The Moon Valkyrie wasn't done just yet as she added with a scornful expression full of distaste, "I'm honestly greatly disappointed with her whole guild, I might just ensure that MY man will not want to deal with her bunch anymore."

The air between them went still.

Caitlyn's smirk faltered, then turned into something more measured. She raised both hands in surrender, finally releasing Aria's hand. "Alright, alright. No need to bring out the big guns. I know when to stop playing. Tessa is a timid woman at first glance, but when she bites, it hurts like a bitch. I like keeping all my limbs attached."

Her posture straightened as she switched to business. "As for why my group showed up, it was because there's been a shift in the zone. The monsters are spreading faster than predicted, and some of their kind show more cunning than expected. Most squads are already engaged and struggling to clear their sectors. When we heard your team's signal call for help," her eyes flicked to Nyx. "Two other squads were supposed to go help, but both were locked in combat. We were the third closest, so I volunteered to help Kai out."

"Kaiden," Aria corrected, not liking how this bitch thought she was on good enough terms with her man to call him nicknames.

Caitlyn paused, then smirked again, eyes glinting with faint amusement. "Of course," she said smoothly. "Kaiden."

That was when the woman's gaze finally drifted toward the bronze-skinned girl who had been standing near the back, close to Nyx. She was busy trying to make herself appear small while listening in on the strange conversation.

Naira froze as their eyes met. Her fingers clenched around the hem of Nyx's armor.

"You're from one of the tribes, huh? We're here to protect you," Caitlyn decreed, her tone even now, free of the teasing lilt from before. "What's your name?"

Naira's eyes flicked toward Nyx, then back to the ground. She didn't respond.

Caitlyn took a slow step closer. "You're not mute. I heard you talking to them earlier."

The girl shook her head quickly while her lips pressed into a thin line. After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke with an uneven voice. "I'm not allowed to speak with Pale Ones."

That earned a faint frown from Caitlyn. "Pale Ones?"

It was after this that Nyx stepped between them before Caitlyn could press further. "Appreciate the concern, really. But you're only in the way. Let me handle this."

For a moment, Caitlyn just stood there. No sarcasm, no smirk, just a brief, quiet pause. Then she gave a short nod. "Alright. Your call."

She turned away and headed toward Thomas and Diaz, who were crouched over the monster corpses nearby. Thomas was busy prying open a chitin plate with a knife, while Diaz muttered something about mana gland ratios.

"Anything useful?" Caitlyn asked as she joined them, crouching beside Thomas.

"Maybe," he replied without looking up. "The organs are really curious, though I've never seen abyssal monsters before."

"Let me see."

Vaelira and the rest of Caitlyn's squad moved in behind their leader, leaving Kaiden and his girls alone with Naira.

Nyx watched the girl's shoulders hunch tighter. The air between them was quiet, save for the distant hum of the soldiers working behind.

"Tell me something, Naira. Am I a Pale One too?"

Naira hesitated, then gave a tiny nod. Her finger lifted, pointing toward her own skin, which was light bronze, darker than Nyx's pale tone.

"I see," Nyx nodded. "So, anyone with my skin color is an outsider your people are told to stay away from?"

Another small nod.

Nyx's eyes shifted toward Bastet, who had been standing quietly a few steps away with arms crossed behind her back and tail swaying lazily. "And what about her?"

That question made the girl pause. Her brow furrowed in confusion before she raised one hand and mimed touching her own ear.

Nyx chuckled softly. "Ah, that. Yes, she does have a few catlike features, namely the ears, tail, and frankly, that attitude of hers."

Her tone grew lighter. "But she's not a monster. She's an awakened one like the rest of us. Think of her as a human who gained feline traits after awakening. It's just part of her power."

Naira's gaze flicked to Bastet again. "Not… a monster?" she repeated, unsure.

Before Nyx could answer, much to everyone's surprise, Bastet stepped forward.

They knew the tanned felinid as someone who preferred to stay out of such conversations, saying she didn't know enough about human customs. It was especially the case when the situation was delicate, such as now. However, it seemed she was ready to jump into action today.

She lowered her head toward Naira, and her ears twitched a few times.

"Would you like to touch?" she asked.

"Kya!" Naira let out a startled squeak and stumbled a step back in fright, but Bastet stayed perfectly still. When she realized the woman wasn't reaching for her, the girl hesitated, then inched closer again.

She looked at Nyx, who nodded. That was when her hand trembled as she reached up and brushed the tip of Bastet's ear.

The ear flicked instinctively under her touch, soft and warm. Naira gasped, then giggled. The sound came out small and breathy at first, then brighter with her eyes lighting up with wonder.

Feeling Naira's touch, Bastet smiled. After a whole minute where the native girl was given free rein, the felinid straightened her spine and then turned her back to the girl. Her tail swayed once before she looked over her shoulder.

"Would you like to try this one too? But you mustn't pull. Only my mate is allowed to do that."

Naira's cheeks flushed dark. Still, she nodded and reached out carefully, brushing her fingers through the tail's black fur. Her expression softened into open delight. "So fluffy!"

"I do my best," Bastet laughed along. "I'm a graceful lady, after all. Bad hygiene is unacceptable."

That prompted the girl to look at herself and even sniff before her face contorted. She looked disappointed.

Bastet once again chuckled at the sight, then patted the girl's unruly black hair. She declared, "It is more than acceptable to smell a bit in your situation. If you'd like, I'll teach you my skin and haircare routine later."

Naira's ears instantly perked at that. "You would?"

"Of course."

The girl's happiness lasted for a few more moments before she caught herself. She was in no position to talk with a kind lady about skincare; she had to get back!

Bastet's smile held for a moment as she noticed the shift. Instead of being brought out of her element, she matched the girl's seriousness perfectly.

She spoke again, no longer one bit playful. She was emitting only sincerity now. "Naira, can you help us help you? We came here to stop the monsters and rescue your people. But we can't do that if you stay quiet about the location of your people." Her gaze sharpened. "Even now, they could be under attack by a horde of monsters. You'd want us to reach them before that happens, wouldn't you?"

Naira hesitated, biting her lip as the words sank in.

The laughter faded.

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