The wind blew the leaves to interrupt the awkward silence between serpentine fox and lynx.
Ken noticed phantom chains that seemed to bind the other creature. (Fine, we can talk,) Ken growled unhappily. (First, what do you mean you didn't curse my little brother?) He focused on the chains to see if he could figure out more.
The pipe fox relaxed a little bit and came closer. (Your little brother was going to die by human weaponry. He asked me for help and I gave it. After that, I was saddened because he seemed to have forgotten me and left. I never saw him after that. Now a question for you; are you tamed or wild?)
(I'm a wild Lynx.) Ken replied confidently. (What are those black chains binding you?)
(What black chains? And can you prove that you are a wild lynx. With the way you act around that human, you seem very tame to me.)
Ken looked over at the dazed Princess to confirm she couldn't see what was happening before walking over to a tree. He lifted his leg, watered the tree and shoved dirt over top of it.
(What are you doing? This is my territory!) The other spirit beast shouted angrily.
Ken moved the dirt again to reveal the Lyngurium. (You wanted proof that I am not tamed. Despite being disgusting, here it is.)
(That still doesn't give you the right to mark up my territory!)
Ken laughed. (Chill, by the way what are you?) He continued to observe the chains.
[You have observed the chains of a harmful contract. These particular chains are unholy in nature.]
The fox turned his head. (I'm a pipe fox and a strong one at that.)
(I see, and I found an answer to my earlier question about those chains.)
The pipe fox looked back. (Oh? Tell me about these non-existent chains you disrespectful cat.)
(Those chains I can see are your contract with some other being, an unholy one at that. You asked me if I was a wild lynx but it seems you yourself are bound.)
The foxes eyes dilated. (How did you know about my contract?)
(Because, I can see what is real. What is real is this, you did curse my little brother when you gave him power. After he left the mist, he was treated as an evil creature. The fish he caught turned rotten and he almost died. If it wasn't for my human friends, like Princess here, I don't know the type of fate he would have faced.)
The pipe fox paused. (I... If anyone is to blame it is the humans who hunted down all our friends. They should pay for what they have done! I… I miss them so much. I know you and your brother probably miss all of your friends too. We should be allies not enemies.)
Ken sighed. (Who said we were either? You sound just like the type of human you hate.) He walked closer. (Sure, you are getting your revenge. But you are blind to the fact that you are hurting countless innocent creatures. That contract of yours is harming you and others needlessly. Besides,) he turned to face his friend. (Princess isn't like other humans. If there is any human I could call a good friend, it would be her.)
The fox grew angry at being called out. (Oh? She isn't like the others? Let's prove it.) The pipe fox fell into a slumber.
The earlier stunned Princess seemed to half-wake up. "Oh, she really is a strange human." Princess's mouth said. "Her memories…"
"So, how long are you going to observe my memories friend?" The girl questioned as her eyes flipped to full clarity.
Her eyes half dimmed once more. "You are awake? How long have you been awake for?"
Princess smiled as light returned to her eyes. (I woke up when Ken created Lyngurium.) She turned to face her friend with a sympathetic smile. (By the way, now I know why you wanted me to get rid of it. That really is a gross crafting material. I know it is awkward but you could have just told me what it was.)
Ken hid his face in embarrassment. (Really? You saw all of that?)
The girl nodded. "Yep, I should thank you. The smell brought me to my senses I just wanted to see how far the two of you would talk before I needed to join in."
Her eyes dimmed once more. "Fine, After scanning through some of your memories I understand a bit more about who you are. Unlike other man children, you understand pain. I will give you your body back and we can talk properly. I will concede to the fact that you are not like other humans."
The girl's eyes regained clarity as they moistened.
The pipe fox jolted awake. (Tell me, what is your relationship with the other Bringer?)
Princess wiped a tear from her eyes. (I also was able see some of your memories. We aren't too different. But I am not sure I understand your question. What is a Bringer?)
The pipe fox turned away. (A Bringer is one who can utilize their powerful emotions to affect the things around them. There was one near you when I sent my demonic illusion to drag you here. That staff of yours was very troublesome to my original plans.)
"Oh!" (You must be referring to my older brother, Jericho. Why do you ask?)
(I will tell you more if it becomes relevant. But as I scanned through your memories I am very confused on one thing. How do you not feel hatred? Everyone important to you, except your brother was taken from you. Why? Am I wrong for feeling angry?) The pipe fox was confused.
Princess stood and walked over to the creature and held out her hand. (I was angry for a long time when it first happened. I felt wronged. I felt that life was cruel. I wasn't much different than you. If it wasn't for my brother's music and meeting my two best friends, I would probably still be hurt and angry as a result.)
(Then, did you lash out?) The pipe fox questioned as she turned to face the outstretched hand with caution.
The girl nodded. (Yes, and the person I hurt the most was my brother. I know he still suffers because of my past choices. But, there is one thing I learned because my brother chose to be a much more mature person than me. He didn't retaliate against me and my harmful actions. He shared with me his wisdom.) She inhaled. (As the one still here, I survived the emotional burden of my loved ones passing. The pain and sadness are still there, but because of him and his kindness I was able to see there were still good people in the world. I was able to see that I could form new bonds that gave me hope again.) She paused.
Ken sighed. (We have been friends for a few years now and you never told me this.)
Princess smiled sadly as she faced her friend. (That is because I didn't want you or Alex to pity me. The pity I received from teachers and many others stung and only added to my own pain. You and Alex treated me like a normal person and it was fun being around you. I preferred that friendship over one where you felt concerned or bad for me.)
She turned back to the pipe fox. (So, because of how I felt, I don't pity you but I do understand the pain of losing everyone. So, instead of a pity party how about being friends? You do not have to stay in this dark place forever. You can return to your dark place as often as you need. I won't try to solve your problems or try to make you feel better, but I will be here for when you want to solve your problems or want to feel better.)
The serpentine creature rubbed her head in the girl's outstretched hand. (Thank you. I didn't know that those were the words I wanted to hear.)
Princess smiled. (Friends?)
The creature backed away. (No, I still can't be friends with a creature like you. However, I have a favor to ask of you since you are different.)
(What favor?) She inquired.
(Come;) the pipe fox slithered over to a nearby partially hollowed out tree stump.
Princess and Ken came over and looked to where the fox pointed with her tail. A tiny pipe fox slept.
(This is my only child left. The others were slain.) The pipe fox sighed. (The inconsiderate cat is right, my actions are harming others and you are right, the one suffering the most is my child. Please, take him and leave the forest. Help him wake again.)
Princess shook her head. (You should both leave the forest. I know you hate people but I can tell how much you care for your child. Do you really want to give up on one of the only creatures that brings you happiness?)
(Yes.) The pipe fox replied resolutely. (Because that is only my request to you; I saw, you possess the kindness my son will need after I am gone.) The fox turned to face Ken. (My request to you, stupid cat, is that I need you to kill me. The only way for me to be free of the demon's contract is for me to die. My beast core will be beneficial for you if you swallow it.)
Ken resisted the urge to gag. (What is it with spirit beasts and swallowing things?) He grumbled.
The fox squinted at the bizarre question. (It is the best way for us to absorb power. But that aside; will you kill me? Please, do it.)
Princess stood between the lynx and the fox. (No; there is always another option.)
The fox looked angry. (Why do you stop me from dying? Do you have a solution? Well, spit it out. I want you to take my child and leave so I can die knowing that my son's future will be better than mine.)
The girl pulled out her staff. (I don't have a solution, yet. But if you are so dead set on dying, then at least let me give you a proper farewell.) Princess held back her tears.
(A proper farewell?)
Princess closed her eyes and took deep breath. She started to sing and dance. The mist surrounding them was devoured by the staff. Calming feelings touched the nearby creatures' hearts. Tears fell.
The fox faced the dancer quietly; mesmerized by the movements and feelings she hadn't felt in a long time.
Princess ended the dance and walked over to the mother. (Now, if you still wish it, I can fulfill your request.)
The pipe fox hesitated before answering. (Yes, please still take my son and leave the forest. He needs to wake once more. But you are right, there is a third option. Hold out your hand please.) She said quietly.
The girl held out her hand.
The pipe fox bit her finger.
(What are you doing?) Ken roared protectively.
Princess held out her other hand to stop Ken. (It's fine.) She told him as a rush of power flowed into her.
The once very large pipe fox shrunk at a fast rate. She shrunk until she was only a thick paintbrush in size. (Now that I have lost all my power, the contract has been nullified. My memories are fading and I will soon sleep once more.) The pipe fox's body fell in front of Ken and the head disappeared into glowing particles that entered the girl's rapidly healing wound. A Ring appeared on her finger.
[You have equipped Fox Mother's soul: This ring contains the soul of a mother fox. If the soul can regain power, the ring will form back into the former living creature.]
Princess stroked the sleeping baby pipe fox and the ring. She had pushed aside the notifications she had received from being bitten earlier. She planned to read them later.
[You have obtained a baby Pipe Fox spirit bound mythic creature. It must grow more before becoming a Tier 1 creature. Currently it is in a state of unending sleep. The mythic beast will be transferred to your soul world until able to be woken up.]
[Emergency quest obtained: Escape the forest alive. Success, keep the pipe fox and your newly obtained power. Failure, the pipe fox will be trapped in the forest and subject to the whims of the demon who guides the power of the mist. You will lose the powers and ring granted to you by the mother fox.]
[Follow up Quest: After successfully leaving the mist, find a way to wake the baby pipe fox.]
The baby pipe fox vanished. The strange husk that had fallen in front of Ken earlier laid there, unmoving.
The lynx looked at the lanky hairy empty body with his sight skill.
[Pipe Husk: Uses vary depending on the type of creature using this item. As a Sprit Beast with the blood trait, touch to absorb the husk's power.]
He poked it and watched it shrivel as the husk absorbed into him.
[Blood and husk of the Pipe Fox has been absorbed. Your blood has purified and adapted it. You have gained the form Pipe Lynx. Pipe Lynx shares the same timer as monster form. Details can be found in the Monster Form description under the sub-ability Pipe Lynx Form.]
Before Ken had time to review his newly acquired odd ability, a powerful roar was heard. "{(Foolish Mortals! Give me back what you have stolen! Perish for me! Children of the mist hear my command, capture the other Bringer! Bring him to me while I deal with these annoying interlopers!)}" The sound of many overlapping voices shouted as a very familiar three headed fiend appeared before them.
"An illusion?" Princess questioned.
Ken shook his head. "Nope, that one is real."
© J Eranoth