The Cat and the Snake 10

Chapter 10
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The next morning: Enishi was good as new, sometime during the night she managed to slide a sleeping naga's head off her shoulder so she could use some well needed healing magic on herself. Later that morning she made a visit to Siena and Jiru's house and did the same for her former oppenent, though Siena only asked for the healing of her external injuries. Her pride refused to allow the cat girl to heal her completely. Later as Nahal and Enishi talked on the patio, Negeyari was bathing in a herbal bath prepared by Gakiri to remove her shedding skin.

Nahal looked up at Enishi, as he sat on his patio with a cup of tea, "So you want to explore the tower today you said..?" he questioned.

Enishi nodded, "I need to... reset something, and I am hoping there is some equipment I can use in testing on Nege. Plus... no telling what else might be useful in there." she replied.

Nahal nodded in return, "Very well, I will accompany you as well." he said as Negeyari slithered out the door proudly revealed her freshly shed skin.

"Yaaay! Rid of another itchy skin!" the little naga beamed, causing Nahal to smile at his daughter as Enishi chuckled.

Kuela duly followed the cheerful naga out and promptly covered her daughter's wet hair with a towel. "Honestly, remember to dry your hair more Nege..." she said with a sigh, as the muffled sounds were heard coming from the towel as she continued to dry her white hair.

Nahal chuckled slightly, "So what do you think? Feel like exploring the tower today you two?" he asked them, but before they could answer they were interrupted.

"Ohohohoho! Do you really need to ask?" Gakiri the old shaman said vigorusly as he appeared walking towards them with the help of his cane.

Enishi face broke into a smile as she almost lept to her feet, "Gakiri! I am really glad to see you!"

Nahal just shook his head in disbelief, "I think you have supernatural senses when it comes to things like this Gakiri...." he said as his daughter quickly slithered to the old man and gave him a hug.

"Thanks again for the bath mixture, it works so well!" the little naga said excitedly.

Gakiri just laughed and patted the nagas moist head, "Of course little Nege, whenever you need it let me know." he then gave Enishi a wide Grin, "Its a pleasure to see you too Enishi."

"I'd like to talk to you privately, when you have some time." the cat said giving him a look that implied it was serious.

Gakiri nodded with a cheerful expression, "Of course, of course. You can visit my dilapidated home anytime you like."

Enishi grinned, "I will do that..." She then turned to the others, "We ready to go check out the tower?"

"Of course we are, what a silly thing to ask." Gakiri said bluntly in everyone's behalf.

Negeyari just stared at the thin tower that rose high into the sky, with a nervous look on her face.

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It didn't take long for the group of five to get to the temple, being only around fifty yards from the chief's house. As they stepped onto the black ceramic material around the temple, Enishi sensed a energy pulsating from the ground and a dim glowing circle appeared circling the tower's base before dissappearing. The cat girl shrugged it off, only those with magical ability could enter the tower after all. As they approached Enishi looked to Nahal who gave her a nod.

Enishi took a deep beath before turning to look at the base of the tower, "Amazing how large it is..." she then looked at Gakiri, "Do you think he was compensating for something?" she said with a giggle.

Gakiri let out a loud laugh as Negeyari watched the two looking a little confused about the comment. Enishi then approached and placed a hand on a red orb in the wall of the tower and began channeling her power into it: causing it to glow. One by one the orbs around the base of the tower begin to glow and a hole forms in the strange material the tower is made of: eventually forming a doorway.

"Hmmm interesting... Interesting indeed." the old shaman said as he walked up to investigate the doorway.

Negeyari blinked in surprise as the awkward door opened at the base of the tower, "Thats weird! Its not like a normal door!" she exclaimed.

Enishi let out a sigh: mumbling to herself, "Been a while, nice to know the magic is still active." though she had little doubt it would fade with how advanced she knew the tower was.

Kuela prompty put her hands on the little naga's shoulders, "Is it safe to enter? Looks kind of suspicious to me..." she said with a hint of nervousness.

Nahal just patted Kuela's back in response, "I'm sure she knows what shes doing..."

"Deactivated the roving sentries at least a hundred years.... errr... my ancestor deactivated them anyway. It shouyld be safe, so long as no one else has been inside" Enishi said with a sheepish laugh.

Negeyari slithered forward towards the door, her curiosity easily getting the better of her, "Roving what...?" she quickly dismissed it as she and Gakiri were the first ones to enter.

"Guards, there used to be combat golems that would roam around the tower to protect it." the cat girl said as she entered behind them followed by the naga's parents, "If I can figure out their programing: they could be reacivated sometime. They should be very useful if we are attacked."

Negeyari looked confused, "Golems..?" she questioned as Gakiri let out a laugh, "Man made guards, normally in a human like form, theres a variety of them." the old shaman said to answer the confused nagas question. Soon everyone was within a small cylindrical room, with a simple lever built into a metal console with four buttons next to it built into the wall.

Kuela looked around at the strange room, "So whats this room used for? Does it lead to the stairs?"

"This room is called an elevator. The entire room will move up and down the tower, controlled by that box over there. Is everyone ready? I can show you how it works" Enishi said: causing everyone to nod or agree hesitantly.

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Enishi steps up to the console confidently, "It is controlled by this lever. The further you move it the faster the room moves" she says as she pushes the lever slowly upwards, "It has a built in safety so that even at full speed, it will slow down safely before reaching the top..."

The four behind the cat girl looked at least a little nervous, as lights in the room began to light up and the feeling of moving upward began after a lurch. Nege on the otherhand eventually started to get excited, "This is amazing!! A Room that moves!!" the little naga exclaimed ignoring the fact that she was being pressed towards the ground slightly. Enishi chuckled: amused by the young naga and slowly moved the lever back a little to the halfway point.

Eventually the Elevator slowed before coming to a stop: a low hum was heard before a green light turned on and the door opened. As the group exited out the door they entered a circular room built around the elevator shaft. Consoles and panals covered with labled buttons and switches combined with old deskchairs lined half of the room, while the other half was empty. Metal shutters were covered the window as only dim red lights lit the room.

Negeyari slithered over to the consoles, "What are these for...?" she looked sorely tempted to start pressing buttons but swift action by Kuela as she put a hand on her daughter's shoulder and shook her head at the naga puts a stop to the curious naga.

"Yea... you probably don't want to push any buttons little one. There are alot of potentially dangerous things in this tower controlled by them. Here, I will turn on the lights..." Enishi said as she flipped a switch on the elevator shaft causing the ceiling to light up instantly.

Negeyari blinked as the lights turned on illuminating the consoles, "Oh....s-sorry... I'm a little curious at times..." the naga said sheepishly, "So are we at the top of the tower? I want to see outside..."

Gakiri studied the consoles curiously, "Hmmm labled in a ancient text... he certainly didn't want anyone else to use this tower." he noted.

"I can show you outside, but... sometimes it can be very unnerving being so high up, so if it bothers you, just tell me to close the shutters ok? Don't panic, we are perfectly safe." Enishi said as she pushed up a lever on a small console.

As the lever clicks into place, the metal shutters covering the windows slowly began to rise, as daylight began to pour into the room. The little Naga sheilded her eyes, then let out a gasp. To the groups amazement the ocean came into view, with low clouds floating by lazily, even the curve of the world could easily be seen from such heights.

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Negeyari pressed against the glass windows enthusiastically, "This is amazing! Look how far we can see, I can even see other islands! Amaz..." she suddenly trailed off as her eyes drifted down to the the village nearly 350 meters down. She suddenly scooted back against the elevator shaft, "Th-thats pretty scary.....w-we're really high up....."

Enishi sighed ignoring the distressed naga and admired the view, her voice almost a whisper muttered, "I have lalways loved this view..."

Gakiri looked in awe at the scenery as he stroked his beard, "A fine observitory indeed, this tower will prove quite useful in that aspect."

Enishi chuckled snapping out of her reverie, "You know, it might not be a bad idea to post a guard up here now. No one is sneaking up on this tower."

Kuela and Nahal on the other hand were just speechless as they looked at the surroundings, hardly believing they're in the tower no one could ever enter: that has loomed over the village for so many decades.

Negeyari once again slowly slithered to the window, looking down and twitching a little, "I...I can't believe we're even higher than the clouds..." she squeeked, as Kuela slowly walked up next to her daughter looking out the same window with equal nervousness.

"There should be some communication equipment in here somewhere that works with that console over there that shouold probve useful." Enishi noted.

Nahal finally snapped out of it, "Indeed being able to see this distance, we should make this a priority. But I think its too soon to show this place to Einurian troops. You said some of the buttons are dangerous?" he said looking over to the cat girl.

Enishi noded "Some of the consoles operate weapons, some of the testing the wizard was doing could be dangerous to the village,and... That..." she said as she pointed to a large complex looking console, with a gyro, large dials and blinking lights. "That in particular could be dangerous. It controlls sort of... doorway." she continued as she walked over to it and flipped a couple switches: resetting the timer on it.

Negeyari blinked and turned away from the window finally: slithering up to Enishi, "So thats....?"

Enishi nodded, "That is what brought you and m-my ancestor..." she said noticing Kuela walk up behind the little naga.

Kuela ruffled her daughter's hair, "No wonder there was never any other word about Nagas in this world..." she said as Negeyari looked up smiling sheepishly at her mommy.

The cat girl let out a nervous sigh, "Indeed, but that is a very dangerous world. I know because I lived there for a number of years..."

Nahal chuckled slightly, "No need to keep Kuela in the dark Enishi." he said causing his wife to look at him questioningly.

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Enishi nodded and looked up at Kuela with a smile, "It was not my ancestor who came here, but me..." she said bluntly.

Kuela's eyes widened, "You...? But how? That was over two hundred years ago..."

"When I was a child... I know I look like one now, but it was indeed over two hundred years ago, I had an... accident with magic. I have not physically aged since that time." the cat girl explained: causing Kuela to lean in towards Enishi studying her. "At one time, I was as human as you. I... changed to fit in on Nege's world, but I like my current form so much, I guess the magic never changed me back..."

Kuela finally said, "So you don't age? Lucky..." she then looked sharply at the others, "And you three knew about this but didn't tell me?" causing Nahal and Gakiri to nod, while the little naga fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Technically Nege only found out last night, and I asked her not to tell...
And as for being lucky... it is... a double edged sword." Enishi said.

Kuela continued to stare at the others then let out a sigh, "I can imagine..."

Enishi then stepped away from the strange console, "That should be safe for a few decades now..." she reported.

Gakiri laughed, "Ohoho! Well then lets continue our exploration shall we? I havn't been this excited in decades!" he then looked at a slightly pouty Negeyari and tenderly patted her head, "With exception of the arrival of a cute little naga mind you." he said as the naga started giggling cheerfully.

With the timer reset: Enishi flipped down the lever to close the shutters once again and turned off the lights as the group re-entered the elevator. Making sure everyone was safely inside: the cat girl closied the elevator door and shifted the switch to start downward. The trip was longer this time as they traveled below the level they started on. "I have not been here in many years so I am not completely sure what we will find, but it should all still be dorment, so it should not be dangerous..." she said on the way.

Negeyari smiled, "I'm sure its safe if you....de.....deact.....deactivated those golems..." the little naga said having trouble pronouncing the new word not quite sure what it exactly means in the first place. As the elevator slowed and came to a stop the Negeyari got a excited look, "Oh we're here!" As the green light turned on and the door opened she cheerfully slithered out only to hit something with her head, "Ow! Whats was that?" she says as she looked up staring a dormant golem straight in the face. Letting out a scream of terror she practially lunged back into the elevator grabbing onto a shocked Kuela's leg, "Wh-what is that?!" the startled naga demanded.

Gakiri stepped forward, "Ohoho...so this is one of the golems you mentioned is it?" he said as he studied it. The golem looked almost machine like, being made of a metal of sorts, and stood motionless holding a massive sword.

Enishi nodded, "Inconvenient place for it to be deactivated though... I will move it later." she said with a chuckle.

As the three family members exited the elevator, the little naga stared at the scary looking golem with her ears lowered as far as they could go. Within the room: crates cover one side of the room as the old sorcerers work area was in the opposite corner along with two corridors on each side.

Nahal surveyed the room as Enishi turned the rooms lights on, "So whats in the crates?" he said as he began walking around the room.

"Alot of useful stuff actually, a good portion isn't even magical. Flashlights, probably the radios, there are a veriety of weapons and various tools and testing equipment. There are also some reagents that will help with my casting, maybe a few things useful to Gakiri as well, and then... there are some weird things... Seems he enjoyed taking various items from other worlds... I have added a few things I found over the years but couldn't carry with me as well." the cat girl replied.

Negeyari got a curious look, "Whats a flashlight?" she questioned.

"It's a sort of... wand that can be used to cast a beam of light. Sometimes they attached them to protective helmets, usually for miners and such" Enishi said as she prowled the boxes and opened one. Enishi giggled lifting a wand and pointed it at the naga, and flipped the switch on it which caused a bright beam of light to flash into her face. Negeyari eye's widened in shock as she just stared at the bright light. Enishi brows furrowed, as she switched the light off "Nege, you ok?"

Negeyari blinked as the flashlight switched off, and she began rubbing her eyes, "Uh..Ummm..?" she mumbled, it seemed the little naga was dazzled by the light.

Enishi mumbled to herself, "Got to remember that if we ever go to Felarya..." as she clipped the flashlight to her gunbelt and walked over to make sure the little naga was ok. "Sorry hun, I knew it would surprise you, but didn't know it would dazzle you..." she said but made sure to file the effects on the little naga in her head just in case.

Gakiri laughed at the scene, "Well lets continue shall we?"

That day the group spent much of the day looking through the crates which contained items from mundane, and magical to other worldly and exploring the remainder of the sub-terranian complex. It included much of the necisities of a home, with a master bedroom the sorcerer once used, a grand bathroom though both rooms were neglected by years of not being used, and several other rooms contained workshops and massive storerooms. One containing even a strange wheeled vehicle. It wasn't until evening that the group eventually decided to head back to the surface: Gakiri not surprisingly carrying a bundle of items and paperwork with him.

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The day after Enishi made her way towards Gakiri's home while Negeyari was asleep after gorging herself on cooked Ox. As the cat girl entered the shaman's doorway she saw he was diligently trying to decipher some of the notes written in ancient text left by the sorcerer Kran, while other magical artifacts sat categoried on another table. Studying the notes then switching to flipping through one of his books he didn't even notice the cat girl.

Enishi stared at the old shaman for a little, then smiled, "Learn anything interesting?"

Gakiri didn't even look up from his reserch, "Hmmm a bit difficult to dischipher, but I'm making some headway. I only regret that I didn't find these when I was younger... ohohoho..."

Enishi nodded, "We all have regrets I suppose. I would rather have come sooner... and more peacefully..."

Gakiri sat aside his book, "Oh well. Nothing can be done about it." he then looked up and grinned at the cat girl, "Have a Seat. So what is it you wished to speak to me about?"

Enishi frowned as she sat down across from shaman, "I am here to discuss... Nege. There are some... possible irregularities with her" she reported.

"Oh? How so? And more irregular than the growth of a Naga in this Felarya you come from?" Gakiri inquired.

"I am...not really sure, but... She seems to be... growing too fast. In Felarya, they grow much more slowly..." the cat girl replied.

Gakiri sat back in his chair and cupped his chin, "What do you think could be causing this?"

"To be honest I am not completely sure, but... In Felarya, she would have... pretty much eternal life, so I wouldn't worry there. I suspect it is something in Aera. Here... her growth may cause her to have a short life, if we can not stop it, or at least slow it down" Enishi said as she looked down.

Gakiri just pondered for a while, "Hmmmm eternal life... Do you think shes growing much like how animals in this world grow? Not being from this world and eventually becoming giant with the growth of a animal is a painful thought indeed."

"She will; need... alot of food, if she grows that fast..." Enishi added.

The old shaman leaned forward setting his elbows on his table and clasped his hands in front of his face, "Hmmm indeed. Lots of fishing to be done here, we may need to increase our fleet. We don't want her getting 'that' urge if shes too hungry. Though I believe in her."

Enishi nodded, "I believe in her too, but... I have made my way at times as a gambler, and I believe in hedging my bets..."

Gakiri raised a eyebrow, "Oh? What do you have in mind? Something that prevents her from carrying out the act?"

Enishi nodded again, "Maybe something magic, if we combine our efforts. Perhaps we can find something in the tower that could help."

The shaman then leaned back in his chair again in thought then a smile finally appeared on his face, "This sounds quite feasable, especially with the aid of a Seer mermaid." he replied.

Enishi blinked then got a curious look on her face, "Seer Mermaid?"

Gakiri nodded, "Indeed. Interesting species those Seers. Very strong psychic powers, and a third eye to boot! I met one a long time ago in one of my journey's of enlightenment." he said to answer to cat girl. He then leaned in towards her, "I'm sure they'll find you quite interesting, fore they know all about you once they make contact with your skin."

"Would be... interesting meeting one, but... well... As a Seer, she would have all knowlege on me, right? Might be...awkward if the other mermaids found out certain things." the cat girl said as she let out a nervous giggle.

Gakiri laughed "Ohohohoho! Indeed! Each of the merfolk races have Seers among them. Of course the Seers with more controll over their powers can see more deeply into your past."

"That might be... awkward too." the cat girl mumbled.

Gakiri just grinned wide at Enishi, "Just bribe the Seer with sweets, thats their weakness. The Seers not connected to the other merfolk are more likely to keep your secret. But then again they really do love sweets. As does little Negeyari."

"I have noticed that..." The cat girl said with a smile, then mumbled to herself, "I'll be glad when Jaru returns, that little minx has a knack for sniffing out sweets..."

Gakiri raised a eyebrow as he looks at Enishi, "Who is this Jaru your mumbling about?"

Enishi looked up, "Oh! Jaru, she is my... familliar, sort of a cat with wings. She is keeping an eye on the pirates right now, but should be returning soon..." she said with a blush.

Gakiri laughed, "Ohoho your familliar, I see, I see... All magic users here have them after all."

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The village adapted quickly to being limited to fishing from the coast, and more crustations were pulled in more than usual. Jiru and Siena normally led hunting parties into the jungle when the situation arose, and a variety of game was often brought back usually with lots of questions from a certain curious naga about how they tasted. Negeyari resumed her morning training with Siena once things have calmed down, usually with Enishi and Jiru watching from the sidelines.

Eventually after two weeks: The Einurian reinforcements arrived. Huge cargo airships with armed escort airships seemed to cover the sky over the village. Two platoons of regular infantry and a single platoon of engineers disembarked two of the cargo airships, while a artillery platoon consisting of eight field guns and four anti-aircraft guns were offloaded off a third airship.

Nahal was introduced to the commander of this Einurian unit: Captain Gunther Hoein. The captain was in turn introduced to the young naga who the king of Einuria ordered him to protect, a hint of dissappointment in seeing the strange creature he none the less vowed to keep her safe. In short order artillery was set up in stategic points around the village while engineers began contruction of a barracks, and a telegraph station for the village.

The scene then focused on the chief's house, the call of morning birds was heard chirping around the village. Nahal yawned as he walked down the hall towards the kitchen. Kuela was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast, having to cook alot more for the voracious daughter of hers. Suddenly he tensed up hearing the boards behind him begin the creak, before he could turn his head, he was suddenly lifted off the ground from behind.

"Good morning Daddy!" a now larger Negeyari said cheerfully. The little naga wasn't so little anymore: her chest has began to get bigger, her tail has grown out more and doubled in length to around twenty feet, and now nearly six feet tall.

Nahal clenched his teeth as his daughter hugged him tightly, "Good... Morning Negeyari. Energetic as ever I see." he said as he looked back at the naga from the corner of his eye. Negeyari just smiled cheerfully but then gasped as the floorboards under her gave way with a crack.  

The front portion of Negeyari's tail suddenly stuck in a hole in the floor: the naga just whined, "Owww! I hate being this big!"

Kuela just rushed out from the kitchen and gasped when she saw her daughter stuck in a hole with Nahal trying to comfort her. "Not again! Thats the third time in just two days..." she said with a sigh.

Nahal just grinned at Kuela, "At least shes finding boards that need to be replaced." he replied with a slight chuckle.

Enishi emerged from her quarters across the yard, "Good morning Nege, you are looking... better and better by each day." she said.

Negeyari looked back at Enishi with a blush: tears welled up in her eyes as she sniffs, "I'm stuck in.... floor again....help me get out...." she then suddenly was pulled free of the hole by her parents pulling on her arms, "Oh!"

"Poor baby, but you know, everybody has to grow up." said the cat girl who was over two hundred years old, yet looked sixteen.

Negeyari slowly spread her tail around the room and wipes her eyes, "But not this fast! Its not fair! I'll be too big to live here soon!"

"I suppose that may be true, but you know Kiddo, you will never have to be alone..." the cat girl replied.

Kuela couldn't help but hug her sullen daughter, "Everything will be all right Nege... its not like you'll have to leave the village. Your own house is already waiting for you after all." she said softly but couldn't help but get teary eyed while saying that.

Negeyari just blinked with a sad look still on her face, "My own house...?" she asked curiously.

Nahal just ruffled his daughters head, "Our ancestors didn't make that temple that big for nothing you know..."

"Don't look so sad, It'll be fun having our own place." Enishi said with a grin.

Negeyari mumbles, "Its more comfortable here though..." she said with a sniff, then looked at the cat girl. "Our place?"

Nahal cleared his throat, "More precisely, she's going to move in the tower."

"And we will make the temple very comfortable." Enishi added.

Negeyari just nodded once, "It doesn't sound like a... bad place to live, its just I...I'm going to miss eating at the table, my comfortable futon, playing ball with my friends... most of all being able to hug my mommy and daddy when I grow even more..." she said looking down.

"I... am sure it will all work out..." Enishi said trying to comfort the naga.

Kuela looked to be fighting to not cry, she then took a deep breath, "Quit this moping this instant, breakfast is ready!" she said with a huff.

Negeyari blinked as her stomach growled furiously, instantly wiping her eyes. "R-right! I'm starved!" the naga beamed as she slithered along with everyone towards the kitchen. Suddenly with another gasp the boards just before the kitchen gave way and she found herself in another hole in the floor. "Not again!!!"

END OF PART 2: The Cat and the Snake
TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 3: Growth Spurt