Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After reaching the top of the mountain, Vahn found Arika waiting near the entrance to a relatively small shrine located behind the much larger shrine complex. Near the very back, an entity that was closer to what some might describe as a Demon could be seen sitting in a meditative pose atop an ancient stone dais. It had a vaguely humanoid structure with a lean and muscular figure, but, rather than appear organic, its entire body seemed to be formed from a type of white metal with accents of gold. It wore a rather creepy-looking mask that loosely resembled a cat, while, at the sides of its head, four horns, two large and two small, jutted out to form s-shaped curves.

At a glance, some might mistake the entity for a statue that had been dressed up in monk's robes, but, considering it was floating a few centimeters off the ground and was petting what appeared to be a 'Beckoning Cat', it was clearly alive. It also slightly changed the orientation of its head from the location of Arika, staring back at Vahn before shifting its gaze between Fenrir and Asuna.

Breaking the silence, the creature extended one of its clawed fingers, pointing towards Asuna as it said, "Unqualified...leave..." in a paradoxically soothing yet ghastly voice.

Ignoring the demon-like entity's accusation, Vahn looked towards the somewhat chubby cat in its lap, drawing the attention of the rather adorable creature as he mused, "Do you mind having your guardian stand down? I can be overprotective so things might not end well if he tries to antagonize this little one..."

Surprising Arika, Asuna, and even Fenrir, the chubby white cat showed the closest thing to a smile that a cat could manage before answering in an incredibly deep voice, "How peculiar...to think there are still things in this world that can surprise me. Very well. Stand down, Lars. You would struggle to defeat those two beauties, much less that monstrous fella."

The moment it heard the chubby cat's words, the demon-like figure gave a curt nod, answering, "I understand, Lord Utu..." before restraining its rising aura.

With tensions quickly dissipating, the chubby cat, Nyon Utu, making itself appear even more like a beckoning cat, waved its paw in a 'come hither' gesture. In response to this, Vahn set Asuna on the ground, saying, "Stay with Fenrir. I'll be right back."

Without waiting for Asuna's response, Vahn lightly ruffled her hair before gesturing to Arika to stay back as he approached the mochi-like cat. It almost looked like a plushy that was designed to look like a cartoon character, but, if you looked closely, it actually had extremely fine fur that seemed to be formed from luminescent fibers. Its eyes were squinted shut, much like a contented cat enjoying a sunny day, but, during the brief moment when he had turned away, Vahn noticed its eyes open to reveal sky-blue with peculiar golden pupils...

Ignoring the statuesque creature's penetrating gaze, Vahn startled 'Lord Utu' by suddenly extending his hand and gently strokings its head. This caused its guardian to release a brilliant aura, much like the sun, but, before it could say or do anything it would regret, Utu plainly stated, "It's fine. I already told you to stand down, didn't I? This man...means no harm...?"

Though it hadn't noticed it at first, Utu quickly realized that Vahn's hand emitted a soothing warmth that rapidly suffused throughout its body. This was a very pleasant sensation, causing it to fall silent for several seconds before saying, "You are quite good..."

Smiling in response to the curious white creature's compliment, Vahn briefly activated his [Hands of Nirvana], greatly increasing the potency of his Petting Laws before retracting his hand immediately thereafter. This caused Utu to open its eyes like a cat that had just woken up to the sound of food being poured into its bowl, bringing a smile to Vahn's face as he mused, "The texture of your fur is quite good. You also have a pliant body, almost like you don't even have bones...if I had to give you a rating, you have a pettability of eight out of ten...very nice..."

Hearing Vahn's remark, Utu had a very human-like expression of incredulity as it plainly stated, "I'll have you know that my fur is the softest in all of Mundus Magicus. If I'm an eight, nothing is a ten."

Snorting through his nose, Vahn call her before Fenrir appeared at his side with Asuna. This caused the statuesque High Spirit to tense up, but, after being warned twice, it didn't try to release it aura a third time. As for Utu, it noticed Fenrir's fluffy ears and tail, its eyes becoming slightly sharper as it inspected their quality and sheen...

Lifting up Fenrir's deceptively heavy tail, Vahn began to casually stroke it as he explained, "You may very well have the softest fur, but that isn't what makes something pettable. Texture, pliability, smell, and even temperature all play a part. If someone were to pet or snuggle you for an extended period of time, they would eventually need to take a break. Your body is too warm and your fur is seems to be perfectly uniform without a natural flow. The direction fur grows can be very important, naturally leading the hand of the person petting from one end to the other without a feeling of incongruity."

As Vahn spoke, he ran his hand along the length of Fenrir's tail. Her fur was not only soft, but it was very thick, allowing his hand to sink into the coat like combing through a fine shag carpet. Despite this, it would quickly regain its volume the moment his hand passed, guiding his palm forward like a surfer being drawn by gravity as a wave crests behind them. At the same time, Fenrir's tail twitched in a pleasant manner, a reaction that encouraged further petting...

Though it might sound like Vahn was speaking nonsense, Nyon Utu seemed to take his words very seriously, nodding its head as it said, "I see...it is the balance and harmony of traits that ensure the maximum pettability...my eyes have been opened...may I...?"

Fenrir wasn't fond of letting other people pet her, but, feeling somewhat prideful at the moment, she gave a small nod before dexterously extending her tail towards the peculiar creature.

Extending its paw in a rather unnatural manner, making it seem more like a slime-shaped cat than a vertebrate, Nyon Utu gently caressed Fenrir's tail. It immediately took note of the fact that the sleek fur was nearly as soft as its own, but, just as Vahn had said, the 'flow' of her fur seemed to guide the hand in a specific direction. It was also cool to the touch, but, if you pressed deeper into the fur, it was possible to feel a bit of warmth that radiated outward from the core...

After retracting its hand, Nyon Utu noded in a sagely manner as it said, "My hubris had prevented me from reaching the pinnacle...and to think, I even go as far as to call myself the Great Spirit of Wisdom...funyaaa~"

Though even he had started to feel like this situation was a little strange, Vahn also felt inclined to nod his head before adopting a 'thoughtful' expression and adding, "There is one thing that might elevate you to a nine..."

Hearing words of hope, Nyon Utu looked toward Vahn with glimmering eyes, asking, "Truly? Is there a way forward for someone who had been blinded by arrogance...?"

Stroking an imaginary beard, Vahn nodded his head a few times before nearly giving the High Spirit charged with protecting Nyon Utu an aneurism when he picked the chubby cat up. Then, choosing to let actions speak louder than words, he handed them over to Asuna. She had been looking at the peculiar cat with 'possessive' eyes, and, though he would probably need to restrain himself more in the future, Vahn was still in a 'pampering' phase.

Nyon Utu immediately displayed the characteristic indignity of a house cat that had been picked up by a small child, but, after Asuna began to rub her cheek against the back of its head, it released a mewling sigh and said, "I see...my small size makes it easier to pet my entire body...is that it...?"

Without beating around the bush, Vahn nodded his head, adding, "Your squishy body also gives you a high 'huggability' factor. Children also have higher body temperatures, so, even if your body is a little warm, they wouldn't be uncomfortable. I would even argue that, when it comes to being hugged by a child, you transcend ratings completely."

Amused by Vahn's words, Nyon Utu released a strangely human laugh before extricating itself from Asuna's grip and hovering in the air as it said, "You are very interesting. Even amongst Dragons, few are bold enough to tease a Great Spirit. Tell me, Friend of the Elements, why have you come here? Is it for the sake of that woman...?"

Even without looking back, Vahn knew Nyon Utu was looking over at Arika, but, surprising both cat and woman, he shook his head, answering, "I have decided to support her, but that isn't the reason I have appeared. If she is to win your favor and trust, that will be through her own efforts. The main reason I came here today was to both meet and befriend you. I have already decided to protect this world so I would like to befriend those who have come before me."

Sensing the truth contained within Vahn's words, Nyon Utu stared back at him for several seconds before stating, "There are very few qualified to call themselves 'True Friends of the Elements'. Other than our original creator, you are the only one I have ever seen. I am unable to determine how you came to be, but, for reasons I cannot fully understand, I feel as though you can be trusted. So long as you do not endanger this world, I would be glad to call you my friend...?"

Noticing the confusion on Nyon Utu's face, Vahn smiled as he stated, "Vahn. My full name is Vahn Aldrnari Mason, but you can just call me Vahn. As for my title, I am best known as the Sage Dragon Emperor."

As it had already sensed the draconic aura within Vahn's body, even addressing him as a Dragon just moments prior, Nyon Utu wasn't surprised by the introduction. Instead, it produced a cat-like smile, musing, "I will allow you to address me as Nyon. I would normally ask that you call me Utu, but, out of consideration for your skill and knowledge of petting, I will permit you to address me by my first name."

Since Nyon had been floating in front of him, Vahn took advantage of the opportunity, extending his hand to pet the malleable Spirit's head. It didn't offer any resisting to her caress, rather, much like a normal cat, it ran its body along his palm without requiring him to move. Then, like a scarf, it wrapped around his shoulders and said, "Introduce me to your companions. I am curious about the company kept by a Sage Dragon Emperor. I would normally permit but a single question to each of my guests, but, out of consideration for our friendship, I will tolerate a longer conversation."

Not minding the fact Nyon was using his shoulders as a perch, Vahn nodded his head, gesturing to Fenrir, Asuna, and Arika in turn, explaining, "This is my most faithful companion, the Queen of the Frozen Abyss, Fenrir. As for this little cutie, she goes by the rather long name of Asuna Vesperina Theotanasia Entheofushia, the Twilight Imperial Princess. Lastly, the taciturn beauty with the golden hair is the current Queen of Vespertatia, Arika Anarukia Enteofyushia. She might not show it in her countenance, but she has quite a passionate and respectable character. I believe she may very well have what it takes to lead the people of this world to prosperity; a world where all races coexist in harmony with nature."

Though her mind had momentarily stalled when Vahn referred to her as a taciturn beauty, Arika quickly recovered by the time he had finished speaking. She even suspected he had extended his introduction out of consideration for her, causing an almost imperceptible smile to appear on her face as she politely bowed and said, "It is my honor to meet the Great Spirit of Light, Nyon Utu..."

As the nation closest to Ostia, Nyon was obviously aware of who Arika and Asuna were, causing its eyes to open slightly as it mused, "Hooo...to think the Queen of Vespertatia has entered my country in such a secretive manner. The Ostian Royal Family would have never done something like this in the past...tell me, are you trying to prevent the onset of war? Have you decided on more 'proactive' measures than mere diplomacy~?"

Feeling as though she was being tested, Arika raised her head, staring directly into the gaze of the Great Spirit of Light. She felt as though all of her thoughts and emotions were gleaned in an instant under its gaze, but, undaunted, she proclaimed, "Though I act out of duty, my desire to protect this world and its people is sincere. I will not ask for the help or protection of the Great Spirits...I will do what I can by using my own power, and, if it isn't enough, I will find allies who share my hope for a better future. I only ask that, when the time comes, you will help your people see purpose beyond the veil of hatred..."

Though it could not see through Vahn in the slightest, Nyon had been able to glean some insights from peering into Arika's most recent memories. This caused its eyes to widen in shock, as, due to her focusing on matters specifically related to it, Nyon learned of its impending fate. It wasn't able to read all of her memories, but, as her conversation with Vahn was very recent, Nyon understood that the sun would soon set on the nation of Nyandoma...

Just as its mind became slightly chaotic, Nyon was surprised when a calming warmth began to spread through its body, even without Vahn directly petting them. His aura was very gentle and warm, easing some of the fear and trepidation that had started to pervade their mind after spying on Arika's memories. It had also learned that Vahn specifically came to this world to protect it, so, while it might have been fated to die, his presence had already changed the flow of destiny. This realization caused them a considerable amount of relief, and, though they would normally never humor talks of supporting the ambitions of a mortal, Nyon decided to hear out the words of the woman backed by the Sage Dragon Emperor...

(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The Great Spirit of Light is quite majestic (OwO)...','An unparalleled expert in the field','Great Spirit of Wisdom? More like Mind-Reading Hack...!')