Being a Valkyrie is not easy [HI3rd FF/ selfinsert]

14. Meeting a new Face

~Yuki POV~

After leaving Kalpas, I went back to my room. Only when I closed the door did I realize how tired I actually was. As soon as my head hit my pillow I fell asleep. But my sleep did not last long, because almost 4 hours later Mei stood in my room and woke me up. She knew exactly that I am first no morning person and second that I did not get much sleep. Nevertheless, it did not stop her to drag me out of bed.

It was only when we were standing in the middle of the realm that Mei explained the situation to me. Apparently, Raven had disappeared into the Elysian Realm. Well, now we're running around the Elysian Realm looking for traces, and I'm not really helping with my tiredness. Mei took over the killing of the monsters which were on every floor while I tried to stay awake somehow or at least to be more attentive. After Mei had defeated the last monsters, Elyisa suddenly appeared. ,,Mei, Yuki! I finally found you!" she said, relieved. ,,Elysia?" Mei asked surprised. ,,I don't know what's happening, but the realm is in a mess. Even our joined hearts cannot lead us to each other. Thanks to this baby, I was able to find you. What was it called again? The Eye of the Awakened? Or Kevin Killer Mk 24? Anyway, it is a device used to search and locate Herrschers. Cost me a crystal flower.'' Elysia explained. Mei and I eyed the device. ,,I come with even better news! Guess who I traded with?" Elysia continued. ,,Pardofelis? She's back?" Mei replied, surprised.

'Pardofelis? Ah, she owned the shop I often walked past,' I thought. ,,Yep, it's a once in a lifetime chance, so don't miss it. I have opened a path to the shop. You gotta hurry - she's always on the move.'' Elysia confirmed happily. As we passed through the portal, we found ourselves back in the place where I've been training lately. The only difference was that in the middle was the shop. And by the store stood even this time who. The girl seemed to be counting the coins. ,,Wow, how many silvers are here? It will take forever to count them all!" the girl marveled. But she stopped when she noticed us and then I noticed that she had cat ears and tail. ,,Hmm, do we have new customers?" she asked. ,,Hello, Pardofelis." Mei started. ,,How do you know my name? Oh... You are the customers Ellie said would be coming. Welcome to my humble shop! Just call me Felis or Pardo, whichever suits your taste. Please look around! Counterfeits reimbursed tenfold and no refunds accepted!" she said.

,,The last line doesn't even add up.'' replied Mei. ,,Wait! Are you... Miss Raiden Mei and Miss Yuki?" Felis asked in shock. ,,Yes, we are." we answered. ,,Wow! Right in the flesh. Ellie told me all about you guys! A successor whose head has grown horns and a successor with beautiful silver hair that shines like snow in the night. The two are new to the realm and soon captured the hearts of all. Then, for the peace of the realm, one of them gave the snakey a good beating!'' said Felis excitedly. Somehow my face warmed as Felis pictured me with Elysia's description. ,,Oh, Snakey is Dr. Mobius. I prefer to call her,'' she added. Mei and I didn't quite know how to answer. ,,So what brings you guys here? Guess what, I just got my hands on some goodies from Vill-V's workshop..." Felis asked but Mei interrupted her. ,,We are looking for someone. Elysia said you can help." said Mei.

,,Oh, dealing in information? I'm your girl! Tell me what juicy gossip you want to hear!'' replied Felis. ,,Raven." I answered this time. ,,Raven...who?" asked Felis, confused. ,,Well... she's about this tall, short-haired, dressed in black, has red claws...'' Mei started. ,,Huh? Black clothes? Red claws? Is there even such a person in the realm?" asked Felis. ,,But it doesn't matter! You may not know it, but I'm a natural at finding things. I can get my paws on any person or thing as long as the pay's is right!" Felis quickly added. ,,What do you want in return?" asked Mei. ,,I would like to make friends with you. It's really simple, hee-hee. I don't want to say it, but the realm has become rough in recent days. To make it worse, I lost Can." replied Felis. Mei looked at me. ,,Well, I don't mind.'' I said, shrugging. ,,That's all?" asked Mei. ,,Yeah! A real merchant keeps her eyes on the bigger picture. And you supported my business while I was away." Felis replied.

,,Okay, then please show us the way." Mei said. ,,Wonderful! Let's go now... Oh, almost forgot, since we are friends now, you can have my signets. It may not be super useful, but at least it's free," Felis replied happily. Together with Felis, we explored the next floors in search of Raven and Can. By now, my drowsiness seemed to be gone as well, and I helped Mei finish off the Honkai beasts.

After a while we arrived again at the place I used to train, but this seemed to be a different version of it. ,,Hey Mei, look." I started and pointed into the distance where Raven was standing and a cat. ,,Mei? Yuki? What are you doing here?" asked Raven as we approached her. ,,I should be the one to be asking, ''senpai.'' You ran off... to play with a cat?'' replied Mei. ,,Cut me some slack. I'm the one being played here, or I wouldn't be stuck here.'' Raven defended herself. ,,Can, be a good girl! Mei and her friends are watching... It tickles! Aw, stop licking me!"' giggled Felis. Carefully, she lifted the cat, which must have been Can. ,,That better?" I asked Felis. ,,Thank you Yuki.'' Felis answered. ,,So, is this girl... your new friend?" asked Raven.

,,Kind of. We met halfway." Mei replied. ,,Is she the one you are looking for? What a coincidence! It's killing two birds with... No, it is written in our fate! Nice to meet you! I'm Pardofelis but peeps don't usually call me by my full name. Some prefer Felis, some Pardo, I don't mind.'' said Felis excitedly. ,,Felis... You are the owner of the Elysian Shop?" asked Raven. ,,Uh-huh. You're looking at the last of the thirteen, the weakest, to most insignificant, and the bearer of Reverie, Pardofelis!'' Felis replied. Raven said nothing, but Mei spoke up. ,,...Alright. Pardo. The person I'm looking for and the... cat you are looking for are here. Can you find a way to leave this place?" asked Mei. ,,Leaving so soon? That's easy, given I take my business with me everywhere. But... hee-hee, this is technically a trade secret. So can you please close your eyes and cover your ears?" replied Felis. ,,...We'll do what you say.'' I said. ,,Great! Thanks for trusting me! Now then, without further ado, Pardos special service--'' laughed Felis as we closed our eyes.

When we opened our eyes we found ourselves in the lobby again. Raven and Mei seemed to be talking already. ,,You said you saw a space like a prison...'' Mei started. ,,How do I put it.... It's evocative of a prison. It's hard to describe, but the moment I entered it, I believed I was in a prison. But in reality, nothing but darkness was there, except for a mysterious woman." Raven explained. ,,That woman... Raven, do you recall anything more about her?" Mei asked with interest. ,,Before I blacked out, she talked to me... and gave me something... Now I remember! How could I forget the pendant?" replied Raven. ,,Pendant?" I asked. Raven nodded and tried to find the pendant, but it wasn't there anymore. ,,Damn it! This woman gave me a gold pendant with a large sapphire embedded in it. She said it would help me and bring the one she was waiting for to her.... Whatever that means." Raven replied.

,,Maybe... if we find it, we can visit this prison again," Mei thought. ,,Any ideas?" asked Raven. Not yet, but didn't we just make friends with someone who is good at finding things? It's just a guess, but I think she might know where the pendant is." Mei replied. Raven nodded and Mei suddenly pulled me along again. ,,Why do I have to go with you again? I was supposed to help you find Raven." I protested. Actually, I had hoped that I would get some sleep. Mei just sighed and we disappeared back into the realm...