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This was a test like no other. It was a test that one cannot study or prepare themselves for. But it did not require luck either. An endeavor that rivals fate and destiny.
To be chosen by the wandering cat.
Aurora had tried numerous attempts to coax this magical cat. Not only was she a cute furry friend, but this cat was clearly possessed a mystical book. On multiple occasions, Aurora was able to witness her zap out of nowhere. It was certainly a mode of transportation for the cat. And not just through the physical world.
Through her travels, she has seen this cat across multiple realms. Every time the redhead tried to approach her, the damn cat bolts away.
At first, Aurora decided to win her trust through patience and treats. But they never seemed to work on the cat. Almost as if the cat deemed her to be unworthy to receive validation.
The only things that kept Aurora motivated to catch this cat was the ultimate goal of seeing that magical book. But more importantly… The toe beans.
Since her original plan wasn’t working, Aurora had to take a different approach. And it was probably the worst plan she could come up with.
Follow this cute cat and immediately bolt towards her the moment she’s zapping out of the realm.
It was such a dumb idea and required running, even if it was for a short moment. However, Aurora knew that there was enough time to reach the magical cat and transport with her to the next realm.
“Please! Stop! Running! Away! From me! Accept my offering to pet you!” Aurora shouted in between pants. Her feet kicked up dust as she used all of her strength to sprint after the cat.
But this plan seemed to be working. She was quickly catching up to the cat. As long as she kept this up, she could be within arms’ reach of the flying cat.
A few more seconds pass of chasing her. It was almost time for the book to start glowing and open up a portal to whatever realm awaits for the both of them. Aurora’s legs felt like they were burning, but she needed to keep with the cat.
3…
The book began to release a wave of magic energy.
2…
Yuumi dived into the pages.
1…!
With a final kick to the ground with enough force, Aurora hurtled herself into the portal.
Normally, she didn’t need to shut her eyes tightly when traveling to a different realm. And neither did she have to clench her fists either. However, all that running made her feel like she needed to do this. She was finally closer to this cat than all of her numerous attempts. All she needed to do was to grab onto the book and verbally win her friendship. The Vastayan girl would have to apologize for the chasing her down first and foremost.
They were approaching a spiritual realm. Aurora did her best to reach out to the edges of the book to grab. However, almost as if it were living, the book pulled away. The last thing she felt was her fingertips brushing past the corner of a page.
The redhead unceremoniously landed into the new realm. Specifically, she rolled onto the cold stone floor. The air around her was cold as well, cooling her body off from straining her legs to chase a cat down—
A frustrated groan was heard in the empty space as she covered her face with her hands.
She had lost another battle against the magic cat on a flying book yet again.
She knew this plan was bad and wouldn’t work. But did she do it anyways? Yes. And now she was too tired to even get up.
Laying on the cool stone floor isn’t that bad either.
Her eyes stared directly at the sky above her. The spirit realm usually has no structure of day and night. Wherever she was, the sky was dark as night with dim stars and the moon…
This moon was closer to the world, making it look larger than the distant bodies in space. Not only that, but the moon’s light was strong enough to act as the sun. Just without the warmth.
Aurora’s ears flicked to the sound of footsteps approaching. Thankfully, it was only one person instead of a fleet of guards. But all she wanted to do was to lay on the ground after failing miserably to chase down a magic cat.
“How did you find this place?” A feminine voice spoke up, but Aurora didn’t have the will to turn and look at the stranger.
“I really don’t want to talk about it right now.” Aurora let out a heavy sigh as she pulled the brim of her hat down.
“You are in the Marus Omegnum. It has yet to be apart of in the physical realm.” The person said. “It shouldn’t be possible for anyone new to enter here.”
“...”
Aurora didn’t respond for a moment. Since she was in the spirit realm, its residents wouldn’t deem her to sound outlandish about her ability to travel into realms. However, the person speaking to her didn’t sound exactly like a creature to befriend.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the wavering tail of the cat she was trying to chase earlier. Her eyes widened.
“Could Yuumi’s magic be powerful enough to send you here? That shouldn’t be possible—”
“Wait. This cat has a name?! Is this your cat?” Aurora instantly shot up to see the magical cat next to her. Giving her an expression of slight concern to her, but mostly annoyed from getting chased. Along with the book, Yuumi flew away from her.
Her eyes lit up to see the cute cat and followed the direction of the ‘owner.’
She was a young woman, dressed in elegant, silky clothing. She had a pale appearance with brighter marking on her face.Her long, white hair that was styled asymmetrically with a braid on one side. But other than that, she looked to be symmetrical in every way.
“Yuumi does not belong to me. She simply visits me on occasion.” The young woman said as the cat circled around her. “However, the magic of her book would never transport strangers to the spirit realm. Especially to this fortress.”
“I can travel through any realm.” Aurora said. “And that’s literally all you need to know about me.”
“Any realm?” Her eyes blinked in surprise.
“Any. Realm.” Aurora repeated back as confirmation. She shifted her focus on the cat with the floating book. “I’m only here because I thought that I could study the book that Yuumi has. Because it had the ability to travel into the spirit realm, I assumed that it could have more knowledge on the spirit realm.”
“You are correct about the book’s ability to transport Yuumi in the spirit realm, but it might not possess the knowledge you seek.”
“I still want to study it. To see if it could help out my friends.” Aurora said, looking at the fuming cat with slanted ears. “Since Yuumi trusts you more, could you convince her to lend me that book?”
There was a moment of silence.
“You should get up. This bridge is no place to have a conversation.” The young woman said. “Follow me.”
Aurora let out a long sigh, finally pushing herself off the floor. “Fine. But at least answer my questions.”
“Yuumi is not in a good mood. It will take a bit of time before she will let me hold her.”
“Then you’ll let me study the book?”
“You can study it. However, Yuumi will decide how long you can study before she decides to leave the spirit realm.”
“But she visits you frequently, correct?” Aurora’s eyes wandered to look around her. “I can just visit you again to see if Yuumi’s back.”
“That is true…” The other girl said. “But it seems… unnecessary to visit the temple just to see a cat.”
“Unnecessary? I think it’s worth my time to see such a cute kitty!” Aurora exclaimed. This made the white haired girl hide a small laugh.
“I will admit that Yuumi is a very sweet cat because she sleeps near me.” She replied, looking into the center of the fortress. “It gets lonely here and her company is nice.”
“Does she let you touch her toe beans?”
“Her… Um?”
“The cute little paw pads she has.” Aurora clarified.
“Um… Yes?”
“Ah! You’re lucky to be blessed by a kitty!” They continued walking into the interior of the silent temple.
“Since I have answered your questions, you need to answer a few of mine.” She turned to see the vastaya bunny who nodded. “What is your name? I am Alune.”
“I’m Aurora.” The other girl answered.
“Then, Aurora could you elaborate your ability to travel from the physical world to the spirit realm?”
“I don’t really know how to explain it either. I was born with the ability to see spirits. I’m more interested on using my powers to help them.” Aurora tugged the flap of the leather straps around her book. “That’s why I have to study them in any way I can. I just need to learn more about spirits because it’s the only way to help them. They have always been my friends.”
“… Such an unusual perspective to hear.” Alune whispered to herself. “Where are you from in the physical realm?”
“Freljord. The snowiest region of Runeterra.” Aurora answered. “I’m guessing that you’re part of the spirit realm, then.”
“No.” Alune stopped walking. “My home is in Targon with the Lunari.”
“Oh. That’s someplace I’ve never visited.” The vastaya replied. “Should I make a visit there when I leave?”
“Please take my advice to not visit.” She said in a solemn voice, before pausing for another moment. Meanwhile, Yuumi gently bumped her head against her leg in response. “Where I used to live… Will not have the knowledge for you seek to help spirits.”
“That sounds like a valid reason then.” Aurora said. “Wouldn’t want to end up in a place like Demencia again.”
“Here. This is where you can spend time to study the book.” Alune pulled the handle open. “A lot of the space in the temple is mainly for worship, but this is what one could consider a personal room.”
It was certainly a spacious bedroom, almost as if she barely spent time in there. If there was anything that stood out about the room, it was the ledge that led out to an openwindow of a balcony. In Aurora’s eyes it was the right type of nook to read a book.
Alune walked over to the corner of the room where there was a stack of cushions. She lifted up a few and set them on the stone ledge for them to sit.
“There is a chance where I might have to leave this room suddenly.” The white haired girl said, sitting on one side of the ledge. “Please do not be alarmed and make sure to stay in here only.”
Aurora nodded.
Yuumi, focused on the Lunari woman, finally got off the floating book. She gave the redhead the stink eye while settling down in Alune’s lap.
Immediately, Aurora grabbed ahold of the book. Alune watched as she buried her entire face into the book. Her large rabbit ears were bright orange in contrast to her blue-green hat. And she couldn’t help but notice the different style of fashion she wore. Despite the both of them being from cold climates, their style of clothing was different.
Normally, Alune wouldn’t spend her time in this room. She had to be elsewhere in the temple in case her twin brother needed to contact her. However, he had recently informed her that he was in a place of safety and would not consume noctum for a few days.
It was times like this where she roamed the within the temple, trying to pass the time that would happen in the physical world. It was most likely the worrying that kept her mind occupied from the fact that she was ‘alone’.
Alone.
Alune.
Could it be that her name predicted this fate? It sounded very similar to ‘alone’.
However, for some odd reason, she wasn’t alone as usual. There was a strange vastaya rabbit woman sitting in front of her in a pointed hat. Aurora he had the ability to travel into this part of the spirit realm. And she seemed highly interested in visiting her again just to study and nothing more.
An inner part of Alune’s brain knew that fully explaining her situation in the spirit realm would only mean her view would instantly crush the brightness in her eyes. Not only that, but the white haired woman couldn’t help, but want to hear more new things from Aurora.