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Requiem of the Perished One
Chapter 31: The Non-Domestic Cat

Chapter 31: The Non-Domestic Cat

-The next morning: The Gaian Academy-

The Pale Fangs, all situated within a medium-large Victorian-styled classroom, were following their lecture, brought by a middle-aged man who was dressed in a dark green leather jacket and riding boots. He spoke with a loud and clear tone, so his voice was supposed to reach all present, except it didn’t. Emory, seated at the far back of the classroom alongside Madeline could not help but yawn and remain expressionless as his mind seemingly wandered off from the moment.

“The Cimmeris are one of the more common types of Earthen Beings you will encounter in the Great Eastern Forest. Their ability to adapt to various environmental landscapes makes them very similar to us Humans. They are, in essence, one of the most dexterous life forms on this planet.”

As the man continued his anecdote, his voice slowly faded away from Madeline’s attention as she turned towards Emory.

“What’s the matter?”

“…Boring,” Emory responded, ticking his tongue as he suddenly stood up from his seat. “This is getting too boring.”

“Where are you…” she muttered, her mouth dumbfoundedly left ajar as her pupils followed Emory’s departing figure. The other classmates also turned their gazes towards him, silently watching Emory’s exchange of words with the teacher.

“Oi, boss, I’ll be taking a piss.”

“…Sure,” the man nodded. “Don’t make it too long.”

“Right,” he chuckled as he walked out, seemingly taunting him.

His initial lacklustre demeanour and response to his teacher seemed to not have been without reason. He never made his way to the toilet, but rather decided to take a sweet breather outside because of how beautiful it appeared today.

He eventually found himself amidst a town-like place consisting of various academic buildings that was situated far behind the main academy. The buildings sat quite close to each other, creating a dense, but comfortable atmosphere as most were covered by growing trees and green vines, making the whole place seem like an abandoned small town.

To the far right of the place, Emory was ascending a dark brown stoney staircase with ornately-carved iron railings to each side. The staircase did not rise in a straightforward ascend; instead, it meandered up the incline, like a snake slowly twisting and turning upwards, offering glimpses of lush greenery and hidden corners connected to a building as it climbed.

Even Emory could not help but stand still at the threshold of the staircase for a moment and take in the breathtaking view. This was his first time at this place, which gave him an underlying feeling that he was not truly supposed to be here. Nevertheless, he brushed those worries aside, shook his head and began to ascend the meandering staircase until he took a stop once more the moment he saw something snuggling beneath his level deep in one of the corners at the right side.

He smiled after realizing it was a small, adorable white cat that had just woken up from its nap. As if this sight caused a switch to turn within his mind, Emory carefully stepped over the iron rail and conscientiously jumped from the staircase in a way to prevent making any explosive sounds to avoid startling the cat.

It seemed to have worked. The cat, having just woken up, slowly blinked, staring at Emory whilst laying on its belly as if sedately considering whether it was hallucinating or not. Emory was at this point visibly taken aback by how beautiful the cat looked. He slowly approached the cat, telling it sweet words until he squatted right beside it.

He then slowly glided his palm over the cat’s back, who surprisingly remained unbothered. Noticing this, Emory carefully picked up the cat and held it in his arm. After getting comfortable, he followed the outline of the staircase and began ascending it once more with his new feline company. As if wanting to offer a glimpse of the beautiful view to the cat, he stopped and took a deep breath, facing the landscape once more.

“…I already surmised you would be here.”

Emory impulsively widened his eyes. It appeared he didn’t consider the possibility of getting caught for staying here unsolicited. He slowly turned towards the source of the voice…

…and sighed in relief. It was no guard or some teacher, but it was August, who was dressed in a black tunic robe that contrasted sharply with his silver hair and pale skin. August smiled as soon as he noticed the cat comfortably perched in his arms.

“You always had a soft spot for felines.”

“What do you want?” Emory asked, as if hurriedly burying this seemingly wholesome side of his. August stepped closer towards him and turned to embellish his gaze with the view as well.

“I was curious why you appeared so crestfallen earlier today,” he spoke softly without turning towards him. “Did something happen last night?”

“I got into a fight with that twink,” he responded, gently stroking the cat’s head as it slowly fell into sleep once more. “He seemed as hotheaded as me, so I felt compelled to turn him into a nice little punching bag.”

“I see. Then, why do you feel so defeated?” August responded. “You are making it seem as if you were the one who won that fight.”

“…I don’t know.”

“Well, at least you have a pacifying stimuli in your arms,” August chuckled. “It doesn’t have a collar, so I’m assuming it is a non-domestic cat.”

As he attempted to reach out for the cat, Emory turned away, glancing at him over his shoulder.

“No touching. I found him first.”

Without a second thought, he lifted the cat in the air, scrutinizing its private area.

“…Yep, that’s a he.”

August couldn’t help but chuckle.

“It appears malnourished. It may be a good idea to feed it some food and have someone put a collar on it.”

“…I’ll feed it,” he said rebelliously. Passing August as he descended the staircase. August watched him go over his shoulder, and asked,

“Do you think you have the responsibility of petting a cat?”

Emory didn’t answer, and continued his way back to the arched opened gate leading back to their familiar area. August silently stared at his passing figure until he marched past the gate. Seconds later, Madeline’s voice could be heard in a high, squeaky tone as if she was talking to a baby. She then revealed herself to August as her smile slowly faded away.

“Are you sure you’re okay with letting him go like that? He’s going to receive an absent report for this, you know?”

“Don’t fret,” August said calmly. “Even educational purposes aren’t enough to constrain someone like him.”

She slowly squinted her eyes.

“…You have something in mind, don’t you? Spill the beans, you vampire.”

He smoothly dodged her question as he descended the staircase.

“Let us head back to the academy. We can’t risk receiving an absent report, as well.”

***

His warm and soothing journey brought him back to the dorm building. After unlocking the door and closing it behind him, he released the cat, placing it on the ground. Thinking the cat would remain there, he descended a staircase that was connected to the living room down to a hallway where the door leading towards the storage room was situated.

As he attempted to unlock the door, he noticed something grinding against his ankle. The cat had followed him all the way downstairs, cutely purring as he rubbed his head against Emory’s ankle. He smiled silently, watching the cat purring like a brimming car as if he were a pleased father. Perhaps the cat could already smell the food inside the storage room.

After unlocking the door and opening it, they both went inside. It was a small space, its walls comprising dozens of wooden shelves that carried various kinds of foods. After scrutinizing the storage with his fingers placed under his chin, he eventually noticed a small wooden bowl sitting on one of the lower shelves. The cat was also hanging onto that lower shelf, as if he already knew what was inside.

He grabbed it and noticed a piece of smoked herring wrapped in wax paper. Since the fish was preserved through traditional methods, it had a rich and savoury scent that made it an irresistible treat for a hungry cat. August’s words regarding the cat’s malnourishment crossed his mind, compelling him to take the bowl back to the living room.

The cat hungrily followed his trail, ascending the staircase all by himself. Emory sat on the couch and placed the bowl filled with the morsels of herring on the ground after unwrapping it. The cat did not hesitate for a second and began devouring the meal in front of him. With his elbows placed on his laps, hands under his chin, Emory stared at the cat indulging in his feast with a stone cold gaze; a stark juxtaposition between the adorable view of the cat munching on his hearty meal and Emory staring at the moment silently with a deadly gaze.

After several seconds, he let out a deep sigh and fell backwards, his gaze fixated on the high ceiling. He began to speak to himself in a solemn tone.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“…I want to beat that twink to a pulp again.”

***

-Two hours later-

The Jormungandrs, after sitting through today’s lecture, had decided to visit a tavern located in Eastern Ventoria, just a few hundred meters away from the Gaian temple. The five of them were walking through a long stoney pavement next to various buildings emitting steam. The contrast between the tranquil atmosphere of the temple and the bustling ambiance of regular Ventoria was felt prevalent after the students had now shared a few days as Gaian students.

However, that feeling soon wavered off as familiarity seeped into their hearts. Declan, leading the group, stretched his arms as he yawned, speaking to the others with an exasperated tone.

“Man! That lecture was boring!”

“It serves a purpose though,” Geneve sighed. “The Inquisition will largely take place in that big forest. Us learning about the common species existing there will be important.”

“I can’t seem to get why though,” Declan retorted. Lunar, walking in between Caelum and Vaelen, chimed in from behind Declan and Geneve.

“Reminisce about the earlier lectures. We’ve been taught Hexery, but also craftmanship and essentially potion cultivation. Something tells me that we’re going to need essences, or parts from Earthen Beings to craft something that will serve a purpose in the upcoming Inquisition.”

“…Ah, like that,” Declan nodded. “Makes sense, I guess.”

The atmosphere within their social bubble seemed normal, which could raise questions considering just how tumultuous a day Caelum had yesterday. The secret was seemingly kept safe judging by how composed Vaelen appeared. It seemed that they decided to brush off the tension and worry about it later, similar to what Lunar told Declan and Geneve yesterday.

Caelum also chimed into the conversation, his head lowered in contemplation.

“Those Cimmerises… when that animal tamer guy showed us those illustrations of them, it reminded me of old fantasy stories I used to read as a little kid.”

“Ah, yes!” Declan exclaimed, as a car loudly passed them by. He turned towards Geneve, as if hoping she had the answer. “What were they called again?”

“Goblins, right?” Geneve asked with a slightly perplexed expression.

“Yes, Goblins! I knew something clicked as soon as I saw those illustrations!” Declan smiled brightly. “They must have some sort of ancestral connection with Goblins!”

“That can be possible, but Goblins have already been extinct for over five hundred years,” Vaelen responded, closing his eyes. “The Cimmeris could be a late descendant, but judging by the lack of confirmation from the Earthen Tamer, I doubt that to be the case.”

“It could still be feasible, though,” Lunar responded. “Many topics of our lectures have been focusing on the present rather than giving us entire backstories as to why x became z. Goblins haven’t exactly been a matter of interest throughout the years, either.”

“That’s a good point,” Geneve acknowledged. “I really wonder how that forest must look like, though.”

“As far as I know, the forest is of course similar to any other wild forest, but it has a more ‘enchanting feeling’,” Caelum said.

“Does it not span continents?” Declan wondered. Lunar closed his eyes and raised his pointer finger in the air as he replied.

“The forest does not necessarily span entire continents. It’s a misconception many people believe in. More accurately, there are essentially remnants, or better said fragments of ‘special forests’ scattered across the Eastern, Northern, and North-Western corners of the world.

So, in other words, it’s not an encapsulating forest. It’s a forest that is made up of dozens of ‘tiny forests’ placed around the world.”

“Ah… But, besides the enhancing feeling Caelum spoke of before, what makes it special?” Declan wondered, raising his eyebrow.

“Two reasons,” Geneve added. “The condensed population of Earthen Beings, as well as the story of Everild and Yild. It is said that the Great Eastern Forest, in its entirety, is a replication of the ‘real’ forest. Much of it is speculation, since nobody had ever reportedly discovered the true forest yet. However, it was said that Everild and Yild were essentially the Gods of the forest.

Something regarding death and deceit caused one of them to obscure the forest beneath the replica.”

“I’ve read about this,” Vaelen chimed in, placing his fingers under his chin. “It is contained in the remastered novel of ‘The Concept of Darius’. It is titled: The Shattering. There has only been a number of evidences supporting the claim that the known forest is a mirage, such as the roots of trees having no stems as if they were just placed there on top of the soils.”

“Interesting…” Lunar muttered, smiling. “I’ve never read it before.”

“All this theorizing is making me even more hungry!” Declan exclaimed as he yawned. Fortunately for him, they’d already arrived at the tavern. There was a large iron board etched on the front walls that read ‘Lavender Pearl’ above the main door that was slowly being pushed open by Geneve, who turned towards Declan with a closed smile.

“Well, we’ve arrived now. Eat just enough so you won’t start crying again.”

A strong scent of the earthly aroma of ale and stout, hops and barley that mingled in the air had brushed gently against their faces the moment they stepped inside.

The tavern had a majestic feel to it; cleanly polished wooden tables and chairs of different sizes, dozens of small iron chandeliers emitting gentle lights from the ceilings, and jazzy tunes drifting from a gramophone in the corner. The sounds of muffled, distant chatter of patrons and creaking floorboards as servants move about were like a cherry on top of the bustling atmosphere.

After marinating themselves in the ambiance, they walked towards the main counter, where a particular person was awaiting them.

Caelum was the first to notice her. Right as he did, he took a sudden halt, anchoring himself from the others who continued forwards.

…What?!

The lady standing behind the counter and smiling at his friends as they approached her bore a striking resemblance to “Her”. Curly silver-gray tresses, a pale complexion, slim figure, and green eyes; dressed in a dark brown leather apron.

“Good afternoon!” the gray haired lady exclaimed with a smile as Declan, Lunar and Geneve approached her.

“Let’s have something light, Declan,” Lunar suggested. “I see they sell bread rolls here. We could have that alongside some soup.”

On the board hanging above the lady, various soups were enlisted. After scrutinizing the contents with squinted eyes, Declan seemed to have made his decision.

“Sure. Let’s keep it at that. Five plates of bread rolls and five bowls of light vegetable soup.”

Geneve chimed in as she looked at the two brothers over her shoulder.

“You think they’ll be fine with that?”

Declan shrugged with no worries as he continued his order with the lady.

Caelum seemed crestfallen soon after entering the tavern. His eyes aimlessly staring into the distance, as if caught in an immersing daydream. Vaelen gently swung his shoulder, asking with a caring tone.

“What’s wrong, Caelum?”

“Oh, I just…” he muttered. Before he could finish his sentence, another lady, also dressed in a dark brown leather apron from behind the counter greeted them with a bright tone.

“Are you both looking to order something?”

The two brothers had most likely never met her before. However, a spark of familiarity scintillated within her eyes. Despite the eighteen years that have passed, she had always maintained her youthful radiance despite being somewhere in her thirties. Her once striking blonde hair was now painted brown, and put into a ponytail. And her smile would make anyone who knew her beforehand notice her immediately…

Her name was Elizabeth.

“Ah, no,” Vaelen responded as the both of them approached her side of the counter. “We’re with them. Thank you.”

“No problem,” she chuckled, wrinkled laugh lines forming around her cheeks. She slightly tilted her head and squinted her eyes now that Caelum was standing right before her.

“…Decided to grab something to eat after school?”

“You could say that, yes,” Vaelen responded. “We’re newly appointed students at the Gaian temple. This is our… third day here I believe.”

“Third day, huh? I’m assuming you’re not from these quarters,” she said. “I would guess you’re both Westerners.”

“We are, yes. Born and raised in Western Ventoria,” Vaelen nodded. “You could probably hear it from our accents already.”

“The soft ‘G’, yep,” she chuckled. “Really weird how there’s such a contrast even in speech between people from the same city. I’ve been a student at Ventoria University for a good while, so it’s easy for someone like me to notice the differences.”

“Is that so? What did you study?”

“Culinary Arts. I’ve always wanted to become an owner of a restaurant chain…” she sighed as she looked over the people indulging in their meals before turning back to Vaelen. “Well, I’m traversing the good path so to say! I’m enjoying my time here at Lavender’s.”

It appeared that, despite holding a conversation with Vaelen, her attention gravitated towards Caelum, who only silently stood by as if waiting for their talk to be over. Caelum’s attention wandered somewhere else—towards the gray haired lady who finished taking Declan’s order.

She entered a separate room through a door behind Elizabeth, causing Caelum’s pupils to curiously follow her trail. However, his contemplative state was broken once more by Declan, who gave him a firm pat on his shoulder.

“What’s going on here?” he said jestingly, looking at Vaelen. “Seems like you both have also been lost in your bubbles.”

“What did you order?” Vaelen asked.

“Bread rolls and soup,” Lunar responded. “Seems light enough, no?”

“Ah, that’s fine…” Vaelen muttered, looking back at his younger brother. “What about you, Caelum?”

…Caelum gave no response. He still stared into the distance as if daydreaming right after Declan patted his shoulder.

After Vaelen repeated his name, he awkwardly jolted back to consciousness; responding with a broken tone.

“Ah- yes?”

“Not fully awake yet?” Declan asked with a smile.

“I am. I was just hungry. I tend to doze off a lot whenever this happens.”

Elizabeth then chimed in from behind the counter, slowly leaning forward.

“Caelum? So that’s your name?”

“…Yes, it is.”

“Are you both brothers?”

“We are, yes,” Vaelen said. “It’s only the name that gives it off. We look very different from each other.”

Elizabeth let out a small chuckle as she bittersweetly lowered her head.

“You look awfully similar to my old teacher, Caelum.”

Her words were like a splash of cold water sloshing against Caelum’s face, causing him to regain his curious demeanour.

“Old teacher?”

“Well, chances are you may be right, lady,” Declan chimed in, crossing his arms as Lunar, Geneve, and Vaelen eagerly listened along. “They’re both sons of Emon Moreau. He was a teacher at the university.”

Elizabeth took a moment before answering. Her mouth was left ajar, eyebrows scrunched like someone trying to focus in a thick fog.

“What? Seriously?!”

Even though she already had an assumption that they may have known about Emon, she was never prepared to hear something as significant as this.

And to make matters even more befuddling, a third lady who looked very similar to Elizabeth passed her from behind. She had her dark-blond hair put in a knot, and was dressed in a short-sleeved dark gray blouse. The similarities between their appearances understandably made the students assume they were related.

As soon as she passed her, Elizabeth turned around and grasped her shoulder with an awestruck expression.

“Clara!”

She slowly turned around.

“…What is it?”

“You won’t believe it! They’re the sons of Emon!”