Chapter 3 – Shifting Winds – 3

I slowly groan, trying to sit up before noticing that I am back inside our house, drenched in the rain and caked in mud.

Stranger: "Oh- you finally woke up? You've been sleeping for a couple of hours now. How is your stomach doing? You took a nasty hit to the chest, also.

Toki: "I- I feel fine, but who are you, and why are you in my house? And how did I even get back inside? Did I have some fever dream"?

Stranger: "I was going for a stroll when the storm decided to hit, and I saw you get knocked out by that weird creature. So being the nice guy I am, I carried you inside before your mother got home."

Toki: "My Moth-"

Mother: Running in with a plate of food, "Here you go, sir! Thank you for bringing my boy in after his accident, and I apologize for inconveniencing your important day," Bowing in embarrassment.

Toki: Why is Mother being so formal with this stranger? I get a better look at him and find that he has slick silver hair wearing a silver-lined coat, with Hazel brown eyes with the kingdom's logo on his chest with the number (2) at the center of the insignia.

"Thank you for saving me, sir, but who are you, and what happened to the object that hit me? I thought I heard it talking before I passed out. "

Lord (2) Tooj:" Of course, Where are my formalities, young boy? My name is Tooj SilverCrest of the Crestline Branch. I am the Lord in charge of all outlands across the country and instructed with ensuring the protection of our borders against all threats."

???: Flying over his shoulder and crashing into the ceiling, a loud squeal can be heard!" I'm here also, masseter! Floating right above the Lord, a Chibi-like cat with sparkling light floating around. "

Toki: "Okay, and what is that, and why is it calling me master?"

Lord Tooj: "I was hoping you could answer that. The moment it came to, it was just crying and bawling. It had finally found its master."

???: Staring at Toki in confusion, "All I know is I was sleeping and dreaming about eggs and enjoying a nice meal when I felt a scary force around me. "

"I then began to float, and before I knew it, I was on a deserted Island with giant monsters who had chased me for almost two years. "

"Then I finally got the Scent of my Master And rode the storms and directed them towards his direction, and I woke up back in his lap! "

Toki: "Yea, I haven't seen a fluffy orange cat since." – I freeze, thinking this must be naps! In utter shock, a million questions are flooding my head and how an event like this shouldn't be possible.

Lord Tooj: "So it seems you might have a connection with this furry…. Feline?

Not sure what a cat is, young boy.

But gauging off your reaction to this creature's comments, it does jar some thoughts from you. "

Toki: "Ye-Yes. I think I saw this creature in my dream, and I called it a cat. Nothing more, really. Also, on another note, you look familiar as well. You were there at the Cleric event. You helped me out, right? "

Lord Tooj:" So your mind wasn't cleared then, also trying to change the topic quickly is not a good look. Listen, it's none of my business if this… "cat" takes a liking to you, but it's more of a spirit creature itself.

Be careful, as it could be a target for hungry people or those accustomed to selling creatures on the black market.

Also, this goes without saying. But don't go flaunting that eye of yours until you are strong enough to defend it. "

Holding out my hand, I snap my fingers, engulfing the entire room in a ray of light, resetting the room before the cat crashes into the ceiling.

Toki: Shaking my head up and down. "Understood, sir; thank you for your kindness, and I will heed your warning thoroughly. "

Lord Tooj: "Don't mention it. Also, take this tag; if you ever are in an actual emergency, set the tag off, and if I'm close enough by, I'll show up in the blink of an eye to offer assistance."

Toki: Taking the tag and placing it in my bag, that cat jumps over his shoulder doing its introduction again as I just roll my eyes, and Mother is busy in the kitchen.

"Thank you for your visit, and if you ever need to stop by for anything, just let me know."

Lord Tooj: "Of Course. I'm sure I will be seeing you around the capital in a couple of years, so we will be meeting again in no time."

Mom and I bow our heads to the Lord as he heads out into the now sunny weather, clear of any storm clouds. She tells me to be more careful next time, along with the fact that having a furry creature following me around is my responsibility, and she won't be cleaning up after fur or anything else.

Toki: "Of course, mother. If I even end up keeping the cat, then I can focus on taking care of it."

I spend the rest of the evening with a bag of ice over my stomach as the cat just sits on my head, asking for forgiveness.

Toki: "Of course, I will forgive you. You didn't mean it anyways, I'm sure.

I ask if the cat has a name deciding not to reveal myself as Arthur, which would lead to this loud mouth causing a lot of problems. "

??? No, I can't really remember that much. But I do love eggs and sleeping a lot!

Toki: "Is that right? How about I call Napper? Or how about just Naps for short" Offering a warm smile as I put my hand on top of the feline.

Naps: I ACCEPT MASTER!!

The cat begins spinning in the air out of excitement, just leaving me worried about what I got myself into.