The sixth moon of Terra slowly spun around the great planet below, narrowly missing its sister planets whilst casting only a few shadows. For this world contained nearly all of the Shadowed Marble which was used in the construction of the Midnight Castle's interior. As a matter of fact, it is said that the core of such a world was not of iron, but of the marble. Hence the reason why there were no shadows within much of the world.

Now, upon the outskirts of one of the major cities, called Four Stars of Heaven, stands an illusory town that is common within the world of Terra. For such a thing was used as a way to hide a great portal to the mother world. However, it was no longer necessary to hide, due to the fact that everyone knows about it. Therefore, instead of doing away with the town, it was instead used as a "Tourist Attraction". One that allowed the denizens of the world to explore such a town before venturing off towards the city nearby.

It was here that many had gathered around in the centre, where a great, oval structure stood tall will a smooth, watery surface inside. Within such a surface was the image of the alabaster city called Necropolis, but instead of a bright and shining city, it was covered in darkness due to the clouds hanging above. This was so, as the God King of Terra was quite angry, and sought to purge a few of the Lord of Chaos which resided within the Pantheon. Of which resided within a pocket dimension parallel to that world. However, due to the emotions created by the Ageless, the weather of Terra mimicked its God.

Which led to a proclamation to all worlds, one that caused quite a stir within the billions of beings who would make use of the portals which transported people to the various worlds throughout. "No one is allowed upon Terra until the purge is complete." Of course, many questioned this decision made by the ruler, and when they asked their deities why this was so, they were left quite disappointed. For their own Gods and Goddesses did not have the answer they sought.

What is more, no one was allowed to leave the world, either, and all portals were systematically shut down. Which is why many had gathered around the portal to Terra within Sol'Anon, as it had been without the reflection of such a world for nearly a fortnight. So there were quite a few who desired to understand why it was active at that time.

Within a few moments, however, they gained some news, but left more than a few scratching their heads. For out of the portal came one hundred old styled Living Armours holding large targe and tower shields strapped to one arm, and either a long, curved scimitar or short spear in the other. Many of those who read up on the histories of Terra almost instinctively knew that such beings were the first of such a magickal race, but had long ago vanished when they became intelligent. So to see one hundred of these beings caused quite the stir to those who knew of them.

On the other hand, what they were guarding was also as curious as the armoured beings themselves. For it was a simple carriage of ever changing colours that held a beautiful Wolfwoman in a one piece dress, both of which changed colours every few moments, and a curious wolf-like child with nine dark tails behind him. Of which was swishing all over the place in great curiosity and excitement. The eyes of one such as he were large, as the youngling plastered the whole of his muzzle up against the glass windows upon the sides whilst staring at everything and everyone without.

"Mama," cried out the child called Nox, "where's Maya and Mia's house? I don't see it."

"That's because we've only just arrived within Sol'anon, Nox," spoke the Wolfwoman, who glanced lovingly at her child with a small, amused smirk upon her lips.

"Muu," he responded with puffed up cheeks as he sat upon a few of the cushions lining the interior's benches. All the while staring outside whilst the Living Armour stood near the carriage they sat within.

"I know you're anxious, but have patience. We'll be there momentarily," upon so saying, the Goddess stepped out momentarily in order to discuss a few things with a large Living Armour called Zabartik, whose armour was of the Spartan style. Of which took only a few moments, and back inside she went to see a pouting hybrid staring up at her person. Chuckling softly, she did lift his small body into her arms, where he was tickled as they moved forward, away from the illusory town and onto a road which led to the countryside.

All the while, leaving those who witnessed such a spectacle to scratch their heads and either go about their day, or try to follow the odd party travelling away from the city. However, there were quite a few who tried to rush the portal, desiring to enter into Terra for this or that reason. Unfortunately, before anyone was able to leap into it, the portal itself vanished, leaving only the faint outline of such a thing visible. Yes. Quite a few of them cursed long and loudly from such a denial.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

*****

For towards the north of the city called the Four Stars of Heaven were a range of mountains known solely as The Blossoms of Sakura. For around and within this range were cherry trees that bloomed with their pink petals, and never bore fruit. That is, unless someone took a sapling, tree, or seed from their home within the mountains.

In the centre of such a thing stood a small complex surrounded by those considered as Ninjas, and watched the perimetre of the area with a strict duty. All due to the fact that they served under a Kitsune Goddess known solely as "Mother."

It was here that Mother sat beneath an old cherry tree with a pink robe which was called a "Kimono", whittling away at a small piece of wood with a small knife, which slowly shaped itself into that of the Ageless's Kitsune self. All the while humming to herself as her children tumbled around whilst trying to catch as many of the blossoms as they could. During such a playful incursion, one of the many, hidden, ninjas made its presence known to her from behind the tree she sat against.

"Speak," she called out slowly, keeping most of her attention upon the wood in her paws.

"One hundred Armoured beings guarding a carriage of colours are making their way here," whispered the messenger, "They have bypassed all our traps and ambushes as though they knew beforehand."

"Hmm," hummed the female as she set aside the wood and knife, and stretched her arms before standing tall, "Make ready the reception. If it is who I think it is, then we have nothing to fear. However," one of her digits was raised which caused her subordinate to stiffen somewhat, and her eyes to flash with a white energy, "due to the events upon Terra, we may need to move with great caution. Therefore, make certain to double the guard, and rouse the old fool who calls himself 'Dragon'. We may need his help before the day is out."

"Yes, Mother. Your will be done," spoke the other in a hushed whisper, vanishing from her side instantaneously.

Whereas the other simply called out to her children, catching their attention with perked ears and widened eyes, as their mother spoke of a surprise waiting for them if they followed her to the front gates. Whereupon they did yip with glee, scampering towards the gates before the other could even make a step forwards in that direction.

"Silly girls," she sighed slowly, making her way forwards whilst witnessing those around her person moving silently and making ready their weapons of war. For the advancement of this unknown force caused many to become on edge, and made preparations to ensure their charges would make it out safely. That is, only if a terrible event were to come to pass.

Upon making her way to the gates, of which were made of wood and stone, as was much of the buildings within the complex, she did find her children barred from the steps leading to the walls by several of the main guards. These beings wore a type of hard wood and leather that were buffed and polished until they shined like a beetle's carapace.

In fact, there were many rumours outside the mountain range who considered them to be walking insects, instead of Kin and Kitsune, as was much of the populace after the God King and his servants purged the Humans from the world. However, instead of shunning such rumours, these beings embraced them, taking on the form of an insect called the Hercules Beetle. Of which had a pair of pincer-like horns atop their heads that were vertical instead of horizontal. This was the image they went for, and surpassed all expectations, even coming up with a mechanical means in which to move their pincers atop their heads for recreational, combat, and sport.

Of which were the ones who blocked the entryway to the stairs, whilst the twins mewed pitifully as they stared upon the guards with their own "Puppy-Dog Stare". No. They were not immune to such a gaze, and sweated profusely under their armour. For the desire to give into the children's whims was strong. Luckily, though, one of them spotted the Mother, and called out to her person with just enough volume that it caused the children to turn around, scampering off towards their parent with excited yips and barks. Leaving the others to sigh with great relief.