Other's narrative

Deep in the great forest between the Dragon Ravine and Cat Paradise territory, Noah and another Cosmic weapon, Jacob, decided to have a talk and lunch.

"It's been a long time since I last met Jacob. I know he's an old friend, but I can feel a distance between us right now. It's like he's more of an adult despite us being the same age," Noah thought while waiting on the soil.

Jacob took a roasted fish on a stick and gave one to Noah. Noah hesitated for a second but took it anyway.

"You still don't trust me. Can't blame you at all. We're basically from opposite sides. We're enemies. Normally, I won't be treating my enemy with mercy, but you are special. This is for old times' sake."

"For old times' sake, huh…" First, it was Seth, and now his other old friend could be his enemy. Upon meeting Seth, Noah had decided to punch him to pulp to give him some sense. But was that the right thing to do? Would punching people force them to change? There was no certainty, and it only produced violence.

Noah took a deep breath and had a bite of the roasted fish in his hand.

He thought about what Lumine would do at this moment. Remembering Lumine…

"I understand now. Lumine told me before that we're about to meet two cosmic weapons on our way to Luminous City. This is the reason she wanted to go to the Dragon Ravine. Because Jacob was currently with the dragons."

Jacob took a huge bite of the fish and even ate the bone without thinking too much about it. In a few munches, he gulped down and refreshed himself with some coconut juice he had fetched earlier.

"Coconut in the great forest is so great!" Jacob said, then turned to Noah with serious eyes. "Now, tell me, why are you with Cat Paradise? Why are you helping those rebels?"

"They didn't tell me anything. I'm here for two reasons. I have someone important with me to save. Second, I saw that violent flame that could engulf and harm the innocent people in Cat Paradise earlier. My body simply moved on its own. So I decided to help them out."

Noah's tone was sincere, and he wasn't trying to lie or play games with Jacob.

"You're always that type. The type that will help others in need despite not knowing the full scope of the story. Why they're doing it? Why the other side is doing it? I bet what you saw is terrible."

"My brother always told me to help people in need before. I'll become the same as him. A respected and strong man."

Jacob lowered his eyes, hearing about Noah's older brother. In the past, Noah's brother heroically sacrificed himself to protect the 13 cosmic weapons. He's the main reason why the cosmic weapons were able to escape execution long ago. All of the 13 cosmic weapons were deeply indebted to him. Jacob also thought of him as a hero, one of the reasons why he was doing what he was doing right now.

"In my eyes, they deserve it. Those cats are terrible. They are the rebels of the Great Forest. They don't want to follow anyone's rule but their own. They are a hindrance to the dragon's ideals. Because of those cats, the dragons aren't able to make a proper peace treaty with the king of the world."

"King of the world?" Noah was puzzled.

"You don't know about him? Have you been living under a rock?"

"I've been living in isolation on the edge of the map until a few days ago. I don't really know anything happening in the world. I'm living in the world my brother wanted, a peaceful land where we can all smile."

"If that place is so peaceful, then why do you have to leave?" asked Jacob.

"It's true that the place I was living is at peace. However, I think I will feel regretful if I didn't go out to do what I want. I want to see what the world has to offer… I didn't really have any courage before. But after meeting a selfish, sassy, runaway princess and hearing that she has the same dream as me, I feel like I have to step out. I want to make my dream come true."

Jacob understood what Noah was talking about. Everyone wants to be at peace, but there are lots of things to do in this world.

"So, this sassy princess is your lover?"

"Not really. She has a fiancé, and she ran away because of that."

"She doesn't like her fiancé? Oh, most royalty are very ugly, after all. Most of them look disfigured because the royalty tried to make their blood pure and breed with their relatives."

"Lumine is not like that… Well, probably…" Noah wasn't sure. He kind of remembered Lumine being narcissistic. "... her fiance is the type of prince charming in storybooks. According to her, her fiancé is handsome, and she doesn't have any reason to break off the engagement. However, if she marries him right now, she won't be able to see the world. She'll be confined in her castle, taking care of her children. That's why she ran away, to make her dreams come true."

"Well, maybe she's just saying that…"

"I don't know she is a very mysterious girl after all."

Noah still remembered when Lumine bravely shouted what she wanted to do to her pursuers. She was so cool at that moment. That event ignited the flames of dreams deep inside Noah. It was a memory he would never forget.

"A princess… A royalty… If she is a princess, that means we can talk to her about the peace treaty. Maybe she can assist us in our goal."

Jacob thought, creasing his chin.

"Well, Lumine is royalty. I think that's possible. But she is held captive by the cats. I have to do the cats' bidding to save her."

"See! Right there! That's the reason why those cats are evil!"

"I didn't say they are good guys. There is a strong psychopathic girl in Cat Paradise, and the empress has this mysterious power that rendered me unconscious earlier."

"Then we'll save the princess and beat them all."

"I think dragons and Cat Paradise should talk about stuff…"

"That's wishful thinking. Those cats don't like talking at all. When they notice that you oppose them, they'll immediately hold you captive."

Memories of Noah and Lumine trying to have a conversation with the empress earlier this morning resurfaced in his head. There was surely truth to what Jacob had said. The Cat Paradise empress was a stubborn woman who didn't like listening to people she didn't like.

Things were getting complicated. Noah thought that Cat Paradise would be in trouble if he helped out the Dragons. But without the Dragons' help, he might not be able to save Lumine. He believed that not all cats in Cat Paradise were truly evil people. There were kids, women, and elderly in the tribe who had nothing to do with this war. The Dragons' violent power could harm the innocent if this event was not handled carefully. But Noah's lack of experience and naive nature were in the way of decision making.

"What should I choose? Save Lumine? Or save the innocent people in Cat Paradise?"

"Is there a way to tackle this matter peacefully?"

"You're still so kind toward them," Jacob sighed, holding his hand to his forehead. "What if I tell you that none of the cats in Cat Paradise are good guys?"

"There are kids, women, and the elderly."

"Those cats are murderers. They kill dragons and sell the dragons' parts on the black market for profit. The money they use for their parties and more, all of those things are from the dragons. Those cats are monsters!"

Noah was stunned by the revelation given to him by Jacob. He gritted his teeth.

"I just can't jump to conclusions… I'm naive, but this time I want to clarify things first."

"For God's sake… Then investigate first."

Jacob pointed his finger at a tall pine tree in the distance and continued.

"Do you see that tall tree? After three days, I want you to go back there after your investigation. See it for yourself. Those monsters are not something you want to protect."

Noah nodded and answered, "Sure… I'll be seeing you then."