Moenna's situation improved significantly once Keven began playing with her. She was finally able to let go of her fears and relax. Keven persistently asked her questions, and she endeavored to answer them to the best of her knowledge.
"Keven! Time for dinner!" his mother called out.
Keven frowned, reluctant to leave his new friend.
"Do you want to come?" he asked her.
"I think I'd better stay here. I'm not quite ready to meet other humans yet," Moenna told him.
"Come on, Miss Moenna! I'm sure my parents would love to meet you," he said, reaching for her hand.
"Be careful! I've told you, those are my claws! I can cut you if you're not careful," Moenna warned him.
Kevin looked at her hands, noticing the claws. He smiled and embraced her. Moenna couldn't help but feel the warmth building inside her, yet she struggled to lift her arms to reciprocate. Kevin released the hug when his mother called for him. He emerged from the brush, and Moenna peeked out just in time to see him rush to his mother, who was shaking her head. Moenna smiled, relieved she was safe. She retreated into the brush and lay down on the blanket, succumbing to sleep, weary from their play. Perhaps this new life wasn't so terrible after all.
A bit later,
Something stirred. Moenna opened her eyes and listened. Something was approaching through the brush, its steps sounding large and heavy. Moenna stayed motionless, a tinge of fear within her. She listened as the footsteps circled around, followed by the sound of someone speaking.
"So, can you remove it?"
"Yes, I'll need to dig it up. Make sure to retrieve anything underneath before tomorrow."
"Alright. My wife and I are weary of Kevin playing in the brush. We've warned him he might catch something. Now, he's concocted a story about a lizard girl living there."
"Children. They can be maddening at times, yet utterly lovable at others."
"Indeed. Kevin is not going to be pleased."
Moenna was in disbelief. They were about to strip her of her new home! But what were her options? Revealing herself might mean losing Keven forever, a thought that sent shivers down her spine. The prospect of losing someone she had grown so fond of was tantamount to self-destruction. She knew she had to act.
Gathering her strength, she rose and navigated through the tangled roots. Emerging from behind the underbrush, her body trembled. She stole a glance around the edge, observing two men deep in conversation. Then, her eyes caught a glimpse of Keven through a window. She took one last look at the men before inhaling deeply.
"Please, don't take my home."
The two men were startled by the voice emerging from behind the brush.
"Is someone there?" asked Keven's father.
"Keven gave me this brush as my home. Please, don't take it away," pleaded Moenna.
"Miss, why are you residing in a brush?" inquired the other man.
"It's difficult to explain, but I implore you, leave it be," Moenna urged, sensing their approach.
Swiftly, she moved to the opposite side, remaining hidden from view.
"Please, don't try to find me. I don't want to scare anyone," she said, preparing to drive back into the underbrush.
She noticed a shadow looming behind her and whirled around. A man had crept up on her, eliciting a scream from her and causing her spikes to protrude, nearly slicing the man as he recoiled in shock.
"What the hell?!" he exclaimed, taken aback.
Moenna didn't hesitate; she quickly dove back under the brush to evade capture. The two men exchanged glances, questioning the reality of what they had just seen.
"Was that woman wearing a costume?" asked Keven's father.
"If she was, those spikes were definitely sharp," the other man remarked, inspecting his hands.
They bore small cuts, not deep enough to bleed, but they stung slightly.
"We must remove the woman from this brush before we can take it off," he concluded.
Meanwhile, Moenna curled up into a ball, pondering her next move.
With Locke,
Locke perched on the rooftop, whining upon realizing his owner had departed long ago. All his waiting had been in vain. He let out another whine, oblivious to the glow emanating from his soulbeast gem.
"Locke."
His ears perked up, catching the sound of his owner's voice.
"Master? Is that you?" he inquired, rising to his feet.
"Yes, Locke. It's me."
Locke spun around and was met with the spectral figure of an elderly man, bearing a striking resemblance to the boy he had encountered before.
"Master?" he inquired.
"It's been a long time, Locke. I must say, your new form is quite unexpected," he said, moving closer.
"How are you here? I was told you had died," Locke inquired.
"It seems your gem was the one that summoned me," Marcus replied, gesturing towards it.
Locke gazed at his gem in astonishment.
"I've been observing you all this time, Locke. I noticed you encountered my great-grandson," Marcus remarked.
"He bore your scent. He even resembled you," Locke commented.
"Indeed, he does," Marcus said with a smile.
"Why did you flee from him? I always instructed you to stay," he questioned.
"I..."
Locke was unsure why he had left. Although pained by his owner's absence, he had abandoned someone who was equally lost and bewildered.
"Locke, the boy is family. He's part of my family. And I've taught you that family should be cherished," Marcus said.
Locke looked down, comprehending his master's words.
"I will find the boy. I will be as good to him as I was to you," he said.
"I know you will," said Marcus, turning away.
"Ah, it's time for me to take my leave," he announced, catching Locke off guard.
"Master..." Locke started.
"Locke, continue the excellent work. And bear in mind, family holds greater importance than power," Marcus uttered, gradually vanishing.
Locke watched his old master vanish, gazing at his gem. He had always pondered its presence since he acquired this form. It appeared to fulfill his wishes. Glancing upward, Locke nodded and attempted to trace the scent he had detected earlier. Fortunately, it remained distinct. Locke glanced upward once more, then smiled.
"I will be a good boy! A good boy for my new master!" he declared, leaping down.
With Alice and Tsurimu,
Tsurimu struggled to grasp the bizarre tale the rabbit-like creature was spinning. The Soulplane? Fiends? Assuming a new form? It all seemed incomprehensible to her.
"Mistress? Are you alright?" inquired Alice.
"I'm merely attempting to make sense of it all," she replied, turning her gaze away.
'This person is insane! The Soulpane?! Where on earth did she find that?' she wondered.
"Oh, Mistress! I encountered that unpleasant girl you mentioned! I was tempted to confront her, but the joy of seeing you again overcame me!" exclaimed Alice, leaping up.
"I'm capable of teaching her a lesson! To show her the same kindness you've shown me!" she declared, eager to demonstrate her loyalty.
Tsurimu regarded her with a mix of disbelief and intrigue, yet the idea of Alice confronting Tsukumo was appealing.
"Very well. Proceed. Teach her the consequences of crossing someone like me," Tsurimu consented with a nod.
"Thank you, Mistress! I will do you proud!" Alice proclaimed, bouncing excitedly.
She then crouched down and took off her hat.
"May I be petted, please?" she asked.
Tsurimu looked at her and sighed. She reached out and stroked Alice's head.
'What the?! Is that... fur?!' she thought, taken aback.
"Mistress always pets nicely. I love it when Mistress pets me!" Alice said, purring.
Tsurimu sighed again. Whatever was happening, it seemed that things were beginning to look up.
Pausing here. This chapter is a bit longer than the others, but it covers enough for the moment. Moenna's new life faces challenges; her new home is at risk of being taken away, and she has been discovered by Keven's father and another man. She must act to preserve her new home and remain close to Keven. I've introduced the concept of Locke reuniting with his old master spirit, who enlightens him about a second chance that Locke decides to embrace. Lastly, we return to Alice and Tsurimu. Tsurimu is skeptical of what Alice has told her, yet she isn't opposed to Alice giving Tsukumo a lesson—a lesson Alice is well aware of how to deliver.
In the next chapter, we return to Kuon and Tsukumo. I'm uncertain of the specifics, but I envision Kuon rescuing Tsukumo from Alice before their next encounter. I welcome any suggestions.