Thaluna—that was the name my grandmother gave me.
Originally, we, the Nocturnal Foxfolk, were a race distantly related to the esteemed Nine-Tailed Foxkin.
However, due to certain circumstances, our race fell into the Abyss, leaving behind the world we cherished and loved.
At least, that's what my grandmother told me.
Born without parents, I was raised solely by my grandmother, who showered me with boundless affection.
Even though she knew I wasn't her biological grandchild, she loved me nonetheless.
"Grandma!" Little Thaluna ran out from the room.
"What is it, my sweet little one?" her grandmother asked, sitting on her rocking chair.
"Outside, it's snowing! Will Santa Claus come tonight?" Little Thaluna leapt into her grandmother's lap, her excitement bubbling over.
"Hohoho, of course! But Santa Claus only gives presents to Foxfolk who eat their bell peppers, you know!" the grandmother teased, stroking Thaluna's hair.
"Yuck! Thaluna hates bell peppers!"
"But doesn't our Thaluna want a gift from Santa Claus? If so, you need to eat your vegetables." Her grandmother gazed out of the window, her expression soft yet distant.
The snow was falling heavier this year, she thought.
"Fine, Thaluna will eat vegetables! But not bell peppers!" Little Thaluna pouted.
"Fair enough," her grandmother replied with a chuckle.
As time passed, the memory of her grandmother's face began to fade...
...
We lived far away, deep in a lush forest.
Every day, my grandmother would venture out to hunt for food to sustain the two of us.
Meanwhile, I would explore the forest edges to gather mushrooms and edible fruits.
Apart from that, we lived happily, farming and raising livestock together.
Those were the happiest days of our lives.
Little Thaluna returned from the forest as usual, carrying mushrooms and berries in her arms.
Upon reaching home, she grabbed feed from the back shed.
She opened the small door leading to the pig and chicken pens.
Scattering the corn from the shed, she sang playfully, "Grow big and strong! Soon, you'll be Thaluna's dinner~!"
The chickens seemed to understand her words, and a few of them bolted from the pen in terror.
Thaluna quickly went after them but first sought permission from her grandmother to leave.
As a Foxfolk, her physical abilities were far superior to ordinary humans.
Leaping onto the trees, she bounded from branch to branch with ease.
When her prey was within reach, she pounced without hesitation.
The Nocturnal Foxfolk are demi-humans whose physical prowess surpasses that of other fox races, except for the Nine-Tailed Foxkin.
Although their charm and illusion abilities are weaker, they remain lethally effective.
The wind tousled Thaluna's beautiful black hair as the cold air pressed against her skin, making her yearn for home.
"Hatchu!"
Now deep into autumn, the chilly weather made Thaluna sneeze.
"Ugh... Let's head home. You're all going to be my dinner tonight!"
The chickens, entranced by Thaluna's illusion spell, obediently followed her wishes.
Soon, they arrived home, where her grandmother was waiting for her.
After a peaceful dinner, her grandmother sat beside Thaluna's bed.
She opened a book with no title, yet Thaluna knew it told the story of a forgotten hero.
Every night, she listened to that tale as if the book were endless.
"The hero fought only for his own convictions. 'I am an imperfect hero,' he said. Yet his followers understood that his so-called selfishness was merely a façade for his kindness. He sought no recognition, no praise—only to help and save the wounded..."
As the story stretched on, Thaluna, growing drowsy, asked her grandmother, "Grandma, will I meet that hero someday?"
Her grandmother smiled warmly at her adorable granddaughter.
"Yes, you will. You'll surely find your hero, just as I found mine," she said, planting a gentle kiss on Thaluna's forehead.
"Goodnight, Grandma."
"Goodnight, my dear."
The candle illuminating the room flickered out, leaving behind silence and the soft sound of wind outside.
Unbeknownst to them, the world they knew was already changing.
The Nine-Tailed Foxkin had fallen, leaving behind only a handful of survivors who managed to escape.
As a consequence of this catastrophe, to ensure the survival of all Foxian races, their leader was forced to strike a pact with the Abyss.
Soon, all Foxians were swallowed by the Abyss, leaving no trace behind.
And so, poor Thaluna grew up amidst countless hardships. Somehow, she conceived the idea to join the conquest forces targeting Earth.
Now, she stood here on the 31st floor.
When Thaluna awoke, her body was drenched in water, with a blazing campfire crackling beside her.
"What... is this?"
Her fox form had been replaced with her humanoid Foxfolk appearance.
Her ears twitched, sensing something peculiar.
Looking behind her, she saw a sea of flames consuming and incinerating the forest.
"... Hah? Wh-what is happening!"
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795 word, two chapter today.