Chapter 7 : Help from Yupo, the Giant Cat

A transparent blue message bubble made of water was seen in front of Darren's bedroom window. After Yupo got there, Darren immediately picked up the bubble. 

Finn said, "I'm telling you, you've got it, Darren, Lake is our best friend, there's no way she's just sending me a message bubble." 

"Yeah, now I believe you." Darren then increased the heat of his hand, making the bubble burst just like that, revealing a piece of paper containing a message. 

To Darren: 

I have a little problem, please come to my house with Finn. I don't know what to do, sorry I'm just sending a message, I don't have time to go see you and Finn in person. 

Love: 

Lake

Darren crumpled the paper in his hand, threw it to the ground, and then told Yupo to immediately proceed to the place where the water clan settled. The day had turned into night, but the streets were still quite busy. The Crimson Country did not have a curfew. 

Everyone was free to go and go, as they wished. 

The Crimson Country was almost in the shape of a circle that was divided into several regions based on each clan. Meanwhile, the palace of the Full Darkness was right in the center of it, towering very high, visible from any angle. 

"Yupo, we'll take the road to the palace to get there faster." 

"Meow!" Yupo responded to Darren's words while galloping. 

"Finn..." Darren turned his face away. "You have to hold me tight, lest you fall and break your leg."

"Darren, I know what to do, you don't need to tell me." 

"It's good that you know." 

Yupo took a sharp turn, entering a narrow alley, his running slowed down a bit, but picked up speed a moment later. 

The fire clan territory was just lagging behind, Yupo managed to step on the big paw on the bridge connecting the palace, and the giant cat turned again, heading towards the bridge connecting the Dark Full Palace with the water clan territory. 

The bright blue color could be instantly seen everywhere, even though it was currently nighttime. The water clan naturally mastered the color blue, it was their color, the symbol they praised. 

"Yupo, there is a blue town square ahead, you go straight until there, then turn right when there is a road. Yupo, do you understand?" 

"Meow!" 

Finn chimed in from behind. "Darren, I've always had a headache, why does Yupo always understand what you're saying?" 

"I don't know either, maybe it's just instinct. If you talk to Yupo, I'm sure Yupo will respond, and Yupo will understand your words." 

"But we're humans, while Yupo is an animal. Sorry, I mean the giant animal that happens to be your pet at home." 

"Yupo's a living creature too, Finn," Darren replied, continuing to stare straight ahead in case Yupo made the wrong move. "Besides, Yupo's been living with me since he was a kid. I interact with him the most, I talk to him the most. So, it's no surprise that Yupo understands our language." 

"Alright." Finn waved a hand, his eyes back on the road ahead. "There's an intersection ahead after the square, don't forget to turn." 

"Yupo already understands." 

Sure enough, Yupo listened to every word from Darren, he drove fast without going wrong, and in a short time, they arrived in front of Lake's house. 

Lake happened to be outside the house, waiting for Darren and Finn to arrive. When she saw the two young men, Lake immediately stood up, a little surprised that Yupo had come too. 

"Lake!" 

Finn and Darren ran after getting off Yupo's back. Lake ran too, the three of them met at one point. They hugged for a few seconds. 

"You guys finally came too, I've been waiting. I was quite anxious, afraid that the message bubbles I made wouldn't reach each of you." Lake said the sentence with one deep breath. The words vomited from her lips so quickly. 

"Sorry if we're both a little late, we tried to be quick, we even took the Yupo here," Darren said, pointing at the Yupo behind his body. 

Lake nodded, when she noticed Yupo, the jumbo cat was also looking at her. Lake showed a faint smile to Yupo. 

"There's no need to apologize, I'm grateful that you guys came." 

"Lake, what's wrong?" asked Finn impatiently, he was already very curious.  

"My grandmother is sick." Lake wailed, her face turning sad. She looked down at the ground. "I was scared Finn, Darren, that's why I called you and asked you to come. I'm sorry for the trouble." 

"Oh Lake, no trouble at all. You're our best friend." Finn stepped forward, grabbing Lake's hand to hold it tightly. 

Darren nodded in agreement. "I'm sorry about what happened to your grandmother. How is she doing now?" 

"I've asked the healers for help, she's resting inside. Let's go into the house first." Lake waved a hand, telling Darren and Finn to follow her footsteps. 

Lake led the two friends to take a peek at her grandmother, who was lying down and sleeping on the bed.

"I think it's best to let your grandmother rest, Lake," Darren said. 

Finn continued. "Right, so that she gets better quickly, so that you don't panic too." 

Lake just nodded her head in response. They then folded up, going back to sit on the front porch. 

Lake let out a long breath. "I'm afraid of being alone, I'm afraid that if my grandmother leaves me, I'll only have you two." 

Lake did only live with her grandmother, both of her parents had passed away. It was no surprise that Lake was feeling shaken and very scared. 

Darren shifted in his seat, embracing Lake from the side. "Finn and I only have you Lake, you're our best friend, always will be." 

"We'll always be together." Finn added. 

"Your grandma's going to be fine, okay? You have to believe me. She'll get better." 

Lake looked at Darren and Finn in turn, she was touched and felt lucky to have them in her life. Lake nodded, but she also had to think positively. 

"If I may know, why did your grandmother get sick, Lake?" 

"The healer said that grandmother had heart failure, she might go early, and I can only hope that grandmother can survive longer. Grandma's illness is already at a high level, grandma..."

Lake's sobs broke free, breaking the silence of the cold night. Darren immediately pulled Lake into his arms. Finn also hugged Lake, not wanting to be left behind. 

In fact, Yupo seemed to know that the atmosphere was sad and grieving, and Darren saw the big cat sitting in front of the house, his wide-eyed innocent gaze looking at the three of them. 

Lake desperately needed the presence of both Finn and Darren. Being around those two boys would make Lake feel calmer and much better. 

However, tonight, Lake felt like pouring out her sadness to Darren and Finn. Hopefully they could understand that she wasn't okay.