And so you became a cat, moving against the flow of light.
You passed through smoke that had yet to rise from the battlefield, and vows that had yet to be spoken.
You returned to the place where it had all yet to begin... The Demon King had not arrived, and your name had not been carved into the sacred stele.
You curled up your tiny body and yawned, forgetting how many seasons had passed.
One day, you heard a song...
"I hear the wind softly kiss the ripples in the forest sea. I follow the you of yesterday, and arrive here."
"Here are ancient trees, and a little bird. Together with me, it softly sings the old melody you taught me."
The song faded. She hugged her knees, her head buried in her arms.
"Meow~"
A yellow-and-white cat emerged, its steps a little unsteady. Its fur was no longer glossy, and some of it was matted.
An old, stray cat.
She gently picked her up. The cat purred contentedly and rubbed against her palm.
The glow of dusk fell over the hillside. Beneath an ancient tree, a girl and an old cat nestled together on this forgotten land.
Night gradually fell, gently embracing the forest, and the soul that had found peace before a gravestone.
