My breath was steady, in and out, almost like a rhythm. Hearing chains rattling, I didn't bother to open my eyes to see what was going on or who it was. All I cared about was trying to get as much rest as possible.

"Do you need a hand?" A voice came from in front of the cell.

I barely opened my eyes and saw no one.

"Down here," the voice commanded. I looked down and saw a black cat holding keys in its mouth, its eyes green as emeralds, staring at me through the cell bars.

"A rat?"

The cat, still holding a pair of keys, he slid through the bars of the cell.

"How rude. Someone tries to help you escape a prison cell, and the first thing that comes to mind is an insult. I don't remotely look like a common house rat," the cat stated indignantly, his voice laced with a mixture of irritation and amusement.

I stirred, slowly sitting up, my body showing signs of wear and tear from my time in captivity. "Man, they did a number on you, didn't they?" the cat said.

"And you just watched the entire time?" I retorted, glaring at the cat.

"What was I supposed to do? I'm a cat," the cat replied with a shrug, his whiskers twitching.

"Speaking of which," I said, my curiosity piqued. "Why can you talk?"

"You're probably imagining things," the cat replied dismissively as he walked over to me,

Seeing him clawing at my bindings, I watched in silence. The cell was quiet, broken only by the occasional scraping of claws against rope and the cat's occasional purr.

"While I'm at this, my name is Kuro. May I ask yours?" the cat said, still working at the bindings.

"Fuko..." I answered, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Kuro finally managed to dig away the rope. "Got it!" he cheered, a triumphant look on his feline face.

As I removed my bindings, I could see the marks where the rope had bound me too tightly, leaving burn marks on my wrists. I rubbed them, wincing slightly at the soreness. "What's your reason?" I asked, looking down at the cat.

"Hm?" He looked confused, tilting his head.

Picking up the cat, I asked, "Your reason for helping me?"

"Huh, oh that," Kuro said, waving his paw dismissively as I dropped him back to the ground. "My master ordered me to investigate this kingdom as well, so our goals align, you and I."

I picked up the keys the cat had been holding earlier and walked toward the door. I unlocked the cell door with some effort, then headed toward a nearby table to retrieve my weapons and clothes. As I dressed, the cat leaped onto my shoulder. "Hey, why don't we team up and see what's going on in this crazy town?" Kuro suggested, his tail flicking.

Noticing my horns, Kuro reached out to touch them. I quickly grabbed the cat by the tail. "HEY, watch it!" he exclaimed.

Holding Kuro up, I looked him straight in the eye. "Not interested," I said firmly. Letting him go, I dropped him. Like the cat he was, he landed on his feet.

Grabbing the rest of my belongings from the table, I turned and headed toward the exit.

"You're cursed, aren't you?" Kuro remarked, still following me.

I paused, not looking at him. Standing in place.

"You'd think this nose could only smell food and rats, but I've got a keen sense for this kind of stuff," Kuro said, rubbing his nose proudly. "When it comes to you," he took a big inhale through his nose, "I smell human, elf, and a hint of strawberries. I've never encountered someone mixed up like you." He paused. "I can't make heads or tails of it. What are you?" he repeated.

I looked away for a moment, thinking. "Human..." I said slowly.

"Denial, I gotcha," Kuro said with a knowing nod.

"Something like that," I replied, my voice deepening.

I continued walking, the cat by my side. "Here's an idea: If you help me figure out what's going on in this kingdom, I can talk to my master and get you help..."

"Gah!" I casually kicked the cat aside, not breaking my stride.

"Hey, I was talking! Also, rude. I am offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to talk to my glorious, powerful master, who is the most talented mage in all of histor—"

"I'll pass on that offer," I cut him off, opening the door of the prison and stepping outside into the fresh air.

Sighing in disagreement, Kuro asked, "At least tell me, what are you going to do?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I replied.

I walked out a bit further, looking out over the sprawling kingdom.

"I'm gonna talk to the man in charge."

End of Chapter 3