By the time Miko had calmed down, their time was up. Miko had also apparently cried herself to sleep. She must have been so exhausted and cried so much she had no more tears left. Although Ryo did not say anything as it wasn't exactly comforting, he partially knew why. After Miko and Miru left Asura's house that day, Asura pulled him back. He told her in detail what Miko had told her, and from there he was pretty much able to make a good guess. When the god took her powers, he did leave some behind, although it wasn't exactly a whole lot. He let her have the ability to transform and let her keep her innate magic, but took everything else, her cultivation, age, AND the affinities. So while she had the same appearance, chances were, she would never be able to control the elements again, and be unable to cultivate nime tails, or reach immortality. Immortality can only be obtained by kitsunes once three criterias are met. They must have nine tails, meaning they must have lived up to nine thousand years old at least. Their affinities must both have reached the tenth stage, which is also partially a reason why most kitsunes only chose one element. It was a faster method as they only needed to cultivate one magic core. Thirdly, their innate power must have reached the tenth stage as well. When they are all met, they simply have to head to the heavenly realm, finish the tests laid out for them and they can become a minor god. Not that they cared as the grim reaper would never come to them due to time.
Ryo gently stroked her back. He could feel her despair. After all, immortality is what almost every creature on the planet wanted to obtain. Little did he know, that was not the main reason for her wailing.
Miko cried and cried, until tears stopped flowing out. The main reason is now, if any monster or non-human threats came after Takei, she would be unable to protect him. She would die just like him in that circumstance, as she was just far too weak. On top of that, she couldn't improve herself. A sad feeling - knowing the problem and not being able to fix it.
Ryo carried her out of the chamber as he thanked the fox at the counter. Seeing the two, the fox girl immediately cooed,"Ohhhhhh did you two... until she was exhausted? Y'know... Our chambers are strictly for cultivation, not y'know... Better hope there are no stains..."
"Its not like that," Ryo explained. He clicked his tongue in irritation, and proceeded to continue, "Don't spout nonsence, or I'll complain to have you fired."
Sensing his mood, the fox immediately stopped teasing him and replied a blatant,"Fine. Sorry."
Ryo carried her back to her tree in the village. He had turned her to a full fox as she would be easier to carry then. He settled her down comfortably on her soft, cotton nest. He pat her a few times, feeling her soft, pink fur brush across his hands. Thankfully, her brother wasn't home. He wouldn't want to see her this sad, and might even blame him!
"Your day must be so boring she started crying tears of boredom!" He could hear him say. But since he let her set the course of the day, he was prepared to counter his arguement.
...
"Huh? Where am I?" Miko asked herself. She stood in front of a human village, now torned down. Destruction was everywhere. Buildings had collapsed and there were screams of terror from the residents. What was remaining of the wooden building were just ash, while the thicker parts were still burning.
"KACHING!"
"AGHH!"
It was a full out war, with the enemy seeming to have won. Soldiers were left, right, front and center, massacring anyone they could find. As for the women and children, they were dragged away and put into small, metal cages for transport, probably to be used as slaves. Dead boddies littered the floor, some missing heads, or crushed by the flaming beams of wood.
Miko knelt down in terror. This scene seemed oddly farmiliar.
"Wait... Takei..." Miko immediately stood up from where she was and fled into the waging battle. Or rather, an ending one as the defence line could no longer be seen. Miko ran with full speed as much as her cultivation could boost her. She turned into a fox to run faster, as that was her natural form that didn't require any power. Strange... didn't it dissappear?