Open - Fountain of memories | Page 2

As Kaede grabbed her hand Mizuki was reminded of times in the past, before Kaede lost her memories. While this was an entirely different situation for a moment the Yladian gave the impression of being just like her former self, smiling and trying to get her friend to join her in something fun even if it might not be the most tactically sound of ideas. With that in mind Mizuki found it hard to resist, instead allowing Kaede to pull her onto the slide, trying to position herself behind Kaede in a way that she would be able to react if something did try to strike at them during the slide, or once they reached the bottom. She would rather be the one at the bottom, so she could quickly move once she was at the bottom, but it was hard to say no to Kaede as she finally showed a bit more confidence and eagerness, in contrast to the nervous and worried persona her lack of memory had created.

While Kaede was enjoying the slide as if it was some kind of contraption on the playground Mizuki watched her friend and their surroundings carefully. She had to admit that it was kinda fun, but she was still worried about potential ambushes. This slide was most likely created by Kaede, given that the room they had just left behind them had looked like it had been designed by the woman as well, but who knew what had happened to the place since then? If this slide had been discovered, then...

Fortunately nothing happened, as instead the two of them ended up in a large bed of pillows. It looked like Kaede had been thoughtful enough to make sure the ride didn't end with a painful behind. Seeing Kaede laugh while rolling about in the pillows Mizuki couldn't help but smile as well, especially since it didn't look like there was any danger immediately waiting for them. She herself didn't go quite as far as the Yladian, but she still let herself lay back on the pillows and relax for a moment.

"As fun as that was, I have to wonder what you were doing here to create such a thing... This must have taken a lot of work."

Seeing Kaede lose her playful and relaxed attitude Mizuki frowned as she pushed herself up by her elbows, then let out a light grunt while pushing herself back upright. Standing right next to Kaede she listened as her dear friend explained that they were right in front of the source of her memory loss. Baring her teeth the Caenis looked visibly uncomfortable and angry at the same time, as she was both infuriated that something had taken Kaede's memories, had turned the confident and cheerful woman into the nervous and uncertain girl she was now, and worried at the thought of losing her memories of the game. Terrasphere hadn't existed for too long yet, Mizuki's experiences weren't even a full year, but she still would have a hard time dealing with losing all those memories. Terrasphere had been an amazing experience so far, and she intended for it to remain that way, and she wanted to bring the memories of the past with her.

"We often go in blind when fighting something in this game. As for running away..."

Mizuki gently pulled Kaede away from the door, then embraced her briefly.

"I would hate to remember myself as a coward."

With that she let go of Kaede and motioned for her to open the door that would lead them to an uncertain fate, the Caenis herself narrowing her eyes even as she gave her Yladian friend a reassuring and affectionate smile, raising her clawed hands.

"Let's go."

What they would be facing Mizuki didn't have the faintest clue, other than that it could steal memories which didn't say a lot. However she was certain that this was the right choice to make. The alternative was to leave Kaede behind, leave her to face something which she was clearly afraid of even if she claimed that she had little to lose this time, leave her friend to deal with a problem on her own instead of lending a hand. The thought of losing her memories was a scary one, one that she couldn't just ignore and push away like it didn't exist. But just because you couldn't ignore the fear you felt didn't mean you had to obey it, and Mizuki had ample motivation to push beyond that fear.

Friendship is a wonderful thing, is it not?
@Kaede Hoshi

 

_____The hug was both unexpected and helpful as it calmed Kaede down. With a bit more resolve Kaede swung the doors open and felt the cold air rush past them towards the opposite side of the large circular room. Blinking slowly as the sound of running water drew Kaede’s focus to the center of the room, a small fountain with silver liquid pouring down in a seemingly endless flow. The Air rushing past the two again before it seemed to form a small twister near the fountain.

”You do not belong here, I spared you once… I will not be so kind this time Kaede Hoshi of the other ones.”

_____The voice sent chills down Kaede’s spin, the twister slowly forming a robed figure with a silver spear pointed directly at Kaede. His face hidden outside a red glow watching both people who dared enter his chamber. Kaede slowly stepping forward as her tremble seemed to return and parts of her memory hit her like cold gale. Rewatching as the creature before her took down Kaede and her friends one by one before her. Then ripped out Kaede’s memories.

_____The temper from the moment and having seen it caused Kaede to act without thinking. Frame rushing forward as she drew her dagger and tried to stab the figure who took things from her. Slowly the figure moved out of the unplanned attack and swung the shaft of his weapon against Kaede’s stomach and sent her tumbling away from the fountain before turning to Mizuki.

”You followed a fool into your death, I give you one chance to leave without harm, if you chose to stay you will share the same fate as her… DEATH!”

_____Should Mizuki step forward the figure would slam his spear against the ground, wind howling past Mizuki and slamming the doors shut. The battle would be dangerous, but then again when had any battle been easy. Slowly spinning his spear the figure got ready. Kaede struggling to her feet and growling as she slowly regain some of her composure, but not enough to attack without greatly endangering herself.

Memory keeper Battle begins
@Ueno Mizuki​

 

With Kaede having recovered some of her spirit Mizuki waited for her to open the door before rushing inside after her, the cold wind making her fur rustle and her hair shift. The first thing that she noticed was the fountain, and the strange silver liquid inside. She couldn't identify what it was, unless for some reason there was a fountain of mercury inside this ice cave, which she highly doubted.

The second thing she noticed was the direct threat as it materialized in front of the fountain, already lifting its weapon towards her friend. Well, no chances of diplomacy there. It immediately made it clear that it had no intention of bargaining or even explaining what it was or what it was doing here, instead designating itself as an enemy by telling Kaede that this time around it wasn't going to be so gentle as to just let her go. Mizuki tensed as she prepared herself for the inevitable fight, stealing a glance at Kaede to see that her friend wasn't having it easy facing the source of her trauma, the one who stole her memories. Mizuki wanted to provide her some comfort, but she couldn't afford to show that much of an opening with an enemy this hostile...

With Kaede already charging forward it was clear to see that her Yladian partner didn't have much of a plan, the Caenis cursing inwardly as she watched the strange figure with the glowing red eyes swiftly punish her reckless attack, sending Kaede towards the floor. The wolfwoman's fur bristled as she clenched her fists, and she barely gave the apparition the opportunity to warn her before she was already charging forward, pushing herself forward with both hands and feet to accelerate a lot faster than most people, double the limbs invested in sheer mobility to catch the spear wielder off guard.

"Let's see whose death is really waiting here."

She didn't want to give her opponent time to think or react, so she pushed herself to the limit to get to him as quickly as she could. However the enemy wasn't too shabby himself and he was already raising his spear once more once he had finished closing the doors, trapping the three of them inside this room until either side had been defeated. But even if he was fast enough to react, he still had provided an opening by first closing the doors. By the time that he was ready to strike Mizuki was already in striking range herself, and she took advantage of that by swiping at the enemy's legs with one set of claws.

The strange person stepped backwards to avoid the claws, holding its spear at the ready to thrust the moment he had his footing steady once more. Mizuki allowed the momentum of her charge to carry her forwards a bit further, until she was right up against her opponent so the spear passed over her without inflicting any harm. While the Memory Keeper was still trying to halt the momentum of his own attack Mizuki slammed both her clawed hands back onto the ground, kicking her lower half off of the ground and spinning herself like a top, resulting in the red-eyes creature receiving two horizontal kicks that sent it staggering to the side while Mizuki flips herself back upright and slides away from the thing before it can retaliate, holding her claws up while she spared her friend a quick glance.

"I don't know what you are or what you're doing here, but I'll be helping my friend take back what belongs to her."

Her steady gaze returned to the Memory Keeper, trying to figure out what to do now. She'd managed to take advantage of the opening her showed at the beginning, but that wouldn't happen a second time and now he had a better grasp of what her fighting style was. She hoped that Kaede was still in good form after being struck so harshly, because she wasn't sure how much it would take to defeat this guy. His skill with the spear was good, and he was neither slow, weak nor frail. Worse yet, given how he formed from the wind and had closed the doors like that it was pretty obvious that the spear was not his only weapon. MIzuki wasn't one to believe that physical combat couldn't hope to defeat magic, but someone who had both physical ability and magical ability was certainly a real pain to deal with.
@Kaede Hoshi

 

_____Getting rag dolled help adjust Kaede’s thinking, or maybe it was the fact she slammed against the ground head first. Whatever the case as she rose with blurred vision she seemed to regain her composure to aid in the fighting, but not fully regain motor controls as she stumbles during her rush forward and began heading towards the fountain. The figure quickly spinning to face Kaede as he slammed his spear against the ground and wind slammed into Kaede sending he flying once more.

_____The shock giving Kaede a moment of clarity as she adjusted to land, mostly safe. Frame sling across the ground as her dagger sparked from trying to use it to stop the sliding. It seemed clear enough he did not want them near the fountain, so with a reckless grin towards Mizuki Kaede ran forward back to the location he was protecting to give her more openings. The figure waving his free hand towards Kaede as wind shot forward locking Kaede down but keeping him focused hopefully.

_____Kaede moving her body against the wind as best she could to keep from losing her footing to the gale, ice starting to form along her frame as her temperature meter started dropping down. Sure she was not exactly built to tank focus, but she assumed two things. One, Mizuki could hurt the foe, and two… she did not take kindly to people picking on Kaede. The second was mostly theory, but it was enough Kaede would gamble it. Ice nipping at her cheek as Kaede held her ground against the invisible force.
@Ueno Mizuki

 

Strangely enough despite his threat it looked like the Memory Keeper was really only interested in Kaede. While he certainly reacted to Mizuki's attack and tried to hit her while she was in range once she was no longer a direct threat he quickly returned his attention to Kaede, pushing her back with another gust of wind even as the Yladian moved towards him once more, stumbling and obviously not in optimal condition. Mizuki didn't mind being given the opportunity to position herself as she wished and not being under a constant barrage, but on the other hand she wasn't happy seeing her friend get thrown about like that. She didnt harbour any real grudge against this strange person other than that he was responsible for stealing Kaede's memories, but if he kept ragdolling her friend she'd become a lot more aggressive than she'd been so far.

Seeing Kaede's grin Mizuki wondered what her friend was thinking, then watched as she charged forward once more to once again get hit by a gust of wind... only this time she stood her ground and resisted the gale, pushing back and trying to force her way forward even as the Memory Keeper increased the force behind the winds. As Kaede had already noticed Mizuki also got the feeling that the creature really didn't want them to get close to the fountain... What was that fountain anyway? She didn't want to leave her friend waiting, but she still had to squint at the strange silver liquid. She couldn't figure out what it was, but what properties made it have or what history was behind it that this guy would protect it so fiercely?

She would have pondered this a bit longer, but seeing that ice was forming on Kaede's body snapped her back to the present, and her golden eye darkened for a moment. Well, whatever motivation this Memory Keeper had Mizuki wasn't going to just let him freeze her friend. Using her still developing magical ability Mizuki pulled energy from her inner reserves and pushed it into her physical form, combining might and magic until she could feel the energy surging inside of her. While their opponent could both use the spear to fight in melee and his wind magic to strike from a distance Mizuki also knew something about combining the physical and the magical realms.

Dropping back onto all fours she dashed forwards once more, circling around the Memory Keeper and Kaede so she could charge at their enemy without being hit by the same gale that was pushing Kaede back. The Memory Keeper took note of her attack, but with him already being tied up keeping Kaede from advancing the only winds that he could send Mizuki's way were weak, and easily evaded with Mizuki enchanting her body to increase her speed and strength. Using both hands and feet she quickly moved to the side without losing momentum, evading the strange creature's defensive attempts until she was once again right in front of it, at which point her golden eye turned crimson for a moment and she let loose with a threatening growl.

The Memory Keeper wasn't so deadset on holding Kaede at bay that he refused to let up on his assault when he himself was also under attack, but he still had been waiting too long with changing his stance while sending gusts of wind towards Mizuki. The result was that when he swung his spear towards Mizuki the Lupis swung her forearm against it, the force knocking the Memory Keeper off balance and keeping the spear out of the way while the wolfwoman used her other clawed hand to strike him, her claws digging into the cloth hiding nearly his entire body until she could feel resistance beyond the cloth, and she could smell something akin to blood.

Not missing the opportunity Mizuki began to strike with both hands, claws flashing as she tore the Memory Keeper's cloth to little pieces and drew blood with both hands, the dark liquid staining the already dark metal of her claws while the Caenis herself held a fierce expression on her face, teeth bared and glowing eyes narrow. However even in this assault somehow the entity's clothing managed to hide his actual appearance, and since Mizuki had chosen a very aggressive approach she found herself in the same situation as the Memory Keeper, unable to react in time when suddenly she was hit by a powerful burst of wind, launching her backwards until she smashed right into the wall of ice, all the air leaving her lungs as she gave a pained gasp and her face contorted in pain before she fell down onto the ground, placing a hand on her own chest and channeling her inner energy into regenerative magic in an attempt to undo the damage the merciless collision had inflicted on her back and her organs. It didn't feel like anything had been broken, but she was definitely bruised beyond the point where she could fight at full power if she didn't treat it first.

Unfortunately the Memory Keeper appeared to be annoyed now, as before Mizuki could finish her own treatment another gust of wind smashed her into the wall once more, a pained yelp escaping her lips as this time she heard something crack in her arm even as the back of her head also smashed into the wall of ice, stars dancing in front of her eyes.
@Kaede Hoshi

 

_____Being the rag doll was something Kaede was ok with, but watching Mizuki get the same treatment caused her to snap yet again, but unlike last time most her sanity was still there. Hair began to flare slowly before Kaede rushed forward, the gale doing almost nothing but increase her rage towards the creature. Weapon sinking into his neck region before Kaede twisted the blade and growled while staying out of his spear range. Her eyes flaring with rage as she pulled the blade out and used his body to kick off and get distance while growling.

”Harming me is ok, but harming my friend in front of me is NOT ALLOWED EVER!”

_____Kaede once more rushed forward, the ice only slowing her slightly as her frame dropped down under the figure’s slash to try and stop her before Kaede impaled his right knee and once more twisted the balde before pulling it out and getting to Mizuki’s aid. Her frame blocking Mizuki from the figure as she took a quick look back with a worried expression before glaring back at the figure and once more rushing forward to keep his focus so she could heal up like she had tried before.

_____Weapon in hand Kaede moved to clash against the longer reach weapon, if she made a mistake it could cost her more then a daze, but if it was the chance Mizuki needed to recover so they could beat the living shit out of the foe for what he did so far it was well worth the high risk. Spinning her Dagger as she tumbled to the right from another spear attack and moved back slightly during a wind blast, she did not know how long it may take but she had to hold until then, and have energy to help end it.
@Ueno Mizuki

 

Pain. One of the marvelous things about Terrasphere was the fact that it had as exact tactile input as if it was Earth. It was one of the reasons why it was difficult to think of this place as just a game. It was easier to see it as another world, another incarnation of yourself where you could take different paths in life, experience different things. For that reason the game was illegal, as the pain could put a severe burden on the player's mind, and because it made the game addictive to the point of being hard to distinguish from most drugs. Even if it was purely a psychological addiction, once you had acquired it you'd need professional help to get rid of it.

That didn't mean everyone was happy feeling pain. No matter how amazing it was, pain was still pain. For most people it was a reason to avoid danger. However the game had allowed for some people to be exceptions. For those people the pain didn't disappear, but it lacked the discouraging effect it had on others, as it instead allowed their bodies to be filled with a fire rougher and stronger than any other. Raw, primal, it was a fire of fury and rage, urging one to destroy anything in their path until the hunger was sated.

Mizuki's golden eye darkened, turning from its usual radiant colour into a burnished gold, then going yet further until the yellow turned orange and the orange turned red, until a scarlet eye was glaring alongside with the normal icy blue eye. Both eyes glowed slightly, enough to stand out without actually illuminating anything other than themselves. With Kaede distracting the enemy the wolfwoman pushed herself onto her knees with her good arm, then placed her hand on the cracked bone to let her magic flow through it. Green and blue glowed around the arm as the bone was restored, after which Mizuki used a different spell to dismiss most of the damage that had been incurred to her. While it didn't negate everything at least she would be able to move without worry.

Besides, the pain was making everything more vibrant.

With her hair and fur becoming wilder and her hands curling into claws the Caenis stood up, placing both her hands on the icy ground with the metal claws digging into the glimmering material. While Kaede is still unleashing hell on the Memory Keeper Mizuki didn't wait any longer before dashing forward, leaving a very faint blue-reddish trail as she first moved straight towards the two other combatants, then suddenly changed directions and moved to the side, avoiding a wind blast. The enemy wasn't so stupid as to completely dismiss Mizuki just because she'd been smacked back once, but he still suffered from the fact that both Kaede and Mizuki were out for blood, approaching with an intensity that made it clear he couldn't force either one to go on the defensive.

Despite his best attempts the Memory Keeper was forced to block one of Kaede's attacks, leaving him open when Mizuki rushed in from the side and smashed her clawed fist into him. While it didn't manage to knock him over it did make his entire body bend, and before he could recover Mizuki had already pushed herself to the side so she ended up behind her opponent, jumping up and spinning until her heel struck the top of his head squarely. While she spoke no words it was clear from Mizuki's expression that her less civilized side had come out to play, and it wasn't going to leave until it had its fill.

Her heel sliding off of the creature's head to join her other leg Mizuki grabbed the Memory Keeper's head with one hand, fingers curling until the clawed tips dug into whatever was hidden behind that large cloak. Green, blue and red glowed around the hand as vines quickly began to spread out, blood-red vines that were fed by one of the wounds MIzuki hadn't bothered to heal when she impacted with the facetted ice wall. They covered ground fast, entangling the Memory Keeper further and further... Until the apparition with the glowing red eyes finally got the opportunity to launch Mizuki backwards, avoiding a fate of being completely entwined with the vines, although he'd already have some issue moving his head, arms and upper torso.

Mizuki caught herself this time, claws once more digging into the ice for additional grip as she snarled, eyes narrow and leaving trails of blue and red light as she tried to halt her momentum so she could once more press the attack.
@Kaede Hoshi

 

_____The fight raged on, the two, while without speaking or really talking working together well enough to make sure their common enemy was shown his place below them. The more they seemed to harm him, the more Kaede seemed to feel bad, something tugging at her mind like a memory before she noticed faint words escaping the figures mouth. A moment, an attempt to stop the chant but little avail as she felt a wind throw her into the air, a similar wind likely picking Mizuki up as well as the figure looked up to them, a sleeve waving to set them down.

”ENOUGH! You seek what is lost, then drink! I Simply judge those who enter, only those who have lost memory may drink.”

_____Kaede took a moment to think straight, there was no real way he would just let her now after stopping her before right? But at the same token, he could have not seen her worthy before the fight. Last time she assumed they all had their memories so he fully planned to stop them maybe? To be honest she could not exactly tell the truth if he was letting them pass or had some other plan in mind. Then watching him move a small cup from his belt to dip in the fountain before walking to offer it to Kaede.

_____Trading a quick glance to Mizuki to see how the girl felt before she took the cup and looked into the silver liquid. It did not seem dangerous or scary, it almost felt warm as she held the cup and kept looking at the reflection of her face before it changed. A small view of Kaede and Mizuki in a forest in what looked like a race. Her mind clicking as she recalled that day as one she trained with Mizuki. Moving the cup to her lips Kaede began to drink, she wanted her memory back… even if some could harm or change her.

_____The figure moving away once the cup was returned before facing the two and pointing his spear towards the opposite side they had entered. Ice melting away to reveal a staircase going upward as he looked to Mizuki and pointed to Kaede as the girl fell over seizing up. His spear vanishing as he began to fade away also. His last words soon hung in the air.

”She has three minutes, if you do not reach the surface before then her memories will kill her. She sought what was lost, and may lose herself for it.”

@Ueno Mizuki

 

Given that the Memory Keeper had already pushed Mizuki into the distance after her vicious assault he didn't pick her up, instead using a gust of wind to keep her from attacking once more while he lifted Kaede and then put her down again. The wolfwoman growled at this, expecting the strange figure to try something while he created a lull in the offense that she and her friend had been putting their energy into. Hearing him instead claim that Kaede was allowed to drink from the fountain now that he had tested the two of them had her furrow her brow.

Honestly she would have preferred to keep fighting, but it looked like that wasn't the plan for today. Well, given how he had been defending the fountain earlier but now was fillign a bowl with the silver liquid he appears to be genuine.

The Caenis gave Kaede a reassuring nod when the Yladian looked at her, although then her gaze quickly returned to the Memory Keeper, claws at the ready in case the hooded figure tried anything. Her toes were digging into the icy floor, ready to launch herself forward if needed. Her gold-and-blue eyes glanced between Kaede and the Memory Keeper, not wanting to let either one out of her field of vision. She couldn't sense any hostile intent, and Kaede appeared to also be trusting the Memory Keeper, but she wasn't going to give the creature an opening of surprise if this was some kind of ruse.

Nothing appeared to happen when Kaede drank from the cup, which was good. Or was it? Mizuki wasn't entirely sure, but she relaxed just a bit. But then the Yladian began to seize up, leaving Mizuki with little option but to snarl and charge forward, planning to rip the Memory Keeper apart before doing her best to heal her friend. However her claws only cleaved air as the cloaked figure faded away, her ears twitching as she heard his last words. She looked up, frowning, but didn't waste too much time doubting the thing's words as she instead hurried over to Kaede's side, kneeling next to her and placing a hand on the woman's shoulder. Her hand glowed green and blue, but it didn't appear to be doing anything.

With no other option left but to trust the Memory Keeper's words Mizuki picked Kaede up, cradling her dear friend carefully but firmly to make sure she wouldn't slip out of her grasp. With no more time left to waste she casted a short spell which made scarlet thorns cover the bottom of her boots, so she would have enough grip to run even on ice. She ran towards the revealed stairway and ascended as quickly as she could without risking falling, enchanted thorns piercing the uppermost layer of ice to leave behind a trail of Mizuki's footsteps.

She had no reason to trust what the Memory Keeper had said other than that Kaede herself had been confident enough to drink the silver liquid, and had shown a strong urge as if certain of what she was supposed to do even if the details were still unknown to her. Kaede could just as easily be dying from poison as having her memories be restored, but she had no way of knowing except for getting to the surface and seeing if that would save her friend. Although that left the question why the surface would prevent the memories killing the Yladian. Was there something about the cave? Would the sunlight and the cold winds help pull Kaede's mindback into reality?

Mizuki glanced down at the tormented woman, then shook her head and pressed on. She couldn't tell time down there, but she was sure that as long as nothing blocked her path she'd be able to get out into the sun before the three minutes ran out. And if she didn't... Well, better not to worry about that, since worrying wouldn't change anything and she was already doing her best.
@Kaede Hoshi

 

_____Nothing would move against the pair that did not have time on their side, less one would count the growing lack of light along the stairs that lead upward. Each step uneven and slippery, some higher up than others, and some longer then the one before as light was lost and only darkness and the sound of Mizuki’s and Kaede could be heard. It was only when it seemed Kaede stopped moving that light could be seen higher up, the exit maybe?

_____Kaede however was having a much rougher time, all the days spent in the game rushing her mind at a speed she was not used to in the slightest. Bashful and serious moments seemed to fuse, some events mixed together and she could feel they had been wrong. Needless to say she was having to organize her entire time playing the game in three minutes or less, not an easy task but one she had to try and finish. When the two found the surface, Kaede was unresponsive.

_____Had it been to long? Had Kaede simply given up the near impossible task and chose to simply keep her memories lost within the chamber below? Mizuki was left with the limb body in her hands, was it worth trying to get a reaction from her, what would the wolf girl do with her friend who seemed lost?
@Ueno Mizuki

 

It was a stroke of good fortune that there was nothing moving to intercept them, because Mizuki didn't think she'd be able to AND evade AND hold onto Kaede AND keep her footing AND get back to the surface in time. She didn't even risk looking down at Kaede because she was too busy making sure she'd be fast enough without falling flat on her face, panting as her breath came out like little clouds and her tail trailed behind her.

The trip through the ice cavern had been a relatively short one, but it had left Mizuki with a lot of questions. Why was that cave system there? What was it that had tried to attack Kaede before bouncing away again, and why was it there? Why was there a fountain of memories and what was that thing that guarded it? If she was alone she'd have stuck around a bit longer, but the Keeper of Memories hadn't really given her a choice in the matter. If she didn't look after Kaede her friend would suffer the consequences, so even if she felt like she was ignoring an opportunity to explore a truly interesting phenomenon she still ran, the magically enforced thorns on the bottom of her boots biting into the icy steps for purchase as the Caenis propelled herself forward.

At least whatever it was that was happening to Kaede had left the Yladian unmoving. Worrying and possibly dangerous, but it meant Mizuki didn't have to keep Kaede's movements into account when keeping her balance and footing.

In the darkness she lit up her eyes using Investigation Mode, until finally she could see the light returning to the tunnel ahead as the icy walls reflected the sunlight and threw it further inside than it otherwise could have managed. They hadn't actually been that deep, but the stairway wasn't constructed at a steep angle so it had still been a pretty long pathway, especially when you had to be careful to avoid slipping and sliding all the way back down. Putting more spirit into her steps Mizuki launched herself forward, until she could see the blindingly bright exit and charged straight through, finally leaving the darkness of the underground behind.

The first thing she did once outside was take a very deep breath. The second thing she did was place Kaede on the ground, using some vines from underneath to push the snow aside so the Yladian wouldn't be lying on a wet and cold blanket. After having been underground for a while the winter sun was painful to look at, so Mizuki covered the two of them with a thin layer of leafy vines so they weren't constantly being blinded... although Kaede would have to wake up first.

Checking the Yladians's health the Lupis could safely conclude that physically her friend was all right. There were some wounds from the fight before, but nothing that the druid couldn't quickly heal. However her magic didn't allow her to check Kaede's mind, and she was pretty sure that was where the problem was right now. Placing her hand on her dear friend's forehead Mizuki tried to send some restorative energies into the girl, but could already tell that wasn't going to do anything as there wasn't anything really wrong with Kaede.

So, how to wake the girl up...

It might be because she had been thinking about how Kaede had been in the past, but Mizuki got an idea which she didn't think was very nice or sensible, but which she had a hard time resisting. She stared at Kaede for several seconds with her internal struggle before she gave in. If Kaede's memories had really returned she probably wouldn't even mind this, and if not she'd just explain she hoped it would help Kaede wake up.

Removing her clawed glove on one hand so she wouldn't accidentally hurt her friend (and for increased tactile input) Mizuki reached out... and softly rubbed one of Kaede's ears between her fingers, moving her digits along the long pointy extremity as her own cheeks turned slightly red. She remembered the last time she had touched those ears, and she was really hoping that just like back then it would provoke a strong reaction, even if this time around she was more aiming for getting Kaede to wake up than... other things.
@Kaede Hoshi

 

_____At first, nothing. But after a few moments Kaede's eyes opened wide and she bolted upright fully red and covering her ears. Her focus still clouded by past memories but slowly sorting them and regaining clarity on the present. Frame turning to face Mizuki as Kaede began to tear up and moved to hug the girl. Her frame trembling as she started to sob.

"I am so sorry... all that time without a word... I can't... I wasn't..."

_____Kaede seemed to be having a minor breakdown, least until she reached down and gently gave Mizuki's rear a light rub before moving back to show a faint smile behind her tears. She did break down slightly, but pushing that down to save face was simply how Kaede was. Nobody needed to see her crashing from the pressure, she had to be the smile that spared to other girls...

"While I will have to get back at you for teasing my ear like that... First i have to thank you for saving my hide and helping me get my memories back my dear.~"

@Ueno Mizuki

 

Despite the tense situation and everything that had just happened Mizuki couldn't help but grin as Kaede finally woke up and immediately tried her best to protect her sensitive ears. She really couldn't help it, there was such a burst of relief combined with how it reminded her of more pleasant moments that she wouldn't have been able to pull down the corners of her mouth even if she had bothered to try. Of course just because Kaede was protecting her ears didn't mean that she had her memories back but at least she had woken up, and that was already a good first step.

Seeing Kaede begin to break down and reaching out to her Mizuki reached out in return and wrapped her arms around Kaede, stroking the Yladian's back and holding her tight as her friend cried, the Caenis closing her eyes as she still smiled. It was a good thing that she wasn't the type to cry easily and that she was feeling more relieved than anything else, or she might have joined Kaede. As it was she just embraced her friend warmly as she cried, also curling her large fluffy tail around the woman's waist as she waited for Kaede to recover a bit from the original surge.

Why are you apologizing? You had the misfortune of losing your memories, and you can't be blamed for that. I'm just glad it worked out and that you're back now.

She kept trying to comfort Kaede, although when she felt the Yladian's hands on her behind her cheeks reddened and she stiffened for a moment before relaxing again, the Caenis reminding herself that with Kaede having regained her memories she should have expected that. Besides, it wasn't like she actually disliked it. She smiled back at Kaede, her smile widening a bit as Kaede told her she'd have to get revenge for the ear rubbing.

It was the fastest method I could think of for wakening you up, and it also would be a good way to test whether you'd returned to being yourself. Although if you want to touch my ear I supposed that's only fair.

Leaning forward Mizuki nuzzled Kaede, rubbing her nose against the Yladian's neck and then her nose as her canine part decided to show itself in a display of intimacy, her tail still around Kaede's waist while her ears were pointed forward in a relaxed state, her eyes closed as she inhaled Kaede's scent and held the woman close.

That said I really hope you'll make sure never to do anything like losing your memories again. Now you know that can happen in this world, and it was really frightening to think that you might never return to who you once were.

@Kaede Hoshi

 

_____All the serious talk, not exactly Kaede’s cup of tea to drink. Sure she understood that it mattered and all but she had apparently spent the last month or so being a shy secluded girl and not once had some serious girl time. That was what nearly took her entire focus away at the time as she just happily enjoyed the cuddling and nose robe her dear friend had offered while the serious talk was traded. Kaede could not fully promise to keep her memories from getting taken again, she did know one thing she could do to hopefully slightly admit she would try such.

_____So once more without warning Kaede’s hand seemed to move like they normally did. One reached to gently rub Mizuki’s right ear, the other hand moving to rub Mizuki’s tail near the base, and Kaede leaning so she could nibble on Mizuki’s left ear for about as long as Mizuki would let her do such things without trying to rebel against it. Once she did Kaede would playfully laugh and move away enough to show she would stop, least for now.

”Well repaid for teasing my ear in full with a bit of extra I’d say~ While I can’t fully promises to stay out of that sort of trouble if it finds me first,... I can say there is one way to make sure the next few hours I don’t get into it.~”

_____Kaede smiled as she waved her arm for @Ueno Mizuki to take it so they could walk out of the cold and get somewhere, well better suited for what Kaede had in mind and what Mizuki could already grasp was what Kaede meant with her words should she want such. To be fair, Kaede would likely find another girl to enjoy the company of if Mizuki was still more focused on other things. For Kaede though a month or more without getting hooked up or tied up with a girl in bed was far to long. Looking back at the cave Kaede sighed light, glad to have her memories back.

 

Mizuki really should have seen it coming that the moment Kaede regained her memories she would also return to being touchy-feely, but as it was the wolfwoman bit her lower lip when she felt the Yladian's hand on her right ear, the fluffy pointy ear twitching once before the Caenis calmed down. However she hadn't been expecting the hand on the more erogenous spot of the base of her tail, her face going red as she squirmed slightly, made even worse when she felt Kaede's lips on her free ear, the wolfwoman's breathing notably becoming heavier even if she did her best to remain composed. She had only offered to let Kaede touch her ears, but for now she just sat there with closed eyes and a red faced even as it felt like her clothes were becoming tighter and her body hotter.

It was only when Mizuki felt like if she let this continue they'd end up in a mess amidst the snow that she finally reached to gently remove Kaede's hands while pulling her head back to escape the teasing lips, the Lupis exhaling heavily and shaking her head to regain her senses, glad that the weather was so frigid as it helped her quickly cool down after she basically let the elven woman molest one of her most sensitive areas for at least a minute.

That's enough payback I think... And I know you can't really be blamed if something were to bring the trouble to you, but I'd hope that you'd at least be more careful in the future.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what Kaede was proposing, and Mizuki only took a moment to consider it before conceding, nodding to show her assent.

If that's what it takes to make sure you'll stay out of trouble I'll do my best to keep you distracted for as long as possible, at least this time around. Since we haven't met for a while we have to make up for lost time anyway.

While not nearly as lustful as Kaede Mizuki still had a functional libido (even if she tended to forget about it if not reminded by others). As such she didn't have much reason to refuse Kaede's suggestion, especially since she'd been exploring without much responsibility or urgency anyway. Taking Kaede's hand the lupine woman began to make her way down from the lower slopes of the mountains of the Hylands, back towards civilization. Well, somewhere warm at least. Mizuki had become comfortable sleeping out in the wilderness, and she doubted that Kaede would be satisfied with waiting until they were all the way in some village.

There's a small lake a bit south of here where we can wash off the blood, and it should be warm enough for us to be able to stay busy for a while without freezing.

@Kaede Hoshi