Along a stone trail, a lone Suxarine writes in his journal.

"And then I said to him, WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU EAT ROCKS!?! Then he said OH I EAT ROCKS BECAUSE THEY SATIATE ME!!! Me, in awe, watched him eat rocks for the next twenty minutes. That's when I realized that oh!!! It's a rock golem. And then-"

*Ears perk up at the sound of rustling bushes*

I finish writing down my ranting into my journal, closing and pocketing it before slowly unsheathing my beautiful sword.

"Hey! Whatever you are. I know you're there, so come on out and play!! Unless you're just a wild animal. In which case I look dumb hehe."

After what felt like eternity in my little little mind, to my surprise, a little human child exits from the bushes, bruised and scratched up. From the tears coming from their eyes, it was clear something bad happened!! Yeah, obviously Kak-Yak! Stop being dumb! Me?! Dumb?! Shhhh, not the time for mental battles.

Sheathing my weapon, I walk over and kneel. "Hey champ!!! Why are ya so dang hurt? And why was ya in that there bush?"

*sniffle* "I-I was trying to come out here and study some butterflies. They always come out during this time of season...s-so I was hoping to draw as many butterflies with different patterns to each one." *Winces in pain* "B-but I got careless and ended up tripping and falling along the trail."

"Hmmm. Welp!! That explains the scratches and stuff. But why the bush? Why go into it? You coulda hit a dang bee nest in there or something!"

*Sniffle* "I...I was scared. I-I never seen a creature like you before, s-so i thought you were a monster! So I ran and hid!"

"Good idea!! I can be a terrible terrible monster that steals souls in the night!!!! Hehehe, just kidding."

*giggle* "You aren't so scary now mister." *winces In pain once more* "Ow ow ow."

With a quick sigh, I dig into my satchel for some medical stuff. "Stop moving, gonna fix ya up champ."

Much much MUCH boring tedious stuff later, the little lad is patched up good as new!!

"Alright that should fix the little BLEEDING and INFECTION RISK problem. Still recommend you go to your people and let them know of the injuries."

"I will sir! Thank you! Oh! Mister, are you heading anywhere specific?"

*tilts head* "No? Whatcha getting at kiddo?"

"Well, my village doesn't really receive visitors much, so it'd be nice if you could stop by!! We have a tavern and stuff!"

*wide smirk* "Tavern ya say? Now THAT sounds dandy." Cogs starts turning in my head as I quickly pull out my map. "Your little place wouldn't be something called honeycomb village would it?"

"Oh! Y-yeah, that's my village!"

*Wide smirk* "Welp!! No time to dally!! You need to get back to your people, and I need something to feast on in that tavern ya mentioned!!! Honeycomb village! Here, i, come!!"

Some time later

After much boring, tedious walking later, the village comes into view. It's pretty peaceful and friendly looking!!! Wait, what's the difference between a town and a village again?! What?!?! It's obvious!! No it's not!!! Shhhhhh, be quiet! We must...explore!!

"Hey mister! We're here!"

Shaking my head, my mind comes back to me. "That we are!"

The little human runs into the village, announcing that yes, indeed, a traveler has made his way to their humble village.

"Everyone!! We have a visitor!"

The villages inhabitants turn their eyes to me. Obviously, I mean I AM new here after all!

Smiling, I make myself known. "Yes, it is I!! Kak-Yak!! The fearless and strong!! No monster dare show their face, when I am here!!! AHAHAHAHA!!!" *poses epically*

Some of them just stared in confusion, others in amusement. The attention was definitely welcomed I say hahaha!

My right ear twitched, hearing one of the villagers speak.

"I've never seen a Suxarine in person before."

"Yeah! But I thought they were supposed to only have, like, a single color scheme sometimes, and others two."

"Yeah, this one's got, like, five of em."

"I'd say he's very colorful though!"

I basked in it all! The villagers talking about little old me! Wait, I'm not OLD! Why did I say that? Who came up with that anyway?!

"Hello, stranger."

I turn to the source of the voice, coming face to face with a rather tall and friendly looking Zirikey woman!

"MAN ARE YOU BIG!!! I forgot how big your species could get hahahaha!!"

*giggle* "We are known for being quite large, yes haha. And you, stranger, are very unique. I have never seen a Suxarine with such a variety of colors on their fur." She smiles brightly. "Anyways, welcome to our little home! It isn't much, but all kind travelers are welcome!" She politely bowed. "I am Nintasha, owner of the village's tavern, as well as an enchanter in my spare time."

"An enchanter huh?" BOW KAK-YAK! She did so, so you do it too!! "Hahaha, impressive madam." Gives a bow of my own before regaining form. "As I've made known, I am Kak-Yak!! Fighter of monster and the shadow that lurks in night!!, protecting the innocent from the enemy's that lurk within!!!"

*giggle* "Ah, I assume you a hero then?"

"You bet madam!! Ahahaha!! I'm always looking for the next job or adventure!!!"

*another giggle* "I can tell. Honorable hero, if it is not much, why don't I show you around our humble little village?"

*Wide smile* "Of course! Lead the way Ma'am."

As of now, right here in this moment, I was being shown around this wonderful town!!! Or village?! BAH, to confusing!!! Unlike other places, this humble little place feels right up my alley in turns of places. Cozy!!! Nice people, overall a great place!!!

"Um, Mr. Kak-Yak?" giggle*

*shakes head* "What did I miss?!"

"Hehe, I can see you get distracted easily thinking of things." *She gestures to the blacksmiths abode* "This here is where our blacksmith works! If you need any weapons, he'll be sure to get the best weapon for you."

*He waves* "What she said. If you've got the coin, I can guarantee you that my weapons will put any mean bugger to rest."

I flash a wide grin. "Oh you best bet I'm stopping by after this tour!! Hahahaha."

The smithy gives a cheeky chuckle before going back to his business. Nintasha shows me around a bit more, and I take in the sights!!! Eventually she leads me into her lovely tavern!!! YES, FINALLY!!!

Stepping inside behind her, i look around, smiling wildly at the cozy and inviting atmosphere the entire place was giving.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ninthara turns to me. "Lastly, we have my humble tavern. It is both my home and business. Speaking of business, I should have stated that I'm also the villages trader! Although it's been a while since anyone outside the village has traded here."

"So you're a tavern owner, enchanter, AND trader?! Amazing!!"

Ninthara nods. "Thank you, kind hero."

I walk up to the main counter and plop into a seat. "I hope it's not much, but, uh, where's the counter attendee?"

Walking behind said counter, she speaks. "Hehe, that would be me."

"Hahahahahaha. Man! I really shoulda seen that coming honestly." Lays head onto counter. "Man!! All this walking around for days made me mighty tired. If it ain't much, I'd appreciate some meals if you have any!! After all, a tavern must feed its customers hahaha!"

She nodded. "That it must sir. Oh! Before you do so, please don't take out any coin, it'll be on the house this first time sir."

Slow laugh. "Well, I'm not turning down free food that's for sure." I pick up a menu. "Hmmm...I'll take the special of the day, because I'm too lazy and tired to decide right now."

She nods. "Coming right up sir."

As I sit, basking in the warm atmosphere, my ears twitch as I hear the doors to the tavern open up. I don't look to see who it is. I mean why would I? Tired as is.

My ears listened to the stranger in the tavern, taking some steps and taking seat at a table nearby. Some boring seconds of silence later, my ears are blessed with music! From the sounds it's coming from a flute. So. This place seems to have a music player. Or bard. I forget. Whatever though, I'm loving this music though.

Nearly falling to sleep in the peaceful comforts of the tavern, I hear the clank of a plate next to me. I jolt up, smelling the beautiful aroma of the food that's presented in front of me.

"Here you are sir. I hope you have a wonderful meal! If you need anything I'll be in the back! Just yell for me if you need anything."

Low chuckle. "Will do madam, will do. NOW!!! To feast!!!"

Some time later

After feasting on much much food, I lean back, giggling to myself. Yep. This is already the best place I've been to in over three months!!

"U-um, excuse me s-"

"WAH!!!"

I fall out of my seat, making a fool out of myself.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you!"

Chuckling, I stand back up quickly. "No no, you just caught me off guard is all." Dusting my clothing, I come face to face with a human woman. Ok Kak Yak! Use your head! You didn't hear a door open, so she's probably the one who entered earlier. "Hmmmm, are you the flute player?"

Nod. "Y-yes. That I am. U-um...is it true what you said before in town?"

Perks up ears. "Is what true?"

"That you're a hero? Like someone who deals with monsters and stuff?"

"What?! Oh, YES!!! I am indeed a hero!!! One who battles large foes, protects the weak and makes my enemies tremble at my sight!!!"

"Um...ok?" I see her scratch her head nervously. "Well...I was wondering if you could see if this little myth is true. You see, there's a rumor that this village has a spirit that lives in the old abandoned house, right by the entrance to the village. It's been scaring everyone lately. Some say they've seen the spirit making crying sounds at night, and others say they haven't heard anything at all."

"Hmmm." Think think THINK brain. "From what I can recall, certain people are more in tune with the other side then most. This could explain why some have seen and heard this spirit, while others haven't. It's actually why there's two sides of this, non believers and believers of the other side." *Cheeky grin.* "Don't worry!! I'll find out what's got this ghost so sad! I mean...they ARE dead, but why would they be bound to one place? I shall find out!!"

The woman nods. "Thank you."

I immediately sprint out of the tavern and into the cold dead of night. WOW!! It's night already?! Um, duh!! Time moves dummy! But I too move. So what does that make me? Shush!!! Go investigate. The house. At the entrance of the village.

I make my way to this so called HAUNTED HOUSE. Wait. Why did I need to yell that in my head? Shut up! Go investigate! House! Now!

Stepping up to the worn down home, I turn the knob to the entrance. And yes, it opened. So it's not locked! Now I don't have to bust a window open. I step inside and make myself known.

"Hello!!! Spirit!! If there is a spirit here, at this moment, please do something! Um...please? Or else I'm going to look crazy just shouting at nothing!!

Silence. Ah silence. So...silent like. I mean I don't know what I was expecting. Investigation time!!

I comb my way through the house, looking for any spooky. Like peas! Peas are scary because they're disgusting!! Hey!! Peas aren't for everyone. So?! They suck for me! Ok?! Others still like them! You have your OWN opinions just like everyone else!

Shaking my head, I get back to exploring! And find nothing, as suspected. Man! This is so dang boring!! Oh wait...what's this?!

I pick up a photo from within the decrepit living rooms giant table. Within the photo are two individuals. A man and a woman. The man was a Wolfian, while the woman was Suxarine! Awwww they look so happy!

The more I looked at the photo, the more I felt...chills. I mean it IS cold outside. Wait!! What's that noise...is that...crying? From behind me?!

I quickly turn around, setting the photo down. To my surprise, I see a blue spirit, just kinda hanging out right here. In front of me. Crying. Wait...why is it crying though?

"Um...hello! Spirit. I am Kak-Yak!! Slayer of monsters and defender of justice!!!" *Poses epically*

Despite my beautiful introduction, the spirit was still crying and crying and CRYING! Man, I wonder what's got it so sad like this.

"Um. What's with the crying? Like seriously." *Cogs start turning in head* "...Oh...wait...wait wait wait wait."

Expression shifts. "I...wait." Grabs picture. "Um, if you can hear me, spirit. If you can understand my words from the other side." Shows photo. "Are you perhaps within this here photo? The Wolfian? Suxarine?"

A ghostly, spectral hand formed from this spirit, as it pointed to the woman within the photo. Her wails...cry's...it...it broke my heart.

"...I see, ma'am." Sits photo down. "If you are able to communicate, tell me, what has you bound to this home?"

The spirit moved on over to the mirror on the nearby wall. Writing on the mirror using all of her strength, the spirit spells out the words "Ring."

"A ring? So a ring is what has you bound to this place. I see." Walks up to the spirit. "So you've lost your marriage ring is what I'm assuming. Hmmm." *scratches head* "Ok. Don't worry miss, I'm going to find that ring for you. Don't worry."

Kak-Yak scoured through the home, dead set on finding the ring of this deceased wife. Through the search, the spirit followed closely behind, staying silent as to not disrupt this stranger helping her.

Eventually, within the upstairs masters bedroom, Kak-Yak looked through the last place he hadn't looked. As he searched throughout the room, in the corner a chest caught his eye. He went over to open it, slowly peeking inside to reveal its contents. Rather than coin or loot, instead it was lots and lots of letters. Picking one of them up, Kak-Yak read.

"Dear my beloved. Although my family has slain you, you will forever be in my heart. I cannot bare to live without your light within my life. And thus I have decided to finally join you in everlasting peace."

Those words stung the heroic Suxarine deep. If this was but one of the many writings, he figured it best to just see if the ring was actually in the chest. Sure enough, with enough digging, Kak-Yak felt the cold hard material press against his paws. He took out the ring and looked at it shortly.

"Welp! That took a surprisingly long time to find." I turn to the spirit. "Is this it ma'am?"

The spirit, extending its ghostly hand took the ring from out of my grasp, placing it upon her ring finger.

The room became warm. Which is better than cold in this situation I suppose.

My gaze turned towards another apparition next to the one before me. It took on the form of the Wolfian husband within the picture from before, while the other spirit shifted its unreadable form to that of the Suxarine. Here they were. The two individuals from the photo.

My ears twitch I hear a ghostly voice come from the Wolfian.

"Kind stranger. We are forever grateful for what you have done for us. It may have seemed like a simple task, but you have ensured that my wife is not bound to this place, anymore."

Wide smile, I stand firm. "No worries here! I know how hard it must have been to try and get the ring back from the other side. After all, simply communicating with me takes lots of toll on your bodies on the other side after all."

The Suxarine woman nodded. "Yes. Which is why I took a gamble and simply wrote ring, for using all of my strength to write out a long sentence would have been fruitless. It is also why i didn't just tell you where the ring was. I tried so, so many times to get it back myself...but I just couldn't in this weakened form."

*nod* "I understand fully ma'am."

"Also, kind stranger, the note you had found. I...I was in a dark place when I wrote it. You have to understand...losing my darling husband, was unbearable. However, I did not do the act of self harm. I died of natural causes. That being a deadly disease, sadly."

"Ah, I see. Well, I'm just happy to have brought you two together. To live happily with one another in the afterlife."

As I watch the twos spectral forms start to slowly vanish, the Wolfian speaks up. "Also, kind stranger. This home, although decrepit and old, can still use a new owner. If you wish, you may take ownership of it. After all, it isn't like anyone will stop you. Who wants a broken down home anyways. But somehow, I can tell that you'll find a way to refurnish and repair it."

*Grin* "Really?!?! You're just giving me the place?!"

*They both nod* "You have helped us. So it is only fair. Also, you are free to make anything that is within the home into yours. It isn't like we'll need it anymore."

I give a respectful nod as the two slowly start to disappear before me. "I thank you two, truly. May you two live in peace and love forever."

They both give me a wave before vanishing, as if they were never there to begin with.

"..." I look around before a thought comes to my head. "Wait?! Did i seriously just get confirmation from spirits to use their old home?! Yes. Yes I did."

With this situation over and done with, Kak-Yak decided to pass out asleep on the nearby couch. After all, he was beyond tired, and didn't care about the potential spiders hanging out on the couch.