Why you're alone

"Father, we are here." Raz spoke calmly as he entered the ritual chambers followed by the other Nekomata women.

KuliKuli looked over Perdilius' shoulder in time to see her older sister come into view. As soon as Dimyri and her locked eyes, KuliKuli's ears and tails stood up as she beamed with excitement. Dimyri didn't look as thrilled, she smiled back but nervously looked around, observing the strange looking place they were in. Janette followed right behind Dimyri carrying something behind her as they too exchanged looks. Although KuliKuli felt her jaw fall from shock at finding her old friend back, Janette responded with a weak smile and a quick nod before moving forward. KuliKuli's smile faded as soon as Syri came into view, she laid unconscious and carried by Janette and Ori'chi before being settled onto the floor.

Perdilius looked on with a smile on his large bruised face, slowly pacing down as the girls looked up and froze in shock. Dimyri nearly jumped as soon as she recognized him, his shadow engulfed her frame as he walked past her, past Janette and Ori'chi before leaning on one knee over Syri. Raz moved in to stand beside him.

His eyes scanned the sleeping cat girl, analyzing her body in a methodical manner. "Why is this one resting, has she any wounds?"

"No, Father-"

"Then why is her fur stained with blood?" He pointed to her side beneath her ribs, a small patch of dry blood clear as day.

Raz composed himself and cleared his throat. "She was wounded during the clash outside yes, but I mamaged to restore her bac-"

"Good." Perdilius stood up once more, pushing Raz aside. Although the contact was quite brief, it was enough to cause a slight imbalance nearly toppling Raz in the process. With the snap of his fingers, Perdilius began scrolling through a large book displayed on a lectern at the center of each platform. KuliKuli stood chained on one, she watched as the knights restrained Dimyri and moved her to sit onto the stand opposite of her. Dimyri didn't struggle much, only grunting when the guards would pull her rather harshly as each rusty cuff was latched over her wrists, ankles and neck.

"It's cold." Dimyri shook as the largest one was locked around her collar, glancing over at her sister. "Good to see you again sis, how are you?"

"I've been better, what's wrong with Syri?" KuliKuli asked, wincing as her stomach began to churn inside. Not again. "Was she... umph, was that true what he said?"

Dimyri nodded. "Every word, she's fine now she's just resting after what happened. What's up with you? Still feeling sick after finding out about Mom and Dad?"

KuliKuli nodded rapidly, squeezing her eyes and feeling her skin turn a sick shade of green. She couldn't talk, it was starting to hurt bad. Janette took notice and tried calling out for attention. "Uuh you guys, KuliKuli doesn't look well."

Everyone ignored her much to her annoyance, Janette rolled her eyes and made a quick exchange with a guard nearby stomping her feet to grab his attention. "Hey, spooky metal man! She's looking bad, help her!"

Raz glanced over and tilted his head, a motion for the guard to acknowledge her request. The knight stood confused but ultimately walked towards the groaning Nekomata before looking around seemingly lost.

"Oh for the love of the gods, give her a bucket or something!" Janette shouted, grabbing everyone's attention for certain.

The guard seemed uncertain about even touch KuliKuli, he looked around as the maiden arrived, her dress a bit tethered and dirty. She moved in and passed him a wooden bucket before moving to stand at Perdilius' side. The guard held it to the Nekomata but hesitated, moving back as KuliKuli struggled against her chains.

"Aa~ah, what if she-?"

"BLEEGGHHH!"

KuliKuli lunged forward, emptying the contents of her stomach before dipping her head into the bucket and throwing up the rest into it. Some of the guards made a disgusted sound, some looking away and others beginning to laugh at their friends misfortune. The unlucky guard stood there, frozen and holding the bucket for her as some of her 'stuff' dripped down the beak of his pointed visor. Once she was finished, he grudgingly walked past his peers down the stairs of the hallway.

"Not a single word." He muttered as he passed the two guards who stood beside the door frame. They exchanged one look and began to laugh, failing to suppress it before Perdilius looked back in annoyance. One look from him and both men stood up and straight and froze still like statues.

"There is one creature remaining isn't there? Get her there."

"Sir." A few guards nodded and hurried over to Syri's sleeping body. Ori'chi stepped back and Janette felt irritated as they began to carry Syri in an awkward and uncomfortable manner.

"Not like that, and not so rough!" She shouted when one guard grabbed her by the arms and pulled her away. "Let go of me! Get your hands off her, you're hurting her!"

The commotion caused Syri to stir just as they placed her on her platform, one guard fumbling with the first cuff when Syri gasped and kicked him hard on the face causing a metallic thud as her paw crashed against his helmet. She yanked free from the other man, falling backwards before sitting up and looking around. She looked frightened, lost and confused as she began to notice her sisters in chains and her friends apprehended.

"Syri!" Janette cried out but it was too late. Syri felt a large arm grab her body in one swing when another arm forced her hand down against the stone slab. One of the knights hurried to cuff her paw, then her ankle and continuining with her remaining limbs. She tried struggling against the culprit but felt her strength outmatched. Turning back, her pupils shrunk as she met Perdilius face to face just as the last cuff was snapped around her neck. He let go in a huff, turning around and glancing out the window.

"Sun is still out. Time to prepare for the eclipse."

"What's happening!?" Syri cried out, frightening by the situation she found herself in.

"It's okay Syri, we're here." Dimyri answered back, however the look in her face expressed one of doubt. What if this doesn't work, she thought to herself. If the plan fails... what then?

"Men, the keys if you would kindly."

The knights reached into the case to retrieve two daggers matching the one Perdilius shared with KuliKuli earlier. Both men pulled out a red gem, the demon eye, inserting it into the daggers handle before inserting them into the platforms where the girls stood. Perdilius faced KuliKuli with a smile on his face, raising his dagger in front of her.

"In a moments notice, I will be making history." He beamed. KuliKuli growled and spat at his face. Perdilius flinched and wiped his right temple, glaring at her with fire in his eyes.

"You'll be thanking me soon." He said to her, inserted the dagger. Suddenly all three platforms clicked and the floor beneath them trembled, the grinding sound of gears began to roll in a sluggish pattern below their feet, they could sense the vibrations of the movement.

Ori'chi hugged herself and exclaimed, "M-M-M-Mo-oving!"

She was right, the room felt line it was spinning albeit at a turtles pace. What cause the girls to stare in awe was the ceiling expanding as if somehow it was opening wider and wider. Janette squinted her eyes before making out the details, something was coming through. It looked to be some sort of metal device, a large rim perhaps? No, it was reflecting sunlight... wait, sunlight?

"Oh my gosh." She gasped as the afternoon sun pierced through the ceiling, its rays concentrated through the large looking glass to form a colored silhouette which engulfed the three girls in the center. Syri, Dimyri and KuliKuli looked around in fear, helpless to what was happening.

"The eye of the Gods, so the legend says. It sees all, it knows all. In just a moment, the ritual will begin." Perdilius explained, turning his sights to the sky. Everyone followed, catching light of a dark shadow disrupting part of the sun. "There it is, the yearly eclipse from our third moon. Once it covers the watcher's eye, I shall ignite the ceremony and all who believe... shall be saved."

Suddenly, a whistling arrow shot through the chamber aimed at Perdilius' heart before being caught in the air. The maid lowered her hand examining the arrow as everyone turned to look to the wandering visitors; an elf, a cursed wolf, and a cat with two unconscious soldiers displayed on their feet.

"Not even Cupids arrow could hit you" Spi'Reto said, "Would explain why you're alone."