Category : Stories

Sub Category : Fantasy

“By the gods you can’t possibly be serious!”
“I swear on my tails this is the path that is right for me.”
“Listen to me Kei, it is in our nature to rush into things. The lightning we are borne from makes us impetuous and brash. That is why it falls on the elders and all their wisdom to verify our choices in our path. I simply cannot let you rush off and take an oath like that.”
“Then I will gain their blessing!” Kei shouts suddenly disappearing in a flash of light.
The four tailed father turns to the two silent observers. A discriminating look reveals the disdain he holds for them. “You two should come watch what you have started. Maybe understanding the chaos you brought will teach you to leave innocent Kitsune alone in the future.” Kei’s father snarls at the pair of elves and points them down the pathway to the elder council.
When master and apprentice arrive the majority of the skulk have gathered in what appeares to be an auditorium. It would seem they all have sensed something big was about to happen given the turnout of over one hundred Kitsune.
On pedestals above center stage sat five Kitsune, each proudly displaying at least seven tails. “She doesn’t do low key does she.” the apprentice notices. The master smiles and nods without taking his eyes off the young girl standing unflinching on stage.
“Have you come to assume a role?” the central elder asks.
“I have.” her confidence reverberating throughout the auditorium. The static in the air was arcing with energy.
“What role do you seek?”
“I seek to become a protector.” she announces. Instantly the entire auditorium fills with murmurs and barks.
“That is not a role in the skulk my dear. Kitsune are not warriors. Come back here when you have thought through an actual role.”
“The hunters are coming for us. You can’t see it here in your underground burrows but the hunters are not causally seeking us out anymore.”
“The hunters have never found us since the dissolution of the One Kingdom, I doubt very much they will find us here after so long.”
“They will find us! They are far more resourceful than any of us thought; Worse, they will not simply kill you when they find you. Instead, they conduct experiments on us in underground labs. Do you expect to keep your paws clean while the other subs are hunted to extinction? This is genocide we are talking about. If we turn our backs now who will be there to help us when they come for us?”
Even from the back rows of the auditorium her passion was clear. She was having an effect as an uproar of shouting and barking overtook the stands and the electricity in the air becomes wide arcing static. This was starting a riot and things were about to get out of control.
Then as if willed to be there, a flash of light brighter than the sun appeared on stage. As quickly as it came it vanished leaving behind the eldest kitsune of the skulk.  Nine tails flourished in a show of power and position as he stands firmly in place while the crowd quiets.
“I would hear from those who recruit her.” the elder announces.
Master Delmont stands and all eyes fall on him while he calmly walks to the elders position.,
“Master Delmont, I had hoped I would never see you again; it’s nothing personal of course, just harsh memories.” he says absently rubbing the barcode tattoo on his arm.
“I myself had hoped to see you sooner Master Tadao. Of all those rescued there I worried most about you.”
“The most pressing matter is this recruit here. You know the Kitsune are not naturally warriors. Are times so bad that you are recruiting our kind?”
“I suspect they will be soon. All of our kinds should prepare for the worst, but this is not about the conflict.”
“Then what is this about?”
Kei suddenly moved as though to speak up quickly but Master Delmont motioned to stop her. “This is about serving a cause bigger than her, bigger than the skulk. This is about a calling to no longer be a victim. To be the one stopping the harm we see all around us. None of us who find this calling feel like we may ever actually stop it but we do it because we have hope, and that’s enough.”
Master Tadao stares emotionlessly at the master. Murmurs throughout the crowd stir and the room slowly becomes restless. He glances down his snout at Kei who impatiently awaits his decision. A slight wince crosses his face and he turns to look at the council.  All five members give agreeing nods at some unspoken statement. “With a heavy heart I will allow you to join the protectors on the condition that Master Delmont is your teacher.”
Kei leaps into his arms and hugs him intensely despite his clear discomfort at first. Slowly he relaxes and pats her gently on the head. “You should go young one there is much to learn and a short time to learn it.”
Master Delmont turns to leave with his newest apprentice in tow and begins the walk up to adrian so they can depart. “Wait!” comes a bark from the stands. Everyone’s eyes fall to the flash of light that erupts on the stage.
“I want to protect the skulk too.” protests a young kitsune proudly brandishing three tails.
Another flash appears beside him, followed by another. This repeats until nearly three dozen kitsune of various age and gender appear on stage.
“Master Tadao, it seems we have a small army of your people willing to serve; None of them can enter the service without your permission.”
The elder fox looks over the bright eyed and eager group.  Almost two full generations of kitsune stand ready to give their lives to stop the hunters once and for all. Standing as tall and proud as he can muster he motions for them to join with Master Delmont. All of whom are too quick to join the duo to notice the  tear in his eye.