When they arrived they were welcomed by Derick.
'Dante, Kevin could you show Rex to his room?'
"Sure sis."
The three of them left and just as Marika wanted to say something, Richard also arrived.
'Great timing husband.'
Richard look at her puzzled.
'Dad tomorrow is the big day for Kevin. So you better drop everything and come with me and him to Mystic Cave.'
'Darling I want you to bring grandpa over to us.'
"But what if he doesn't want to come?" Derick asked her.
'Then Richard just has to tell him that he will call me over and that I will drag him there myself willingly or unwillingly'
"Don't worry, she already scolded him once before. And he also knows what had happened at her border and how she dealt with it." Richard said.
'Dad if you want to yell and be angry at grandpa that's fine but please do that after his awakening and when Kevin is not around.'
Derick patted her head, "Alright Marika."
Kevin came back outside to call for his father and sister to help in the kitchen.
"I'll help out too." Richard said and walked ahead of them.
Derick looked surprised.
'What is it dad?'
"When did he learn how to cook?"
'Ohh we cooked often together in the human world, and he really enjoys it too.'
Marika and Derick walk to the door, she suddenly felt a presence.
'Dad you go ahead I'll be right behind you.'
Marika took off and ran in to the direction she felt the presence coming from.
After a few minutes she came back carrying a white fox.
'Let me go!'
Marika ignored the fox and walked with her inside.
'I said let go of me! Hey!'
'Oh just shut up already.'
Kevin and Derick heard the commotion and had a look.
They saw the fox that Marika was carrying was none other than Kevin's mother and Derick's wife.
The fox struggled 'Let me go please, I'm not here to hurt anybody. I just….'
Marika looked at the fox agitated 'Save it, I'm not stupid or naive.'
Richard also came to have a look. "Master is she?"
"Most likely."
"Mom!, why are you here?" Kevin asked while running up to them.
Marika looked at Kevin and then even more furious at the fox.
Kevin saw his sister was starting to get even more furious with the fox in her grasp.
Marika looked at Richard with a smile 'Darling I'm going to barrow your study room for a bit.'
After Marika spoke those words she carried the fox upstairs and slammed the door shut.
Kevin looked worried.
"Your sister won't hurt her, don't worry. She is just very angry at your mother because of the way she found you and what happened to you in the human world. Not to mention what her clan try to do to your fathers clan and how you both had to treat each other for the past ten years."
"The worst thing that could happen is that your sister won't acknowledge her as your mother and give her a warning because she came her without any notification."
"Plus Dante and Rex are already at the door and ready to intervene if your sister really starts to lose her temper."
Kevin nodded and went back to the kitchen
"I know this must be hard for you, but all things consider, this is just your daughter trying to protect her little brother and you."
"I know, and I trust my daughter; will scold her very firmly." Derick smiled.
Richard and Derick also when back to the kitchen to finish the dinner.
[Study 3rd floor]
Marika let go of the fox.
'Spill it why are you here?'
'I came to see my son Kevin, It's almost time for him to awaken his final stage.'
'So… That has nothing to do with you.'
'But I'm his mother I have…'
'You don't have any right to be there as I see it.'
Kevin's mother got angry at Marika 'Who give you the right to tell me that I can't see my son.'
'Ohh…Let me introduce myself, I'm Marika Viridans; Kevin's adoptive sister and adoptive daughter of Derick Verum. I'm also the queen of these lands, Queen Yumaria of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi. And I'm a mother of six adoptive children.'
'So yeh…I have a lot of right's to send you away and to never see Kevin again.'
Marika then started to yell at the fox
'Which mother send's her son on the river after a storm? If it weren't for me, Kevin would have drowned and died that day.'
'Not to mention your sh*tty clan held him hostage in his own body and try to kill me and his father.'
'And you lied to your own son for ten years that his own father was his uncle!'
'What mother would put her own child through such pain?'
'You are not qualified to call yourself his mother.'
'I already heard the story from grandpa, and you could have easily made different decisions. You could have left the clan, but instead you choose to abandon you husband and let your child suffer for ten years.'
'I…I…'
'Rex!, Dante!'
Rex and Dante came in to the room.
'This is a warning, set foot in my lands again, and you will find your death if you don't notify me first.'
'Rex, Dante take this sorry excuse for a mother to the northern border and make sure she leaves my land.'
"Yes sister."
"I'll fly, you just tell me where to go." Rex said to Dante.
'No…please let me see my son.'
Marika got more angry.
Richard felt Marika was close to lose her temper and told Derick and Kevin.
Since they just finished cooking they rushed upstairs.
"Silvia that enough!" Derick yelled at her.
"My daughter is right, you abandoned me even though The Moon King offered us protection so we could raise Kevin together, you just threw the offer away like that. And because of that, my father had to alienate me from the clan and I hardly got to see my son."
"Kevin already told me what it was like for him to grow up for the past ten years, you didn't protect our son from the abuse of your clan. And you dare to call yourself a mother?"
"Do you have any idea how much it pained me to treat my own son as a nephew?"
Silvia looked at Kevin and tried to get sympathy from him.
Kevin rushed over to Marika and hugged her tight and whispered "Please don't send me with my mother."
Marika petted his head reassuring she wouldn't do that.
Silvia wanted to grab Kevin but Derick blocked her.
Derick wanted to say something but Marika shook her head. She crouched down and said to Kevin. 'Just tell her, what you wanted to say all these years but couldn't. Me and dad will protect you.'
"Mom I'm grateful you gave me life, but that's the only thing. I was never happy in my ten years of life. But the day sister saved me from the river, for the first time I felt that somebody cared for me and wanted me to live. Sister thought me how to get stronger and that I was born out of the love my parent's had for each other and that I have a big sister who loves me no matter what.'
"I can't change the fact that you are my birth mother, but you never once showed me love or care. I have a new family now, one that loves me and cares for me and that is all I need."
"Goodbye mother."
Dante and Rex took Silvia and took her to the border.
Marika picked up Kevin and took him to her room.
Kevin cried his heart out in Marika's arms.
'Do you regret it?'
Kevin shook his head.
Marika hugged him 'Let it all out, I know it hurts. But you have me, dad, your brothers your nephews and nieces. We will give you all the love and care you need.'
Derick came in to the room and hugged his children.
"We will protect you and be by your side."
Kevin nodded and slowly started to calm down.
'Now let's go eat and rest early, we have big day tomorrow.'
Kevin smiled and nodded.
"Sister, dad, thank you for loving me and care for me, I love you both a lot."
Marika and Derick both smiled at Kevin.
[Next day]
Marika packed up a few things just in case they might need it.
'Rex, you stay here and train with Dante.
"Can I go to Aron after my training?" Rex asked Marika.
'Sure, but don't create trouble over there and be sure to listen to him.'
"I will Marika."
Marika patted his head and gave Rex a pendant. 'This will protect you, and if you get poisoned take this it will neutralize all poisons. And if you get hit with an anesthetic take this it will slow down its effect.'
And give this to Aron and this to Canus.
"Will do aunty…" Rex said with a teasing voice.
Marika playfully slapped Rex on the back of his head.
'I don't know how long I'll be gone for, but Cinis is at the palace and if thing turn out for the worst call Richard.'
Marika gave Rex a hug. 'Don't do anything crazy while I'm gone, because I don't want to be scolded by your father and you being prevented from ever coming here again.'
Rex laughed "You know who your talking to right?"
'Yes I know, and that's why I say don't do anything crazy.' Marika laughed.
Dante was with Kevin, "Hey little brother, are you anxious?"
"A little." Kevin answered.
"I will not be there but you have sister with you and I know you will just do fine. Take your time and relax."
Kevin nodded.
Dante then said, "I already asked Luna to patrol the border with the clan so nobody of The White Fox Clan can come in and bother you. Canus already has permission from sister to kill any fox who dares to set foot here. When you get home I have a present for you."
Kevin hugged him, "Thank you big brother."
Dante ruffled Kevin's hair.
'Are you ready to depart?'
"I am sister."
"See you soon brother."
Dante smiled "Good luck little brother."
Marika, Derick and Kevin went outside and Kevin asked "Where is brother in law?"
'He is picking up the person that I mentioned yesterday, he will be meeting us at the cave.'
Marika gave the bag to Derick and transformed in to a dragon.
Derick and Kevin both climbed up on her back and she took off.
Marika arrived at the cave and saw Solis and Caelum waiting for them.
"So it's your big day today uncle Kevin." Solis said.
Kevin nodded.
Caelum walked over to Kevin and gave him a hug. "Me and brother will be here guarding the entrance so you can awaken in peace."
"Thank you Caelum." Kevin said.
Solis whispered to his mother "This is the second time he does that, at first I thought it was because uncle Kevin carried a stone with your energy…"
Marika shook her head 'Did you know your uncle and Caelum have some similarities in personality, but the real cause is because Kevin starts to resemble me more and more. Just like Luca's demeanor is similar to mine so is Kevin's.'
'By the way did your father already arrived with the guest?'
"He is inside the cave."
Solis the looked at Kevin, "Just like I said last time, even if it takes you two days we all be here wait for you, so take your time."
Just before Marika went in to the cave she whispered to Solis, 'Although I send it away, there could be a troublesome little white fox wondering around. Your sister Luna is already guarding and patrolling the border, but just in case it shows up let me know.'
Solis nodded "Alright mom."
Inside the cave Richard was waiting together with the old man.
The elder looked worried.
"Relax your granddaughter already told her father that if he wanted to pick a fight with you he should do that after your grandson's awakening and away from him so he can't see or hear it."
"That is the least of my worries, I'm more worried about his mother."
Richard chuckled "I forgot to tell you, yesterday Marika caught her and scolded her, and even did not recognize her as Kevin's mother, disallowing her to see Kevin or being at his last awakening and send her back."
"Now I'm even more worried."
"You should know by now how cunning your granddaughter is, she already put up a defensive line along the border and if she does manage to slip through, well there will be nobody able to save her."
'Grandpa!!!'
Marika ran up to the man and hugged him.
'Grandpa how have you been?'
"Very well, thank you for asking."
Derick saw his father standing there and had slight mixed emotions.
"Dad, who is that man?"
"That's my father and your grandfather." Derick told him.
"I may not know the whole story, but you shouldn't be too hard on him."
Derick patted his head, "I won't, because your sister has returned you to me, she also wants to return us to him. And we can't let her efforts go in vane like that."
Kevin smiled at his father and nodded.
Derick and Kevin walked up to him and gave him a hug, "Father it's good to see you in good health."
"Hello grandpa, I'm Kevin your grandson, and thank you for coming to my final awakening."
The old man shocked up for a bid "I'm sorry, for being a fool for 10 years."
The old man waved Marika over and hugged the three of them.
"Thank you for forgiving this old fool."
"Thank you Marika for allowing me to come here and reunite with my son and grandson."
'Grandpa you may not know this, but your granddaughter is the best when it comes to reuniting parents with their children, you three deserve to be a family again.'
'Now let's talk later, and let's get started Kevin.'
Marika took Kevin to the big tree in the middle of the cave and sat down with him.
'First I'm going to take down our bonding spell, because unlike me; it can cause for resistance when Vulpes wants to merge with your soul.'
Marika released the spell and asked 'Are you anxious or scared?'
Kevin nodded.
Marika gave him a hug and pointed in the direction where his father and grandfather were standing.
'I'll be over there and we will not leave you, but I will leave this cave if your mother or any other white fox will appears and cause trouble. We will protect you so no harm or disturbance will come to you. And with Richards barrier around this place nobody can enter this cave, or pull a sneak attack like last time.'
Marika told Kevin to take his meditative position and light a special incense 'Just like last time calm your breathing and take your time. When you both are ready give Vulpes his new name.'
Marika waited till Kevin's breathing was calm and walked back to her father and grandfather.
'Oh before I forget, the little fox inside Kevin asked for a new name and Kevin already pick one so he will be fallowing the old tradition of The Black Fox Clan.'
'So I was wondering, if Kevin give the little fox a new name do we also need to call Kevin by this new name?'
The old man laughed, "No that's not necessary, while my name is Silvester, my fox name is Umbra. We only revere to that name when we are in our fox form."
"It's similar too you Marika, when you awakened you got the name Yumaria but you only want to be called like that when you act out you duties as a queen." Derick said to her.
'Then what is your fox name dad?'
"It's Loki."
'You named your fox after the Norse god of mischief's, I didn't expect that.'
"Well it suits him very well, especially when he was young." Silvester laughed.
"Dad!"
Marika started to laugh, 'Can this child ask something selfish of her father and grandfather?'
They both knew what she wanted to ask and they transformed in there fox form.
'You both look so alike even in your fox form' she smiled at them.
Marika started to pet them and cuddled them, Thank you for showing yourself to me Umbra, Loki.' And she gave them a warm hug.
A few hours had past and Marika was picking herb and made some medicine and some tea.
'The water in the cave is clean and has good properties to help energies the body. And I tested it and drank it cold, warm and hot.'
She gave her father and grandfather a cup and they sat down drinking the tea she made.
After she was done drinking her tea she casted a spell and pulled out a small pouch with pills.
'This is for you grandpa, keep it on you all the time.'
"What is in it?"
'Nothing special, A few healing pill's that can help you heal the most deadliest wounds, some poison neutralizing pills that can only be taken by you. And some energizing pills and common cold medicine.'
"Thank you Marika."
'Grandpa when Kevin has awakened are there any mental or physical instabilities, like aggression toward people, driven by instinct or having a hard time moving around in his new form?'
"Well he shouldn't be aggressive towards us...but there is a high chance he will be more instinct driven." Derick told Marika .
'If he gets aggressive, know that I can't sedate him, we need to cast a chaining spell on him.'
'I need Umbra and Loki to step up and put him in his place, and if they can't do that then I'll change in to a dragon and let out my killer intent.'
'But this is only when he gets aggressive.'
'I don't think that it would be much of a problem because me and dad already met his little fox, and Kevin is probably already telling the fox that his grandfather is also percent so…'
Marika noticed anger and anxiety coming from Kevin. She looked at her little brother 'This is bad…'
She rushed over to Kevin, 'Little brother calm down, I'm here, nobody can get too you, your save.'
'We will protect you; me, dad and grandpa are still here.'
Kevin started to calm down.
Derick and Silvester came over, "What's wrong?"
'The only reason why this happens is because…'
Marika got a call from Canus "Sister there is trouble heading your way."
'How many?'
"8 have slipped through, and the Clan head is with them. Luna and a few of her pack members are chasing after them."
"I already called Ray to come and pick up the rest, me, Dante, Aron and Rex are holding the rest at the border till Ray gets here."
Marika smiled, 'You know what to do… Kill any who will try to step over the border.'
"No problem sister."
"And boy's good job on the quick reaction, I'll cook you dinner when I'm done here and have a present for you later."
Marika told Solis that there were some unwelcome guest on their way and their sister Luna was chasing them.
'If the try to attack you guys come inside, it's saver and if they hit your fathers barrier it wil annoy him and he will come over.'
"Yes mom."
"Caelum, mom said that if they attack us we need to get inside, but I want you to get the Clan down here and help defend the cave, if it really is getting out of hand we retreat inside and form a new line of defense for uncle Kevin."
Caelum looked at his brother "Did mom ask you to do this?"
"No…this is my idea and if mom gets angry over this, I'll deal with it myself."
"Alright brother."
Caelum flew up the mountain and explained the situation, Sophos rounded up all the young and strong phoenixes and told them what was going on.
"We will help and defend our queen's brother."
'Yes, he is such a nice boy and he help us out a lot, now it's our turn to help him.'
Everybody fallowed Caelum down to the cave entrance and made a wall of bodies in front of it.
Marika called for Agito, Spike and Noir.
'You stay with Kevin and if any fox gets near him kill it, no matter who it is, even if it's his mother. No mercy.'
The three of them nodded and guard Kevin.
Marika then casted a spell and whistled once after that she casted another spell and took out her swords.
In less than 20 minutes 2 wolfs came running in to the cave.
"Big sister!"
"You need us?"
Marika nodded 'Agrius, Ferox go to Kevin and protect him. If any fox comes near him, kill it."
"Yes big sister."
And the both went over to Kevin and the others.
Marika then told Kevin 'It's going to be alright, I'm going out to help my children outside for a bit.'
'Agito, Spike, Noir, Agrius and Ferox are here to protect you. Dad and grandpa are also standing next to you.'
'Luna is on her way, and all the defenses are set.'
Marika placed a kiss on Kevin's head 'I'll be right back little brother.'
Kevin was still calm.
Marika came outside and saw the people of Mystic Mountain Clan guarding the entrance of the cave.
Marika was amaze by what she saw.
'When Luna arrives I need you all to get inside cave and form a wall around Kevin.'
"Yes your Majesty."
"Mom are you planning…"
'Yes I am, your father will be very annoyed and since they don't take me seriously maybe your father can scare them off.'
'If not…I don't care what he does to them.' Marika shrugged her shoulders.
45 minutes past and The White Fox Clan arrived.
Marika stood in front of the phoenixes 'Getting shot with an anesthetic last time wasn't good enough?'
Marika pointed her sword at the group of foxes.
"You!"
'What about me? Didn't King Caedis tell you not to walk in to my lands unannounced, and if you did you would get killed.'
'Seems that that White Lotus B*tch also forgot to tell you, I warned her just yesterday.'
'Well it doesn't matter, you had your warnings and now you have to pay with your life.'
Marika saw Luna running up to them with 5 of her pack member.
'Luna!, Sweetheart!, over here!' Marika said excitedly and waved.
Luna and the rest ran up to Marika 'Mom!'
'How is my darling daughter doing?'
'I'm good mom, mom I….'
'You can introduce him later, I need you to go inside and protect your uncle, grandfather and great grandfather.' Marika smiled and petted her daughters head.
Marika then waved over the others and gave them a pendant. 'Don't go and fight in there, there are two members of The Dire Wolf clan in there, any form of agitation is bad for my little brother.'
Luna and the phoenixes went inside.
Marika walked over to Solis 'That was a very good idea of you, I'm so proud of you and she ruffled his hair.
"Well you're the one who raised me and taught me mom." Solis smirked while looking at the foxes.
'Solis, make sure the wolfs are behaving, Caelum you keep an eye on your uncle, and call me if there is any change in his stability.'
Solis and Caelum hugged their mother.
"Stay safe."
Marika nodded.
Marika was now alone standing in front of 8 white foxes.
Silvia came to the front 'Let me see my son.' She demanded.
Marika made a yawing gesture, 'Let me think about that…'
'I don't think so.'
'I already told you, you're a sorry excuse for a mother, you let your son suffer from the abuse the whole clan put on him and you did nothing about it. And you almost killed your son 4 months ago.'
"You don't have the right to separate a child from his mother" The clan head then spoke.
'Old man are you deaf? Or just plain stupid?'
'I will never return a child back to an abusive parent or surroundings. No mother in her right mind would do that.'
'And by the way, I have all the right in this world, not only as an elder sister but also as The Queen of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi.' And Marika transformed in to her 7th stage.'
'NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY COUNTRY!!!'
Marika was furious and her killing intend was almost at the max.
'Oh yeh before I go, there is no chance you'll be able to enter the cave anyway.'
Marika turned around and walked inside.
The white foxes fallowed her but were stopped by a barrier.
'Clan head what do we do now?' Silvia asked him.
"We just need to break down this barrier."
[Study 3rd floor mansion]
Richard was doing some work when he noticed somebody was trying to break his barrier at the mountain.
After 5 minutes Richard started to get annoyed and told William he was heading over to check on who had the nerve to try and break it.
Richard arrived and saw The White Fox Clan hammering on his barrier.
Richard transformed to his 3rd form "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
The clan head saw Richard standing behind them.
"Your…Your Majesty Lunam?"
"What brings you here?"
The clan had was surprised.
"I asked you! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"We…Your Majesty this child want to see her son since he is about to awaken his final stage, and…"
Richard looked at the women with an ice cold look.
"Didn't my wife, Queen Yumaria already told you to get lost? And your son already told you goodbye?"
'But… he is my child and he needs me!'
"My wife didn't recognize you as Kevin's mother, and neither do I, after all the abuse and sending your own son off to die."
"You still dare to call yourself a mother?"
Silvia wanted to plead to Richard but he grabbed by her throat and threw her to the side.
"But causing trouble for my wife is not the only thing you have done. You blackmailed the head of The Black Fox Clan to alienate is own son and threatened him, you forced him to treat his own son as his nephew, all of this created friction between the Azure Dragon Clan and The Black Fox Clan."
"And now that my wife, has made everything clear and peaceful between our clans you want to destroy her hard work?"
Richard walked over to the clan head of The White Fox Clan.
Richard then pulled his sword and killed the man.
"Now get lost! Before I make a coat out of your fur."
"And let me remind you, if I see, hear or smell your stench in Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi or in Lunae Lumen, you will be killed on the spot!"
"Now get the hell out of my wife's country!"
The foxes were scared stiff.
"Ohh and take the trash with you."
Richard headed inside the cave.
Kevin was ready to transform in to his final form.
Everybody was watching from a distance, while Marika was a lot closer.
Marika was sitting down in the edge of the little island where the tree was standing.
In a few minutes there was a small gray/silver colored fox.
Even though she was exited and wanted to cuddle him, she knew she had to contain herself.
Kevin looked at Marika in his fox form and looked a bit timid to her.
Marika smiled 'Hello Astus, I'm your big sister.' As she said in a soothing voice.
Since Marika was calm and staying where she was Astus slowly started to walk over to her.
When he reached her he started to sniff her.
He then sat down and with his paw he gestured to Marika he wanted to be cuddled by her.
Marika didn't think twice and she stated to pet him and cuddle him.
'My brother Astus is so beautiful and fluffy.' And Marika had a big smile on her face.
Richard saw his wife having her cuddle session with Kevin and smiled.
'Astus shall we go to everybody so they can welcome you and congratulate you?' Marika asked him.
Astus jumped on top of Marika shoulder and let out an howl. Marika giggled a bit because it sounded so cute.
Marika slowly walked over to everybody and on her way she told him that the phoenix clan had come down to help defend the cave so he could awaken in peace.