Kaimana led Sable inside a small cozy hut. It reminded Sable of her tree den back home in Ajar Forest but much more spacious, and with an actual ceiling. There was also a fireplace that was already lit, its heat drying the wet clothes that appeared to be of Kaimana's that got wet from the storm. Several woven baskets seated in each corner of the hut. A long beautiful carved bow rested on a basket near the fireplace with a quiver of arrows. A spear, fishing net, hunting daggers, and even a sword hung neatly on the wall.

Tree trunk chairs surrounded a round wooden table in the center of the hut. Kaimana seated herself in a chair and waved her hand to the empty chair across from her.

"Come sit," Kaimana bidded. "We made a deal, so I will give my share to tell you about your companion."

Sable took a seat across Kaimana, looking around the room. "Where is Sasha?"

Kaimana smiled at her. "She's out hunting since we returned to the island."

Sable nodded understandingly, imagining how hungry the lycat would be. "Back at the dungeon, what did you mean by my alacat is evolving?"

"It is fated for your companion to evolve if you two share a strong bond. This means the Goddess blesses your union with her sacred animal and entrusts you to be 'one' with them. You are an anima, which is a powerful gift that the Goddess has given you. You and your alacat share the same blood."

Sable was very confused by her words. "But what does that have to do with Bluey being venomous? Alacats are not venomous."

Kaimana chuckled. "I did not finish. When you and your alacat share blood, it means that when one of you are in danger, one of you will always protect each other by instinct. When both of you are alive, both of you are alive. If one of you are dying, then both of you will die together."

Sable widened her eyes disbelievingly. "So as long I'm alive, it means Bluey is alive even if I don't see her?"

Kaimana nodded. "You're slowly beginning to understand. It's not so bad is it? When you're alive, you know your companion is too. You can also sense when each other are in danger."

~~~

While the two rangers conversed at the hut, Mei spent time in the pit contemplating how to get out. She tried to climb out of the pit, but her armor was far too heavy and weighing her down. If she took off her armor, she would be vulnerable to possible attacks meeting her at the surface, especially from that ranger Kaimana.

I'll just do it, Mei thought forcing herself to strip of her armor. 

She felt naked just in her damp blue tunic and tan linen pants. She tossed each piece of armor up out of the pit and finally climbed to the top with better ease. 

Putting her armor back on, Mei walked toward the hut. Just climbing out of the pit took more energy from her, but she must press on.

Mei stopped at the sound of a growl behind her. Turning around, she was faced with Kaimana's vicious lycat approaching her threateningly. Mei grasped the hilt of her sword instinctively but knew if she striked the lycat, she would be dead for sure when Kaimana learned she killed her companion. She would have to defend herself another way and hope she can survive the beating from the heavy wild cat.

~~~

Sable contemplated deeply. "I suppose the bond is a good thing, but I wouldn't want Bluey to die with me if I die. She deserves to live her life in the woods like a wild alacat without me. I did all I can to raise her, so she should start a new life without me."

"She's no longer a natural alacat," Kaimana corrected. "She's an anima. You're an anima too. I am an anima, and so is Sasha. We are no longer normal humans when we are blessed by the Goddess."

"Does that make us immortal?" Sable asked. She had heard stories of humans living up to very old ages, past their hundreds, but immortal humans only existed in tales.

Kaimana shrugged. "I don't know other animae that has been alive for a very long time. Bluey is evolving, that is why she became venomous. She evolves into a more powerful animal than she was before. You will start to notice her changing too—her appearance."

Flashbacks of being trapped in the burning cottage crossed Sable's mind. After that moment when Bluey got out, her body might have evolved to create venom. The ranger had almost died if it wasn't for Mei rescuing her.

"When will Bluey start to change?" Sable asked, feeling a bit uneasy about her alacat's future transformation.

"When both of you are ready," Kaimana replied. "That is what the village shamaness told me once a long time ago."

"So how did you know when Sasha and you were both becoming anima?"

"That's a bit too personal to tell a stranger," Kaimana answered with a smirk. "But maybe when we know each other a bit more, I can tell you my story, eh?"

~~~

Blood-curdling cries disrupted conversation of the rangers, and they quickly rushed out of the hut to find Bluey and Sasha in a brawl, with Mei trying to break them up.

"What's going on?" Sable demanded worryingly.

"When I got out of the pit, Sasha attacked me, but Bluey ended up pouncing at her," Mei managed to say through the chaotic cat fight. It was nearly impossible to break up the giant cats because she could get injured the most in the end.

A loud clap drew Sasha's attention away from Bluey as her eyes were focused on Kaimana's hands. Sasha suddenly walked away from the fight to Kaimana calmly. Bluey was about to chase after the lycat, but Sable abruptly pulled her alacat back. She and Mei were relieved and glanced thankfully at Kaimana.

Kaimana smiled at Sasha and ruffled her head. "Good girl," she said softly. "Try to stop fighting with Bluey now. Both of you should be friends."

"That's amazing how she comes to you when all you have to do is clap," Sable remarked. "Bluey only ever comes to me if she feels like it."

"Sasha comes to me most of the time depending on her mood. I was just lucky she came when I clapped." Kaimana looked back between Mei, who was quite angry at her and the pit. "I'm surprised you were able to climb out. I didn't think a royal knight can manage climbing."

Mei glared at Kaimana. "There are a lot of things I'm capable of that you don't know about," she snapped. 

The knightess stared coldly at Sable. "I hope your questions were answered."

Sable looked apologetically at the knightess. She knew Mei was upset, but she knew she wouldn't get any answer from Kaimana through another way. 

"Yes, I had my questions answered," she replied quietly. "Thank you for waiting."

Mei rolled her eyes. She wasn't waiting at all when she climbed out of the pit, but she didn't bother saying anything more.

"Your soldiers are still chasing us, aren't they?" Kaimana asked Mei.

The knightess nodded. "They are unaware of where we are. But when I return, I will report to the queen that I lost track of you." Mei glanced at Sable and Kaimana. "Both of you will be safer here. I shall return by myself tomorrow."

"I think you should stay here for a few extra days," Sable began. "You will still be worned out tomorrow by lack of rest."

"The royal knight should return back to where she came from," Kaimana replied snarkily. "She will cause too much trouble at the island if she stayed."

Trouble? Mei squinted at Kaimana's cold amber eyes. She really did want her to hate her.

"If you are returning tomorrow, then I'm coming with you," Sable replied. "I'm not staying at this island. Your health will be at risk if you return alone on the boat, and I will be held responsible for you if you die."

Mei let out a weak laugh. "I won't die but fine. I will stay here for another day, but I will be leaving the following morning."

Sable smiled at Mei's decision. "Okay then. We should go find an inn for you to rest. That is if we know where we should go...."

Kaimana rolled her eyes. "I probably should give you a tour of the village anyway or you'll get lost. I have people there that need to see me."

"That sounds good," Sable replied. She grabbed Mei's arm to make her follow her as Kaimana led the way. 

Mei blushed at being touched by the ranger, dissolving the previous feelings of betrayal.