Delighted, Kitty passed through Dream, stepped out of Michael's daydream, and appeared beside the Archangel. Seeing the surprise in the blond angel's eyes filled it with joy.
Kitty sometimes enjoyed startling people—hiding beside doors or around corners, secretly watching others, or suddenly leaping onto someone's shoulder from behind. The bigger the reaction, the more amusing cats found it.
Deathstroke was good in every respect, except his emotions were too calm. It was as though nothing could surprise him, or as though nothing ever happened outside his expectations.
That meant little hunting games like scaring people could not be played on him, but they could be played on Michael.
This Guardian Angel was highly alert, which meant he was extremely sensitive. Someone suddenly appearing would give him quite a fright.
Unfortunately, Michael had a deadpan face. Even when startled, at most his pupils changed slightly; his expression barely changed at all.
"Dream, are you joining in as well?"
Though his sword-gripping hands continued to tremble from the contest of strength, Michael's voice remained as steady as ever. He seemed capable of speaking only in that businesslike tone.
"Meow. What a pointless question, Angel. The Endless placed their bets on Deathstroke much earlier than any of you did."
Dream of a Thousand Cats, its eyes now wide and round, truly displayed the traits of a predator. It was no longer drowsy-looking, but brimming with fighting spirit and imposing momentum.
As it spoke, its body grew larger and larger, instantly becoming a colossal beast thousands of meters long. The power of dreams swelled within it, flowing from its seven orifices like smoke.
Talking without acting was not a cat's style. Once it had grown large enough to be proportionate to the Foot of God, the cat suddenly leaped through the air, extended both