Arasol, sun of Arcave, was rising in the horizon. Slowly showing its beautiful golden colors, illuminating the landscapes of the continent of Spital. The night had been gentle and without storm, without rain; even the wind had not made a sound.

The Justice desert, one of the biggest deserts of the Spital continent.

It was in such a place that the Kemono Federation was located; in any case, more than 94% of the Federation's structures. Created by "Artur Deschats", a Kemono who wanted equality between their race and the humans, now under the control of the Constable. The Kemono Federation only accepted Kemonos into their midst, but some humans, if monitored and searched beforehand, could visit the structures with the help of a guide. The Kemonos lived in a free and pleasant society within its buildings and were very safe, even though they were in the middle of the desert. They had problems communicating quickly with the rest of the continent or running certain errands, but over time, the Constable, including some of the senior Kemonos, found solutions to their concerns. Even if their location, in the middle of a huge desert, was still disadvantageous in some respects, it was not all bad.

It was in this huge structure that a young man by the name of "Na", the only non-Kemono who was freely accepted into the Federation, was located.

He had no memory of his past and even though he sometimes dreamed a little of who he was before, Na always forgot everything when his eyes came up. He was looking for who he was, but no clue had been found yet…

He was clueless, too simple and just human.

He had been forced into an ordeal with a girl named "Bibi", but even there he had learned nothing about himself. He had managed to make a new friend, met some impressive people including the kindly Kill who had given him that necklace and had seen Bibi fight a Longer, but she had been... killed. In front of his eyes, she had lost her life in a fight. Na had dreamed about her, the images recurring in his sleep until he woke up in a sweat.

Even though Na had lost his memory, he still knew what it meant when someone died.

Bibi was a person who had agreed to help him and promised to explain more about her and the ordeal when they had defeated Bibha. However, Bibi had lost to the woman and had to pay with her life. Na still couldn't believe what he had seen and his heart broke at the time. Even now, it was hard to believe that his friend was... dead. Sure, it had only been one night, but Na felt bad just thinking about it. He had made it back to the Federation, although he didn't know how, so they had passed the test.

- But how...?

After Bibi's death, Na remembered absolutely nothing. He just remembered wanting to hold Bibi to see if she was okay before he felt her energy go away. Then he had woken up in his bed, with Sheerah by his side. He could ask himself all the questions in the world, but he didn't see how he could get the answers... After all, Sheerah shouldn't know anything. He touched the Rune of Etholys that still hung around his neck and thought of Kill. If he could find her, he could ask her for details... Still, how? He still didn't know where he had ended up.

- Could I talk about the Great Sanctuary...?" he wondered.

He still had in mind the Colossus that ruled the landscape of the ruined city where he had been. He had a few details that might help the others, but who to ask? Sheerah was on a mission and he couldn't see asking such questions of the other members of Sheerah's Faction... He blinked and remembered his first goal.

- ... Maslow.

This Kemono had been the one to find him unconscious outside, close to the Federation walls. He had wanted to talk with her before, but she had not been available and would not agree to talk with anyone. However, she was his only chance... He didn't know who exactly Maslow was despite all the talk about her, but she was still Sheerah's superior and was still the Kemono who had found him. If she had nothing to tell him or no leads to offer, perhaps he would never learn who he really was... He touched his head and lay back down in bed. He looked at the ceiling and thought to himself that he should talk with Ronaa and ask her how to talk with Maslow... If he didn't think about anything else and kept Bibi in his mind all day, he knew that he would cry again... He just wanted to rest a little bit more before getting up and would go and talk with the frog Kemono…

- Ronaa...?

It was about 11:10 and Na had finally gotten out of bed. He went to his friend's room and knocked on the door calling her name. It took a few seconds before the door was opened and the Kemono greeted him.

- Oh, you're finally awake... Na…

Ronaa's eyes were closing and she didn't hide her tiredness; even though she was almost always tired. She questioned Na with her eyes and he did not hide his embarrassment, but finally managed to speak:

- Can I ask you something?

She nodded and stepped aside, letting him into her room. He thanked her and went to the bed to sit down. Ronaa closed the door behind her and sat down next to him while turning her gaze towards him.

- You didn't have breakfast this morning? You weren't there.

- I didn't... sleep enough, I fell asleep again..." Na admitted.

- It's... not serious, but since you were asleep all this time... We were afraid.

- Asleep…

He remembered Sheerah's words, when he had opened his eyes again. From what he understood, he had fallen asleep on the way here and only woken up yesterday. However, this did not seem logical to him. Having been in the ruined city with Bibi, Sheerah could not have seen his body. He still wondered if it was a dream, but the experience he had felt made him say that it was not possible. It felt too real.

- What happened...?" asked Ronaa.

Na snapped out of his thoughts and looked into his friend's beautiful eyes. He didn't know if he should confess what he had experienced... Maybe she would think he was crazy, maybe she would say it had all been a dream. She knew the world better than he did, she was his friend and he had already talked to her a few times, so he didn't want to lie to her.

- I... I must confess that I don't know everything," he began.

She remained silent, listening carefully. She didn't want to rush him: she could see that he was having trouble expressing himself.

- I was... teleported somewhere? I had to pass a test and I was accompanied by a girl named Bibi... There was a place called the Great Sanctuary and it was in a ruined city... There was a Colossus who reigned over the landscape, even if he was no longer alive! It was beautiful, unbelievable... I don't know, I passed the test it seems, but Bibi…

Na's eyelids closed a little because of sadness.

- ... Bibi didn't make it. It looks like I did, but... I don't know what happened... I don't know," Na finished.

He turned to Ronaa, rather embarrassed, and saw her expression.

She looked shocked.

She stared into his eyes and was still silent, unable to find the words. Even her frog-like eyes that were on her head looked shocked. Na stood still waiting for his words, hoping she knew something. She finally blinked and looked confused before finally opening her mouth.

- ... Y-You're sure you didn't... just, well, dream...?

Na slowly looked away. He had expected such an answer. After all, said like that, of course she thought it was just a dream. Nevertheless…

- I... I'm sure it wasn't a dream.

He clenched his fists.

- It had seemed... all too real.

No matter how much Ronaa listened to him and believed him, she found it hard to think of anything other than a dream. After all, she too had seen the sleeping body. His pulse had been normal and his breathing regular. If he had really been teleported, then it could only have been his mind... but even that seemed impossible. She had never heard such a Power.

- Great Sanctuary... I don't know anything about that name, I'm... sorry.

Ronaa yawned and put her hands on the mattress behind her back.

- For the ruined city... with a Colossus... It's amazing that you saw such a thing, but... It's not impossible. I'm sure ... there must be some cities with ... bodies of Colossus," she told him.

- I see…

Ronaa apologized for not being more helpful, but Na told her it wasn't her fault. He still couldn't think it had been a dream, but if Ronaa didn't know anything, he was going to have to ask other people with more experience on the world of Arcave. He rubbed his cheek before blinking and remembered why he had come to find his friend.

- A-Ah yes, Ronaa!

She turned her gaze back to him.

- Hmm...?

- I-I wanted to ask you…

Na made her index fingers touch each other while avoiding her gaze. Ronaa thought it was cute.

- A-Actually... I wish... I wish to speak with M-M... Maslow…

He was afraid to ask such a question, but he took his courage to ask her. He didn't want to bother Ronaa and was not confident of the answer she would give him. He made himself very small while waiting for his friend to answer, not even daring to look at her.

- Do you want to talk with... Maslow...?" she asked to be sure.

- Y-Yes…

- ... I understand why... you would want to talk to her.

Ronaa lay down in bed with a yawn.

- However, in order to talk to her, she needs to have time, she needs to agree and... well, she needs to be there.

Ronaa closed her eyes and let out a small sigh.

- I'm... not very close to Maslow, so I can't help you.

- Oh... I see, it’s fi-

- But you can talk to... Panthana?

Na hadn't hidden the disappointment in his voice when Ronaa had told him she couldn't help him, but her last words made him look up. He turned it towards the Kemono and his heart beat a little faster.

- Panthana...?

Na barely knew her. It was a Kemono who was not greatly dressed who had asked him a question he could not remember... He had quickly discussed it with Ronaa when he had returned and she had explained to him who this Kemono really was. He didn't have a friendly relationship with Panthana, but she seemed to like him.

- Why her...?" asked Na.

- She's easily accessible, you already know her... and she's a bit closer to Maslow than I or anyone else in our Faction.

Ronaa yawned while putting her hand in front of her mouth and opened one eye to observe Na.

- Be... Besides, even if Panthana can't help you... I'm sure she knows someone. Maybe... you could even see Maslow today...?

Na approached Ronaa and gave her a hug that surprised her. She blinked, still tired, and took him in her arms in turn. She caressed his back and gave a weak smile.

- ... I hope you find a clue to your real identity, Na.

- Thank you, me too! Thank you!

He got up from the bed after cuddling her and showed his excitement on his face. A big happy smile and eyes that showed more life, Na had regained his color.

- Where can I find Panthana?" he asked.

The first time he had met her, it was unintentionally in the corridors of the Federation. She had not been the only Kemono to observe him, since he was human, but she had been the only one to come and talk to him. Unfortunately, he knew almost nothing about her, so he didn't know where to find her.

- It should be in the big living room that serves as the 2nd Support Team's "base"... You walk out of our Faction, walk a few feet to the right and you'll see... You'll see... Aaah, sorry... You'll see a glass door with a visible sign where it says their team name. If you are afraid... of getting lost... ask for directions... I want to sleep…

Ronaa yawned more and more and sat comfortably on her bed, her frog-like eyes that were on her head closing in turn. Na thanked her and left her room, closing the door softly. He didn't make a sound as he left, but before he reached the wide corridors of the Faction, he greeted Kaide, who had started to prepare dinner.

- Are you going out?" she asked.

Na nodded.

- I must go to see somebody, I spoke about it with Ronaa!" he said.

- Okay! Glad to see you awake, Na!

Kaide dropped a beautiful smile and Na returned it to her. He thanked her before leaving the Faction building and saw the large corridor in front of him. The ceiling was unreachable, meters and meters high. Even though there weren't as many Kemonos as the last time he'd been out with Sheerah, the hallway was still crowded with people running back and forth or talking to each other. Some of the Kemonos were leaving or returning to their Faction, others were going to see their friends to talk or discuss business, and a handful were working. Na started walking to the right and looked carefully for her destination.

Na didn't know much about the Kemono Federation, but Sheerah had explained some of the details to her. There were many Factions within this Federation that could exist for different reasons: some Factions were more focused on the war against the Longers, some to help the Federation on many issues, and some just for different pleasures. The Sheerah Faction, for example, was mixed, but was mostly focused on combat. It required the agreement of the Constable, including some high-ranking Kemonos, to create a Faction and have a team of at least three Kemonos, although they were thinking of changing the rule to four. However, there were not only Factions: there were teams of all kinds, associations and even a group that would be composed only of guides. Na was interested in meeting a lot of Kemonos and learning more about the Federation, but what he really wanted to know was who he was first and foremost... He couldn't just wander around the corridors without seeing the time pass and just rest: he WANTED to know who he was more than anything else. He didn't know why he himself was trying to find out what his real identity is, but he knew that’s what was eating away at his heart above all else, so he didn't question it.

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Na arrived in front of the place that Ronaa had told him. The sign that read "2nd Support Team" glowed dimly and was easily visible. He didn't know if he could get in without asking permission, so he knocked out of respect: it was Sheerah who had told him to always do that. He waited outside, looking through the glass door, but didn't see many people inside... He could see that the door was open, but he didn't want to risk going inside without permission. He knocked again when a Kemono noticed him and signaled to wait for her before running towards him. She had beautiful blue hair and cat ears on her head. She opened the door and looked at Na with curious eyes.

- Oooh, are you the human some people talk about?!" she asked with a smile.

She approached his head with excitement and touched his nose. He took a step back, disturbed by her reaction. The Kemono noticed her own behavior and cleared her throat.

- S-Sorry, nya…

Na shook his head to tell her it was okay, but his voice wouldn't come out. The Kemono gave him a calmer smile and looked into his eyes.

- Anyway, do you need anything?" she asked.

He nodded and took his courage in both hands to ask.

- Can I talk with Panthana...?

- Oooh, of course! I was just talking to her, nya!

She took his hand and ran inside, forcing him to follow her. Na let out a cry of surprise and followed her as best he could, not wanting to stumble and fall head first onto the ground.

- Oooh, Panthana!

The pink and blue haired Kemono was sitting on a couch and had been waiting for her friend. She turned her head to answer her when she noticed that she now had someone in her hand... Panthana smiled as she recognized this person.

- Oooh, but it's Na!!!" Panthana said.

The cat-eared Kemono who had brought Na here offered him to sit with them and Na accepted with difficulty, blushing heavily. He stood next to her and put his hands on his own thighs. Panthana looked at him happily.

- Why are you bringing him here, Kity?" she asked.

The blue-haired Kemono shrugged.

- It was him who was knocking at the door, nya!" she answered.

- Eeeh, I see... What do you need, anya?

Na blinked and pursed his lips: he didn't feel totally at ease. They were both beautiful and the atmosphere was weighing on his shoulders... They weren't doing anything wrong in particular, but Na was still embarrassed and he didn't want to bother them with his questions... Panthana noticed Na's embarrassment and calmed his smile. He had his head down and was almost shaking, which she found very cute.

- Sorry to rush you, take your time," she said.

Kity stretched next to Na and waited for the human to speak. Even if it meant that they had to pause their conversation, Kity agreed to wait a little while to listen to what he had to say. However, a thought occurred to her and she turned to him.

- You only want to talk to Panthana?" she asked.

Na looked at her shyly and finally shook. He sighed and took his courage in both hands.

- If I stay without saying anything, I will not advance..." he said to himself.

He clenched his fists and looked at Panthana, although he didn't dare look her in the eye. She still had that cute smile and looked so... nice. He swallowed and finally asked his question:

- I-I would like to talk... wi-with Maslow.

The two Kemonos were surprised by his question. Panthana looked him straight in the eye, even though he continued to avoid her gaze, and sat down more comfortably on the sofa.

- Who told you to come talk to me?

- R-Ronaa," he answered.

- Hmmm, the little frog from the Sheerah Faction, right? I don't know her too well.

- S-Since you're close to Maslow and I've already spoken with you, s-she... She told me to come talk to you.

- Eeeeh, I see, anya!

Panthana smiled again and turned to Kity.

- Say, Kity…

The Kemono stood up and sighed with a smile.

- I'll let you two talk, we'll talk later, Panthana. I'll go have a drink while we wait, nya!

She ran off, still excited, which made Panthana giggle. She turned to Na and pointed at Kity with her thumb while looking at the human.

- She has a lot of energy, Kity, anya!

- Y-Yes..." Na said.

Panthana stood up and sat down next to Na. She put her Kemono tail on his thighs and sighed.

- Anyway, you want to talk to Maslow, right?

Na nodded, his cheeks red.

- Can I know why?" asked Panthana.

- Since she's the one... who found me and she seems to be respected by everyone…

- To be respected, she is, ahah!

- Y-Yes... Well, I would like to ask her... If she knew more about me? If she could help me, you know…

- Hmmm, I see!

Panthana gently stroked Na's hair and smiled.

- I'm sure it can't be easy to live without any memories, so I understand!

- …

Na enjoyed being stroked in the hair, but he preferred to say nothing and listen to what Panthana had to say. She touched her lips with the index finger of her free hand and thought a little before continuing to speak.

- I can see why you would want to talk to her and I'm sure Maslow would agree to talk with you. She may be impressive, but she has a heart of gold, anya!

Na looked at her with his mouth agape, more and more curious to meet this Kemono that everyone respected. If she was nice, it would please him... Panthana was about to speak when she closed her mouth and gave him an amused smile that he did not understand. She stopped stroking his hair and raised the index finger of that hand.

- However!" she let go.

- H-However...?

Panthana nodded.

- I can't help you directly, because I'm not that close to Maslow, but I can put you in touch with someone who can help you easily, anya," she said.

- Oh?

She nodded again and crossed her arms. She opened one eye and looked at Na.

- But on one condition.

Na questioned her with her eyes and didn't hide her surprise, which made the Kemono smile. She licked her lips and opened the other eye to observe Na with interest.

- Only if we pass a night together in my bed, anya~

Na looked at her with as much astonishment, still speechless. He had not understood what she meant by that and Panthana understood it when she saw his bewildered look. She sighed.

- It's true that without memory, you don't know what it is to make love, right?

Na touched his lips and squinted his eyes. He finally turned his gaze back to her.

- Ronaa was talking to me about love and she talked to me about doing it... It's… s-sex, right?

She gave him a big smile and nodded quickly. Na pulled back from her head, not knowing how to react.

- D-Does it—

- I am willing to put you in contact with a person who can help you meet Maslow if you make love with me a whole night, anya!

She hid her mouth when she saw that she had screamed, but fortunately for her, there were not many people in the living room. She looked around and saw no one reacting, so she took her hands away and sighed with relief. She saw that Na had backed away a little: he had jumped when she had shouted. She laughed apologetically and stroked his hair again.

- I swear that you will love it, anya!

- I-I have to accept...?" he asked.

Panthana looked at him for a long time before shaking her head.

- I'm sorry, I've never tried it with a human, so... It’s fine, I won't force you.

Na noticed the disappointed look on her face and puffed up his cheeks a bit before playing with his own hands. He opened his mouth and closed it directly. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

- I really have to stop hesitating to speak..." he thought.

Panthana was about to speak when Na cut her off.

- I-I accept... b-but then, I want to know at least what it feels like before... ?

Panthana looked at him in awe and Na shook her hands.

- I-It's not because I want to enjoy it, b-b-but I'm afraid that... I've never done it, s-s-so... So...!

He stopped stuttering when he saw her laugh out loud and she slapped the couch beneath her with her hands. It took her a few moments to calm down while Na forced herself to stop shaking. Ronaa had vaguely explained to him what it was and that such an act was private and intimate, so he felt uncomfortable talking about it... His heart was beating faster and even though he didn't fully understand why his body was reacting the way it was, he knew his shyness was getting the better of him. Panthana finally stopped laughing and ran a finger under her eyes.

- Thank you for making me laugh like that, Na, anya ahah!!!

She resumed her laughter, but it didn't last very long. She held out her hand and smiled happily at him.

- Is it a deal?" she asked.

He nodded and she took his hand herself, giggling.

- It's a deal, then!" she said.

Panthana took him in her arms before standing up and stretching. She looked at him with her eyes, and told him to wait there with a gesture of her hand. He stayed there and she crossed her arms.

- Even though I can't help you see Maslow, I have a friend who is very, very close to her, anya!" she said. I know she's going to check on the outside in a few minutes, so I'm going to go find her and ask her to help you, but it's going to be a little over an hour at least, okay?

Na nodded and told her that he would stay here quietly. Panthana told him that he was allowed to move around a bit, but that it would be better if he stayed around so she wouldn't have to look for him. She thanked him again for accepting her deal and told him to wait before running. He was alone for a few moments when Panthana came back with Kity, the Kemono with the beautiful blue hair.

- Kity, stay with Na while I go look for someone, okay, anya?

- Of course! Kity agreed.

The Kemono sat down next to Na and waved to him, a big smile on her face. Panthana said see you soon and started to run towards the exit. Na thanked her with a shout and Panthana laughed. Kity looked at the man next to her and began to chat with him, getting to know him.

************************

- The wind is blowing so hard, tch.

A Kemono stood outside the Federation buildings, her hair swaying in the wind. The sand carried by the violent breeze didn't get into her head, protected by the surrounding structures, but she was still bothered: they couldn't see well what was on the horizon. She didn't feel any Longer and that reassured her, even if it wasn't her job to check such things. She was sitting on the floor waiting for her friend who had gone to check on the east side. She bit her thumb and squinted.

- Having to watch over the Federation while she's away, that's not our job for fuck sake.

This long-eared Kemono was not amused by the job she had been given, but she had no choice but to accept. She wasn't necessarily in a good mood either, but there was no particular reason for that: she had just gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. She sighed and played with the gun in her hand.

- I don't like it when she leaves without us. We are…

The Kemono touched her forehead and shook her head weakly.

They had to make sure that everything went well while Maslow was away.