"Home! Home!"

Locke, a Shiba Inu who passed away and awoke in the Soulplane with a mission similar to Kuon's, was thrilled to finally return to Earth. He noticed significant changes in the landscape since his last visit, which bewildered him, yet his determination to find his owner remained undeterred. Eager for a reunion, he also reflected on the cat that had assisted him, acknowledging that his excitement to return home almost allowed his power to consume him. The advice he had received still echoed in his mind.

Flashback,

"How about you, then? Do you still remember your reason?" Locke inquired.

Kuon gazed at him, her eyes closing momentarily before reopening.

"...Yes," she replied, to his astonishment.

"What was that? Tell me..." he urged her.

"My owner's love for me, and the love I returned to her. I care for her deeply. It's for that reason I will not cease until I am reunited with her," Kuon declared before taking a seat.

"And no one should endure the loss of their owner. This place warps you, morphing you into something alien. It endeavors to erase your memories. I refuse to let that happen. Those memory shards contain my past. With each one I recover, I reclaim a piece of what I know," she explained, drawing Locke's gaze.

"I assure you, Locke, once I return to Earth, I will attempt to locate your owner and inform them of your noble quest to reunite with them," Kuon pledged.

The canine-like humanoid beamed.

"I suppose you can communicate, even with a creature like me," he remarked, his vision growing hazy.

"You are not a monster."

Flashback end,

Suddenly, he found himself on Earth, bewildered yet clinging to those unforgettable words. The love from his owner and the love he returned was his anchor. Taking a deep breath, Locke acknowledged the excitement; his new form was different from his original one, and he knew he might frighten someone.

Locke leaped off the roof and began to sprint, careful not to collide with any humans. He was determined to find his owner; there was so much they needed to discuss.

Sometime later,

Locke searched the entire town. His house was nowhere to be seen! How could this be? He was certain he remembered its location! Could he be in the wrong place?

"No, I know this town. It must be here somewhere," he said, determined not to give up.

Just like that cat, he wouldn't give up either.

"Hey there, are you lost?"

Turning around, Locke found himself encircled by a group of humans. A wave of unease washed over him, but he stood his ground, aware of his superior strength.

"You look pretty cool in that costume," one of them jeered, chuckling.

"That gem on your shoulder is quite fetching," remarked another, eyeing it greedily.

Locke was aware they were referring to his SoulBeast Gem. It had manifested on him when he first acquired this body, and he sensed its significance.

"Sorry, but I can't give this to you. It's mine," he stated, eliciting laughter from some of them.

"Is that so?" inquired a third, approaching.

"Do you fancy yourself a hero?" challenged a fourth, brandishing a knife.

"Not at all. Just a faithful hound eager to return to his master," Locke said with a smile.

With a swift kick, he sent the knife-wielding human tumbling. The others watched in astonishment as Locke turned to face them.

"Come on, let's play!" he invited, grinning.

The other humans rushed him, and Locke braced himself. One reached him and swung a punch.

A bit later,

Locke surveyed the scene as the four humans lay on the ground. It was unfortunate that the encounter ended so quickly, but humans were no match for the fiends he was accustomed to battling. Nevertheless, he had enjoyed himself.

"Thanks for the game! Let's do this again sometime," he said.

The humans could only groan in response, too pained to move. Locke, determined to find his owner, was about to scale the wall when a familiar scent caught his attention. Dropping to all fours, he sniffed the ground, tracing the source of the smell. Once he identified the direction, he stood and hurried out of the alley.

He heard a scream just before colliding with someone. Both tumbled to the ground, and Locke shook his head clear. Looking down, he saw a human girl gazing up at him. The familiar scent hit him again, emanating from her. He sniffed her, causing her to turn away.

"Cat," he stated, drawing her attention back.

"You carry the scent of a cat. A very familiar one," he remarked, rising to his feet.

"Who?" inquired the girl.

"Apologies, I can't linger! Need to locate my owner!" Locke declared, catching another scent.

"Owner?" she echoed, just as Locke dashed away.

As he ran, he pondered why the girl's scent seemed so familiar. She bore the same aroma as the cat he had encountered in the Soulplane. Nonetheless, he refocused on the initial scent before turning a corner.

And then, he crashed into someone else.

"Oops! I forgot to stay put!" Locke exclaimed before looking down again.

This time, it was a boy. And this time, both his face and senses were strikingly familiar to him.

"Master?" he inquired.

"Master?!" the boy echoed, astonished to see the being speak.

"You smell like my master, and you resemble him, but you're too young," Locke observed.

"What do you mean?" the boy questioned.

"Hmm... did I pick up the wrong scent?" Locke pondered.

"Um, could you let me up?" the boy requested, prompting Locke to glance down.

"My apologies," Locke said, rising to his feet.

"I recognize the scent of Marcus," he added, causing the boy to gaze at him.

"Marcus? That's my name," he said.

Locke gazed at him, then sniffed him once more. It was evident he carried the scent, yet it was altered. Why was that?

"Wait, are you referring to my great-grandfather?" Marcus inquired, prompting Locke to face him.

"Great-grandfather?" he echoed.

"Yes, I was named after him. Everyone mentioned he had a Shiba he constantly told to stay. Locke was the dog's name, I believe?" Marcus pondered aloud.

Locke was taken aback. If this human's words held truth, then he had been absent far longer than he realized, which meant his owner had passed away. Overcome with sorrow, Locke began to whine.

"Are you alright?" Marcus asked.

"He's gone. I struggled so much to return, and now I discover it was all in vain," Locke lamented, his ears falling.

"What do you mean?" Marcus asked, bewildered.

Locke gave no reply. He simply turned and leaped toward the nearest building, leaving Marcus astonished.

"What's happening here?" he wondered.

Meanwhile,

Tsurimu groaned as her parents tried to give her another pet. She had told them repeatedly that she didn't want one! At least the last pet had made things somewhat better, even if it was just a silly rabbit.

Tsurimu settled on the couch, mindlessly watching whatever was on TV. Unbeknownst to her, the front door had opened and something had slipped inside. It moved stealthily through the house until it spotted Tsurimu. Barely able to contain its excitement, it edged closer to her.

Tsurimu had the creeping sensation that something was lurking behind her, prompting her to glance back.

"AHHHH!" Her scream startled Alice, causing her to recoil and clutch her head.

"OW! Please don't do that!" Alice complained.

"Who in the world are you? WHAT are you?" Tsurimu demanded.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Mistress," Alice responded, bowing slightly.

"Mistress?" Tsurimu echoed, bewildered.

"Oh? You don't remember me. I hoped our bond would jog your memory, Mistress. You used to stroke my fur often," Alice remarked, her expression turning melancholy.

Tsurimu gazed at the rabbit-like creature, noting the holes in her ears, the tips on her feet, and the button replacing one eye.

"What is your name?" she inquired.

"Alice, Mistress," the creature replied, bowing once more.

Tsurimu was astounded. Was this the pet rabbit her parents had given her? How had she returned?

"Mistress? Are you not pleased to see me?" Alice questioned.

Tsurimu shook her head, baffled by the situation.

"Explain everything," she demanded.

"Certainly, Mistress! Let's sit; it's quite a lengthy tale," Alice suggested, taking a seat.

Confused and hoping it was all a dream, Tsurimu sat down to hear Alice's tale.

That concludes the update. Locke has arrived on Earth only to find that his owner has passed away. This plotline is inspired by one of the tragic endings where Kuon realizes her owner died while she was in the Soulplane, an ending I have yet to experience myself. I consistently receive the rebirth ending. Additionally, the flashback was my own creation. I've always been unsettled by Kuon's silence in her humanoid form. While there may be a rationale, it would be enriching to hear her perspective on the bosses' remarks.

I chose to introduce Tsurimu to Alice in her humanoid form, as there were no developments following Locke's encounter with Marcus and Tsukumo, who was unaware that she belonged to Kuon. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Guest who provided ideas for the other game bosses. Due to the numerous Guest Reviewers, it's impossible to thank the correct individual, but rest assured, I am considering all suggestions.