She was in disbelief. She had returned to Earth! After all the horrors and the monsters, she was finally home. Yet, why was she still trapped in this form? Moenna was astonished at her survival. Spared by the cat-like creature, she had followed it, curious about its mercy. Now back on Earth, she found herself confined to this odd place. The approach of a human made her instinctively recoil.

"Why am I here? And why do I still appear this way?" she questioned, hidden in the alleyway.

She surveyed the area and noticed some smaller humans. They seemed harmless, yet fear kept her within the alley's shadows. As she observed, she saw one of the smaller ones being bullied by two larger ones. The scene echoed her past, where she was constantly pursued by larger creatures, leading to her demise. Watching intently, she witnessed one of the larger humans shove the smaller one, snatching something from him. The small human stood up, shouting after them, only to be met with their laughter. One of the bullies shoved him again before they departed. A wave of sadness washed over her as she stepped from the alley, approaching the small human.

"Are you okay?" she inquired.

The diminutive human rose and gazed upward. Surprised to encounter her, they exchanged looks. After a moment, the human addressed her.

"Are you alright, miss? Isn't it warm in that outfit?"

"I'm managing. I have ways to stay cool," she replied, deliberately.

"Alright. My name's Kevin," he introduced himself.

"And I am..."

She halted, her memory failing her. She couldn't even recall her own name, only the vague recollection of her demise and the Cat Fiend's mercy.

"I'm... Moenna," she declared at last.

"Moenna? That's a pretty name," Keven remarked.

Moenna blinked, puzzled by the origin of the name that nonetheless seemed fitting.

"What were those two up to?" she inquired.

"They bully me and steal my stuff constantly. Daddy says to stand my ground, but it never stops," Keven explained, his expression souring into a pout.

Moenna sympathized with the smaller human. As she sat pondering her next move, she remembered observing humans embrace their young during times of distress. Yet, she hesitated to do the same. Despite being uncertain of how she came to possess her current form, it was evident that traces of her former self lingered. Her spikes, once a shield in the soulplane, now posed a hazard; when she attempted to practice the embrace, her spikes shredded through the materials she used.

"Miss Moenna?"

Her reverie was broken by the boy's voice.

"Are you okay?" he inquired.

"I'm..." she began, only to be interrupted by another voice.

"Keven!"

At the sound, they both turned. Fear gripped Moenna again; she spun around and leaped into the brush, leaving Keven bewildered.

"Miss Moenna?" he asked, rising to his feet.

"Kevin, there you are," his mother said, holding the toy that had been taken from him.

Kevin stood and walked over to the brush.

"Miss Moenna? Why are you hiding?" he inquired, searching for her.

"Kevin, it's time to leave," his mother announced, assuming he was playing.

"But, Mommy, Miss Moenna is hiding," he declared.

"I'm sure 'Miss Moenna' will be waiting for you at home," his mother reassured him, taking his hand.

Moenna peeked out, observing the two humans depart, with Kevin attempting once more to inform his mother about her. Moenna glanced around before emerging from the brush. Drawing a deep breath, she stealthily followed them, ensuring she remained unseen.

Later,

Moenna trailed the pair until they disappeared into a building. The urge to follow was strong, but the sight of the structure sent shivers down her spine; it loomed like a colossal beast ready to devour her. Casting her gaze around, she noticed an enormous bush. Taking a deep breath, she burrowed beneath its roots and discovered a spacious hollow large enough to conceal her. Inside, a few items hinted at previous occupancy. Had someone else used this as a hideout?

"Well, at least it's better than having nothing," she said.

She curled up on the blanket, feeling somewhat sleepy. Closing her eyes, she quickly fell asleep.

"Miss Moenna?"

Moenna blinked, opening her eyes. She looked around and yawned, an action she was still getting accustomed to since her own body had never needed to do that. Looking up, she saw Keven.

"Why are you in my secret hideout?" he asked.

"Secret... yours?" she replied, confused.

Then her eyes widened as she understood what she had just been told.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't realize this was your den. It was empty, and I was exhausted. I'll find another place..." she began, but Keven embraced her before she could finish.

Shock registered on her face. His hug didn't seem to be affected by her spikes. How was that possible? Yet, she began to feel a warmth spreading through her and her heart thumping steadily. Tentatively, she started to lift her arms, contemplating reciprocating the embrace. But before she could complete the gesture, Keven released her.

"Are you feeling better? Mommy said that hugging others will make them feel better," he said.

Moenna looked at him, a smile beginning to form on her face.

"I do. Thank you, Kevin," she replied, still acclimating to the sensation.

One thing she was certain of: this was far better than being pursued and trifled with by the fiends in the Soulplane. And this little human, so fragile and delicate, reminded her of herself.

"Kevin?" she said, prompting the boy to look at her.

"Would you like to hear my story?" she asked.

Kevin nods, settling into her lap. Moenna blinks and takes a deep breath. Unsure if he would believe her, she felt an instinct that this boy represented a second chance at life. She recounted to Kevin her life story, her past identity, her banishment to a realm known as the Soulplane, and her transformation into her current form. She detailed how her existence had been marred by constant flight and concealment, leading her to the brink of surrender. It was then that she encountered a benevolent fiend who showed her mercy. Moenna continued, describing how she trailed the kind fiend until it discovered a path back to the tangible world.

She halted as she sensed a weight against her. Glancing down, Moenna noticed Keven had dozed off. With a sigh, she gently encircled him with her arm. Uncertain of what her future on Earth held, she found solace in the fact that her days of fleeing were at an end.

Unfortunately, she was unaware that she wasn't the sole being who had pursued Kuon through the portal.

In this side adventure, Moenna, the game's only boss who can be spared, has returned to the real world, yet she remains frightened. I introduced her to a young boy, 8 to 10 years old, named Keven. Remarkably, Moenna and Keven are getting along, with Keven showing no fear of her. A budding friendship appears to be forming between them.

I'm considering one more side adventure with Locke before returning to Kuon. Additionally, I aim to increase the length of these chapters moving forward.