Investigate the figures.

It doesn't take long before your nerves relax, though that doesn't extend to everyone around you. While you may know who these two individuals are, not everybody does, nor would you expect most people in the world to have seen them before. The fact that you even recognize them is one of the strangest claims to fame you have, yet you would have no way to prove it, and not everybody would even believe they were real. Standing a short distance away from your group are two demigods, and ones you definitely know rather intimately.

The first shape is a massive feline, perhaps the size of an elephant if not more. It's partly translucent, but glows with a vibrant orange hue like some sort of ghostly, spectral cat. From its eyes come bright lights like a pair of full moons. Markings are drawn over its fur, up the cheeks and down from its eyes. Next to it is a beast of similar size and majesty, but it takes the form of a rabbit glowing blue.

Eva is the only one who has seen them before, though Niki and Amara partly relax as they notice you lower your guard.

"No way," you mutter beneath your breath.

"What are those?" Rada asks, stepping forward with a hand up and ready. "I've never seen anything like them before."

"They are beautiful, whatever they may be. I feel as if we are not in danger," Yaera comments.

The two great beasts become engulfed in light. It's nearly blinding, even from this distance. After it fades, they're no longer gigantic--taller than you still, though not by a lot. They are, however, just as imposing, and while they may be strangers to most present, you know them to be Feli and Lepo, the creators of the catfolk and bunnyfolk people respectively. That was long ago, and for ages they did not speak, though you helped them get back together. Not only that, but you shared a divine threesome like none other, to such an extent that you don't even remember half of it. All you know is your stamina was pushed far beyond its limit, and the next think you knew, your unique physiology adopted two new powers--Kitty Sense and Bunny Hop.

Feli possesses the incredible talent to sense things far beyond anyone else's abilities. She can feel intention, so there's no sense in ever hiding anything from her, and you can't imagine anyone could sneak up behind her either. As the progenitor catfolk, she of course has the ears of a feline atop her head--over hair so white that it glows, even through the light of the sun. Her tail is much longer and fluffier than any other catfolk you've seen as well, and along with her hair, both fade to orange at the tips. The irises of her eyes shine the same colour, and the markings are still present on her face via paint to match. Her hair is more than long enough to run down her gorgeous, fair skin and conveniently conceal her bare breasts, as all she wears is a loin cloth decorated with a pattern of white and orange triangles. It would take very little for either the top or bottom of her body to be exposed with no more than movement or a breeze, yet it never does. This must be some strange, natural power both of them possess.

Lepo is garbed exactly the same, though her colour scheme is of course blue instead. Her eyes shine with a deep azure, which she uses to inspect you closely. The ears of a rabbit reach high above her own head of long, white, glowing hair, and her tail is so round and fluffy that she could likely lay back and use it as a cloud-like pillow. She holds her companion and lover with a firm hand around her side, though her fingers slowly caress off and away from her skin, and she's the first to take a step forwards. She possesses the incredible power to teleport instantly from one place to another by merely hopping, which is naturally how they were able to arrive here to begin with.

Mavaia's eyes widen. "They're... so beautiful," she whispers.

Padrui holds his wife by her shoulder and pulls her in close. "And almost divine, if I may say. Who are they? It seems that Kyle might know them already. I shouldn't be surprised."

"I shouldn't either, but--" Rada takes a deep breath. His attention turns to you momentarily before he focuses back on the two women approaching. "Friend or foe?"

"Friend," you reply.

"Then what might they be?"

"I don't know how to answer that question, but I can tell you who. Feli and Lepo are their names. A long time ago, while I don't know the specifics, they spawned the races we now know as bunnyfolk and catfolk. So I guess you could call them creator gods. I don't know if they're ancient bestial spirits, very powerful individuals, or actual deities, but I guess it doesn't really matter. They're actually the reason I possess two of my powers."

"Outstanding," says Yaera. "To think I have ventured long as a priestess of the people, yet you have befriended two beings so divine. It is an honour to lay my eyes upon them."

When Feli speaks, everybody can feel it. The voice reverberates out in all directions. "You speak of us as if we aren't present," she says. At first her words feel sharp, like the sting of a blade's tip against your throat, though she then smiles. "Fear not. We don't come here to cause trouble."

"In fact, I would rather we never be anywhere but one of our homes," Lepo says.

Eva comes closely up beside you and threads her hand beneath your arm to hold it tight. "There she is again," she whispers. "Lepo herself."

"You have been kind, Kyle Warren," the great rabbit continues. "And you have done much for us. That's why we've come to you for this trouble. Something terrible has happened. An old friend of ours has perished. Murdered, we believe, for he could have fallen in no other manner. Somebody killed Guerr the Mountainbreaker deep beneath the Pecho Peaks."

"That name sounds familiar," Rada mutters to himself. "Guerr the Mountainbreaker is a mythological being who was meant to have existed in ancient times. A warrior like none other, who could carve valleys through mountains with his bare hands. Some say it was instead a sword, while others a maul. Certain stories use him as an explanation for certain geographical landforms."

"He was no myth," says Feli as she steps up once again beside Lepo, and this time it's her who slips her hand around to the side of the other. "He was a primeval being of stone and steel who was in fact the strongest warrior of older days. For a long time, he slept beneath the mountains. I don't know how he perished for certain, but there's no chance he died of old age. I know in my heart somebody slew him."

"Well, do you have any leads?" you ask.

Their eyes meet, and with them alone they communicate briefly. It's Lepo who turns back to you first, and it's a vacant expression. "Sorry, but no. We spoke on this, and we both decided it would be best to let you know, whether or not there was anything you could do about it now. Consider it a warning, not a quest. It could be nothing, but we sense the sun setting, to where darkness is upon the horizon."

"Enough solemn words," Feli interjects. "We don't want to have interrupted your time outside with something grim. There's actually something else."

Lepo nods. "Again, we spoke much about this. Perhaps for these many years, we remained too distant from mortal affairs. Both of us desired to see our people grow on their own, and we still don't want to intervene much. That being said, we have considered speaking publicly."

"We still don't really know if that's a good idea or not. But either way, would you mind if we came with you to your home?"

Eva's grip on your arm tightens. She looks up to you and whisper, "Oh my gods. It's... our gods. You gotta let them, Kyle. You just gotta."

"Of course I will," you rely, first to her, and then to the two divine spirits head with a nod. "You'll always be welcome at Castle Phoenix, but try not to spook everyone. Let me be there to introduce you."

With the conversation coming to a close, Lepo glances away. Her eyes peer over to the Lady of the Lake. Presumably she knew she was present the entire time, given she literally embodied the ability of Kitty Sense, but now she offers an acknowledging nod. "I believe I know you," she says. "But I don't remember from when."

The Lady of the Lake curtsies politely. "It has been a long age. We met only briefly, many years ago."

Lepo places a hand upon her chest and lowers her head in appreciation. "Come, Feli. We must prepare. We aren't going to follow you yet, but we'll come in time. Enjoy the rest of your outing." Then with her girlfriend scooped up against her side, she lowers her knees only slightly before vanishing completely from view with no more than a warping of space around her. The Bunny Hop ability comes as naturally to her as breathing. While you've become far better at it over time, there's no comparison to the original.

They're gone again, just like that. The air is silent, and the breeze up from the lake is cool. While sun was piercing through before, the clouds have grown thicker, and though it's still the early afternoon, there land is cast into a dim greyness. Crystal Lake appears as a wide plate of polished steel, with a woman to match, like liquid metal, standing on a ripple coming out from her feet.

Of all people to speak first, it's the Lady of the Lake herself. "You are quite amazing, Kyle, to befriend such powerful beings."

"... I think I'm going to faint," speaks Mavaia.

"Let's get your parents home," you say to Niki. "I think they've been through enough for one day."

"Speaking of which, Kyle," Rada says to steal your attention. "I think I should be off soon as well. After we return home and I can gather my things, of course. Eva, this was wonderful. While I must return to my work, I'm going to be thinking about this picnic for a long time to come. It'll keep me going during harder times. And I'll do my best not to be away for long. Kyle's connection to the Circle aside, I'll be going out of my way to come visit when I can."

Yaera strolls past and places a hand upon Amara's shoulder. "And I must also take my leave. A coincidence, of course, but we are both busy folk. I promise we are not sneaking away together."

This causes Rada to blush slightly. "Wh-Why did you say that?"

She chuckles softly. "Please continue to be a good girl. I could not have asked for a better daughter. One day, you will surpass me, but you will do so in your own way. Follow the path your heart opens for you." Then once again, she stands tall and casts her eyes towards the horizon, in the direction of where Avana should be. "I will first make certain everyone is well after the attack, and then I must continue on. There are many people who require my aid out there."

"Goodbye again, mother," Amara says. "Do not worry. I will be fine, especially with Kyle here."

"I know you will."

Eva looks between them with a puff in her cheek. Then finally, she looks to her father. "Uh. Well... Thanks for coming, dad. I actually enjoyed myself too. So I hope you do what you said and visit often, so we can have lunch again, or whatever we feel like doing."

"I swear. Be safe, Eva. When in doubt, keep to Kyle's side. He's a strong, wise man. Perhaps in many ways, more than I. Now let's head back to the castle. These clothes are comfortable of course, but I feel strange out of my robes."

Yaera spins playfully, like a dancing angel bathing in sunlight beside a lake of silver. It's truly beautiful. "This is an outfit I will treasure, as it was a gift after all. The touch it has against my skin, it is like laying naked in a patch of flowers. But yes, we should return and begin preparations for our departure."

You look look Eva and Amara. "Hey. Do you two mind escorting your parents back up the road? I'd rather take Niki's parents home right away. The four of us can pop back to Althudiyu, make sure they're settled, and then meet you at Castle Phoenix. How does that sound?"

Amara bows her head. "That is a wise plan. And that means I can spend even more time with my mother."

"Oh my dear," Yaera whispers with a chuckle, as she places a hand upon her daughter's shoulder.

Rada looks to his daughter, but he hesitates to make the same move, as he feels the bunnyfolk's glare even from the side.

But Eva speaks up. "I'll tell you about a bunch of the crazy journey's we've been on, dad."

He smiles. "I'd love nothing more."

You wave a hand to both Mavaia and Padrui. "Come then. Grab your stuff, and then grab my body. I'll warp you all the way back to the Oraang Desert in seconds. It'll be like you barely left," you say with a smile, and a gesturing hand for someone to take.

Niki grabs it and stands patiently.

You look to her. Despite having to wait a bit longer for everyone to prepare, it seems your warrior prefers to continue holding on.

She glances back to you a few moments later. "You have a strong grip," she says.

"Thanks. You too."

"Want to see who can squeeze tighter?"

"Absolutely not."