Led by W.W., the group made their way through the forest. They encountered no further attacks from any beasts. More than that — every creature in the forest, including several large predators, took one look at the approaching group and immediately moved aside to clear a path. Witnessing this, Rulu and Kallen finally believed what C.C. had said earlier. It seemed that W.W. truly was the mistress of this forest; otherwise, there was no way the predators here would simply flee at the mere sight of her.
After some time, the group arrived at the foot of a great mountain at the forest's edge. At the base of the mountain was a dark cave.
W.W., who had been leading the way, flew up to the cave entrance and called loudly inside: "Six-Tail! Come out — look who's here!"
About ten seconds later, a white shape burst from the cave at tremendous speed and appeared among the group. Rulu and the others looked closely and saw that it was a silver-white fox, roughly the size of a wolf — and growing from its hindquarters were six large, silver-white tails.
"My goodness, Six-Tail has grown so big!" C.C. said with a grin. The silver-white fox, wolf-sized as it was, raised its head and stared at C.C. for a moment. Then, as if recognizing her, it broke into a lively, bounding run and came to C.C.'s side, rubbing itself affectionately against her feet.
"What an enormous fox — and with so many tails! How extraordinary," Kallen said, eyeing the silver fox with fascination. She walked toward it and extended her hand, wanting to touch the remarkable creature. But at that moment, the fox turned its face toward her and bared its teeth. From its mouth came a low, half-formed murmur: "Go away… go away…"
"It — it can talk?!" Kallen exclaimed. Sensing the fox's hostility, she quickly withdrew her hand and made no further attempt to touch it.
"Six-Tail, behave yourself!" W.W. called out sharply. At the reprimand, the fox called Six-Tail immediately closed its mouth and stopped baring its teeth at Kallen — though it continued to watch her with a wary, guarded gaze.
Rulu stroked his chin, studying the six-tailed fox. "When I was in the Sanctuary before, I'd heard that some Strange beasts were highly intelligent and could understand humans — but a non-human creature that can actually speak? This is the first time I've seen one."
"But of course." C.C. placed her hands on her hips and lifted her chin with an air of pride. "Six-Tail is another one I took in back in the Sanctuary. Just like W.W., it's my friend — and my friends are naturally in a class of their own."
"I see. So it can understand what we say." Rulu turned and spoke to the white fox in a gentle voice. "You're Six-Tail, aren't you, little one? You don't need to be afraid. We're friends — we won't hurt you."
Six-Tail, upon being addressed, instinctively stepped back a few paces and retreated behind C.C. It peeked out from behind her, watching Rulu and Kallen with cautious eyes. W.W. said, "Six-Tail only understands simple language — it may not follow everything you say. It's a little timid. It would be best if you don't approach it."
"Fair enough," Rulu said. He shifted his gaze from Six-Tail to the cave ahead. "Is this where you live, W.W.? Are there any other creatures living here besides the two of you?"
"No, it's just the two of us."
"Then let's go in."
W.W. led Rulu and the others into the cave, leaving Six-Tail at the entrance to keep watch against intruders. The cave went deep into the mountain, with many branching passages and stone chambers. Plants growing along the cave walls emitted a soft blue luminescence, keeping the interior from falling into complete darkness and allowing Rulu and the others to see everything clearly.
W.W. brought the group to a large stone chamber within the cave. It was remarkably clean and tidy, furnished with tables, chairs, and stools all fashioned from stone. W.W. asked them to wait there while she flew off elsewhere.
C.C. settled into one of the stone chairs and looked around the chamber with a quietly nostalgic expression. "These tables and chairs are still here," she said softly. "After all this time, nothing has really changed. How strange… how familiar."
Rulu sat down in a stone chair beside her. "Have you been here before, C.C.?"
"Yes. I even lived here for a while — though that was a very long time ago."
"A very long time ago — how long?"
C.C. thought for a moment. "I'm not sure, exactly. Long, long ago — that's all I can say."
Rulu pressed on. "And where was it that you first met W.W. and Six-Tail?"
"That was so long ago, I don't remember anymore."
"How do you not remember anything? What exactly do you remember?"
"I told you, I don't remember. Why would I lie to you?"
Rulu studied C.C.'s face. She didn't seem to be lying, which only deepened his puzzlement. He tried one more question. "Let me ask you something else, then. How old are you, C.C.?"
C.C. gave him a sideways look, her expression shifting to one of mild displeasure. "Why are you asking that? Don't you know it's rude to ask a woman her age?"
"Just answer me."
"I don't know. And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
Seeing that C.C. was not going to budge, Rulu let the matter drop — though her words had given him something to quietly think about.
After a while, W.W. returned to the stone chamber. Floating in the air beside her was something resembling a wicker basket, which drifted over to a stone table in the room and settled there. Rulu peered into it and saw what appeared to be a collection of fruit.
"These are things I gather from the forest from time to time," W.W. said. "They can be eaten as they are. There are also some medicinal herbs mixed in — all of it will be very good for Mr. Rulu's injured body."
"Food! Finally!" C.C. cheered, promptly plucking a piece of fruit from the basket and taking a bite. Kallen and Rulu, both exhausted and hungry, followed suit and helped themselves. The food was somewhat different from what they usually ate — but the moment Rulu and Kallen finished eating, a warmth spread through their bodies, and the fatigue that had weighed them down seemed to dissolve, replaced by a renewed sense of vitality. It appeared that the food was every bit as restorative as W.W. had claimed.