The little palico had finally collapsed from exhaustion, curling into a tiny, quivering ball. Hunnt's eyes widened in panic. Gently, he scooped the creature up, careful not to jostle it, cradling it against his chest as he ran toward home.
The village paths blurred past him, his small feet moving faster than usual. Finally, he reached the familiar wooden door and flung it open.
"Grandma!" he shouted, voice cracking with worry.
Mel spun around, eyes wide. "What's wro—"
Her words froze mid-sentence as she took in the sight before her. Hunnt was holding a small, exhausted palico.
Mel stepped closer, her expression softening. She carefully reached for the tiny feline, her hands gentle. "What happened, Hunnt?"
"I… I don't know," Hunnt admitted, panic still lacing his voice. "I was training, and the cat… it just showed up!"
Mel studied the palico for a moment, then touched its small arm with a finger. "It's alright, Hunnt. He's okay. He's just sleeping."
Hunnt let out a long, shaky sigh of relief. "Phew…"
Moments later, the palico stirred, blinking its glowing eyes open. Hunnt approached carefully. "Uh… are you okay?" he asked softly.
"Nyah," the palico replied, a tiny voice letting him know it was fine.
"That's good, that you're fine," Mel said with a warm smile.
Hunnt's eyes widened in surprise. "Grandma… you can understand the cat?"
The palico sat up, flicking its tail with pride. "Nyaah, nyaah! Hey! I'm not just a cat, I'm a felyne. And ma'am… you can understand me?"
Mel chuckled gently, patting the felyne's head. "Hunnt, this isn't a cat. This is a felyne—and yes, I understand him."
Hunnt blinked, his mouth slightly open. "Wow…"
The palico tilted his head, ears twitching. "Where… am I?"
Mel smiled softly. "You're at our house. You're safe here."
Mel ask the felyne "What's your name? And what happened to you?".
The palico didn't offer a name. Hunnt noticed, but didn't press. He simply listened intently as Mel encouraged the felyn to continue. Slowly, the little creature conveyed what had happened—his family had been lost to a monstrous attack, he had fled through the forest, and exhaustion had overtaken him.
As Pyro recounted his ordeal through gestures, meows, and tiny motions, Hunnt absorbed it all. Every flick of his ears, every subtle change in posture—Hunnt could sense the emotions beneath the words.
I can understand him… Hunnt thought, feeling a strange warmth spread through his chest. I can feel what he felt… the fear, the loneliness… the relief now.
A spark of realization hit him. His ability to understand the palico, quietly, subtly. Words weren't needed; he could feel the felyne's emotions, his memories, the pain of loss, and the cautious hope forming now.
The palico finished his story with a tiny sigh. "Nyah… now I'm here… safe?"
"Yes," Hunnt said softly, placing a small hand on the felyne's head. "You're safe. I'll protect you."
The felyne nudged Hunnt's hand with his head, purring faintly.
Mel watched the two of them, her eyes misting slightly. "Hunnt… you have a gift," she said. "Not just for fighting… but for understanding. Use it well."
Hunnt's eyes sparkled, looking from his grandmother to the little felyne. "I will… We'll be partners. I'll make sure you never feel alone again."
The felyne let out a soft nyah, curling up against Hunnt as if agreeing. Hunnt's heart swelled with a sense of purpose he hadn't felt before.
> In the quiet warmth of their home, trust was forming. And as Hunnt listened, felt, and understood, his talent for connecting with others began to awaken—just as much a part of his journey as the fists that would one day strike monsters.