The Winding Path of Quick White Paw: Part II

In Old Port, Paw gazes out into the sea, looking at the warm sun setting up while surrounded by a group of adventurers. Some of them look worse for wear.
 
“It was quite the battle we had yesterday, was it not! That place made my fur stand on end. Colourless and dreadful. Hopeless like the spirits we fought, I say. Thank you all for the help you gave me. Karlessa is now busy with the artefact that we brought back for her, but she has promised to help me. We shall see. I know I’ve been very secretive about my intentions, but now that I’ve made up my mind, I realise I would like to let you know more about them. I would not want to just disappear one day without an explanation.” With a sly smile and a knowing look, Paw adds: “Do not worry, I shall be brief and let you all have your well-earned rest.”
 
“The entity I told you about started visiting my thoughts back in Machukara while I was learning the Way of Enlightenment. They called themselves Cat Lord. ‘Come to a new land and find us, so that we can see you’ they said. Initially, they manifested as a growling, low voice. Later as a gigantic black muzzle with glowing red and yellow eyes, sharp fangs, and a sardonic smile. To me, they were just a manifestation of my fears, something to beat with deeper meditations and harder training.”
 
“Then my sister Silver started having similar visions. She was a young kannushi devoted to Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto - the Moon kami that is. She convinced herself that Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto was talking to her. And so she left, looking for them. I should have insisted maybe, be more convincing, but that is not the Way. The Way is to let go.”
 
“It was all for nothing anyway. A few months later training had become impossible, the visions more frequent, and the worry for Silver more pressing. That was a year and a half ago. I decided to go west to find her. I was still convinced the Cat Lord was not real, but when I reached the Sword Coast and heard of Kantas, I did start doubting myself somewhat.”
 
“And here we are, the visions are back, my balance disturbed, and meditation led to a trance I barely escaped from. Karlessa seems to know about many things, I decided to tell her my story and the price for her help was this quest, to be paid in advance. Hopefully, she will have more information for me soon. I also want to see if she can help locate my sister directly.” Paw caresses the ribbon tied to her quarterstaff. “In truth, maybe I should not, and do not want to find her just to appease myself, but I will follow my instinct and risk it, Way notwithstanding.”
 
“Well, this is it. I am on a hunt, now you know. It might take me away, but now I hope you will not feel betrayed if that happens. More fish anyone?”