The cat’s eyes gleamed. Noble, confident to the point of arrogance, and yet beautiful. An amazing cat.
“You know, I feel as if I’ve known you for a long time,” said Rintaro suddenly.
The cat didn’t turn its head, but its pointed ears twitched as if to encourage the boy to continue.
“A really long time. Back when I was a little boy . . .”
Rintaro looked up at the carriage roof as if searching his memory.
“I met you once in a story. I think it was one my mother read to me.”
“Books have souls,” repeated the cat softly. “A cherished book will always have a soul. It will come to its reader’s aid in times of crisis.”
The calm, measured voice warmed Rintaro’s heart. He looked over and saw the cat faintly smiling.
“I told you that you weren’t alone.”
The carriage carrying the two friends raced on through the night. Through the windows, starlight fell on its velvet interior. Spotlighted by the pale light, the cat’s smile abruptly faded and its eyes flashed.
“However, a book with a soul is not always an ally.”
Rintaro frowned.
“Is this about Sayo?”
“I’m talking about this final labyrinth.”
The cat turned back to the window. Rintaro followed its gaze. The stars in the sky shone lustrous and beautiful, but they seemed to be arranged completely at random. He couldn’t make out a single familiar constellation.
“Just as a person’s soul can be warped by suffering, so can the soul of a book. A book that has been in the hands of a person with a twisted soul will also acquire a twisted soul. And together they run amok.”
“A book’s soul can be warped?”
The cat nodded emphatically.
“Older books, particularly those that have a long history, have been influenced by the minds and souls of a great many people. Those books become imbued with a tremendous power, whether it be good or evil. And when the soul of such a book becomes distorted . . .”
The cat sighed.
“Well, it ends up wielding a power far greater than I or any other could ever hope to have.”
“I think I’m starting to understand what you meant when you said this adversary is different from all the others.”
Rintaro’s tone was unusually calm and collected. In fact, he felt far more relaxed than he had ever been.
Outside, the scenery had somehow changed again. The vast landscaped garden was now an old town. The buildings were mostly two-story, bicycles leaning up against their walls; yellow streetlights flickered, and here and there old-fashioned vending machines gave off a whitish glow. It was a scene that Rintaro had seen somewhere before.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Proprietor.” The cat bowed. “What lies ahead is out of our control.”
“No apology necessary,” replied Rintaro with a grim smile. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“I haven’t done anything,” said the cat. “You have come this far under your own steam.”
“But still—” began Rintaro, as the carriage’s shaking ceased, and it seemed to be slowing down. “I’ve learned a lot, thanks to you. I know what’s important now.”
And with that, the carriage shuddered to a stop. After a brief pause, the door opened. A chill wind blew in, making Rintaro’s spine tingle.
Looking out, he saw a familiar landscape. He took his time climbing out, past the overly courteous driver. When he turned back to look for the cat, he saw that it hadn’t stirred and remained in the darkness of the carriage’s interior, watching him with those jade eyes.