That night was a silent one for Felix as he stared emptily while swaying with the gentle rocking motion as the carriage returned them back to Alphonse and Nihja's home. Janette mentioned needing to go to the Night Dweller's Hub to meet someone and invited Felix to join, but he hardly heard her or anything around him. He simply nodded back, with Janette insisting he goes with her. Alphonse seemed hesitant but Nihja insisted it would help to keep busy after today, so he agreed to take them. Reta joined them, keeping her thoughts to herself but keeping an eye on Felix's behavior.

  When they arrived, Tootsie was there to greet them.

  "Forever in our hearts, never fully apart." She said to him, kissing his cheek before permitting them access to the hidden entrance. Inside, Janette led them to a corner table to sit and wait.

  "I don't drink." Felix remarked in passing as soon as a cup was pced on the table before him.

  The waitress raised her eyebrow. "It's warm tea, mister. We're being selective on hard liquor today."

  Janette nodded in understanding, taking a sip of her tea and licking her lips. "Mm, cinnamon."

  Reta took a sip before turning to her. "Who is it we are meeting with?"

  "She's a dwarf of a dwarf, you'll know her when you see her. Or rather, if you miss her." Janette joked, peaking over her friend's shoulder. "I told her I would be here in case she arrives."

  "You are not sure if she would come?" Reta asked.

  "She didn't say but I have a good feeling about this one. We just need to be patient." She sat back and took another sip. "So what did you get to while I was gone?"

  Reta tilted her head. "You are asking me what I did today?"

  Janette shrugged. "Is that a problem?"

  "We do not really talk much toward each other." She reminded her, crossing her arms.

  "I see," Janette tapped her fingers on the table calmly, "But it's just us three now, so I don't see what else we can do besides to just sit and be bored and wait. Unless that's what you prefer if you don't like me?"

  "I have no quarrels with you," Reta stated in a factual tone, "Alphonse took me here earlier today. We read up on some information he gathered from his outside friends."

  "Is it about your old home? The tribe or cn or whatever?"

  Reta frowned. "It was about my curse."

  Felix raised his head with a look of interest. "What about?"

  Reta seemed surprised by his broken silence, then looked relieved as she formed a subtle smile. "We think we're beginning to understand more about my curse. Based on their research, we learned that curses require conditions to be met or else the user is inflicted with repercussions."

  "You mean needing all three full moons for you?" Felix asked. "Are those the conditions?"

  She shook her head. "No, not quite. This curse of mine is most unusual, it isn't like any form of Genki that I have heard of. Genki means to give or take regarding the css of what you call Light or Dark. But this curse is an invention of dark magic usage, one that punishes you if you fail to meet its demand."

  "Hmm, what demands?" Janette leaned in, resting her chin on her palm.

  "That remains to be known." Reta sighed

  Felix looked at her. "Wait, so does that mean your brother was given this curse as a means of... you're saying this wasn't a case of him being bitten before, but instead that someone gave him this curse because they wanted something from him?"

  "The thought makes my stomach turn, but it has yet to leave my mind. This brings forth more questions," Reta admitted, balling up her hand into a fist. "This information suggests that more was occurring unbeknownst to me regarding my brother than I initially believed. Or worse yet, perhaps it involved my family. But first I must deal with this curse. Alphonse believes that if we can figure out the conditions behind my curse, then perhaps we can alter its purpose so that I can dominate the transformation rather than submit to it."

  Felix rubbed his mouth, considering something in mind before leaning over the table to lock eyes with her. "Reta, I think it would be best if you stay here."

  "What!?" Janette bursted out with her hands filing high. "That's a stupid suggestion, she can fight! Why have her stay?"

  Felix sunk back, wide-eyed by her reaction. "Gods, calm yourself. I haven't been fair to her, that is why. KuliKuli and I made her a promise to help her figure out her curse together, and we failed that promise. Reta, I want to help you but with what happened to KuliKuli, it would hurt my conscious to ask you to set aside your curse for me once more. It isn't right and I refuse to make you sacrifice this for me."

  Reta leaned back in her chair, keeping her eyes locked with him. Janette gnced back and forth, holding her breath and waiting for a reaction. Even Felix shifted uncomfortably when Reta simply stared without words.

  She moved in close and slid her hand on his shoulder, comforting him. Or so he thought, as soon as he softened up, her hand flicked up and smacked the back of his head. "Ow!"

  "That was for interrupting. Yes, you did put aside my curse when you had promised to help me before, that was painful. However, given the circumstances we were given, I too was unsure of what the correct choice would have been. If I were given the choice, I would prioritize the cat and her clutter as well." Her gre softened up as she exhaled. "More to the point, KuliKuli's origin is a second reason for me joining. Whatever ritual this Perdilius has in mind must contain some source of magic. Perhaps this can be a way to aid in undoing my curse."

  "I-" Felix closed his mouth and looked to Janette.

  She shrugged back. "Could work."

  Felix sighed and stared at his cup of tea. "I just don't want to lose anyone else after tonight. I'd rather go by myself, were it not for my arm and head. You would think I would stand out with these wrappings around me but... seeing the city now, thanks to Perdilius."

  "He got what he wanted." Janette agreed. "He wanted to spread his hate for monster girls and did just that. He wanted to find the girls and accomplished that."

  "We can't let him get away with this, not after all he's done to everyone here." Felix muttered.

  Everyone stopped as Nihja stepped up to the stage, calling for the musicians to pause. The waitresses roamed around passing lit candles to every table.

  "Hey everyone." Nihja spoke out, her face devoid of that lifting smile and joy she often carried. "As you know, we've lost many families over the past few days. Tonight, we lost another. Our good friend Zena has passed on, she's spent many years helping us rebuild the Bck District. I believe it is only fair that we take this moment to pray. To pray for her passing, and to guide the other lost souls we've had this week onto the next life."

  Many patrons lifting their hands in acknowledgement, hanging their heads and closing their eyes. Felix and the others joined in, with Reta observing at first before copying their movements. It was different from her religious teachings, but she understood its significance and meaning through its simplicity. It wasn't representative of one specific religion, but rather all encompasses its effect. It did not matter what different gods they prayed to, because this act alone meant an act of union as everyone prayed for the same person.

  Slowly, the prayers came to a stop before Nihja gnced up. "Thank you, may her soul rest well."

  She stepped off with tears in her eyes, joining Alphonse as he held her tight.

  Janette looked back to find Nyitzcha slowly approaching them with a candle in hand. She pced it down and hopped on a stool to join them.

  "I heard the news on my way here, sorry ds." She sighed, "It may not mean much but I'd like to join you on your travels."

  "Thank you, I'm gd you changed your mind." Janette smiled, wiping her eyes. "It means a lot."

  Reta cocked her head. "The explosive extraordinaire from the Greenhorn Invasion?"

  "Ay, problem wit dat?" The dwarf scoffed back, challenging her.

  Reta grinned. "Not a bad choice for company. Fine work, Janette."

  "You're complimenting me?" Janette blinked.

  She rolled her eyes and sighed. "May it be the st time I do so to make it ever more special for you."

  Felix scooted forward. "Thank you, honestly. This is asking for a lot, we are eternally in your gratitude."

  "I'll take my thanks in coin," She smirked, crossing her arms and gncing at Janette. "Or whatever goods we find on our travels, aye?"

  "I'll let Al and Nihja know that we're ready to leave." Janette added, getting up from her chair. "There's just one st thing I need to ask for."

  They followed her and stepped back outside, where Janette approached the little pixie.

  "Tootsie?"

  "Hm?" She hummed a little tune to herself, her tiny wings fluttering around ecstatically.

  Janette reached into her bag and fished out the old magic book. "We'll be leaving tomorrow morning. Is there a way you can bring out Vardare again?"

  "Sure!" She beamed, pointing at the book. "Open it."

  "Okay." Janette obeyed, watching the pixie hover above the empty page before nding delicately on top. Doing her little dance, she spun and twirled and pranced around as tiny speckles of light fell from her form, leaving an imprint of a familiar looking owl. Once she flew off, Vardare came to his physical form, bursting through the opened book and nding atop Janette's shoulder. She chuckled as he nuzzled her cheek in appreciation. "Good to see you again."

  "The pleasure is all mine, dear." He cooed, turning his head and setting his rge eyes on Nyitzcha. "And who do we have here, a young dwarf?"

  "Ey." She chirped, staring wide-eyed. "You talk?"

  Reta tugged at Felix's arm. "What is this?"

  "Oh right, this is the first time for you too." He apologized, guiding Reta to stand by Nyitzcha. "This is Vardare, he's an um... uhh, a bird scribe?"

  Just then, Nihja and Alphonse stepped outside when they saw Vardare and froze.

  Vardare shifted to remain banced on Janette's shoulder, pecking at his wing to scratch an itch. "Goodness, time for introductions again. I am Vardare of House Kucuk, renowned Schor, Librarian and Scribe. And I am not a bird, young man! This is simply my avatar, I'll let you know that I was once a young human man like you, only more handsome."

  Nyitzcha shrugged. "Seen stranger, I s'pose. I'll grab my horse." She said before walking off.

  "Alphonse, what did we just come across?" Nihja asked, holding his arm.

  "Fascinating." He whispered as a smile began to take shape.

  "Before we take off home, there is something else." Nihja informed them, keeping Alphonse close. "You'll be leaving tomorrow morning, so keep your cloaks on and your heads covered. Have Janette take the lead while you two hide in the carriage at least until you leave the city. Once you leave, you'll be safe. After that, gods be with you."

  "It's a touching thing you're doing here, I hope you know that we're all supporting you as best we can." Alphonse added.

  The couple parted away as Mitzi stepped in between them, carrying a small bag to Janette. "Coin!" She cheered, fshing a rge smile.

  "So that you have something to help finance things, should a need for it arise." Alphonse expined.

  The trio nodded, with Mitzi hugging Janette's legs. She hugged her back when a rge carriage came by, complete with pans and cooking supplies dangling off the sides of the rge bags it carried.

  "That's a mighty big carriage." Felix looked in awe as Nyitzcha waved at them.

  He turned back around to Nihja and Alphonse. "Crap, one st thing! The farm, I'm supposed to look after the animals. It's a lot to ask but could you send someone to feed and clean them?"

  Alphonse was taken aback, blinking repeatedly before shrugging. "A rather te approach but I can work something out. Where do we find it?"

  "Bout a few hours south once you cross the wooden bridge." He expined.

  Janette stepped in. "I'll leave them some directions so that they don't get lost."

  "Thank you." He smiled with relief. "All of you, really."

  They retreated back to Nihja's home, resting for the night. Once the sun rose, Nihja stepped outside to find Nyitzcha waiting on them. Janette and Felix hugged them goodbye, with Mitzi taking the longest to let Janette go. Reta refused hugs but simply bowed out of gratitude for their help.

  Following Nihja's warning, Janette took a seat up front to accompany Nyitzcha at the reins, with Vardare coming to join them. Felix and Reta sat inside the carriage, looking out as Nihja and Alphonse waved goodbye.

  Felix sat back and held Reta's hand, smiling and closing his eyes. Whatever comes ahead, he hadn't a clue how they would face it. But he knew KuliKuli would do the same for him, and he couldn't let this go after what happened to Zena. Perhaps in his mind he believed this was owed to her as a way to make amends, he wasn't sure. The thought did linger in his head, but it was more than the loss of his friend. Whatever Perdilius did or whoever he hurt only proved how dangerous that man is.

  And foolish as it was, they had to stop him.

  The carriage came to an abrupt stop.

  KuliKuli shifted around in a circle, poking her little cat head through the cage to see why they stopped. Looking around, her family kept her company on this dreadful journey they were forced in. Perdilius didn't waste a moment in retreating back to this unknown destination in mind. After that night where Janette's house was burned down, they made a brief stop to a small settlement where the men gathered for a quick nap and breakfast before hurrying off.

  Unfortunately for them, they remain caged since then. Forced to stay in their cat forms meant that they couldn't communicate vocally with common speech, but at least they were locked up together. Behind her sat her sister Syri, who id in a curled-up position hiding her face from them. She could feel the pain her baby sister held inside, the longing to be with her friends and to be free again. To her left sat Dimyri who couldn't stop pacing around her cage, constantly scanning and tinkering with her cage door, scheming for a way to escape. To her shock, her mother Emyri sat on her side and would often meow to comfort them when they seemed agitated.

  The only cat missing was Na'Vi, but she hoped that she hid to be with Felix and the others.

  Not her, KuliKuli was quiet since she first stepped inside. She needed time to think, to hold onto the memories she made with Felix, Janette, and Norowa Reta. She thought herself to be his pet at first, but Felix didn't want that. He loved her more than as a pet, but as a partner and a lover. It filled her with joy, reminiscing of the bond they had and the moments they shared together.

  Perdilius stepped out from his carriage, looking outside and smiling. "Short break everyone. Step outside, stretch your limbs, grab a snack. We take off in five minutes."

  His men sighed with relief, some popped their boots off to expose their toes to the cold while others fished out canteens and took a swig. Raz retreated to the back and met with the cats, keeping track of them and offering them light rations.

  One man in leather armor walked by and took notice, scoffing at the sight. "Why bother? They're animals, let them starve for what they did to us." He asked as he pced a sack full of hardtack aside.

  "They need to be healthy," Raz argued back, "Meaning someone needs to keep an eye on them. I don't trust any of you to do it."

  "If you insist." He spat off to the side and reached for his snacks, only to find them missing. He looked around and wandered off to find where he mispced them.

  Raz reached up and loosened a knot, allowing the curtains to drop. "A little something to keep you tucked and warm. It won't help much, but it'll only get colder inside."

  KuliKuli tilted her head, what did he mean colder inside?

  A sharp whistle caught Raz's attention.

  "Alright, pack up now! We're leaving!" Perdilius ordered, stepping back into his private carriage.

  One by one, his men climbed into their own respective wagons before they marched off in a line again. Now left in the dark, KuliKuli id down and pnted her head above her paws, lying in wait for whatever was coming next. Unbeknownst to them, a little bck cat hid underneath the same carriage, keeping a watchful eye while clutching a sack of hardtack with her. Digging in carefully, she dropped one cracker down before keeping the bag sealed beside her.

  She looked forward, eyes wide as the front carriage slipped through an incredibly dense fog that made it look like it disappeared. She braced herself as they were next. One by one, Perdilius and his men ventured through the fogged area, ignoring the warning signs urgently pleading for any travelers to turn around. For this fog expanded for many miles, surrounding what looked like a haunted jungle with the sound of animals crying out in an echo.

  And even deeper in the fog, at the center of this jungle, stood an ominous dark tower with its severed pilrs like fingers joined to a hand that reached out to the skies. The same tower that the Nekomata were warned to stay away from.

  They were returning home.

  End of Act 2