificance she felt and quickened her pace. “I do not know. Let us continue, please.”
“H-hang on,” Lara breathed as she lagged behind. Yanni stopped and observed her over her shoulder. Lara leaned with her hands on her knees, heaving deep breaths. This was odd, considering her history as a Shi Island maid. As she understood it, Madame Celestia was a ruthless and cunning leader who never settled for anything less than the best. Each maid should have had exquisite amounts of stamina and [Energy]. “W-we should think this through a little before we go banging on more doors, right? Right? That’s what Wind is telling me.”
Yanni was still uncertain what kind of person Lara was. Except that Lara hated her for some reason. Well, according to Wind, that is. But such nonsense was surely the whimsy of a kitten. Perhaps Lara was…insufficient in some areas.
Destiny put a finger to her lips in thought, then came to her sister’s side. “What do you mean?”
“I-I mean, we’re working with a plant. That’s our specialty, Sister. Shouldn’t we…come up with a plan to fight it, if it comes to that?”
Destiny blinked, then gasped. “You’re right. Yanni!”
“Y-y-y-yes!” Yanni stammered. She had not been expecting her name.
“You said there was another one in Karaka’s room, right?”
Yanni slowed her breathing. It was a simple question, but she did not have the bookmark prepared for this conversation. She slowed her mind, replayed the memory of tipping over the flowerpot in her head, then slowly nodded. “Yes. When I returned, it was gone. As if it were never there to begin with.”
“And we said there are many tendrils. Like roots,” Lara noted. Her breathing had finally slowed.
“What if—” Tristan and Destiny murmured, then in unison, said, “it’s one big body!”
“Shit,” Ravyn sighed. “So there’s some mega plant nestled under the ground?” She glanced at the paved road, lifting one leg as if the tendrils could crack through the ground and wrap themselves around her at any moment. “No place like home.”
Tristan and Destiny’s line of thought made sense if the plant in Karaka’s room had disappeared shortly after Destiny’s encounter with its extension. Perhaps what resided in Karaka’s home had detected damage and fled. However, if these weeds had been snaring up catgirls, then where were they, and how did the plant do it? If the tendrils were harming people, then there should’ve been evidence. How was it that there wasn’t a hint of blood or combat in the restaurant?
How would this have happened? Yanni wondered. How would these things have hurt anyone without a hint of conflict?
Yanni looked up and escaped her thoughts for a moment, captivated by the smile Tristan and Destiny were sharing. There was a warmth, a tenderness that Yanni did not often see. Like that between siblings or mothers and their daughters. But such a tenderness was…rare, and Yanni felt a tinge of discomfort watching it. Yet somehow, she felt drawn to it in a way she could not explain. Like a crackling fire—warm and comforting. But dangerous. She bookmarked it.
“I may be able to create an herbicide,” Destiny said. “If it’s part of a bigger body, we may be able to kill the plant in its entirety by attacking its tendrils.” Her shoulders suddenly slumped. “At least, I think we can.”
Tristan’s smile widened. “I have no doubt that you’ll create a potent poison. You’re a great [Alchemist], Destiny. Do you need anything from us?”
Destiny’s cheeks grew bright red. “U-um, well…”
Ravyn frowned. “Gross.”
“Just tell us what you need, sqawwwwk!” the familiar cried from Ravyn’s shoulder.
“U-um, not much, actually,” Destiny stammered, “just a couple of ingredients that any magic shop could supply. I’ll need Lara’s help, too.”
Lara nuzzled her cheek against her sister’s. “Of course, Sister.”
“Follow me,” Ravyn said, turning heel and heading down the incline. “I know a friend of a friend.”
“Is she also going to yell at you?” Lara asked, and Ravyn shot her a glare over her shoulder.
Are Ravyn and Lara good friends, then? From Yanni’s understanding, there was a science, a method behind the art of jabs and teases. Her experience with the other attendants under Emberlynn’s employ had been that sometimes speaking poorly to friends and comrades was acceptable. Of course, this practice was accompanied by a smile or a giggle. Their exchange was slightly off the mark from what Yanni would expect, and so she restrained from making a comment but bookmarked the event. I will use this later.
Ravyn continued down the incline, through two alleyways, and into a tucked corner of Zhuli where a set of stairs descended into an underground shop. Yanni frowned, as she knew who the owner of the shop was. They were not on good terms due to the excessive prices of the items.
Yanni paused, falling to the back of the group, then followed them inside.
“I’m back,” Ravyn said, waving her arm.
A woman bearing curls of orange hair and sparkling ruby eyes strutted down the stairs at the back of the room. She wore threads of black and red, resembling the same attire that Ravyn wore, each piece showing off her generous curves. A short skirt, a revealing top, and long sleeves were all embroidered with gold and topped off with a large hat. She paused when she saw Ravyn, and her gaze narrowed. “Oh. It’s you.”
“It’s me,” Ravyn said, strutting forward in a similar manner. They carried themselves in a near-identical way that made Yanni wonder if they were sisters.
“My rival finally returns,” the other woman said, leaning forward on the store counter just as Ravyn did. “Was hoping you were dead.”
Ravyn snickered. “Missed you too, Feera.” She looked over Feera’s shoulder, and Feera leaned over to block her view. “Just need your lab for a bit.”
“Uh-huh. And then what? You’re going to blow it up like you did last time?”
Ravyn groaned and rolled her eyes. “Saoirse’s tits, you just don’t forget anything, do you? We were still in school.”
“You were still in school. I was a full-fledged [Alchemist].”
“The past, the past,” Ravyn waved her hand like she was shooing away a stray animal. “How much will it cost?”
Feera narrowed her gaze and straightened her posture. “If you’re using it?”
“Not me.” Ravyn grabbed Destiny by the shoulder and tugged her forward. “This golden boy’s maid wants to use it. And her sister.”
“H-hi,” Destiny said, her head sinking into her shoulders. “I-I promise not to break anything. I’m an [Alchemist], too.”
Feera frowned. “And you brought a man, too. Then, did—”
“No,” Ravyn said sharply. “Cailu’s alive, this is Shi Island’s man, no you can’t fuck him, and we’re in a hurry.”
Tristan flinched as Yanni narrowed her gaze. She found every word from Ravyn’s mouth difficult to digest. However, Tristan seemed content to remain silent, so Yanni did as well.
Feera sighed. “Fine. It’ll cost you two hundred Bells an hour.”
“T-two hundred?” Destiny gasped.
“We won’t need even half of that,” Ravyn said before slapping down two large one-hundred Bell coins. “Off you go, Destiny.”
Head bowed, the Shi Island maid quickly made her way past the counter and into the room beyond, Feera’s gaze following her all the while. Tristan gave Feera an awkward nod, then made a brisk walk into the room alongside Lara. Yanni remained where she stood, unsure if she would be needed. [Alchemy] was not a Skill she had dabbled in outside of basic potions and field medicine.
While Yanni waited, Ravyn and Feera traded tales of their adventures. As expected, Ravyn’s were a bit more expressive, loud, and difficult to believe. She spoke of a man named Matt, how Cailu was a, ah, cunt, and the immense amount of progress they had made. Feera’s tales were less bombastic and more local in flavor.
As Rayvn had promised, not even twenty minutes later, Destiny and Lara had completed the herbicide. She procured several long, thin tubes from somewhere around her thigh. Curious, Yanni paid close attention. She needed to know where these things were being stored. Destiny poured the liquid into several of the empty containers, then reached down again. In one smooth motion, the maid retrieved another tube from a leather band around her thigh. Cylinders made from the leather held each tube in place, allowing the [Alchemist] a quick and easy way to retrieve the potions she needed.
Very efficient. Takes away the need to constantly rummage through one’s [Cat Pack].
“Let’s go,” Destiny said. “I’m eager to help those girls.”
“As am I,” Tristan said, his expression dire.
“Thank you,” Lara said with a weighty lilt to her voice.
“Yes, thank you for letting us use your lab, Feera. I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” Tristan said as he brushed past the shopkeep.
Feera raised a brow. “Uhh, sure?” The slightest hint of pink colored her cheeks, and Yanni frowned. How was it that so many of these girls seemed touched by this small man?
“Alright, let’s go,” Ravyn snapped, waving to Feera on her way out. “Bye, maybe we’ll catch up later.”
“Hope not,” Feera groaned.
When Yanni and the others were outside, Yanni crossed her arms and gestured to a home down the street. “To the fourth home, then.”
“Why the fourth?” Destiny wondered.
“The guards would have started at the top,” Tristan provided before Yanni could respond.
“You remember where all of them live?” Lara asked.
“Yes.” Yanni’s impatience was beginning to take over. Even if the worst had happened to her friend, she needed closure. They had already spent too much time teasing and joking. This was not the place for it. “Please. Let us go.”
Ravyn clicked her tongue, then followed suit along with everyone else. Yanni led the group onwards, then stopped at a two-story building. Retrieving a scroll from her [Cat Pack], she unfurled it and recited the words, “[Invoke Blaze].” Her katana hummed, and she extracted the sword from its scabbard, leveling it with the santo door.
“Keh. You truly are my mother’s servant,” Ravyn said.
Yanni swallowed, wondering what Ravyn meant by that. Was that a compliment? Ravyn’s sneer; did that mean that she was just like Mistress Emberlynn? Perhaps it was—
“Yanni?” Tristan said, breaking her free of her thoughts. “Are you okay?”
“Y-y-y-yes.” She swallowed hard, then wrestled the katana underhanded where the lock would be. She slid it carefully, moving it back and forth like a saw. Bits of molten iron fell to the ground alongside black splinters of wood. When the lock was melted, she extracted the blade, then slid the door to the right.
Black. Pure black and darkness. A lithe tendril. Quick and sinister. Mortal danger.
The world slowed as the tendril neared. It was mere inches from Yanni’s face. She hissed through her teeth, quickly analyzing the situation. She remembered the positions of Emberlynn’s daughter, Tristan, and his Party. Move to the left and Destiny would be struck. The attack would likely kill her or seriously injure her.
No good.
Move to the right, and the tendril would likely veer, striking Ravyn. A similar outcome.
Bother. There was but a single option.
Stand your ground.
The world’s flow of time resumed. Yanni flourished her blade. The tendril struck the flat of her katana, and a loud pang echoed against the darkness of the home’s walls. The fire around her weapon lurched out and enveloped the branch. As two more tentacles charged out of the darkness, she cried, “[Third Eye]!” With the announcement of the Skill, the world slowed to a crawl once more. Within the pocket of slowed time, she bellowed, “[Army’s Unity]!” Control was no longer hers alone. Now, Tristan and the remainder of their Party would be able to act under the effects of Perception.
As time resumed, a flurry of attacks were bellowed all at once.
“[Fire Pillar]!”
“[Fire Ball]!”
“[Convert Force]!”
“[Chemical Bond]!”
A series of explosions and gusts followed, wrapping and enveloping the tendrils of the creature in wreathes of flame. Hisses and screeches followed, and as Destiny stepped forward beside Yanni, she asked, “Can you protect me?”
“Yes,” Yanni said without hesitation. The tendrils lashed out again. “[Four Paths]!” The blaze that had wrapped around her katana grew in intensity. She swiped her sword horizontally, falling into the [Balance Stance]—an ability suited for more defensive maneuvers. A sense of assuredness fell over her, confirming that she had performed the technique correctly. The blaze grew even hotter and more intense, whipping through the air like a series of snakes and ropes, eager to burn whatever they could touch. Destiny stepped forward, took out one of the slim bottles she’d filled with the herbicide, then tossed it into the blaze.
Green mist exploded into the air, and Destiny retreated behind Yanni, crying, “Close the door! Now!”
Yanni did as she was told and whipped the door shut. She and the others reeled back, and Yanni remained focused on the santo door. Screeches exploded from inside the building, and after a time, Yanni could sense the strength of her flames dying. Carefully, she moved forward and slid the door open. She revoked the blaze around her katana, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw nothing remained of the creature save soot and ash.
A terrifying shriek permeated the air beyond the walls of Zhuli, where many of the farmers tended to their crops. A sudden realization hit her, and Yanni tightened the grip around her katana. “It is out there. The main body.”
“Let’s burn it to the ground,” Ravyn growled.
“Fire and brimstone! Fire and brimstone! Squawk!”
“Come on!” Tristan gestured, taking the lead.
Yanni soared down the incline like an Encroacher driven mad. Her only purpose now was to destroy whatever creature it was that had tried to kill them. That had killed her closest friend. Droves of catgirls fled from the scene and into Zhuli. Guards motioned and cried out for the villagers to follow them, waving them behind the walls and loosing arrows toward some large figure in the distance.
When Yanni reached the gates, she gasped when she saw the terrible creature before her. It was no plant or catgirl or Encroacher. This was a monster, pure and simple—a Defiled.
Dozens of large, black tendrils squirmed and wriggled from the top of a bulb. Facial parts decorated the sac in a sporadic fashion, peppering it with eyes, noses, cat ears, and mouths. Large petals sprouted from the top of the bulb, serrated and colored in shades of white and pink. They glowed and shifted, turning darker and darker by the second. Yanni briefly wondered if this was the creature changing its color, its shape, or itself entirely. But the petals were flaking, shriveling, and falling to the ground.
Destiny’s herbicide was taking effect.
Now is the time to extricate this monstrosity.
Yanni marched at a brisk pace toward the Defiled, the guards making way for her. Tristan and Destiny followed close behind while Ravyn and Lara maintained a distance at the back. Yanni glanced over her shoulder to take inventory of where her Party stood, then redirected her attention to the terrible creature ahead. She closed the distance, then stopped when she heard a groan from within the bulb.
“Don’t hurt me,” a little girl’s voice pleaded from one mouth. “I have nothing left. Please.”
“Yanni, you wouldn’t hurt your friend, would you?” the familiar voice of Karaka spoke from another pair of lips. “After all we’ve been through? You would kill me?”
“This is not who you are,” another voice Yanni recognized—a friend by the name of Sarasa—said through bright white teeth. “This is not who you’re meant to be.”
Yanni heard these voices. Her ears registered the sounds. She acknowledged them and took them in, but she could not actually hear them.
This beast should not exist, she thought. I will remove this weed from the world.
She sheathed her katana.
The Enchantment on her scabbard took effect, and a cold chill filled her veins, confirming it. She readied into [Iai Stance], and once again, the familiar sensation took hold, assuring that she had settled into the stance properly.
“Prepare yourselves,” Yanni said.
“We’re ready,” Tristan said.
“Just give the word,” Ravyn said.
Yanni steadied her breathing and waited. The eyes on the bulb directed their gaze toward her, bloodshot and crazed. The mouths repeated sweet musings of nostalgia and what the future could bring. Giggles, promises, moments of frustration, this creature knew them all. It played with her emotions, retrieving the voices and words of those who were lost. This was the creature’s last resort. Of that, Yanni was certain.
The tendrils crept out of the bulb, slick with an iridescent fluid. Bands of white and pink colored them, and they moved toward her slowly, as if searching for mercy. When a briar of tendrils had formed on the ground in front of her, Yanni narrowed her gaze and settled her grip on the handle of her katana.
Dozens of tentacles suddenly lashed out. [Army’s Unity] was still in effect. With the activation of [Third Eye], the effects of Perception would trigger and pass on to those around her. Ready to bring down the Defiled, she cried, “[Third Eye]!” and the world slowed to a crawl. With the Enchantment at its strongest, she drew her katana and shouted, “[Beheading Swipe]!” With the Skill’s activation, her Enchantment was multiplied by several times, cutting through the very air as if it were made of paper. The wind howled and rang with the draw of her sword, and the tendrils were cut in one fell slice.
Time resumed its normal pace.
The tentacles fell to the ground in a wriggling mess of blood and hisses and screams—screams Yanni recognized. Screams belonging to those who were missing.
What followed next was a series of explosions and fire. Destiny lobbed bottle after bottle of fire and poison at the creature while Ravyn and Tristan fueled it with their magic. Lara expedited the fury of the flames with her control over the wind.
The beast never stood a chance. Yanni allowed her sword arm to rest at her side and waited until the Defiled could no longer defend itself. Little more than a twitching bulb remained by the time it was over, and as Yanni approached it, she listened closely to the squeals and pleas from those within.
“Y-Yanni, please don’t do this. We’re friends, aren’t we? You wouldn’t—”
The monster’s voice was cut short by a single swipe from her sword. She cut it at an angle, detaching the bulb from the rest of its make. Unfurling like a flower, the bulb fell apart, and a torrent of skeletons fell out in a puddle of violet and red.
You have been avenged, Karaka, Yanni thought, her hand trembling. Rest now.
Now accessing system memory…
Did you know that Sarasa’s stolen from Emberlynn’s estate?
Or that Karaka’s rice stores were infected, but she’s still serving them to guests?
I heard that Sophia is Zhuli’s successor. Your Bells will go to a toddler.
Thank goodness I have so many eyes and ears everywhere.
Memory storage successful.
Yanni Pro Tip: Karaka, I’m so sorry I could not be there to protect you. I pray you did not suffer.
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(Note: Yanni is currently getting her pixel art done. I'll update this later once she's finished)
