The area was a large field, about the size of a savanna. There weren't many trees, but small insects and animals were plentiful. Around to the far end of the area, laid a small human, or was it a human? The boy had short, straight black hair, combed downwards in the front, and backwards in the back. His skin was a healthy white, and the clothes he wore was a normal unbuttoned blue shirt, and under it, a cotton black shirt. His long dark pants reached up to his ankles. And on his head, were two animal-like ears, each orange in colour with a white fluffy inside. At his lower back, was a large, bushy tail, all light orange in colour up to the tip, which was completely white.
He was laying down in the middle of the field when many small glowing white pixies noticed him. There were about five, and they all approached him, speaking in a language completely foreign.
"Mmm...nnrng...ugh..." The boy started to wake up. Opening his baby blue peepers, he rubbed the blurry from his eyes, and looked around. "...Where...am I..?" He sat up, and the pixies, startled, flew half a meter backwards in every direction. "Wait...did Amaterasu...rein...car...nate me already..?" Christopher gazed around, confused. That wasn't Earth. It wasn't anything like it. The atmosphere was much lighter, and colder. The sun shone in a much less intense way, and the clouds were completely absent, giving the blue sky an eerie appearance to anyone not from that world. After seeing what was around him, he knew, that he was in another world.
"What are...these things..?" Christopher saw the pixies, and went to touch one of them. However, seeing his sudden movement, the being flew backwards.
"Oh...sorry." He stated, scratching the back of his head. "I didn't mean to scare you." He smiled at the pixies. "I...I'm Christopher. W-What's...what are you..?" He moved his face a tad closer. But nothing was said from the being. Were they even able to speak? One of them flew in front of his face, and bounced. That one flew onto his shoulder. Seeing this, the others all went onto his body.
"H-Hey, what are you all doing?" Christopher was frightened. He had just gotten there, and all of a sudden he gets treated as a seat for these tiny beings.
"..." There was but a single strange thing about his feeling. Despite all, he was calm. Not a single negative emotion plagued him. Smiling, he giggled,
"You know, I just got here and...I'm being treated as a chair for you all." After saying that, small giggles erupted from them all, including Christopher.
"Hahahahaha."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!!!!"
"Huh?" Suddenly, a loud, female voice was heard from directly above the boy. After looking upwards, he yelped. "Ehhh??? W-What the-?! I-Is that my familiar?!?!"
"HELPPPPP!!!!! L-LOOK OUT!!!"
"AAAAHHH-! OOF-!" It was too late. Christopher tried to move, but the speed at which the individual fell was too much for him. The pixies fleeing the area, the person fell straight onto Christopher's head, which resulted in both of them collapsing onto the grass.
"OOF! Urgh....ow...what happened..?" Christopher was the first to open his eyes. As soon as he did, his eyes shot open. W...Whoa...is...is that...a demi-human, one of the species Amaterasu spoke of? On top of him, laid a girl. About half his size. Her short hair was coloured a deep, sparkling red. The girl's skin was light, unnaturally light. Whiter than Christopher's. Her eyes were small, and mouth, tiny. It surprised him that someone with such a small mouth made such a loud noise. The clothes she wore were small. Her upper body wore a dress-like outfit with long sleeves, reaching up to the middle of her thighs. The dress-like outfit was pink in colour, a 'V' neck, with a pattern of many tiny lighter pink flowers. And at her breast area, was a large, reddish-black bow. Next, on her legs, was a pair of black leggings, covering everything there except for her feet, where she had on a pair of wooden sandals. On her head, were ears, not just any ears, but animal ears. She had two fluffy, red ears with a fluffy white inside. And at her lower back was a single, large, long, same coloured, fluffy tail.
"Mmmm...nnrng...owwwwwwwwww...." The little girl flinched. The landing she had was definitely not a pretty one. Slowly, she raised her face, and saw whom she landed on.
"Huh..?"
"Uh..." Christopher chuckled in an awkward manner, "...Hello there." He said to her.
"Eh..?" Then suddenly, her entire face glowed pink. "W-W-What am I..? Gasp O-Oh no-I-I'm sorry!!!"
"H-Hey! O-Ow!" She hopped to her feet, and ran a few steps backwards from Christopher, who stood up as well. "U-Uhh..." Finally getting a good view of the girl, he grinned. "...Are you the one Amaterasu sent to help me here?" He questioned her. "You don't look like him..." Yeah. Amaterasu looked super freaky. But this one looks like just a normal girl. It's a relief...I definitely wouldn't want someone like HIM around me 24/7.
"Uuuuuuu...u-um...S-So...y-you must be....Ch-Ch-Chris...topher...r-right..?" The short girl's entire face was red, and she couldn't keep eye contact with him at all.
"Y-Yeah..." Christopher said with a smile. "...Are you...alright..?" He was genuinely concerned. "That fall you had looked pretty nasty. You're not hurt anywhere, are you?" He walked up to her and was about to touch her shoulder. But she flinched, and nearly fell over trying to back away again.
"No!" She shouted loudly, flustered. Then out of the blue, she gasped. "I-I mean...N-no, I-I'm...alright..."
"..." Yep, she's a shy one. Christopher thought. It was his first time dealing with someone like this, so he was at a loss about what to do next. However, before he could think of anything, she spoke, her voice hushed tone,
"U-Um...if...if you'll excuse me...I...M-My name is Azure. And...I was t-t-tasked by the Elder God Amaterasu to g-guide you through your life in this world as your f-familiar...i-it's a pleasure meeting you, m-master!" After the introduction, she bowed deeply to him, which made him jump a bit. "A-As you can see I-I'm a little short and I have trouble speaking with other p-people, but I hope I can be of assistance to you, Master Christopher H-Hallowswift!"
Christopher remained silent. He was shocked. He wasn't expecting his familiar to be a short, cute and shy girl like Azure was. But with seeing how she said that, there wasn't a single doubt in his mind that the girl in front of him really was his familiar, whom was sent by Amaterasu.
"Did I...do it right, master?" Azure asked, still in a deep bow.
"O-oh, y-yeah! Y-You can stop bowing now." Christopher responded. She did as he said, and stood up straight. With a smile, she nodded at him.
Azure continued speaking, "I-If I may continue...I shall be in your service from now on. Anything you want, I shall do for you." Then, her face changed colour once more, and she was flushed, "Just...don't ask me to do anything particularly...weird...I...I don't think I'm quite ready for that as yet..."
"Weird? L-Like what?"
"N-Nothing! F-Forget I said that!"
"Huh...?"
"A-Anyway..." Christopher said to her. "...Do you...know where we are, Azure?"
"Mmm..." It was about time for them to get going. Azure looked around, and responded to her master with a nod. "Yes. We are currently five kilometers east of the Kingdom of Aznos, master. Aznos is a large kingdom, mostly inhabited by humans."
"Oh, sweet. So humans are here to." Christoper was surprised that other humans were in the world he was reincarnated to. But were they like how he was before? This question filled his mind. He decided to question Azure about it.
"Are they like how I am, Azure?" The boy said.
"L-Like you are..?" Azure peered at his head, then at his lower body. "U-um...w-well...they...they are like how you USED to be...b-but...n-not like that..."
"H...uh..?" He froze. Emitting a nervous laugh, he stammered, "D-Don't be silly. I'm human, aren't I? Of course they'd be like me."
"Uhh...Ch...Christopher..." Azure averted her gaze, then pointed at his back. "L-Look..!" Immediately afterwards, she flinched, covered her face, and turned around. The action gave him the chills.
"A-Azure, y-you alright?" He was about to approach, but Azure stopped him.
"N-No! W-Wait, j-just look behind you!!" She yelled. Christopher did, and what he saw shocked him to the core.
"A-A tail?? Th-I-Is that mine?!" His eyes opened widely as he stared at it.
"Y-yes..." Azure whispered.
"My God...so...I...I'm an animal-human now!?! Awww sweet!!!" Even though this came as a shock to him, he was elated. Christopher's new species was known as a half fox, half human. The buffs he received due to this was that he was stronger, and faster, than any other human.
"Hahaha, wait till Roselina sees this!" He shouted. "Anyway, Azure."
"Y-Yes!" She winced, instantly facing him.
"Whoa...calm down, girl. I was just going to ask you if you knew the way to Aznos." He took pity to her nervousness. Hrm...well, at least her shyness makes her all the more adorable... He thought.
"O-oh...well...sure...but...are...are you sure you wish to...g-go there, master Christopher?" Azure asked. It was going to be a long walk.
"Yeah, where else can I go?"
"Oh...well...alright." Azure acknowledged him, then started hovering a meter off the ground. Christopher was surprised at this, but didn't think much of it. She's a familiar, of course she could. It was in fiction back in my world.
"C-Come with m-me...m-master Ch-Christopher."
"Okay."
The two started walking east to the kingdom of Aznos.
Later...
"Mmmm...come on...Just how far is this kingdom anyway? You sure we're going the right way, Azure?"
"Y-Yes. Th-This is the quickest way to Aznos from where we were standing, Master. Would you like to take a break?"
"No. It's just...annoying...having to walk all this way." Christopher and Azure were about one quarter of the way to Aznos, when the boy spoke out. Promptly, he looked at her. "Hey, wanna carry me instead?"
"C-C-Carry you?!" The question caught her off guard, and she swiftly loses composure. "N-No!" She yells, "I-I-I thought I told you not to ask me to do any indecent things to you, p-pervert!"
"Hahaha, I'm kidding." Christopher's gaze moved back forward. Sighing, Azure calmed down,
"Gosh, master...don't scare me like that...I thought you actually meant it..."
"Aww, silly." He took his finger, then poked Azure's forehead. She blushed a little at the action.
"H-Hey..."
However, the moment was cut short by a sudden blood curling scream from the distance.
"SOMEBODY HELPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!"
"H-Huh? W-What was-?" Both of their faces shot at the direction of the sscream. It came from just ahead of them.
"M-Master, look out!" Azure pushed Christopher out of the way just in time for a large bolt of lightning to strike his previous exact position.
"Oof-! A-Azur-ehh??" What he saw made him tremble.
"Huhhhh? So you were able to spot that? Hmph. Impressive little thing you've got there." In front of him approached three muscular men, all dressed in torn, tattered clothing. Each of them held what looked to be a large knife in one hand. Behind them was a middle aged man, whom was trembling in fear. Clearly they were robbers. Getting back up, Christopher stared at them.
"R-Robbers?!" He yelled. His familiar nodded, and hovered in front of her master.
"Yes Master. Strong ones from the looks of it. I'll handle this." Azure sternly replied.
"N-No wait!" Before he could stop her, she acted. Eyes fixated on the thieves ahead of her, she spoke to them.
"That's enough. Leave now, and I won't hurt you." She exclaimed. She seemed just about ready to fight them. Christopher wasn't sure about leaving it all to her though.
"Hmph, hurt us? You don't look like much little runt." The one holding the middle aged man hostage blurted out. He threw the person to the ground in front of the pair then snickered. "Now, enough babbling. Get them!"
"Yes, sir!" The three men sneered at the familiar. "And don't harm the girl, she'll make a fine slave for us."
"Ghn-" After hearing that, Christopher felt his blood boil. Standing beside Azure, she shouted at them, "Hey, don't you dare say that about my familiar!" W-What am I-
"Bwhahahaha! Oohh, is the little boy mad now? Ahhh shut it. Give us all ya got and we won't-"
"Burn. Incendio" The robber was interrupted mid-sentense by none other than Azure, who kept her eyes focused on him. Then suddenly, his weapon caught flames and dropped to the ground, burned to ashes.
"H-HUHH?! W-What the hell-!?" All of them were dazed, including Christopher. Yet after seeing what she did, he was amazed.
"W-Whoaaa, so you really can use magic..." He muttered. Azure was not distracted by that. The man the thieves captured seemed both horrified, and relieved. He looked at the familiar, then scurried on behind Christopher.
"H-Help me...please..." He managed to say.
The thieves shot daggers at the three. A second one yelling, "G-Get them! And don't leave a single one alive!" He appeared to be the leader among them.
"Y-Yes sir!" The two remaining ones with weapons charged at them. Yet Azure didn't falter. She muttered another word under her breath.
"Come, Confringo." After she said this, everyone stood still. A glowing red circle started to form beneath one of the thieves. Then, not long after, he was engulfed by flames.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!"
"A-A-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"N-NOO!!"
Nothing of the thief remained, and the remaining ones were horrified by the girl's power.
"W-Whoa...A-Azure..." Christopher was thunderstruck. He knew he stuck gold with the offer Amaterasu gave him. But this was no time to waste, his eyes locked onto the thieves, whom were now cowering in fear.
"Stand down. One more step, and she'll burn you both to a crisp as well!" He shouted out. Ha! After seeing that, there's no way they'll do anything!
"Nnrng..." The captain of the trio seemed to already know that the best option was to retreat. "...W-who cares about these fools anyway. Y-You got away this time, but don't think you'll-GAAHHH-!"
"W-whoa, A-Azure?" All of a sudden, both thieves fell to the ground. They appeared to be under a paralysis spell. Without hesitation, Azure approached them, and took their knives, sheaths, and money pouches. Smiling over to her master, the little familiar beckoned him over.
"Master! Now we've got weapons, and money! Yayy!" She exclaimed. Christopher didn't see anything wrong with what she did. In fact, this took a weight off his mind.
"Ah! Good idea, Azure!" He sprinted over, and took the pouches, then placed them into his pockets. Taking a knife in hand, he looked at it.
"Hmm..." He pondered. "...Would it be a good thing to learn to use this?"
"Yes. This world is filled with dangers. The more you could protect yourself, the better." Azure responded. "I'll keep one for myself, in the case where I might need one." She took the second, and attached it to her clothes. "Here, I'll sheathe it for you."
"Oh, okay." Azure attached the knife, with the sheathe over it, to the back of Christopher's shirt, with the strap around his chest. When that was over, they peered at the victim of the thieves. He backed up the moment he caught their attention.
"Umm, you alright bud?" Christopher asked, seeing the man's terrified demeanour.
"P-please, d-d-don't hurt me! I-I'm just a humble merchant...please, leave me alone!" He was frightened. More than frightened, after seeing how ruthless Azure was with the thieves. He feared for his life. But they meant him no harm. So after approaching him, Christopher twinkled.
"Don't worry, silly. We mean you no harm." The young boy stated. "Anyway, you said you are a merchant, right?"
"Y-Yes! A-A popular one at that." The man responded, "My name is Almond. You have my appreciation for rescuing me from those thieves, b-both of you." Almond slightly bowed to them. "Though, I wasn't expecting for a child of your age to have such a powerful familiar, let alone one that can speak." His eyes fell upon Azure.
"O-Oh...w-well..." Christoper giggled slightly. Azure hovered over, and hid behind her master's back, clenching the back of his shirt, while cautiously looking at Almond. "...It's a long story." Christopher replied to him.
"I see. Well, I am in your debt." Almond gave them a smile, "If you ever need items or weapons, I have a shop in the kingdom of Aznos. I will be off now."
"H-Hey, did you say Aznos?" The mention of Aznos caught Christopher's attention. "C-Cause we actually were headed in that direction before we were attacked."
"You were? In that case, I'll happily escort you and your familiar there. Just follow me, it's over this way." Almond said. This overjoyed Christopher. Knowing that they no longer had to walk 5 kilometers on foot was a big relief. Next, Almond escorted the two to Aznos with his carriage, which was filled with goods.