Chapter 04
425 Years ago
Southern Lands
Following a fortnight of heavy rain that had drummed relentlessly against the rooftops and transformed the landscape into a lush, vibrant tableau, a serene day finally emerged, bringing with it a sense of calm and renewal. Kira was nestled in the left garden, surrounded by the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle rustle of leaves, deeply focused on her studies, her brow furrowed in concentration. Beside her, her sister Lira was likewise engaged in her work, flipping through the pages of her tome with an intensity that mirrored Kira's own. The sisters had successfully persuaded their mages to grant them permission to study together on occasion, a rare privilege that had become increasingly elusive as the years passed and their responsibilities grew. Today, however, marked one of those cherished and infrequent instances where they could share knowledge and companionship, allowing them to reconnect amidst the pressures of their scholarly pursuits.
“Sis, how many books have you read from your collection over the years?” Kira asked with genuine curiosity, tightening her hold on her book as she carefully shut it, the cover making a soft thud as it closed.
"I've gone through every one of them," Lira replied, closing her book as well with a slight sigh. "Rain is actively searching for more titles for me to dive into, hoping to expand my reading list and introduce me to new stories and authors that I haven't yet discovered."
Kira widened her eyes in astonishment as she looked at her younger sister, her curiosity piqued. “Oh, really?” she asked, her voice tinged with genuine intrigue. She had always been aware of Lira's passion for reading, having seen her often curled up in a cozy corner of their home with a book in hand, but she didn't realize just how deep that passion ran, nor the sheer volume of books Lira had devoured over the years. The thought of the countless stories and worlds her sister had explored without her knowledge sparked a newfound appreciation in Kira for Lira's quiet dedication to her literary pursuits.
The sister with dark hair agreed, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “Indeed. Max went through them with me, page by page, discussing each detail and helping me understand the more complex parts that I found challenging to grasp at first…”
Kira chuckled softly, a light sparkle in her eyes as she continued, “Your dragon seems to find great joy in sharing those quiet reading moments with you, eagerly flipping through pages and perhaps even offering its own insights, while mine, on the other hand, is quite content to let me wander freely, allowing me the freedom to explore my own interests without any interruptions.”
"That's merely because you take pleasure in bothering him, Princess," a voice remarked from behind the sisters, carrying a tone that suggested both amusement and familiarity.
As they turned to glance behind them, they were greeted by the sight of their mages, each one standing confidently with their majestic dragons at their sides, the powerful creatures exuding an aura of strength and loyalty that made the moment feel both surreal and exhilarating.
“It’s not my fault that Kue gets angry so easily,” Kira said with a soft giggle, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she shrugged off the tension in the air, clearly amused by the situation. She leaned back slightly, her laughter ringing out like a melody, and added, “I mean, it’s just the way he is—like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment—yet somehow, I find it hard to take him seriously when he gets all worked up.”
Kue emitted a soft growl, a low rumble that seemed to resonate in the stillness of the room, prompting Max to let out a gentle sigh, the sound barely escaping his lips but filled with a sense of resignation. This reaction made June chuckle quietly, her laughter a delicate sound that broke the tension, while Rain, observing the scene unfold before her, simply shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation evident in her expression.
“Hey sis, do you take pleasure in annoying your dragon, finding joy in every little thing that gets under its scales, or is it just a way to pass the time when you’re bored?” Lira inquired softly, her curiosity evident in her tone.
“I can't help myself. Kue appears so cute when he's upset, with those furrowed brows and the way he narrows his eyes, and he often pins down June, which allows me to steer clear of any impending chaos—” Kira hesitated, a chill running down her spine as she suddenly felt something off in the atmosphere. She looked around, trying to determine the cause of her unease, her instincts prickling with an unshakable sense of foreboding.
Lira noticed her sister's behavior and soon experienced a similar sensation, though she couldn't quite place it. The air seemed heavier, charged with an energy that felt out of sync with their surroundings, causing her to glance over her shoulder as if expecting to see something lurking just beyond her line of sight.
Kira rose to her feet, her heart racing, and resumed her search of the garden, her eyes darting from flower to flower and shadow to shadow. “Where…?” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible as the tension in the air thickened around them.
The mages exchanged worried looks, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern, uncertain about what could possibly be bothering the princesses. They felt no unusual presence, no shifts in the magical energies they were accustomed to sensing, leaving them to observe the young women with growing unease, unsure of how to provide support in this moment of silent tension.
In the meantime, Kue, attuned to the subtleties of the environment, picked up on it before anyone else. “It’s a fox demon…” he murmured under his breath, his voice low and tense, the warning hanging in the air like a dark cloud, as he instinctively prepared himself for whatever might come next.
Many years prior.
Human realm
In the back of a sizable, aged structure that served as their orphanage, two young girls were seated side by side on the weathered wooden steps, their laughter mingling with the gentle breeze. They seemed unfazed by their situation, finding joy in one another's company and the small world they had created amidst their surroundings. The caretaker of the facility, a kind-hearted woman with a warm smile, was known for her compassion and understanding, embracing their unique traits and quirks with open arms. She often encouraged their creativity and imagination, allowing them to express themselves freely, which instilled a sense of belonging and happiness in the girls despite the challenges they faced.
One afternoon, as the sisters were deeply absorbed in a book in the rear section of the orphanage, Kira abruptly sensed that they were being watched. It felt like someone was keeping an eye on them. She looked around but noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
Lira, the younger sister, glanced over at Kira with a look of concern and asked, “Kira...what’s wrong? You seem a bit out of sorts today, like something is bothering you.”
Kira exhaled gently, her breath barely breaking the silence that surrounded them. "It's nothing, Lira... I just felt like someone was observing us, a strange sensation creeping over me as if eyes were tracking our every move, lingering in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal themselves."
Lira blinked and gazed into the dense, shadowy forest stretching out in front of her. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong surrounded her, creating a serene backdrop. She turned her head slightly, her curiosity piqued, and noticed a striking silver fox gracefully moving through the underbrush. Its fur shimmered in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. “Is that the fox you're talking about?” she asked, her voice laced with intrigue as she pointed towards the elegant creature.
Kira blinked and turned her attention to where her sister was looking, spotting the fox as well, its bushy tail flicking gently in the breeze. “How long has it been sitting there, just watching us from the edge of the trees?”
“It seems like it has been present for roughly two hours, quietly lingering in the background…”
Kira blinked once more and cast a look at her younger sibling, who seemed completely unfazed by the situation. “You knew he was there the whole time, didn’t you?”
The sister with dark hair nodded confidently, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, and then returned to the pages of her book, seemingly absorbed in her world of words and stories.
Kira let out a deep sigh, the weight of her thoughts evident on her face, but soon enough, a bright smile broke through as a playful idea sparked in her mind. “I think I’ll try to pet him,” she declared, her excitement bubbling up.
“Okay,” Lira replied, her tone encouraging yet cautious.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Kira stuck her tongue out at Lira in a moment of lightheartedness, her playful spirit shining through as she made her way toward the trees at the edge of the forest. As she stepped into the dappled light filtering through the leaves, she took a moment to compose herself before approaching the fox. Once she finally reached the clearing, she paused and offered the fox a gentle smile, hoping to convey her friendly intentions and draw it closer with her warmth.
The silver-coated fox watched the girls for a while, captivated by their presence and the laughter that floated through the air. He stayed motionless, his gray eyes locked onto the blonde girl as she drew nearer, her cheerful demeanor sparking an unfamiliar curiosity within him. Initially surprised by her warm smile, he gradually inched closer, unable to resist the magnetic pull of her joyful energy.
Once he reached her side, she raised her left hand and cautiously reached out to pet him, her movements slow and deliberate, as if she were trying to bridge the gap between their worlds. Understanding her gesture, he leaned forward, gently nudging his head against her hand, feeling the soft touch of her fingers against his fur.
She blinked at his response, her eyes lighting up with delight, then smiled broadly as she caressed his soft fur, the warmth of the moment wrapping around them like a cozy blanket. “I’ve completely fallen in love with foxes now,” she murmured with a giggle, her voice filled with wonder and excitement, as if she had just discovered a hidden treasure in the wild.
Kira looked around thoughtfully, taking in the details of the surroundings as she felt the weight of the moment. “Lira, considering you noticed him earlier, do you believe you can find him again, using your keen observation skills to track his movements and spot any signs that might lead us to him once more?”
Lira let out a deep sigh as she rose to her feet, taking a moment to smooth out the fabric of her dress, ensuring it fell just right against her figure. She scanned the thicket of trees surrounding them, her pale blue eyes searching intently for any sign of movement. After a brief moment, her gaze landed on a specific area, and she felt a jolt of recognition as she spotted him. Her eyes locked onto his gray ones, a spark of determination igniting within her. “He’s over that way,” she stated firmly, pointing directly at him with an assertive gesture, which caused him to flinch slightly as if he hadn’t expected to be singled out in that moment.
Just as Kira was about to make a move, Kue suddenly vanished from her sight, only to reappear moments later, cradling a snarling silver fox in his arms. The creature's sharp teeth glinted menacingly in the light, and its growls filled the air with a palpable tension, as Kue expertly held it, seemingly unfazed by its fierce demeanor.
"Please don't harm him," Kira pleaded earnestly as she cautiously approached the group of men, her heart racing with concern for the creature. She gently caressed the soft fur on the fox's cheek, her fingers gliding over the delicate strands, which seemed to soothe him. As she did so, she felt the tension in his body begin to ease, prompting him to stop growling and instead lean into her touch, searching for comfort amidst the threatening circumstances.
"I never meant to cause him any harm..." Kue grumbled quietly as he released the fox from his grasp, watching it scamper away into the underbrush before he turned to walk away, muttering discontentedly under his breath. The task of guarding that girl weighed heavily on him, a burden he loathed more with each passing day. He couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, bound by an obligation that felt increasingly pointless. Until she found her own protectors, he was stuck with this unwelcome duty, forced to keep an eye on someone who seemed to attract trouble like a moth to a flame.
The fox straightened up and brushed himself off after being let go, his fur ruffled and slightly dirtied from the fall. "Foolish dragon," he murmured under his breath, a hint of irritation lacing his voice as he glanced back at the retreating figure of the creature that had carelessly dropped him. He then blinked in surprise, his amber eyes widening, as the blonde princess knelt down in front of him, her ethereal presence radiating warmth and kindness amidst the chaos of his recent tumble. The sunlight caught the golden strands of her hair, making her look almost otherworldly as she regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
"Are you alright?" she inquired gently, her voice laced with concern as she looked into his eyes, searching for any signs of distress that might reveal the weight he was carrying within.
“…hn...” He averted his eyes, feeling an unexplainable attraction to her that tugged at his emotions, as if some invisible force was drawing him closer despite his hesitation.
Lira let out a long, heavy sigh as she slowly pushed herself up to her feet, brushing off her clothes as she did so. “Hey sis, I’m heading over to your library to see if I can find something interesting to read or maybe just to enjoy the quiet atmosphere.”
Kira looked over and gave a nod, her expression light and playful. "Okay, I think Maxie is likely aware of its location," she remarked with a gentle laugh that danced in the air, her voice warm and inviting, drawing the fox's focus back towards her with a sense of curiosity and eagerness. There was a glimmer of mischief in her eyes as she spoke, as if she was sharing a delightful secret that only the two of them could understand.
The azure dragon acknowledged with a nod as he and the dark-haired princess made their way through the ornate entrance, the heavy doors creaking softly behind them. Meanwhile, the two mages, their robes billowing gently in the breeze, remained stationed outside, their keen eyes focused intently on the blonde princess, who stood with an air of quiet curiosity beside the mysterious fox, its shimmering fur glinting in the fading sunlight.
"I'm Kira," she said as she introduced herself, a warm smile spreading across her face as she extended her hand in greeting, her eyes sparkling with a hint of curiosity and friendliness.
The fox looked at her intently, its eyes glimmering with curiosity and intrigue. "The initial princess from the southern territories, renowned for her grace and resilience, stands before me..."
She gave a nod and smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "Exactly, that's right," she affirmed, her tone reflecting a sense of confidence and agreement.
“Akito...is my name...” the fox said, turning its gaze away, the flicker of its ears betraying a hint of shyness as it spoke, its voice barely above a whisper, as if revealing a secret that weighed heavily on its heart.
She fluttered her eyelashes and then let out a light laugh, a gentle flush appearing on her face as she leaned slightly closer. “Akito is such an adorable name,” she remarked, her voice filled with warmth and delight, as if the very sound of it brought a smile to her heart.