Author's notes:
Here is the chapter enjoy!
Also, there are some characters that would be hinted to appear further in the story. They're easy to guess.
The sun was close to setting when 9S, Pod 153 and Rogue met up with Whistill again. The Felyne chief was with two other felynes when they found the three heading down a slope, leading to a deeper part of the forest following Rogue. The felynes where done gathering from the spots they found today and were planning to head back.
Whistill decided to find 9S and the others to tell them that they were finished for the day, but couldn't help for one more trip to explore whatever the tiny Deviljho wanted them to go to.
He was also a bit curious to what made the small Deviljho so excited about, sharing the same sentiments with 9S and Pod.
"So… Nya. Have you three found any spot for us to make a new home?" Whistill decided to start a conversation with the boy and palico since it was getting a bit quiet, walking along a river. The flow of water going the opposite direction they were heading.
"None yet so far Whistill. But me and Pod decided to find a spot where you can grow plants or make a farm off." Replied 9S as he continues to watch Rogue move ahead.
"Yes, Meowster remembered how much you wanted to grow your own herbs and other materials." Pod said as she began to walk beside the felyne chief.
"Oh, you two remember that Nya? I was just joking a bit since it would be nice to grow are own materials than spend the rest of the day gathering and... well, since this felyne is starting to feel his age." Whistill explained while scratching his head, a bit embarrass of the last part.
"Well, it seems to be your favorite joke, so we decided to humor you a bit." Said Pod 153.
"Yeah, and you're not that old Whistill. Are you sure you're not just getting lazy? If the off chance we found an ideal spot for you, you might even get lazier since you won't spend your days going around the forest gathering stuff and just stay at the comfort of your new home. While the other felynes focus on farming and doing your work." Chimed 9S making Whistill give short indignant yelp, while the other felynes behind them give a small snicker, knowing that their chief would somewhat be like that.
"Lazy! I have you know Nya, that being the chief is no easy job-nor is farming! But… if you do find a place for us then I would really appreciate it. I wish that my settlement would be a good staple of supplies for not just your village but also to the other settlements we trade with Nya. Your volatile coal wasn't cheap, we had to trade some of our hard to get items and maybe a few felvine for it Nya." Whistill told 9S with a short puff on his chest.
"Okay, I get it. Sorry... I understand." 9S raised his hands in a mock defensive manner, not really threatened by Whistill but knows that the felyne chief understands he wasn't taking him lightly and appreciates what he did to get him the coal.
"To be honest Whistill, I really like the idea of you having you own item farm and not just for plants but maybe bugs and honey as well. It would really be a big help for me, the village ...and Rogue, since you know." 9S gestures his hand randomly, though Whistill understands perfectly.
"Ah yes, for that Tonic thing we found in the book Nya. It would be ideal that you have a secret and backup supply of materials to make them too." 9S nods in agreement to his answer, seeing that the felyne chief figure it out his intentions.
"Of course! I'll work for you in exchange—" 9S began to speak before Whistill cut him off.
"Nonsense, you don't need to work for me… Much. But remember, I asked that Rogue would stay near our settlement so he can drive off any monsters that try to prey on us and in exchange we help take care of him together with you. Anything regarding that is included, like supplying you with materials. Besides, we've been booming with the materials we have been gathering because of him. I may have to temporarily stop gathering sessions in the future so we wouldn't strip the forest clean. Nya ha ha ha ha!" Whistill chuckled while 9S just smiles at the felyne with gratitude.
"Thanks Whistill." 9S said with Pod 153 nodding her head in agreement as well. Whistill just waves his paws saying that its no problem for him but welcomes the gratitude.
"Groah!"
Then they heard Rogue call to them, who was right in front of a bush telling them to move faster before disappearing into it. The group quickens their pace and head through the bush themselves, finding Rogue at the other side panting and cheerfully bouncing on his feet at… another beautiful sight before them.
There was a large tall cliff side facing them, with a waterfall right in the middle splitting the rocky face. The waterfalls feeds the river beside them and the cliff face seems to surround them in a concave manner, with large trees at the base covering the sides. And in front of them directly was a large open patch with green grass baring no trees, all the way until the base of the waterfall. The river runs in between the patch splitting it into two sides.
It was incredible. Very open, wide, free …and hidden.
9S can't help but think this place was perfect but before he could continue that train of thought, he heard Rogue bark at them before running ahead straight to the base of the waterfall.
"Hey wait! Rogue!" 9S shouted at the brute wyvern before running after it. Pod and the rest of the felynes shake out of their stupor from finding the place and quickly follow the boy in chasing Rogue.
Rogue quickly reach the base of the waterfall, specifically at the right wall, at the far side where the crashing water wouldn't reach. He found a small crevice/hole and quickly squeezed himself through it, even making it a big bigger as he forced himself inside to reach the scent he found. 9S sees him do this, before crouching and crawling immediately without a second thought to follow his monstie. Pod and Whistill in turn see him, rolling their eyes at his impulsive action, before doing the same to follow 9S.
The felynes began to enter and crawl through the tunnel they got themselves into, experiencing a brief lapse of darkness before spotting something shining at the end and quickly make their way to it.
But as they come closer, their nose picks up a sweet and fragrant scent.
It only took a few seconds for 9S to crawl out of the tunnel Rogue squeezed himself into, part of the reason is because the tiny Deviljho made the tunnel bigger from his much larger frame. When he got out, he noticed that he was inside a large cave or opening not unlike the one they've been in the monster den before, specifically like the nest area. The only difference is that there isn't much sunlight coming through, with only small holes at the wall behind him, sending light in from the setting sun.
The amount of sunlight coming in wouldn't be able to light the entire room, yet the entire space was illuminated with 9S seeing every corner and how far the room goes. The illumination wasn't entirely coming from the sunlight. No…
But from where the sun's rays have landed on.
A seemingly small patch glowing impossibly, and shinning its light throughout the room. From his spot 9S could see the silhouette of Rogue just a few paces from it, staring absently on the patch. He walks closer, curious to what Rogue may have been leading them too and what made the Deviljho stop in its place. It may have something to do with the aromatic scent he could smell, which is somehow relaxing him and soothing his entire body.
Each step he takes, he relaxes and the closer he comes, the clearer the patch is to him that he could see what it really is. And what he saw took his breath away.
They were flowers. White five-petaled flowers. They glowed like a full moon in the night, like a cluster of stars in a dark sky. Their light, seemingly impossible and radiantly pure.
A bed of these flowers lay before him and he could only describe them as—
"Beautiful…" He whispers with all his awe and captivation put in that one word. Rogue gives a small rumble of agreement, not wanting to give a large growl to ruin the pleasant atmosphere they we're in.
"Amazing…" 9S and Rogue hear someone utter the word, turning to see it was Pod 153 who spoke. She and the rest of the felynes caught up with them and just like the two, were entranced at the bed of white glowing flowers.
"By my whisker Nya… Lunar tears…" Whistill gasped at the sight before him, not believing his own eyes.
"Lunar Tears?" Asked 9S, now learning the name of the flowers before him.
"Surely, you have heard of this legendary flowers before, Nya? What they are and the stories around them. They even saved the future of all hunters and the tale around that is pretty recent. Just a few years younger from the story about YoRHa's birth Nya." Whistill questioned 9S and found it surprising that the normally well-informed boy wasn't aware of these flowers.
"I'm sorry Whistill… This is the first for me and for Pod too, right?" 9S turned to Pod, who nods her head in agreement to his statement.
"True. I have never heard of these flowers before. This actually my first time seeing them, and I'm amazed that such glowing flowers exist." She replied making the felyne chief furrow his eyebrows at the two.
"Can you tell us?" 9S asked, with both Pod and Rogue sharing the same thoughts of 9S, wanting to find out more about the Lunar Tears.
"Well, I don't mind… but where do I begin?" The felyne chief sat down, with the rest following, sitting beside the flower bed of Lunar Tears. Their bright glow, shinning light to the group, with Rogue curled around 9S lap, while making sure his attention is focused on Whistill.
"Lunar Tears, they are named like that since they emit a glow similar to one a person would see from a full moon Nya. Hence the Lunar part and they're called Tears since people believe that they came from the moon's own tears. There were many stories made on that belief." Whistill pondered a bit, trying to think of how to explain that bit.
"Though, while there isn't a story that is considered as the true legend, almost all the tales share one common canon. That the moon shed her tears to the earth, when both heavenly beings were in grief and sorrow due to their constant periodic cylce of separation, not wanting to part from each other. The moon gave her tears to the earth so he can use them to light its way through the night, and to always have a piece of her with him whenever she's gone." Whistill said, the story giving awe to his companions.
"People believe the story of the moon and earth being separated was based on the cycle of the full moon transitioning to a new moon Nya, and that the ancients before really did you use the flowers to light their way when the moon is gone from the sky. But the Lunar tear does have some concrete facts in it Nya, with one thing that you should really know… is that Lunar Tears are hard to grow. Even mother nature has a tough time making them Nya." Whistill informed them of this detail and began to explain it.
"They have a lot of conditions to fulfill, before one would want to grow it normally in their own garden Nya. And in the wild they only grow in the most dangerous places where powerful monsters live, or such conditions have been fulfilled by the land itself. It is one fickle flower, which makes it very rare, maybe even the rarest flower of them all Nya." Whistill glances at the bed and gives a content sigh.
"Another legend says that even finding one, you can ask it any wish and it would be granted. Many sought for it because of that and finding a bed like this is almost a miraculous, impossible and a once in a lifetime achievement Nya. Before, one could spend all his nine lives just to get a glimpse of these legendary flowers and still fail to do so Nya. Those that did, would engrave it into their memories and immortalizing them in sketches, paintings and crafted items to preserve the beauty they saw and convey it to the world-
And you two… made me one lucky felyne to let me see these flowers that others have not." Whistill said smiling at the two.
"You said before? What do you mean, are there Lunar Tears you can see freely and not in dangerous places? And another questioned why didn't anybody try to pick one up or transfer one into a portable pot and show it to others? Wouldn't that been much easier than making a painting or a sketch?" 9S fired his questions with Pod and Rogue sharing the same inquiry with the boy, making Whistill chuckle, waving his paws to settle 9S down before he continues to tell them more.
"Slow down Nya. I still have some things to tell you three. Now to answer your questions then Nyain-es, you must know the other thing that makes Lunar Tears so incredible besides their rarity and beauty." The boy, palico and brute wyvern edge closer, making Whistill giddy and excited for this part.
"They have incredible healing capabilities, nature's Dust of life as they even say Nya. With such fickle conditions to fulfill and dangerous local for them to be found, the cost and payoff from growing or finding the flower is worth it, because of its incredible ability to heal any illness or injury one would have sustained, even scars disappear Nya. A single Lunar Tear's Aura stretches even to the ground it is growing and a whole bed of these flowers' aura may even stretch all the way out of this cave to the valley we found outside." Whistill stretches his arms and breathes the air, savoring it.
"It soothes others and even heals, not as strong as one would get from using it directly or eating it orally, but with you just staying in its vicinity. With your wounds healing slowly and invigorating your body, making you feel energize." What Whistill said is true. 9S and Pod could feel their body losing fatigue from today's work and Rogue gives a short growl of content, telling them he is feeling relaxed and energized.
"It's presence itself, as I guess you can feel it, affects the environment and other living beings too, which is very beneficial Nya. Their presence is also a sign that the environment, even the dangerous ones, are a prime place for life to flourish and plants to grow… making the peaceful ones perfect for farming Nya." Whistill wiggles his eyebrows making Pod and 9S chuckle knowing that the latter info is why Whistill is so giddy.
"Monsters and people dare not pluck it out of the ground because of this, with some strong monsters that know of the Lunar Tear's value, guard and protect patches like these Nya. Also it's hard to keep a Lunar Tear alive when you transfer it into a soil it isn't accustomed to, which is one of the many conditions it has." Whistill added the last bit, answering one of 9S' question who nods his head in understanding.
"Only when a monster or person is gravely ill, then does a being risk finding the flower and face the challenges to achieve it. A good example would be that time with the Black Scrawl…" Immediately, Pod 153's eyes pop up in recognition.
"The Black Scrawl?! You mean to tell me that these flowers are the cure to that terminal diseases!" Whistill nods his head confirming it to be true. 9S was left a bit confuse, since surprisingly, he hasn't heard of the Black Scrawl either.
"Hey Pod… What's the Black Scrawl?" 9S asked to Pod, who was surprise at first for him not knowing before remembering that 9S wasn't in the village during that time, since he was only in the village for the past two years.
"It's understandable that you don't know about it, but the Black Scrawl is a terminal diseases that covers the body in black lines. That is its primary sign, which is technically the body's veins, before the entire body succumbs to the disease and is covered entirely by it, turning the person black and blue then killing them…." Pod explained wistfully.
"Woah…" 9S said in shock, before Pod continued.
"But what's really happening is that the body itself is disintegrating, from its own cells self-deterioration. Slowly killing the person, and at that time, with no known cure to save their life. What's most shocking is that the victims of this diseases are mostly hunters."
"What!" Another shocked yell came from 9S, with Rogue surprise as well from the info Pod was saying.
"The guild theorizes that the Black Scrawl came to be, because of the toll a hunter's body needs to be to fight monsters and it's unfortunate and rare occurrence of failing. With the body beginning to burn out, unable to keep up with the task and stress of powering such a physique to fight monsters." Pod bowed her head, that piece of information is still sorrowful for her.
"Even if most cases where the victims are hunters, the diseases can happen to anyone since its hereditary and the diseases could just pop up at any person just because his ancestor or relative was a hunter at the past, Nya." Whistill added, further adding the horror to 9S of learning this Black Scrawl.
"So even civilians can be victims as well, even if they don't want to be hunters." 9S said, getting both nods of confirmation from the two felynes.
"But Whistill, you said the Lunar Tear was the cure and that because of it, the future of all hunters was saved, right?" From 9S's statement, Whistill smiled ready to tell a much happier and good note regarding the Black Scrawl and the Lunar Tear.
"That is true Nya. The guild discovered that the Lunar Tear's incredible healing prowess could overcome and cure a person from the Black Scrawl. All because of a group of misfits finding the flower and creating a cure from it Nya." Hearing this got 9S, Pod and Rogue's attention to peak, knowing what Whistill would say next would be very interesting.
"It all started because a renowned hunter's child was diagnosed with the Black Scrawl and he sought for a cure to help his ailing daughter. He went on a quest, sponsored by the guild, to find the cure and maybe help save the rest of the world from being plague by the disease. Joining him was a party composing:
His faithful palico companion, who was said to be a felyne from a new world. They call him Grim reaper white something… I'm not sure. But the story say, he was found by the hunter in his early days of hunting and has been his loyal companion since then. They also say that the felyne takes pride in his duty and is skillful to the point, monsters become wary whenever the hunter would invoke his name.
The next companion was a hotblooded female hunter, who was unmatched in skill and ferocity with her dual blades. She was also armed with an equally aggressive tongue and 'colorful' language that would make sailors faint Nya. Rumor say that she may or may not have a sort of unresolved tension between the hunter and herself. And that the reason they kept in touch is because the two are trying to figure it out between themselves. Regardless, both consider each other as his/her equal and one of their closest friends.
And finally the last memeber was a seemingly mad alchemist, who hides his face with a wicked mask etched with a permanent mad grin. No one knows what he looks like under it, except the hunter and the rest of the companions, who the alchemist quickly befriended. It is said that he was the one who discovered the cure and determined that the Lunar Tear was final item needed to create it. It was the alchemist's discovery and work that jump started the whole quest for the cure, and gave the hunter the hope he needed to fuel his determination to save his daughter.
And so this unique party traveled the world, fighting monsters of all kinds from bird wyverns to elder dragons. Until they came upon the cold peaks of Mt. Celion, a mountain much farther away from the ones in the Darj snowfields. They climbed it and found their price …with a very big and shocking cost. They found a lone Lunar Tear, the flower that they were looking for.
...Guarded by a pair of Rajangs.
And their battle was legendary!
People say that the battle they did with the pair of fang beasts, shook the earth and heavens themselves. With lightning powered fist and energy breaths, clashing with great swords, felyne claws and dual blades. With the hunter's party fighting with the resolve to save his daughter and others from the Black Scrawl, they ultimately succeeded and slew the beasts, while obtaining the flower." Whistill said as he gestured the entire fight, describing it from his tale and standing on his feet to add flare, aweing 9S and Rogue with the battle.
Pod could only roll her eyes, before Whistill finishes.
"From there, the tale ends in a good note like most stories. With the hunter returning to the guild with the cure, saving his daughter and the rest of future hunters and civilians from dying from the Black Scrawl. The Guild ended up deciding to farm and grow their own Lunar Tears and to mass produce the cure, no matter how hard it is. It is that reason to why people can chance to look at a Lunar Tear. At the guild obviously, on the few occasions their higher ups will allow outsiders to see them. And the guild also required all new hunters to intake the cure, just in case and for safety that they won't be inflicted by the disease.
...Now for the hunter and his party's fate, after the finding the cure. What they did after, is a bit vague. But most rumors and gossip say that they decided to retire and be a family together, spending much time with the hunter's daughter as they do with each other. They lived happily ever after and what not...
To be honest, it's really quite a tale if you heard the full version Nya, based from what I heard from the other settlements I visited. But I don't know the exact story of it so I can't say what really happened to them in the end, sorry about that Nya." Whistill said apologetically, but the group just waved it off understanding.
"No problem, Whistill. Thanks for telling it for us anyway. Learning about the Lunar Tear and everything related to it was interesting. Right Rogue?" Said 9S while Rogue gives a short bark of agreement.
"It is a nice story you told us Whistill, and now I understand what you meant of your earlier statement. People could just go to the guild to look at a Lunar Tear and not bother to risk finding their own like before …and avoid fighting a pair of Rajangs while they're at it to chance a look too. I also understand why Chief Zinnia made 2B, A2 and 9S drink Maiden's joy." Pod said, while making 9S surprised at the coming revelation in his head.
"Wait. Maiden's joy is made …. from Lunar Tears? That's the cure! It's such a disgusting and foul-smelling tonic. Why call it Maiden's joy, when it brings a mouthful of gross nauseating substance to my stomach? Did Zinnia know of this?!" 9S exclaimed completely disturb that the cure all new hunters were to intake was Maiden's joy and the true reason to why he had to drink it way back then.
"Is that what they call it right now, Nya? I bet they called the medicine Maiden's Joy, from the expression of the hunter's daughter crying tears of joy. From finally being cured and getting rid of the Black Scrawl Nya!
….
Unless they completely misunderstood the expression on her face. I mean Nya… who would have thought how a sweet and aromatic flower could be so bitter inside, Nya Hahahaha!" Whistill chuckled loving the irony of it.
Pod just shakes her head, from both Whistill's humor and knowing what 9S was remembering.
She remembered and thought the entire Maiden's Joy events itself could have been less… troublesome, if Zinnia just told the three why they had to drink the medicine. She doesn't know why the chief didn't say anything or the true reasons. It could be some sort of wyverian humor to her or something.
She really did have a guffaw from watching 9S's turn of taking the medicine.
Recalling it, Pod knew it was when 3 weeks have passed since 9S was found that Zinnia had to force all of her charges to drink the stuff for their own good, without any reason other than the village's doctor ordering them to.
Seeing the twins choking and seeming to nearly die from it, spooked 9S greatly. And when it was his turn, they had a scuffle with the twins trying to chase him down and him eluding them. It turned a bit physical near the end, with her meowster displaying the first signs of his physical prowess and the slight pettiness 2B and A2 can be …for being one-up for once.
Her Meowster ended up, with the medicine being shoved straight to his throat by A2 forcefully, while 2B held and pinned him from behind. The twins were rather rough with him, but it could because he socked 2B in the stomach and gave A2 a black eye, to get away from them in his panic state.
Not many could get away doing that to the two, with even Zinnia getting impressed that he is still alive.
The girls black mailed him with their injuries to make him do favors. With 2B, 9S felt guilty of hitting her and she took advantage of it by making him do all of her chores, feigning hurt as her excuse. A2 had a black eye for a week and did the same by making 9S polish her long sword, due to her reason of being unable to do it properly with one eye.
Luckily the chief saw through their ruse and ended their punishment of him after a week …And dealing with another week of arguments between the three after, because of it.
Regardless it was an eventful experience, Pod 153 could see 9S shudder at the memory and gags at the thoughts of intaking it. Whistill was listening to him intently of how he was describing the taste. Rogue, seeing his rider's reaction, decided to not eat the glowing flowers out of fear of feeling the same sick state 9S was giving off.
Pod just rolls her eyes at her Meowster's exaggeration of the medicine. It wasn't that bad she thought. She and Pod 42 took a whiff of it and even got a drop to taste and didn't understand why their human companions found it disgusting. If anything, its either they didn't smell or taste the aromatic scent of the Lunar Tear in the medicine. Now that she was standing beside a bed of Lunar Tears, it was really recognizable to her and remembering the taste.
Looking at the white flowers and realizing that their glow was the only thing illuminating them now, Pod realizes that it must have been night already. Bringing her thoughts back, Pod 153 then catches the groups attention to her asking what they would do next.
"Now that the lesson and story time is over about Lunar Tears, I need to point out that its already nighttime and what would be our next move."
Whistill, 9S and Rogue heard Pod and all three realize how late it is. Rogue got off 9S lap, as everybody stood up from the ground as Whistill decided what to do next.
"Well, I can say Nya that we should head back to the camp… And inform the rest of the tribes that we found a new home."
His statement surprises everybody, particularly 9S, Pod and Rogue, but before anybody could react Whistill explains himself further.
"What Nya? This place is perfect! Look... this room is much bigger than it seems and can fit the entire tribe Nya. It is also well hidden, including the valley itself we stumbled outside too. We still need to scout the area and get a full run down of the cave, but I can tell Nya, that we can carve up some rooms or even just build our shelters here. Plus, like I said, the grounds here and even outside in the valley is prime for farming Nya. All because of the sign of this bed of Lunar Tears here." Whistill pointed to the glowing flowers, while the rest of the group including the two additional felynes, nod their heads and agreeing to Whistill's assessment of the cave.
After Whistill spoke, the two felynes begin to jump around in joy and giving out meows of content. They were happy that they were able to find a home and quickly surround Rogue and started petting him, to the brute wyvern's delight.
Rogue wasn't sure why they started to pet him, but he liked the feeling and purred in content from the affection the felynes were giving him. 9S and Pod stare at disbelief before Whistill addresses them again.
"Thank you, all three of you Nya. You guys found us a home and hit jack pot at the right spot Nya! I say on the behalf of my village that we thank you for helping us in this task Nya." Whistill bowed at the two, making them look at each other, surprise at the gesture before replying to Whistill.
"Its no problem Whistill. It's the least we can do. You're already helping YoRHa rebuild by giving us supplies and …you're helping me with Rogue. So its no problem." 9S said as he gives a smile to Whistill, who returns it.
"Meowster right, we're just friends helping each other out, but we appreciate the gesture though." Pod 153 said, agreeing with 9S answer.
"If anything, you should thank Rogue. Since he was the one who found the Lunar Tears and track it to this place." Rogue gives a happy roar in reply, while the two felynes continue to shower him in affection.
"True Nya. Thank you Rogue. You have no idea how much trouble we had looking for a home before the stampede. I'm happy that 9S hatched such a nice brute wyvern Nya." Whistill said as he approached Rogue and began to scratch the underside of his chin, making him rumble in pleasure. 9S and Pod smile at the act and if their eyes were deceiving them, Rogue seemed to be blushing at the fact that he was feeling weak legged from the scratching.
"I guess we have to go back the way we came in, unless you know another way out Rogue?" 9S asked his monstie after the felynes were done thanking him and everybody seemed to be ready to head back.
Rogue tilted his head at thought after hearing 9S' question and got the gist of it before sniffing the air again.
The group watch as Rogue walk around a bit, trying to find something or scent that may lead them out. Rogue raised his head and seemed to pick up something and heads straight to wall. The rest follow him and stood right next to the Deviljho, before Rogue began to sniff again the wall briefly for a bit.
9S and the others weren't sure of what Rogue was doing, until he stop on one spot at the wall, took a few feet backwards and gave a shoulder charge at it. There was an audible crack and the wall seemed to break a bit from the blow Rogue gave. 9S became a bit worried that Rogue might get himself hurt and figures that Rogue might be trying to dig a way out.
But before 9S could call and ask the Deviljho to stop, Rogue gave a harder blow then followed up with biting and digging the wall with his jaws.
In an instant, the section Rogue was attacking collapsed and revealed a small tunnel. Rogue took a step back and admired his work, before calling at the group to follow him. They look on in surprise, before they followed, with 9S moving ahead of the felynes like before to follow his monstie with concern. The felynes followed and noticed that the hole was much bigger than the one they got in.
It took only a few minutes before the group came out from an opening Rogue made at the end of his makeshift tunnel. One by one they got out and noticed that the cave they were in was not as lit as the one before them and looked even darker. But before they could ponder on it, Rogue gave a bark and drew their attention to what seems to be the mouth of the cave.
There was light coming from it, but it looked like it was rippling. Rogue came just a few steps to the front with 9S following. The boy could hear a sound coming from the entrance. Stepping closer, he sees what was in front of them and gave a tentative hand to make sure he was right.
His hand pierce a veil of rushing water and could feel the coolness from his touch and withdrew back his hand. He stared at the water, the light being reflected from the moon shinning at it and confirmed his thoughts that they were right in front of the waterfall. Pod, Whistill and the other felynes reach his side as well and also learn that they were behind the waterfall of the valley they where in. Rogue shoves his snout to drink water a bit, to quench his thirst while 9S crouches instinctively to hold him so he wouldn't fall.
He feared of Rogue dropping from a tall height, until he saw that they were only a couple of feet from the bottom and could see the crashing water below them. There weren't any rocks and it seems the water was deep enough to jump into and not get hurt.
He thought that he might be able to do a cannon ball in the future at this height. It would be safe and he would not get hurt if they ever plan to swim in the river below them and take a plunge straight right at it from their current spot.
Rogue finished his drink, taking 9S from his thoughts, before both of them hear Pod telling them to come quickly. They turn to the source of Pod's voice and see that she, Whistill and the two other felynes were standing at a path just outside the cave they were in, past the waterfall in front of them. It was slanting downwards and seemed to reach the ground at the base of the valley, how they didn't notice it earlier escaped from 9S' mind.
9S and Rogue went to position themselves right beside them and look at what they were staring at. And for the second time of the day, 9S found something beautiful to gaze at.
A sea of stars fill the night sky, as the full moon shines above them. The valley glows faintly from the lights above the night sky, adding a certain aura of peace and tranquility on the valley. Everybody was captivated at the sight, with even Rogue not bothered to take his eyes from it.
It was truly an amazing sight, not many would see. Yet, a sight that 9S can't help but feel he saw something like this before.
He then felt a sudden small twinge of pain in his heart, not knowing the reason why.
Author's notes:
Hey guys, I hope you all like my inclusion of the Lunar Tear and the Black Scrawl. Could you guys guess who are the 'Misfits' in the story Whistill told. Everything I wrote here about the Lunar Tear is not the same as the one in real canon and the things I made up only exist in this story of mine. Same that could be said of the black scrawl. You guys just met this story's version of it, not the canon one.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and the next ones would be a faster pace and some time-skips. 9S would have a lot in his hands, now with the new place for the felyne's settlement is found and it would be hard for me to write everything he would be doing.
See you all and thanks for reading.