LIMINALITY
Table of Contents
Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 56 Chapter 55 Chapter 56 Chapter 57 Chapter 58 Chapter 59 Chapter 60 Chapter 61 Chapter 62 Chapter 63 Chapter 64 Chapter 65 Chapter 66 Chapter 67 Chapter 68 Chapter 69 ENDChapter 8
Holding the severely injured cat with only his left hand, Janus randomly marched onward with no clue of where he was going as the pathway through the forest became narrower. But even if he does know, the environment and everything about it are confusing him because there is absolutely nothing that will give him a clue to where he is supposed to be.
After the whole occurrence of nearly getting closed to be devoured alive by the Zoogs, they nonetheless survived through the whole ordeal except Schrodinger, who somehow is miraculously breathing in faint sounds despite how gruesome he looks.
For him to survive being ambushed by the Zoogs, who outnumber him, and yet somehow managing to still hold a faint breath. Even Janus finds it incredibly hard to believe that the cat is still hanging on for dear life with those injuries he has received from them.
"This creature has earned my respect," proudly stated in Quirinus own warrior heart, "withholding such magnitude and to even survive through the brutal event that transpired earlier; he indeed deserves the utmost respect of my own," smiling in all of his contentment while seeing how the cat fought thin and weary on the floor.
Although Vesta was more concerned with their guide's well-being than having respect for him, He may be important in navigating through this strange realm, but he is also a living being with his own life that can be taken away by merely a few inches. "His going to die," she said in worrisome, "we need to help him soon before it is too late. Otherwise, he would no longer be helpful for us."
Audible yawn escaped from Culsans: "Some felines are too pur-ious into placing their noses at dangerous matters for their own good," in which he briefly chuckled at the last words that he had spoken in a low and coarse tone of voice: "Isn't that right, Narrator?"
The narrator is a little bit surprised to hear of Culsans suddenly addressing him by his name rather than the usual demeaning nicknames this jokester always throws at him, but he nonetheless ignores the latter's antics to respond.
Janus kept walking blindly in this uncharted area while holding the limping feline with his bare hand. Sighing tiredly, he lifted his eyes up at the morning sky, still bright and clear with some clouds like usual. He wonders if this place ever has night or winter, thinking how long it would take for such a session to transpire.
Through his travels, boredom began to seep into his mind once again, a feeling he was all too familiar with. But, what should he do at this time? He can do a lot of things and does the same to cure the dullness. When he decided to wander aimlessly into this foreign land, he thought this realm would at least make him excited about what lies ahead instead of boring as ever.
In his long-awaited search, he eventually reached a different section of the forest where its trees and environment themselves appear visually different in their own aspects. It's not merely the simple matter of it being a darker, more shadowy variation or a more chaotic and twisted reflection of the surrounding terrain; it is instead just ordinary forest.
Reaching what seemed to be a cliff, he looked at the distance to finally see civilization itself, where his voices expressed their own shared opinion as they realized one thing: finally, everyone could get more informative answers from the natives of this world than this one cat.
The feudal town of Ulthar is bustling and vibrant, teeming with life, color, and joy. The streets are paved with cobblestones and lined with shops, stalls, and carts selling a wide variety of wares. Humans and cats alike are living in harmony, chatting amicably, and happily enjoying the beautiful weather.
It is a world unto itself, filled with unique characters and traditions, all with their own stories and experiences. The sun beats down on the city, casting deep shadows in the streets and alleys, making the place feel both warm and cool at the same time.
Where the smell of spices and cooking food fills the air, anyone can taste it, feel it, and breathe it in. The sight of the market is a feast for the eyes, with its vibrant colors and bustling activity. Because of this sight, he wasted no time teleporting in the middle of the busy streets.
Instantaneously bringing himself and the dying Schrodinger, he was soon bombarded by many stares surrounding him in every angle and corner of this town's populace. The humans were confused, shocked, and surprised by what, or rather, who, they were seeing.
Yet those displays of emotions do not apply to the varied cats angrily hissing and growling at him; even their fur is standing out and their claws are out in a fighting stance. For it is not the stranger's sudden appearance that alarmed them but one of their brethren being held in the man's arm while showing his many wounds and cuts caused likely by the individual holding it.
Surrounding him in a circle, the cats slowly approach him, much to Janus confusion: "What's going on with them?" He said to his accompanying voices, merely bewildered, why they are acting incredibly hostile after trying to bring one of their kin to safety.
"Its because they think you hurt their little friend," Portunus simply stated the obvious, "be wise enough by stopping this misunderstanding before anyone of us gets seriously hurt," nonchalantly advised their host to prevent any further unnecessary bloodshed.
Once more, Saturn panicked again: "Oh, not this again!" Vocally complained the nervous elderly man, "I cannot understand why everyone wants to keep hurting us!" Expressing his terror for every second passes; already he can imagine himself getting hurt again and again for the worst scenario imaginable: "That is very selfish! Selfish, I tell you! Very selfish!"
As Janus stands there in front of many furious and vicious cats, prepared to give out his answer in culling this misunderstanding situation, an elderly black furred cat with white spots walks up to the middle of the street, adorned with an intricate vest and cap, "Cease!" Demanded by his rough, deep, and mature tone of voice, the others immediately had to obey as they then moved to the side.
Moving forward to the stranger, the old cat then asked, "What is the meaning of bringing an injured cat here?!" Questioning with an agitated tone, "Speak before I order everyone to pluck your eyes from that very skull of yours!"
Inhaling and then exhaling a long, steady breath, the newcomer then responded with a calm, collected voice: "I mean no harm; we only wished to deliver him to the nearest medical attention." He gently lowered himself to softly place Schrodinger onto the floor, "his still alive but barely after we were attacked by those vermin he called Zoogs." Every present cat and kitten gasped in horror at the revelation, all murmuring among one another of that name.
Even the humans who are currently wearing either 1940s American clothing or straight fantasy medieval or futuristic ones expressed a mixture of fear, shock, and anger, as they have also been preyed upon by those abominations of the forest.
The older cat narrowed his eyes and grimaced, but after a moment he sighed, "I see..." The tension in the air dissipated, though several cats continued to glare warily at Janus. "You will come with me, stranger, for we have many questions you need to answer," demanded the leader, "and you will let him rest until then!" Pointing at the wounded Schrodinger.
A young orange cat with an eye patch and noticeable scars all over its face approached from the crowd, "I'll handle him, boss," gently biting Schrodinger's back neck, "there's a doctor not too far from here who owes me a favor," gently dragging the unconscious feline out of the scene.
After seeing that Schrodinger was taken care of, he nodded and said, "My name is Janus, the god of all beginnings, gates, transitions, time, choices, duality, doorways, passages, and endings." This further shocked the already tense humans and cats.
Their elder widened his eyes at this revelation. "A god, you say?" He studied Janus carefully, noticing his lack of emotions and expressions. "That would explain why you don't look human at first glance," he said, understanding the situation but nonetheless remaining suspicious and wary of this god. "Let us discuss this while we walk; it is not wise to stay in the streets too long."
Janus nodded, following the elder cat through the streets before the rest separated, talking among themselves after watching the visitor depart with their leader, "Just who is that guy anyway?" Ask one of the human youths, "I've never seen him before."
"He said himself to be a god of something," his friend said as the two of them remained watching the departing figures. "That must be important, right?" A small frown creased his brow as he glanced towards him, only to receive a shrug.
While the two walked in this bustling town, Janus had forgotten to ask the elder's name. "You never introduced yourself to me," he reminded, feeling offended and left out of the silence that followed the journey. Fortunately, the elder cat heard it loud and clear.
"I am Print Beldar, one of the elders in the council," proudly proclaimed the cat, "and you must be the proclaimed god we were anticipating." The sentence greatly captured Janus attention, making the man raise a nonexistent brow in genuine surprise and slight curiousity.
"You were... waiting for my arrival?"
"For quite a long time, in fact. You see, the Cats of Ulthar held prophecy of an possible omniscient deity who was forcibly brought here by the great darkness himself," Print said in such a matter-of-fact tone, as if he had known this all along, "and judging by that description, this is finally the time where our savior has finally arrived. And I was correct by the looks of it."
This is genuinely the most absurd thing he has ever heard, especially coming from mortals of all places. "You must be confused with someone else," Janus retorted, clearly doubting the elder's words, "I am not that so-called savior you seek," yet Print chuckled from his statement, dismissing the god's thoughts in a nonchalant way, "this isn't a laughing matter."
"Of course this is a joke to you, but not to us, for we are gravely desperate to not just save our home but also the dreamlands themselves," the elder cat with white streaks around his chin and face replied, turning his gaze towards Janus with a look of concern and weariness. "As the years pass, that monstrosity grows stronger by every minute."
Shaking his head in denial, he begins to feel like this is a waste of time and effort: "I am not interested in saving this realm." He spat with a cold and bitter tone, "I just need to..." His eyes narrowed for a bit, trailing off as he forgot something important.
His purpose.
Why would he ever want to go home in the first place? Moreover, what is home to him? Is Mount Olympos his home after they betrayed him all eternity ago? They will surely be surprised but horrified when they learn of his escape.
However, revenge is not what he is seeking now. Prior to his imprisonment, he was willing to engage in such an act, but all those standing into eternal damnation gave him a lackluster perspective; there was nowhere he truly called his place home, most importantly an purpose to motiave him further.
"I..." Briefly looking away for a moment, he was conflicted about what he was doing all along, not entirely sure whether he should make a choice in this matter. "I'll think about it once we get there," he told the elder in an unsure tone.
Print Beldar seemed to accept this outcome, for he wished not to press further on the subject anymore. "I'm sure you will make the right choice," he said, speaking softly under his breath as he led Janus through this town, "because the fate of our home depends on you, mighty god Janus."
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