Kalewala of Nekots - Shadow Eclipse

Video games. What were video games?

Okay, I admit it.I knew a few human things. The Vanhoja talked about them all the time. I had heard of cities, the Raiotola, and other human inventions like showers. But what video games looked like—or where to find them? No clue.

Usually, a quick cat-bath was enough for me. But after the latest trash disaster? No, thank you. I had stood under the warm shower spray as long as I dared without wasting water. No Nekot from the Vettä clan wanted to anger Vedenemo.

While washing, my thoughts drifted to Taiki. To his kiss. On my forehead. Just like that.

What did it mean?

When cats liked each other, they groomed. I had only ever been groomed by my mother and Yoko, but I had seen it plenty of times among the other Nekots. Humans? They hugged, they had special handshakes, and some kissed. But what did a forehead kiss mean? Was it a Hatâ thing? Why didn't I know this?!

For a moment, I was tempted to shield that spot on my forehead from the water. But it had been Taiki's idea for me to shower, so...

Anyway, I had borrowed more clothes from his closet—a pair of gray pants and a black shirt. It worked, right? Now I was searching for the spare key, which, according to Taiki, was hidden... behind the mysterious video games?

How was I supposed to find something when I didn't even know what it looked like?

I was mid-thought when a scratching sound came from the door. My fur stood on end. Another Näkki attack? Or worse—shadow coyotes like last night?

But then I heard Ramp's voice.

"Hey! Backpack punk! Open up, already. We've got something for you!"

I cautiously cracked open the door, surprised to find Ramp waiting with two cats: a sleek grey Persian and a massive ginger cat.

"We brought your backpack," the Persian announced proudly. It was George! Without the swarm of ants covering him, I barely recognized him. His coat was clean and glossy, and there was a silver pendant on a braided blue-green cord around his neck. Clearly, someone owned him. Someone with taste.

The ginger cat, on the other hand, looked more like Ramp—scruffy fur, bits of dirt, the typical street-cat vibe.

Gratefully, I took my backpack. Everything was still inside, though my spare clothes seemed to have been scattered during last night's chaos. At least the food (a crushed piece of toast and a can of Whiskas) and my human ID had survived.

I thanked George and turned to the unfamiliar ginger cat.

"And you are?"

"Inkivääri," she said warmly. "But you can call me Inki. I knew a Nekota and her Hatâ once. They gave me something very useful, and when Ramp told me about you, I thought you might need it too."

"Thanks," I said. "But... what is it?"

"This collar, of course, you little water droplet!" she purred, grinning. Grinning? I hadn't thought cats could grin. I certainly couldn't.

"Take it off me and see what happens."

I eyed the bright red collar sceptically. Not my colour, but I didn't want to be rude. I crouched down, carefully unfastened the strap, and—oh! Suddenly, I was holding a full outfit. Similar to the one I was wearing now.

"These transform with you," Inki explained. "When you're a cat, they become a collar. As a Nekoto or human, they turn into proper clothes."

"Th-thank you!" I stammered. "This is amazing! Wait—how did you even know I was here?"

"Oh, that was easy," George said smugly. "I live right below Taiki and saw the two of you fly past my window. I grabbed Ramp right away—like I always do when something weird happens."

"Unfortunately," Ramp muttered, flicking her tail.

"And George told me how selflessly you helped him last night," Inki continued. "Thank you, Niko. It's nice to have a Nekot in the neighbourhood again. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask."

"Well..." I scratched the back of my head. "Do any of you know what video games are?"

So that's what video games were!

I took back every bad thought I'd ever had about the human world. Kahvia, video games—humans were amazing!

After shredding the broken fly screen with my claws and tossing it in the trash, retrieving my old clothes from the courtyard, and donning my new magic outfit, I had offered my guests some Whiskas before turning my attention to the colourful plastic cases Inki had shown me.

George had explained how to insert the tiny chips inside them into other devices and connect those to "controllers." Then they had left me to figure it out.

At first, I had been completely overwhelmed.

Then I had learned what the buttons and joysticks did.

Now I couldn't stop.

I had no idea how long I'd been gaming when shouting from the courtyard pulled me out of my trance. Pausing, I sneaked to the window. Wait—no. I walked to the window. As a human. If George had spotted me as a Nekoto, others could too.

Carefully, I peered outside.

Two women stood in the courtyard.

One was short and older. The other was younger, with fire-red lips, heavy blue eyeshadow, and thick black lashes. Her face looked like it had been drawn with markers. Was she... a clown? My older siblings had told me about clowns once.

Her hair was a wild bird's nest, and in her hand was a piece of the broken fly screen.

Oh, no.