500th Time Reborn, A World Only Known By Women: The Karma System

"So, what do you think?" Kendra asked me as we made our way back to the wagon where Rexa was waiting with the horses.

"I think we need to find out more about this Cult and what they are planning," I replied honestly as I helped Kendra up into the wagon before climbing up myself.

"I agree, but where do you think we should start?" she asked, and I frowned deeply as I thought about it. There was a lot that needed to be done, but I didn't want to just go off half-cocked without any real plan.

"Well, first things first; we need to find out everything we can about this Cult. What their goals are, how many members they have... that sort of thing," I said as Rexa climbed up onto her horse and started leading us away from the blacksmith's shop.

Kendra nodded her head in agreement before replying. "That sounds like a good place to start." She paused for a moment before continuing on in a worried voice. "Do you really think these people are in danger? That maybe Carrie is behind all of this somehow?"

"Well, I think that we can say for sure that Carrie has a hand in all of this. Where is this Melly staying? I think that I will go have a talk with her alone because I don't think that she will be too revealing if I bring a pair of goddesses with me," I explained, and Goldy looked up at me with a sharp look.

"Do you think that is wise? I mean, Tallia asked us to watch over you for a reason," Goldy said, and I sighed deeply. I knew that she was just worried about me, but I didn't want to bring everyone along on what could possibly be a wild goose chase.

"I will be fine; you can stay here with Rexa and Kendra if you want," I said in an attempt to reassure her, but it didn't seem to work as Goldy just tightened her grip around my neck.

"No way! If you are going, then I am coming with you," she said stubbornly, and I frowned deeply before replying.

"Not this time. Titania, can you and Goldy go check on the girls and Rexa, and stay with them until I get back. I think I might have to get forceful to get what I need out of this one," I explained, and Titania sighed but nodded.

"This is not really what I came here for, but I can understand what you are trying to do. I just hope that when you come to my island that you will be just as determined to help as you are now. I have my own sets of problems similar to this," Titan said as she walked over to Goldy to grab her arm, and I nodded.

"I will give each of you my full attention and give my full efforts to help you straighten out any problems that you have that are within my power. I am not in the business of forcing people to do things, but I also will not stand by to watch if people are not willing to try different ways," I explained, and Titania nodded at me with a small smile.

"Good, that is what I wanted to hear. Come, Dwarf, let us go see the other women that the great Cat God has collected," Titania said, pulling Goldy with her as I watched them go and then turned back to the village elder, Kendra.

"Can you lead the way?" I asked, and Kendra looked to the side.

"If it is all the same to you, I would prefer to just tell you where she is staying. While I don't mind taking you to see Tarna, taking you directly to a suspected cult member might put the people I care about in danger," Kendra said quietly, and I nodded. I could understand her reasoning, and I didn't want to put her in any unnecessary danger.

"That is perfectly understandable. Can you tell me where I can find this Melly woman?" I asked, and Kendra nodded as she started giving me directions to the small hut that Melly was renting from one of the villagers.

---

I knocked on the door of the small hut and waited for a moment before hearing a voice from inside call out for me to enter. I slowly pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit room, squinting my eyes, trying to adjust them to see better in the darkness. As my eyes finally adjusted, I saw a young woman sitting on a crudely made bed with her back toward me.

"Melly? My name is Galio; we need to talk," I said as calmly as possible while walking further into the room so that she would be able to hear me better. There was still no response from her, though; it was like she couldn't hear me, but then I noticed a spell circle that was being formed on the bed, and I growled.

I snapped my hand around the back of the woman's neck and ripped her backward off the bed, screaming to slam to the floor. I turned as the spell disappeared, pulling magic to me and then using pins of light to hold the woman to the ground.

"You!" Melly hissed up at me, and I nodded as I walked over to stand over her.

"Yes, me. Are all you cult members so stupid and callous? You were about to summon more were-cats, weren't you? Don't lie to me, or I will bring an angel in here to question you," I said, but then the door to the hut flew open, and Breya was standing in it with all the other girls behind her.

"Too late, I am already here! Why did you not come and get me if you were going to question someone?!" Breya snapped at me as she marched over, nearly stepping on Melly's head as she did to get up in my face.