That night, Mira and Fay were guided to an empty section of the tribe.
Two of the demi-human ladies helped them build a small tent—just large enough for the two of them to live in comfortably.
No words were spoken, only actions that let Fay know he was somewhat safe.
And that was enough. He looked at the small tent with a smile—a home, a new home.
Mira rushed inside first while Fay did the only thing he felt was right: he bowed to both of the ladies who had helped him.
They hissed and growled in a gentle manner, though he couldn't understand their language.
What he did understand was that they were helping him without expecting anything in return.
The two soon left, and it became difficult to track them with his eyes once they entered the crowd.
Most of the catfolk looked similar; it would be hard to identify who had helped him later.
Fay turned back to the entrance of the tent and saw that his sister was already causing havoc inside, twirling around and dancing as she had never done before.
"Seems you're happy, Mira. How do you like this little house?" Fay asked, unable to hold back a smile.
"Love! It is my house—ask permission to enter," Mira said, lightly pushing him back so he could play along.
"Fine, fine. Will Empress Mira, the Fairy Queen, allow me to enter her new home?"
Fay felt like slapping himself, but Mira loved fairies. She just wouldn't take off her plastic wings.
"Fine! Come in, Feyfey!" the girl giggled.
She wrapped her small hands around his and began pulling him inside. She then gave a detailed tour of the empty tent, which only had two beds.
"A real palace you have here, Fairy Queen. We'll adorn it with gold and silk later—you have my word."
"No need! I want more toys!" the young voice called out. She was already tucking herself into bed.
"Remember to take off your wings, or you'll break them, alright?" Fay reminded her in a whisper.
"Don't wanna!"
"Do you want them to break again? I don't have the tools to fix them this time."
Fay reminded her of the first time one of the wings broke. Mira pouted but eventually let Fay help her take them off.
"Now sleep. We'll get up early to find more food, alright? You'll never go hungry again."
Fay thought about the savanna filled with countless creatures and how they had been helped by the beastfolk today.
"Lots of food... will eat many… times… a day…" Mira mumbled, smiling as Fay tucked the blanket over her.
All he could hear afterward was the sound of her soft breathing. Then, Fay stood and took a look around the tent.
It wasn't that he didn't feel safe—it was just that he wanted to know where to run if things went wrong.
As soon as he stepped out and walked around the tent, he noticed a shadow nearby. Fay looked up and saw the girl who had climbed the tree—the only one who looked even somewhat human.
She noticed his gaze and growled. It didn't sound as menacing as the others, so Fay didn't feel afraid.
"What do you want?" Fay asked, crossing his arms, wondering if she was trying to pick a fight.
The girl hissed once before sniffing the air.
She then pulled out her pendant—the one that seemed able to speak directly to Fay.
[Child, we call for you. This girl will look after your sibling. Now come to the altar, so that we may test you.]
Fay didn't know what to say or who exactly was speaking—the voice echoed inside his mind.
The girl merely pointed toward the largest tent. Fay had noticed earlier that it was where those wearing ceremonial clothing entered and exited.
She growled again, more urgently this time, and shook her hand as if telling him to hurry.
"Fine, I'll go—but watch over my sister well." Fay pointed first to the girl, then to the tent behind him.
The girl placed herself near the entrance of the tent and sat down, resting her face in her palms. She blew a few strands of hair away from her face and stared off into the distance, no longer paying Fay any attention.
Wonder what her problem is…
Fay turned toward the large tent, still unsure why he had been summoned. Along the way, he noticed many of the demi-humans sitting around campfires, enjoying a merry mood.
As he approached the large tent, two demi-humans dressed in ceremonial robes—one in red, the other in green—stepped forward to greet him. Without a word, they opened the tent's entrance and motioned for him to enter.
Fay followed quietly.
Inside the temple-like tent, he was surprised by the sheer amount of gold, silver, and jewels. Yet none of it was worn—every treasure was used solely to decorate a small shrine, at the far end of the tent.
It seemed these people did not care for such luxuries except to offer them as adornments to the one they considered a deity.
It was a fan-shaped arrangement of carved bone and etched metal that rose like wings.
Gold wires spiraled around the sunburst crest that was in front of a crystal basin filled with glowing water, where violet and moon-white petals floated.
[Come, child. Closer to this shrine. Stand before it and wait for a few seconds.]
It began to glow as the voice spoke; a faint blue light lit the ancient symbols etched on the feathers.
The voice felt more alive here, like someone's breath was brushing against his skin as they spoke.
"Who are you...?" Fay asked aloud as he stepped closer, doing what was asked of him. No one around him interrupted. More than twenty demi-humans sat within the tent, either praying or studying by the torchlight scattered throughout the room.
[Don't worry about who I am. I am merely a guide—one who seeks peace for these people. And within you... I see that peace. Now relax. Close your eyes and kneel. This will be a long process, but don't worry. It will not hurt or harm you.]
The voice shifted, now sounding like a gentle woman's—soft, warm, and calming. Fay felt his tension ease. He knelt as instructed and closed his eyes.
A strange sensation washed over him.
He began to feel weak—but in a good way, as if someone were holding him gently, keeping him in place as he drifted off to sleep.
His mind began to wander.
His senses dulled.
All sound ceased.
Fay did not know how long he remained in that state. Every now and then, he felt pulses ripple through his body.
He had no idea what they meant.
That was, until he felt two searing pains on the backs of his hands. He stirred, on the verge of waking—only to feel peace return once more, a calming wave that lulled him back into his sleeplike state.
When he finally came to, he found himself lying on the floor. He was no longer in the shrine, but back in the tent.
The chirping of birds and the sight of Mira snoring softly in front of him made it clear: he had been returned during the night.
The pulses were still there—faint but present—originating from the backs of his hands, where he had felt the pain earlier.
He looked down.
Two bright red jewels adorned with gold were embedded in his skin, one in each hand. They shimmered faintly, as though alive with quiet energy. He turned his palms over and saw that the gems were embedded seamlessly, as if they were a type of earring, only not placed in one's ear but in one's hands.
"What is this?" Fay spoke to himself, then stopped, careful not to wake his sister.
[Relax… young summoner. You were given power. That is all you need to know for now. We sensed your desire and will, and it went better than expected.]
The voice returned, calm and familiar.
[Now get up. We have much to do, and you must learn how to use this new power.]
The voice paused before continuing.
[It seems... You were born to summon.]