𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃

Below The Greenery

Dedicated to Joe_Father I know this probably isn't your go to genre. So thank you for reading it anyways. 💖
...

As I make my way downstairs, carrying the newly healed plant like a trophy of triumph, my surroundings seem to blur slightly, my mind too full of thoughts to fully take in the winding staircase carved from pale, shimmering stone. The walls curve gracefully around me, draped in crawling vines that pulse faintly with life, their green hue glowing in the ever-present pinkish light streaming through unseen windows. Each step resonates softly beneath my bare feet, a rhythmic sound that feels almost too loud in the stillness.

The plant, nestled carefully in my arms, radiates a gentle warmth—a quiet reminder of my recent success. Yet my victory feels muted, overshadowed by a sudden flood of information invading my thoughts, much like the plotline of a new story world when I first enter it. It’s disorienting, but also exhilarating.

Suddenly, the pieces start falling into place.

It all makes sense now. The cat form must have been a prison of sorts, binding not only the original Ferrari’s healing powers but also the common knowledge that comes with being a spirit—or so I assume. It’s not like I can confirm any of this. It’s not as if I have anyone to casually ask, “Hey, do you happen to know what happens if you die but actually get stuck in a cat’s body and then sort of die again, but someone else takes your identity? No? Yeah, didn’t think so.”

So, I’m left with guesswork. Again.

Still, this new knowledge feels like a lifeline. With my restored spirit powers, I no longer need to stumble through this mansion, checking every room for Layza. I can sense his presence, like a beacon calling me to him. Cool shit, honestly.

As I move through the labyrinthine halls, their long stretches adorned with more of Layza’s unsettling plant obsession—twisting ivy, blooming flowers, and some alien species of vegetation that seems to hum faintly—I mull over the revelations crowding my mind.

For one, I now know how to kill a spirit. Great. One less mystery to keep me up at night. If Layza won’t deal with Ulso, then I will, though that’s a last resort. Homicide isn’t exactly on my bucket list. Yet.

I also understand now how a chieftain’s position works. It’s not just about haughty spirits following one powerful leader. There’s a council, like some kind of ethereal NPC committee, overseeing the chieftain’s actions. They ensure the role is passed on when a chieftain ceases to exist—or in human terms, decides to quit. The council can also enforce the chieftain’s commands by making an example of rebellious spirits. In short, being a chieftain comes with a whole lot of power—and responsibility.

I finally find Layza in one of the many open chambers, his back to me, framed by the soft glow of the pink sky visible through the massive, vine-covered archway. He stands tall and still, his aura humming faintly, a sign he probably sensed my approach long before I arrived.

A wave of embarrassment ripples through me, my cheeks heating as I recall the earlier… episode. That mortifying mess of nudity and awkwardness.

For a moment, I hesitate, clutching the plant tighter in my arms as if it could shield me from the memory—or from him.

But then, I take a deep breath, steadying myself.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself.

Then, with as much dignity as I can muster, I clear my throat. My voice cracks slightly, betraying the lingering mortification clinging to me like a heavy fog on a winter’s night.

Still, Layza doesn’t turn around. Weird.

I frown but refuse to be deterred. With measured steps, I walk around him until I’m standing directly in front of him, forcing his brooding silhouette into view.

His gaze is locked on the floor, unfocused, like he’s staring at something tragic and unfathomable—perhaps the imaginary corpse of a long-lost lover. Weirder.

“Uh… Layza?” I try, my voice a mix of hesitation and impatience.

I raise the plant slightly, hoping it might snap him out of whatever bizarre mental spiral he’s caught in. This plant could very well be the key to completing my mission and—

“And what, Fanyin?” my mind whispers mockingly. I refuse to engage. My thoughts have been working against me for days now, their loyalty apparently pledged to someone wild.

Layza doesn’t react. He’s still caught in some internal cacophony, his expression unreadable but heavy, like he’s grappling with the weight of a hundred unsaid things.

I don’t have time for this. Who knows how long this human form will last before I’m back to being a furry little catastrophe?

“Catch,” I say abruptly and launch his precious plant straight at his head.

For a fleeting moment, my mind gleefully entertains the comedic possibility: What if he and his beloved plant both crack open and die? The image is absurd enough to make me cackle internally.

Unfortunately—or fortunately—reality doesn’t indulge my dark humor.

Layza moves with reflexes that are both alarming and infuriating, catching the plant midair with astonishing precision. His arms wrap around it protectively, as though cradling a fragile child. He looks up at me, his silver eyes narrowed into a glare so sharp it could slice through steel.

I meet his gaze with a nonchalant shrug, feigning indifference. My expression screams, Yeah, I threw your plant. What of it?

But deep down, I can’t help but feel a twinge of irritation. This stupid plant gets more care and attention than I’ve received since arriving here.

“Priorities,” I mutter under my breath, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Glad to see where I stand in the hierarchy of importance. Below the greenery.”

Layza doesn’t respond immediately, his glare lingering like a burn. The room feels heavier, the tension taut enough to snap. And then, finally, he speaks, his voice low and cold.

“You’re testing my patience, spirit.”

I cross my arms, unimpressed. “Oh, please. If anyone should be annoyed, it’s me. That plant has given me more pain than your sharp tongue ever could.”

His lips twitch—whether in irritation or amusement, I can’t tell. Either way, I’ve got his attention now.
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PLEASE. FUCKING. VOTE. (no fr. please.)

A/N: We hit 17k reads, so I finally felt motivated enough to publish a chapter. It's 1k words already though and that's my limit for a chapter so maybe I'll publish another one later. Thanks for reading. 💖