"Thanks for letting me stay over, Ms. S," politely mewed Nox in his standard crimson trousers as the twins hugged his sides, rubbing their muzzles against his cheeks.

Of which caused the present Kitsune to smile at the adorable cuddle scene, "You're welcome, Nox. Then again, one cannot say no to the Queen of the Gods when she needs something done."

At this point in time, it was rather dark out with the stars in the heavens above twinkling beautifully. Of which caused the young hybrid to stare up at them with widened, dilated eyes. This was so, as he had never before seen such a sight, for the Midnight Castle only had a lonely moon above it to illuminate the surrounding land. Yes. There were torches and Shadowed Marble to enhance the lightings, but it was not the same as it was in the mountainside. What with the billions upon billions of stars stretching across, and the other five planetary moons slowly rotating around the giant planet called Terra.

However, it was only after supper, which consisted of a light broth-like soup called Miso, followed by sushi, that Sarah dropped a bombshell. One that caused quite a stir with the young hybrid. For his mother desired to return to her husband's side in order to prevent some unnecessary damage which accumulates within any sort of purge within the Pantheon. Which meant she desired for her son to stay here, with the twins and the Mother, until such a time that it had been deemed safe for the child to return home.

Yes. He was not at all happy, and cried profusely whilst clinging to his mother's leg. For he did not wish to be abandoned by her, even if it was to stay with two of his best friends. What is more, his own waterworks caused Maya and Mia to join in on clinging to her other leg. Of which confused the adults in the room immensely, as the twins would only benefit from him staying with their persons.

Which led to the Goddess slowly explaining to his person that she must leave him here, as it was not safe for him to be with their persons at this time. "It's because there are those who want to take you away from us, Nox, and we cannot allow that. Understand?" this was spoken with great patience as she slowly peeled the young children from her legs, "I will return shortly, but only after I made sure your father had found all of those who desired to harm our family, okay?"

"Promise?" he mews pitifully with widened eyes as she beams a smile down upon him, hugging his small body close to her own.

"Promise." After speaking, she did part ways with her tearful son who now had the twins glued to his sides, as they watched the Goddess leave the complex with eighty of the one hundred Living Armour. For those who had been chosen to stay were to guard the child and his friends until Oblivion took them all.

Which led to him and his friends being placed inside a small room which was covered, wall to wall, in bright colours. This area which the girls' sleeping quarters, and doubled as a sort of playroom. What with the large collection of cotton stuffed animals lining the walls and low-structured shelves decorating the room. Yes. More than a few were worn due to overuse, but were never tossed away from such a thing. Instead, they were given a spot amongst the higher shelves as a reminder to take care of the toys that they currently have. Unfortunately, these were children with children minds, therefore such forbodings did nothing for them.

In the meantime, the twenty Living Armour took up posts around and within the building the children would sleep in. Each stood at attention as they became inactive, the light in their eyes fading until they became nothing more than stiff armour and weapons that would not move for anyone not as strong as a major God or Goddess. Yes. You could use them to keep a door open or closed, even to keep something pinned to the ground or a wall, as they would not move unless those that were considered as their masters told them otherwise. Or, as said previously, if a God or Goddess were to move them.

For now, though, four of such armours stood within the room, one for each corner, as their eyes faded away to darkness. Whereas the twins simply acted like children, showing off their brightly coloured room to Nox. Yes. He was greatly curious, if a bit upset about having his mother leaving him behind in the care of another person.

No. It was not abandonment, nor would they disappear, as they were an immortal Goddess and one of the five most powerful Gods in the whole Universe. Instead, it was more of a way to protect the young hybrid from the dangers of the world, whilst allowing his person to enjoy the company of others away from home. Which meant this was a whole new experience for one such as he, as the last time he went out frightened his small mind and heart too much. Whereas at this time, he was in the company of friends, far from the Midnight Castle.

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"What's wrong, Nox?" mewed Mia as she hugged his right side whilst his sister disappeared behind some low hanging curtains. When she returned, she was found to be wearing some sort of one piece suit that covered nearly all of her body. Of which she then motioned to her sister to change out of her stained dress. Once the other returned, they resumed their hugging of the young hybrid, nuzzling his neck fur in an effort to keep him calm. It did help, to some degree, but he was still rather anxious about being gone from his mother, even if it was for his own protection.

"I miss Mama," he sniffed softly, trying to keep back the tears that beaded the corners of his eyes, "I want to go home."

This distress did cause the Living Armour in the room to awaken, and as one, approached his person slowly. Upon reaching the children, they did sit in a small circle, offering what little comfort they could to the youngling. Of which was well received, as he crawled into the closest one's lap, and curled up into a tight ball of dark fluff. Whereupon the twins did join his person, making sure to keep him close to their bodies as they slowly drift off to sleep.

*****

Outside the building was a different matter entirely, as something was making its way towards the area with a large grin upon its features. This caused those who were stationed outside to awaken with a flaring of their eyes, illuminating everything and anything in front of their persons. Of which caused the unknown something to pause with a frown, as the Living Armour's crimson light fell upon it, then focused directly towards the unknown.

This then revealed the creature to be nothing more than a paled faced, Elven Jester. Of whom wore a four point, floppy hat with bells at the end, an odd, buttoned vest and trousers, as well as a pair of long slippers which curled upwards at the toe. The colours of the outfit was equally strange, as it was of crimson and a bright orange which was a tad reflective in the light of the Armours.

Of which led to them each raising their shields and weapons, and slowly advanced from all sides. Whereas the target, this unknown jester-like Elf, leapt high into the air, only to find a dark shaft of an arrow sticking out of its thigh. No. it did not howl, screech, or any of the sort. Instead, the being hissed at the object sticking into its flesh as it landed atop the roof of the building containing the children. Whereupon it did pull out the offending projectile, which was covered in a dark ichor, whilst the wound sealed itself closed.

However, it soon found two more dark shafts, but in the chest area where a heart should lie beneath flesh and bone. Instead of arrows, though, they appeared to be long needles which were considered as throwing weapons. This unnerved the offender somewhat, who then slammed a fist through the roof of the building, which was covered in clay shingles that was designed as a runoff for water and snow. Whereupon the jester leapt into the building, followed by a few of the ninjas whilst the Living Armour stormed into the building by way of its walls and doors.

Where they found the odd Jester being gripped by an enraged, dark furred Kitsune male. Whose nine tails swished and flicked dangerously as his own energies raged about their bodies. "Aristoken, Lord of Lies and Misery," boomed a voice so full of wrath and loathing that it was rather calm as it rumbled across the mountain range, "I have found you at last."

This then led to a howling screech like none other, as lightnings, the colour of Madness, ran rampant throughout the Elven Jester's mind, body, and essence. Of which tore it all apart, bit by agonising bit, until none was left. Not even ash or dust.

Once it was complete, did the Kitsune, who was unmistakably the world's God King, turn towards a shocked crowd of Kin and Foxmen and woman. Of whom then kowtowed before his person, which soon caused the Ageless to frown at the display of worship. "You should know how I dislike such antics," his growl caused all to leap to their feet, not wishing to incur the wrath of one such as he.

"Hmph. Tell your Mother, Sakura, that I shall be coming for my son by the morrow. Until then, you are all to keep watch over his person." Once spoken, did a portal of shadows erupt in front of his person, where he did enter it and vanished from sight.