Sora leaned back with Mia to stare up at the blue heavens, slowly overcasting orange as time went by; it was the first time she’d had the joy of being able to enjoy the company and ask for advice from her ever-distant mother.

After discussing the things that had been on her mind regarding Kari and her father’s side—to help Wendy and herself—Sora felt like she’d heard enough to find her way through it.

Now, she just wanted to spend as much time with her mother as possible and understand her own troubles.

Pandora—the Herald of Sakura—had been guiding her mother and aunt through the threads of their Greater Existence in ways they’d never experienced before, which was both scary and thrilling.

The mysterious entity functioned in an entirely divergent path to Founders yet had a keen understanding of them from absorbing Sora’s grandmother’s nightmare and acting as its keeper.

Some of the implications her aunt and mother were being forced to face in the echo of these unfamiliar, plucked threads of Existence were challenging everything they’d known, which was why Inari had been distant as she pieced everything together.

Sora didn’t understand a lot of things her mother spoke about but was just happy to hold her hand and let her vocalize her own worries; even her 12th-dimensional mother was having a rough time, and it meant the world to Sora that she wasn’t alone in her mess of a life.

Plots had been made in darkness and cryptic deals formulated before her mother was even born; the web of threads spanning back led right to the 1st Generation. Their reach went far beyond their own Existence, as well, making Sora wonder what she’d done to convince Gloria to help revive her aunts and grandmother.

Had it all been plotted by Gloria from the start, and was it for good or ill intentions? Did she care at all? Was there some far larger picture the Fairy Mother was working behind the scenes? Who were these unknown forces that had bided their time to restore her grandmother and the Tanuki Founder to kidnap them, and for what purpose?

It was a level of subtlety and manipulation on a scale that made her mother realize how small of a pool she’d played in all her life; vast sections of their Existence she hadn’t even known existed until Pandora showed her the little cracks she could slip through to see beyond the walled sections.

Sora let it go in one ear and out the other—she wasn’t listening to offer advice or her two cents—she was there for her mother to just have someone to talk to.

If she wanted to help her mother in any meaningful way, she had to at least climb the Founder Hierarchy to the point where Jin’s family acknowledged her, and that was where she was at right now, training to prepare for that inevitable conflict.

Fingers tightening around the smooth, delicate skin of her mother’s hand, Sora brought it up in their lying position to stare at the bracelet her mother had given her; it shimmered in the light, making her smile.

“Do you think I’ll ever catch up, Mom?”

Her mother’s wry smile caught her eye. “Honey, you’re making phenomenal progress… I wouldn’t be surprised, given the destiny you seem to be moving to fulfill. You’ve already united so many impossible forces and conquered so many challenges in your short life—in less than a year.”

“Hmm…” Sora’s ears folded back as a short sigh puffed through her nose; her mother was looking at her like she looked at Emilia. “I don’t think I can be selfish anymore.”

“Your daughter?”

She slowly nodded before returning her focus to the blazing sky as it literally caught fire, creating a dome of light that constantly cycled the planet in its slow rotation, dying down to ignite again as it orbited the celestial giant overhead.

“Emi’s been learning a lot about how to use her magic, and I’ve mainly kept White locked into more household, every-day-living stuff. Eyia’s helped train her a bit in some weapons, but luckily—at least, I thought it was lucky—she’s been too busy with Jin lately to continue.”

“But now?” her mother murmured, shifting to her side to start playing with Sora’s hair.

“Mmh… now I’m beginning to think it’s me just trying to keep her a little girl, which is easier for me but isn’t what’s best for her. She’s taking on more Vulpes characteristics with her tricks, and I’ve seen her starting to plan little plots… heh, kind of like with my surprise birthday party.”

“Sorry,” her mother laughed. “I figured she would be around that age that it would tickle her to plan.”

“No… you were right,” Sora sighed. “I’m going to have to change a lot of things this next year… Is it selfish of me to want one more year without taking Emilia into the chambers with me?”

“Hmm.” Her mother’s tails shifted over to wrap around hers in a tail-hug that made her giggle. “I think it’s more than acceptable. Let her start branching out and being herself while you’re not around for a year; then, when you’re eighteen, you can start helping her prepare for what’s to come, which will give you an extra year with her.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Sora whispered. “I can get White to help me branch out with my Vulpes side more… heh, get some help from you, but first, I want to try to use this next year to learn my own unique combination of using your side and Dad’s side together.”

“A wonderful plan.”

Sora smirked as her mother leaned over to kiss her cheek and pull back with a cute, freckled smile on her face. “You’re enjoying this so much.”

“So much! I have to savor the time I get to spend with you… After all, I didn’t have time with my daughter as a baby or for most of her teenage years. So, every moment like this is the greatest gift I could ask for.”

Sora was starting to understand that feeling with Emilia. Sometimes, the best thing for your daughter wasn’t the best thing for yourself, and you had to come to terms with that. Her mother’s silent example was beginning to reflect that as she allowed her to grow yet tried her best to be there when she most needed it.

“Mom.”

“Mhm?”

“Want to do me a solid?”

Her mother’s soft eyes already knew what she was going to ask but nodded to let her finish in any case.

“Could you spend some time with Wendy, Mofupsi, and Emilia tonight? Just walk around some random place or let them ask questions. I’m sure Wendy’s nervous… she hasn’t had the best experience with mothers, and Mofupsi never had a mother, so…”

“You’re such a good little fox,” her mother whispered, leaning in to kiss her forehead. “Daughters to my left; daughters to my right; a cute granddaughter, mine heart hath theft; heh, you’ve made a mother alight.”

“Hehe. Hmm… Tola, White, Liz, Aiden, Kari, Eyia, Jin… so many things to look forward to and that have happened. Movie night, then time with Wendy and Mofupsi during the night, and spend the morning with Emilia before you need to go?”

“Sounds like a plan, birthday fox!”

“Haha. You’re going to make me expect you back next year with this surprise!”

Her mother grinned. “I had to set a precedent at some point!”

“Aww…” Tightening her three tails around her mother’s, Sora leaned in to kiss her mother’s cheek this time and hug her. “Let’s spend so much time together when all of this madness is over! All of our family.”

“I’d love nothing more!”

After spending a few more minutes in silence with her mother while watching the overhead flames flicker and weave in wave-like patterns across the atmosphere, Sora squeezed her hand, letting her know she was ready to go.

She’d had her special moment with her mom in the time-accelerated space, and now it was time to allow her other new sisters to enjoy getting to know their new family.

Having the Realm take them back to her house, Sora chuckled as Emilia darted forward with a chirping Vix-chu; even her archnemesis couldn’t dampen the day.

Letting her daughter explain all the new big movies that had come out and how they were going to have so many things to watch over the next few weeks, Sora sat down on the sofa of their expanded living room.

Someone had magically enhanced its size to accommodate their guests, and she managed to coax her nervous, bushy-brown-tailed sister to sit beside their mother with Emilia on the other side. Mofpusi took up the place beside her for their family time, and everyone settled in for the show.

First up, one of her favorite Japanese drama TV shows—magically translated for those who didn’t understand the language—Sora smiled, she loved it enough to start at the beginning, sharing something she used to love with her family, both related and extended, was so special. The romantic drama enthralled Tola, Emilia, Liz, Eyia, Alice, and the twins, who were watching with bated breath.

Stolen novel; please report.

Mary and Ashley whispered in their own little magically silenced zones while explaining things to their kids, and Sora couldn’t help but notice the enthusiastic, unheard questions that passed between Liz, Alice, Aiden, Nathan, and Emilia’s young twin friends.

Popcorn, chocolate treats, nachos, and other movie-night essentials were passed around as the night continued, and at about 2 a.m., Sora called it for the night—much to Emilia’s moans and groans for it to continue.

Of course, her lips sealed once learning she’d have her grandmother all to herself when she woke up, causing her to race to bed while using her magic to brush her teeth—trying not to waste a moment; naturally, she was sleeping in the same room as her aunts.

Their house had basically turned into a hotel with all the added rooms that had been specially crafted by Nari, it seemed; each to fit every family and couples’ needs.

Sora hugged her aunts, mother, and sisters—slave-sister, in the case of Mofupsi—and motioned for Kari and Alva to walk with her outside before bed.

A little confused at being singled out as the room was cleaned with a single snap of her Aunt Nari’s fingers, Kari followed her outside; Sora lingered by the door with a small smile while seeing Wendy shift uncomfortably as her new mother asked where she’d like to go.

Have fun, Wendy, Mom…

Kari caught her focus, causing the wolf’s amber eyes to soften. After talking to her mom about her concerns about the Fenris Wolf, she started to see her friend’s change wasn’t all bad.

Alva appeared to know what it was about by the wolf mother’s expression, and Sora could feel a longing from the woman; it wasn’t for herself but that Kari’s real mother could have been there to enjoy the peace Aiden and her daughter had found.

Closing the door behind them, Sora entered the empty nighttime streets; it was quiet at 2:10 a.m. in the Vulpes metropolis.

The foxes and humans had operated on a clockwork timetable for hundreds of thousands of years, and all of them were more or less content with their relatively simple lives.

It put things in perspective for Sora; they branched out a little from their former structured lives, but the population didn’t seem to need to deviate that far to find the joy of freedom from day to day.

Kari’s introduction of sports had helped some outliers that seemed to crave a more sporty outlet in the big city, but it wasn’t the same kind of competition that she’d known as a human.

Alva followed her gaze to the dark windows and silent streets with their visual displays of art and fountains of a world long lost to the ages past. “What’s on your mind?”

“Reflecting,” Sora whispered, seeing Kari doing the same. “I didn’t come here with the desire to upset the status quo or change things, yet… it happened anyway.”

A short chuckle bubbled out of Kari’s throat. “You were more or less dragged kicking and screaming into the spotlight. It was Niomie’s own hubris and fears about you being a Founder and discovering the truth about the Realm that all of this happened.”

“I suppose,” Sora smiled, seeing some bikes beside a house; she didn’t have any proof, but she bet her daughter had been the one to make it for some kids that occupied the home. “A lot’s changed since Miami, huh?”

“Meh. I try not to really think much about a lot of stuff in the past,” Kari shrugged. “Maybe it’s the whole Persona-Shadow fight I had, but I’d rather figure things out today and work toward the future.”

“Fair,” Sora hummed, drawing her friend’s furrowed brow.

“Not going to yell at me?”

“Haaa…” She gave the Fenris Wolf a half-smile. “I was scared… no one could tell us how bad it would be, and I was afraid I’d lose everything we’d built.”

“Oh… Yeah, I could see that, too,” Kari mumbled, vision falling to the ground as a soft sound of thunder rumbled overhead, drawing their attention. “Qebhet?”

The little snake girl was in her colossal draconic form after their party, adjusting the planet’s weather patterns for some reason.

“Huh.” Loosening two of her chakrams from her tail, she expanded one above them for the other to act as a transportation funnel, moving the water behind them. “Guess we need a bit of rain.”

“Yeah…”

She felt the prickling sensation that touched her fur as she felt the rapid advent of a light thunderstorm being generated overhead, making her ears flick a little.

The memory of the giant snake in total despair returned while watching the joyful, ancient deity continue through the darkening clouds; how she’d been betrayed by the humans she’d so lovingly cared for, and knowing they would, yet accepting her fate as if punishment for not being able to temper the chaotic, self-destructive nature of the humans she’d been tasked to safeguard.

Just like that wounded, hopeless snake, she’d been at a crossroad a little more than a year ago from this day; looking back at all that had happened since, she felt a sense of accomplishment for overcoming so much.

As the rain started to fall around them with the soft patter against the cobblestone, Sora went through all the points in the past year that could have changed where she stood this night; never in her wildest dreams did she believe Kari and her could be friends—not in a million years—yet here she stood with a shade of her lost mother for guidance.

The things she’d learned about the Fenris Wolf made her want to weep with the heavens; left alone to contend with a psychopathic brother, a broken family, and manipulated by everyone nearby, Kari had lived through a hell Sora could relate to, yet she didn’t have support like Sora did.

Kari had found a home and foundation in humanity’s brutal resilience to guide her through the storm raging around her shattered life; yet, now she’d discovered a new home. Subconsciously, perhaps loosening her Shadow had been a means for her to finally let go of all that baggage, as her mother said, a controlled flame to burn away the dead wood to allow new growth.

“Heh. What are you looking at?” Kari mused, showing her teeth as she noticed Sora staring.

“Mmh-uh… Just thinking about the last year. I’m happy we can be friends.”

Kari puffed out a long sigh, ears pulling back as she shot a dull look her way. “You’re always so sentimental. It’s in the past! I’m ready to really start putting in work to beat these supposed Dragon Founders that are going to come after us. Hehe. I’m going to show everyone not to underestimate us.”

Sora giggled as her new friend flexed her extended claws while her insanely thick, black hair bristled at her back. “I’m not so worried about your Shadow anymore.”

“Huh?”

Completely thrown off by the comment, she glanced at her happy mother before returning to Sora. “Why not? Don’t we still need to deal with the whole collar situation? I’m not going to lose to some shadow me—if you’re worried about that.”

Sora shook her head, hands held behind her back at the base of her tails, looking up through her chakram at the dark sky. “I talked to my mother and found out a lot more about how our Shadows work, and I think there’s a way for us to both get our powers unlocked.”

Her friend’s ears shot up again with her grin. “I’m listening!”

Feeling the tug of her Vulpes heart, Sora shot her a wink. “Hehe. We’ll talk about that tomorrow! For now, I just want to take today to be grateful for what we’ve been able to create over the past year. You gotta reflect and take in the good to remain grounded.”

“Haaa… I guess you do have a point,” Kari mumbled, scratching the side of her head and following her gaze to the heavens. “I’m just… really excited to meet my dad… whoever he is.”

“Hehe. Now you’re making me feel bad!” Sora accused, nudging her side.

“Not trying to! Heh, just being honest.”

“Yeah… I get it,” she hummed. “I don’t know what we’ll find going forward, but I want to remain friends, Kari… So, don’t go stereotype evil-friend on me. ‘kay?”

“Ditto. It hurts enough when you hit me with those stupid frisbees as a friend—and don’t make a dog joke out of that!”

“Hehe. How can I not when you call me a frisbee, Pluto? Gotta catch me in your mouth like a good puppy, hmm?”

“Right… so you can blast my face from close range with those ridiculous Null-Void lasers?”

“Can’t you just eat them?” Sora teased.

Kari blinked, lips pursing to the side as a flash of lightning arced overhead, followed by a distant rumble. “Not… wrong. I just gotta train my stomach to break down or incorporate Null-Void.”

“Oof. I wasn’t being serious—sounds painful.”

This new Kari is a total maniac when it comes to believing in her power… but who knows, maybe there is some way to eat Null-Void? If there is, I’m sure she’ll find it.

“No pain, no gain!” Kari snickered. “Gotta be tough!”

“Not suicidal, though, I hope.”

“Naa. That implies I can’t do it. Also gotta have confidence in yourself, or you’ll run away from everything.”

“Smart confident; not dumb confident,” Sora returned, bumping into her side, yet it was she who was pushed away from the immovable object. “Hehe. Fatty.”

“Lightweight.”

Laughing, they continued their walk through the night, and finally, Sora turned her gaze to the ancient wolf woman walking beside her daughter.

“Alva…”

“Yes, dear?”

“Is there a way we can help you return to life?”

Kari shot an accusatory glare at her mother’s Intelligent Construct. “Good luck, Sora; she stonewalls me every time I ask.”

A sad smile moved the tall wolf’s face as she slowly shook her head. “You shouldn’t concern yourself with things that will only bring misfortune, Sora.”

“What’s with that answer?” Kari huffed.

Sora drew in her lips at the response. “So… what I get from that is that it’s not impossible… I did the impossible with my grandma and aunts. Why is this different?”

Alva’s vision fell to the wet stone. “It involves the legacy of the Founders… Gloria and the other 1st Generation won’t allow others to intervene in internal conflicts between factions, which is why your aunt did not kill Sköll and Hati.

“Fenris Wolves can fight each other due to our nature—think of it as a loophole—yet Primordial or Founder… No one can intervene to cause a major imbalance, which is a part of the bargain struck during the Great War. So…”

A low snort came from Kari as a tight-lipped grin spread across her lips. “So, basically, you’re saying it is possible… if we kill my uncles, but only I can do it… You don’t think I can?”

Sora streamed out another long breath; there was always a way to get what you wanted, it seemed, so long as you were willing to pay the price. “Only bring misfortune… You’re saying it’s not worth the effort… at this time. So, focus on what we can accomplish, but there is a way when the time comes.”

Alva slowed to a stop, her tone becoming melancholy. “Even if you were to slay Sköll and Hati, the other things that would need to fall into place are beyond comprehension. I don’t want to give you false hope, Kari.”

Kari worked around her neck as her smirk fell. “I get it’s a hard thing, Mom… I get it may take forever… but if there’s a way to fix everything… I’m glad you didn’t tell Aiden this; he has enough grief regarding my little sister, but if you can be brought back, Tiri can, too. It gives me something to shoot for.”

Sora nodded, fingers tightening into a fist. “I agree. We have something to fight for, even if it will take time, we’re not alone, and if we can’t be there to help kill them, I can make sure I’m there to rescue Kari if things get too bad and run away! Haha. We’ll play dirty if we have to until we achieve our goal!”

Kari’s left ear pulled back with her eyebrow. “I’m not a damsel that needs rescuing.”

“Yet! Hehe. Just in case! You’ll have a prince to ride in on her shiny frisbee to whisk you away!”

Kari rolled her eyes as Sora laughed with Alva, and not feeling particularly tired, she stayed up to wander the streets with her friend, joking through the night.