Bery felt completely relaxed sitting in that hot spring. She sighed a breath of solace and comfort, the dragon beside her holding her hand.

"Do you feel better now?" Valerie asked.

Bery nodded. "Especially, after we...again…"

Valerie grinned. "There is no need for you to be shy. You performed well."

How many times had they gone at it? And how was it possible that they didn't pass out from exhaustion after so many times? Bery could only think of one culprit, and that was the healing spring itself. They'd gone after each other so many times that Bery was certain the sun would be rising soon, yet she didn't feel bad at all.

"It's like a miracle being here," Bery said.

"I'm certain that lady Kanai blessed these waters just for us."

Bery's eyes widened. "I hope not! That would mean she watched all of that. It's already embarrassing enough as is."

"Gods do not think in the same way as you or me. Even if she watched, she wouldn't find it strange at all. To her, this is the natural way of things. If you see two animals in the forest that are going after each other, do you…"

Bery pressed two fingers up against Valerie's mouth. "You can spare me all of the details. I understand the broad point you are making…"

Valerie chuckled and planted a kiss on Bery's cheek with her soft lips. "You can get some sleep whenever you are ready. I've already prepared a neat spot for us to rest together."

"If we fall asleep now, when will we wake up? What happens if we end up sleeping all day?"

The dragon shrugged. "Sleeping is only natural to preserve your beauty. No matter how long we sleep, I will protect you. And if you want, I can wake us up in the middle of the day. Though, I won't go any earlier than that."

Bery nodded and snuggled up against her dragon. She felt if she closed her eyes, sleep would soon find her.

Valerie planted another kiss on Bery's nose. "Just close your eyes and let sleep take you."

///

A strange place surrounded Bery on all sides. Small blue leaves rained from the sky. The Kanai'n reached her fingers up to grab one, but it slipped right through her hand.

The air around her had a light fog covering her in all sides like a warm blanket. The kitten's eyes blinked several times.

Plenty of worries should have clouded her mind. She should have wondered where she was. She should have immediately searched for her lover. Though, none of those feelings came to her. She merely felt a sense of balance and content. All of the worries inside of her mind came to a screeching halt.

In a second, two hands covered her eyes from behind. They were soft, motherly hands but none that she'd ever known. An equally delicate voice reached her mind, the words like a melody in the air.

"Greetings, little one."

Normally, Bery would flinch from something like this. Some reaction would show on her body, but nothing like that came. And the heavenly voice continued.

"Sorry," the woman sighed, "this is the effect that my domain has on people."

"Domain?" Bery asked, finally finding her voice.

The woman giggled and let go of Bery, running in front of the kitten, so she could see her clearly.

Bery finally reacted. Her eyes widened from the woman she saw. She was a Kanai'n just like Bery, but she could not be described as ordinary. The woman had a vibrant purple tail and matching ears, and her eyes reflected a glittering purple much like the night sky. Wisps of violet mana danced around her, and the Kanai'n wore clothes Bery never seen before.

The woman's white and purple robes were soft and silky, but they covered her body elegantly. She looked like a queen of all kittens, yet her height did not match. Bery felt like she was already on the shorter end of the spectrum, and this woman was half a head shorter than her.

"Yes, domain," the woman said, her smile turning into a slight frown. "I did not suspect that this would be your reaction. I can make myself larger if you'd like."

"Larger? Can you hear my thoughts?"

"Of course, I'm able to listen in to the thoughts of all my cute people. Though, I try not to make a habit of doing so. I was just curious in this case."

"My cute people? Do you mean…"

The woman grinned yet again and floated into the air as if it was a performance. The light fog in the surroundings sucked into her body, along with the falling leaves, until there was nothing left but the cloud the two were standing on. A blue sky surrounded them on all sides.

"That's right, I am Kanai. The goddess of your people and creator of the enchanted wilds."

The fog surrounding Bery's mind lifted, and she finally was able to process everything. She nearly jumped out of her skin, trying to find something to latch onto. She nearly stumbled and fell, thinking that her body would somehow fall through the cloud.

Lady Kanai reached her hand out to the timid kitten and held her aloft. "You are alright. There is no need to be so frightened. I do not wish to scare you."

Bery shook her head. "You don't need to apologize to me for anything." The kitten, having realized where she was and who she was talking to, prostrated herself. "I can only thank you for the life you've given me."

The goddess sighed deeply, reaching her hand out towards Bery. "There is no need of you to thank me for anything. I could only wish that I gave anyone such a thing. If anything, I would rather apologize to you."

Bery lifted her head and gazed at Kanai with confusion. "Why would you apologize to me?"

Lady Kanai pulled Bery to her feet and gave her follower a deep hug. "Your life was hard was it not? You had to endure a rough childhood. Your own tribe, my people, disowned you…"

Before she could continue, Bery pushed her away, looking into her goddess's teary eyes. "No," Bery said, her voice shaking, "I never blamed you for anything. You shouldn't shed tears on my behalf. A goddess shouldn't cry…"

Everything about this was wrong. Why would she apologize to me? Shed tears for me? She never did anything wrong!

The goddess struggled to reel in her tears. The emotion kept flowing out, and Bery found herself hugging Lady Kanai to calm her down.

"You have such a kind heart, Bery. Do you not resent me at all?"

Bery clenched her teeth. "Maybe. I don't know. I always wondered if you hated me. Do you really hate those who can't hunt for themselves? Do you really hate me because I am so weak? I always wanted to know."

"No," Kanai said firmly, "that is a delusion in the minds of those who follow me. I do not value the wilderness simply for the hunt or the untamable nature of it. I value the wilderness for its beauty. I am the Goddess of Wild Beauty. Beauty is untamable, and the nature of those living in the wilds is to build, hunt, and love each other. If anything, I would consider you one of my greatest."

Bery's couldn't believe her ears. The two fluffy things wiggled uncontrollably, and her tail waved madly.

"Why!?"

"After all of this time, your heart remains beautiful. The wilderness is about the freedom provided. You chose your own path. You carved your destiny away from those people that would tear you down. You are my most devout. The tribesmen turned away from my core tenant, but your mother, she loves you. And she is very proud of you."

This time it was Bery who started sobbing. Her eyes clouded over, and droplets dripped down her face. She sniffled and cried relentlessly as if she was truly a helpless kitten all over again.

My mother really loves me? She is proud of me? Can I really believe that?

"You can," Kanai said, wrapping Bery in yet another warm embrace. "Your mother loved all of you very much."

"But...I didn't...even do anything…the only reason I'm here…"

"That's not true at all. You may have been given help, but you made those decisions yourself. That old lady by the river never forced you to do anything, yet you still followed her. You chose to start painting on your own. You chose to climb that mountain when you were unfairly attacked. All of these and more were your decisions. You are much stronger and braver than you'll ever realize."

"Really?" Bery asked, her voice a whimper.

"Really, I will never let anyone say otherwise in my presence. You've always followed your heart, and I believe that you are an amazing person."

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