Leaving the channel behind, James could only sigh as he inspected it one last time. It was far too small—barely a foot in diameter and nowhere near large enough for him to fit his entire body into. The narrow channel seemed more like a natural runoff than anything intentionally carved, and he doubted it was ever intended for human passage. The kitten, perhaps, could easily come and go through it, but he had no such luxury. Frustration churned within him, bubbling just beneath the surface. It seemed that the more he explored, the fewer answers he got. This place was beginning to feel like an endless series of questions, each more perplexing than the last, with no clear path forward.

He lifted the lantern and considered what to do next. There had to be something here—something important, or at least significant enough that the lantern had led him to this particular den. It seemed foolish to leave without fully understanding what this place had to offer. Holding the lantern up, James activated his {Essence Sight}, focusing on the intricate web of channels running through the device. It was as if the lantern had a life of its own, its essence channels pulsing softly, like veins under skin.

- Lantern of Guiding (Saffron)

- A magical lantern that contains guiding properties. Once activated, it provides a bright light capable of illuminating the path forward. A beam of light, when active, always points toward a source of interest or danger.

- Infused with guiding essence, it is said to have been used by scouts in ancient times to navigate treacherous dungeons.

- Consumes a small amount of mana to maintain light. The beam consumes additional mana based on distance.

- "The light shows the way, but it takes courage to follow." - Part of the Creed in the Guild of Explorers

James nodded to himself as he read the description, noting the higher rarity of the item. It was clearly valuable, although he still didn’t fully understand its workings. The essence channels—those intricate pathways he could see—seemed to dictate the function of the lantern, though he was mostly just guessing. He could see what he thought of as essence capillaries, tiny conduits that allowed the essence to flow. It made him wonder if there was a more efficient way to use it; perhaps dousing the lantern with essence the way he had been doing wasn’t the ideal approach. It was effective, sure, but surely there was a better way.

Fatigue tugged at the edges of his awareness, urging him to rest. He’d been at this for hours now, and exhaustion was creeping into his muscles, making them heavy and unresponsive. His stomach grumbled, and he grimaced. The only thing he had to eat was the dwindling supply of coffee beans, and those had an unfortunate side effect—a severe crash afterward, more drastic than he was used to. He really needed to find some proper food soon, something that wouldn’t leave him feeling worse off in the long run.

Activating the secondary portion of the lantern, James watched as the guiding beam shot out, cutting through the shadows of the den. To his surprise, it didn’t point to anything within the den. Instead, it angled right back through the hole he had dug, down the tunnel he had just walked.

“Great...” James muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he glanced at the kitten still purring softly on his shoulder. It seemed their destination lay elsewhere—perhaps somewhere he had already passed.

He couldn’t help but feel frustrated by the situation. Here he was, hoping for answers, and instead, he was being sent back to where he started. He sighed, looking at the kitten on his shoulder. There was something about the little creature that made him want to understand it better, especially after all it had done for him. Turning on his {Essence Sight}, he decided to try and inspect the kitten—perhaps that would give him some clarity, some direction.

The kitten, however, had other ideas. The moment he focused his mana-fueled gaze on it, the tiny creature's hackles raised, and it let out an irritated hiss, ears flattening in displeasure. James felt the sharp bat of a tiny paw against his cheek, claws out just enough to draw a thin line of blood. He winced, jerking back slightly. “Ow!” he exclaimed. “I need to know who I’m working with here!” He pleaded, hoping the kitten might somehow understand him.

The kitten gave him a disdainful look, its tail swishing back and forth with obvious irritation before it hopped off his shoulder. It bounded over to the pile of rags it had previously been using as a bed—the tattered wedding dress among the scraps—and settled down with a dignified air, as if to say, “I’m done with you for now.”

James felt a flicker of annoyance rise up in him. He’d been trying to help, and instead, he’d gotten clawed. Maybe there was something about using Essence Sight on a living creature that hurt or frightened them. He hadn’t thought about that before, but now that he did, it made a certain amount of sense. He sighed again, shaking his head. Still, he’d managed to glean some information, even if it wasn’t as much as he had hoped for.

Name

Unknown Race - Eclipsian Shadowcat | Saffron Rank One Level - Unknown Class - Unknown HP - 150/150 MP - 200/200 Stamina - 120/120 Abilities - Unknown

-Eclipsian Shadowcat: A rare creature born during a celestial event where the sun and moon align. Its fur shimmers between deep blue and purple, and a crescent moon adorns its forehead, glowing softly with eclipse essence. Most Eclipsian Shadowcats' eyes are a piercing violet or deep blue, reflecting both wisdom and a mischievous spirit. White cuffs mark its paws, and its movements are both graceful and silent

“Well, that answers some questions, but leaves plenty more,” James murmured aloud, looking towards the kitten, now nestled in the rags. He sighed. “I don’t know what to call you. Do you have a name?” he asked, feeling a bit foolish for talking to it like this. The kitten responded with a dismissive “Meow,” its tone almost uninterested, as though it couldn’t care less.

James smiled slightly, undeterred. “Well then, can I give you a name?”

This seemed to catch the kitten’s attention. It perked up, lifting its head from the rags, and padded over to him, rubbing its face against his leg. James took that as a yes, a chuckle escaping his lips. “Alright then, let’s see...”

He tapped his chin thoughtfully, eyeing the kitten as it gazed back at him expectantly. “You’re an Eclipsian Shadowcat, huh? That’s... definitely unique.” He watched as the kitten cleared the entire height of his body in a single, effortless leap, landing back on his shoulder as if it belonged there. It was surprising how natural it felt to have the kitten perched on him, as though they had done this a hundred times before.

The kitten purred softly as they started moving again, following the beam back down the tunnel. James found himself muttering potential names under his breath as they walked. “Maybe Luna? No... too obvious. How about Selene?” He paused, glancing at the kitten, who merely flicked her tail dismissively. He frowned. “Not Selene either, huh? Alright, what about Eclipse?” The kitten’s ears twitched, but there was no reaction beyond that.

“Are you a female?” James asked suddenly, realizing he hadn’t even confirmed that. The kitten responded with a light swish of her tail, which James decided to take as an affirmation. “Huh... well, it would’ve been awkward to name you something like Ronald then, wouldn’t it?” He laughed, and the kitten gave an annoyed mew in response, her tail flicking against his cheek with what felt like deliberate annoyance.

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By the time they reached the main cavern—the one James had first woken up in—he had gone through a dozen names, none of which had been met with any enthusiasm. The beam of light ended at approximately the spot where he had woken up, pointing directly at the dwindling bag of coffee beans he had left behind. James stared at the spot, then at the lantern. “Huh... maybe this thing is broken?” he muttered, frowning. The kitten on his shoulder gave a low meow, as if agreeing with his frustration.

Sitting down next to the lake and the coffee beans, James gently lifted the kitten from his shoulder, careful not to upset her. He knew better than to pick up a cat without permission—especially one that could turn him into a scratching post if it felt like it. He set her down in his lap, and she seemed content enough, curling up and letting out a soft purr. James began stroking her fur absentmindedly as he thought.

The kitten’s fur was impossibly soft, like velvet under his fingers. It shimmered faintly, catching the light from the lantern, and James found himself fascinated by the way the colors seemed to shift—deep blues blending seamlessly into purples, with an ethereal sheen that made it seem almost otherworldly. He remarked on this, telling the kitten just how soft and beautiful her fur was. The kitten preened under the praise, her purring growing louder as she snuggled deeper into his lap.

“Alright,” James said, “let’s get serious about this name.” He wanted something that captured the mysterious, almost magical nature of the kitten—something that spoke to her origins as a creature born during a celestial event, but also her sass and independence. He ran his hand along her back, feeling the warmth of her small body against his legs.

“How about Astra?” he suggested. The kitten looked at him, blinked slowly, and then yawned. James sighed. “Not Astra, then. Okay... what about Nocturne?” The kitten flicked her tail, her ears twitching as though she was giving it some thought, but eventually, she rested her head back down, uninterested.

James tried again. “Maybe something simple, like Midnight?” The kitten didn’t even lift her head, her eyes half-closed. “Right... not Midnight either,” James muttered, shaking his head.

He thought back to his college days, to the mythology courses he had taken. He remembered Nyx, the Greek goddess of the night, who embodied mystery, darkness, and the unknown. There was something about the name that resonated with him. He looked down at the kitten. “What about Nyx?” he asked.

The kitten paused, her ears perking up. She lifted her head, her violet eyes locking onto his. She gave a soft, approving meow, her tail curling around his wrist. James smiled. “Nyx it is, then.”

Nyx settled back down, her purrs resuming with renewed vigor. James continued to stroke her fur, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. The name felt right—mysterious, powerful, yet elegant. It suited her perfectly. And maybe, just maybe, having a name made their bond feel a little more real, a little more grounded in the bizarre reality of this Rift.

“Alright, Nyx,” James said, his voice soft. “Let’s figure out what we’re supposed to do next.” Nyx mewed in response, her eyes half-closed in contentment. James couldn’t help but chuckle. Whatever challenges lay ahead, at least now he had a companion—a sassy, enigmatic companion who clearly had her own opinions about things. And maybe, just maybe, that made all the difference in this strange, unpredictable world.

As he continued stroking her fur, James let his mind wander, thinking about what was next. He glanced again at the bag of coffee beans, now illuminated by the unwavering beam of the lantern. It was a peculiar sight, the beam resting on such a mundane object in the midst of this strange and dangerous place. He wondered if the lantern was trying to tell him something—perhaps there was more to the beans than he initially thought. They had helped sustain him so far, though the harsh crashes afterward made them an unreliable source of energy. Still, they had become part of his survival here, a small comfort in an otherwise hostile environment.

He sighed, picking up the bag and examining it closely. Maybe there was some hidden property about them that he had yet to discover. “Maybe they’re not just coffee beans,” he muttered aloud. Nyx opened one eye lazily, her purring slowing as if she was half-listening to his ramblings. James felt a little ridiculous. Here he was, talking to a cat and a bag of coffee beans like they might hold all the answers. But in a place like this, you took comfort where you could find it.

He decided to try using {Essence Sight} on the beans, squinting slightly as the familiar waves of light and color washed over his vision. To his surprise, there was indeed a subtle glow emanating from the beans, something he hadn’t noticed before. It was faint, a soft amber hue, swirling within each bean as if something was trapped inside. “Huh,” James said, blinking in surprise. “There really is something special about these.”

Nyx, sensing his change in tone, lifted her head slightly, her violet eyes flicking between James and the bag. She seemed intrigued, though her curiosity was more subdued—like she was indulging his fascination. James felt a small surge of excitement, a sense of discovery that had been sorely missing since he’d first found himself trapped in this Rift. He had no idea what the glow meant or how to harness it, but it was something new, and that alone was a victory.

“Looks like we’ve got a mystery on our hands, Nyx,” he said, running his thumb over the surface of one of the beans. Nyx gave a small, dismissive snort, as if unimpressed, but her eyes remained fixed on his hands. James couldn't help but smile at her attitude—it was comforting, in a way, to have someone who was both aloof and present, a reminder that he wasn’t entirely alone. thoughts flowed to Joey unbidden and a tinge of sadness entered him quickly squashed by a gentle nuzzle form Nyx.

He set the beans back down, deciding that they could wait. Food was still a priority, but he couldn’t shake the nagging thought that perhaps these beans had more value than just an energy boost. Maybe they could be traded if he ever found another living soul, or perhaps they had some alchemical properties he hadn’t tapped into yet. Regardless, they were part of his arsenal now, and he wasn’t about to disregard any potential advantage. He wished he paid more attention to his dad's teaching about farming and the way crops were cultivated here on, well he didn't know what the world was called but James was pretty sure they were in the kingdom of Friengard.

Standing up, he glanced at Nyx, who had jumped off his lap to sit beside him, her tail curling around her small body. She looked up at him with those intelligent eyes, her expression almost expectant. “I suppose we should keep moving, huh?” James said, stretching his arms above his head, feeling the stiffness of exhaustion in his joints.

Nyx let out a soft meow, almost as if agreeing. James smiled down at her, shaking his head. “Bossy little thing, aren’t you?” The kitten blinked slowly, her demeanor regal and amused. It was becoming clear to James that, despite her small size, Nyx had no intentions of being a follower. She was his partner—an equal—and she expected him to act accordingly.

He gathered his things, taking care to make sure he had a good grip on the trident and lantern. It would drain his mana slowly while they traveled. James found himself talking to her again, the words spilling out in a stream of consciousness that was half to keep his own spirits up and half because it felt like Nyx actually listened. He spoke about the lantern, about his confusion regarding its function, about how he wanted to understand the essence better and why it seemed like everything in this place was more complex than it needed to be.

“And you know,” James said, glancing at Nyx, “I didn’t even think I’d make a friend down here. Not one like you, at least.” Nyx gave him a sideways glance, her ears twitching, and James could have sworn he saw a flicker of approval in her gaze.

As James stood, lantern in hand, he contemplated his next move. He could feel the tug to keep moving, but Nyx had other plans. The moment he took a step away form the shore, Nyx let out an insistent, sharp meow. James paused, glancing down at the small kitten perched at his feet, her eyes locking onto his with a determination that mirrored his own. It was clear she had no intention of going back there.

"What is it, Nyx?" he asked, a hint of exasperation in his voice. He watched as she trotted over to the lakeside, her tail flicking as if beckoning him to follow. The lake's dark waters shimmered faintly under the light of the lantern, casting an almost hypnotic glow across the cavern. Nyx stopped at the edge of the water, sitting down with a resolute expression, her violet eyes glancing back at James, daring him to understand.

James sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Alright, alright. I get it. We wait." He moved over to the lakeside, settling down beside Nyx. The air was damp, and the quiet lap of water against the rocky shore filled the silence. It was strangely peaceful here, an oasis of calm amidst the chaos of the Rift. James set the lantern beside him, its guiding beam pointing at the spot where the coffee beans were a little while ago. James gave a laugh as he realized it was a coincidence that the beam ended on the beans that were beside him.

Nyx let out a softer meow, one that sounded more content as she curled up beside him, her fur brushing against his leg. James watched her for a moment before turning his gaze back to the lake. He didn't know what they were waiting for, but Nyx seemed convinced there was something worth seeing. He trusted her instincts—after all, she'd saved him more than once already.

The minutes stretched into hours, the stillness of the cavern almost lulling James into a trance. He found himself drifting in and out of his thoughts, the fatigue from the day catching up with him. He tried to stay alert, glancing occasionally at Nyx, who seemed completely at ease, her eyes half-closed as if she too was resting. Feeling calmed and after a long day of labor intensive work, James was lulled to sleep by the purring kitten, fatigue claimed the young boy.