The night stretched on, the sky above shimmering with the light of countless stars. They looked as though they were slowly drifting, as if the heavens themselves were alive and in motion. Rex sat quietly beside his aunt Martha, the stillness between them profound. They hadn’t spoken for nearly two hours, and in that time, Rex had found himself lost in thought. Every so often, he glanced at Martha’s IV drip, the slow, steady drip of the saline solution serving as a reminder of her fragility. She was taking everything in—breathing the crisp night air and staring up at the cosmos like she was seeing them for the first time in years.
For her, maybe it was.
“You know,” Martha finally said, her voice low and contemplative, “it’s been a long time since I’ve been outside like this. Too long. I’d forgotten how the stars can feel so… heavy. But it’s a good weight, grounding.”
Rex turned his gaze toward her, noticing the soft smile on her lips, though the exhaustion in her eyes told him she was nearing the end of her strength. He had known for a while now that she wasn’t well, but seeing her outside, frail yet at peace, stirred something within him.
“It’s good to be here with you, Aunt Martha,” he replied, his voice quiet but firm. “You deserve this moment.”
Martha reached over and lightly patted his hand, her fingers trembling with the effort. “It’s good to be here with you too, Rex,” she said, her smile widening. “I’ve missed moments like this, just sitting and watching the sky. But now, I feel it… feel the weight of it all.”
They sat for a few moments more in silence before Rex, somewhat hesitantly, stood up. He had been thinking about this for a while—whether or not to introduce Martha to Hanako. Now, with the stars casting their soft light over everything, it felt like the right moment.
“Aunt Martha, there’s someone I want you to meet,” Rex said as he walked toward the door. Martha watched him curiously as he opened it, and after a brief pause, a small figure stepped into the light.
It was Hanako, her small fox ears twitching nervously, her tail low as if she were unsure of how to present herself. “Hello, Mrs. Jones,” Hanako said shyly, her voice much softer than usual. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Rex motioned for her to come closer, and as Hanako stepped fully into the room, Martha’s eyes widened in surprise. She took in the sight of Hanako’s fox-like features—the small, delicate ears, the tail, the timid way she moved. Martha, of course, knew immediately what Hanako was.
“Rex,” Martha said softly, her voice touched with concern, “you know what she is, don’t you?”
Rex nodded, his gaze steady. “I do. But you need to understand—Hanako’s saved my life more times than I can count. She’s not like others of her kind. She’s different.”
Martha’s surprise slowly melted into a warm, understanding smile. She extended a hand toward Hanako, beckoning her closer. “Come here, young one,” she said gently. “You don’t need to be afraid.”
Hanako hesitated for just a moment before stepping closer to Martha’s side. “How old are you, child?” Martha asked, her voice filled with a quiet sorrow, as if she already knew the answer.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“I’m ten,” Hanako replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Martha’s eyes softened with pity. “Turned at such a young age,” she murmured, reaching out to gently place her hand on Hanako’s cheek. “I’m so sorry, dear. No one should have to bear the weight of that so young.”
Hanako’s small body tensed at the touch, but she slowly relaxed, allowing herself to feel the warmth of Martha’s hand. “It’s… it’s okay,” Hanako said, though her voice faltered. “I’m stronger now because of it.”
“Stronger, yes,” Martha said softly, still cradling Hanako’s cheek in her hand. “But it comes with a price, doesn’t it?”
Rex watched the exchange in silence, his mind swirling with memories of everything he and Hanako had been through. He knew Martha was right—there was always a price to be paid for power, and both he and Hanako had paid theirs in full. Still, they had survived. That had to count for something.
“Sit with us,” Martha said gently, patting the ground beside her. Hanako quickly sat down, looking more nervous than Rex had ever seen her. Usually, Hanako was confident, even a little cocky, but now, in the presence of his aunt, she seemed… vulnerable.
Rex sat down beside her, feeling the tension in the air begin to ease. “You don’t have to be so tense, Hanako,” Martha said softly. “Just let yourself relax. Feel the stars around you. They’re here for you, too.”
Hanako closed her eyes for a moment, taking in a slow breath. When she opened them again, some of the tension had left her shoulders, and she smiled faintly. “The stars are really beautiful,” she said, her voice steadier now.
Rex glanced at her, then back at Martha. “You know, I was wondering, Hanako,” he said. “Earlier, when you looked taller, and your body had those strange markings—what happened to all of that? You looked… different.”
Hanako blinked, then nodded as she realized what he was asking about. “That’s my Blood Hound Fox form,” she explained, her voice steady now. “After devouring another fox, I gained more flux energy. The blood pact we made amplified that power, and it made me stronger. It’s why I can fight alongside you, why I’ve been able to protect you.”
Martha’s gaze shifted to Rex’s arms, where she saw the faint outlines of his sharp, claw-like nails and the wiry muscles beneath his skin. She knew those signs all too well. “So, you were part of this blood pact too?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Rex nodded, his expression hardening. “Yeah. It’s changed the way I fight. Every punch, every swing of my sword—it generates shockwaves. My muscles expand with every movement, amplifying my strength. The pact has made me stronger, but I know it’s come with a cost.”
Martha sighed softly, her eyes full of understanding. “A blood pact is a serious bond, Rex. It ties you in ways you may not fully understand yet. It gives you power, yes, but it can also change you. Don’t lose sight of who you are.”
Rex’s expression softened, and he nodded, acknowledging her words. “I won’t, Aunt Martha. I trust Hanako. She’s saved me more times than I can count. We’re in this together.”
Hanako, still sitting nervously beside Rex, nodded quickly. “I would never hurt Rex,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “He’s… he’s my friend. He’s always been there for me.”
Martha’s gaze softened further, and she placed a gentle hand on Hanako’s shoulder. “I believe you, dear. But just remember that bonds like this are powerful. They can make you stronger, but they can also make you vulnerable.”
The three of them sat in silence for a few moments, the stars above twinkling in the deep night sky. Despite everything—the war, the bloodshed, the battles that still lay ahead—there was a rare peace in this moment. A fleeting calm that none of them wanted to break.
Hanako leaned gently against Rex’s shoulder, her small frame relaxing for the first time in what felt like hours. Rex, too, felt the weight of the blood pact settle more comfortably within him. It wasn’t just about the power it gave him anymore; it was about the bond he shared with Hanako, the trust they had built, and the sacrifices they had made for each other.
Martha, her eyes half-closed now, leaned back against the soft grass, her breath slowing as the exhaustion from the day caught up with her. “You’re both so young,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve taken on so much responsibility, so much weight. But together… maybe that’s enough.”
Rex looked over at her, his expression softening further. He knew what she meant. He had been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders for so long now, it was hard to remember a time when he hadn’t. But with Hanako by his side, with his aunt’s quiet wisdom guiding him, maybe—just maybe—it wouldn’t be so heavy anymore.
“We’ll make it through this, Aunt Martha,” Rex said softly, his voice full of quiet determination. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Martha smiled, but there was a deep sadness behind her eyes, a knowledge that Rex hadn’t fully grasped yet. She had lived long enough to understand that some burdens couldn’t be carried alone. But she also knew that Rex had the strength to carry more than most. She only hoped he wouldn’t lose himself along the way.
The night stretched on, the stars above watching silently as the three of them sat together, bound by fate, blood, and the unbreakable ties of family and friendship.