Chapter 164: Invisible (V)
"What's happening? Why did everyone stop?" Zero glanced over to see everyone sitting down and eating.
"We are eating before we go out. We all need our strength before we take on this dangerous journey. So let us go and feast on a meal before we head out." Elder Mako replied. He was heading towards Elder Miki, who had finished cooking food over the fire. A strong smell of fish and stew drifted into the air.
Zero stomachs grumbled from the strong scent, and he could not help but walk forward in hunger.
"Here you go, dear. I knew you would also be hungry, so I made you something to eat." Elder Miki handed him a bowl of food. She also went around and gave the others as well.
"Elder Miki. You make the best food. Elder Mako, you are lucky to have someone like her." One of the cat warriors replied. He was busily taking large bites and almost inhaling the food.
"I know." Elder Mako grinned. "I would never trade her for anyone else."
"Honey." Elder Miki purred as she cuddled next to him. "You say the sweetest things."
"Elder, Please. Not when we are eating!" The rest of the cat warriors called out in desperation.
"Oh, be quiet, you fools. You are all just jealous." Elder Miki hissed and glared at them.
"Too much love in the air." One of the cat warriors jokingly gagged. Then, the one next to him hit him in the head.
"Respect your elders."
"That hurts. Just become you don't have a sense of humor doesn't mean you go smacking people
in the head."
"Guys. Guys. Calm down. He meant no harm." M2 quickly intervenes to quell the two felines from going into a full-out cat fight.
"Is this what you have to deal with every day?" Zero asked. The cat warriors were carefree people who liked to play games and crack jokes. It would be easy to be sucked into their world if one was not careful.
"Yep. This is what I have to deal with every day. It's not a bad feeling, though. You won't believe how fun hanging out with these goofballs is." M2 grinned. "Sometimes I can't help but forget they are NPC's. They're so lifelike that I think they are real."
"I completely understand what you mean. But, unfortunately, it's getting harder and harder every day to tell the difference from actual living people."
"You and me both. I sometimes wish they were real." M2 voice trailed off, and look down into his bowl. He picked up the spoon and took another bite out of his food. "Anyways, we need to eat as much as possible. We don't know when we would be able to have peace like this when we get out into the open."
"Someone take out the milk whiskey!" A cat warrior crow out into the crowds. "We should celebrate by getting out here safely!"
"Yea! That sounds like a great idea!"
"Anyone has some Milk Whiskey?"
The voice of the people's moods was quickly changing to delight. The thought of alcohol at this time when they were still escaping from danger was truly astounding.
"Is this normal?" Zero couldn't help but voice his opinion to M2.
"Yep. They celebrate every little thing. The funny part is that even when they drink Milk Whiskey, they are twice as dangerous as when they are sane. You thought their playfulness was bad now. Wait until you see them when they drink."
Zero was appalled at what he had just heard. Getting a power-up from drinking was unheard of. Especially in such a crisis. Drunken cats. What could be stranger than that? He stopped himself before he jinxed himself and instead went with the flow. Milk Whiskey was passed from one cat person to the next. Even the young kits were given a drink as well.
"Aren't they too young to take a drink?" Zero asked.
"Oh, you mean this? Nope. Milk Whiskey isn't alcohol. It just have an effect that's similar to alcohol for my people. The best part is that it tastes great." M2 chugged down the milk and wiped his lips with his arm. "I've never found such a great drink that is better than this throughout the Fire Continent. It would truly give a run for its money for any alcohol bar that I know of."
Zero was at first skeptical till he, too took a sip. A warm, bubbling feeling ran down his throat and into the pit of his stomach. A rush of heat exploded throughout his body as he felt warm and energized. It tasted strangely like strawberry milk mixed with a hint of melon.
+10 increase vitality, strength, and stamina from drinking Milk Whiskey for the next five hours. You feel slightly tipsy from drinking.
"The best part of it all is getting a status bonus." M2 happily replied as he finished drinking his Milk Whiskey. "There isn't much food that gives a great status bonus. Only high-level cooks can create such an effect."
"This is quite unusual." Zero hiccuped. He felt happy and satisfied.
"Now we are ready to take on the world."
"It's too early to take on the world, but I say the closest feeling to it."
"You're a funny kid."
The voices of the cat people were merry as they celebrated their success in getting out of their village with not a single one dying. Even though they celebrated, everyone ate quickly and got ready to leave. They did not dally for long since they knew their journey was just beginning. With their equipment packed away, Elder Mako stood up.
"Ahem!" Elder Mako cleared his throat. Everyone stopped to look up at him, wondering what he had to say. "I'm glad to see that all of our people could leave without a single scratch. With this, our true calling towards our future is waiting for us beyond the exit. We will become who we once were in the past. Our lost gift will finally be restored, and this young Dragon will take us to the sacred grounds." Zero was pulled next to him by Elder Mako. "He is the Drezo Regalia we were waiting for. His people have finally come back from hiding. It is now our turn to come forth and not hide anymore."
The cheers of the cat people bellowed outwards, making the walls tremble. Their echos continued till Elder Mako raised his hands.
"We must remember, once we step out of this safe enclosure, danger lurks in every corner. Therefore, I need all of you to stay close and move fast. We do not have the luxury of casually walking as if we are sightseeing. Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
"Then off we go!" Elder Mako turned and walked up to the rock wall. Just like how he had placed his hands to open the entrance, the exit was done the same way. The ground rumbled as the door to the exit opened. Bright light entered the area, blinding everyone momentarily.
"He says quite a speech," said Zero.
"That's not even half of it." M2 mischievously grinned. "He's known even to rile up the dead."
"You're pulling my leg."
"What, you don't believe me."
"Sounds too far-fetched."
M2 chuckled. "You're right. I was." He tripped Zero, walking in front of him as they followed the crowd leaving through the exit.
"Hey!" Zero caught himself before he completely fell forward.
"What?" M2 ran away laughing.
Zero couldn't help but feel at ease when he stepped out into the light. Even though he had to guide the cat people to the Draconis Village and was blacklisted by the Kingdom, he didn't feel worried. Instead, he looked forward to what was going to happen next.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone