The story so far:

---- Aija is a Volunteer at the Pristine School at Innermost. She works along with Zuri and Ze, who are her friends. Aija witnesses a strange event one night – light emanating from Rez's body. The kidnapper is after her soul, next, but he leaves her alive and goes away. Another man finds her, he wants to take her somewhere else - Aija though wary of him agrees. Aija learns of the existence of the aliens – the Ytai. Also, about the R'ies and H'eon, Harvesting and Àvo from Etrie. Etrie tells her that the man, who Harvested Rez (Thieron), will now go after her. He tells her that the spy/kidnapper's name is Luka. Etrie asks her to work along with him. Aija agrees to work along with Etrie on Harvest Stopping Missions.

---- Thieron kidnaps Aija. She finds out that Nala works for Thieron. Ze, who was following her to rescue her, gets captured along with her. Thieron binds Aija to himself.

---- Luka asks Aija not to talk of Zuri to Nala, especially in front of Thieron. She agrees for Zuri's sake. Luka goes to Etemir to scout for souls. He is caught by Etrie but manages to escape. Etrie is furious about Aija and Ze. Thieron is planning the Harvest of the soul that Luka scouted. Aija and Ze try to escape, but Thieron stops them. Thieron and Aija go to the Open. They meet Alton Ivar.

---- Thieron finds Aija is out of the room and when he goes to find her, he sees that Dhor-Wo has found her. He gets her back to the room, furious. When they go to see Var-Inu, the Ytai man asks to see her. And, then, he tells Thieron to take her to get the Avo. 

---- They are attacked by a Savage. He manages to stop it. Var-Inu burns it.

---- Aija asks if he is really Ah'n. He tells that he is Ah'n. 

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****24.1 - Xan****

The grass tickled him as he ran.

He never knew the early morning breeze could feel so cold. At *Innermost, the air was always the same no matter the time of day. Here, Xan noticed that the wind was colder early in the morning; it got hotter as the day passed, and then by early night, it got cooler again.

*Xan weaved through shrubs and plants and finally reached the peak. He sat there, waiting for the sun to rise. He had never seen the sunrise from the top of a hill before. It was magical he had learnt. The sun rose and painted a spectacle of colors into the sky.

He will love this, he thought, his longing for his old life growing.

He sat there looking out at the rolling hills until the breeze grew slightly warmer. He slowly made his way down the hill and ran to the house. He never could have imagined such a beautiful place Xan had only known Innermost all his life. He wondered if his family knew if such places existed. Did anyone at Innermost have an idea?

He approached the house and stood in front of it, looking up at it. His home at Innermost was way bigger than this. He pondered on how Vaughn would look like from his new perspective. Even the way he saw color had changed. Would his eyes still look like pools of honey?

He entered the house through the window, went to Ms. Niyarah's room, and curled up on her bed. He was still getting used to being in the body of a kitten. 

**

Xan was peaceful after leaving his body. He was placed into a bag with several other souls. He could feel their anger; hear the whispers of their rage. They were furious. They had been taken against their will; they were scared. He assured them that they would be alright; that they were helping to heal the Earth.

A few of them calmed, but the rest were still unsettled. Xan remained peaceful, knowing he was being used to help heal his home planet. And, he wasn't in excruciating pain anymore.

A while passed, and then one of the souls was being lifted out of the bag. Confusion ensued among the souls, and before he realized it, all the souls were being taken out and then came his turn. That's when he saw Ms. Niyarah.

What was she doing there? Why did she have the souls?

She threw the glass jar he was in, to the ground, and it broke open. He had been released. He felt joy from the other souls; they were free. So was he.

Xan floated close to her; he didn't know what to do now. What was happening? How would he help heal the Earth now? What was he supposed to do now?

And above all – why was Ms. Niyarah there freeing the souls?

He went close to her as she threw the remaining containers to the ground and saw a kitten on her shoulder. The kitten regarded him with round eyes, as a weird thought popped into his mind. He heard a man's voice behind them, and Ms. Niyarah's expression changed from joy to fear.

The other souls moved as far away as was possible from the man. They warned Xan to escape from there; the man had killed them, ended their long lives. Xan recognized the man as the same who had come to take his soul. But he had asked Xan's permission, hadn't he? Had he not asked for the other's souls?

Ms. Niyarah ran, and the kitten was in her hands now. He thought again about the weird thought he had had and decided that he would go through with it. Xan entered the kitten's body, not sure it would work and hoping it would. It felt awkward; disconcerting; like he was being reassembled.

He heard Ms. Niyarah talking to him, and then he heard her wish he could speak. That's when he felt his throat – the kitten's throat? – hurt. And everything went blank.

When he woke, he was in a different place. He found himself in the body of the kitten. He had been successful, after all.

Xan had gone around the house and found four cats. They were wary of him at first; he was different, and the cats had sensed it. But they had eventually warmed up to him.

He hadn't found Ms. Niyarah that first day. He had wandered into one of the rooms and found of all people – Mr. Roan, his favorite volunteer. What in the world was going on? Why was Mr. Roan there?

Nevertheless, Xan had been happy. He had run to Mr. Roan, who had looked at him with a smile. When Mr. Roan had patted him on the head, he had felt a purr vibrate through his body. It was weird, but he was a kitten now, and Xan had accepted it rather well.

He had wanted to test if he could talk, like actual words, like a human. It was impossible through a kitten's body, but something made him want to try – he had been successful in entering the kitten – speaking should be plausible.

"Mr. Roan," he had tried to say – no, he had said it. Out loud. And it was his voice. The very same voice he'd had as a human.

Ms. Niyarah had indeed willed him to talk.

He looked up at Mr. Roan, who had stopped petting him. He looked shaken. "Did you speak?" he asked Xan.

"Yes," Xan said, his voice croaking from disuse.

Mr. Roan looked horrified, but obviously, he would be. What kind of kitten would be able to speak? What sort of kitten would know his name? A kitten only mewed.

Mr. Roan shooed him out of his room. Xan regretted speaking at all. What was he to do now? Maybe, with time, Mr. Roan would warm up to him and accept the existence of a talking cat?

Xan ran out to the main room and found the same man who had taken his soul. He smiled at Xan. Did he see Xan in the kitten's body?

Xan had kept away from that man ever since then. He had since learnt the names of the house occupants – Thieron, Nala, and Luka. Xan wasn't sure what to think of Thieron. Was he really good; trying to save the Earth? Or had Xan been deceived?

Xan spent most of his time inside. He discovered that Ms. Niyarah was in one of the rooms upstairs. Ms. Niyarah was sleeping. He had found a little while later that she was actually unconscious. He spent most of his time by her side. He really liked Mr. Roan, but he had scared him.

He had never spoken to Ms. Niyarah before, she handled the elementary classes more often. But she was the only one apart from Mr. Roan that Xan felt safe with. He hadn't tried to speak to her; he didn't want to scare her away too. But, he craved to talk to someone.

Xan had thought of escaping every now and then; to go back to Innermost. But the problem was, he didn't know where he was and where to find a train station, and they seemed to be on someplace on hills – he doubted there was a station close-by. His best option was to stay by Ms. Niyarah, so he had stayed.

When Ms. Niyarah had finally woken, he had been glad. She seemed to be fine. She had a thin black line around her wrist, but he didn't know what it was for. Mr. Roan, Thieron, and Nala had it as well.

**

Xan yawned as he stretched on the bed. He had seen Ms. Niyarah go somewhere with Thieron – the long-haired man who had killed him. A whole day had already gone by, and he was starting to miss her presence.

The whole day went by rather slowly. He heard music making its way up from downstairs. He missed the cello. He yearned to feel the strings under his fingers; feel the vibrations as he slid the bow over the strings. Now, in this animal body of his, he would never be able to play the cello.

He wondered how his family was doing. How was Vaughn? He had finally been able to tell *Vaughn he loved him. Vaughn had loved him too. He remembered the feel of Vaughn's lips on his; the way his hair felt on his fingers. He would remember it forever.

Had Thieron or Luka left a message for his family? Perhaps not, he thought. Xan wanted one opportunity, just one, to see his family and Vaughn. He missed them terribly; it was the first time he had been alone in his life. The experience of it was starting to get lonely and terrifying.

He heard a car approach the house. It was dark – not that it mattered to him anymore. His night vision was excellent now. He perked up his ears, listening as two, car doors opened and closed, and as the main door opened.

Moments later, Ms. Niyarah came into the room, and the light automatically switched on.

"Hey little one," she said, spotting him curled up on the bed.

The clothes were huge on her, and her hair was tied up in a bun. She sat on the bed and lifted him up. "I'm glad you are fine," she told him.

Xan debated on whether to talk to her or not. How would she react? Maybe she would handle it better than Mr. Roan for she had seen the other souls – freed them too. She was the one who had willed him to speak. He had to take a chance. Xan had nothing left to lose – he had lost his life, his family, and Vaughn. What more could he lose? His old life had been completely uprooted anyway.

"Ms. Niyarah," he said.

Her eyes widened, but she didn't drop him. She still held onto him.

"Please don't get scared," he said.

"You can talk?" she asked, setting him down gently on the bed.

"Yes, I am one of the souls you freed that night. I took refuge in the kitten. I didn't know where else to go. You willed me to speak that night."

Ms. Niyarah's eyes narrowed as she tried to remember that night. "I see," she said calmly.

Was she in shock? Why was she unruffled? Did she believe such things could happen?

"You believe me?" Xan questioned, hopeful.

She didn't answer him instantly. She thought about it before nodding. "Sure. Nothing is too unbelievable right now."

"Thank you, Ms. Niyarah," Xan said.

"How do you know my name?"

"My name is Xan Ae Lee. I studied at Pristine School Innermost."

Ms. Niyarah looked shocked. "Xan? Ze's student Xan?"

"How do you know?"

"Ze told me about you. He was supposed to visit you at the Hospital. You were sick." she told him and added more to herself, "Is that why Ze was there that night?"

"Yes, I was in the Hospital."

So Vaughn had told him the truth. Mr. Roan had agreed to go visit him. Xan had thought Vaughn had said it to make him feel better, although he had been hopeful and had been looking out for Mr. Roan.

Then, what had happened that he had gotten himself stuck here?

Ms. Niyarah looked stunned, and it appeared like she was putting bit and pieces of information together. "Oh dear..." she whispered, standing up.

"What is it, Ms. Niyarah?"

She looked at him desolately. "You were hospitalized. You are one of the souls I freed," she mumbled.

Xan nodded.

Tears welled up in her eyes, Xan grew concerned. She sat back on the bed beside him. "Oh, Xan," she cried. The tears streaked down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry."

Why was she sorry? She had freed him.

"That night, did Thieron kill you? The man with the long black hair, did he take your soul?"

How did she know?

"Yes,"

"I'm so sorry, Xan. We came too late." she sobbed.

"What's wrong?"

"We were supposed to save you," she whispered between sobs.

Xan put a grey paw on her lap. He couldn't do anything else as a cat to ease her evident pain.

After Ms. Niyarah had calmed down, she explained what had happened to him. Apparently, there existed aliens, and they were trying to destroy the human race and take over Earth for themselves.

There were also those, who wanted to protect humans and the Earth. Ms. Niyarah had been part of the group trying to protect humans. Thieron, Luka, and Nala were part of the group trying to destroy humans.

So, Thieron and Luka had tricked him into giving up his soul, willingly. He had been terribly sick, delirious, and in agonizing pain, and they had taken advantage of it all. Xan had known he couldn't have survived whatever had afflicted his body. He knew he would have died, but it was better than being used to destroy the human race and have aliens take over the Earth.

Xan felt horrible; betrayed. He had been taken advantage of. Mr. Roan had gone to see him that very night - he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

"I wish I knew I was being tricked," Xan spoke.

"Oh, Xan," Ms. Niyarah was sad. "Why didn't you escape? Why cage yourself in an animal body?"

Xan thought about it. Why hadn't he left? He had been free... "I had nowhere to go, Ms. Niyarah. My body was dying anyway... I had lost my chance to be with my family. When I saw you, I knew you. I wanted to be with someone I knew, and when I saw the kitten with you, I had this really crazy thought.

"I lost my purpose when you freed me. Thieron had told me I would be helping them heal the Earth. When I was free, I knew I had nothing to go back to. So, I decided to do the first thought that came to me. I didn't want to be alone, Ms. Niyarah."

They were quiet for a long time.

"You think Thieron knows it is you in the kitten?"

"I'm afraid so," Xan replied. "He smiled conspiratorially at me one day. He has stayed away from me since then."

Ms. Niyarah wiped her tears. "I'm so sorry, Xan. I wish we had reached you sooner that night."

"The thing, Ms. Niyarah, is that I don't know how to feel about this. I knew my human body was failing. But, I got this chance to be...a...cat. I can speak in my own voice. I want to feel bad, but I also know that I am glad to be alive – in whatever form I may have now. It's confusing for had you come early that night and saved me, I would have been saved maybe for another unbearably painful day or two. And I would be gone forever."

Ms. Niyarah thought about it for a while. "It is confusing." she agreed. "Also, you can call me Aija. We aren't at school – I doubt we are ever going back."

Xan was quiet. Call her by her first name? He wasn't sure how he felt about it, but now that he thought about it, Xan realized that she was just two years older than he was – or had been, as was Mr. Roan.

"Why are they keeping you here?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. Have you spoken to Ze?"

"I did try. I freaked him out, Ms. Niyarah."

She ignored the use of her surname. "Of course, it is hard to believe a talking cat at first. Ze has just learnt of aliens."

"It's my fault he is here."

"No, Xan. It's actually mine. He tried to save me."

But he was there because of Xan, in the first place. He didn't say it out loud.

"Where had he taken you?" Xan asked, not wanting to talk of things that still hurt.

Ms. Niyarah told him about the Open that had had so many Ytai. It was like the Headquarters of H'eon.

There was a knock on the door startling them both. Xan curled up on the pillow pretending to be asleep, just as the door opened.

"Dinner is ready."

It was Luka's voice.

"I'm not hungry." Ms. Niyarah replied.

"I think you should have something anyway," Luka told her.

"I am not interested." her voice was curt.

It was quiet; Xan opened his eyes to see Luka staring at her, concern in his eyes. 

"Are you sure?" Luka asked.

Ms. Niyarah nodded and looked away. Luka looked at Xan for a moment before leaving the room.

"I think he knows about me." Xan expressed his fear. "He knows that I can talk."

"I'll protect you." Ms. Niyarah whispered.

Xan looked up at her. Why in the world had he thought he liked Mr. Roan better than her when he hadn't even known her?

"Ms. Niyarah, you should eat."

She smiled. "I really am not hungry. But you should."

"Later."

✽✽✽

 Character/Terminology reference

Innermost Ter/2

Xan Chr/In 2.a

Vaughn Ot/Chr 3.l