[May 3, 1:40 pm, in the game world]

[Mokkun/Kingumo's POV]

What a spectacular performance! The music, the dialogue, the pacing, it's all phenomenal! That moment of reunion between the two halves of a full being is just... I have no words for it. Jun did amazing work. I'm not ashamed to cry for this. Not at all!

The audience even shares my sentiments as well, seeing as how they're giving a standing ovation. Well, except the grouchy-looking red squirrel beside me. In fact, this animal is the reason why I'm stuck inside this cage.

'Gold'n'eathers, it's wringing the feathers out of its hand fan. What made it so mad, huh?'

...Okay, better not look in its eyes. That's scary.

*Ping* 'What's this? The Lorebook got an update?' Come to think of it, I haven't checked the Lorebook ever since Oakman's gone. I think Jun and I were that busy surviving this hell pit of a dungeon. 'Let's see...'

.....

Gold-n-'eathers... this could change everything! We're one step away clearing this dungeon, this is awesome!

*ZRRIIING* *BOOOOM* "AAAHHHH!" What was that?! What was that halo?! Did a supernova just got detonated here?! Whew, I almost died! I am lucky to survive that blast, getting flung off like that. Oh, even the cage is broken. Freedom!

Now, let me get my bearings and find out a nice hiding place, so that I could finish reading the lore.

...

My goodness, the entire hall was wrecked! Seems like Jun concluded the scene with a Bang! Get it?

Jokes aside, did he get another Mythical Descent?! Even I feel this is unfair! How is he able to get two Descents in a row?! Not only that, if he has power over all the elemental auras, wouldn't that make him an All-Born?!

No matter what, I'm going to stand by his side! It doesn't matter if I end up being a sidekick or a servant!

On a side note, that Mythical Beast form is Fire! Get it?

His form's design as a Kabuki actor really shows our roots in a good way, albeit very showy and extravagant.

*RROOOOAAAARRRR* 'Holy feathers! I almost forgot my life's in danger!' Now, where can I hide...?'

...Aha! That pillar looks like a good vantage point.

This place also works as a blind spot, nice!

"NOT AGAIN! NOT! AGAIN!!!" Hngh, that's one bloodcurdling roar. Seems like that Squirrel came back. I could feel the bloodthirst in her voice, but underneath that tone, there's something else as well. Anguish.

The sooner I find answers to this tragedy, the sooner she can be pacified. Hopefully Jun and I will get the full story out of this dungeon.

From what I read so far, the Squirrel was the owner of this drama theatre and thus, the cathedral as an extension and the co-founder of the drama troupe which Tegom and his husband belonged in. Traveling around the world and gathering animals to create a troupe would be an understatement. The troupe was her family, her world, her everything. Who would do such a thing?

"DIE, DIE, DIE!" Yikes, the fight is heating up. Fortunately, Jun is holding his ground, but he's also struggling not to hurt the Squirrel. I'm afraid the longer the fight drags on, the more dangerous it gets for Jun.

Think! There were clear hints and items that has ties to the bosses, forcing the Karmic Beasts out of them on the right conditions. What thing can help us have an edge against her?

...Gold'n'eathers, not the Ape!

"[Squall Shield]!" Phew, that was a close call. Otherwise, he'd be ashes by now. "Sir, are you okay? Wake up, please. Sir!"

Okay, pulse is normal, heart is beating, there is also proper protection and ventilation because of my shield. 'Please wake up, sir!'

.....

Yes! He finally woke up!

Koff, koff "Sir, it's alright. Just take a deep breath slowly. We're not safe yet. We need to move now. Hold on to me, sir!"

There we go... Hope the curtains last long. "Sir, how are you feeling?"

"Better than before... Ungh..."

"Sir, don't get up! You're not well yet."

"No, I have to go. My wife, she's in danger..."

"Sir, it's dangerous out there. We're trying to deal with a very dangerous Karmic Beast right now. It's best if you stay put here, sir."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I see... Here, take this. May this help you... Haaahhh..."

Nice. Now, I don't have to worry about him anymore. This mask... it's certainly crafted for a squirrel. Also, it contains a bit of water aura too. Could it be the monkey's? I should get back to Jun now.

...!

Oh no! "Brother, watch ou-"

...!!

No way he sliced that fire in half!

"Hey, King! Right on time!" Although he sounded cheerful, his tail says otherwise. The boss fight's taking a toll on him. Luckily, we can put an end to this.

"Brother, take thi-" Woah! That was scary! The Squirrel almost chomped my head off. And why's she chasing me?!

"King, the mask! Throw it to me!" Now, she's after Jun. I think the squirrel knows what the mask is meant for. She's trying to break it, forcing us to kill her as it is. Rather, the Karmic Beast within her wanted it to happen. Alright, let's try this.

"Brother, throw it to me!" Great, I got the mask back. I'll distract the squirrel by acting as bait. Meanwhile, I'll convey Jun to tie her down.

Being the bait is easy. After all, how can the Squirrel catch me in the air, huh? 'What will you do, now, haha?'

...! Holy feathers!! She flew! The squirrel almost got me! She simply propelled herself up using the flames. Why didn't I think of that?! That's one of the most favorite skills of every Fire-born player I've seen! And what's that smell?!

"AAAAHHHHHH!!! Brother, help me! My tail's on fire! Help!!"

*SPLASH* Oh, it's Sir Ape! "Thank you so much, sir. You saved my life!"

"Later, bird. First, we need to deal with her." He's right. The squirrel's really tenacious! Looks like she'll never stop anytime soon!

*GRRAAAHHHH* "EEEEKKKK!" Am I dead?

"Open your eyes, bird." Sir said.

"What?" Huuufffff 'Thought we were goners!' The Squirrel's finally tied down. With a sword?! Isn't that risky?! Wouldn't she escape again and continue rampaging?

"King, put the mask now! I can't hold on much longer!"

Ah, almost forgot! "Sir, take the mask and put it on her! Now!"

"Idiot, why give it to the old Macaque?!"

"He insists on seeing this through the end! What's wrong with that?"

"There's no time for that! Hurry up!!"

...Gold'n'eathers, all the fire... they're draining into the mask! Even the Karmic Beast too! So that means the mask is a seal? Just how powerful is Sir Ape?

"EEEYYYYYYAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH" Finally... with that throe, I guess we're out of danger. I don't think we have the energy to fight anymore.

The boss fight came to an end, giving us some rest. Jun is resting in a corner, still in that Beast form. Judging by how he's panting, it seems this is the toughest boss he ever faced. Still, not bad for a newbie. Or is he a veteran now?

Macaque, is it? It's hard addressing them without the names, since the lore isn't complete yet. He is now checking on the Squirrel. For some reason, his way of interaction towards her doesn't seem platonic or professional. Aren't they co-founders of the troupe? Why does he look like he'd give up his life for her? And what's with those wedding rings? Huh? Wedding rings...

...Oh. Ohh. OH~!

'Tsk, should've figured it by now! She's the wife! The Squirrel's his wife, all along! Damn, I'm such an idiot!'

That means, the mask, the insisting, the volunteering, it all makes sense. To think how Sir Macaque struggled a lot to save his wife, the helplessness he felt when he's forced to be a pawn, unable to help her... it's just heart-wrenching.

"Wake up! Wake up, my dear! Please!" Why is he crying? What happened?

"Is something wrong?" Jun asked.

"My wife- something's wrong with her. She should be awake by now, since everything's over. But... there's literally no warmth in her body. See!" We touched her hands. It's cold as ice.

"Dear, stay with me. Stay with me, please... I beg you, my love... I can't lose you now. No, no, no..."

It seems Jun also came to the same conclusion. The conclusion regarding the worst-case scenario. If the mask is actually a seal, then the Squirrel's soul is actually inside it, especially since the Karmic Beast is fused with her. Our Aura Senses confirmed it too.

Jun and I have no idea how to break this news. Personally, I don't want to tell him. This situation is devastating for him already, I can't push him further than this.

...

"Brother, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like? I'm going to wear this."

"Have you gone insane?! Who knows what'll happen to you? For all we knew, you might get stuck inside. Forever!"

"But on the bright side, I might actually free her soul. This mask is a seal, I agree. It also stores the souls, I agree. But to me, it's a mental realm."

"Mental realm- you mean Mindscape?!"

"Is that what you call that in-game?"

"Yes... hold on." If Jun really has the ability to roam around the Mindscapes, then... "Brother, it's possible. We can get the Squirrel back."

"Hahahaha." Wow, he sure can laugh.

"But how did you get this in the first place, brother?"

"I was possessed on stage, during the play. Thanks to Cosmic Perception, that spooky place became tolerable, mentally speaking."

"Oh..."

"What's wrong?" Sir Macaque is really shaken right now. Without hesitation, Jun dropped everything about what we knew and know so far. At the end, he assured him firmly that he can save his wife, to which I vouched for him.

"Please, save her. But your path is also dangerous, so you take care as well." Sir Macaque and I wished for his well-being, before he wore the mask. He felt rigid to the touch, kinda like a statue. I believe he can do it.

Sir Macaque looks really miserable. To a certain degree, he's like my father. To be honest, the resemblance is uncanny.

My father, Shirogane, is a proper family man. He loves my mother a lot. So much that he takes 7 weeks of vacation from his accounting job. Those were good times. Now, he barely visits home, thanks to me...

"What's on your mind?" Sir Macaque must have sensed it.

"Nothing... just random stuff..." Thankfully, he's not prying anymore.

Soon, he started opening up to me. I learned new things about him. About his homeland named Morocco. How he comes from a line of mask crafters living in the mountains. How one day, he met a friend, who ended up becoming the love of his life.

His words are filled with love and gratitude for the Squirrel. He then went on and on about the troupe and its members. As he went reminiscing about those good old days, he always comes back to his wife.

On seeing her body, he just cried. I feel a lump in my throat watching him cry. I have nothing to give except my wings for him to cry on.

'Brother... hurry up...'

[To be continued]