Lily blinks, opening her eyes to a new scenery that's unlike before. In front of her, a Lily look-alike smiles at her warmly with her hands behind her back.
"NYAAaaa...?"
"What are you doing, my child?"
"?!"
Eh?! I'm back in this dream world and the goddess lady is here?! Lily doesn't understand what's going on, but I must go back!
"Miss goddess lady?!"
"Yes, it is I. It's been a while hasn't it, Lily?"
"Where did you go?! Lily has been looking for you for so long!"
"Don't worry, my child. I am always around, even when you are unaware. To the topic at hand, why were you trying to attack that girl?"
"She trapped Vex in a slime ball, then that other lady swallowed him! Lily must get Vex back or else–"
"Don't."
"'Don't'? Don't try to get Vex back?"
What does she mean? Does the goddess lady not want me to save Vex? But-but why?...
"No, what I mean is don't fight the girl or her party."
"But…but I can't let them take away Vex. Without Vex, Lily will never save mother!"
I couldn't fight back, that's why mom was taken away. If Lily doesn't fight back now, then I will lose Vex too.
Lily won't let that happen!
"Do you think that you can defeat them head-on as you are? Need I remind you of the reality of your situation?"
"..."
Lily knows that she is still weak, but I don't want to say it out loud…it hurts.
"You are seeking the crystals so that you can summon me to bestow the power you need to save your mother, correct?"
"...yes."
"So, what's the most important thing at this moment?"
"...the crystals?"
"Close, but that's not the answer."
"?"
Lily furrows her brows, tilting her head in confusion. The goddess exhales lightly before continuing.
"The most important thing for you to do is to listen to me and maintain your faith in me. Lily, do you believe in me?"
"Yes."
She helped me so much so far, and she knows a lot about me. Of course, I must believe in her.
"Then listen carefully. I want you to join that girl's party and cooperate with them. They are going on an expedition that will lead them to Gannet's crystals. Help them as needed, then the next crystal will be yours."
Join them? Lily has to help the girl who took away Vex?! I don't like her, and I don't like Aisha anymore–she betrayed my trust!
"But what about Vex? Is he…is he–"
The goddess abruptly wrapped her arms around Lily. Her sudden embrace takes Lily by surprise, but her body gives in. The goddess gently pats Lily's head, as if petting a lost kitten.
"He will be fine, I assure you. Just take heed to my instructions, and the rest will be taken care of. That's it for now. Until next time, my child."
The goddess gracefully loosens her grip, and releases Lily.
"Wait, when will Lily see you again? Lily and Vex need you!"
We waited so long to hear from her again–I don't want to lose her. I must prove Apostle Nazz wrong!
"You will see me or hear my voice when the time is right. I must go now, one more thing before you regain consciousness…"
"Hmm? What is it?"
Is it about my mother? Please tell me about her!
"Watch your fall."
___________________________________________________________________________
Lily's vision becomes clear again, able to perceive the world around her. She's in the air, mid pounce, about to sink her claws into Thena's face.
Oh no, Lily's not supposed to hurt her, but I can't stop! Must retract claws!
Lily retracts her claws just as she's about to land on Thena's face. Thena, wearing a bold smile, stands in place unwavering.
"Heh, that's cute. Gene, heads-up!"
Thena narrowly ducks out of the way of Lily's attack, causing Lily to fly right over her. Now, she is on trajectory for a new target.
"Wait wait wait, not my face!"
Gene, who is caught off guard, notices the cat demi-human flying directly at him. Seeing that he can't evade her, he covers up his face in desperation.
Oh no.
CRASH
Lily crash lands on Gene, causing the both of them to tumble onto the ground. After taking a moment to gather herself, Lily gets up. She looks at her unintentional victim in shock.
"Lily's sorry! Are you okay?"
"Fortunately, my backpack cushioned my fall, but my nerves are far from okay…"
"Here, take my hand. Lily will help you get back up."
"Th-thanks."
I use all of my power to lift this man off the ground. He's still a little too heavy for Lily, and his backpack is making it more difficult, but Lily can do it!
Thena, watching them from behind, stares in amusement. She walks up to Lily, directly confronting her.
"Oh? So you're done trying to pathetically attack me? If not, I don't mind sparing for a few more rounds."
"No, Lily doesn't want to fight you anymore. I want to join your party."
"Huh? Really? My plan worked better than I thought…"
"What did you expect, Thena? A confrontation to the verge of death in order to enforce submission?"
"Yeah, Gene, I kinda did. I didn't expect my improvised plan to take this direction, but no matter. Listen, demi-human! We need you to help our party on a quest in Meandering Cave. Cooperate with us until the end, and I promise we'll give that guy–Vex, back to you. Right, sis?"
"Yep! In the meantime, he will be resting nicely inside my stomach. If we can finish quickly, I won't digest him, teehe."
Aisha rubs her belly, just like I do when I eat something delicious. Lily has the urge to hit her belly…I must close my eyes and not look.
"She's just messing with you–it's hard but try not to take it to heart. I'm Gene, and this is my friend Thena and her older sister, Aisha. I'm looking forward to working with you."
Gene gives Lily a smile so bright, his teeth appear to dazzle in the sunlight.
"What gives, Gene? I was going to introduce everyone!"
"Well, you already introduced yourself by kidnapping her partner. First impressions matter, you know."
"Tch, that jerk deserved it! It was only karma and he got exactly what was coming for him. Anyway, let's head for Meandering Cave; we have everything we need to succeed!"
The newly formed party starts walking out of the alley and onto the main streets. Lily lags behind the others, upon noticing this, Gene decided to match her pace as Thena and Aisha continued as normal.
"Say, your name is Lily, right?"
"Yes sir, I'm Lily"
"Haha, I'm only 14. There's no need for honorifics or anything. Casual is fine! Psst, between you and me, those girls can get a bit crazy sometimes, as you could see. But I promise you, they are good people. You'll see, Lily."
"..."
What good person takes your friend and eats him? Even mother taught Lily that doing that is bad. They must not have a mom like Lily does!
"Hey, how about I tell you why Thena is so upset with your friend. I promise, it'll make you laugh!"
"Lily wants to hear! Tell me tell me!"
"Haha, okay. I'll tell you once we're in the clear because…"
Gene points at his friend, Thena, with his thumb. She is glaring at him like a mean person.
"Gene, what are you whispering to her back there? I have a feeling that you want to die."
"Get it?"
Thena is a bad girl who likes to bully her friends.
"Yeah, Lily understands. Please don't die for Lily's sake."
"I will try, heh."
Lily hates that she has to work with such bad girls…but Lily must trust the goddess lady. At least Gene seems like a nice person. I can't wait to get the next crystal and show Vex.
Vex, don't turn into Aisha's nutrients. Lily will save you–I promise!