“This one’s me.” Saphira stepped onto the wide porch of her house.

It was crafted in white wood and stone, shaped in the same square stylings of the other houses in Ni. But around the back, fences extended farther than the eye could see. I spotted rows and rows of crops in the limited remaining sunlight, neatly sectioned off and sprouting bright green leaves.

“You do all of this yourself?” I marveled.

Saphira blushed and nodded. “Yes. Ever since I was a little girl.”

I joined her on the porch. I wanted to ask what happened to her parents, but that seemed to be a sore subject for the majority of the catgirls I’d talked to, so I left it. “That’s really amazing.”

“The days start early, but I love farming. It brings me a lot of joy.” She tugged at the hem of her skirt. “Do… do you want to see it?”

“Yeah, give me the tour.” I grinned. So far, Shizen’s farm was the only one I’d seen, and I was interested to see the differences in crops and Saphira’s farming methods.

Growing spices turned you into Old McDonald, eh Kelmer?

I pushed the thought aside and followed Saphira around the side of her house. She propped open a gate and held it open for me.

“Does the saltwater in the air mess with the soil?” I asked, surprising myself as much as it surprised Saphira.

“It can, yes.” She knelt near one of the tall stalks of a red-leafed plant and combed her fingers through the topsoil. “Thankfully, we have enough rain that it blocks any errant mist from getting to the roots. And I built an irrigation system that brings in water from the nearby pond.”

“The one with the catfishes?”

Saphira giggled. “Yeah! They’re not so bad, though. I bring them a few onyans, and they eat those and leave me alone.”

And I thought Cannoli was a Disney Princess.

“Do you keep any livestock?” It was impossible to imagine that she didn’t. With how Ball immediately took to her, it seemed like Saphira had a lot of experience.

“I do!” She stood and pointed at another building in the distance. “They’ll be getting ready to sleep about now. But, I keep chickens, cows, and a pony. I have eggs at my shop almost every day, but they sell out early.” She dusted her hands off and grinned. “Sometimes, Cannoli buys my entire stock.”

“Are they considered Encroachers, too? Your livestock?”

Saphira tilted her head, squinting curiously. “What else would they be?”

Which makes Buttons an Encroacher. And the tigers. Interesting. “Where I’m from, I guess you’d refer to them as domesticated Encroachers.”

“Actually, I’d like to hear more about that, if you don’t mind. Where you’re from.” Saphira plucked a few vegetables from different sections of the garden. “I’ll start dinner while we talk?”

You’re spoiling me, Saphira. I hadn’t realized our date came with a home-cooked meal. I wasn’t about to protest. “Sure. Let me help.” I took the vegetables from her arms to lighten her load.

“Gosh, okay, thank you. This way!” Saphira led us up the stairs of her deck and to her back door, unlocking it and ushering me inside.

Saphira’s house was the size of Keke and Cannoli’s put together. The back door led into the expansive kitchen, where I set the vegetables in the sink. I peeked around the corner and took in the large, fully-furnished living room. A couch and recliner posed near a stocked fireplace. Paintings of landscapes adorned the walls—some of the settings I was certain I’d seen around Ni in my travels, but others were unfamiliar.

“Who did the art?” I turned back to the kitchen as Saphira procured a cutting board and a knife.

“My grandmother, my mother, and me,” she replied. “This house has been in my family for a long time.”

“They’re really good.” I slid a second cutting board and knife from the same shelf and set myself up next to her. She eyed me curiously. “I can help cook. No fair to make you do all the work.”

Saphira grinned. “You’re so sweet, Matt.” She handed me an onyan and started me off before focusing on the other vegetables. “You’ve changed a lot since you first arrived.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhm.” Saphira chopped and sliced with an efficiency that put me to shame. “You’re a lot calmer, and,” she paused, searching for the words, “it seems like you really care about Keke, Cannoli, and Ravyn.”

I nodded. “I do.” I accepted another vegetable to chop and carved off the end. “I care a lot about this island, too. And the people on it.”

Saphira hummed her reply, washing her newly cut vegetables in the sink. “That makes me happy to hear.” She went to her cold box and collected two meaty filets. “What was it like? Where you came from?”

A reel of memories flooded me with her question. Working the Wendy’s drive-through the summer after high school. Playing video games at all hours of the night and forgetting what the sun looked or felt like. Swiping through dating apps like a man possessed. “Overrated,” I said.

Saphira laughed. “What do you mean?”

I chewed my tongue in thought, adding the finished vegetables to Saphira’s growing pile. “Growing up, my parents told me I could do anything I wanted to so long as I set my mind to it. But, when it came to it, anything I wanted always turned out to be just outside my reach.”

Saphira blinked. “That sounds frustrating.”

“That’s a good word for it,” I agreed. “Sometimes, I wonder if I wasn’t trying hard enough. But, now that’s impossible to say for sure.”

“What were your dreams?” Saphira seasoned the filets and returned to the cold box, fishing out a dark bottle. “Oh, is it okay if we have a drink or two?”

I’m gonna need more than that if we’re getting into dreams talk. “Yeah. Of course. Thanks.”

She poured us both a glass and handed me mine before returning to her meal preparations.

I took a drink and leaned against one of the counters. “I was going to school to learn how to, er—” What the hell would an ‘engineer’ do in Nyarlea? “Well, I was really good with math and science. I wanted to get a good job and a girlfriend and just be happy.”

“A girlfriend? Like a friend that’s a girl?” Saphira furrowed her brow and sipped her wine. “Am I a girlfriend?”

What a question. I chuckled. “Something like that. I guess it’s more complicated than I thought. But, yeah, there’s that. What’s your dream, Saphira?”

Saphira took another drink. I feel that. She cleared her throat and faced away from me, focusing instead on the food. “Don’t laugh?”

“I would never.”

“My favorite memories are of when my mother, grandmother, and I all lived here. We spent nights by the fire talking or painting or reading to one another. I miss having others here with me. I-I want to have daughters to share all of this with.” She shook her head. “I know that’s what a lot of other girls want. So it probably sounds stupid.”

Heat danced along my skin. I knew she wasn’t asking for anything—it didn’t seem implied, either. From the look on her face, this was clearly something she didn’t share often. “I don’t think that’s stupid. Not at all.”

“Thanks,” she murmured.

“No, I mean it. It sounds like your family had a lot of traditions you want to continue. It’s a great dream.”

Her smile returned. “Thank you, Matt. Really.”

The conversation lightened up as more wine flowed and Saphira cooked dinner. Saphira told me more about her paintings, her preferred subjects, and her favored medium. I knew next to nothing about painting, so whether the watercolors she described were similar in my last world, I couldn’t say. I somehow got on the topic of movies and tried to explain the concept without much luck. Even sketching a lame diagram of cameras, film, and the projection screen had Saphira in fits of giggles but didn’t help convey how they worked.

“This is delicious,” I admired as I ate.

“I’m glad. I know I’m a far cry from Cannoli’s Cooking Skill—”

I waved her statement away. “No, stop that. This is fantastic. Everything tastes so fresh.” Compared to the steady diet of Mountain Dew, Doritos, and processed fast food that had sustained me before coming to Nyarlea, the home-cooked meals—and even the inn’s food—tasted like heaven. “Tastes even better knowing you cooked it.”

Saphira touched her pinking cheek, her eyes lowered. “I’m never going to stop blushing around you, am I?”

“It’s adorable,” I said. My filter has turned to tissue paper. But, the thought didn’t bother me as I watched Saphira squirm in delight.

I stood and rounded the table, reaching for her hand and guiding her to standing. Her eyes widened as she gazed up at me. God, I could drown in that stare. I brushed my thumb along her cheekbone and cradled her face in my hand. “Hey, you’re real.”

She laughed and leaned her cheek against my palm. “I can’t believe that’s the first thing I said to you.”

“I don’t mind.” I rested my forehead against hers, sharing the sweet air between our lips. “Is this okay?”

“Yes,” she breathed.

I tipped her chin up and kissed her. Her hands encircled my waist and her frame relaxed against mine. She tasted like wine and the ocean air. Her soft lips and gentle touch stole my breath.

“Let’s go to my room?” Saphira murmured against my mouth.

“Alright.”

She took my hand and led me through the living room, past multiple guest rooms, and into the master bedroom. She glanced from the bed to me and squeezed my hand. “U-um, this is my first time. With anyone. Please be gentle?”

Adrenaline pounded against my eardrums. I brushed my fingers through her hair and caressed her face. “Of course.”

[Memory stored and saved for Catgirls. . .]

New Notifications!

[A Little of What You Fancy Does You Good] Updated!

3/5 Catgirls Successful!

Saphira cooked me pancakes for breakfast the next morning before I headed off to find Keke, Cannoli, and Ravyn. Before we made our way to the new island I desperately wanted to be a higher level.

A wave of nostalgia hit me during our trek through the forest. I was struggling to think of the last time we did something like this. Regardless, I was eager to put my new equipment and skills to the test. With my most recent Class Point, I danced the line between saving it for later, perhaps spending it on [Adrenaline Rush] if my gear seemed more up to snuff, or whether I should just dump it into [Axe Mastery] and just finish it off.

In the end, I settled on finishing up [Axe Mastery]. Better to put it into something I knew was working, and the way I figured it, I was going to end up mastering it at some point anyway. Seemed like a better idea in my head. We’d soon see if it granted me any sort of divine epiphany or if it was just that minor of a benefit.

The axe felt lighter in my hand, much lighter than the axe before it—which was strange to me. I hadn’t fought with my original axe in some time, which I nicknamed ‘Old Reliable,’ so maybe it was my imagination. Regardless, Whether it was made of a lighter material, my [Strength] was doing the job, or [Axe Mastery] was where I should be putting my thanks, I guess it didn’t matter. Light or not, it was no substitute for combat ability, and I admit I was a bit nervous that I’d gone too long without a fight.

I looked up, carefully watching Ball for any signal. Keke led the pack a good few meters ahead of us, occasionally placing her hand on the odd tree here and there and making some small comment about what might be nearby. Cannoli stuck close to my side, her face scrunched in concentration. She was determined to be braver, be the support we all needed. I just hoped she wasn’t putting up too much of a front.

“Any idea how much longer?” I asked Cannoli.

“Not much longer,” Keke answered for her. She put her right hand on the trunk of a tree and peered around it, motioning with her free hand for us to stay put.

We paused, kneeling behind a bush. Keke continued to tilt her head, bending her neck forward and back.

What’s she looking at?

“Patience,” Ravyn whispered from behind me.

I flinched on the spot and just barely managed to avoid yelping. I bit my bottom lip and steadied my breathing. She’d been so quiet I’d almost forgotten she was behind me. Goddamn it, why couldn’t I calm down?

Cannoli put a hand on my shoulder and smiled. “Just breathe, Matt.”

I scratched the side of my neck and looked away in slight shame. “I-I am, just been a weird morning. Err, day, I mean.” Yomi and Myrun had been one thing, with them essentially disappearing from my life after we’d slept together. Saphira was someone I’d see a lot more often. And in turn, my kid. It was a strange thought to come to terms with.

“That’s okay. We’re here to help you,” Cannoli grinned.

“Eeyeck,” came the groan of Ravyn.

I turned to her with a frown, putting a finger to my lips. “Not a word from you.”

She raised her brow. “Think the tigerskin has gone to your head, boy. And I don’t mean the one on your neck.” She folded her arms in that authoritative way she did when she had some sort of double-edged advice to offer and said, “Don’t go running in there blindly.”

“I’m not going to,” I said, looking away from her. “We don’t move until Keke does. When her and Ball give the signal, we move in.”

“Good boy.”

Where’s my Scooby Snack, Ravyn?

Keke put a finger to her lips and gestured for us to follow. Continuing our pace, we managed to keep our distance for the next few minutes, making as little sound as we could manage. The next time Keke stopped, she smiled and gave us an enthusiastic bob of her head.

“Great,” Ravyn said, returning the smile. “I’ve been itching to burn something all day long.”

“Don’t burn the forest down,” Cannoli said with a quiet plea.

“I’m not. I know better than that.”

Keke frowned with a roll of her eyes and motioned for us to join her. The three of us moved in single file and found ourselves berated by our hunter.

“You guys suck at staying quiet,” she said bluntly.

“Look, the boy—”

“And still you keep going,” Keke hissed in astonishment. She glared at each of us, and Ravyn was the only one who refused to break the stare. Keke kneeled. “The three of you have scared off our targets at least twice now. If I hear another word, that person gets an arrow in the knee. Is that understood?”

Cannoli nodded, and I held up a thumb. Ravyn didn’t say or do anything, but I guess silence was good enough for Keke.

“Good. Now. The plan.” Keke looked up. Ball Gag was making a slow descent. The targets were in place. Keke passed looks between each of us. “Does anyone need a refresher?”

I shook my head. I admit I was a bit nervous with what was about to happen, but the plan was solid. As long as no one did anything brazen, we’d be walking out of here with four Encroachers.

The girls followed suit, and Keke looked to Cannoli. “Start us off, then.”

“Right.” She did a silent arm pump, and I held out my double-sided axe, keeping it low to the ground. “[Illuminate].” Cannoli put a hand on the flat end of the blade, and a brilliant white glow enveloped both heads of the blade. “Let’s do it.”

The four of us gingerly approached a thick line of bushes. I peeked over and saw the four Encroachers we had set our sights on. Each of them was deep blue, bearing black beady eyes and crouched on all fours. They were shaped like lizards, their bodies covered in large scales. The one closest to us seemed to be on edge, flicking its forked tongue out repeatedly while the others were further off, munching away on some nearby shrub.

“We have to act fast. They’re getting spooked again,” Keke whispered to us. “[Pinpoint Weakness].” Keke slowly raised her head over the top of the bush, and I readied myself into a sprinting position. “Now!”

Keke suddenly stood upright and fired an arrow from her bow. It soared through with purpose and struck the closest Encroacher through the side of the head. The creature collapsed over on its side, gurgling and coughing up violet blood onto the grass in a fit.

There was no time to confirm the kill, no time to wait. As Keke fired a second arrow—this time, into its breast—I charged out of the bushes, racing to get in between the remaining beasts. They hissed at my appearance, and they were quick to run. Thanks to the surprise, though, I was able to do what I needed.

“[Blessed Light]!” I heard Cannoli cry out.

And just as she spoke, the light around my weapon erupted into a glare of blinding white light. The Encroachers reeled and writhed on the spot, each of them squinting their eyes in pain.

Now’s my chance!

Gripping both my hands around the axe, I swung it sideways at the one in front of me. The blade cut through the beast like butter, decapitating it. There was so much going on in my head, in my body. I hadn’t expected to behead it. I’d put a lot more force into the attack than necessary.

My balance thrown off, I nearly hurled myself backward on the backswing. I’d realized it moments before the blade had made contact, thankfully, and was able to spin on my heel and regain my stance.

“Matt, are you okay?” Keke called out.

“I’m fine! Stick to the plan!”

Okay, calm down. Not so much force this time.

I still had time. I took one step forward, and this time measured my strength. I swung the axe sideways once more, beheading the second Encroacher. Its head fell to the ground with a thud, and the pools of blood joined together in the soil.

Just as I was revving up to finish off the last Encroacher, it opened its eyes and slithered backward like a snake. It hissed and flicked its tongue at me. A stray arrow struck its side, prompting it to make a getaway into the forest. It was fast, far faster than I could run. The Encroacher slithered out of sight before I could even swing my axe, and I breathed an audible sigh.

“Damn it!” said Keke.

“Get ready,” mused Ravyn.

Get ready? For what?

“[Displace]!”

And then I was gone. I blinked, and suddenly I was somewhere else. I could still hear the girls, but they were way far from where I was. What the hell? I ran toward the sounds of my party, and as I approached, I could hear them cheering. When I came to the clearing, there was the fourth Encroacher, burned to a crisp and lodged with arrows.

I looked down at the Encroacher for a few seconds, then back up at the girls. “And you call me reckless?”

“Shouganai. It worked, didn’t it? Besides, now we have four Encroachers under our belt.”

I’ll remember this.

New Notifications!

Matt has gained: 3 points of Energy!

Matt has gained: 110 XP!

Matt is now: Base Level 5!

Matt is now: Class Level 5!

Matt has gained: 1 Stat Point!

Matt has gained: 1 Class Point!

Keke has gained: 91 XP!

Cannoli has gained: 83 XP!

Ravyn has gained: 24 XP!