{I need to let my clan know that I have perished. Please be the messenger, the conveyor of my wishes and duty, to bring this heirloom back to my realm Aria to prevent the onslaught of my clansmen, Vida, from the others. Bring me out of this gloomy tomb. I implore you, please take me with you, I just want to get out of this prison!}

Kaptn’s begging tone developed further into a selfish manner towards the end of his sentence as his wishes were mentally communicated to the two alive strangers.

Kai had no idea on how to reply to this spectral being. I must do what?? It felt like Kapt’n was being increasingly self-centered, immediately ask for favors after just meeting the two.

“You know this is Earth, right? What’s Aria? More importantly, how did you even get here? Why us? Why should we do all this?” Kai placed major emphasis on earth, as she had never heard of this place Aria before.

The ghost looked at Kai with a quizzical look and continued to transmit its thoughts. {I cannot speak your language and you cannot speak mine, child human. I will bestow my own gifts to you, as you will certainly continue my legacy in Aria.}

Kapt’n raised his left arm and pointed towards Kai’s head. A blue beam shot out from his finger-pad and directly landed on her forehead, between Kai’s eyes. The shock of having something done onto Kai surprised her, further fueled by seeing Maomao next on the ghosts list to finger-beam.

{There} the ghost said with an air of satisfaction. {This is the least I can do for my... ahem… our saviors. Our language is slightly complicated but with my knowledge passed unto your respectful selves, you will be able to communicate with less difficulty, through mind and voice.}

“Is this for reals?” Kai said out loud. Instantly, she felt weird. She didn’t seem to have spoken English, but a grunting type of German or Viking mixed with Tuvan throat singing. It was almost guttural but still emitted an air of mystery and distinct charm, sounding melodic in overtones and elegant prose. Kai knew she communicated those words but again, her ears picked up a completely foreign unused language not of Earth.

Kapt’n’s ghost cat-smiled in satisfaction and nodded his head, big cat ears rotating forward like how Maomao did when he was pleased with his catch of the day.

Maomao had a scared expression plastered on his kitty face, wide eyed, turned his head and gazed at Kai with huge pupils.

“You can understand me, human?” Maomao tentatively asked, producing similar higher pitched syllables cat-style, sounds comparable to the voice Kai made previously.

Kai was visibly shocked. She heard her little fluffball talk to her for the first time. This was unheard of! Especially in another dialect, to communicate to an animal for the first time in history.

“Yes, I can Maomao.” Kai smiled, eyes misting as she felt internal warmth to the idea of receiving the ability to talk to her best friend cat.

Without skipping a beat, she turned back to Kapt’n and said “Thank you for this gift. We will cherish it. There is one thing that I wanted to point out. I’m not a child. I’m 24! How rude!” Kai wouldn’t let this go. She pouted, knowing that this spirit unknowingly hit a sore spot. With Kai’s short height and petite build, she was always labelled as such after her teens and that pissed her off.

Kapt’n chuckled and waved a handpaw. {Now, walk the path of fate and continue the route that is your destiny.} He pointed ahead. {I will be with you. Touch the gate, as you have been embodied with my power. We will discuss more later as you endure…} Saying so, his specter form dissipated, and a smaller smoke cloud wafted out and got hoovered into the jewel on Maomao’s neck.

Kai blinked for a few times, unsure of wat to do in that moment. She turned to look at Maomao that also seemed frozen in place.

“I can’t handle this! Not right now. This is too intense, and I need to think things through.” Kai said this and turned to Maomao. “What if we do this later. I need to make it so that our life here does not get impacted by this impromptu journey, right Maomao?” Kai’s reasoning coupled with her adaptability to utilize the new found ability allowed for further communication and practice of the language.

{Human, do what you will. Time has passed for this great one. Nothing will come of it if you need time to prepare yourself and your heart for this journey. Just don’t take too long. I left unwillingly so with this chance I want to go home.}

Kai sighed a breath of relief. She did not want to go right this second. That would be unfair to the people around her who would instantly file a missing peoples report. She had to figure this shit out at home and do her things before taking the responsibility of someone else.

“Yeah, lets go home too Maomao.”

“Yeah” Maomao agreed and turned back the way they came. Kai soon followed him and the two walked back with their minds full of a prospect of a new adventure ahead of them.

“Now, how do I turn this off…”Kai said in a confusing tone, following Maomao in the dark tunnel back to civilization.