Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)

Step.

Step, step.

I follow in Eris's footsteps, playing a little game with myself as we trek through the snow. Each time she leaves a fresh imprint, I try my best to step perfectly into it, matching her stride exactly.

I don't know why I'm doing this.

But it's… weirdly fun.

It kind of reminds me of cats—the way they move so fluidly, their hind paws landing perfectly where their front paws just were, minimizing noise, maximizing balance. Efficient. Precise. Elegant.

And since I'm a catgirl now…

I'm naturally really good at this!

Also—

I notice that Eris's footprints are slightly bigger than mine.

Not that I have a foot fetish or anything…

But for some reason, this feels like good information to know.

Hehe.

Just as I'm mentally noting this crucial discovery—

Boop!

I slam right into Eris's back.

"Wha—?!"

She had stopped walking, and I was too distracted looking down to notice.

I stumble backward, flailing, the world tilting sharply as I nearly fall flat on my ass.

But before my body can hit the snow—

A strong arm catches me.

"Are you okay?" Eris's voice is smooth and steady, her arm wrapped around my waist, holding me up effortlessly.

My cheeks burn as I find myself staring right into her eyes—cool, blue, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Oh shit.

We are already lovers.

We've done way more intense things than this.

We've had crazy sex.

But still—

Moments like this make my heart flutter!

"I-I'm okay!" I squeak, feeling my ears heat up.

Eris giggles softly, then tilts me upright, setting me back on my feet with an amused glint in her eyes.

But as my mind returns to normal…

"Eh? Why did we stop?" I ask, looking around.

We're still in the middle of a vast, frozen forest, surrounded by tall, ice-covered trees and untouched snow. The landscape is pristine, silent, endless—no landmarks, no buildings, nothing but pure winter beauty.

And…

We're not even 0.00001% closer to that insanely far mountain!

I squint at Eris suspiciously.

She smirks, then boops my cold nose playfully.

"Silly Felicia, you didn't actually believe I was going to make you walk all the way up the mountain, did you?"

I freeze.

"Ehhhhhh???" My ears twitch violently. "W-what do you mean?!"

Eris just chuckles knowingly and reaches for her belt pouch.

With a flick of her wrist, she pulls out two small vials.

Each one contains a bright, shimmering blue liquid.

She hands one to me.

"Here, take this."

I accept the tiny vial, raising it to my eyes for a closer look.

The liquid inside is bubbling faintly, tiny ripples of arcane energy shifting within, as though the potion itself is alive.

It… kind of reminds me of an energy drink from Earth.

But there's also something else—a faint sparkle, like there's glitter swirling inside.

"Eris, what is this?" I ask curiously, eyeing the shimmering liquid in my vial.

Eris has already downed hers in one swift gulp.

"Pwuahhh!!!" She shivers violently, her entire face scrunching up in absolute disgust. "Brrrr! That's horrible!"

I watch in mild horror as she hugs herself, shaking off the aftertaste like she just swallowed liquid despair.

Okay… not reassuring.

Cautiously, I uncork my own vial and take a small, experimental sniff.

Oh! It smells… nice?

A soft, floral scent drifts up, warm and comforting—sweet like roses, but with a sharp, almost spicy undertone, something between cinnamon and cloves.

I blink in surprise. "It actually smells pretty good!"

Eris, still grimacing, lets out a weak chuckle. "Yeah, it smells nice, but the taste is horrible." She waves a hand at me. "Anyway, just drink it up."

I hesitate. "…O-okay…"

Taking a deep breath, I tilt the vial to my lips—

And the moment the liquid touches my tongue—

PPPFFFFTTTT!!!

BLARRGGHHH!!!

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? IT'S SO BITTER!!!"

Not just bitter—spicy, too! Like someone took pure suffering, boiled it in liquid regret, and then set the whole thing on fire for good measure!

I gag violently, my tail bristling in alarm as I flail dramatically.

Eyes watering, I turn to Eris with pure betrayal. "Huhu… Eris… do I really have to drink this???"

Eris casually takes a sip of her water, completely unaffected by my misery. "Well, of course. Unless you want to freeze your ass off on that mountain."

I squint at her, suspicious but intrigued. "…What even is this?"

She twirls the empty vial between her fingers. "A potion brewed from Glacierblooms. It boosts your Frost Resistance and shields you from the cold."

I blink. "But… don't I already have protection?"

I hold out my arms, gesturing to my ultra-high-quality, absurdly expensive fur-lined winter gear.

"Do I really need this potion?"

Eris nods firmly. "Yes, you need both. The clothes help a lot, but they won't be enough!"

I gulp.

"A-alright… if you say so…"

Bracing myself, I tilt my head back and chug the rest in one go.

The second wave of horror hits instantly.

"BLERGGGHHH!! EUGHHHHH!!!"

I nearly throw up on the spot, my entire body convulsing in protest.

I claw at my tongue. "PPPPFFFTTT!! PFFFFTTT!!! ERIS!!! THE FLAVOR WON'T GO AWAY!!!"

Eris just laughs at my suffering. "Here, have some water. It helps."

She hands me her bottle, and I snatch it like my life depends on it, chugging the cool liquid as fast as humanly possible.

"Pwuahhh!! Thank god!!!" I wheeze, my soul slowly returning to my body. "Phew! That was nasty!!!"

Eris grins, looking way too pleased with herself. "Good girl! That went better than my first time drinking it."

I glare at her, deadpan. "Yeah, well, IT WAS HORRIBLE."

She just laughs, and despite myself—

I start laughing, too.

——————————-

A few seconds later, before our laughter completely dies down, Eris suddenly straightens.

"Now then," she says with a commanding voice. "I think this is good enough. You can come out now."

I freeze mid-breath.

Eh?

You? Come out?

I blink, my brain scrambling. Who the heck is she talking to?

There's literally no one else here but me and her!

But before I can even ask, Eris's eyes begin to glow—a brilliant, pulsating purple.

The pendant around her neck levitates, lifting gently from her chest, its silver chains rattling softly in the still air. A faint hum resonates through the clearing, making the snow vibrate beneath my feet.

And then—

A puffy wisp of black smoke emerges from the pendant!

It shoots upward, swirling like a playful shadow, stretching and shifting, reshaping itself.

Two cat-like ears sprout from the darkness.

Then—two big, round eyes blink into existence.

And finally—a tiny, adorable mouth forms.

For a second, the creature hovers midair, its form settling into place, pulsing with mysterious energy.

And then—

"NYAAAAAAAAARRRHHHH!!"

The smoke-wisp creature roars cutely.

"Uwoooooooohhhh!!!" I gasp, my heart practically dying from the sheer cuteness overload.

I clutch my chest, nearly collapsing on the spot. "Eris, what is this?! It's so adorable!!!"