The Black Cat's Journal - Volume 1

Prologue: The Journey Begins

Ah, dear reader, let me whisk you away to a rather peculiar day in the year 2021. Picture it: the sun blazing over the bustling city of Cebu, where the esteemed Netherward family had just attended the prestigious International Convention of the Hortonian Order. The convention was a grand affair, filled with riveting lectures, dazzling exhibitions, and the occasional snore-inducing speech. Ah, the snores! You could practically compose a symphony. But I digress.

As the convention drew to a close on May 25, the Netherwards decided to charter a fastcraft boat to return home, opting for a bit of luxury and solitude. Imagine the scene: a sleek vessel slicing through the waves, the sea breeze tousling hair, and the promise of a peaceful journey. Little did they know that this decision would steer their lives into an adventure of epic proportions. And yes, I, Benetton, their ever-so-charming and witty black cat, was with them. After all, what self-respecting cat would miss a boat ride? Especially one that didn't involve the indignity of a bath!

As the boat glided smoothly over the Camotes Sea, I found myself a cozy spot near a window, the perfect vantage point for a feline of my distinguished stature. Mhelfrancovince, the eldest sibling and my esteemed owner, stood at the helm with his wife, Nikkimae, by his side. The rest of the family settled in comfortably, chatting about the highlights of the convention. I eavesdropped, naturally. A cat must stay informed, after all.

The sea was calm as we embarked, with only the gentle hum of the boat's engine breaking the tranquility. It was the kind of peaceful hum that could lull even the most restless of cats into a delightful nap. Mhelfrancovince and Nikkimae looked every bit the regal couple, as if they were posing for a family portrait rather than steering us into the unknown. The rest of the family settled in comfortably, chatting about the highlights of the convention. Oh, the stories they shared! You'd think they were returning from a royal ball rather than a conference.

I found a cozy spot near the window, keenly observing the waves. Now, let me tell you, dear reader, the art of finding the perfect cozy spot is a skill only a cat can truly master. The waves danced and shimmered, and for a moment, I considered composing a haiku about it. But alas, my poetic musings were cut short by a sudden, eerie sensation creeping into the air.

As we ventured further into the Camotes Sea, a dark miasma, thick and foreboding, emerged seemingly out of nowhere. It was like the sea had decided to play a little prank on us, bringing out its best spooky fog just in time for Halloween. The once serene atmosphere turned heavy with an ominous presence. The air felt as if someone had cranked up the tension dial to eleven. Now, as an astute and highly perceptive feline, I sensed trouble. My whiskers twitched, my tail flicked, and I prepared to unleash my most dramatic warning. But before I could muster a witty remark or a theatrical meow, the miasma enveloped us completely.

In a blink, the world shifted. Gone were the familiar waters of the Camotes Sea. Instead, we found ourselves in a land that seemed straight out of a fantasy novel—swords, magic, and all. The sky was a vivid shade of azure, as if an overzealous artist had gone a bit wild with their paintbrush. The landscape was dotted with strange, enchanting flora—think flowers that glowed in the dark and trees that looked like they had been borrowed from a Dr. Seuss book. It was as if we had been plucked from reality and placed into the pages of an isekai tale. I half-expected a dragon to swoop down and ask for directions.

The Netherwards looked around in bewilderment, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and confusion. Mhelfrancovince, ever the stoic leader, furrowed his brow, probably calculating how to handle this new twist in their lives. Nikkimae clutched his arm, her eyes sparkling with a mix of fear and excitement. The rest of the family stood in various stages of surprise, looking like they had just been told the punchline to a joke they didn't quite understand.