The rain poured down heavily, matching the beat of the waves crashing against the shore. The orchestra almost silenced the hurried footsteps. A few miles away, heavily armed men were after those footprints. Luck was on her side. Her scent got wiped by the heavy shower. It would have been impossible to escape those hunting hounds. As her hurried steps took her to the highest peak, she saw the search party narrowing down on her. Mia glanced at the approaching barks, then looked below at the splashing depths. With one hand over the foxtail ring she was wearing and the other on her heart, she closed her eyes and jumped.

As Mia fell, visions of what seemed like a distant life flashed before her eyes. She saw herself running in the woods beside the hills in a blue floral dress. A laugh was ringing in her head. The one searching for her and running behind, calling out her name, "Mia, Mia, I got you this time". And they both topple over the stream in each other's arms, lost in the dreamy, hazy eyes that sometimes changed colour. Purple, sometimes azure, often olive, ochre, and more. She knew the love of her life was no ordinary man. He was an immortal from the Wolf Clan, or so she thought. He kissed her head as he pulled themselves out of the stream and soared up to the clouds with her in his arms. All she cared about back then was to be in those arms and giggle, like she often did as a little girl. Her mother had given them her blessing. She couldn't wait to be the beautiful bride to her handsome husband.

Mia remembered the night they got married and wondered how her life could be that perfect. She felt like she was in a dream and never wanted to wake up. But things started changing soon after their marriage. She hardly got to see him until, one day, he vanished with no trace. One mountain after another has been falling over her ever since. She had almost lost count of all her problems by then; they were too many.

As the thoughts passed, tears rolled down her cheeks, but before they could fall, a familiar hand with a familiar scent wiped them away and pulled her up close. She was so relieved, shocked, confused, and angry, all that she dared not open her eyes. But she held onto the robe with all her might.

A flash of brilliant light appeared at that instant, engulfing the darkness and the girl within it. For a few seconds, the pursuers went blind from the brilliance. By the time they uncovered their eyes, it was all gone, and yet gain, darkness enveloped them along with the downpour.

"Wasn't that the signature escape light technique of the Fox clan?" One man shouted his lungs out.

"The hunter was right. Immediately, go back to the castle and report the incident." The lead horseman commanded as another galloped their way away at full speed towards the ruling mortal king's castle.

"We must look around a little more for anything that might seem useful. Keep your mind and eyes alert. Anything could be evidence.We cannot overlook anything." He instructed the rest on foot.

"Remember, we have immortals involved here. With immortals involved, we must prevent the ancient curse from dominating.. The peace between the West and the East, if broken, will toll the heaviest on us mortals." Observed the elder in the group while reminiscing.

Yes, sir," echoed through the ranks as they got busy with the crisis. 

******

The foxes and the wolves

Centuries have passed, with the Fox Clan domineering the West and the Wolf Clan ruling the East in peace. The lines have always been strict between the borders. Not even a toe crossed the other side without permission. The rules were crystal clear. The human world in between was the place of exchange for trade and other official affairs. There were some rare ceremonial gatherings between the two Immortal Clans. However, these gatherings were rare and occurred once in a blue moon.. There was no regular contact between the members of the two clans, unless it was official or urgent. They were afraid because the Law of the Land forbade any 'blood ties' between clans.. It was no ordinary law. It was the Law written on the Seal of Destiny, and whoever dared to break it would be afflicted with a terrible curse that would haunt them for eternity. Even the people from the human realm were cautious enough to uphold and guard this law, as nobody had forgotten the bloody massacre that had happened a few centuries ago. The horror was still fresh in the minds of the immortals and in the history of humans.

The immortal hunters had been quick to tip the mortal king about the presence of this unforgivable lawbreaker. He was informed that the Mirror of Knowledge had already detected manifestations of the curse in certain places of his kingdom. The situation was desperate. If he could not trace the defaulter, there would soon be immortals from both lands filling up his kingdom, and the clashes they would engage in would be doomed to the humans in the area. That day, the scouts could almost catch up with the female around whom there was news that the curse had been noticed. But just in time, she was kidnapped by someone belonging to the Imperial Fox family. They could identify this by the escape technique he used. That was even more complicated. Was the Fox Clan responsible for this felony? And the question was why the curse had not manifested all at once. There were too many riddles.

News of the offence had reached both clans as well. There was an atmosphere of rage, uncertainty, and suspicion.

The situation was especially tricky at the Fox Clan, as they were being accused of being in league with the offender. The king had called all his nineteen sons into his presence for this reason. They all came in, paid their respects to their father, and then took their respective seats.

"I believe you are aware of the situation. I mean, the offences against the Law written in the Seal of Destiny." The king asked.

Yes, Father," replied the princes in unison.

"You might also be aware that our imperial family is being accused of being an ally of the offender." He enquired.

"Father, it surely is a conspiracy," yelled the first prince. He looked angry and upset. 

"It sounds more like a rumour spread by those wolves." Put in the fifth Prince bluntly.

"But the entire scouting team from the human world witnessed the escape routine. Do you still believe the wolves might be behind it?" The king pressed.

There was silence in the room, followed by whispers and each person glaring at the other.

"Precisely. My reason for calling you all here today is to ask you in person if anyone knows or has seen anything unusual. I wanted to be sure my sons were not part of whatever was coming. I hope none of you have forgotten what happened centuries ago. We must work together, if need be, with the wolves to eradicate this crime. Am I understood?" The king asked in a heavy, stern voice.

"Yes, Father," echoed through the Hall of the Royal meeting place.