“N-nya, here’s your breakfast…” Yumiku placed a plate of bread and eggs on the table where Teri, Eliona and Skeet were sitting. By far, no one else aside from them and few customers who stayed in for the night were around, also being served by Yumiku.

“So, nya, what is this ‘favor’ that you would like to ask from us, nya?” Teri picked up a slice as she asks the question to Eliona. Skeet, on the other hand, have already started eating the egg on the platter, piece by piece.

Giggling, Eliona replied, “I’d like to take Skeet with me to Fantacia.”

Skeet accidentally got choked on their meal as he heard Eliona’s reply. “A-are you alright, nya??” Yumiku and Teri went to his aid. “Water, nya!” Teri ordered.

“H-here you go, Skeet-nya.” Yumiku offered Skeet a glass of water for him to drink. When he finally got cleared out, he asked Eliona, “Me?! Are you serious about it?”

“Of course. Once every year, we perform a certain ritual where we would require assistance from an Ester with a kind heart. This year marks the 100th year of our ritual. 100 years since the culture between Esters and Dryads blossomed. I could find no other worthy candidate for this assistance but you, Skeet, and the kingdom of Ester know about this culture and have been actively supporting this activity by sending one of its people with me. Henceforth, I ask for your help once more, Skeet. Will you help the oracle of Fantacia once more? Will you be of my assistance?” Eliona held his hand as she explains, giving them the same look of plea. On the other hand, Yumiku and Teri were also waiting for his response while holding each other.

He sighed. “Fine. I will.” Along with the acceptance of the said request, Yumiku and Teri cheered for joy. “That’s our Skeet-nya!”

“Very well. We will go to the castle tomorrow morning. After that, we’ll pass by the village of Wisteria before we make way to Fae Mountains. The portal to Fantacia is located there.” Eliona added. “…By which, I forgot to ask consent from the inn—”

“Nya, go for it. It is truly an honor for us to be of an oracle’s help, nya.” Teri hastily replied. 

“But, T-Teri! All whom the fairies brought to their land never came back! They all become sacrifices!” he protested.

“You’ll bring back our Skeet-nya back to us, nya?” Teri looked at Eliona.

“That… I may not be able to promise you, but this year, I guarantee you that I can bring him back home safely.”

“Well then, it’s settled, nya!” Teri clapped her hands once and wagged her tail. “I shall prepare your new room, nya. Please excuse me, nya.” Just then, Teri stood up and proceeded upstairs. While Eliona is pleased of how things are going well for her, he couldn’t help but look down and think, “These two kitsuneko must’ve been selling me to a fairy.”

…

The next day...

Eliona was already downstairs and ready to leave when Skeet went downstairs with Kurimo. They were already dressed for the occasion, except for a fact that he didn’t have an armor to use.

“Have you packed everything that you will need? We’ll leave right after asking permission from the queen.” She asked Skeet. He nodded in response, but Eliona couldn’t help but look at his clothing. 

“S-something wrong, Eliona?” he asked. 

“Hmm, are you really going on a quest with those clothes?” Eliona responded with a question while still looking at Skeet's clothes, who was wearing a blue tunic paired with a black trousers and brown leather shoes. "Something does seem to be missing with this clothing."

"That is?"

Eliona sighed, looking away. "How could he be so clueless?" she thought. "Well, let's just get that settled after speaking with the queen, shall we?" She already went ahead to the door, leaving Skeet alone with the innkeepers.

"Nya, what are you waiting for~?" Teri's approach on Skeet's back surprised him, making him jerk as a reaction. "Go now, nya~..." she added with a hand gesture that rather suggests him to leave along with a giggle. "We'll always support you from here, nya~"

He also went to the door, and for the last time, he looked at Teri and Yumiku, who were both smiling while Kurimo left a smirk on her face. "Seriously, what are these cat-foxes up to?" He thought before leaving.

…

-Yin Yang Castle, Mainland Esteria-

After few walks from the mainland city, Eliona and Skeet headed for the castle situated at the northernmost part. This castle was also known as the Yin Yang Castle, as it was the place closest to the Creators of Esteria—the Yin and the Yang. Upon arriving at the said castle’s drawbridge, he was surprised at how large it actually was, which made Eliona giggle.

“You’ve never been to this castle?” she looked at Skeet interestingly. He shook their head in embarrassment, which made Eliona giggle.

“You’re no different from the people I brought to Fantacia, oh well. Shall we press forth?” Eliona gave a grin before going ahead of him once more. He followed on their way to the castle courtyard.

…

Just a few more walks after, they have finally arrived at the courtyard. The first thing one can notice are six composite pillars that circle around a huge tree that reaches up to the heavens. Much to his expectations, they expect that these pillars would’ve circled around some sort of a fountain. However, that expectation seems to have ruined. Anyhow, the presence of such enormous tree had given shade to anyone that passes by here, which is not bad in the first place. Shrubs of white roses and balloon flowers are also found around the courtyard. Skeet couldn’t help but feel amazed to the overall view they have witnessed.

“When you take care of nature, nature also takes care of you. This courtyard is a proof, Skeet.” Eliona stated out of nowhere. Unbeknownst to her, the receiver seemed to be in cloud nine spectating the view. “Stay there.”

Just then, a certain kitsuneko appeared. She wore a white coat, and behind it is a cyan dress. She approached to the elf oracle and greeted her with glee.

"Oracle of the Dryads! I have been expecting your presence, nya!" she greeted, taking Eliona's hands for a handshake.

"It is also a pleasure to meet you once again, Minister Chela." Overhearing it, Skeet took a glimpse of Eliona, and seeing Chela's figure just freaked him out. It was as if he knew the certain kitsuneko all along.

"I must inform the queen about your presence. Come in when you feel ready, nya." Just then, Chela opened the door and went inside. Skeet went to Eliona afterwards.

"Oh, there you are, Skeet. I was about to call you right after our conversation." she said. “So, shall we go ahead?” Eliona then took few steps ahead of him. When she noticed that they weren’t following after her, she looked back. “Caldurn, it’s rude to keep the queen waiting.”

“A-ah, right.” Skeet responded and followed right after the oracle.

…

-The Throne Room, Yin Yang Castle-

“Nya! Here they come! Your Majesty, I present to you, nya… the Oracle of the Dryads!!” As soon as Chela finished her introduction, the door to the throne room opened, revealing Eliona. She stepped forward towards to the queen and princess of the Mainland.

“Greetings, your Majesty.” She greeted, bowing in front of the royalties. “I hast come for the annual ritual.”

“Hello, Eliona!” the princess greeted with a smile, which made the queen snarl at her. “Oh, I mean, Oracle Eliona. Ehehehe…” the princess couldn’t do a thing but to give a cute laugh or two.

“I would like to present to thee this year’s offer to the Creators.” She stood up, facing the open door. “Come forth, chosen by the Dryad!”

Skeet stepped in, filled with confidence. Everyone looked at him as he walks towards the queen. The more he steps closer to the queen, the more Chela gets to see their visage, which made her eyebrows furrow in disbelief.

“S-skeet-nya!?” he looked at Chela. “What the nya are you doing here?”

“I chose him, Minister.” Eliona happily replied. Chela went in front of Eliona and Skeet, trying to take a closer look into them. 

“Nah, this can’t do.” She said, shaking her head and tails. “This can never do, nya.”

“Why not, Aunt Chela?” the princess asked out of nowhere. “Does the offer taste bad?” Her sister glared at her again.

“Taste bad?” Chela asked. “Fairies don’t eat humans, Princess…”

“Then why—”

“Enough, Zan.” The queen raised her left hand, interrupting her sister and finally stood up. “Tell me, Minister… why should we not offer this person chosen by the oracle herself?” she then looked at Eliona. “Has she done the wrong choice?”

She then went close into him. She even had to look down on them to take a closer look. “Nothing unusual here. So tell me, what is wrong with this person that we didn’t give the poor guy a proper introduction?” Chela wasn’t able to respond. “Well then, it’s settled. I allow this person to travel with the oracle as an offer to the Yang Creator.”

Everything went back to normal until Chela elaborated one thing, “I suggest giving him an armor to wear and a sword to use. For years, the oracle has protected her offers from any danger. Now is about time for our chosen offer to protect our oracle.”

He then looked at everyone.

“Hmm, you do have a point in that, Minister.” the queen smiled. “What is your name, young Ester? Skeet, I suppose?”

They nodded.

“Very well, Mr. Skeet. The options for getting a decent armor and weapon are close to being endless— after all, we have our stash of good quality armor at the barracks as well as numerous armor and weapons on sale at the marketplace. You take your pick, however.” The queen crossed her fingers as she speaks. “How does that sound? Good, right? Now, where would you want to get yourself prepared? Anyhow, I shall give an order to not let you or the oracle leave the kingdom without its bodyguard properly equipped even with a chest plate and a sword. Therefore, you must find something to protect yourself and our visitor here. Are we clear at that part, Skeet?”

“Y-yes, your Majesty.”

“Very well. You two may leave now.” With that said, he and Eliona bowed in front of the queen and the princess before leaving. As they step out of the throne room, Chela followed them too.

“Skeet-nya.” Chela called. “If you’re not entirely in a rush, I’ll wait for you at the training room, nya.” Chela then turned back and headed for the training room. The only thing he could see is her twin cat-fox tails wagging as she walks.

“Don’t worry, Skeet. I’m not in a rush, so don’t mind me. Anyhow, I’d like to ask how the minister knew you so well… Have you two met somewhere before? Also, her ears and tail looked familiar…” Eliona asked out of the blue.

“She’s the eldest of the innkeepers that we met on the inn.” he replied. “She comes home to the inn when she’s not busy… which actually happens in a blue moon.”

“Oh…” Eliona then looked at the sky. “Um, Skeet… Wasn’t the minister waiting for you at the training room? Shouldn’t you go to her first before we leave?”

“Ah, yeah. That… Not sure if I want to go to her right now…” he then replied. Eliona sat down on one of the marble benches.

“I’ll wait for you, should you decide on meeting her first.” she said.

"Very well." sitting next to Eliona, he pondered whether or not he should meet Chela first before going to the marketplace or so. After all, he already knows where to find her.

Now all what is left is for him to decide.

END OF CHAPTER 3