The Hovering Ingress: The Hidden World

Chapter 28

Unexpected Welcome

Four Sune Cycles Later

After many cycles and many nights, the group had ended up spending their time in the lowlands, and it was time to go home. Jasar sighed and patted his sides, making sure he had his serkil pouch with him this time. The four felines had agreed to taking theirs with them to Fulgor's Island, that way they wouldn't have to rely on the canines there to simply give them hospitality with pure will.

With that, the tom cat sighed and turned toward his bedroom door. A chill went down his spine as he stared at it before snorting and walking up to it. He wasn't scared about heading back to the island, no way! Putting his hand on the doorknob, he twisted it and opened the door, walking out into the living room.

"Ah, Jasar, you're up and ready to go?"

Lisa was sitting on the couch, a book in her hands, though she was paying attention to her son. Nervously he swallowed down saliva and nodded, his tail twitching and lashing. The calico turned away from him slightly, gazing at the floorboards for a moment before sighing and getting up.

"As much as I really don't want you to go back out there... I know you have to."

The calico gave the young tom a gentle hug before parting and turning toward the other hallway. There stood Gess, who widened her eyes before running up to Jasar and hugging his leg.

"Please come back soon!" she begged.

A nervous laugh escaped Jasar as he scratched the back of his head and patted her back.

"I'll try."

"You better!"

Jasar sighed and shook his head with a small chuckle before walking up to the front door. He took a deep breath and glanced back to his family and waved goodbye, opening the door and stepping out. Closing the door behind him, the tom shook himself and walked through the hallway and to the elevator. Pressing the button, he watched as the doors opened and walked in, shuddering at the feeling of being in there while it was empty.

Quietly he mumbled to himself some reassurance and pressed the ground floor button, feeling the elevator shift and start heading down. It was a quick ride, getting to the floor quickly and letting Jasar out. Not wanting to wait any longer in fear of making himself freak out, the cat quickly bolted through the lobby. Soon enough, he sped out of the automatic doors and into the streets, quickly skidding to a halt and panting.

He stood there for a few moments to pant before turning back to the apartment building. He would miss the place, but to make him less hesitant, he had to go. With a determined snort, he briskly walked off once more. Now that he had noticed he was generally alone, Jasar wondered what the others were doing and where they were. Were they with the ophoree already? Were they still getting ready to leave? Were they still asleep?

Quickly the cat shook those thoughts out of his head as he continued toward the outskirts of the village, where the group had agreed on meeting to fly off from. He shouldn't worry about what the others were doing, or if he was late, all that mattered was that everyone came together and went home together. Nothing was worse than being left behind, the cat knew for sure. Not that he had been at any point in time...

Trying again to shake off his fears, the cat shook his head and marched forward, determined to see the ophoree. He found the outskirts eventually, spotting iven dergou talking to one another. Perking his ears, he trotted up to them with excitement.

"Hey guys, where's the ophoree?"

"Oh! Soot, 'hey 'us' ha'e le't you behind!" Seren barked.