So, I can talk to animals now… At the very least, this Momma cat... That's cool. Well, it isn't precisely talking but more of an understanding. Whatever I did brought her back to life and connected her to me. I even feel the budding sensations of thought coming from the runt of the litter, seemingly more energetic than the rest of his siblings.

I wonder… Is it air that I've been 'breathing'? I know the term breath of life, but it felt more like my strength was being sapped when I helped the momma cat and the cub.

I breathe a little more, purposely taking a bunch of big gulps. I feel a little light-headed, a genuinely odd sensation with no head. Though before I can feel anything else, I begin blowing. Giving this special air to the other cubs and even more to the momma cat. Now instead of being light-headed, I feel drained and sluggish for a while more. Which, again, as a glorified pebble, really feels all sorts of strange.

Looking at the cubs, they're all mewling with life which is an overall improvement from earlier. I'd say their coats are also fuller and even slightly glossy. The Momma cat was the actual turnaround; even as I watched her, she had begun to fill out and looked like she had always been a big healthy cat rather than the pitiful emaciated thing that came in earlier.

Sometime later, Momma cat gets up, leaving the now sleeping and full kittens to rest. Surprisingly she pads over to my pebble, leaning in and sniffing at me before touching me with her forehead, rubbing against the ground, and flopping to the ground with a huff. She seems happy and appreciative. After a few more moments, she gets up and starts heading out of the cave. As far as I can tell, she's going off to get something to eat, which is fine by me, of course.

Now I'm all alone, well, with four sleeping cubs. They're even more adorable now that they're healthy, happy, and stuffed. Here's where I'm starting to realize that I may not be home anymore. While Momma cat's fur had a deep ebony black luster, these kittens all had different colored coats. The runt is slate gray/maybe a shade of black, and the other boy cub is a distinct reddish orange. Of the two girl cubs, one is almost cloud white while the other is quite a sky blue; I'm not sure how else to put it.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

I'll be the first to admit I'm not familiar with animals, but natural genetics don't work like that, right? What is even more confusing is that all four have a distinct green ring around their right ears, almost the exact shade of my gem, and I can't help but wonder what that means.

**3 hours later**

The sun is going down outside when suddenly, I'm hit with a wave of warmth and energy. At first, I'm worried that one of the cubs died somehow, but then images flash before my metaphorical eyes of Momma cat running down and killing a white-furred speckled deer. So yeah... That... That was surreal, for sure. Looking around, I can see my bubble has grown just a little bit more, whereas my pebble is now more like a chunky marble, so that's also good news.

The cubs are up and about, surprisingly enough. Their eyes are already open, which doesn't seem right, but who am I to question a cub when they can or can't open their eyes? They're not very fast, but watching them saunter and amble around makes my imaginary heart flutter. They're so adorable! The group of them explore the small section of the cave, and eventually, they make their way around to me.

I'm admittedly a little nervous. Outside of Momma cat, my gem hasn't been interacted with before. It wasn't long until they set upon me, and I had no reason to worry as they gently batted me around. The cubs amble but are surprisingly mobile for having been born mere hours ago. However, I notice that my bubble moves with me, and it looks like I remain in the center of it no matter where I go.

The cubs tucker themselves out before long, forming a pile of fluff over my marble that makes me wish I still had hands to ruffle them up.

I'm watching over the cubs when I sense something entering my bubble… That's a giant fucking snake. What do you think you're doing here? Get the fuck out. You don't belong here! Hey! Stop getting closer! I see you eyeing the cubs; back the fuck off! Hey!! It's not stopping, the big fucking tongue flicking in the air as I know it's already tasting the cubs. Oh no, you don't!! Momma cat, get back here! Quick! Your cubs are in danger!!

The snake isn't stopping. Why is it here now?! Get away!! Don't!! The fucking snake is already rising, a low hiss emanating from it as it gets ready to snap. Noo!!

Suddenly, there's a flash of movement, and I'm feeling drained before a considerable amount of warmth and energy begins flooding my system. I force myself to focus on what's happening when I see that spears made from the stone of the cave walls and floor sprung out, skewering the serpent right through its open maw and along the length of its body… Did... Did I do that?