"…and they lived happily ever after!" the white fox with shimmering red eyes clapped its small paws in delight, its tail swishing joyfully behind it as it watched the couple from a distance.
Perched on a grassy hill, the fox's sharp gaze never left the pair as they drifted in the moonlit boat. Though far from them, its keen eyes could see everything clearly—the way they held each other, the soft smiles they shared, and the glow of love that surrounded them like an aura.
"Finally," the fox murmured to itself, flicking an ear in contentment. "With this I finally repaid you, little one."
The fox stretched lazily, watching as Augustus and Nerina continued their peaceful journey across the pond, lost in their love and the beauty of the night. The warm light from the lanterns reflected on the water's surface, creating a magical atmosphere, one that felt straight out of a fairytale.
Satisfied with the scene unfolding before it, the fox curled up, tucking its fluffy tail under its chin. "Well, I suppose my work here is done," it mused with a soft chuckle.
You're probably curious of me. Well, my name's Lunari and I decided to be a matchmaker. I'm not just any ordinary fox but a Kitsune, just search the meaning of it since I'm too lazy to explain it to you.
I was thrown into Nerina's world as a punishment because of my constant tricks toward other gods and goddesses in the deity realm. It was fine for me since I can just live as a normal fox but why were they so cruel to turn me back when I was still a baby fox?!
Baby kitsune's are no different than any ordinary fox. They lose all their power, experience pain and suffering. Not only that but my fur was white! I became an easy target for wretched poachers.
"Filthy mutt!" I growled at them, how dare you humans say I'm filthy? I'm a goddess!
That day, I met my savior. I was in a truck and it was so bumpy that the cage I was in fell out. I smirked thinking that I finally escaped those wretched humans but I groaned again when I realized I was still in a cage.
No matter what I did, I can't open the cage due to exhaustion and the heat. I was about to close my eyes, thinking to get revenge to those gods who kicked me in this world. When I heard a voice, my senses became alert as a small figure approached me.
"You poor fox..." Her voice was sad as she tried to carry the cage but it was too heavy.
Wait, a human pities me? You humans are the worst kind of all! Your greed knows no bound. If I ever get reincarnated again I swear I'll destroy this world but I'll teach those gods a lesson first!
When she unlocked my cage, I was so full of hatred and was hallucinating that when I saw her arms slowly reached out to me, I bit her.
"Aaack!" The girl whined but that didn't stop her from closing into me.
'Wait why are you still approaching me?'
Knowing that this is my faith, I flinched afraid that she would hit me for biting her but she carefully carried my body as I felt her running. Next thing after that, I lost consciousness.
When I wake up, I was in a small, cozy room filled with soft blankets and a warm fire. The girl is sitting beside me, stroking my fur gently. You're not sure what to make of this - is this some kind of trap? But as you look into her eyes, you see something there that makes your heart skip a beat. It's compassion, kindness, and understanding.
Once the girl saw me open my eyes, she smiled as she went outside her room calling her parents, "Mom, Dad! The fox is awake now! Look!"
Once she was gone, I tried looking for any escape route and I found a window open, I tried standing up but yelped as I saw one my legs bandaged.
The girl and her parents soon came back. They approach me cautiously, not wanting to scare you away.
The father gently stroked my fur, at first I growled at him but it soothed my nerves that I calmed down. The mother looked at the girl, "Nerina, you did a wonderful job! Thank goodness we managed to cure her wounds."
I looked at the girl who's beaming happily, "Of course!"
'So this little one is Nerina? She's too bubbly, I hate noisy ones.'
As the three of them continue to interact with me, I started to feel a sense of belonging and comfort that I hadn't felt in a long time. These humans seem different from the ones who had mistreated me before. They're kind, gentle, and genuinely care about my well-being.
'I guess I'll stay here for a while then I'll leave and have my revenge!' I slowly dozed off to sleep.
As weeks go by, my bond with them grew especially the little one. She would tell me stories and play with me for hours on end. I was annoyed listening to her giggle and watching her eyes light up when she was happy but soon I got used to it. I felt like I was a part of the family, and I loved them all dearly.
But as much as I loved my life with Nerina's family, I knew that it wasn't meant to be forever. Nerina's parents would often talk about how I was meant to be in the wild, and how it wasn't fair to keep me captive. I didn't really understand what they meant, but I could sense their unease.
One day, Nerina held me in her arms as we went deeper in the forest. She then let me down, "Mom and dad said I can't keep you forever," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You're born to be in the wild, so I'm letting you go. Ba-bye, little fox."
I felt a pang of sadness as she spoke. I approached her, wanting to comfort her and thank her for everything she had done for me. But she just shooed me away, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Go now!" she cried. "I don't want mom and dad to get angry at me!"
I looked back at her one last time, feeling a mix of emotions. I was grateful for the life she had given me, 'I'll soon repay your kindness, little one.'
As I continued to walk, her form gradually disappearing in my sight, a portal suddenly appeared on the ground as I fell.
In an instant, I was back in my world again. I was a bit dizzy from the sudden change but when I saw the god who sent me sent here, I charged towards him, fists clenched and ready to unleash my wrath. "YOU! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO DID THIS TO ME!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the realm.
I punched him squarely in the jaw, but he barely flinched as he chuckled. "Punishment, my dear fox," he said, rubbing his chin.
As I stood before Zato, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I took a deep breath and let my words sink in. "Sorry about that," I said, my voice softer now. "And I swear not to play any tricks with you and the others again."
The room fell silent, as if the gods and goddesses were stunned by my sudden change in behavior. Even Zato seemed taken aback, his expression softening from amusement to surprise.
With that, I turned and walked back to my temple, feeling a sense of purpose and determination. As I entered the temple, I saw that it was even more beautiful than before. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of incense.
I was supposed to be happy that I'm back in my world but I can't help but worry about the little one. Since I'm back to my original form, I used my power to watch over her. I cast a spell, weaving a thread of energy around her that would allow me to sense her presence and monitor her well-being.
I watched over her until she was an adult, it was peaceful but one day, the thread of energy turned black and black only means 'death.'
Anxious, I hurried back to the human world turning into a cat. She deserved more than the cruel fate awaiting her. So I intervened. I used my power to shift her destiny, teleporting her into another world, where she could find love and happiness. I owe her my life. This is my way of repaying her. I made sure her story didn't end in tragedy.
"I hope you live well this time, little one," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
I watched as she looked at me, confused and disoriented. She didn't understand what was happening, and I knew that she would never remember our encounter. I watched her be swallowed by the dark abyss I created.
I turned and walked away, leaving the little one to her new life. I stretched my neck, I still have work to do and that is to erase her existence in this world.
Because of interfering faith, I became an outcast and I can no longer go back to my world but I was lucky enough since I still have my powers and immortality.
I shook my head as the memories came flooding back, "This is why I decided to become a matchmaker instead." A portal opened up beside her, "Shall we go to the next couple?"